Chicago Game & Gourmet Brings Rare Game Meats to Chicago Kitchens

Illustration of specialty meats on a butcher counter with the Chicago skyline for a Chicago Game and Gourmet business profile

Chicago Game & Gourmet is not built like a typical online butcher shop. The Chicago company sells the kind of ingredients that usually send home cooks and chefs hunting through specialty distributors: bison, elk, venison, wild boar, rabbit, game birds, sausages, jerky, seafood, spices, sauces, bundles, and other hard-to-find proteins.

Based at 700 W. Root St. in Chicago, the business presents itself as both a local shop and a national shipping operation. Orders are shipped early in the week, and the company says each package is handled by its team with dry ice and insulation to protect the product in transit.

For Chicago cooks, the useful thing about ChicagoGame.us is simple: it turns restaurant-level sourcing into something a serious home kitchen can actually browse, order, and plan around.

A Specialty Shop With Real Chicago Roots

Chicago Game & Gourmet says it has been operating since 1996. Its about page traces the company back to founder Pete, who started in the seafood business as a teenager before launching Chicago Game & Gourmet after years of work in the food industry.

That backstory matters because specialty meat is a trust business. Customers are not just buying a commodity cut from a grocery case. They are buying products that may be unfamiliar, seasonal, expensive, or difficult to source consistently. The site leans into that point by emphasizing quality, careful handling, and products the team says it stands behind personally.

The company also positions itself as a supplier to Chicago chefs. That gives the website a clear identity: part butcher shop, part gourmet pantry, part trade source for restaurants and experienced home cooks.

What Shoppers Can Find

The product catalog is wide. ChicagoGame.us organizes its shop around categories such as steaks, chops and roasts; burgers and ground meats; game birds and poultry; sausages; jerky and meat sticks; bundles; and all products.

Inside those categories, the mix can get unusual quickly. The navigation lists bison, elk, rabbit, venison, wild boar, yak, camel, alligator, ostrich, duck, poultry, seafood, seasonings, sauces, fats, oils, tallows, side dishes, smoking woods, gift boxes, and subscription boxes.

That range is the website’s strongest selling point. It is not trying to compete with a supermarket on everyday basics. It is serving people looking for a specific ingredient, a dinner-party centerpiece, a restaurant special, or a new protein to learn how to cook.

Recipes Make the Store More Useful

The site also includes a recipe section, which is important for a business selling less common meats. A shopper may be curious about python and rabbit sausage, ostrich, alligator, camel, wild boar, or yak, but curiosity does not always convert into a purchase unless the customer can picture dinner.

Recent recipe entries on the website include dishes such as Python Pappardelle in a Roasted Tomato Cream Sauce, Ethiopian Berbere-Spiced Ostrich Rice Bowl, Jamaican Jerk Alligator Bowl, Moroccan Camel Tagine Bowl, and Wild Boar Salsa Verde Stew.

That content gives the catalog context. Instead of leaving rare proteins as novelty items, the recipes show customers how these ingredients can become complete meals.

Why It Matters Locally

Chicago has a deep food culture, but many of the city’s best ingredients remain hidden behind restaurant suppliers, wholesalers, and chef relationships. Businesses like Chicago Game & Gourmet help narrow that gap by giving consumers direct access to more specialized products while still serving professional kitchens.

The local pickup option also gives the company an advantage. A Chicago customer can order online, call with questions, or visit the Root Street shop. That combination of ecommerce and local expertise is stronger than a faceless national meat delivery brand.

For restaurants, the value is different: variety, specialty sourcing, and the ability to build menu items around proteins that stand out. For home cooks, the site offers a way to move beyond beef, chicken, and pork without guessing where to start.

The Bottom Line

ChicagoGame.us is a useful destination for Chicago chefs, adventurous home cooks, and anyone looking for game meat or gourmet ingredients that are not easy to find in standard grocery channels.

The site’s strongest angle is not just product variety. It is the combination of Chicago roots, specialty sourcing, shipping experience, local pickup, and recipe support. For a city that takes food seriously, that is a solid lane.

Source: Chicago Game & Gourmet website, including its homepage, product navigation, recipes, contact information, and about page. Reviewed August 13, 2026.

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