From South Africa -> Canada
Where It All Began
Long before Bokkie's Biltong existed in Canada, biltong was simply part of life in South Africa. It was at every braai, in every lunchbox, wrapped in paper at the butcher on a Saturday morning. You didn't think about it, it was just there, and it was perfect.
Biltong is not a snack food invented in a factory. It's a tradition that stretches back centuries, rooted in necessity and refined by culture. Air-dried beef with salt, vinegar, and coriander. No cooking, no shortcuts, no compromise.
When South Africans began building new lives in Canada, the one thing they couldn't replace was the taste of home. That's the gap Bokkie's was built to fill
Barrie, Ontario. October 8, 2011.
Est. 2011 | 150+ Reviews | 4.88 Average Rating
Bokkie's Biltong opened its doors in Barrie, Ontario on October 8, 2011. Built from scratch by people who knew exactly what authentic biltong should taste like, and who refused to cut corners to get there.
From day one, the philosophy was simple: use the best beef you can find, cure it the right way, and let the flavour speak for itself. Ontario-raised, hormone-free, AAA-grade beef. Traditional South African spicing. Air-dried slowly, never smoked, never cooked.
Over the next 14 years, Bokkie's built a reputation that spread well beyond Barrie, into Toronto's finest specialty food stores, onto kitchen tables across Canada, and into the hands of thousands of customers who discovered that yes, you can get the real thing here.
A New Chapter, The Same Heart
I was born and raised in a small town in Limpopo, South Africa.
Those early years, the community, the food, the way Sundays smelled when a pot was on the fire, stayed with me long after I moved to Johannesburg and, eventually, to Canada in the early 2000s.
In April, 2025, I was given the extraordinary opportunity to take over Bokkie's Biltong. It wasn't just a business acquisition. It was a chance to become the guardian of something that already meant so much to so many people. South Africans living in Canada who had finally found their taste of home, and Canadians who had discovered something they didn't know they were missing.
For me, this is more than biltong. It's about culture, tradition, and the belief that food is one of the most powerful ways we stay connected to where we came form, and share that place with others.
I'm committed to the same quality and care that built this business, and excited about everything that comes next.
Frequently asked questions
How long has Bokkie's Biltong been operating?
Bokkie's Biltong first opened its doors on October 8, 2011, making it one of the longest-running South African specialty food businesses in Canada. Over 14 years, Bokkies has built a reputation for authentic quality, serving the Barrie community in person and shipping biltong and South African groceries across Canada. When Zenta took over in April 2025, she made it her mission to honour that legacy while continuing to grow the store.
Is your biltong recipe authentically South African?
Yes, the recipe, technique, and spice profile are all authentically South African. We use the traditional combination of coriander, black pepper, salt and brown vinegar that has defined biltong for generations. Our beef is sourced from Ontario farms, but the process is exactly as it has been done in South Africa, slow air-dried, never smoked or baked. If you grew up eating biltong in South Africa, this will taste like home.
Do you only sell biltong or is there a full South African grocery range?
We stock full South African pantry. Alongside our handcrafted biltong, you will find Ouma Rusks, Mrs Balls Chutney, Freshpak Rooibos, Aromat, Koo canned goods, Nando's sauce range, Cadbury chocolates, Beacon sweets, Ina Paarman seasonings, potjie pots, and hundreds of other SA brands and products, all available to order online and shipped across Canada.
Can I visit Bokkie's Biltong store in person?
Yes, our Barrie butcher shop is open to walk-in customers. You can browse the full range of South African products in person, talk to the team, and take home freshly made biltong. We are located in Barrie, Ontario. Visit our Locations page for current opening hours, our full address, and directions. We also ship nationally for customers outside of Barrie.