Our Story

A West Side Market fixture since 1991

At D.W. Whitaker Meats, we believe that great food starts with great people, quality products, and a commitment to serving our customers like family.

My Journey

My journey began at the age of 13 when I took my first job working for the Check family at Cleveland’s historic West Side Market. What started as a part-time job quickly became a passion. While attending Cleveland State University, where I earned a degree in Accounting, I continued working at the Market and learning every aspect of the meat business from the ground up.

Building D.W. Whitaker Meats

In January 1991, I purchased my first stand from the Check family and began building what would become D.W. Whitaker Meats. Over the years, our business has grown, but the values that guided us on day one remain unchanged: provide the freshest products available, offer the highest-quality meats and poultry, and deliver the kind of personal service that keeps customers coming back generation after generation.

For more than 35 years, we have proudly served families throughout Northeast Ohio from the West Side Market. We specialize in premium beef, pork, poultry, deli meats, and specialty products, carefully selecting items from suppliers we know and trust. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner, hosting a backyard cookout, celebrating a holiday, or planning a special occasion, we’re here to help you put the very best on your table.

More Than a Business

What truly sets D.W. Whitaker Meats apart is our commitment to relationships. Many of our customers have shopped with us for decades, and we’ve had the privilege of serving multiple generations of the same families. We take pride in knowing our customers by name, answering their questions, sharing cooking advice, and helping them select the perfect cut for every meal.

A West Side Market Institution

As a longtime West Side Market merchant and advocate, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of preserving one of Cleveland’s most treasured landmarks. The Market is more than a place to shop — it’s a gathering place where traditions are passed from one generation to the next. The hardworking merchants, loyal customers, and unique sense of community are what make the West Side Market unlike anywhere else in the country.

A Family Affair

D.W. Whitaker Meats is also a true family business. My wife, Tammie, and our daughters, Jacqueline and Samantha, have all been involved in helping serve our customers and grow the business. Together, we’ve built more than a meat market — we’ve built a family-centered business rooted in honesty, hard work, and a genuine appreciation for the people who support us.

Today, we remain committed to offering exceptional products and outstanding service while honoring the traditions that have made the West Side Market a Cleveland institution for more than a century.

When you visit D.W. Whitaker Meats, you’re not just another customer — you’re part of our family. We are grateful for your trust, your loyalty, and the opportunity to be a part of your family’s meals, celebrations, and traditions.

Thank you for allowing us to serve Northeast Ohio for more than 35 years. We look forward to serving your family for generations to come.

Donald Whitaker
Owner, D.W. Whitaker Meats

Why Customers Choose D.W. Whitaker Meats

  • Family-owned and operated since 1991
  • Over 40 years of experience at Cleveland’s West Side Market
  • Premium beef, pork, poultry, and deli products
  • Custom cutting and personalized service
  • Trusted by generations of Northeast Ohio families
  • Proud supporter and advocate of Cleveland’s historic West Side Market
  • Knowledgeable staff committed to quality and customer satisfaction

“Providing quality products and treating every customer like family has been our mission since day one.” — Don Whitaker

We feed you what we feed our own families

Everything we sell, we’d serve at our own table. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to every day: the freshest products, cut fresh daily, and honest advice to help you get the most for your money.

Beef, cut fresh daily

We carry premium Black Angus beef — high choice or prime, hand-selected for quality and cut fresh every single day.

Proudly local

Many of the best foods anywhere are raised right here in our area, including local deli items from across Ohio and Michigan.

Chicken the way it should be

We specialize in small chickens, raised the right way:

  • Fed an all-vegetable diet—no animal byproducts
  • Fresh bottled water, never well water
  • No chemical additives or preservatives
  • Free to roam in a natural habitat
  • Raised and cared for by family farmers
  • Inspected for quality and delivered to us fresh throughout the week

We source from the suppliers with the best product available, so the exact farm may vary — but the quality standard never does.

We love bacon

We’re the Bacon Capital of Cleveland—a wide variety of freshly sliced bacon in different flavors and sizes, with our buying-power savings passed on to you. You don’t know bacon until you’ve tried ours.

Saving you money

We’re glad to help you get the most for your budget:

  • Discounted prices on many items bought in larger quantities
  • Packages wrapped in portions that make sense for your household
  • Friendly advice on planning meals—including substitutes that can save you money

West Side Market, Stands E-8, E-9, E-10, E-11 & F-8 – 1979 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
216-241-5764 – Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 8am-5pm – Sun 10am-4pm (Closed Tue & Thu)

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