Ole Timey Meats in Spring Valley: What to Expect

A neighborhood butcher shop with house-made sausage and custom cuts

Ole Timey Meats sits on Spring Valley Road in the Spring Valley shopping district, a traditional butcher counter where you order at the case and staff cut meat to your specifications. The shop focuses on fresh beef, pork, and chicken, with house-made sausage varieties that rotate seasonally. Unlike a grocery store meat department, this is a place where the butcher knows what you're buying it for and can suggest cuts or preparations based on your cooking plans.

The shop has been a neighborhood fixture for years, drawing regulars who come back for specific items—particular sausage flavors, custom-ground blends, or whole cuts they can't find elsewhere. Spring Valley itself is a residential area on the west side of Columbia, and Ole Timey Meats serves that community directly, not as part of a chain.

Key Takeaways

• Ole Timey Meats is a full-service butcher counter where staff cut meat fresh to order rather than pre-packaging everything.
• The shop makes its own sausage in-house, with flavors that change with the season and availability.
• You can request custom cuts, ground meat blends, or whole pieces trimmed to your exact specifications.
• The location is on Spring Valley Road in the Spring Valley shopping area on Columbia's west side.

What you'll find at the counter

The case typically holds beef steaks, roasts, and ground beef; pork chops, ribs, and shoulder cuts; and chicken in various forms. House-made sausage is a signature item—the specific varieties available depend on what the shop has made that week. Seasonally, you might find Italian sausage, breakfast links, bratwurst, or regional specialties. Staff can tell you what's fresh that day and what's been made recently.

Because this is a working butcher shop, not a supermarket display, inventory changes based on what they've broken down and what customers have ordered. If you're looking for something specific—a particular cut, a certain sausage flavor, or a large quantity for an event—calling ahead is worth doing. The butchers can often prepare what you need if you give them notice.

How custom cuts work

You describe what you're cooking and how many people you're feeding, and the butcher suggests a cut and thickness. If you want a steak thinner or thicker than what's in the case, they'll cut it. If you need ground meat with a specific fat ratio, they can grind it fresh. For larger purchases—a whole chicken, a pork shoulder, a beef roast—you can ask for it trimmed a particular way or butterflied or deboned depending on your recipe.

This kind of service takes a few minutes per customer, so the line moves slower than a grocery store, but you leave with exactly what you need rather than settling for what was pre-cut days ago. Many customers find the price competitive with grocery store meat counters, especially for house-made sausage and custom grinds.

Location and hours

Ole Timey Meats is located on Spring Valley Road in the Spring Valley shopping district on Columbia's west side. Hours vary by season and day of the week, so calling ahead before your first visit is a good idea. The shop is typically closed on Sundays and may have limited hours on Mondays.

Spring Valley Road is accessible from Devine Street and runs through a residential neighborhood with ample parking at the shopping center. The shop is small and designed for counter service, so it's not a place to browse for long—you order, pay, and leave with your meat.

Sausage and house specialties

House-made sausage is what draws many repeat customers. The shop makes links and bulk sausage in rotating flavors—traditional Italian, spicy Italian, breakfast sausage, and seasonal varieties that might include regional recipes or customer requests. Because it's made fresh in-house, the sausage has a different texture and flavor than mass-produced grocery store versions, with visible seasoning and a tighter casing.

You can buy sausage by the pound or by the link, and staff can tell you which flavors are available that day. Some customers buy several pounds to freeze, especially if a particular flavor is seasonal or made only occasionally. The shop also takes custom sausage orders if you want a large quantity for a party or event.

Pricing and payment

Prices are set by the pound for most items and vary based on the cut and current market costs for beef, pork, and chicken. House-made sausage typically costs more per pound than grocery store sausage but less than specialty butcher shops in larger cities. The shop accepts cash and card, though it's worth confirming payment methods before your visit.

Because you're paying for custom cuts and house-made products, the total for a single visit can vary widely depending on what you order. A pound of sausage and a couple of steaks might run $20 to $30, while a larger order for a gathering could be significantly more. Calling ahead to discuss what you need and getting a rough price estimate is reasonable if you're planning a big purchase.

Why people choose a butcher shop over the grocery store

A traditional butcher gives you control over what you're buying in ways a grocery store counter cannot. The meat is cut fresh to order, not pre-packaged days in advance. The staff can explain the difference between cuts, suggest cooking methods, and adjust thickness or trim based on your recipe. House-made sausage tastes different because it's made locally with the butcher's own seasoning blend, not shipped from a factory.

For home cooks who care about quality and specificity, or for people cooking for large groups, a butcher shop often saves time and money compared to buying pre-cut grocery store meat and then trimming it yourself. The relationship also matters—regular customers develop a rapport with the butchers, who remember what they like and can set aside items or make special batches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order sausage ahead if I want a specific flavor?

Yes. Call the shop and describe what you're looking for—a particular sausage flavor, a quantity, or a delivery date. The butchers can often make it fresh if you give them a day or two of notice. This is especially useful if you want a large quantity for a party or if you're looking for a seasonal flavor that might not be available every day.

Do they sell whole chickens or just parts?

Ole Timey Meats can provide whole chickens and can break them down into parts if you prefer. You can also request specific cuts—just breasts, or thighs and drumsticks—and they'll prepare it that way. Calling ahead for whole birds is a good idea if you want to make sure they have one available.

What's the difference between their sausage and grocery store sausage?

House-made sausage is mixed and cased fresh in the shop, usually with a higher meat-to-filler ratio and the butcher's own seasoning blend. Grocery store sausage is often made elsewhere and shipped frozen or refrigerated. The texture and flavor are noticeably different—house-made sausage tends to be juicier and more flavorful, though it also has a shorter shelf life.

Can I get ground meat with a specific fat content?

Yes. Tell the butcher what you're making and they can grind meat to your specifications—leaner for burgers, fattier for meatballs, or a specific ratio if you have a recipe. They'll grind it fresh while you wait or have it ready if you call ahead for a large quantity.

What if I don't know what cut to buy for a recipe?

Describe the dish you're making and how many people you're cooking for, and the butcher will suggest a cut and thickness. This is one of the main advantages of a traditional butcher shop—the staff has the knowledge to guide you toward the right choice rather than leaving you to guess at the grocery store.