Big box meat companies

[WoodChuckDad]

We buy grain from a local menonite owned mill. They also have a meat shop in the same building I pay for the grain. I have bought a 1/4 beef from them and it came out to about $8.50 lb. That was last year. They had a similar deal there a few months ago. Currently we have a couple deer and 3 goats in the freezer so I'm eating my ways thru those before I can think about buying more beef. But the beef from the Menonites was very good. Just have to eat your way across all the cuts. it was an educational experience and I enjoyed my wife's new dishes.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I was recently gifted a box of Omaha Steak products. We got steak, hamburger patties, chicken, and hot dogs. We also got 2 bottles of their seasoning. The beef seemed to be prime cuts and were really good. We just had the hot dogs a couple of nights ago, kept well in the freezer. The cuts of steak are small portions, like 4 to 5 ounces before cooking. That would be my only complaint.

We also received a Omaha Steak gift box this year as a birthday gift. It took us about 7 months to eat it all but we never had a single portion that was not simply great. Omaha gets a 'A' from us on quality. No bad cuts whatsoever.
But - as was mentioned, the price must have been very high.

 

[NorTracNY]

Am I really that spoiled in western NY? I have many farmers around me that I can purchase hogs and cows from. Some have freezers and will sell separate cuts. It's great quality too. I just don't have the room though as I take 3 deer most years. There's a place not far from me that takes in over 50,000lbs of venison/yr and turns it into about 25 different products for hunters.

 

[MattB4]

I grew up back when you could get first rate beef and not highly priced garbage like Omaha Steak sells. Stores would have 2-3 grades or more. Most folks do not know beef grades anymore and a lot of places do not tell you. The few that do label anymore think "Select" is supposed to be pretty good stuff. Heck many regular stores had different ground beef depending on the meat it came from, Chuck, Round, Sirloin or simply ground beef.

Yes there are the really high cost online sellers of Prime grade steaks and the better quality steak houses that sell Choice (one step below Prime).

And don't get me started on stringy range cattle advertised as grass fed beef to the ignorant.

 

[Jstpssng]

Chuck, Round, Sirloin or simply ground

We still get that here. I usually pay extra for the ground round as it has a lot less fat... why pay for something I'm just going to pour off into a can and toss?

 

[etpm]

In Washington state the boxed meat companies have a terrible reputation. They seem to be constantly in trouble and they go out of business quickly, only to show up again under a different name. I live on Whidbey Island but just across the water from me are more than one place to buy bulk beef and other meats. Even on the island my local grocery store, which is quite small, has bulk meat deals. I suggest looking around for local meat suppliers for bulk meat deals. When I was a kid we used to buy 1/2 cows and would sometimes need to drive quite a distance to get the meat. But the cost savings was worth it and the meat was way better than the stuff from the supermarket. I have been grinding all the ground meat we consume since 1981 and even the cheapest cut of meat from the "used meat" bin tastes better ground than the stuff the stores sell.
Eric

 

[dodge man]

I’ve had Omaha steaks before, they were always good but it’s been a while. Like someone said know your grades. Select is the lowest, then choice then prime. I’ve actually got some of the best steaks at our Walmart. The choice fillets are usually really good, expensive at $18 to $20 but we will split one.

 

[kenmac]

I have never ordered any meats online. Was to afraid of getting burned. Having said that, I haven't bought any beef from the grocery store since I added cattle to my farm about 6 yrs ago . I raise my own and haul it to the processor

 

[paulsharvey]

Has anyone had good luck with the online meat companies who deliver to your door in bulk ?
A couple years ago we got 500.00 or more worth of meats from Back Yard Butchers when they were touring the Tractor Supply lots in our area... Long story short.. It all went in the dumpster.. it was absolutely awful.
I have started seeing another company advertising on TV now for meat delivery.. Don't want to get burned again.. But we are trying to get a stockpile for the winter when we are in our RV for a couple months.

I have used Barn2Door to order, and pick up from a local beef farm. Barn2Door just handles the website and transactions, but you pick up directly from them. Honestly, their box deals aren't that fantastic; but we did the 60# of ground beef a couple times, and liked the beef. I did also do the 1/8th cow, and was less happy. You end up with things you wouldn't typically buy or use;

 

[paulsharvey]

One note, the guys ive ordered from; which I like, but others may not; burger meat comes in 2# rolls, which is about right for us, but not for 2 people; and its pretty darn lean. Its also not cheap, even with some volume discount, $6.60/lbs.

Also, Barn2Door, one farm might be awesome, another trash, its independent sellers, using them for payments and some very minor advertising. With that, I think, you might save a bit by on the 2nd or 3rd order, calling them direct and cutting out Barn2Door, and whatever their take of the sale is? Probably 10%?

