In the heart of Oakdale, where community and tradition intertwine, few individuals have made as lasting an impact as Steve Medlen, owner of the renowned House of Beef. Since 1979, Steve and his wife, Cindi, have been serving the community not just with exceptional cuts of meat but with unwavering dedication and passion.
Medlen will be honored this year with the Lifetime Achievement Award, to be presented by the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce at its annual Awards Dinner, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28.
Medlen, a third-generation meat processor, honed his skills under the guidance of his father and uncles. This deep-rooted expertise laid the foundation for the House of Beef, which has become a cornerstone of Oakdale’s culinary scene. Beyond offering mouth-watering steaks and their signature seasoned tri-tip, the establishment provides custom meat processing, catering services, and a retail storefront, embodying the essence of a family-owned business. House of Beef also serves as the hub for the Oakdale Downtown Merchant Meetings, held bi-weekly, providing a space for business owners to collaborate, discuss future business trends, review current projects, and enjoy time with colleagues and friends.
As shared by the Steves of Steves Chevrolet, longtime friends of the Medlen family, “Steve has been brought up in a family business, which holds generational work in the art of meat processing. Steve’s business has proven resilience in some of the hardest times, and it stems from his personality and pursuit to provide the best customer service and top product in a fast-moving, customer-facing sector like his. Beyond this, Steve has been planted here for many decades, dating back to 1952 when the Medlen family first came to Oakdale. Since then, the Medlen family has been a true pillar of our community and continues to thrive here.”
Medlen has set high standards in the meat processing industry and has received countless awards recognizing his excellence in quality from the California Association of Meat Processors. In 2012, House of Beef was honored as California Cattleman’s Steakhouse of the Year, a testament to his commitment to quality and service. His countless hours, unwavering commitment, and perseverance have left an indelible mark not only on the food industry but as a mentor who has inspired many.
His contributions extend far beyond his business. Medlen has been a tireless advocate for the redevelopment of Downtown Third Avenue and has played a major role in numerous nonprofit and community events, including the Oakdale Rotary Testicle Festival, the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, the Oakdale Lions Club Annual Pancake Breakfast and Fall Fundraiser, Oakdale Sports Boosters fundraising events, the Cowboy Museum Cowgirls Luncheon, and Cub Scout Pack #365, just to name a few. His dedication to community service is unwavering, and his impact continues to be felt across Oakdale.
A past President of the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce in 1985, Medlen’s loyalty and support for the Chamber remain strong to this day. His resilience, passion, and dedication to Oakdale are qualities that have earned him the admiration of his peers and the deep gratitude of the community.
The Oakdale Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the entire Oakdale community, is proud to honor Steve Medlen as the recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. To show your support for Medlen and all the annual awards nominees, you can purchase tickets for the Feb. 28 dinner at https://oakdalecachamber.org/events/awards/. The program runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale.
This article was contributed by the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce.
