Butcher or Grocery

Birchwood76 · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Birchwood Wisconsin

Hello all,
I was wondering where everybody purchased their meat from, I am having issues with finding certain cuts where I am but have not tried the butcher shop yet. Any suggestions ? Thanks in advance for your ideas.

Have a good one!!!

SIMPLE Q · Posted: Sep 19 2007 Post subject:

I, like a bunch of the other good folks on this board, cook a lot of meat.

Unfortunately, I have not yet found a "one stop shop" that can provide me with all my meat needs.

I use one place for shoulder & hogs, 2 or 3 different for ribs, same w/ briskets and butts.

The best thing to do is just start looking. Sure it will take some time, but in the long run you will know where to go when you need that certain cut of meat.

ribs, butts, briskets,chicken, bulk steak meat-- try sams club
for smaller quantities try a reputable meat market
sometimes i'll buy chicken or beef at the grocery store if just cooking for the family.

Hope this helps

Steve H

Jeff T · Posted: Sep 19 2007 Post subject:

I have found some of the best BBQ products at smaller local stores than at the butchers custom or specility places. Ask somone behind the meat counter most likely the manager about what is available. What we look for and what they stock is two different things. Like a butt for instance to them is called a pork shoulder butt roast and by the time it hits the meat counter its been cut in thirds and trimmered so lean its barely recognizable to me. I had to ask for the whole butt uncut still in cryovac. By buying in that state he gives me at least a 10 cent off price no matter if its on sale or not just for the bulk of it. So in a nut shell get friendly with them ask a few questions and you`ll find what your looking for.

SierraScott · Posted: Sep 19 2007 Post subject:

Yes, Jeff T is right. We have a local chain of about 7 stores called Nugget Market. I chummed up to one of the butchers there and told him what I was doing. He sells me whole pork butts for 10 cents over cost. May not hurt to share a sample of the fruits of your laybor with him.
In time I had an in with all 4 of the butchers at my local market.

Talk about a steady supply of reliable fresh meat.

Happy hunting! Very Happy

istock74 · BBQ Pro Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 965 Location: Logan, IA

I agree with what Jeff is saying. I went to my local grocer and talked to the meat dept manager. This is a small store in a town of about 1500 people mind you and they never had the types of cuts you would want for Q. I told the guy I had been buying from Wally world and I wanted to start buying local. They were happy to help and I have been getting all my meat there ever since. I get better prices for buying untrimmed cuts still in the cryobag , and they even ordered in a case of St Louis cut spares and have kept them in the freezer just for me so I can go buy them as I need them as opposed to having to take the whole case at once. You would be surprised how willing and able small grocers are to help.

gotwood · BBQ Fan Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 183

If you use a butcher he can probably get you anything you need if you give him a bit of notice.

Mine got me a package of hangar steaks for tailgaiting over the weekend, and let me tell you that is some tasty stuff.

Birchwood76 · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Birchwood Wisconsin

Thanks for the advice guys. My biggest issue is that I live in a real small town of about 500 people and the local store has no butcher or even no one that knows about meat, they just sell what they get, I do have access to a meat market and a butcher about 30 minute away and a Wally World and 2 groceries in that same town. I will have to see if I can catch the people there to see if I can get the cuts I want to try. Thanks again and Yes it has been helpful!

OddThomas · Posted: Sep 20 2007 Post subject:

As much as possible I try to buy local--as in right down the road a piece. We've got tons of farms out this way and I regularly buy local meats, eggs, and produce (if I don't grow it myself) from my neighbors. Heck we even have a ostrich farm close by. Very Happy

I picked up some "made yesterday" whole hog sausage at the local farmer's market this past Saturday that was divine. I paid $3.25 a pound for it, which is comparable to what I'd pay at the grocer, but far better quality. Don't even get me started on how good of a fattie that stuff makes...

If I can find someone out here who can supply in quantity when I need it, I'll probably stop using Sam's and the local Harris Teeter altogether. The quality of the meat is just so much better.

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 20 2007 Post subject:

Where in the heck is Birchwood Wisconsin??
I am near the Minocqua/Woodruff area.

if you got actual birch trees by you, you must be at least as far north as I am. east, west, or center of the state? Are you near a real city? or better yet, what county are you in?

many grocery stores can/will special order for you and give you a decent price if you bring peace offerings (read: BBQ) to the main meat cutter. especially if you are ordering case-lots and they do not need to do anything to the product.
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SoEzzy · Posted: Sep 20 2007 Post subject:

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 20 2007 Post subject:

PigHusker · BBQ Fan Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 364 Location: Omaha

Off topic, but have any of you guys tried Nueske's Bacon. The stuff is on a whole new level. How about that Pack!!! Stick it to the Chargers.
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Birchwood76 · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Birchwood Wisconsin

I am about 20 minutes from either Rice Lake or about 30 from Hayward. I am right in the south eastern corner of Washburn County. I hope that helps and the Hayward place just might be the ticket. Thanks for all the ideas. And yes I have lots of Birch around along with white and red oak. Come man Birchwood is the Bluegill Capital of Wisconsin, I thought everyone knew that.Like I said small Town and the tiny grocery store tells me they just get what they get so I guess thats a dead end. Thanks again.

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 20 2007 Post subject:

I thought nelson lake was the bluegill hotspot!! I used to nail crappies between the spillways at the dam, but that petered out with the low water issues we got going on.

We do not see much good panfishing around here, too many tourists keeping everything they catch, you'd be hard pressed to find a northern bigger then a hammer handle lately.

The meat palace should take care of you,
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dbeast420 · Posted: Sep 21 2007 Post subject:

SoEzzy · Posted: Sep 21 2007 Post subject:

KRUZMSL · Posted: Sep 21 2007 Post subject:

I usually pick up meat at Sam's or Costco, but I will hit the local grocer (Price Chopper) if it's on sale.
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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 21 2007 Post subject:

the first time i heard the term "Hanger Steak" I was thinking it was hanging off the bottom of the bull!! and it was a joke.
Like Montana tenderloins, Calf fries, Just a little forward of those

Something like;

"Hey baby, I got a hanger-steak for you with your name written all over it"

Neuske's bacon is not too bad, very expensive too. But having some of the local offerings from the specialty meat markets around here makes Neuske's look medicore at best.

A bunch of us will have a venison bacon made this winter that will really blow you away, it is a ground & formed product with pork added but it rocks!

Us wisconsin boys love our bacon, we don;t do the iscuits & gravy thing, so all we got is bacon at deer camp
_________________
Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!