Where do you buy your meat?

[Fhloston]

I'm sure we're all noticing the rising cost of beef, produce and the like. I used to live in a small town outside of Houston, and groceries were pretty cheap, so I bought all of my meats at the local grocer. We had a smaller budget back then, so I'd go at 7AM and buy the cheap meats (stuff that would expire at noon) in bulk and toss that shit in the freezer.

Fast forward to now, wife and I have moved back to the city. Closer to work, making more and saving a ton on gas. Groceries, especially meats, are noticeably higher over here. I figure I might as well pay a little extra and buy from local meat markets. Better quality, of course.

Which got me to wondering, where does everyone buy their meats? I know times are tough for most, but it seems lower quality meats are getting closer in price to higher quality from a butcher. It's only my wife and I, so if you buy for a wife and kids, I'm sure it's rough.

[Cream Soda]

Wally wally wally wally wally wally wally wally World

My walmart matches competitors coupons/sales (but at their own prices). Chicken breasts buy 1 get 1 at Albertson's or Publix @ $4.99/lb? Well you get buy 1 get 1 at Walmart, but at their base price of $1.99/lb

[Zetanio]

Here

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Here

and

Here for special occasions.

[Fhloston]

Wally wally wally wally wally wally wally wally World

My walmart matches competitors coupons/sales (but at their own prices). Chicken breasts buy 1 get 1 at Albertson's or Publix @ $4.99/lb? Well you get buy 1 get 1 at Walmart, but at their base price of $1.99/lb

Couple of years back I could get like 5 lbs of boneless chicken breasts at Wally World for like $8. Times have changed... Walmart out here doesn't sell meats, but even outside of Houston, they were higher than the local grocers.

[Correction]

Last time I was in a Walmart I looked at their meat selection. The beef was unnaturally bright red. Like someone had injected red dye into it or something.

I've actually stopped buying beef entirely because of how goddamn expensive it is. Stater Bros. has fantastic prices on Pork/Chicken so it's been my go to for some time.

[Azull]

Usually just the grocery store. Meat is general is more expensive now because of a drought or something.

I assume when you say moved back to the city you mean back to Houston. I will admit I haven't lived there in quite a few years now but I do still visit family. At least as of Dec the Walmart I went to out in Aleif sold meat.. and tons of it. What part of town are you in?

[Soa]

I usually buy chicken, pork, and hamburger at Costco since its so damn cheap there, and I can just chuck everything in my freezer and it lasts for months. Better meats like steak or ribs I buy at a butcher shop near my house the same day I intend to cook it cause I'm not freezing that or letting it sit in my fridge for days on end. Sometimes the grocery stores have good deals on stuff and I'll pick some up then.

[bluefan]

I usually buy chicken, pork, and hamburger at Costco since its so damn cheap there, and I can just chuck everything in my freezer and it lasts for months. Better meats like steak or ribs I buy at a butcher shop near my house the same day I intend to cook it cause I'm not freezing that or letting it sit in my fridge for days on end. Sometimes the grocery stores have good deals on stuff and I'll pick some up then.

Pretty much this. Meat I freeze I get from Costco. The steaks and stuff I cook and eat same day, I buy from butcher shops.

[WrenDraco]

If you can afford the initial output it's cheaper to fill a chest freezer with a quarter or half-cow order. We're a bit spoiled though, living in the country, and were able to get it direct from a friend-of-a-friend that keeps a few cows in a spare field each summer.

[SephYuyX]

Local butcher.
Cheaper in bulk than anywhere else + better quality.

Also, like above, living in the country has its benefits. Different parts of family and friends have chickens, cows, and pigs, so we get from them now and then too.

Thinking about it.. the local butcher is a family friends, so I guess were doubly lucky. But even without the discount, stuff from local butchers are usually better priced and better quality, assuming you have the space.

Very rarely will we have something that goes bad.

[Fhloston]

Usually just the grocery store. Meat is general is more expensive now because of a drought or something.

I assume when you say moved back to the city you mean back to Houston. I will admit I haven't lived there in quite a few years now but I do still visit family. At least as of Dec the Walmart I went to out in Aleif sold meat.. and tons of it. What part of town are you in?

I live near the loop off S Main. (near the medical center). The closest Walmart out here sucks. I lived in Alief for about 9 years. I miss that part of town.

Is Costco worth it for meats? Small townhouse so we can't fit a lot of the other shit they sell in bulk so I'd be there solely for meat.

[Krazy]

Last time I was in a Walmart I looked at their meat selection. The beef was unnaturally bright red. Like someone had injected red dye into it or something.

When I worked there (in the meat department), my boss told me they started dying the meat after they stopped cutting it there and started getting everything pre-packaged. For the most part, most of their meat looks kinda shitty, so I just go to a local store and buy it.

[Tokitoki]

I normally just go to the grocery store. There is a eastern european market/butcher looking place a few blocks from me, but Ive never been in there. Other than that there is not a lot of good markets close to my apartment.

Here for special occasions.

You ever been to the restaurant in the back? It's invite only and really delicious.

[kuronosan]

Trader Joe's or our local butcher in the grocery store. I stay away from Wal-Mart and haven't bought meat wholesale (Sam's, Costco) in ages.

[Ksandra]

Asian/International markets are dirt cheap out here (SoCal) compared to the chain stores, and have better quality meats, so I go to those.

Someday when I can have a dedicated freezer for it, I am going to do the whole buy a portion of a cow thing mentioned above. I heard about that maybe 3 months ago, and apparently it ends up breaking done to be really cheap for the cuts you get.

[richardd]

sams club. i buy about 40 lbs of chicken a month, and i get chicken breast tenderloins at $1.75/lb

[Moss]

I live near the loop off S Main. (near the medical center). The closest Walmart out here sucks. I lived in Alief for about 9 years. I miss that part of town.

Is Costco worth it for meats? Small townhouse so we can't fit a lot of the other shit they sell in bulk so I'd be there solely for meat.

Is H-E-B that overpriced? I used to get my steaks there.

[Melena]

Depending on sales and needs we buy everything at either safeway, costco or sprouts.

[Fievel]

sams club. i buy about 40 lbs of chicken a month, and i get chicken breast tenderloins at $1.75/lb

I don't buy 40 lbs a month because I'm not a total beast like Rich, but yea Sam's Club all day for my meat, especially chicken.

[Zetanio]

You ever been to the restaurant in the back? It's invite only and really delicious.

I had a drink there once with a buddy. Pretty fun spot.