A Connecticut Costco Question


 
M

MLan

New member
After reading so much here and on other sites about Costco prime briskets and other meats, I stopped at the store in New Britain a couple weeks ago. What I saw didn't impress me. The 10 or so whole briskets there had very thick fat layers (hard to tell exactly how thick, but most definitely more than 1/4" or even 1/2"). The flats were extremely thin, less than 1". I wound up joining and buying a three pack of baby back ribs. Whoever butchered them did a horrible job-uneven cuts, many bones cut through or chipped, just poorly done.

I stopped back the other day. They had out a lot more prime briskets, but they were in the same shape-lots and lots of fat and very thin flats.

Am I expecting too much, quality-wise? Any other Connecticuters find better quality at other stores?
 
We use the East Lyme location. I’m a vegetarian, so I don’t pay much attention, but my partner has been very happy with the meats there. We haven’t bought brisket, though. Next time we’re there, we’ll take a look, probably in the next week or two.
 
Not in CT, but my local Costco had several prime packer briskets, only they were HUGE. I'm used to seeing 10-15 lb. briskets in the meat section.
Lately they've been 15-20+.

And $4.99/lb instead of the old $3.49 price.
 
@MLan I shop at the Milford CT store and am seeing the same thing quality-wise with the packers and flats. And the price for a packer is now $5.99/lb so that's too expensive for me. I do buy their prime NY strip and that's now going for $17/lb.
 
JungWoo said:
Not in CT, but my local Costco had several prime packer briskets, only they were HUGE. I'm used to seeing 10-15 lb. briskets in the meat section.
Lately they've been 15-20+.

And $4.99/lb instead of the old $3.49 price.
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Yeah JungWoo, there were a lot of bigger cuts there, many in the 17-20 lb. range. I wish they were $4.99/lb. Like Brian says, the price was crazy- I think they were $5.49/lb. last Friday.
 
MLan said:
After reading so much here and on other sites about Costco prime briskets and other meats, I stopped at the store in New Britain a couple weeks ago. What I saw didn't impress me. The 10 or so whole briskets there had very thick fat layers (hard to tell exactly how thick, but most definitely more than 1/4" or even 1/2"). The flats were extremely thin, less than 1". I wound up joining and buying a three pack of baby back ribs. Whoever butchered them did a horrible job-uneven cuts, many bones cut through or chipped, just poorly done.

I stopped back the other day. They had out a lot more prime briskets, but they were in the same shape-lots and lots of fat and very thin flats.

Am I expecting too much, quality-wise? Any other Connecticuters find better quality at other stores?
Click to expand...

Funny thing, that's my Costco, too. I've noticed the quality of briskets, etc. there has been on a downhill slide lately. I'm told by some of those I know who work there that they're having trouble getting decent butchers, even at the amount Costco pays. I buy steak frequently from this location and haven't had any trouble.

I should take a look at Sam's and/or BJ's for quality. Yeah...I have all 3 memberships. I work them to save me money on everything and have been very happy for years.
 
From time to time I'd gone to West Side Market in Rocky Hill. The quality there has been good for me, but they're darn pricey. I just checked, they have 7 to 7.5 lb. choice packers, for $9.99/lb! I asked the butcher if that was the correct price and he said yup. Why so expensive? Because.

Then there's Meadow Meat in Middletown, a real old time butcher shop. Their choice packers are $5.99/lb, and the butcher said we could look through the 30 or so that they have to pick out a good one.
 
I stopped at a local Costco last week and browsed the meat section. They only had choice grade packers, and no prime. This was the first time I have ever seen choice grade packers at any of the Costcos in my area. And the price for choice was $4.69/lb o_O

PXL_20210622_231231917.jpg
 
KE Quist said:
I stopped at a local Costco last week and browsed the meat section. They only had choice grade packers, and no prime. This was the first time I have ever seen choice grade packers at any of the Costcos in my area. And the price for choice was $4.69/lb o_O

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Some plants are still closed, supply chains are bottle necked, and restaurants are fully open. Pretty much the perfect storm.
The price of cf chicken wings has exploded.
 
Jeff Boudman said:
Some plants are still closed, supply chains are bottle necked, and restaurants are fully open. Pretty much the perfect storm.
The price of cf chicken wings has exploded.
Click to expand...
Actually in my Costco the wings did go up but it was lack of availability they would get a bunch in gone in a day. I live close to one so in their at least once a week probably contributed to the problem bought 3 packs when I saw them which was about a month ago cause really no idea when they were coming in again. All the drumsticks you wanted never a problem with those nor the breasts.
 
Brian B Atlanta said:
Actually in my Costco the wings did go up but it was lack of availability they would get a bunch in gone in a day. I live close to one so in their at least once a week probably contributed to the problem bought 3 packs when I saw them which was about a month ago cause really no idea when they were coming in again. All the drumsticks you wanted never a problem with those nor the breasts.
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At my local grocery store, Vons, bone in skin on chicken thighs were hard to find not too long ago. Every other chicken variation was available. If there were thighs people would stop and watch me do the 'happy dance'. o_O

Supply seems to be a bit better now.
 
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