Where do you go for quality fresh meat? (Carmel, Greensburg: sale, buy)

[Serious Conversation]

I'm basically looking for good ground beef, pork loin, boneless, skinless, chicken breast cuts, turkey burgers, and other simple cuts of meat.

I've been to Marsh and they seem to have the best meat. I tend to want to 93/7 pre-pattied hamburgers or turkey burger equivalent. Marsh generally has the best meat selection, but it's pricey.

I get a lot of stuff at Costco. Costco has a 4lb chub of organic ground beef for $17.99. It's got a rich beef taste, but a little greasier and cheaper than the grocery store equivalents. I could probably get organic boneless skinless tenders there for the same price or less as I could at Meijer or Marsh. With the Costco sized meat purchases, it seems stuff gets wasted, even if frozen.

Wal-Mart and Meijer seem to have bad meat selections compared to the grocery stores and Costco. I wouldn't buy fresh meat there.

Where do you get your meat? Why?

[Humboldt1]

For best meat go to your local butcher. It will cost more but you can generally get choice and prime cuts. Even in southeast Indiana there is a local butcher in Batesville (Langs) and Greensburg (Neals) you can get good cuts of meat. Kroger in Batesville also has good meat quality, though cut is usually choice, not prime.

Marsh and Kroger are okay if you just want choice (my advice is to stay away from select (referred to as govt inspected) cuts of meat). Personally, I have had better luck at Kroger but the Kroger where I am from is much nicer than your average Kroger and much much nicer than local Marsh.

It makes no sense but I can actually get choice boneless ribeye and porterhouse for 7 bucks per pound in Chicago when on sale at Jewel. Sure, you can pay 25-30 bucks per pound at Mariano's and Whole Foods for prime cuts but this seems not necessary. I have not been able to find choice ribeye or porterhouse in Indiana even on sale for less than 8 bucks per pound.

Walmart sucks for meat. Meijer isn't the best but occasionally has some good selection and prices.

Costco is good for meat but often times caters to large families and not 1 or 2 people. I have never had any luck finding meat on sale at Costco. The Smithfield pulled pork from Costco is the best grocery store pulled pork I have ever had.

[sweetana3]

Kincaid Meat Market at 56th and Illinois has been around in the meat market business since 1921.

Claus German Sausage and Meat Market on South Shelby has also been around for decades.

Two specialists.

I also visit a couple of places that come to the Farmer's Markets. Simpsons sells almost organic poultry and pork.

[Toxic Toast]

If I want something better than the Kroger/Marsh stuff; I go to Claus on Shelby Street. I've bought meat at Goose The Market, but i usually just get deli stuff there.

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

I'm basically looking for good ground beef, pork loin, boneless, skinless, chicken breast cuts, turkey burgers, and other simple cuts of meat.

I've been to Marsh and they seem to have the best meat. I tend to want to 93/7 pre-pattied hamburgers or turkey burger equivalent. Marsh generally has the best meat selection, but it's pricey.

I get a lot of stuff at Costco. Costco has a 4lb chub of organic ground beef for $17.99. It's got a rich beef taste, but a little greasier and cheaper than the grocery store equivalents. I could probably get organic boneless skinless tenders there for the same price or less as I could at Meijer or Marsh. With the Costco sized meat purchases, it seems stuff gets wasted, even if frozen.

Wal-Mart and Meijer seem to have bad meat selections compared to the grocery stores and Costco. I wouldn't buy fresh meat there.

Where do you get your meat? Why?

I'm thinking you're in Carmel so if you're not, this may not apply. Joe's Butcher Shop and Fish Market is right in downtown Carmel on Main St. There's also Moody's Butcher Shop near central Zionsville if you're closer to that area. I've never used either one but thought I'd throw out some options close by thinking you're in Carmel.

[IndyCons]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

Kincaid Meat Market at 56th and Illinois has been around in the meat market business since 1921.

Claus German Sausage and Meat Market on South Shelby has also been around for decades.

Two specialists.

I also visit a couple of places that come to the Farmer's Markets. Simpsons sells almost organic poultry and pork.

Simpson's markets themselves as "beyond organic", and if you go down to the farm, you'll see why. We do a half pig from them each year and it's the best pork I've had. If you can't make it to market, you can order online and pick up at the farm (they may deliver, but I'm not sure). They also have beef and do meat/egg CSAs during certain times of the year.

Goose the Market downtown and the sister shop, Smoking Goose (off Dorman across from Flat12) have some of the harder to find meats (guanciale, braunschweiger, etc.) and since you're paying for what you'll use, it's not super pricey.

Tyner Pond Farm is a decent option as well and they deliver in a large radius of the farm.

[MortonR]

Claus on Shelby. No comparison to anyone else.

RM