I am having a hard time finding a large brisket here where I live in PA.The biggest I could get so far is about 6 1/2 pounds,and that was special order from a butcher.Walmart don't carry any,other than the corned beef brisket.Do clubs like Costco and Sams usually carry brisket in larger sizes.
Joe.
Hey Joe, where I am at both WalMart and Sam's Club have been carrying them. The one's from Sam's do look like a better quality IMHO so that is where I get mine from.
Joe, I'm sure the people at walmart would order you some. It is atleast worth a ask.
I never gave it a thought to ask at Walmart.My Walmart keeps changing their meat supply and most everything else.You find an item you like and then it disappears forever.I probably should try a Sams club,but they are about 45 minutes from me.Costco is about 35 minutes from me.It might be worth my while to do so.
Joe.
Costo should be about like Sam's Joe. I just don't have one within 2 hours from where I live.
Joe, I live in PA also and have the same trouble finding brisket, and when I do find it, its way too expensive for such a cheap cut of meat. I'm lucky if I get to do one or two a year. I asked at WalMart here and they told me all they get now is corned beef. I have to travel a good hour and a half to get to a Sams, but I am not a member anyway. I have no idea where the nearest Costco is, I have never been to one. Welcome to the forum, what part of PA do you live?
I live in a town called Berrysburg,which is about 35 mins from Harrisburg,and that is where I would have to go to Costco.I am going to give it a try.I don't know which is better,Costco or Sams.Sams is $40.00 to join and Costco is $50.00,which is a good piece of change.
Joe.
Quote from: joerom on October 13, 2009, 07:51:44 PM
I live in a town called Berrysburg,which is about 35 mins from Harrisburg,and that is where I would have to go to Costco.I am going to give it a try.I don't know which is better,Costco or Sams.Sams is $40.00 to join and Costco is $50.00,which is a good piece of change.
Joe.
I think either one will let you in as a guest to browse the store. You might check both out and then decide which one you like better.
The Costco here doesn't sell whole packer briskets. I talked to one of the guys in the meat packing area and he told me they only get flats from their distributor but then I believe each Costco is different.
I get the best deal on brisket at a place called "Cash N Carry" a restaurant supply type of store, they are typically 10+ pounds and less than $2 per pound. Fred Meyers will typically have brisket on had as well but cost a little more.
For Sam's and Walmart it depends on the area you live in. Our area Sam's does not sell any brisket, but the Super Walmart in the same ares sell flats and whole briskets. I know other areas members purchase their briskets from Sam's. As Hawkeye stated, get a day pass to check the club stores out first.
Okay guys,
Thanks for all the input.I did not know you could get a day pass.I will go either tomorrow or friday and check them out.
Joe
Ditto on the day pass. Spent a lot of time walking around the store jotting down prices. You might find some things that are significantly cheaper there that will justify the annual membership.
QuoteI live in a town called Berrysburg,which is about 35 mins from Harrisburg
Cool we have a few members in the eastern part of the state. I live in the NC part of the state, near DuBois.
I managed to get to Costco,and they have a nice meat dept.They has brisket,but they were only 4 pound flats with no fat on them.The babyback ribs looked real good,and they were about $1.50 pound cheaper than Walmart.They also had a couple of pork shoulders that were about 14 pounds each.I want to get to Sams yet before I decide.
Joe.
Joe,
the Costco I go to only carries the trimmed flats. The pork shoulders are two to a package. The last ones I got were boneless.
Deb
Deb,
Have you tried the shoulder for pulled pork?
Joe.
The front shoulder (aka Boston Butt) is what you want to smoke for pulled pork.
You can also do a picnic, but you may have to chop it.
I've try two picnics and while they taste good, I think I got in a hurry and they didn't pull like the Bst Butts.
I will try again.
Joe;
In the Sam's Club I use, you have to ask the meat cutters if they have any butts. They are not displayed. So if you don't see them in the displayed case ask for them.
The last two shoulders or butts I did had the bone in.Why are the Costco ones boneless.
Joe.
See if you can talk to a helpful person in the meat department Joe. It seems like both Costco and Sam's stores varies from one area to another. He or she might be able to help you out. They might even have them in back and just not on display.
Joe;
As Hawkeye stated, check with the people behind the counter. Like I said earlier, my Sam's will not display the butts, but will display boneless shoulder roast (butts with the blade bone removed), and other cuts that come from the butt. They make more money, butchering the butts than selling them in the cryovac packaging, and most people in the area don't buy bone in butts.
Quote from: Habanero Smoker on October 20, 2009, 01:20:24 AM
Joe;
As Hawkeye stated, check with the people behind the counter. Like I said earlier, my Sam's will not display the butts, but will display boneless shoulder roast (butts with the blade bone removed), and other cuts that come from the butt. They make more money, butchering the butts than selling them in the cryovac packaging, and most people in the area don't buy bone in butts.
I am pretty new to smoking pulled pork and have only done it a couple times. All the pork butts I have done have been boneless, does it make much of a difference whether the bone is in or not?
Jared
Some will say yes, others no.
Honestly I really don't think it makes that much of a difference, but I've always done bone-in..
I figure the less it is processed, the better.
and it has been said tat the bone is a "heat conduit"
I always heard that the bone imparted "extra flavor" to whatever cut you had. That may only be anecdotal, but it's good enough for me.
As KH and FLBR said, it is "said" that the bone gives more flavor. But IMHO, I seriously doubt than even side by side you could tell the difference. I like them and use them most of the time because they are generally bigger around here and cost less per pound at the 'normal' prices - net! Those bones are also a good 'in-place' tenderness detecter. You hit that thing and it's loose - guess what - tenderness!
Quote from: jaredpost on October 13, 2009, 11:13:07 PM
I get the best deal on brisket at a place called "Cash N Carry" a restaurant supply type of store, they are typically 10+ pounds and less than $2 per pound. Fred Meyers will typically have brisket on had as well but cost a little more.
We must shop at the same places. I find the Cash N Carry meat locker has some good deals - usually Choice or Select grade too.
Quote from: Ka Honu on October 21, 2009, 11:24:37 AM
I always heard that the bone imparted "extra flavor" to whatever cut you had. That may only be anecdotal, but it's good enough for me.
I've always understood that the 'bone' added flavor when the meat is stewed or braised - as the addition of liquid will help pull marrow out of the bone and the other ingredients in the liquid will help break down the bone, thus infusing the meat with flavor. I know that after I roast or smoke a whole chicken or turkey - the bones are intact and these, being softer bones than beef or pork - would tend to break down or lend flavor to the meat more readily (maybe?) And when slow cooking beef or pork, I find the cartilage and connective tissue break down - but not the bone...at least not as far as I can see.
Perhaps someone with a great deal more experience or applied practical knowledge in this area can set me straight?
Growing up as a kid and due to economic stress, all I can remember my mother cooking was something with a bone in it. Roast, Pork Chops, Steaks (once a year), so as I grew up I just kinda figured that's the meat you buy. I think she would have bought bone-in-spam if she thought she could get a better deal.
And today, I rarely buy a meat with out a bone in it. I do buy whole pork loins, but even the ribeyes I get have a bone edge. Does it taste better, Haven't had enough of bone out to be able to compare. What's the old saying "Closer to the bone, the sweeter the meat".
For me,at least around here,I guess I just get whatever they have.The last butt that I got from a butcher,wasn't that good.So far the best I got was from Walmart.The problem with Walmart(mine anyway),is that they are not consistant with the meats they stock.Some times they have a good supply,and then they are gone for a while.I am going to try to get to Sams yet,and if not,Costco looked pretty good to me.
Joe.