Forza Meats

10/17/2026

10/16/2026

Staff Spotlight! This week we’re featuring another one of the behind-the-scenes heroes in the Forza fam, our lead production butcher Gabriel! Gabby, or Gabagool as some of us affectionately refer to him, is a wizard with a knife, churning out steaks from sub-primals quicker than you can say “Flatiron,” and breaking down the whole hogs and sides of beef we get from the farm into marketable cuts. He does everything from the big stuff like you see above down to the little things like rolling Mama’s Meatballs by hand, and with the same grin you see in the picture. If you can think back to a time when you came into the shop with something special in mind but didn’t see it in the case, only to have it in your hands shortly thereafter, just know it was Gabby that dropped what he was doing (and he’s always doing something) to make sure you went home happy. If you see him pop into the front of the shop, don’t be afraid to say hello!

10/14/2026

Da Coach! The city of Chicago lost a legend this past week, and the least we can do to commemorate his impact is to name a sandwich in his honor. “The Iron Mike” pays homage to Coach Ditka’s Pittsburgh, PA roots in a Steel City-famous Primanti Bros. knock-off with a Chicago-style twist. We took corned beef and capicola, provolone cheese, sliced tomato and red onion, and added a touch of giardiniera-infused cole slaw. We went all the way with this one and also included the Primanti Bros. hallmark french fries stuffed into the sandwich itself between two slices of marble rye. It’ll be available for the rest of the month while everyone shops eBay for sweater vests, aviator sunglasses and fake mustaches for their Halloween costume honoring one of the greatest Bears every to stalk the sidelines.

RIP Coach!

10/09/2026

We know everyone has heard of the pumpkin spice latte, but how about the pumpkin spice bratte? Our team is joining in the fall fun by trying their hand at a special sausage with a little pumpkin addition. If that doesn’t give you all the pumpkin spice you need, our new manager Paulie whipped up a pumpkin mascarpone filling for our cannoli that is, as the kids would say, fire! These items are limited, so pop into the shop early to snag them before the weekend crowds sn**ch them all up!

10/01/2026

Soup season is back! The cooler temps mean Chef Juanito is filling the kettle with his scratch-made creations again! Look for Pasta Fagioli this week with additional options in the coming weeks. Our soups make an easy lunch or dinner by themselves, or grab some Turano Baking Co. and sliced cheese from the case and whip up a gooey grilled cheese to go along with it!

09/29/2026

Staff Spotlight! Meet Paola (left) and Sherry (right)! These two have been working behind the scenes with Chef Juanito since 2018, crafting charcuterie boards and catering trays, making sure each one is on time and done perfectly. We are so grateful that they are willing to do the work without the glory! So when you’re relaxing, enjoying a holiday or other festivity because you outsourced the heavy lifting to us - you have these two smiling faces to thank!

09/26/2026

Quick reminder to all you Forza fans looking to visit us today this is the scene on Glenview Road in front of the shop with the big Blocktoberfest block party happening all day and night. Glenview Road is closed in both directions so if you're coming to the shop approach from Dewes Street to the south and park in the lot behind the building. We'll be grilling sausages all afternoon in the breezeway next door, which is where our al fresco dining tables will be set up as well. Ciao for now!

09/24/2026

The cooler evening temps have reminded us that it’s time to start featuring more steaks that lend themselves to indoor preparation. There are few candidates more suitable than the Hanger Steak! Super tender, its often referred to as the “poor man’s tenderloin” since it checks in at less than half the price. Not sure how to prepare it? We are always happy to marinate anything in the case for you, or ask us for Chef’s peppercorn Steak au Poivre recipe! A delicious dinner in no time!

09/20/2026

Bear Down! We are unabashed Bears fans here in the Forza fam, and we couldn’t be more excited for the 2026 version of the Monsters of the Midway. We have a big one today against our formidable foe in purple! It looks like we might have a break in the rain before kickoff, perfect timing to swing in and get yourself set up for a victory dinner after we put a smackdown on those Vikings!

09/18/2026

We look forward to this seasonal release from Great Lakes Brewing Company every year! It’s a Double Red IPA called “Nosferatu” that they batch in the fall. At 8.0% ABV it’s amped up for shorter fall days with the sun setting earlier and earlier, but it’s got rich, roasty malt flavor with a dynamite hop bite. We got an extra case this year because it sold out so fast last year, but don’t sleep (in your coffin or otherwise) on it or you’ll miss out again this year!

09/15/2026

Staff Spotlight! Good Tuesday morning, Forza fans! We wanted to highlight another integral member of the Forza fam today, the one and only Zoltan! This guy is the eyes and ears of our expanded operation in Glenview and does it with pep in his step and a smile on his face. Z, Zoltar, Sultan, or Hey You, are just a few of the many names this guy gets called on a daily basis. Whichever moniker you choose to use, don’t hesitate to say hello!

09/05/2026

In a nod to football season, we’ll be running our own little tailgate operation at the Glenview shop every Saturday for the month of September! Chef Juanito and the crew will be grilling out in the breezeway for lunch from 11 AM - 2 PM each and every Saturday, starting today! Just follow the smells of the grill and the sounds of sizzling sausages if you find yourself in downtown Glenview!