As Idahoans react to the novel coronavirus pandemic, 6 On Your Side encourages you to keep supporting local businesses. It's something we do every Friday with our Made in Idaho series, highlighting the stories of companies in the Gem State. Whether it's by buying gift cards, ordering products online, or using delivery and drive-thru options at restaurants, right now small businesses in Idaho can use our help.
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Take the winding road to Sweet, Idaho, and you will find Anderson Reserve.
"There's a lot of shock and surprise when somebody walks through the front door," owner Paul Anderson said.
"It looks like an old barn on the outside, if you will, and definitely not what you expect when you walk in."
The butcher shop and restaurant is a dream come true for Anderson and his family. Anderson's grandfather got into the business in 1947, working his way up to eventually own and operate the family's Anderson Beef Company, a wholesale company in Colorado.
"He had 95 employees, 5,000 restaurants that they would service, all the center of the plate meats on a weekly basis," Anderson said.
"Over the years he would always tell me the story of wanting to have a boutique butcher shop, and grandma never really let him because we had a large wholesale company. A few years after my grandparents passed away, the family business had dissolved and everybody went their own way, and that's when I made my journey to Idaho."
Anderson's first career of professional drag racing had taken him all over the country, except the Gem State.
"When I decided I wanted to move out of Colorado to raise a family, I thought, 'well, I have to visit Idaho once to know that I don't like it,' and low and behold I fall in love with it," Anderson laughed.
"I just got lost looking for property, and that's how I stumbled upon Sweet, Idaho."
After three years of construction, Anderson and his parents opened Anderson Reserve last October.
"I bought 30 acres of just dirt," Anderson laughed.
Their dry aged beef is available in all different cuts.
"Everything we bring into the restaurant is USDA prime and then we dry age it for three to four weeks depending on what we're trying to accomplish with it," Anderson explained while pointing out the dry age cooler and Himalayan salt wall.
"A dry age cooler is a lot like your refrigerator at home. If you leave something uncovered in your refrigerator, eventually it tastes like your refrigerator. That's why we have the Himalayan salt blocks behind it. Air is constantly blowing through the cooler and that's what gives it the flavor, it picks up that flavor from the salt blocks. Aging it for that long breaks down the fibers in the meat and makes it that much more tender," Anderson added.
Chef Joe gives customers a chance to taste the product in the restaurant with a menu that changes weekly.
The beautiful barn, views of Sweet, and welcoming, friendly environment have helped Anderson Reserve gain quick popularity, and a grandpa who would be happy to see his third generation keeping the family business strong.
"I think he'd be very proud of what it's become."
Anderson Reserve is located at 7275 Sweet Ola Highway, in Sweet. Despite the novel coronavirus, the butcher shop is open Monday through Thursday, and the restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday.
Right now they are offering a delivery option for those quarantining at home. The "Quarantine Box" includes steak, bacon, ground chuck, and chicken. Anderson will deliver it to your door.
For the week's menu and more, be sure to check out Anderson Reserve online or on Facebook.
