FIRE&FOOD restaurant recommendation: The Butchers

Sometimes life’s paths are quite winding before you arrive on the right one that makes you burn for something. This was the case for Mario Funke, who, together with his long-time friend and business partner Martin Engel, runs “The Butchers Beef Club” in Gütersloh, East Westphalia. FIRE&FOOD came across this fantastic steak and BBQ restaurant by chance – and the detour there was well worth it.

Meeting point for meat connoisseurs
Beyond their long friendship, Mario and Martin share a passion for exceptionally high-quality meat. While it was clear early on that Martin Engel wanted to become a butcher, Mario Funke initially put his knowledge acquired after his business high school diploma to profitable use in the betting office business. That was until youth welfare services suggested he pursue professional training. Thus, he also started training as a butcher in 2013, was able to shorten the program, and proceeded directly to master school as a regional topper. Through various detours, he ended up in the Cologne-Düsseldorf area, where he managed several branches of Werner’s Metzgerei before moving back to East Westphalia in 2019. In 2020, the two friends started their joint venture in the premium catering sector with their grills – and so successfully that they didn't hesitate for long when they were able to take over a restaurant between Gütersloh and Bielefeld at the beginning of 2025. After two and a half months of intensive renovation, the opening of The Butchers Beef Club followed. Here, self-confessed meat connoisseurs get their money’s worth. The steak cuts offered (from US and Argentine beef, though the focus is on beef from the region) are hand-selected, and the quality impressed us. The menu is regularly adapted to seasonal availability, and the fact that tasty grill evenings can be well combined with informative content about various cooking methods can be tested several times a year in workshops. You can tell at every turn that Mario and Martin have truly arrived in their element as hosts.

The Butchers
Beef Club & Premium Event Catering GmbH
Mario Funke & Martin Engel
Avenwedderstraße 349
33335 Gütersloh
+49 1575 8270430
kontakt@the-butchers-owl.de
www.the-butchers-owl.de

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