Where do you buy your meat?

[gregor]

I've been buying pork butt at a local Amish market @$3.49/lb, I'm thinking there has to be better pricing somewhere.

Chicken is pretty cheap, but I haven't seen brisket in awhile. I'm in the western Philly suburbs.

Help!

 

[SmokinAl]

Sam's & Costco have a very good selection of quality meats.

Al

 

[phil dugan]

Sam's or Costco that's about it around spartanburg

 

[gomez93]

We usually get butts a little under $2/lb by the case at Sam's.
We like Costco as well, however the last month or so brisket has been scarce around here too.

 

[flgatorguy87]

I'm 30 miles north of Nashville. I can find butts on sale for $0.79/lb multiple times a year and just about any day of the week for $1.39/lb.

...sorry just wanted to brag.

 

[phatbac]

Most of the time i pay about $1-$2# for boston butt about .69-1.59 for picnic at foodlion in nc they run a sale on each every 5-6 weeks. Tomorrow im cooking a picnic i got for 1.29#to make some pp for the beach trip comming up.

Happy Smoking,
phatbac (Aaron)

 

[SmokyMose]

Do you have a Gordon Food Service (GFS) anywhere close? I've gotten twin packs of boneless butts there for $1.49# and a couple of weeks ago a full brisket for $2.68#.'
Costco is kind of proud of their brisket, but I got a very nice belly for $2.68# (coincidence?) and BBs run about $2.99# for a 3 pack...

 

[jeffinn]

Thats the price I pay for pork bellies here in Michigan ($3.49 per pound).
For pork butts we occasionally see them on sale for .99 a pound but normally pay around $1.49 per pound. I won't even tell you what we pay for beef, its just too ridiculous!

 

[dward51]

Just bought one for $0.99 a pound from the local grocery store this week. It's on the smoker right now.  Sale price is regularly $0.99 a pound around here several times a year.  Regular price is usually $1.49 to $1.98 a pound at Sam's Club in the 2 butt cryo pack.   Absent a sale, I usually get all of my meat from either the local Sam's Club or Restaurant Depot.  See if there is a membership club in your area and start there, plan "B" is restaurant supply warehouse.

I note you said yours are from "the local Amish market".  You may be getting a different product that is locally raised, and not from a commercial "factory" farm.  I know artisan meats have a premium price, but how does the Amish market meat compare quality wise to the chain grocery store meat?  If you are getting an artisan product with higher marbling of fine layers of fat, that might explain the difference. It might be more from a heritage breed of hog also.  The mass produced product we find at Sam's and chain stores is more of a breed that has been bred for rapid growth and less fat.  The heritage breeds have very different meat and might also explain the price.  I would do a little more research on what you are getting before declaring the price is overly high.  Now if it's a cryo-packed Smithfield or similar product, it's way overpriced.

 

[SmokyMose]

Thats the price I pay for pork bellies here in Michigan ($3.49 per pound).
For pork butts we occasionally see them on sale for .99 a pound but normally pay around $1.49 per pound. I won't even tell you what we pay for beef, its just too ridiculous!

Yeah, and it's like gas prices, no rhyme or reason to it, and no one can tell you why. Marsh had bone-in ribeyes last week for $6.99 and I jumped on a four pack, vacuum sealed them singly, and put them away for special.
That's why I fell in love with the brisket from GFS. 5 or 6 good meals from an 8.5# piece of beef for $21...
Dan

 

[lbtrs]

Always Sam's Club or Costco.