Sourcing Edible Beef (San Antonio, New Braunfels, Castroville: appointed, co-op, buy)

[loryde]

Is it just me, or has the quality of beef badly deteriorated the last few years? I love my HEB, but dang! I can't seem to find a decent, affordable steak there. I like to prepare a lot of something, and freeze individual serving for later consumption. So, the other day, I picked up a couple of strip steaks, labeled "choice," for a beef-in-wine dish. They were horribly expensive, of course, but I knew, from past experience, that cheaper cuts (top sirloin, say), would disappoint. I simmered them for three full hours, until they easily came apart with a fork. The dish turned out great, with new potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, pine nuts, onions, and a little sour cream--except for the beef. It was flavorful, but so stringy that I didn't dare swallow it. This is but the most recent in a long series of unsatisfactory episodes. I decided to give Target a try, and picked up one of their "branded" Angus strip steaks (Dodge and Sutton, something like that.) I couldn't detect much difference in the marbling, but it did seem quite a bit more tender. Not nearly as tender, though, as the steaks of yesteryear. I've heard good things about a locally owned butcher shop in New Braunfels, and may give them a try. What are y'all doing for quality beef?

I see that "choice" grade tenderloin has soared to almost $30 a pound. That counts me out.

[Rustybolt]

I like the choice beef I get at Costco. Typically a thicker cut too. Love their New York strips. I would avoid anything labeled with Angus as that is typically just marketing to charge more for nothing more than USDA Grade A.

[sshurgot]

Originally Posted by Rustybolt

I like the choice beef I get at Costco. Typically a thicker cut too. Love their New York strips.

I second that.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

I don't cook steak very often anymore, just cheaper cuts of beef in the crock pot. It's good for turning tough meat into something yummy.

One place I hear mentioned often when people are looking for quality meat is Bolner's. Bolner Meat Company serving San Antonio since 1914

[Azure110]

Lately I have found the beef from Sprouts to be better than HEB. That wasn't always the case though.

[kevcrawford]

I'm going to second, third and fifth Bolners. It's the greatest place on Earth as far as I'm concerned.

In fact, I'm due for another run!

[TrapperL]

Dzuik in Castroville. They grow it so they can control the quality, they butcher it to however you want it. If you like a bar-b-qued steak, have them cut you some 1" thick pork chops and put them on the grill. You'll spit steak out. They also have chicken, quail, dried meats, jerky, honey, cheese, lunch meats, bacon to die for, all kinds of blended seasonings, it's a full service meat market. Buy how many cuts you want or buy a quarter or a side, they can do it all.

[txtea]

Originally Posted by TrapperL

Dzuik in Castroville. They grow it so they can control the quality, they butcher it to however you want it. If you like a bar-b-qued steak, have them cut you some 1" thick pork chops and put them on the grill. You'll spit steak out. They also have chicken, quail, dried meats, jerky, honey, cheese, lunch meats, bacon to die for, all kinds of blended seasonings, it's a full service meat market. Buy how many cuts you want or buy a quarter or a side, they can do it all.

+1 for Dzuik's.
Been going here for 30+ yrs.
Usually buy one of their package deals that comes with several different cuts of beef, chicken, etc.
Never been disappointed.

[Azure110]

All this talk about Castroville reminded me of Dan's Meat Market which is also in Castroville. Another option to consider if you go to Castroville.

I like Dzuik's but can't stand going there now they built the new building. Quality is still good though!

For awhile I was doing co-op with Koch Ranches Gourmet store. Expensive but best beef in SA in my opinion. They use Dzuik's to process their meat before they sell it.

[Rapscallion]

Originally Posted by kevcrawford

I'm going to second, third and fifth Bolners. It's the greatest place on Earth as far as I'm concerned.

In fact, I'm due for another run!

Definitely Bolner's, where else you gonna find an Akaushi brisket?

Costco has very good quality meat. I'm impressed by the marbling at Trader Joe's, but always wary of beef which is being preserved in carbon monoxide.

No doubt though, Bolner's is tops.