Historic Los Gatos Meats brings signature sandwiches to Capitola Village

It’s clear from the first tender, smoke-filled bite that Los Gatos Meats & Smokehouse, one of the oldest butchers in Los Gatos, knows a thing or two about making a great sandwich. That makes sense. The family-owned butcher shop has been in the game for more than 100 years, and it’s no surprise that the house-marinated, smoked, prepared and cured meats shine between two slices of bread.

LG Meats Capitola opened in the village in May. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

In May, Los Gatos Meats brought its menu of signature sandwiches and a selection of quality meats to a second location in Capitola Village, at the corner of Monterey Avenue and Capitola Avenue. LG Meats Capitola also serves ice cream in a nod to now-closed Souza Cones Ice Cream & Candy, which occupied the spot for many years. All of the meat and bread is brought in fresh daily from the headquarters over the hill, said manager Sara Chiala. Her grandfather took over the business in 1991, and her father, Brian Chiala, owns it now. She describes it as a true family affair, with aunts, uncles and cousins filling a variety of other roles. “I’ve been in there wrapping pickles since I was 8,” she said.