One Stop Shop

After a visit to the doctor, Leebe Fish owner, Paul Bertell, was told that his liver was having issues. This is an all-too-common problem for many people, as so much of our food is filled with chemicals and things that have no business being consumed.

Now in need of high-quality meat to improve his health, he noticed that there was a lack of such quality on the island: “I tried to find grass-fed, grass-finished beef, which is different from grass-fed grain and corn-finished beef, the two typically found in grocery stores.” Paul said, “I couldn't find it anywhere!”

“There is nowhere on the Island where you can get a really good steak,” Alex, Paul’s son, added, “You have to drive up to Naples or get an overpriced lower-grade steak at the grocery store.” Seeing the need, they had their eureka moment.

Having always sourced fresh-caught fish, why not investigate sourcing fresh, high-quality meats?

With Leebe Fish having a reputation on the Island for nearly two decades of being the go-to place for the freshest fish, it only made sense for them to take it one step further: To become the go-to place to order the freshest and highest quality meats on the island. Meat that has been both carefully prepared and sourced.

“We're very passionate about food in general. Eating fresh. We bend over backwards to get fish here. We source it where we can make sure that it's fresh. So, it was kind of the same deal with the meat. If we were going to do it, we were going to do it the right way.” Alex said.

Towards the beginning of last summer, Paul started visiting purveyors, ranches, and farmers.

“My dad spent a lot of time going and visiting these different places and seeing how their operations work,” Alex said.

Paul found the perfect fit with a family-owned ranch in Ocala, who have fined tuned their craft with over thirteen years of experience in the process. “They grow everything naturally, so the cows only eat grass. They're finished with grass. It’s very healthful because it keeps all the amino acids, all the vitamins, all of the benefits that come from cows eating natural grass.” Paul went on to say that Daniel’s Restaurant in Miami, named the number one steakhouse in Florida, uses the same steaks.

Wanting to keep high-quality meats accessible and attainable for all households, he also sources meat from two other farms. “I needed to solve the problem of not being too expensive for everybody because not everybody can afford to spend that kind of money on a steak.”

“I tried to cover everyone from the standpoint of if someone's looking for the healthfulness - we have the grass-finished,” said Paul. “If somebody wants really, really fancy - the prime. And then there is the choice plus, which is still way better than anything you can get in the grocery store!”

Content and happy with his ranch and farm selections, they began offering quality meats about a month before the Marco Island farmer’s market began in November, where they first started to sell them.

Commenting on the cuts of meat, Alex raved on the product, “The marbling on the grass-fed, grass-finished stuff is the best... like it doesn't really get better than what they do.”

There is currently no shortage of selections available from LeeBe, whether one is looking for a filet, sirloin, skirt steak, strip loin, or even ground beef – they can get it.

They also source the freshest chicken and most delicious pork. “The chickens are Amish-raised from Pennsylvania. They are free-range, totally clean, and have no chemicals. The pork is from Duroc heritage, meaning no antibiotics, no hormones, vegetarian-fed, and they are not kept in cages.”

“Anyone who has eaten the stuff we have can tell you themselves, it’s off the chain!” Alex emphatically declared on both the taste and quality of the fresh meats, “The steaks are killer and they are safe. We're very picky about that kind of stuff and this stuff is great. We've gotten excellent feedback from all the people that we sell to, as well.”

Currently, the meats are only available for delivery due to space at their restaurant in the Shoppes of Olde Marco, which specializes in fresh-caught fish. However, the ordering process is easy, and the turnaround time is quick!

Interested customers can call the restaurant or they can build a cart and place an order directly on the website. Shipping is available if there is interest off the Island and even around the country. A bulk discount is also offered on larger orders.

Once ordered, depending on the quantity and cut, you can expect your fresh meat to be delivered right to your door with a smile in true small-town fashion. Depending on quantity, type of product, and season, one can expect most deliveries between one and two days, and just a little longer for the more rare products.

Marco Islanders and beyond know the team behind Leebe fish and the product that they produce. Paul and Alex want them to know that it is the same team behind this new product. “We care about food a lot more than others in general. The products we sell are second to none and we are doing it for the love of the sport,” said Alex, stressing that this new addition to their portfolio is not a profit-intensive business. They care about the health and accessibility to clean foods for their friends and neighbors on the Island.

Paul looks towards the future, “My whole goal is to have healthfulness around all of this. Our fish are all local. I know exactly who caught it, what boat it came from. I wanted to do the same thing with the meats. And that is our long-term goal: to have one get all their proteins from us. Whether it's a special occasion and you're getting special steak or if it's just your chicken for the week, we have it!”

Call 239-389-0580 or visit www.leebefish.com for more information on selections.