Are Cows Shrinking?

SmokeInDaEye · 07-18-2009, 08:17 PM

It may just be a Long Island thing, but I have been having a heck of a time find good competition briskets the last few months.

I have been to Restaurant Depot every weekend for the last month and have found a total of 2 whole packers that I could use. Every thing else is 10-12 pounds and the flats are so thin I can see through them (not really but almost).

Granted I prefer briskets that are 16-18 pounds but even 14 would be doable. I finally had to settle for a choice packer today (versus CAB) and trying a flat for the first time in competition.

I may have to get an extra freezer and stockpile in the winter when demand is less!

Goose · 07-18-2009, 09:23 PM

"Jetro" in College point, off 20th Ave has a very good selection, I picked up an 18+ LB'r last weekend. They carry all grades.
Swift brand frozen from the plant Cryo-vac'd spares were 1.27Lb case price. Rob is the Meat manager and is a nice guy.

Big Bags of RO lump are 6.67 right now.
(by the front door when you walk in)

When you walk in, go to the counter on the left, ask for a pass -you have to pay cash.

White Dog BBQ · 07-18-2009, 09:31 PM

I got a case of packers, Choice or better, at Restaurant Depot in Baltimore last week, 6 briskets in the case, total weight 94 lbs. Nice looking briskets, very minimal trimming at the factory. Only $1.69/lb.

I'm using them at Monmouth next week; hopefully they cook well. :-)

Erik

Bludawg · 07-18-2009, 10:55 PM

I guess its a NYC thing. I get 15-18# packers anytime I go to the Local Supemarket for 1.29 Lb. some times they are on sale at .89 lb. Cyro packed spares .99 - 1.39 depending on if they are frozen or not. I can't tell the difference thecook the same either way.

Jorge · 07-19-2009, 12:33 AM

It's dry down here in parts of Texas and other places. Cattle are going to auction sooner that some folks would like. That may be what you are seeing.

SmokeInDaEye · 07-19-2009, 01:53 AM

Yeah, may be a local thing. I spent some time tonight with a restaurant owner in the area who cooks a lot of briskets and he said its been tough to get larger ones. Good beef is harder to find up these ways.

WannaBeBBQueen · 07-20-2009, 08:53 AM

try Melville, we've been buying 16-18 pounders.

Skip · 07-20-2009, 09:19 AM

I have had the same problem in the RD in Mt Vernon. Seems that 13 lbs is the biggest we can find. I have also notice a real difference is point to flat ration. The flats are getting smaller and the point getting larger. The point off one of my briskets in Lake Placid was the same size as the flat and probably heavier since it was thicker at some points. I'm thinking of trying my luck at Westside in the Hunts Point Market but thats a real gamble. You can't see what you are getting and without catering there is nothing to do with the small ones. Even practice isn't worth it at that point since your comp meat and practice meat would be apples and oranges.

Westexbbq · 07-20-2009, 09:25 AM

Bohemia RD out near me had a bunch 14 and up a week or so ago, got a nice 14 pounder no problemo.

Jacked UP BBQ · 07-20-2009, 09:25 AM

I went to a place in troy NY this weekend to get briskets and I asked the butcher for the two largest he had. He walked out with these two little 9 pounders. He told me they were huge!!! I used and did ok. I cooked high heat and they actually came out very nice.

Slamdunkpro · 07-20-2009, 10:01 AM

The thin flat / big point issue seems to be the way that RD is having their house "Angus" butchered. I picked through 3 cases the other day and they all seemed to be cut in this fashion. IBP's seem to be the most consistent in regards to thicker flats, but the RD here has quit carrying them.

SmokeInDaEye · 08-10-2009, 02:22 PM

I finally found what I thought were 2 decent ones this weekend only to open one and a knife gash halfway through the middle of one of the flat. Ended up grinding most of it for burgers.

Anyone know if BJs sells whole packers or only flats?

ique · 08-10-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeInDaEye

Anyone know if BJs sells whole packers or only flats?

Flats only

Dustaway · 08-10-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeInDaEye

I finally found what I thought were 2 decent ones this weekend only to open one and a knife gash halfway through the middle of one of the flat. Ended up grinding most of it for burgers.

Anyone know if BJs sells whole packers or only flats?

Oh that was you I thought is was Thunder I heard over the weekend thanks

RobKC · 08-10-2009, 02:41 PM

Sam's in KC has the same problem with small briskets and thin flats. I have been able to get 14-16lb packers at a couple of meat markets but for 2x+ Sams price.

