Butcher Shop or Big Box Store for Meat

ICTBBQ · Apr 12, 2012

Is there really that much difference in the meat from a butcher shop?

I went in to a local butcher shop yesterday, looking for 5-6 slabs of baby backs. They only had two in the case, so I asked if they had any more in the back.

The one of the two teenagers working said he would check. He brought out a box of FROZEN ribs from the same supplier as our local WalMart. At this point I inspected the ribs in the case (which still had ice on them) and noticed they don't look any better than WalMart's. I took a look at their prices ($6.99/lb) and decided if they're charging almost double the other store's prices, they should have fresh quality meat, not the same as the big box stores. :crazy:

Has anyone else had this experience?

How do you know when a butcher is a good one, or just selling the meat they pick up at WalMart and jacking the price up? How did you pick your Butcher?

El Ropo · Apr 12, 2012

Walmart ribs are enhanced around here. I'd think the ones from the butcher shop would be natural, unless they don't know what they are doing.

When you buy pork from WM, you are paying for 8% to 15% sodium solution, so figure that into your price. Not to mention, they'll tend to taste hammy, instead of porky.

zwylde1 · Apr 12, 2012

The animals are out in the back of the shop I go to. Pretty darn fresh there! :clap:

Fat Freddy · Apr 12, 2012

The only butcher shops I am familiar with around here also has frozen meat,ribs at least, and since it takes me almost an hour to drive to these places I think it is easier to buy from Walmart which is only 30 min. away. A buddy of mine has found a butcher he says he likes in a small town but when he wanted to buy a packer brisket the butcher did not know what it was, so I decided I probably am not interested in that butcher.

landarc · Apr 12, 2012

I buy from one of two butcher shops in grocery stores around here. But, the meat is never frozen, all sources are trackable and the meat is all very good quality. I can't eat as much mrat due to cost.

ICTBBQ · Apr 12, 2012

El Ropo said:
Walmart ribs are enhanced around here. I'd think the ones from the butcher shop would be natural, unless they don't know what they are doing.

That was pretty much the impression I got. Not sure the kids working were even legal to use a knife. That and the packaging - both box and vacuum pack were identical to those at my local WalMart.

I won't be shopping at that butcher shop anymore.

ICTBBQ · Apr 12, 2012

landarc said:
SNIP... all sources are trackable and the meat is all very good quality. /SNIP

How can you tell, or what questions do you ask to find out?

nthole · Apr 12, 2012

landarc said:
I can't eat as much mrat due to cost.

You eat rat? :loco:

I've got a number of butcher shops around me and the meats from Whole Paycheck available as well. I've checked them all and really I can't say that I've found them any more visually appealing (or tasting when I have bought) than my Sams or Restaurant Depot, so I get my meats there. I'm sure some are organic, or something or other, but I've seen others pull meat out of boxes and cryo's that looked very much like the same thing where I'm buying from.

If the cheaper meat makes you happy...

mr dirts bbq · Apr 12, 2012

i use 3 sources, butcher shop, rest. depot and bj's wholesale club, i find the ribs at bj's are the best they have the perfect amount of fat in/on them and great flavor, restaurant depot is alot cheaper but quality is hit or miss i have to dig through case to find good ones, the butcher wants too much for packer briskets $5-$6 per lb so they come from rest depot, butts come from depot or bjs, chicken from bjs - depot chickens are all fat and dont have as good texture and taste IMO, butcher is good for bacon roasts, full hams, prime rib roasts and fresh rashers (irish bacon)

Pappy · Apr 12, 2012

We Q'ed some wally world ribs. Didn't taste good at all.
I only buy ribs from the butcher now.

AlanTX · Apr 12, 2012

I do not buy meat/pork/chicken from wally world, I don't care how much they campaign that they've 'revamped' that department.

