Hottinger Family Meats in Chino, CA: A Local Tradition Since 1948

Some places are more than businesses. They become part of your childhood, your family gatherings, and the memories you carry long after you grow up. For me, Hottinger Family Meats in Chino is one of those places.

I’ve been going to Hottinger’s for our family’s meat since the 1980s. And what makes that especially meaningful is that our kids grew up eating Hottinger’s meats, too. What started as a place I visited growing up became part of our own family’s dinners, barbecues, celebrations, and weekend traditions. Decades later, when we’re planning a barbecue or looking for something special to put on the grill, it’s still one of our favorite places to go.

And if you’ve ever wondered why people will drive from outside Chino to shop at a neighborhood butcher, one visit helps explain it.

A Chino Family Business With Roots Going Back to 1941

The Hottinger story began before the market opened its doors in Chino. Henry Hottinger emigrated from Switzerland to the United States in 1926. In 1941, he and his wife, Daisy, started a butchering business from their home in Pomona. They relocated the business to Chino in 1948, where it has remained a part of the community for generations.

The family’s own history identifies their son Ben as the owner and operator. The history is also written on a sign outside the shop—one of the photographs we took during our visit.

 

Photo: Hottinger’s storefront history sign tells the story of Henry and Daisy Hottinger and the family business.

An LAist feature published in 2020 describes how Hottinger’s evolved alongside Chino, from the area’s ranching and dairy roots into a beloved butcher shop serving generations of local families. The report also highlights the shop’s connection to the Chino Basque community and its gatherings.

When you think about how much Chino has changed since 1948, that kind of continuity is remarkable. Neighborhoods grow, streets get busier, and new businesses come and go. Yet some family traditions stay right where they started.

What We Love to Buy at Hottinger’s

Every family has its favorites. These are the cuts that have kept us coming back:

Filets. When we want a great steak for a special dinner, filets are high on our list.

Ribs. Whether it’s a weekend barbecue or family get-together, ribs are always a favorite.

Homemade hot links. These are one of the things Hottinger’s is famous for, and one of the reasons we keep returning.

Santa Maria tri-tip. In our family, it’s the best Santa Maria tri-tip ever. That’s our personal verdict after years of enjoying it—not a claim that everyone has to agree with.

Tomahawk steaks. Sometimes you just want to bring home one huge, impressive steak, fire up the grill, and make dinner an occasion.

These aren’t just products on a shelf to us. They’re part of our family story—from the meals I remember growing up in the 1980s to the filets, ribs, hot links, tri-tip, and tomahawk steaks our kids grew up enjoying around our own table.

More Than Steaks: Sausages, Marinades, and an Old-World Deli

One reason Hottinger’s stands out is its selection. The market’s website lists more than 40 house-made sausage varieties, including Texas hot links, Basque lukinka, Polish-style sausages, bratwursts, and chicken options. It also highlights marinated carne asada, pollo asado, ribs, and several tri-tip flavors—including Santa Maria.

For anyone who loves to grill, there’s a lot to explore beyond the cuts you already know. The shop also offers custom-cut meats, less-common proteins, and an old-world deli with sandwiches. If you have a particular cut or thickness in mind, it’s worth asking the counter staff what is available.

Photo: The market’s storefront sign highlights its specialty meats and old-world deli.

Why Places Like Hottinger’s Matter to Chino

A city isn’t defined only by new homes, shopping centers, or the latest development. It’s also defined by the businesses that have been there through generations of change.

Hottinger’s reminds us of the Chino we grew up in: family-owned businesses, familiar traditions, and places you recommend because your own family has been going there for generations. Our kids grew up eating meat from Hottinger’s, just as I did. That connection is what makes a local business feel like part of the family.

We love being part of the Chino community. We’re not just people who work here—we’ve built our family memories here, supported local businesses, and watched our children grow up with some of the same traditions we enjoyed. It’s one of the reasons we love helping families buy and sell homes in Chino. We understand that finding a home is about more than a floor plan or a price. It’s about becoming part of a community, making connections, and creating memories that can last for generations. And for us, Hottinger’s is one of those places that makes Chino feel like home.

For more on the community and its neighborhoods, you can also explore our guide to Chino, California.

Planning Your First Visit to Hottinger Family Meats

Address: 5437 Chino Avenue, Chino, CA 91710

Hours listed on the market’s website: Monday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; closed Sunday. Check ahead for holiday changes.

Phone: (909) 628-2568 or (909) 628-2211.

Website: Hottinger Family Meats official website.

If you’re new to Hottinger’s, I’d start with the Santa Maria tri-tip or the homemade hot links. If you’re shopping for a special occasion, ask about their steaks and available custom cuts. And if you’re feeding a crowd, call ahead to confirm what they have in stock.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hottinger Family Meats

Where is Hottinger Family Meats located?

Hottinger Family Meats is at 5437 Chino Avenue in Chino, California 91710.

How long has Hottinger’s been in Chino?

The family started its butchering business in Pomona in 1941 and moved to Chino in 1948.

What is Hottinger’s known for?

It is known for its full-service butcher counter, house-made sausages and hot links, marinated meats, tri-tip, custom cuts, and old-world deli.

Does Hottinger’s sell Santa Maria tri-tip?

Yes. Santa Maria is among the tri-tip marinades listed on the market’s official website.

Is Hottinger Family Meats open on Sunday?

The posted regular hours list the shop as closed on Sundays. Confirm directly before visiting, especially around holidays.

Does Hottinger’s sell sandwiches?

Yes. The business also operates an old-world deli and offers sandwiches.

A Chino Tradition Worth Sharing

I’ve been shopping at Hottinger’s since the 1980s, and our kids grew up enjoying the same meats we’ve loved for decades. That’s what makes this place so special to our family. We hope the next generation of Chino families gets to build their own memories there, too. Whether you’ve lived here for decades or you’re just getting to know the community, Hottinger’s is a Chino tradition worth discovering.

If you have a favorite cut from Hottinger’s—or a memory of shopping there with your family—I’d love to hear it. For us, the filets, ribs, hot links, Santa Maria tri-tip, and a giant tomahawk steak will always be part of the story.