Cut Above
Hiram Hogg’s journey with Kingsley Meats & Catering began as a teenager while washing dishes, a role that introduced him to the inner workings of a beloved local institution. He has now come full circle as owner and operator, leading one of Louisville’s most respected butcher shops and catering services.
Hogg officially took ownership in 2024 from Jeff Fisher after progressing through various roles over the years. Kingsley has operated since 1947 and has been renowned for its freshest cut-to-order meats and comprehensive catering services across Louisville and beyond. The shop’s vision was to make quality meat accessible to the local community. It opened primarily as a butcher shop but, over time, evolved by adding a large catering business that has left its mark on Louisville.
Hogg developed into a natural successor thanks to his longstanding loyalty to Kingsley, his friendship with Fisher and his passion for the meat industry.
“I learned a lot about the business as time went on,” Hogg says. “I went off to college, but I would help out around Christmas and during summers. Eventually, I started working at the counter and doing catering jobs. I learned how to cut meat. Early on, I was not thinking about taking over. (Jeff) offered it to me because he didn’t have kids or anyone to pass it on to. He singled me out as the one who could do it.”
The retail butcher shop is located at 2701 Taylorsville Road in the Highlands community. Customers can stop by the store to peruse all of Kingsley’s fresh-cut and ground offerings on display or in the large freezer and also take home items including USDA Prime dry-aged beef, Amish-raised organic poultry, local pasture-raised lamb, fresh seafood and homemade pork sausages. Kingsley also offers a selection of mouthwatering sauces and spices that pair great with all of its meats.
The box lunch menu offers smaller portions featuring Kingsley’s signature items in convenient combinations, such as the popular Derby Classic: two country ham sandwiches on butter buns, one smoked tenderloin sandwich on a croissant, plus salad, fruit and a pie tart. Other options include The Snack, The Lunch Box and The Hearty Lunch, all of which come with variations of sandwiches, sides and desserts.
“We have a deli with all kinds of lunch meats and salads,” Hogg says. “We do a pretty good plate lunch business. You can come in and get meat with two sides and hearty portions. Some people are here nearly every day. You can come in not knowing what you want, shop around and look at the selections. Customers can browse items, and we’ll prepare it however you want right on the spot.”
Kingsley has remained in the same area throughout its history, which Hogg says gives him a big advantage when interacting with customers. He enjoys butchering the meat and also connecting with customers who come inside.
“There’s good clientele in this area,” Hogg says. “They tend to live here a long time, so you get to know a lot of the people. I grew up a few blocks away, so I know a lot of people.”
Kingsley offers an extensive catering service for weddings, corporate events and casual gatherings. Menus include selections for meat, vegetables, salads, bread, desserts and drinks.
The special holiday menu — available year-round — includes rib, pork or rump roast, sirloin, brisket and tenderloin. Other options include turkey breast, baked country ham, shrimp trays, goose, duck and turduckens. Sides are plentiful with options such as green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, casseroles, hash browns and fruits and vegetables that can complement any meal. Hogg generally lets his chef come up with the menu but stays true to the classics and traditions Kingsley is best known for.
An a la carte menu contains numerous entrée options including chicken, beef, pork, seafood, soups and salads. Kingsley provides a unique pig roast menu with available carving services and various price points depending on size.
All events are buffet-style, with Kingsley handling setup, cleanup and replenishing the selections as needed during the meal, with bar services also available. Disposable plates, forks, knives, napkins and linens for the buffet are included in the price. If there is an item that customers want that isn’t already on the menu, special requests are welcomed.
Customizable menus are available for all corporate events. Kingsley is able to handle any size group, from business meetings to product launch events, holiday parties and safety lunches. Casual buffets can also be designed for cookouts and private parties, while a la carte provides flexibility on all the delicious dishes Kingsley has to offer.
Hogg says it’s important for his customers to enjoy the food that is in front of them. All of Kingsley’s products remain popular with guests locally and beyond.
“We’re all about quality,” Hogg says. “The quality we have doesn’t compare to anything you are going to get anywhere else. It’s the best of the best. I have good suppliers that consistently give us good meat. We cut it up ourselves, so it’s not something prepackaged or contains any preservatives. It’s always really fresh and good.”
“We will go anywhere that will have us,” Hogg says. “It doesn’t matter to me, really. I will go anywhere.”
Kingsley already has events booked in 2027 and often will handle many in a single day. Saturdays during wedding season tend to be the busiest, prompting Hogg to pull in outside help when more requests come in.
“I’ll do 7-8 events in a day,” Hogg says. “I have 18-20 regular workers and another 30 I can pull in who have other jobs but will work weekends for me.”
Hogg says the biggest surprise since taking over has been on the administrative side, with the volume of paperwork that is now his responsibility. So far, he hasn’t made any major changes to the operational model but is still keeping his eye on the future.
“I like the way it’s going,” Hogg says. “I’m not saying nothing will ever change, but I loved it the way I found it. I try not to mess with it too much.”
Hogg has seen every side of the business through various roles over the years. He says that gives him some credibility with his employees, as he is still willing to take on any role needed.
“I appreciate every single person here, from the lowliest dishwasher to the head meat cutters, because I’ve done it all,” Hogg says. “Every once in a while, I’ll jump in there and do some dishes if I need to and get back to my roots. It’s definitely weird to think about. Still doesn’t quite feel like it’s my own.”
Kingsley is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on how to place an order, call 502-459-7585 or visit its website at kingsleymeatsandcatering.com.
