Bowling pins used to fall in this building. Now the cases hold thick pork chops, snack sticks, and something called hog candy.
That’s quite a second act for a place once filled with strikes and gutter balls. Today, this family-owned Pennsylvania meat market keeps local kitchens stocked with beef, pork, chicken, and jerky.
The shelves also carry smoked cheese, deli meats, sauces, and spice blends. Customers can pick up a few steaks for dinner or enough meat to keep the freezer busy for weeks.
Even the family dog gets considered, thanks to meaty treats that occasionally appear in the cases.
The bowling lanes may be gone, but the building still gives people plenty of reasons to stop by.
The Lanes Are Gone, But the Strikes Keep Coming
Hollenbaugh’s Hometown Meat Market turned an old bowling alley into a place built around fresh cuts. That is a fun trade, since a spare rib beats a spare frame any day.
The building sits along a busy Pennsylvania road near Clarion. Instead of rolling balls and rented shoes, you’ll find meat cases, freezers, and shelves full of pantry goods.
I like how a building can keep serving a town in a whole new way. Bowling alleys were always community gathering spots, and a good butcher shop plays that same role.
People still come in on a weeknight with a plan, just a tastier one.
The market is family owned and locally run. Owner Chad Hollenbaugh’s name is on the sign, and that personal stake shows in the way the shop carries itself.
The inside is bright and clean, with plenty to browse beyond the meat counter. Think of it as a small-town grocery stop with a butcher at its heart.
You can grab dinner, snacks, and a few sides in one trip.
So the scoreboard changed, but the goal stayed simple. Bring people together and send them home happy.
Honestly, swapping pins for pork chops might be the best upgrade this old building ever got.
Your Grill Has Been Waiting for These Steaks and Chops
Steaks, roasts, chops, sausages, and chicken fill the cases here. That lineup covers a Tuesday dinner and a Saturday cookout without breaking a sweat.
The beef selection runs from everyday ground beef to NY strips. Pork gets serious attention too, with thick-sliced chops that are trimmed with care.
Those chops are the kind that make a skillet feel important.
Chicken is not an afterthought either. You can find wings, thighs, and stuffed chicken thighs that turn a plain weeknight into something a little fancier.
One smart move is to shop with a plan for the whole week. Grab a couple of steaks for the weekend, some chicken for quick meals, and ground beef for tacos.
Your future self will thank you around Wednesday.
The shop also stocks plenty of freezer options. That makes it easy to stock up on cuts you love and keep them ready for busy nights.
Buying meat for the week or for months ahead both work here.
If you’re unsure what to pick, ask the folks behind the counter. They know their products and can point you toward the right cut for grilling, roasting, or slow cooking.
A good butcher is basically a cooking coach who happens to own a very sharp knife.
Jerky and Snack Sticks That Disappear Before You Get Home
Hog candy. Just saying those two words out loud is enough to make a road trip feel more exciting.
Jerky and snack sticks are some of the biggest stars at Hollenbaugh’s Hometown Meat Market. The shop offers several flavors, including a hillbilly variety and that famous pork candy.
Appalachian jerky has also appeared on the shelves.
Snack sticks are perfect for hikes, ball games, and long drives. They fit in a backpack or glove box, and they don’t need much fuss.
They are also the easiest way to bribe a hungry kid in the back seat.
A smart tip is to buy one more bag than you think you need. The first bag has a funny habit of vanishing before you even leave the parking lot.
Nobody knows how this happens, but it happens a lot.
Trying a mix of flavors is half the fun. Pick one familiar choice and one bold one, then compare them side by side.
You might find a new favorite that becomes your regular grab.
These smoked snacks also make easy gifts. A pack of jerky beats another coffee mug for a dad, grandpa, or hunting buddy.
Toss it in a basket with some smoked cheese, and you have a present people will actually use.
Breakfast Gets Way More Interesting With This Bacon
Plain bacon is on the menu, but so are seasoned versions. That gives your Saturday breakfast a serious choice to make before the coffee is even ready.
The bacon here is brined and cured, then sliced into sturdy strips. Original is a safe start, while the flavored options are for anyone feeling a little adventurous.
Sausage brings even more variety to the morning table. The shop carries loose sausage in maple, sweet Italian, and hot Italian styles.
Each one fits a different kind of meal.
Maple sausage pairs well with eggs and toast. Sweet Italian works great in meatballs or tomato sauce, and hot Italian brings gentle warmth to pasta or soup.
You can also find brats, hot dogs, kielbasa, and Cajun andouille in the mix. Andouille is a nice shortcut for jambalaya night.
Kielbasa is handy for quick skillet dinners with peppers and onions.
Here’s a simple plan for the week. Use bacon on Sunday, sausage in a pasta on Tuesday, and brats on the grill by Friday.
One stop covers three very different meals, and nobody at the table will complain about a repeat. Your breakfast routine might never be boring again.
