Can you taste the difference between USDA Prime and USDA Choice?

[swbsam]

I never, ever buy anything other than the grocery store special but ended up picking up trash bags at the gourmet butcher next to my office yesterday. They had thick, delicious looking USDA Prime rib-steak for $15/lb and I decided to give it a try..

It... was... delicious...

The texture, the flavor, the smell - perfect!

I'm wondering if it's just the overall quality of the meat from this gourmet shop or if Prime is really just that better. The same store has choice/organic/Black Angus rip steak for about $8 a pound, and I may just give that a try..

 

[rudder]

You can taste the difference. I generally buy mine online in bulk to save money.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Most grocery stores.....well I wont tell you what they do or you wouldnt buy that cut rate stuff anymore.

 

[funkymatt]

i did the same thing on my birthday- $70 worth of meat for 4 people and it was so worth it.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: rudder
You can taste the difference. I generally buy mine online in bulk to save money.

link please.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: funkymatt
i did the same thing on my birthday- $70 worth of meat for 4 people and it was so worth it.

Yeah, I buy choice or prime cuts at my local market (not a supermarket). Their prime cuts are fantastic but it costs $30/lb for filet mignon.

Their choice is very good too. Much better than supermarket meats.

 

[ScottFern]

I had Whole Foods pre-made patties that were stuffed with blue cheese, onions and garlic and it was the best burger I ever had.

 

[spidey07]

Yes, normally. But you can also find choice cuts that could pass as prime if you know what to look for. The only thing that makes the difference in the grades is the marbling and fat content.

-edit-
And google tells me only 2% of beef is graded prime. Interesting.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Most grocery stores.....well I wont tell you what they do or you wouldnt buy that cut rate stuff anymore.

I'd love to know!

I actually think I'm converted - the grocery store sells these thin/limp steaks for $6 a pound so $8 isn't all that bad for the butcher. $15 would obviously be a splurge, but it's amazing.