I called the Roseville Costco and the guy on the other end of the phone told me they DON'T carry brisket.
Any experience with Costco in our area?
That guy's an idiot. I see briskets in the Roseville Costco all the time. Last weekend they had more than a dozen in the case when I was there picking up pork shoulders. Like I said though, they cut them weird. Most are in the 6-8 lbs range, full packers cut in half lengthwise.
Roseville Meat Company, lots of variety at a huge mark-up. They'll have anything you could need if you are willing to pay their price. My better half was under the weather one weekend and requested my South Texas Skirt Steak. That's all she wanted, though flap meat is an acceptable substitute. Long story short I couldn't find skirt steak or flap meat anywhere so I went to RMC. Picked up 5 lbs.......at $15/lb! I believe that was the most expensive meat I've ever purchased. My footprints will never grace their doorstep again.
Today I took half a day off today because the stress of work was putting me in the "going nuclear" territory. On the way home I stopped at the Smart and Final in Rancho Cordova. They were sold out of "Select Grade or Better" packer briskets at $3.05/lb. Great prices on Bottom Sirloin roasts (low $4's lb) where the tri tip comes from. Even a whole chuck roll (25-30 lbs) if you need to feed an army for $3/lb. Chicken leg quarters for $.69 cents a pound. I WILL be buying meat from them in the future. Picked up some flap meat for $7.19/lb to grill this weekend. Thanks for the referral sfprankster! (BTW, our kids are in your area. If a woman with a Texas accent comes banging on your door looking for chocolate, it's my wife).
I came home, watched "O Brother Where Art Thou" to settle down, then jumped in the truck and went to check meat prices at stores where I never shop. Safeway: no brisket, other meat prices (pork and chicken) were a mix bag compared to Raleys/Bel Air where I normally shop. Safeway had a ton of dinosaur beef back racks at $2.28/lb (I believe that was the price). SLCs were $2.99/lb. Worth a stop to see what's on sale.
Went to Winco Foods in Rocklin. Great looking "Select Grade or Better" packer briskets for $3.58/lb. They also had points and flats available at close to the same price. Pretty good prices on both chicken and pork. Skirt steak for $7.99/lb.
Stopped in at SaveMart Supermarkets in Roseville. Won't be going back. Prices were close to Raleys/Bel Air so not worth the drive for me when a Bel Air is 3 blocks from my house.
Smart and Final had the best prices but that's a drive for you. Winco had the best variety with just slightly higher prices.
Costco has good prices on pork, but everything else is a mixed bag. They will have skirt steak or flap meat available on occasion for $5.99/lb. I stock up when I see it.
In case you're interested, Nugget Markets in Rocklin has fairly elevated prices, but top notch meat. Fantastic fresh made sausages. Whole Foods in Roseville, also great meats, not much cheaper than RMC.