 

[kenmac]

One note, the guys ive ordered from; which I like, but others may not; burger meat comes in 2# rolls, which is about right for us, but not for 2 people; and its pretty darn lean. Its also not cheap, even with some volume discount, $6.60/lbs.

Also, Barn2Door, one farm might be awesome, another trash, its independent sellers, using them for payments and some very minor advertising. With that, I think, you might save a bit by on the 2nd or 3rd order, calling them direct and cutting out Barn2Door, and whatever their take of the sale is? Probably 10%?View attachment 4419911

I have my ground beef processed at 80/20..... $6.60 per lb isn't a bad price. I sell mine at $8.25 per # and people are happy to pay it for fresh ground beef

 

[paulsharvey]

I have my ground beef processed at 80/20..... $6.60 per lb isn't a bad price. I sell mine at $8.25 per # and people are happy to pay it for fresh ground beef

Well, just from a strictly price side, it is more, even in bulk, than say Sam's club. So, by cutting out the middle men, you dont save money. Now, he has to haul the cattle about 60 miles to get processed, then go back a few weeks or so later. He also has to pay the processor. Im not blaming the farm, just point out.

Now, he isnt strictly grass feed, which I dont generally want. His steaks, honestly Publix has IMO better steaks, and with the price of steaks, we just dont buy them often, birthdays, mother's days, special occasions, and maybe 1/month. Buy 5 ribeyes isnt for the faint of heart these days.

Guy I have dealt with also is not a hobby farm; I dont know his exact scale; but hes in the few hundred cattle, and he also does guided gator and hog hunts. I believe he also leases out his base camp to special events, corporate parties, weddings, ect

 

[Cycledude]

I was gifted some Omaha steaks, they were ok but nothing to brag about, very expensive to buy.

 

[WinterDeere]

I was gifted some Omaha steaks, they were ok but nothing to brag about, very expensive to buy.

Having heard this several times in this thread alone, you have to admire their marketing guys. To be “good but nothing special”, while still maintaining an image lofty enough to charge top-of-market prices, those marketing guys are really earning their salaries!

 

[Stimw]

A few years ago my Sister asked me about the mail order meat and I told her to find a butcher locally (SE Indiana). She found one that offers packages that easily substitutes for her tastes. She has been very happy with them and their service and price. Dealing face to face has to have a better outcome.
I too have been making my own sausage. Local store had pork butts $1.49 lb. If you buy Jimmy Dean it is now $5-6. a lb.
I have been experimenting with seasonings, I like brown sugar, I tried 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to a lb and it was too much, 1 is better. I make patties and fry them. I like salt and added what I thought was needed. Compared to store bought I was way light, store bought is very salty!
I have an OSTER Food center with a grinder attachment and it works great for the sausage.
I portioned out the butt about a lb and vac sealed and froze until I grind it.

 

[Oaktree]

even the cheapest cut of meat from the "used meat" bin tastes better ground than the stuff the stores sell.

What is "used meat"? Hope it's not what I'm thinking it is.

Well, just from a strictly price side, it is more, even in bulk, than say Sam's club. So, by cutting out the middle men, you dont save money.

Nearest Sam's club is ~2.5 hr from here, so needless to say it's not something we belong to. How does their meat compare to Walmart's (which is generally pretty low grade)?

 

[paulsharvey]

What is "used meat"? Hope it's not what I'm thinking it is.


Nearest Sam's club is ~2.5 hr from here, so needless to say it's not something we belong to. How does their meat compare to Walmart's (which is generally pretty low grade)?

We like the burger more, the steaks, ill pick my own out at Publix/Winn Dixie.

Also, im not one of those crazy folks, but I do like the idea of supporting a local farmer, IF his prices are in the ball park. Now, if hes at $9/lbs vs $4.50/lbs imported from South America, ill go import.

Sams club, ive always been happy with their meat.

Now, with prices where they are, we tend to eat much more pork than beef or chicken, except ground beef. Dnag steaks are up around $22/each for nice ribeyes; and even flank steaks and similar are High.

 

[gstrom99]

We still get that here. I usually pay extra for the ground round as it has a lot less fat... why pay for something I'm just going to pour off into a can and toss?

The fat or "marbling" keeps the cooked meat juicy and gives it flavor. I buy 80% instead of the 90% burger. 90% burgers are too dry, when grilled IMHO.

To the OP; search out a "real" butcher and/or locker/farmer for quantity/quality beef. Mail order? Not for me.

 

[Midniteoyl]

What, you guys don't have old Ford Rangers with chest freezers driven by sketchy guys knocking on your door selling 'high quality meat'?

 

[Tomtint]

My goal is to have enough for 2 people for a couple months in our freezer in our RV. It's a full size fridge so there should be plenty of room for that. I don't thing having to search out a butcher every time we want something on the road is realistic.. Thus why I asked about big box options.. I also like the idea of them being individually packaged.