St Petersburg markets for best beef & produce? (Tampa, Palm Harbor: attorney, houses)

[A.Typical.Girl]

Originally Posted by MortonR

Understood. Exactly why I go in the early hours. You can park right in front with no trouble and there's plenty of employees and others around so it's safe. Too busy otherwise, especially on the weekends.

RM

Right, but as a girl, I'm not driving my 11-yr old car anywhere in the dark, let alone a dicey 'hood.

[LKJ1988]

Just go to Publix and call it a day ray.

[RidgeCrossing]

Originally Posted by sinatras

I really don't think Sanwa is worth the drive into the HOOD for most people. The meat quality/selection is not fantastic. The produce selection/quality is much better but not leaps and bounds better; the majority of their produce is not organic or local or high quality.

Is it cheaper than a lot of places? sure. But cheap is not always better. For restaurateurs sure it's worth it b/c it's cheap; most of them don't care that the stuff they cook isn't organic or comes from China or wherever.

If you have ever been to Detwiler's that's a place that gets everything right: price, quality and selection. Prolly the only one in SW Fla. For example this week Detwiler's has certified angus porterhouse steaks on sale for $8.88. Apples from named New York State orchards that are not waxed, etc. When you buy something from Detwiler's you know where's it's sourced from etc.

They buy "seconds" for produce out of Miami jobbers. They do not buy the same grade as Publix Supermarkets buys. The merchandise buyers at Walmart wouldn't even put most of this stuff in their own stores....and they including Publix Supermarkets have far more buying power and influence than any Detwiler's. They are known to buy "closeouts" from Miami brokers and drop-shipped to their stores lol.



Also, a lot of their meats are second level USDA Choice, not first level.


"Certified Angus" is meaningless - Angus is just a type of cow...period. "Certified Angus" is NOT a USDA meat grading.


Also, Many of these "specialty" shops actually LIE about grades as well. Lots of meat is actually "No Roll", which is never graded by an inspector of whole carcass/sections - meaning the inspector does not "ink roll" based on inspection (he refuses to actually place his stamp = "no roll") . Also many of the shops buy USDA "Select" which is crap for the most part. Again, there are levels of even USDA "Choice" and even "Prime" (#1 Prime is hardly ever seen, it's mostly exported)


If you don't know, you don't know. Glad I know the diff.

[A.Typical.Girl]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Just go to Publix and call it a day ray.

Well that's no fun.

Originally Posted by RidgeCrossing

They buy "seconds" for produce out of Miami jobbers. They do not buy the same grade as Publix Supermarkets buys. The merchandise buyers at Walmart wouldn't even put most of this stuff in their own stores....and they including Publix Supermarkets have far more buying power and influence than any Detwiler's. They are known to buy "closeouts" from Miami brokers and drop-shipped to their stores lol.



Also, a lot of their meats are second level USDA Choice, not first level.


"Certified Angus" is meaningless - Angus is just a type of cow...period. "Certified Angus" is NOT a USDA meat grading.


Also, Many of these "specialty" shops actually LIE about grades as well. Lots of meat is actually "No Roll", which is never graded by an inspector of whole carcass/sections - meaning the inspector does not "ink roll" based on inspection (he refuses to actually place his stamp = "no roll") . Also many of the shops buy USDA "Select" which is crap for the most part. Again, there are levels of even USDA "Choice" and even "Prime" (#1 Prime is hardly ever seen, it's mostly exported)


If you don't know, you don't know. Glad I know the diff.

Thank you for this. I'm going to read up on this. I don't know the difference.

[RidgeCrossing]

Most consumers don't know the difference, not unusual at all....other consumers are "half-smart" about everything, whether food, housing or even the law.


The vast majority of meats in the cases of Walmart is in fact USDA "Select" which is one of the lowest grades - they do have a section of what they label as "USDA Choice", but it's lower rung "Choice"....is it "Choice"?? well mostly yes and mostly no - it ain't top grade Choice.


Most of the so-called highline specialty shops who sell "Prime Grade" are playing fast and loose with the truth as well. Is some of it "Prime"?? yes, barely....few shops sell actual PRIME 1 - they too are bullchitting the public, or they themselves are getting bamboozled by they own suppliers, or the owners themselves are ignorant - which is very likely. It's hard to believe that suppliers actually LIE, right? LOL

[Irishiis49]

I do well at Southern Steer in Palm Harbor...buy our Prime rib there and all chicken breast there. Prime rib is only on special occasions... Otherwise for individual steaks I ask the butchers at Publix or Winn Dixie to pick me out some good ones...never buy a multi pack already prepared...have the butcher to make you up a fresh one,that way you don't have a pack that has the crummy steaks hidden underneath!

[A.Typical.Girl]

Originally Posted by RidgeCrossing

Most consumers don't know the difference, not unusual at all....other consumers are "half-smart" about everything, whether food, housing or even the law.


The vast majority of meats in the cases of Walmart is in fact USDA "Select" which is one of the lowest grades - they do have a section of what they label as "USDA Choice", but it's lower rung "Choice"....is it "Choice"?? well mostly yes and mostly no - it ain't top grade Choice.


Most of the so-called highline specialty shops who sell "Prime Grade" are playing fast and loose with the truth as well. Is some of it "Prime"?? yes, barely....few shops sell actual PRIME 1 - they too are bullchitting the public, or they themselves are getting bamboozled by they own suppliers, or the owners themselves are ignorant - which is very likely. It's hard to believe that suppliers actually LIE, right? LOL

Where do you buy beef or other meats?

Is there any standard grading (or whatever it's called) for wild meat? Due to allergies & side effects, several have told me I might do better off with wild animals.

[A.Typical.Girl]

Originally Posted by Irishiis49

I do well at Southern Steer in Palm Harbor...buy our Prime rib there and all chicken breast there. Prime rib is only on special occasions... Otherwise for individual steaks I ask the butchers at Publix or Winn Dixie to pick me out some good ones...never buy a multi pack already prepared...have the butcher to make you up a fresh one,that way you don't have a pack that has the crummy steaks hidden underneath!

A year ago, I lived on the same street, but don't recall if I ever visited. I don't see many prices online... I'm assuming it's very pricey?

Good advice on the pre-packaged meats... they often look iffy.

[Irishiis49]

Originally Posted by A.Typical.Girl

A year ago, I lived on the same street, but don't recall if I ever visited. I don't see many prices online... I'm assuming it's very pricey?

Good advice on the pre-packaged meats... they often look iffy.

Southern Steer you join their "club" (free) and they email their specials. For example on Tuesday they have chicken breasts and tenderloins for $3.99 lb and two for one sides...At Christmas the had their Prime rib on special for $25 lb it usually was $35! So it cost me $100 for a boneless 4lbs trimmed and tied which fed 5/6 people !Again special day!
p.s. Don't know owners of SS !

[A.Typical.Girl]

Originally Posted by Irishiis49

Southern Steer you join their "club" (free) and they email their specials. For example on Tuesday they have chicken breasts and tenderloins for $3.99 lb and two for one sides...At Christmas the had their Prime rib on special for $25 lb it usually was $35! So it cost me $100 for a boneless 4lbs trimmed and tied which fed 5/6 people !Again special day!
p.s. Don't know owners of SS !

Good info, TY. I'll be there next Sat, so will need to food shop.