Meet the team behind new meat shop

BELLEVUE — Bellevue's new meat shop is defining the cutting edge. BUBBAROCK Meat Co. boasts a full-service meat counter, sandwich shop, produce and its own products, such as seasonings. The new shop, at 1606 W. Main St. in Bellevue, features a 42-foot display case with fresh meats, daily deli items, and smoked and frozen meats. Brothers Ryan and Chris Ray have been business partners since 2005 when they started their technology company. The brothers also have coached football for years, along with their friend, Ryan "Bubba" Nottke, who has been a butcher for almost 30 years. "It was an idea we've been kicking around for a long time. Bubba wanted the opportunity to be creative," Ryan said. "That's what he's really excellent at; he's an innovator. He comes up with really neat, unique ideas and implements them on the fly. It keeps things different every day." In early 2020, the friends started to plan BUBBAROCK Meat Co. Then COVID-19 hit and the brothers' technology business slowed down, giving them more time to focus on developing their new business. After getting loans and permits in order, the meat shop opened at the end of April this year. "It was amazing. Right out of the gate we had phenomenal support. We keep growing and we're getting new things," Ryan said. "We've got some really good beef jerky, seasoning products, salsa and jarred items." Nottke works at the shop with his son. "Our summer sausage is named after one of our buddies, it's phenomenal," Ryan said. "Bubba has a special way of making burgers, and the chicken burgers are dynamite. They have several different flavors, they're just delicious." Nottke and the brothers try to keep things fun by naming products after friends or nicknames they've been given. Ryan said they want to expand once they've perfected the shop in Bellevue. "My vision is kind of like Cracker Barrel, but it'll be a butcher shop with an attached restaurant," Ryan said. "We could be getting into butchering, catering. We're going to try to do more with commercial businesses or restaurants." Later this month, BUBBAROCK will start selling alcohol, like beer, seltzers and wine.