Smoked Cheese and Deli Meats Make Lunch Feel Like a Treat
Smoked muenster and smoked brick cheese sit right alongside the meats. That pairing makes this place feel like a sandwich lover’s headquarters.
The deli side of Hollenbaugh’s Hometown Meat Market offers a selection of lunch meats and deli cheese. Chipped beef also shows up here, a Pennsylvania favorite for creamy gravy over toast.
Smoked cheese has a bold flavor, so a little goes a long way. Slice it thin for crackers, or melt it on a burger for something extra.
It also shines on a snack board with jerky and pickles.
Building a great lunch box is easy with these shelves. Grab a few deli meats, a block of cheese, and some bread, and the week’s lunches are mostly handled.
Your coworkers may start eyeing your sandwich with suspicion.
Deli meats are also a lifesaver for busy families. Kids can build their own wraps, and adults can pack quick meals without much planning.
Less time in the kitchen means more time for everything else.
A fun idea is to set up a homemade sub night. Lay out the meats, cheeses, and toppings, and let everyone stack their own creation.
It feels like a party, and the cleanup is surprisingly small.
The Shelves Go Way Beyond the Butcher Counter
A butcher shop with pasta, dairy, and baked goods? That combination saves a trip to the big grocery store more often than you might expect.
The market carries fresh baked goods, frozen foods, appetizers, and dairy products. Shelves also hold sauces, jars of goodies, and plenty of spice blends, including Con Yeager seasonings.
Deli salads deserve a shout-out too. The pepper salad has earned real fans, and it makes a bright side for grilled meats.
Salads like these turn a simple dinner into a full spread.
Freezer cases add even more choices to browse. You might spot sausages, appetizers, and items you didn’t know you needed.
Browsing is half the fun, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
The shop also rotates foods that the staff seasons in house. That means the selection can shift from visit to visit.
Checking the cases each time is a good habit.
My favorite strategy is to build a meal from start to finish here. Pick a main from the counter, a side from the salads, and a sauce from the shelf.
Add something frozen for an easy snack later. You walk out with a whole dinner instead of a single package of meat.
Even Your Dog Gets Something to Wag About
Pig ears, meat sticks, and patties for pups sometimes appear in the cases. Your dog cannot read this article, which is probably for the best.
Hollenbaugh’s Hometown Meat Market sometimes offers dog treats made from meat. They aren’t always in stock, so think of them as a happy bonus when you spot them.
A family shopping trip feels more complete when the four-legged member gets something too. Bringing home a pig ear can turn your dog into your biggest fan for the evening.
Always keep treat size in mind for your pet. Smaller dogs may need smaller pieces, and any new treat should be introduced slowly.
A little care keeps tummies happy.
These treats also make a nice gift for friends with pets. Pet owners tend to love anything that makes their dog’s tail spin like a helicopter.
It’s thoughtful, simple, and a little unexpected.
Ask at the counter if you don’t see dog treats on display. Staff can let you know what’s available that day.
If nothing is ready, plan to check again on your next visit. Your pup will be waiting by the door either way, nose in the air and full of hope.
Friendly Faces Run the Counter Here
A family-owned shop runs on people as much as products. At Hollenbaugh’s, the staff is known for being friendly, helpful, and willing to talk shop.
The owners happily share details about their products. That makes it easier to choose the right cut, flavor, or seasoning for your plans.
Here are a few good questions to try. Which cut works best for slow cooking?
What’s a good jerky flavor for someone new? Which sausage fits a pasta night?
The shop tends to stay busy, which says plenty about its place in the community. A little patience goes a long way during peak times.
Saturday hours are shorter, so plan ahead for weekend shopping.
I like how a local shop remembers that every sale is also a relationship. Big stores can sell you meat, but they rarely help you plan dinner.
Here, a quick chat can turn a plain grocery run into a better meal. That personal touch is why family businesses still matter so much in small Pennsylvania towns.
Plan Your Stop Before Heading to Cook Forest
Campers heading toward Cook Forest have a tasty pit stop waiting along the way.
The location makes it easy to stock a cooler for camp. Grab brats, steaks, and snack sticks, then hit the trails and campfire with dinner sorted.
Hours run from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday. Saturday hours run from 8 am to 3 pm, and the shop is closed on Sundays.
That Sunday closure matters for weekend trips. Shop on Friday or early Saturday if you’re heading out for a camping weekend in Pennsylvania.
Nobody wants to stare at a locked door while dreaming about hog candy.
Bring a cooler with ice packs if you’re traveling far. Fresh meat needs to stay cold, especially on warm summer drives.
A sturdy cooler also gives you room for smoked cheese and deli salads.
Clarion County offers plenty of outdoor fun, from forest hikes to river paddling. Pairing an adventure with a stop at Hollenbaugh’s Hometown Meat Market just makes sense.
The old bowling alley may have closed its lanes, but it still knows how to send people home with a winning score.
Address: 15702 Rte 322, Clarion, PA 16214.
