Home > Our History

Our History

Smokehouse History

Original Ham House.... The first building constructed in 1952, was called the "Ham House". It was at this time that farming became secondary to the ham business. The extra space allowed ham curing in larger quantities.	Quality Assured.... E.M. Burger, (Company Founder), took pride in every ham he produced. Shown here in the mid 60's, inspecting our Southern Smokehouse hams after curing, aging, and smoking.

First Federally Inspected.... On July 18, 1956, E.M. Burger is shown before he leaves for Washington, DC to meet with Dr. J.S. Stein, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At that meeting, our little "Ham House" in the Missouri Ozarks became the first federally inspected country ham plant in the nation.	Harry S. Truman.... Presents the trophy for the Grand Champion Ham at the 1955 Missouri State Fair to Morris Burger, whom at that time, was a 20-year old Agriculture student at the University of Missouri.

When greeting a visitor and giving a tour of our plant, we usually give 1952 as the beginning date and the fact that 1,000 hams were cured the first year. However, the roots of BURGERS' OZARK COUNTRY CURED HAMS, INC. can be traced to the 1920's. The following excerpt taken from an article written June 18, 1984, gives a colorful description of those early days.... (Read More)

Please allow me to convey my sincere appreciation for the tremendous customer service staff that you have working for your company.

- B.M.

Please allow me to convey my sincere appreciation for the tremendous customer service staff that you have working for your company.

- B.M.

Hello, I just sent my parents a mini ham pack. My mom called and they were so happy with it! Just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with you.

- C.B.

Sure you can have a wonderful product but what good is a product without people. Your people are helpful, courteous, polite, and really go out of the way to make you feel like family.

- C.N.

I would like to acknowledge the superior service which I have received from you. You have quality products, reasonable prices, and a terrific staff.

- D.C.

We have decided to buy our hamburger patties from you from now on. We have always been very satisfied with Burgers' meats for many, many years now. Thank you very much.

- J.M.

I want to thank you for your fast, efficient, reliable service. Your shipping department got the present to my folks in plenty of time. You do excellent work! I will continue to order in the future.

- J.V.

My hat is off to your very great company who assisted me in providing a wonderful and tasty gift to my family. You have made a difference!

- K.F.

I just received my uncooked smokehouse ham and had it for dinner. It was pure heaven. I would not order from anybody else. My family has been ordering from you for over 40 years.

- M.M.

Just to let you know that I have received my order. Thank you for processing it so quickly on such short notice. I plan to be placing orders again for the holidays. Thanks for your excellent service!

- P.R.

Just wanted to let you know, we bought the thick steak bacon peppered and grilled it last night. It was absolutely the best ever!

- P.R.

I just ate a breakfast pork chop I ordered from Burger's. WOW !!!! It was delicious !!! I knew it would be good but it was the best I have eaten. Thank you!

- R.C.

Your products are so good it should be against the law! I can't wait to place another order as soon as there is room in the freezer and fridge. A beginning of a long and delicious relationship!

- R.K.

The sliced jowl was better than any bacon I have ever had - I am enjoying it for breakfast as well as BLT's, and salads. I am absoulutely thrilled I found your web site. (Item D724)

- R.K.

We served this ham at a lunch for approximately 20 people and they all said the ham was outstanding! (Item H256)

- R.L.

Working with you through your website was efficient and painless. Thanks for your service.

- R.S.

Received my order today! Thanks, I knew the bacon would be good but I was wrong.... it was excellent! I will be ordering in the very near future.

- R.U.