Curt's Famous Meats
Encyclopedia
Curt’s Famous Meats is a meat market
located on East Truman Road
in Independence, Missouri
. Although it is in Independence, they are a known part of Kansas City-style barbecue
history. Their products have won over 35 local and national barbecue awards, including their eight American Royal
wins. They serve a variety of meats, ranging from common livestock
and poultry
to seafood
and even frog legs. They also act as a small retail store, selling snacks and house hold items on one side of the store. Curt’s currently has a clientèle from all across the United States.
and his wife, Bess Truman
, are some of Curt’s most notable customers; Truman lived about one mile from the market and frequented it often. Since its founding, The store has also been visited by every mayor of Independence, Missouri. Curtis Jones owned and operated the store until 1989, when he decided to sell it. He was initially hesitant about selling the store to a woman, but Donna Pittman, the current owner, convinced him to do so. The name of the market was changed to Curt's Famous Meats in 2004.
The store holds a small Socrates Café
organized by Van Horn High School
. They have met every spring through summer since 2009. There, students, teachers, and Pittman discuss local and national events and issues using the socratic method
of discussion. Local political faces have also joined in discussions, including Independence mayor Don Reimal.
Meat market
A meat market is, traditionally, a marketplace where meat is sold, often by a butcher.It may also refer to:* Meat packing industry* As an alternative spelling for meet market, a singles event or location with many single people, especially one where attendees are rapidly sizing up members of the...
located on East Truman Road
Truman Road
Truman Road, Truman, or 15th Street is a major east/west road in Jackson County, Missouri. It serves Kansas City, Missouri, Independence, and eastern unincorporated Jackson County. Its western terminus is at Broadway Boulevard & I-670 in downtown Kansas City, and its eastern terminus is at the...
in Independence, Missouri
Independence, Missouri
Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
. Although it is in Independence, they are a known part of Kansas City-style barbecue
Kansas City-style barbecue
Kansas City barbecue refers to the specific style of slow smoked meat that evolved from the pit of Henry Perry in the early 1900s in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City barbecue is slow smoked over a variety of woods and then covered with a thick tomato and molasses based sauce.The Kansas City...
history. Their products have won over 35 local and national barbecue awards, including their eight American Royal
American Royal
The American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri is a livestock show, horse show and rodeo held each year in October and November at Kemper Arena. The Future Farmers of America was founded during the Royal and Kansas City's professional baseball team the Kansas City Royals derive their name from the...
wins. They serve a variety of meats, ranging from common livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
and poultry
Poultry
Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...
to seafood
Seafood
Seafood is any form of marine life regarded as food by humans. Seafoods include fish, molluscs , crustaceans , echinoderms . Edible sea plants, such as some seaweeds and microalgae, are also seafood, and are widely eaten around the world, especially in Asia...
and even frog legs. They also act as a small retail store, selling snacks and house hold items on one side of the store. Curt’s currently has a clientèle from all across the United States.
History
Curtis Jones and his wife, Hazel Jones, originally owned a meat market called Bristol Market in Independence, Missouri. In 1947 Curtis and his wife moved their business to a nearby produce market and renamed it Curt's Market. Since its founding, it has been active in the Maywood community‘s history, in which it resides. The store also has a history of award winning meat products that has stemmed from Kansas City’s already long history of barbecue. Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
and his wife, Bess Truman
Bess Truman
Bess Truman , was the wife of Harry S. Truman and First Lady of the United States from 1945 to 1953.-Early life:...
, are some of Curt’s most notable customers; Truman lived about one mile from the market and frequented it often. Since its founding, The store has also been visited by every mayor of Independence, Missouri. Curtis Jones owned and operated the store until 1989, when he decided to sell it. He was initially hesitant about selling the store to a woman, but Donna Pittman, the current owner, convinced him to do so. The name of the market was changed to Curt's Famous Meats in 2004.
Current operations
The store has a staff that is predominately female. They are known locally as the Lady Meat Cutters, although they do have a few male meat cutters.The store holds a small Socrates Café
Socrates cafe
Socrates Café are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the Socratic Method. The groups model their discussions from the book of the same name by Christopher Phillips...
organized by Van Horn High School
Van Horn High School
Van Horn High School is a comprehensive high school located at 1109 Arlington in Independence, Missouri, United States. It is part of the Independence School District.- School Background :...
. They have met every spring through summer since 2009. There, students, teachers, and Pittman discuss local and national events and issues using the socratic method
Socratic method
The Socratic method , named after the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, is a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas...
of discussion. Local political faces have also joined in discussions, including Independence mayor Don Reimal.
Awards
Curt’s Famous Meats has many awards, both locally and nationally, and has been recognized for its performance as a small business.- American RoyalAmerican RoyalThe American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri is a livestock show, horse show and rodeo held each year in October and November at Kemper Arena. The Future Farmers of America was founded during the Royal and Kansas City's professional baseball team the Kansas City Royals derive their name from the...
winner: 1989, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 - Lenexa Barbecue winner: 1989, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011
- Blue Springs Blaze Off winner: 1990, 1992, 2003, 2004, 2005
- Raytown Barbecue winner: 1989, 1991, 1996, 2002, 2006, 2008
- Sedalia Barbecue winner: 2008, 2009
- Tonganoxie Barbecue winner: 2004, 2007, 2008
- Peculiar Barbecue winner: 2006, 2008
- Laurie Barbecue winner: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010
- Sugar Creek Barbecue winner: 2010, 2011
- Small Business Monthly’s “25 Under 25” award: 2003