Lazy K Meat Co.

4865 Highway 397, Iowa

We’ve been down this road before — quite a few times, actually. Over the past few years and for various reasons, we’ve seen our fair share of names painted across the top of this gabled entrance. I’ve stated many times that a good restaurant in the right hands would undoubtedly succeed in this location in Iowa.

I’ve been a little reluctant to get excited about another hopeful entering the ring. I want to get excited. I want to see success for those who step up to provide their ideas and recipes and show their chops to the public.  And us here on the east side of town, in that growing space between Lake Charles and Iowa, have always been willing and eager to support it.

A new endeavor, Lazy K Meat Co. recently announced they are staking claim to the restaurant facility where K-Bons started it all, located near the junction of East McNeese Street and Highway 397. The premise, a custom butcher market offering smoked sausage and boudin, chicken cracklins, a small variety of produce, plate lunches from smoked pork chops to shrimp fettuccine, gumbo, and the list goes on.

Every day, a different specialty is offered. In their initial online posts, one item in particular intrigued me: a deer burrito, packaged as a pair in a vacuum sealed sleeve. I kept it on my must-try list.

Finally, I found the perfect opportunity to stop at Lazy K Meat Co. to grab a couple of these burritos before tending to the obligations waiting for me at home. 

A classic butcher case displayed smoked goods, fresh roasts and steaks. A wall of coolers was packed with all the essentials for a great home cooked meal.  As I browsed the shop, a glance at the menu quickly reminded me of my neighbor’s social media post praising the burgers offered here. 

I was hungry, and I had time, making this an opportune moment.

The dining room was vacant, but I tool a peek at the small, L-shaped bar. There were a few people engaged in crosstalk as I occupied an empty stool between them.

Enter: Miss Kaydence Brady. The young lady with a beaming smile and spirited personality handed me a cold beer as I settled in and got a feel for the room.  It wasn’t long before we were all entangled in various conversation. A shift in topic provided just enough time to place my order for a cheeseburger and fries. 

Kayde asked if I preferred it “all the way,” with all the condiments and fixings. Absolutely. I wanted to experience this burger the way the chef intended it to be served. In the future, I will likely adjust the toppings to my personal preference. But, that day, it was all on the kitchen.

All eyes were on the burger as the tray was placed before me along with a pile of piping hot seasoned fries. Gasps of awe were heard. 

This was a pretty burger, piled high with fresh and bright veggies. The cheese was melted nicely on the large, hand-formed patty between the buns. It was definitely a two-hander, and a stack of extra napkins was a necessity. 

The taste hit me before I took a bite. How, you ask? It’s that aroma, full of flavor which can only come from a seasoned grill and that little bit of singe and sear on the patty. The first bite confirmed it. I tapped out of the barside chat while I savored this to its finish.

As I prepared to settle my tab and make my exit, a couple my wife and I had the pleasure of meeting during a recent visit to Mazen’s joined the fray and began snacking on their order of deer burritos, raving over them between each bite. I took a couple of steps to the cooler and picked up a pack to take home

A few hours later, Shyla and I could no longer resist the temptation. It was time to tear into this bag of goodies to see if it met the hype. There are several ways to cook these — air fry, oven bake or, my personal favorite, pan fry over low/medium heat, a little bit of olive oil in the bottom of the pan. Just keep flipping them until they are cooked through.  During the cooking process, I prepared a little avocado salad with cilantro, lime and pepper.  

While there are a multitude of sauces or condiments you could use, these burritos didn’t need any at all. They were fantastic straight out of the package. 

Did they live up to the hype? Considering Lazy K batches out 1,600 of every week, I would say it’s a hot commodity.

I walked out with a new sense of hope. My experience, from the moment I stepped inside until I departed, was fantastic. 

From the welcomes and greetings to the witty and pleasurable service, the amazing food and the courteous company and conversations, Lazy K Meat Co. has a lot to offer and there are entire communities ready and willing to support it. For sure, give them a follow.