About
Let Us Introduce Ourselves
Forza Meats is a full-service butcher shop and Italian market located in the heart of downtown Glenview, Illinois. We offer premium cuts of all-natural, pasture-raised beef, pork, poultry and lamb, along with an array of house-made sausages. Our flagship variety is the renowned Minelli family recipe Italian sausage–the finest this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
In addition to butchery services we also offer fresh-made sandwiches, salads and deli sides, as well as a rotating cast of take-and-bake entrees, pizzas, and a selection of imported and domestic Italian specialty items. We provide catering services for parties of virtually any size, with a focus on old-world Italian recipes, but the range to craft a menu to your taste.
Origins
The concept is the brainchild of Glenview natives and lifelong friends Mario Minelli and Tyler Pontarelli. Having discussed the idea of going into business together for years, the two brought their idea for an old-school Italian meat market, updated for the 21st century, to life to help re-invigorate Glenview’s historic business district on Glenview Road. Mario and Tyler hope to build a recognizable brand that will be a fixture in Glenview and beyond for decades to come.
As for the shop’s name, “Forza” is an Italian word that literally means “strength,” “power,” or “force.” But Italians often use it as a catch-all euphemism for pride, as in one’s heritage, or preferred sports team, etc. If you were rooting for the Italian national soccer team, for example, you might exclaim “Forza Italia!” after a big goal. Given that pride in their shared Italian heritage is one of the bonds in our lifelong friendship, Mario and Tyler thought it a fitting symbol for their partnership as well.
Full-Service Butcher
At Forza Meats, we are committed to providing our customers with the finest all-natural, locally and pasture-raised meats we can source. Suppliers are vetted not only on the quality of their products, but also the treatment of their animals and the sustainability of their farming practices. We believe an animal that leads a stress-free life results in better meat products, and why you’ll always find meats in our store from midwestern farms run by people we know.
Our butcher counter offers everything from prime steaks and chops to hand-pattied burgers and sausages, which are ground and stuffed on-site daily. We are a whole hog butchery, bringing in pasture-raised hogs from local family farms every week. We take great pride in bringing quality products from their farm to your table, in the effort to win your trust and business as your everyday neighborhood butcher.
Deli
Our expansive deli program begins with our house roasts, including all-natural turkey breast, top round roast beef, and porchetta. We carefully curate our selection of imported and domestic meats and cheeses to complement our house-made items, all sold by the pound daily or available as a composed antipasto platter.
Our signature sub sandwiches, along with hot subs and panini, are made to order from these same selections, topped with fresh produce on Turano bread delivered every morning. We also offer a variety of salads, including five green salads made to order, along with pasta, potato, Caprese and our renowned antipasto salad available in the deli case daily.
The retail grocery selection focuses on Italian specialty items like Sicilian olive oils, burrata shipped from Naples, and imported dried pastas. We also carry barbecue dry rubs and sauces, mustards, herbs, and seasoning oils to complement your selection from the butcher. We’re constantly on the lookout for new sources and items, so if there’s something you’d like to see on our shelves, let us know!
Kitchen + Catering
Our kitchen and catering programs combine time-tested recipes with the best ingredients. Classic Italian cooking is rooted in traditions handed down over generations, and our menu reflects that. Our pasta sauces are descendants of Mama Minelli's recipes, honed in the kitchens of our 3 predecessor locations in the Chicagoland area. The Italian beef and sausage dishes feature much of the same, along with some more contemporary preparations showcasing the quality of the cuts from the butcher.
We offer packaged entrees and sides as “take-and-bake” meals made fresh daily. The selection borrows heavily from our catering menu to demonstrate our range in smaller portions. Southern Italian classics like Chicken Parmesan and Meat Lasagna are frequently available, alongside American comfort foods like Chicken Pot Pie and Four-Cheese Macaroni. The kitchen is equipped for many different styles of preparation so customers will frequently see new items as specials, with only the very best making it into the regular rotation.