Meet Peter Meats | Sausage King of Tallahassee

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peter Meats and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peter, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
As an owner/operator of a small restaurant, I ponder this question almost everyday. The longer I’m in business the harder the question gets for me. Excusing the economics of this, for me it comes down to still being able to have that one great minute outdo the rest of the 59 minutes of an hour. Meaning, it’s tough, thankless work most of the time, but if you can catch that new customer that raves about their experience, the little kid that never eats at home, but somehow loves your food, or the longtime customer that you eventually call friend. It’s those little moments that make the rest of the time worth it. When those can’t outdo the rest of the time, I guess that would be a sign, but you just keep going hoping to not have to answer that question.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m generally a one-person operation that has an old caboose train car as a kitchen, specializing in house-made sausage(s). Although hectic at times, I’m proud to be able to provide a different kind of experience to your meal, almost as if you’re just hanging out with a new or old friend at their house. It can be difficult learning to manage all facets and still provide a quality product in a timely fashion, but it just means limiting what you can do and doing it well. I’m also a fan of communicating with my customers, I find honesty mixed with hustle will get you through most obstacles. I tell my customers the only thing consistent about the place is me, and you’re stuck with me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Railroad Square Art District is a must for the history, location, and is the largest and most eclectic collection of local artists, shops, and eateries you’ll find anywhere. Full of murals, it’s also the area’s most photographed area. For nature lovers, we’d recommend getting on one of the many rivers in the surrounding area via kayak with Harry Smith Outdoors. Take a stroll around Lake Ella. Drive down to the coast to any of one of the coastal towns, beaches, or state parks. Have breakfast at Uptown Cafe, grab a burger and some oysters from Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack for lunch, dinner at Kool Beanz, and a cocktail at Waterworks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My restaurant, The Crum Box Gastgarden is located in an area of Tallahassee, Fl known as the Railroad Square Arts District, the hub of arts and culture in the city. This district has evolved for almost 50 years from an industrial park to the most eclectic collection of local artists, shops, and eateries you’ll find anywhere. With 60+ neighbors tenured as long as 45 years to only a month, it’s the spirit and fight of this local community that inspires me everyday.

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