When you eat venison in a restaurant or buy it in a market, you may be surprised to learn that it probably has been raised on a farm or a ranch. Originally developed in New Zealand, farmed venison is now a burgeoning business across this country, and it thrives in Central Texas. Following is a list of local venison producers and purveyors.
J-One-S Ranch
PO Box 9, Driftwood, TX 78619
512/894-3810
John and Sidney Jones raise European fallow deer that they process into jerky, sausage, and specialty-cut fresh meat. You can order the jerky from the Web site; it is also available at Central Market, along with their sausage, chili meat, and ground venison. Local restaurants that serve J-One-S products are 34th Street Cafe, Gumbo’s, Star Canyon, the Belgian Cafe, Main Street Grill in Round Rock, and Wildfire in Georgetown.
Broken Arrow Ranch
104 Hwy. 27 W., Ingram, TX 78025
800/962-4263
http://www.brokenarrowranch.com
By far the largest venison purveyor in Central Texas, Mike Hughes’ Broken Arrow Ranch is unique — the venison (from sika deer, axis deer, fallow deer, and antelope) is not “farm-raised,” but is field-harvested from free-range herds on two million acres around the state. Although 90% of sales comes from restaurants outside of Texas, you can eat Broken Arrow venison at Biga on the Banks in San Antonio and Adelmo’s in Dallas. Their products are also available at Whole Foods Markets in Austin.
Central Texas Exotics Enterprises
1325 P.R. 3263, Giddings, TX 78842
877/439-6849
A new player in Central Texas farmed venison, Marida Favia del Core Borromeo opened for business this past spring near Giddings. Currently she focuses on ready-to-eat sausage and jerky from the red deer raised on her Blackjack Ranch. After the first of the year, fresh venison cuts will be available to the public. Order by phone or from the Web site.
Goodheart Brand Specialty Meats
11122 Nacogdoches, San Antonio, TX 78217
888/466-3992
Call for product information (the Web site is temporarily out of commission). The company ships coturnix quail, pheasant, venison, bison, Argentine beef, wild boar, and other specialty meats.
Bluebonnet Venison Farms
10852 Gulfdale, San Antonio, TX 78216 800/328-5326
www.virtualcities.com/bvenison.htm
Stan Grisham’s San Antonio operation offers fresh and fresh-frozen venison cuts, smoked venison sausage, summer sausage, jerky, tamales, and ground venison. Call or order from the Web site.
This article appears in November 16 • 2001.
