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Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Butchers in grocery stores have a lot of latitude in how they run their departments. So one Giant might have great meat while the one right up the street is horrible. Also, if the butcher changes out, then what used to be a good store can turn bad.
Costco will sometimes have USDA Prime, but for whatever reason, Costco cannot seem to do ribeye steaks right.
The Safeway on Burke Center Parkway (the 123 end) has an excellent meat department. When strip or rib steaks go on sale there, they will often have strip or rib roasts for a dollar less per pound. Cut your own steaks from the roasts. That way it keeps a little longer (a week rather than four days), and you can cut the steaks as thick as you want.
For the rib roasts, cut the rib bones in a single piece from the eye to make it easier to cut steaks. Season the ribs piece, double-wrap it in foil, and slow cook it in your oven at 195 Fahrenheit for at least five hours.
7Xced Wrote:
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> Butchers in grocery stores have a lot of latitude
> in how they run their departments. So one Giant
> might have great meat while the one right up the
> street is horrible. Also, if the butcher changes
> out, then what used to be a good store can turn
> bad.
>
> Costco will sometimes have USDA Prime, but for
> whatever reason, Costco cannot seem to do ribeye
> steaks right.
>
> The Safeway on Burke Center Parkway (the 123 end)
> has an excellent meat department. When strip or
> rib steaks go on sale there, they will often have
> strip or rib roasts for a dollar less per pound.
> Cut your own steaks from the roasts. That way it
> keeps a little longer (a week rather than four
> days), and you can cut the steaks as thick as you
> want.
>
> For the rib roasts, cut the rib bones in a single
> piece from the eye to make it easier to cut
> steaks. Season the ribs piece, double-wrap it in
> foil, and slow cook it in your oven at 195
> Fahrenheit for at least five hours.
Giant meat is cut and packed at a central location then trucked to the stores. I have not been in a Giant since they started doing this. The first time was enough. Worst steak I ever had.
Safeway still has meat cutters in house. This makes a difference. They will cut what you want.
Sure Wegmans and HT may be better, but I'd have to drive 20 miles.
Joe Danzansky ruined by Aholt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Giant meat is cut and packed at a central location
> then trucked to the stores. I have not been in a
> Giant since they started doing this. The first
> time was enough. Worst steak I ever had.
>
> Safeway still has meat cutters in house. This
> makes a difference. They will cut what you want.
>
> Sure Wegmans and HT may be better, but I'd have to
> drive 20 miles.
Wegman's steaks are individually vacuum wrapped, but they are a mixed bag. I've had both really good and really bad from there. The prices are decent, though.
I think HT might be like Safeway is (and Giant was). I have friends up in Loudoun who had some really good strips that they bought from there.
Thanks for the heads up about Giant. I don't usually buy meat at Giant since we moved to where the Burke Center Safeway is now my regular store.
Joe Danzansky ruined by Aholt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 7Xced Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Butchers in grocery stores have a lot of
> latitude
> > in how they run their departments. So one
> Giant
> > might have great meat while the one right up
> the
> > street is horrible. Also, if the butcher
> changes
> > out, then what used to be a good store can turn
> > bad.
> >
> > Costco will sometimes have USDA Prime, but for
> > whatever reason, Costco cannot seem to do
> ribeye
> > steaks right.
> >
> > The Safeway on Burke Center Parkway (the 123
> end)
> > has an excellent meat department. When strip
> or
> > rib steaks go on sale there, they will often
> have
> > strip or rib roasts for a dollar less per pound.
>
> > Cut your own steaks from the roasts. That way
> it
> > keeps a little longer (a week rather than four
> > days), and you can cut the steaks as thick as
> you
> > want.
> >
> > For the rib roasts, cut the rib bones in a
> single
> > piece from the eye to make it easier to cut
> > steaks. Season the ribs piece, double-wrap it
> in
> > foil, and slow cook it in your oven at 195
> > Fahrenheit for at least five hours.
>
> Giant meat is cut and packed at a central location
> then trucked to the stores. I have not been in a
> Giant since they started doing this. The first
> time was enough. Worst steak I ever had.
>
> Safeway still has meat cutters in house. This
> makes a difference. They will cut what you want.
>
> Sure Wegmans and HT may be better, but I'd have to
> drive 20 miles.
We agree on Giant, horrible. I will try Wegman's this weekend.
JoeyLupo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Joe Danzansky ruined by Aholt Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 7Xced Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Butchers in grocery stores have a lot of
> > latitude
> > > in how they run their departments. So one
> > Giant
> > > might have great meat while the one right up
> > the
> > > street is horrible. Also, if the butcher
> > changes
> > > out, then what used to be a good store can
> turn
> > > bad.
> > >
> > > Costco will sometimes have USDA Prime, but
> for
> > > whatever reason, Costco cannot seem to do
> > ribeye
> > > steaks right.
> > >
> > > The Safeway on Burke Center Parkway (the 123
> > end)
> > > has an excellent meat department. When strip
> > or
> > > rib steaks go on sale there, they will often
> > have
> > > strip or rib roasts for a dollar less per
> pound.
