A ‘Mooving’ Tribute to the OG Lakeside Cow

By Misty Cryer

A celebration is planned for June 19 at Lakeside Meats, 206 S. Main St. in Carlsbad. Customers and community members are invited to join the staff of the meat market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a complimentary lunch, served to express gratitude to supporters of the local business, which enabled the new owner to reach a milestone.

“We’re excited about getting the cow back on top of the building,” said Homer Garcia, the owner of the retail and wholesale meat market. He said he expects the new cow, which is currently being painted, to be available by June 16. “We are going to try to put it up on the 19th,” he said.

Homer said that placing the cow on top of the building is expected to be completed on the morning of June 19, before the celebration, with an estimated timeframe of 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

The “historic cow” once graced the top of the Lakeside Meats building before being destroyed by lightning in 2017. In a previous interview with Carlsbad Local shortly after Homer took over ownership, he said he views the cow as a landmark. “My goal is to bring it back. It meant something to me because I grew up with it.”

Prior to purchasing the business in July of 2024, Homer was employed by Lakeside Meats for 36 years. He said he started in high school through the DECA program when Richard Williamson owned the business with Sid Bernard as a silent partner. He attributed the original “landmark cow” to them, recognizing it as an investment to bring people into the store.

Homer said business has been really good. “People have responded, and they’ve been very supportive. Sales have been up thanks to the community,” he said, adding that he wants to give back to the community with “a free lunch on us,” which is part of the celebration. “It’s going to be burgers,” he said.

A popular choice at Lakeside Meats has been family freezer packs. Homer said that family packs are prepared when ordered now rather than being prepared in advance and frozen. “We do special cuts until three,” he said.

Lakeside Meats also takes special orders. “We can get just about anything you ask for, depending on the season and the product,” Homer said. He used alligator and crab legs as examples of products available through special orders.

“Our suppliers have been very supportive on fulfilling orders,” said Homer.

Lakeside Meats currently employs eight staff members, said Homer. “I am proud of the employees. They have sacrificed and supported us with good, solid labor. I am very happy with them,” he said.

Homer said he asked the staff of Lakeside Meats to help spread the word about the celebration, with mention of it being broadcast on the radio and through a live feed on Facebook. A staff member of Lakeside Meats was observed greeting customers, many by name, and saying, “The cow is coming back,” while sharing the celebration’s details.

A review of the current Facebook account for Lakeside Meats revealed that the #bringbackthecow campaign started through the Facebook page for Lakeside Meats last year. Specials, recognition of wholesale customers, and appreciation for retail customers through giveaways were seen there, such as the recently held Mother’s Day drawing where the giveaway featured gift certificates for five local restaurants—Mi Casita, PB&J’s, Lucky Bull, Trinity Hotel, and Stevens Inn—who were recognized as customers of Lakeside Meats.