Where do you shop?

[Londo_Jowo]

10/lb beef? Kroger normally has some type of roast cut or brisket for less than $4/lb. Two weeks ago I bought a whole brisket for $3.99/lb and this week they have bone in rib steak for $4.99/lb.

 

[dmcowen674]

ya don't go to a butcher shop to save, ya go because the quality is better. walmart meat quality just isn't there.

and I do almost all my shopping at a local chain, Hy-Vee, better selection and quality produce and meat.

So there is Cow segregation?

Walmart has bad tasting Cows while the Butcher shop gets good tasting Cows?

Is the genetics of these cows the difference?

I could see plain hamburger beef Vs Ribeye (because of where the cut is coming from the cow) having a difference but you would have to show me two cows side by side (of the same type) making a difference.

 

[nageov3t]

So there is Cow segregation?

Walmart has bad tasting Cows while the Butcher shop gets good tasting Cows?

Is the genetics of these cows the difference?

I could see plain hamburger beef Vs Ribeye (because of where the cut is coming from the cow) having a difference but you would have to show me two cows side by side (of the same type) making a difference.

different sources would likely result in different feeding processes, different amounts of hormones used to fatten up the cow, etc all of which impact the taste.

there's also processing differences... kosher chicken tastes delicious without much fuss because they brine it as part of the koshering process; Perdue and such don't.

the local butcher shop may also be fresher, if they're getting it from a local farm rather than a distribution center where it may have been sitting around in the fridge for a week.

 

[Moonbeam]

different sources would likely result in different feeding processes, different amounts of hormones used to fatten up the cow, etc all of which impact the taste.

there's also processing differences... kosher chicken tastes delicious without much fuss because they brine it as part of the koshering process; Perdue and such don't.

the local butcher shop may also be fresher, if they're getting it from a local farm rather than a distribution center where it may have been sitting around in the fridge for a week.

Beef is best aged and covered with mold.

The process of dry-aging usually also promotes growth of certain fungal (mold) species on the external surface of the meat. This does not cause spoilage, but actually forms an external "crust" on the meat's surface, which is trimmed off when the meat is prepared for cooking. These fungal species complement the natural enzymes in the beef by helping to tenderize and increase the flavor of the meat. The genus Thamnidium, in particular, is known to produce collagenolytic enzymes which greatly contribute to the tenderness and flavor of dry-aged meat.

 

[MagickMan]

10/lb beef? Kroger normally has some type of roast cut or brisket for less than $4/lb. Two weeks ago I bought a whole brisket for $3.99/lb and this week they have bone in rib steak for $4.99/lb.

Fresh Market runs sales like that too, and it's all domestic beef starting at Choice (for roasts) and going up from there, no meats are precut. It's the only place around here that regularly stocks >BMS6 quality Tajima beef; strips, ribeye, and tenderloin (but it doesn't go "on sale", unfortunately). You know that old saw about being able to cut the steak with a fork? Well, with these you actually can, with little effort.

 

[Ausm]

Why does Costco normally have 2/3rd the staff working compared to Sam's?

Because they pay twice as much.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Fresh Market runs sales like that too, and it's all domestic beef starting at Choice (for roasts) and going up from there, no meats are precut. It's the only place around here that regularly stocks >BMS6 quality Tajima beef; strips, ribeye, and tenderloin (but it doesn't go "on sale", unfortunately). You know that old saw about being able to cut the steak with a fork? Well, with these you actually can, with little effort.

The best steak I've ever ate was an aged wagyu ribeye and you did not need a knife.

Because they pay twice as much.

Are you sure? One of my neighbors that works at Sam's put in an application/was interviewed for a meat cutter position when Costco was within weeks of opening last year, they offered him the same wages he was already receiving.

 

[IronWing]

I shop at many different grocery stores regularly. As the nearest grocery store is ten miles away, gas costs tend to trump low prices. It is cheaper to buy milk and eggs at the convenience store that is about a mile away than to drive the extra eighteen miles to get it for less at the grocery store.

 

[shortylickens]

Amazon.


Groceries from Shoppers Food Warehouse.