Mark M · Apr 12, 2012

I apologize if this is off topic, but it does relate to meat that I bought at 2 different places. Last weekend I smoked a couple of slabs of BB ribs from Sprouts and a couple of slabs of loin ribs from Costco. All of them were bought fresh but had to be thawed after pulling them from our freezer. As I was standing over them and putting rub on, I kept noticing a strong smell (I won't call it an odor, but it may have been heading in that direction). I did a sniff test and the loin ribs from Costco were the culprit. I wrote it off as "maybe my nose is more sensitive today". Stupid, I know. After smoking them, I could still get a hint of that smell. I was the guinea pig and wouldn't let anybody else eat them, and they "seemed" okay - not great. I'm still alive and kicking and have had no issues since eating them, but if I ever have that suspicion again, I think I'll play it safe and just throw them away.

landarc · Apr 12, 2012

ICTBBQ said:
How can you tell, or what questions do you ask to find out?

The butchers either show where the meat is coming from, most are from packers with brand identities, such as Niman Ranch, Harris Ranch, Beeler's etc...or they are local and feature animal tracking, such as MarinSun Farms and a few others. The other thing is these are small shops and the butchers actually know what they are selling. If I ask for a packer, or a tri-tip, they understand what it is I am talking about.

Now, when I cook for other folks, I buy from RD or Smart and Final, as packers there are cheaper and most folks don't care that the animal lived a happy life on sweet grass in view of the ocean. They just want meat.

nthole said:
You eat rat? :loco:
...

What, you don't?

Booking It · Apr 12, 2012

It certainly depends on the butcher. My FAVORITE butcher in the whole wide world only carries prime beef and their pork is always top notch quality. All beef is cut to order, so you won't find steaks already sliced.

I did a side by side test with his ribs last summer and the ribs of a so-so butcher... no comparison. The flavor, meatiness of the amazing butcher... it was like heaven. The price is crazy high, but I figure that I'm putting a lot of time and effort in to my barbecue, so I might as well go with the best!

ROF Texas · Apr 12, 2012

There are 2 butcher shops in Houston that I truly trust. I feel comfortable paying a premium for their product and have proven the results. They will dry age upon request and primarily handle certified angus products. One shop handles the Strube Farms Wagu briskets, which I feel are the best on the market. I will only buy chicken , fresh, and never frozen, from a butcher shop or commercial processor. (placed in the top 3 in every competetion last year)I try to avaoid Wal-Mart meats at all cost but have purchased butts or ribs at Sams Club. The local RD is a good source for butts/ribs and normally has at least 3 grades of brisket to selct from.
My Thoughts!

ICTBBQ · Apr 12, 2012

ROF said:
There are 2 butcher shops in Houston that I truly trust.

So how did you find them? I'd like to get away from Wally World too, but I'll be damned if I'm going to buy the same meat at a higher price.

zwylde1 · Apr 12, 2012

Just say no to anything meat related at Wally World! With the exception of their SPAM. But they do have a nice sale on charcoal every now and then!!! :biggrin1:

BBQBikerGuru · Apr 12, 2012

I buy my meat from a place hear known as the West Side Market. They have butchers and bakers inside. It seems to be fresher and better tasting. Plus I like being able to tell the butcher exactly what I want and how I want it.

daninnewjersey · Apr 12, 2012

I was one of the guys buying from Sam's since their prices were the best around and the meat was (is) good. I got turned onto a butcher in the are that has his own farm. Not only are his prices BETTER than Sam's, his stuff is as fresh as it gets. Plus, he will cut whatever you want (within reason), and is always as friendly as possible.

As an added bonus, he also sells packers which my Sam's doesn't. Yes, he's my new best friend....:mrgreen:

ICTBBQ · Apr 12, 2012

daninnewjersey said:
I was one of the guys buying from Sam's since their prices were the best around and the meat was (is) good. I got turned onto a butcher in the are that has his own farm. Not only are his prices BETTER than Sam's, his stuff is as fresh as it gets. Plus, he will cut whatever you want (within reason), and is always as friendly as possible.

As an added bonus, he also sells packers which my Sam's doesn't. Yes, he's my new best friend....:mrgreen:

Sounds like a great friend to have!

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