07-18-2009, 08:17 PM	#1
SmokeInDaEye Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-06 Location: Memphis, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Are Cows Shrinking? It may just be a Long Island thing, but I have been having a heck of a time find good competition briskets the last few months. I have been to Restaurant Depot every weekend for the last month and have found a total of 2 whole packers that I could use. Every thing else is 10-12 pounds and the flats are so thin I can see through them (not really but almost). Granted I prefer briskets that are 16-18 pounds but even 14 would be doable. I finally had to settle for a choice packer today (versus CAB) and trying a flat for the first time in competition. I may have to get an extra freezer and stockpile in the winter when demand is less! __________________ [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com"]http://www.SmokeInDaEye.com[/URL] Gen II Komodo Kamado, Pit Barrel Cooker, 3x 18.5" WSMs, 22.5" WSM, modified 18.5" Weber Kettle, 22.5" Weber Kettle circa 1960ish, Weber One Touch Platinum, copper Weber Smokey Joe, La Caja China, Bubba Keg, Bodom Picnic Grill, Weber Genesis

07-18-2009, 09:23 PM	#2
Goose Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-25-09 Location: By the Bay...NYC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	"Jetro" in College point, off 20th Ave has a very good selection, I picked up an 18+ LB'r last weekend. They carry all grades. Swift brand frozen from the plant Cryo-vac'd spares were 1.27Lb case price. Rob is the Meat manager and is a nice guy. Big Bags of RO lump are 6.67 right now. (by the front door when you walk in) When you walk in, go to the counter on the left, ask for a pass -you have to pay cash. __________________ Jim

07-18-2009, 09:31 PM	#3
White Dog BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-15-07 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I got a case of packers, Choice or better, at Restaurant Depot in Baltimore last week, 6 briskets in the case, total weight 94 lbs. Nice looking briskets, very minimal trimming at the factory. Only $1.69/lb. I'm using them at Monmouth next week; hopefully they cook well. :-) Erik __________________ Co-Captain, White Dog BBQ 1x Backwoods Smoker Extended Party 1x 18" WSM 1x Red Weber Performer 1x Weber 22.5" OneTouch Silver 1x Weber Genesis Silver B

07-18-2009, 10:55 PM	#4
Bludawg Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I guess its a NYC thing. I get 15-18# packers anytime I go to the Local Supemarket for 1.29 Lb. some times they are on sale at .89 lb. Cyro packed spares .99 - 1.39 depending on if they are frozen or not. I can't tell the difference thecook the same either way. __________________ I never met a Cow that I didn't like with a little Salt & Pepper! Certified PORK-A-HOLIC

07-19-2009, 12:33 AM	#5
Jorge somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-23-04 Location: DFW, San AntonioTx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's dry down here in parts of Texas and other places. Cattle are going to auction sooner that some folks would like. That may be what you are seeing. __________________ You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline - it helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. --Frank Zappa BOOGITY, BOOGITY, BOOGITY!!! Recipient of a Huggies box! Shut up, and cook!!!!

07-19-2009, 01:53 AM	#6
SmokeInDaEye Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-06 Location: Memphis, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yeah, may be a local thing. I spent some time tonight with a restaurant owner in the area who cooks a lot of briskets and he said its been tough to get larger ones. Good beef is harder to find up these ways. __________________ [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com"]http://www.SmokeInDaEye.com[/URL] Gen II Komodo Kamado, Pit Barrel Cooker, 3x 18.5" WSMs, 22.5" WSM, modified 18.5" Weber Kettle, 22.5" Weber Kettle circa 1960ish, Weber One Touch Platinum, copper Weber Smokey Joe, La Caja China, Bubba Keg, Bodom Picnic Grill, Weber Genesis

07-20-2009, 08:53 AM	#7
WannaBeBBQueen is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 07-17-06 Location: Wantagh, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	try Melville, we've been buying 16-18 pounders. __________________ Julie "It is better to have burnt and lost, then never to have barbecued at all" Swamp Pit BBQ KCBS Member KCBS CBJ Charbroil Bandera Charbroil Silver Smoker/Grill Weber Kettle 18 & 26 WSM 18 1/2 Kamado 18" FEC 100 http://www.myspace.com/wannabebbqueen http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/JMBred *the views of the user Skip (The Prince Consort) do not necessarily reflect those of WannaBeBBQueen...lol

