Sticker Shock at Local Butcher

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sandyut

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Feb 18, 2015
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When i quit my job, most of my favorite direct reports gave me a pretty substantial gift card for a local butcher I don't use much anymore. I stopped using them about 2 or more years ago because prices were just too high to justify. The Gift card will get used, but here's the rundown on my first purchase in a long time;
  • 1 rack of baby back ribs = $20
  • 1 quart container of potato salad = $10 (its really good but not that good)
  • 1 small bag of jerky $10 (its $30 a pound!!!)
so yeah - ill use it up (quickly I bet) but man it hurts to pay so much even on a gift card. they have rubs a such but these I can get delivered for less :(
 
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The ribs aren't that much higher than here but Meijer has them "buy one get one free" quite often.
$10 for a quart of potato salad is crazy. It may not be as good but I can make a gallon of my own for about $2.50.....
Gotta love a gift card, though :-)
 
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When i quit my job, most of my favorite direct reports gave me a pretty substantial gift card for a local butcher I don't use much anymore. I stopped using them about 2 or more years ago because prices were just too high to justify. The Gift card will get used, but here's the rundown on my first purchase in a long time;
  • 1 rack of baby back ribs = $20
  • 1 quart container of potato salad = $10 (its really good but not that good)
  • 1 small bag of jerky $10 (its $30 a pound!!!)
so yeah - ill use it up (quickly I bet) but man it hurts to pay so much even on a gift card. they have rubs a such but these I can get delivered for less :(
Same here. These places can’t compete with the wholesalers. It’s too bad but they really stand no chance of competing and surviving long term unless they differentiate themselves somehow through their products or location or something like that.
 
I don't know how close you are to Salt Lake City, but there is a US Foods Chef Store that is open to the public selling their resturant products. They do sell products in "each" or by the case. Individual cost is what you would pay for each individual item in the case. I use the one in Columbia, SC . Their cuts are mainly primal, and it's all self serve. A little exercise in getting my products and then pairing the cuts down is worth the difference in price for me, plus it's fun, and I get the cut(s) that I want. Here is a link to the store in Salt Lake City if you are interested: Restaurant Supply & Food Warehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah (chefstore.com) 🍻
John
 
thanks John! that is not far from me at all. I'll need to run by there and give it a look over.
 
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If/when I splurge on a local overpriced butcher, I try to get uncommon cuts that I wouldn't normally buy or see, and feel no remorse about being a potential "pain"/getting picky.

For me these are pork porterhouses, spares+belly, or tight trimmed/"center-cut" butts; thick center-cut beef blade steaks.
 
I don't know how close you are to Salt Lake City, but there is a US Foods Chef Store that is open to the public selling their resturant products. They do sell products in "each" or by the case. Individual cost is what you would pay for each individual item in the case. I use the one in Columbia, SC . Their cuts are mainly primal, and it's all self serve. A little exercise in getting my products and then pairing the cuts down is worth the difference in price for me, plus it's fun, and I get the cut(s) that I want. Here is a link to the store in Salt Lake City if you are interested: Restaurant Supply & Food Warehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah (chefstore.com) 🍻
John
How are the prices there John. We have one in Myrtle Beach. I never been there I was thinking they might be high.
 
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The Utah joint sounds a bit like our Smart and Final. I can find some pretty good deals on meat at S&F more often than not. Produce is good too. Bakery & canned items not so much.
 
How are the prices there John. We have one in Myrtle Beach. I never been there I was thinking they might be high.

Take a look at the store. I don't think you will be disappointed, put into data overload maybe, but not disappointed, . We don't think they are too bad, especially when you consider what you are buying. Compliable in price to Sam's or Costco, no membership fees, more item availability and I think better quality.
Definitely less expensive than supermarkets. The stores are pretty barebones and are self-serve; think Base Commissary. We see a lot of older folks and families along with resturant staff in the store when Dee and I go up to Columbia. And they are always busy!

Each store runs their own specials. Here is a link to your MB, Charleston and Columbia stores to get an idea of the cost and selection. T

Example of the MB Store costs this week (26 Apr)
  1. 25# carrots: $11.89/case,
  2. Jumbo chicken breasts (and they are JUMBO) 10# $1.79/lb;
  3. Eye of Round 6.66# $3.29/lb;
  4. Bone in Pork Butt 8.55# $1.35/lb
Here are your local links:
US Foods® CHEF’STORE® in Myrtle Beach, SC (chefstore.com)
US Foods® CHEF’STORE® in Charleston, SC (chefstore.com)
US Foods® CHEF’STORE® in Columbia, SC (chefstore.com)

🍻
John
 
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3 racks of ribs at Costco for $20. Store down the street had whole beef tenderloin for $5.99/lb. Cut 2 thick filets, pork loin and baked potato to get ready for NFL draft.
 
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