Libercontrarian

Crushed between the wheels of capitalism and big government.

Buying meat today @ Costco on my day off: Complained to just some random other customer standing @ the meat counter, that while pork is always great, the beef ranges from great to awful. I was just striking up conversation, mind you. He turns to me and says, "That's because they've expanded the range of what the USDA considers Choice." I looked down, and sure enough, EVERY cut in the cooler had a "USDA Choice" decal on it.

 

He tells me that he runs a locally famous restaurant, and that he's been buying meat, and teaching others how to buy it for years. His wife, standing next to him, is a caterer. I'm thinking, "What are the chances that:

A. Anybody in Costco speaks English, and,

B. I'll randomly ask an expert a question on that subject without knowing he's an expert?"

 

John (I had to introduce myself, as I was delighted that he was giving me such valuable advice) told me that a cut of "Top Round Butt" was the thing to ask for. He bangs on the butcher's window and asks the butcher, "Where's the Top Round Butt?'' to which the butcher replies, "Oh, we DON'T PUT THAT OUT HERE!"

 

Apparently, they don't put out the highline cuts of beef "for the little people." Yep, Dear Reader, you gotta ask for them. We've been getting inferior carcass for years!

 

John gets this massive hunk of cow (easily 13 lbs., and 17" x 14" x 10) from the butcher, and tells me, "You cut here and here, cut this in any thickness to form the steaks you want, and use these leftover pieces for stews and soups." The price was only $38 and change, ($2.87/lb.!) all for a better cut of beef than is generally available to the retail public.

 

My mouth was watering as I thanked John and Susan and we made our good-byes.

 

I'll be "rolling my own" from now on. I can't believe the number of tough, rangy steaks I've gnawed on, even as I live in the heart of Cattleman's Country. No more!

posted by: underwhelmed at August 18, 2004 15:16 | link | comments |

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