Carrollton Chop House meals find new home at Ulman’s Bakery

The Chop House restaurant in Carrollton lives on at Ulman’s Bakery, featuring the newly branded Chop House Prepared Meals, ready to warm up and available now.

There are 12 Chop House menu items packaged and ready to go in a cooler at Ulman’s Bakery.

“Dan Ulman and I were chatting, and The Chop House brand is strong here,” said Chop House chef/owner Gary Hulett. “Dan’s got a space for a cooler, he’s licensed through the health department like I am, so we chatted with the health department, they said, ‘Thumbs up, all is good.’”

Hulett explained that The Chop House restaurant sales were strong and the reception was positive, but he had to close due to lack of staff.

“As time went on and I didn’t have enough staff I had to weigh my options,” said Hulett. “These meals are where I’ve landed. Ever since the restaurant opened Ulman’s has been doing our cakes, breadsticks, wedding cake, sheet cakes and other things we needed from a bakery.”

This friendship led to the current arrangement. There is a large freezer dedicated to The Chop House Prepared Meals inside Ulman’s Bakery on the right side when entering.

The entire menu includes pork chop, garlic butter and mashed potatoes; chicken, queso sauce and mashed potatoes; chicken bacon macaroni and cheese; gangster pasta “Al Pacino’s Cousin”; cavatappi, pomodoro and meatballs; grilled chicken and vegetables; and grilled chicken and lime rice, each bundle for $12. There are also 16-ounce containers of corn chowder for $6. Chicken tiramisu and Farmhouse chicken soup are new additions to the menu.

Hulett said the meals had to be simple to reheat, balanced, a good portion size, not too messy and able to freeze well.

“Not everything from the main menu is going to hold up,” said Hulett. “For example, fried foods, once it’s fried, it doesn’t hold up well. Anything breaded doesn’t hold up well, things fall apart in the cooler, you know, over time. Temperature and time are our enemies here, so everything’s made fresh, and everything has a label on it.”

Hulett noted the most convenient way to reheat the meals is simply to use the microwave, making them quick and easy for busy customers. However, for best results, he suggests warming them on the stovetop in a sauté or saucepan over low heat with a lid, which helps the food heat evenly and maintain its texture and flavor.

According to Dan Ulman’s wife, Deanna, who works at the bakery, the meals have been selling well.

“I have had people buy up to 10 at a time,” said Deanna Ulman. “They are great to take home and reheat later for dinner or keep cold for the next day.”

“It has been great, it has been bringing more traffic to the bakery, people can come in specifically for a meal, maybe pick up a donut or cookies,” said Hulett. “Or come in for sweets and buy a meal. We’ve been good friends since the restaurant originally opened. We’ve gained a business relationship and a friendship.”

“Gary knows that whatever he needs we will help,” said Dan Ulman. “We are happy to provide him a space to sell his delicious food. We’ve enjoyed everything we’ve ever had at The Chop House and we are happy to continue that here.”

Ulman’s Bakery offers the Chop House prepared meals during all regular bakery hours, which run 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Customers can stop in at 1115 Canton Road NW, Carrollton, during those times to pick up meals from the cooler. The bakery also accepts orders by phone at 330-627-9500, giving shoppers another convenient way to reserve meals or check availability.