> >
> > > Cut your own steaks from the roasts. That
> way
> > it
> > > keeps a little longer (a week rather than
> four
> > > days), and you can cut the steaks as thick as
> > you
> > > want.
> > >
> > > For the rib roasts, cut the rib bones in a
> > single
> > > piece from the eye to make it easier to cut
> > > steaks. Season the ribs piece, double-wrap
> it
> > in
> > > foil, and slow cook it in your oven at 195
> > > Fahrenheit for at least five hours.
> >
> > Giant meat is cut and packed at a central
> location
> > then trucked to the stores. I have not been in
> a
> > Giant since they started doing this. The first
> > time was enough. Worst steak I ever had.
> >
> > Safeway still has meat cutters in house. This
> > makes a difference. They will cut what you
> want.
> >
> > Sure Wegmans and HT may be better, but I'd have
> to
> > drive 20 miles.
>
>
> We agree on Giant, horrible. I will try Wegman's
> this weekend.
I challenge you to find a better rib-eye at a lower price...than Wegman's rib-eye steak.
Wegmans.Jihadist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I challenge you to find a better rib-eye at a
> lower price...than Wegman's rib-eye steak.
Burke Center Safeway (the one on the 123 side, not the one on Old Keene Mill) is running bone-in ribeye for $5.99/lb until next Wednesday. Give it a try. You will not regret it.
7Xced Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Burke Center Safeway (the one on the 123 side, not
> the one on Old Keene Mill) is running bone-in
> ribeye for $5.99/lb until next Wednesday. Give it
> a try. You will not regret it.
I am a dumbass. The sale ends next Tuesday. Safeway's specials run from Wednesday to Tuesday. Sorry about that.
You think supermarket chains have their own cows? All their beef comes from the very same places. You'll need to get off the grid and plug into the local farm-to-table network if you want anything else.
7Xced Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 7Xced Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > Burke Center Safeway (the one on the 123 side,
> not
> > the one on Old Keene Mill) is running bone-in
> > ribeye for $5.99/lb until next Wednesday. Give
> it
> > a try. You will not regret it.
>
>
> I am a dumbass. The sale ends next Tuesday.
> Safeway's specials run from Wednesday to Tuesday.
> Sorry about that.
Fair enough...why pay more for something than you have to? I'll keep an eye on their ads...thanks for the heads up.
Costco USDA Choice or Prime if you want to spend $$$ Quality is very high and price is way low. If you want locally sourced go to farmers market or Mom's in Merrifield but the price is absurd and the cuts pre-packaged and small.
Seriously? Wrote:
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> You think supermarket chains have their own cows?
> All their beef comes from the very same places.
> You'll need to get off the grid and plug into the
> local farm-to-table network if you want anything
> else.
It does not all come from the same suppliers. On top of that, the grade of beef, how it is handled, and how it is cut makes a huge difference in how good the steaks will be.
Supermarket locations that can get away with selling lousy beef will do so. Most people do not care enough about the quality of the beef they buy. There is nothing wrong with that. It's simple supply and demand.
The few people who do care will find the locations where quality figures into the store's business plan.
HbEvX Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Costco USDA Choice or Prime if you want to spend
> $$$ Quality is very high and price is way low. If
> you want locally sourced go to farmers market or
> Mom's in Merrifield but the price is absurd and
> the cuts pre-packaged and small.
Costco carries USDA Prime in roast cuts (tenderloin, rib roast, and loin roasts) at roughly the same price the supermarkets carry steaks. The problem is that they are huge.
Their peeled USDA Choice tenderloins were about $18/lb while the whole USDA Prime tenderloins were $15/lb. I got a Prime whole one for a Father's Day party and broke it down myself. I've been eating the chain meat all week.
7Xced Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It does not all come from the same suppliers.
Yes, it does. There are no Giant or Safeway or Harris Teeter cattle ranches out there. All the bulk beef flows along the same channels, no matter where it ends up. 80% of all US beef is moved by just four companies -- Tyson, Cargill, UBS, and National Beef. That's where your beef is coming from.
> On top of that, the grade of beef, how it is handled,
> and how it is cut makes a huge difference in how good
> the steaks will be.
LOL! Ad agencies are happy to hear that you buy into their bullshit.
> Supermarket locations that can get away with
> selling lousy beef will do so. Most people do not
> care enough about the quality of the beef they
> buy. There is nothing wrong with that. It's
> simple supply and demand. The few people who do
> care will find the locations where quality figures
> into the store's business plan.
Seriously? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, it does. There are no Giant or Safeway or
> Harris Teeter cattle ranches out there. All the
> bulk beef flows along the same channels, no matter
> where it ends up. 80% of all US beef is moved by
> just four companies -- Tyson, Cargill, UBS, and
> National Beef. That's where your beef is coming
> from.
>
These companies are buyers and processors, you moron. They don't raise the beef.
>
> LOL! Ad agencies are happy to hear that you buy
> into their bullshit.
