Why are some Top sirlion steaks 4.99lb and some 2.89 lb?

[Jhill]

My Costco sells Top Sirlion steaks for 4.99 lb but my local grocery stores have them for 2.89 or 2.99 lb. Are they diffferent cuts of meat? I know Costco isn't that much more expensive.

 

[Bartino]

dog vs cow

 

[rstove02]

1) Different distributers
2) Different grade of meat
3) How long has the meat been sitting to be bought
4) Is there current supply surplus/deficit of the cuts of meat in the groceries storehouses
5) General quality of meat at the supermarket (just because it was rated USDA grade Choice does not always mean it is good due to age, storage conditions, perperation, etc)

On a side note...the steaks I usually buy (Ribeye at Publix) are up to $11.99 a pound now. Think I gonna have to switch to Sam's club (cheaper but more of a pain to get).

 

[Celstar]

Meats have different ratings.

Costco sells "choice" rated meat.
Your grocery store sells "select" rated meat, the lowest grade.

 

[GasX]

one still has marks from where the jockey was hitting it...

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: Celstar
Meats have different ratings.

Costco sells "choice" rated meat.
Your grocery store sells "select" rated meat, the lowest grade.

There are a few lower ratings than "select". You can find the list here:

http://www.cookingforengineers.com/article.php?id=30

 

[Baked]

Costco sells better beef than your local grocer, except for maybe a butcher shop w/ live cows in the back.

 

[rstove02]

Originally posted by: Celstar
Your grocery store sells "select" rated meat, the lowest grade.

Actually the lowest is Canner.

USDA Grades from Highest to Lowest:
Prime
Choice
Select
Standard
Commercial
Utility
Cutter
Canner

 

[Quasmo]

It's the amount of marbling the meat has.

 

[Jhill]

I've noticed Costco has "beef loin" on it and the supermarkets have "petite beef" on their Sirlions. Is that a different cut?

 

[Drakkon]

anyone know where can you find USDA "prime" beef that isnt online? any national chains sell it?
all my local grocerys seem to sell are choice and select cuts

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
anyone know where can you find USDA "prime" beef that isnt online? any national chains sell it?
all my local grocerys seem to sell are choice and select cuts

Try the butcher. They normally carry better meats anyway.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
anyone know where can you find USDA "prime" beef that isnt online? any national chains sell it?
all my local grocerys seem to sell are choice and select cuts

local butcher.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Drakkon
anyone know where can you find USDA "prime" beef that isnt online? any national chains sell it?
all my local grocerys seem to sell are choice and select cuts

local butcher.

I'll bet those Omaha Steaks guys have it too, but that won't be cheap.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob

There are a few lower ratings than "select". You can find the list here:

http://www.cookingforengineers.com/article.php?id=30

Nice article.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: Quasmo
It's the amount of marbling the meat has.

/agree. let it be known to all who didn't know. Marbling on the meat is awesome.

marble = delicious. never ever nothing more than salt / pepper on fine steaks.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Originally posted by: Bartino
dog vs cow

hmmmm dog

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Quasmo
It's the amount of marbling the meat has.

Which is a pretty sad way of grading meat, really. Marbling isn't everything. But, of course, what the corn lobby wants, the corn lobby gets.

 

[ElFenix]

while we're on the subject of beef, anyone know what a flatiron steak is? seems new to me... did they just rename another cut of beef or what?