Freshly marinated chicken, beef, and pork. Sausage made by hand. Succulent steak tips in a variety of mouthwatering flavors.
These are just a few of the high-quality meats at Southern Steer Butcher, a new Chandler shop offering a modern take on the traditional neighborhood butcher.
Owner-operator Vernon Wessel opened Southern Steer Butcher in late June.
“We feature a wide selection of beef, chicken, and pork, with a particular focus on freshly marinated meats and sausage made by hand in our shop,” he says, adding that quality, value, and variety are the core values behind everything Southern Steer offers.
One thing that sets Southern Steer apart, Wessel says, is its unique marinating process.
“Our meats are vacuum tumbled for at least 45 minutes, which allows the marinades to penetrate deeply and produce exceptionally tender, flavorful results,” he says. “We offer as many as 17 varieties of marinated chicken, six varieties of steak tips, and several pork options.”
In addition, the sausages at Southern Steer are all made in-house using traditional methods.
“We grind and season the meat ourselves before stuffing it by hand into natural hog casings,” Wessel says.
Despite opening not long ago, Southern Steer has already developed a following.
“The response to our marinated chicken and steak tips has been tremendous,” Wessel says. “Those products are quickly becoming customer favorites, and the word of mouth they’ve generated has helped bring both returning and new customers into the store.”
For Wessel, owning Southern Steer represents a return to his entrepreneurial roots.
“I began working in steakhouses and fine-dining restaurants when I was young, which sparked a curiosity about cooking that eventually became a lifelong passion,” he says, adding that prior to opening Southern Steer, he worked for 12 years in luxury grocery fulfillment, managing teams in 15 countries.
In 2024, Wessel began developing a plan that would allow him to apply his global retail experience to a local store that offers exceptional products at reasonable prices.
“That process eventually led me to begin working with Southern Steer’s founder in early 2025 and establish the brand in Chandler,” he says. “Chandler was a natural choice because of its strong sense of community, growing population, and family-oriented character.”
After a highly successful grand opening weekend, Wessel has been encouraged by the steady growth in both customer traffic and order sizes.
“I love seeing customers discover a new favorite, come back to tell us how their meal turned out, or ask our team for ideas about what to cook next. I also enjoy developing people and building a team that takes genuine pride in providing excellent food and service. I also have a strong desire to give back and keep looking for ways to volunteer or for monetary giving.”
Despite the warm welcome from the community, Wessel is not content to rest on his laurels.
“Right now, our team is focused on listening closely to customer feedback and adjusting the product selection when something isn’t resonating. We’ve already developed three new sausage recipes and two new steak-tip flavors inspired by Southwestern tastes,” he says.
Wessel is excited to plant roots in the Chandler community, as well as eventually open additional Southern Steer locations in the East Valley.
“What I have enjoyed most is creating something tangible for the community,” he says. “Ultimately, my goal is to make Southern Steer a one-stop shop where customers can build an entire meal without visiting several different stores. We’re partnering with a variety of food makers and retail suppliers to offer wholesome, thoughtfully selected sides and specialty products that make it easier—and more enjoyable—to put a great meal on the table.”
"My goal is to make Southern Steer a one-stop shop where customers can build an entire meal without visiting several different stores."