Four Generations DeepOur Story
From a family recipe brought over from Germany to an Elgin tradition built over four generations, Meyer’s has been serving up Texas sausage, smoke, and family pride for more than 75 years.
Still Growing, Still
Family-Owned
Expanding the smokehouse while keeping it in the family.
The Meyer family has been hard at work developing new products and a massive recent expansion of the restaurant that includes: a salad bar, extended dining room, private party room, and enlarged restrooms.
Meyer’s Sausage Company is the oldest single family-owned sausage business in Elgin.
The businesses employ 60 hardworking extended family members that share in the family pride.
Four Generations of Texas Tradition
From a family recipe brought over from Germany to a Texas legacy built on hard work, quality, and pride — the Meyer story spans generations. What started in a small smokehouse has grown into one of Elgin’s most respected names in sausage and barbecue.
Henry Meyer Brings the Family Recipe to Texas
The Meyer’s story begins in the late 1800s when Henry Meyer immigrated from Germany to the United States, bringing the family sausage recipe with him and settling in Brenham, Texas.
The Recipe Passes to R.G. Meyer
Around 1915, Henry taught his son Rudolf Karl George “R.G.” Meyer the secret to the family’s mouth-watering sausage, passing down the tradition to the next generation.
The Meyer Family Moves to Elgin
In early 1940, R.G., his wife Hermina, and their children F.W. “Buddy” and Karlin “Baby” moved from Brenham to Elgin. Before the move, R.G. and Hermina had operated a cafe next to the now-historic Simon Theater in Brenham.
A Small Cafe in Elgin
After arriving in Elgin, the Meyer family leased a small cafe on the corner of Main and Central, now the site of McShan Barber Shop and Superior Burger. Hermina quickly became known for her delicious coconut pies and flair for cooking.
The Rock Front Store Becomes Home
On September 8, 1943, R.G. and Hermina purchased the Rock Front Store at 101 Harris Street, on the corner of Main and Loop 109. Built of large flat ironstones, it became both the family home and the center of their growing business.
Sausage Begins in the Backyard Smokehouse
R.G. began making sausage in a small dirt-floor smokehouse behind the grocery store, and customers quickly fell in love with it. A second rooftop smokehouse followed, and over the next several years the Rock Front Store was expanded six different times.
Meyer’s Sausage Company Is Born
With the addition of a modern smokehouse and years of steady growth, Meyer’s Sausage Company was officially born in 1949.
From Local Favorite to Marketed Product
Encouraged by friends, R.G. began marketing the sausage more broadly. At the time, Meyer’s offered three hickory-smoked flavors: original, sage, and garlic.
The Start of Wholesale
Because Austin required inspection before Texas mandated state meat inspection in 1968, Meyer’s received temporary inspection in the Rock Front Store until a new plant could be built to state specifications. That step helped launch the wholesale side of the business, which remains the largest part of the operation today.
Carrying the Tradition Forward
Buddy Meyer worked alongside his father from 1955 until R.G.’s passing in 1959. That same year, Betty Lynn joined the business. Together, they carried on the “old world sausage” tradition, maintaining the family’s signature coarse-ground product and commitment to quality.
A Modern Plant for a Growing Legacy
In 1964, a new processing plant was built to meet state specifications — the same facility still in operation today. Under Buddy’s leadership, Meyer’s Sausage grew in reputation across Texas, becoming known for its unwavering dedication to quality and tradition.
A New Generation Takes the Lead
Following Buddy’s untimely passing in 1989, Gregg and Gary Meyer stepped in as the fourth generation of sausage makers, continuing the family’s legacy while guiding the business into a new era of growth.
Opening Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse
On February 13, 1998, Gregg, Denise, Gary, and Becky Meyer purchased Bigger’s BBQ, opening Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse. Building on the family tradition started by R.G. and Hermina, the restaurant brought Meyer’s products directly to customers — featuring slow-smoked meats, Buddy Meyer’s beans, and Hermina’s signature BBQ sauce.
Expanding Nationwide
Meyer’s Sausage Company became a federally inspected plant in 2002, allowing products to be shipped nationwide. This marked a major milestone as the brand expanded its reach while maintaining its commitment to quality.
Growth, Expansion, and Innovation
As demand grew, the Meyer family continued to expand and modernize operations, developing new products while staying true to their roots. The smokehouse and restaurant also saw major upgrades, including an expanded dining room, private event space, salad bar, and improved facilities.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
On November 28, 2016, the historic Rock Front Store — the birthplace of Meyer’s Sausage Company — was demolished to make way for future growth. Though the building is gone, its legacy remains at the heart of the Meyer story.
A Legacy Still Growing
Today, Meyer’s Sausage Company remains the oldest single family-owned sausage business in Elgin. With a team of over 60 dedicated employees, the business continues to reflect generations of family pride, tradition, and hard work.