07-20-2009, 09:19 AM	#8
Skip is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-24-07 Location: Wantagh, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have had the same problem in the RD in Mt Vernon. Seems that 13 lbs is the biggest we can find. I have also notice a real difference is point to flat ration. The flats are getting smaller and the point getting larger. The point off one of my briskets in Lake Placid was the same size as the flat and probably heavier since it was thicker at some points. I'm thinking of trying my luck at Westside in the Hunts Point Market but thats a real gamble. You can't see what you are getting and without catering there is nothing to do with the small ones. Even practice isn't worth it at that point since your comp meat and practice meat would be apples and oranges. __________________ WannaBeBBQueen's Prince Consort Swamp Pit BBQ's freeloader To part or not to part: that is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to part and suffer the slings and arrows of ostentatious brothers or to not part when faced with a sea of dissent, and by compromise end it? To part: to succeed. Forever more: and by succeed to say we win. Yeah it looks good...but how does it smell? Member of The Big Guns BBQ Team Semper Fumantem

07-20-2009, 09:25 AM	#9
Westexbbq Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-02-05 Location: Rockin' Lake Ronfarkoma, Hinterlands of BBQ . Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Bohemia RD out near me had a bunch 14 and up a week or so ago, got a nice 14 pounder no problemo. __________________ Illuminated, circa 1967. KCBS CBJ-Texas Transplant. Texas Smokemaster offset, Well-cured NB Silver Smoker, Santa Fe grill (retired). glory bee gasser. Texas International Pop Festival, Labor Day 1969. IMBAS Certified. Just roll me up and smoke me when I die. Always remember, no matter where ya go, there you are. I wanna tell you 'bout Texas radio and the big beat. Someday, I hope to visit Penelope. Hondo Crouch, Famous Late Mayor of Lunkenbach, Texas who advocated a 'dillo diet: "You can eat nothing but armadillos for a month, but you will have to run down and catch all the armadillos you eat and it can really take the weight off!"

07-20-2009, 09:25 AM	#10
Jacked UP BBQ Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-09-08 Location: Forker River, NJ Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I went to a place in troy NY this weekend to get briskets and I asked the butcher for the two largest he had. He walked out with these two little 9 pounders. He told me they were huge!!! I used and did ok. I cooked high heat and they actually came out very nice. __________________ Jacked UP BBQ vending Ocean County Pig Assassins competition team retired and is now known as Jacked UP BBQ Fec 750 Fec 100 Large Spicewine

07-20-2009, 10:01 AM	#11
Slamdunkpro is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-27-07 Location: Northern VA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The thin flat / big point issue seems to be the way that RD is having their house "Angus" butchered. I picked through 3 cases the other day and they all seemed to be cut in this fashion. IBP's seem to be the most consistent in regards to thicker flats, but the RD here has quit carrying them. __________________ Aporkalypse Now Competition BBQ team Thanks to our sponsors: Wusthof Trident USA & Creekstone Farms Spicewine Tandem - "The Beast" Brinkman modified upright, Weber Kettle(s); Meadow Creek Pr-24 ----------------- MABA - (Mid Atlantic BBQ Association) President KCBS Certified Judge - #23289

08-10-2009, 02:22 PM	#12
SmokeInDaEye Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-06 Location: Memphis, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I finally found what I thought were 2 decent ones this weekend only to open one and a knife gash halfway through the middle of one of the flat. Ended up grinding most of it for burgers. Anyone know if BJs sells whole packers or only flats? __________________ [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com"]http://www.SmokeInDaEye.com[/URL] Gen II Komodo Kamado, Pit Barrel Cooker, 3x 18.5" WSMs, 22.5" WSM, modified 18.5" Weber Kettle, 22.5" Weber Kettle circa 1960ish, Weber One Touch Platinum, copper Weber Smokey Joe, La Caja China, Bubba Keg, Bodom Picnic Grill, Weber Genesis

08-10-2009, 02:41 PM	#15
RobKC Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-10-07 Location: Huger, SC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sam's in KC has the same problem with small briskets and thin flats. I have been able to get 14-16lb packers at a couple of meat markets but for 2x+ Sams price. __________________ Go For Smoke BBQ - Huger SC Border War Smokers - "BBQ worth killin' your neighbor for" KCBS CBJ Custom Superior Smokers trailer with 2 SS-Twos, Stoked WSM, 22.5" OTG 2008 National Championship KANSAS JAYHAWK BLUE Thermapen You can't go back and you can't stand still If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will

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