El-Rey Cooked Meats: Crafting Quality Since 1931
For over 90 years, El-Rey Cooked Meats has been a trusted leader in the meat industry, delivering premium sous vide and kettle-cooked products that stand out for their quality and flavor. Our small-batch approach ensures every product is crafted with care, using time-tested recipes that have been passed down through generations. Whether it’s for foodservice, retail, or co-packing, we’re dedicated to maintaining the highest standards while offering exceptional customer support. Every bite reflects the craftsmanship and commitment that define the El-Rey difference, a hometown legacy of excellence that continues to thrive today.
Our History
1931
General Meat Company, founded by Irving J. Reinhardt in the heart of St. Louis
"El-Rey" was created as a brand for Chili & Sliced Beef
1968
El Rey Meat Company was founded by Hadley Reinhardt and Joseph A. Frisella
Moving from a packing plant, to a processing plant
1980
Joseph R. Frisella took over as CEO
Since has expanded the overall brand and company, creating multiple new product lines and partnerships
Our History: From Humble Beginnings to Generational Excellence
The story of El Rey Meat Company begins with the legacy of General Meat Company, founded in 1931 by Irving J. Reinhardt in the heart of St. Louis. As a family-owned beef slaughtering facility, General Meat quickly became known for its chili and sliced beef with gravy, produced under the now-iconic El Rey brand. For 37 years, the company operated from its original location on North Broadway before moving to the historic Butchertown District.
However, by the late 1960s, with the decline of local beef slaughtering in St. Louis, General Meat was forced to close. But from this challenge came an opportunity—El Rey Meat Company was born in 1968, a partnership between Irving’s brother Hadley Reinhardt and Joseph A. Frisella. Committed to preserving the family’s time-honored recipes from the 1930s, they established El Rey at 6190 Bermuda Drive in Ferguson, MO.
Today, Joseph R. Frisella continues to uphold this legacy, proudly leading the company his father helped create. With over four decades of commitment to quality, he’s joined by his cousin, Dominic Frisella, as Vice President of Operations, ensuring that the traditions of family, flavor, and craftsmanship remain at the heart of everything we do.