Buying meat for Labor Day bbq

[flyinion]

Well, actually we're doing it on Sunday.  It won't change my question though.  I want to make sure I won't run into a situation of the store running out of what I want, but I don't want to buy too early and have it be unsafe.  I was thinking Wednesday which is 4 days prior.   What do you guys think?  I'm planning on 1-2 tri-tips in the 3lb range and a few racks of St. Louis style ribs.  The reason I'm nervous is for instance I went to a Whole Foods to buy meat for chili once around Super Bowl time (totally not thinking) and they were sold out of brisket for instance.

 

[flyinion]

Anyone have a suggestion?  Am I too early with Wednesday?

 

[cliffcarter]

Anyone have a suggestion?  Am I too early with Wednesday?

 Relax, go on Friday.

 

[jarjarchef]

Wednesday is a bit early. Friday is best. Thursday is ok is it calms the nerves....

 

[swinn]

the good meat sales will be more likely to start on Thursday or Friday, They should be fully stocked knowing it is a grilling weekend. Watch your local ads and chill for a couple days.

 

[chef jimmyj]

The Stores will most likely take a Meat Delivery on Fri for the Weekend. A Friday Shop should be no problem. In any event, the USDA recommends no more than 3-5 days for Beef Steaks and Pork, if the Ribs come VacPac'd and are on the self that way, you can pick them up anytime, they have a couple of weeks shelf life. In any event, purchasing Wed evening for a Sun Party is really not a Safety problem as long as you don't have kids that Stare in the Fridge for 15 minutes before squealing, " MOM...What do we have to eat!?! ". You know your Store and how the locals shop...JJ

 

[scarbelly]

If you can get them from Costco you will be good any day. They never run out, I just responded to your other thread about quantity and Costco would be perfect package sizes for your event. The TriTips come in 2 packs and the ribs are 3-4 per package 

 

[flyinion]

Hmm I totally didn't think about Costco.  I know they have tri-tip in the two pack since I was just in there a couple weeks ago for a work bbq but I never even thought about ribs.  They're also $1lb cheaper than the local store on the tri-tip.  The local store has a good deal on the vac sealed from the packer untrimmed  tri-tip but there's like 4 in the package.