History
Cattaneo Bros. World Famous Beef Jerky and Sausage Company is celebrating 63 years of making the best gourmet meat snacks and sausages.
Even after half a century, the same top quality spices and herbs are still mixed by hand to consistently deliver Cattaneo Bros.’s one of a kind taste. Upon stepping inside the Cattaneo Bros. factory on Caudill Street in San Luis Obispo customers are encircled by the rich flavors and walls that smell of history and tradition.
The tradition started with two brothers, Bill and Pino Cattaneo who moved with their family to the United States from the northern region of Italy in 1920.
They landed in Boston and then traveled by train to SLO where other relatives already lived. The two boys entered the butcher trade and worked for various firms, finally settling with Berkemeyer’s market, a famous retail outlet for meats located on Higuera Street.
In 1947 the brothers became independent sausage makers, adding jerky in small batches. The firm started with $200 in capital and the skill of the two brothers who created their own recipes not only for the jerky but for the different types of sausages.
Since the beginning Cattaneo Bros. has cut three types of jerky — thin cut, thick cut and hand cut (cowboy cut).
Cattaneo Bros. European-Style Sausages quickly became a must have for Santa-Maria Style BBQs. Known for their distinct flavor and quality, Cattaneo Bros. Linguica, Italian, Swiss, Pork Apple Honey and others are now served at many restaurants throughout California.
Over the years Cattaneo Bros. has added Smoked Beef Sticks, Turkey Jerky, specialty nuts, dried fruits and a line of over 100 gift packs to their product line.
To many Cattaneo Bros. beef jerky has become their candy of choice — but one high in protein and low in calories.
In fact, many a famous person has snacked on Cattaneo Bros. Beef Jerky including Actor Tim Allen, President Ronald Reagan, Former National Security Advisor William Clark, the Emperor of Japan, the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team and many more.
Anyone is invited to stop into Jerky Heaven to watch us make our famous jerky and to experience the tradition! — The Cattaneo Bros. Factory is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. We are also open on Sundays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. for the month of December!
We thank you for all of your support over the past 63 years, and we look forward to many more years of this great family tradition!
