Who Is the Man Behind the Slicer?

Long way from home Kevin Villao is the butcher at La Carnicería Sonoyta 2

Story By: Harumy Torres, Foodie Editor
Photos By: Justin Shaw

Located at 2692 Highway 50, Ste. A, Grand Junction, CO 81503, La Carnicería Sonoyta 2 has become an integral part of the local community. This bustling butcher shop, known for its high-quality meats and customer-first mentality, is the work of 22-year-old Kevin Villao, the only butcher on the team.

Since the store opened in 2023, Villao has been slicing, prepping and restocking, providing the best cuts of meat and personalized service to every customer who walks through the door. It’s a demanding job, one that requires strength, attention to detail and a deep understanding of customer needs.

Originally from Ecuador, Villao didn’t grow up eating meat daily. However, his role at La Carnicería Sonoyta 2 has given him an appreciation for the craft and the importance of offering customers what they want. Each day, he breaks down shipments of meat that can weigh 60 to 80 pounds, often still frozen when they arrive. The meat is sourced from Canada and transported through a company in Denver. Villao uses a slicer for thinner cuts like diesmillo but relies on a knife for more traditional cuts like ranchera, the go-to meat for carne asada.

“I will use the rebanadora [slicer] for the diesmillo cut of meat, but I have to cut the ranchera by hand using a knife, so it can definitely be time-consuming,” Villao said.

While Villao handles the slicing and cutting alone, his work doesn’t stop there. When a customer came in looking for Goya-brand pupusas, a Latin American dish that’s hard to find in Grand Junction, the owners took action. The store didn’t have them in stock but quickly ordered them, and now that customer regularly returns when he’s craving those beloved pupusas.

That customer-first attitude has helped La Carnicería Sonoyta 2 stand out. Over time, the shop has expanded its offerings to meet the growing needs of its customers, especially those from the Central American and Latin American communities. The store now carries a variety of rice, beans, cream, cheese, Latin drinks and snacks, all of which are staples in many households.

Along with pantry essentials, Villao and the store staff stock fresh produce like tomatillos, jalapeños, serrano peppers and fresh cilantro, ingredients essential for many traditional dishes. Understanding the importance of culturally significant foods, the store also offers yuca root, a frequently requested item that has become increasingly popular with regulars.

“I know that sometimes when people ask for carne asada, they are asking for the ranchera meat, because that is the meat that is commonly used for carne asada,” Villao said, noting how customer knowledge influences what he prepares.

The shop’s central location on Highway 50 makes it especially convenient for customers from all over the Western Slope, including those driving in from Delta, Whitewater and Clifton. While larger chain stores are available in the area, many still make the trek to La Carnicería Sonoyta 2, drawn by the quality of the meats and the wide selection of Latin American products.

Martin Acevedo, a customer from Delta, makes it a regular part of his routine.
“I come here at least once a week,” Acevedo said. “The store is located on the road to the city [Grand Junction]. Also, if I’m not going into the city, I know that I can just stop by and then go home.”

That kind of reliability and accessibility is what keeps loyal customers coming back week after week.

Beyond the butcher counter, the store also offers home-style meals, such as tamales, carnitas and house-made chorizo. These ready-to-eat options are popular with busy customers who want a taste of home but don’t have time to cook.

It’s not just the meat and meals that have earned the store recognition. La Carnicería Sonoyta 2 was recently named No. 4 in the Best Butcher Shop category in The Daily Sentinel’s 2025 Best of the West awards. This recognition highlights how the store’s hard work and dedication have made it a beloved part of the community.

Though this may not be Villao’s dream job, it’s one he takes seriously and performs with pride.

The store offers around 30 different types of meat, cut and ready to take home, with prices varying by the pound.

The store Instagram page: @Sonoytacarniceria_ they encourage people to follow them and keep up with the store.