By Marianne Lincoln

I am on my way to visit my son. Although he is now 30, I still must make the mandatory trip to Stewart’s Meats in McKenna for some Famous beef jerky. It became a ritual while he was in college. It was convenient driving from Spanaway to Portland, I just took what we called “the back route” to Centralia and stopped in McKenna for some jerky.

Founded by Emmet Stewart and daughter Dorothyduring the depression era, the meat market still operates with mostly beef from their own herd and local pork products. They have smoked meats made with old secret family recipes. Still family owned and operated. It’s our little secret on the way from Spanaway to  Yelm. And don’t expect a big fancy supermarket, it’s an old family run enterprise, that’s its charm. So grab a number and join us in line.