>
I can buy steaks at the Giant on Burke Center Parkway and at the Burke Center Safeway just a couple miles up the road from there. I can prep and season them the same and then grill them to the same temperature. The one from Giant will suck compared to the one from Safeway. It's just how it is.
> What a load of crap.
Be happy in your ignorance. Or, since you're ignorance is willfull, be overjoyed in your stupidity, you dumb motherfucker.
Food lion has the best steak at a great price. Not much else about food lion except great beer pricing. Their meats are hand cut on site and are better quality than weggies.
7Xced Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> These companies are buyers and processors, you
> moron. They don't raise the beef.
No, they just ship it to ALL OF THE PLACES where you buy beef while foolishly thinking that you are getting some different product.
> I can buy steaks at the Giant on Burke Center
> Parkway and at the Burke Center Safeway just a
> couple miles up the road from there. I can prep
> and season them the same and then grill them to
> the same temperature. The one from Giant will
> suck compared to the one from Safeway. It's just
> how it is.
LOL! You've got it bad, Gomer!
> Be happy in your ignorance. Or, since you're
> ignorance is willfull, be overjoyed in your
> stupidity, you dumb motherfucker.
You're eating steerage-class beef. If you want the First Class Dining Room version, you will have to step up your game by quite a lot.
7Xced Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HbEvX Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Costco USDA Choice or Prime if you want to
> spend
> > $$$ Quality is very high and price is way low.
> If
> > you want locally sourced go to farmers market
> or
> > Mom's in Merrifield but the price is absurd and
> > the cuts pre-packaged and small.
>
> Costco carries USDA Prime in roast cuts
> (tenderloin, rib roast, and loin roasts) at
> roughly the same price the supermarkets carry
> steaks. The problem is that they are huge.
>
> Their peeled USDA Choice tenderloins were about
> $18/lb while the whole USDA Prime tenderloins were
> $15/lb. I got a Prime whole one for a Father's
> Day party and broke it down myself. I've been
> eating the chain meat all week.
You mixed up 'prime' and 'choice' prime is more expensive.* With tenderloin there really is no need to get Prime as Choice in that cut is exceptional. Buying a whole tenderloin and peeling it yourself does save $$$.
Groceries, if they sell Prime, cost a lot more than Costco.
USDA Prime Steaks
USDA PrimeUSDA Prime is the superior grade with amazing tenderness, juiciness, flavor and fine texture. It has the highest degree of fat marbling and is derived from the younger beef. That's why Prime is generally featured at the most exclusive upscale steakhouse restaurants.
USDA Choice Steaks
USDA ChoiceUSDA Choice is the second highest graded beef. It has less fat marbling than Prime. Choice is a quality steak particularly if it is a cut that is derived from the loin and rib areas of the beef such as a tenderloin filet or rib steak. Generally USDA Choice will be less tender, juicy and flavorful with a slightly more coarse texture versus Prime.
7JbVY Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You mixed up 'prime' and 'choice' prime is more
> expensive.* With tenderloin there really is no
> need to get Prime as Choice in that cut is
> exceptional. Buying a whole tenderloin and
> peeling it yourself does save $$$.
>
No. Prime Whole was $3/lb cheaper than Choice Peeled. Prime Peeled was not available.
> Groceries, if they sell Prime, cost a lot more
> than Costco.
>
Seriously? Wrote:
----------------------------------------------------
>
> You're eating steerage-class beef. If you want
> the First Class Dining Room version, you will have
> to step up your game by quite a lot.
7Xced Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Costco carries USDA Prime in roast cuts
> (tenderloin, rib roast, and loin roasts) at
> roughly the same price the supermarkets carry
> steaks. The problem is that they are huge.
>
> Their peeled USDA Choice tenderloins were about
> $18/lb while the whole USDA Prime tenderloins were
> $15/lb. I got a Prime whole one for a Father's
> Day party and broke it down myself. I've been
> eating the chain meat all week.
Heh. My sister spent a few months in Argentina--a country renowned for its excellent beef. She wrote me that they were buying the most expensive lomo (tenderloin) they could find, because it was even better than the rest--and it was $3/pound. Of course it's a long way from here! (And no, it isn't in Fairfax County).
We've found that the meat at Whole Foods really is better than the rest, with Wegman's not far behind. More expensive, yes...
We've had good and not so good from Costco, alas. And as noted above, they're bloody huge. Which is of course their model, but I don't have to be happy about it!
Another vote for Wegman's. Make sure you check the 'meat on special' fridge for wagyu at half price. It's usually like 45 bucks a pound and it's fucking amazing, worth it if you're looking to splurge.
I just bought a tray of bone-in ribeye from the Burke Center Safeway. They're cut to 1-1/8" thick, and are selling for $5.77/lb through Tuesday instead of the $5.99 I said earlier.
0P poster here.
So I ended up buying a Sirloin from Harris Teeter, as the butcher cut it for me.
Marinated it for about 12 hours. It was good. It wasn't the best I've ever had but it was very good smoked on a Weber. Cut was about 1 1/2 lbs. so it was plenty for two.
Let me add, I have never cooked with gas (only charcoal) all these years. No contest on charcoal versus gas. Nope.