 

[Avalon]

Too bad Publix never went National.

at the rate they're expanding, it's only a matter of time...

 

[dmcowen674]

different sources would likely result in different feeding processes, different amounts of hormones used to fatten up the cow, etc all of which impact the taste.

there's also processing differences... kosher chicken tastes delicious without much fuss because they brine it as part of the koshering process; Perdue and such don't.

the local butcher shop may also be fresher, if they're getting it from a local farm rather than a distribution center where it may have been sitting around in the fridge for a week.

and the local Butcher shop will have $5 lb Ribeye as posters in here claim?

 

[Londo_Jowo]

It's very possible that some regions of the country may have expensive beef prices due to union packaging plants processing the cattle.

 

[dawp]

So there is Cow segregation?

Walmart has bad tasting Cows while the Butcher shop gets good tasting Cows?

Is the genetics of these cows the difference?

I could see plain hamburger beef Vs Ribeye (because of where the cut is coming from the cow) having a difference but you would have to show me two cows side by side (of the same type) making a difference.

there are different grades of beef and walmart sells a lower grade to keep the cost lower.

 

[MagickMan]

there are different grades of beef and walmart sells a lower grade to keep the cost lower.

Correct. Walmart carries "Standard", "Select", and "Choice" (there are 3 sub-ratings of Choice, they carry the lowest). Most specialty butchers carry "Choice +" (the highest), "Prime -", and "Prime o", with the highest (Prime +) generally grabbed up by high-end restaurants... though you do see it at a butcher's sometimes, but boy is it expensive, $40-50 /lb ribeyes. "Choice -", the type Walmart carries as their top tier offering, is fine for stews or roasts, but sub-standard for grilling, really. If you're grilling and only have access to Walmart meats, stick with hamburgers.

http://meat.tamu.edu/beefgrading/

Also, yes, some cattle breeds are better tasting than others. Even some specific lines are known to make great beef cows, bred to consistently be of superior quality (genetics). Also there are other factors like; feed, health, exercise, hydration. Are they free-range or are they standing still in a closed pen all day? Are they blasted with antibiotics to keep them from getting infections (due in part to being in a small pen, packed in with other cows). How fast was the muscle on them grown? Hormones cause faster growth and higher yield, that's good for volume but bad for quality. Slower muscle growth leads to better fat marbling, meaning a more tender, flavorful steak. There's a lot of factors at work, and being well informed about what you're buying is important if you care about what you eat.

 

[MagickMan]

and the local Butcher shop will have $5 lb Ribeye as posters in here claim?

Places run sales, which is what he was talking about, mine does. However, they're definitely loss leaders, because that's less than the butcher's cost. He's hoping you'll add on some other things to make it worthwhile for him.

 

[biostud]

Aldi, since it's the only one with stores in Denmark.

 

[HAL9000]

none of the above

This.

 

[nickbits]

half of those are not national chains

 

[glenn1]

Costco for bulk foods, Trader Joes for staples, Amazon for specialty goods, farmer's market for produce, Asian supermarket for stuff not found elsewhere.

 

[Karl Agathon]

half of those are not national chains

I didn't locally recognize about half of them myself, so I ended up with Walmart as my poll choice. I do hit and run type shopping trips there, but don't shop there for food full time.

 

[Jaskalas]

half of those are not national chains

I didn't locally recognize about half of them myself, so I ended up with Walmart as my poll choice. I do hit and run type shopping trips there, but don't shop there for food full time.

Agreed, I am not familiar with half those choices either.

 

[Thebobo]

Safeway and Amazon

Never heard of these.

Aldi
Meijer
Albertsons
SuperValu

 

[dmcowen674]

half of those are not national chains

The list is straight from Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_supermarket_chains_in_the_United_States

 

[dmcowen674]

Costco for bulk foods, Trader Joes for staples, Amazon for specialty goods, farmer's market for produce, Asian supermarket for stuff not found elsewhere.

Well went to Costco for first time today.

Spent what we normally spend but the quantities are so much we will be able to skip quite a few trips on those items so it is a savings.

Disappointed on the meats. Ribeye was $14.99 lb, did get some sirloin for $4.99.