Best local butcher

[jimmyjazz]

I want to get some ribeyes to grill on Sunday. I'd like to try someone local (read: not a grocery store). Who's the best? I know about Henry's, Cooper's, The Meat Shop, and Longhorn. Any other contenders?

I'm leery of getting that Harrell Ranch Wagyu beef, as very few of our guests that night will eat beef cooked much less than medium, and I've heard it dries out if you go too far towards medium. So, I think I'm looking for good old prime aged Angus.

 

[Dogbert]

Whole Foods on Lamar has dry aged beef that is damned good. Ribeyes are probably about $20 per pound.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Yeah, I've tried those, and they are VERY good. Much better than their beef back when they were a block north. (Or at least much better than any I ever bought back then.)

I just want to try a mom & pop shop this time.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Well, I had to buy them today, so in the absence of any more feedback, I purchased (2) 30-day dry-aged prime ribeyes from Cooper's. To be honest, they don't look all that marbled, but what do I know. I'll report back after I grill them up tomorrow night.

 

[jimmyjazz]

UPDATE: those steaks weren't great. I've definitely had better ribeyes from CostCo (at $7.99/lb), as well as the new Whole Foods (something like $19.99/lb). Cooper's pricing was $15.99/lb for prime, and while good, they weren't great. Scratch them off the list.

Honestly, I've had the best luck with CostCo. I don't know why I keep trying higher-graded meats. They just aren't any better (most of the time).

 

[iamtigerwoods]

If you are having to cook steaks for guests above Medium, you might as well get them at Randall's. No point in spending good money on a steak so that you can ruin it by cooking it like a hamburger...

 

[jimmyjazz]

I never said I was cooking the steaks above medium. Thank you for the lecture, though.

 

[Sgt. Longhorn]

I know it's too late, but I use Johnny G's on way south Manchaca Rd. I mean it's actually in Manchaca. Good meat and good prices. They don't carry prime, but there choice ribeyes are as good as any prime I've managed to find.

 

[mishatx]

I was about to pop in with Johnny G's. Great stuff. It's summertime, so their heat-and-eat brisket should be in. Tasty stuff if you don't have time to smoke one or don't want to cook a whole one.

 

[Anastasis]

The Meat Shop is that place that carries the Texas "Kobe", si? Anybody tried that stuff?...worth it?

 

[Mrmyke709]

Another fan of Johnnie G's....their smoked sausage is great stuff.

 

[Jeevsie]

Shoot, I've been gone for 5 years, and I still remember Johnnie G's. Good for some butterflied inner skirt, too!

 

[MirrOlure]

TPE....in the name of Paul Boesch..........good one.

 

[TTUFIN]

The Meat Shoppe is gone I think. Are you guys talking about the one on Peyton Gin? Their beef was excellent.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Yeah, that's the place. I tried calling them and got no answer. Must have gone belly-up.

 

[Mrmyke709]

Johnnie G's also has natural free range birds. They're great for beer can chicken.

 

[NB_LONGHORN]

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