Sam's Club, BJs, or Costco?


 
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Tim O'Neil

New member
Hello All,

Which is best for getting meat for BBQing, Sam's Club, BJs, or Costco? I've been reading the site and I see many references to Sam's Club and Costco. Of course, I have a BJs membership. Is it worth getting another membership at Sam's Club or Costco to get a good, inexpensive Boston Butt?
 
Tim,

This is certainly not a scientific study, but I did put myself through college cutting meat for Kroger. So, I guess from that perspective, I've at least got some experience.

I have both a Sam's and Costco's membership. In September, we're letting the Sam's membership expire (for a variety of reasons). One of the primary ones is the quality of the meat. Sam's often beat's Costco on price, not by much though.

I find the quality of the meat at Costco to be quite a bit better. I can't give you specifics attributes, but from years of handling meats, the Costco products tend to be more toward the "premium" end of the spectrum. Sam's is obviously a "discount" cut. Many of Costco's pork products are packed by Swift's, a top quality pork processor.

Again, my $.02 worth. It's worth exactly what you paid for if.
 
Certainly this is subjective, but I think Costco is hands-down, the best place for meat. Compared with grocery stores, their Tri-Tip is the best (I know in the east Tri-Tip can be hard to find) I have found in both quality and price. Granted my experience is Southern California, but I would think their quality, cut size and price would be fairly consistent throuhgout the USA.

Keep on Smokin'!

DWL
 
I don't have access to a Costco's so I can't speak to them. But I do have a BJ's membership and have been to Sam's many times. I think BJ's beats Sam's in quality of meat. Their baby backs are outstanding (you can even get small packs - 3, 1/2 slabs - perfect for me and the wife) and the twin packs of butts in cryo are always good quality.

Maybe check out a Costco if you have them in your area, but Sams isn't looking so great in this "poll" so far...
 
I have only been going to Sam's since it is much closer to me than Costco or BJ's. I have been very pleased with the quality of meat at Sam's. While it doesn't compare to Harry's Farmer's Market (a Whole Foods chain), it is better than the meat I see at Publix and Kroger (grocery stores) and a lot cheaper than all three. I get my butts, BBs, brisket, chuck roasts, ribeye, filets, chicken, pork loin, etc. at Sam's. It is rare that they haven't had the meat I want and the quality has been good.

I will probably check out Costco's since I have heard so many good things about them from friends and this forum. However, unless they are a ton better, I will probably stay with Sam's. I mean the reason why BBQ is so great is that the quality of meat is not as important as it is for grilling.
 
I started buying most of my meats at BJ's. The quality has been surprisingly good. I had some bad experiences at Sam's in the past. Bulk packages of cut meats had good quality meats on top and poor quality meat buried underneath.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Konrad Haskins:
[qb]Costco often does not have Butts and Brisket.[/qb] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>If your Costco has country-style ribs in the meat case, then they've got Cryovac'd butts in the back. Just ask and ye shall receive.

Regards,
Chris
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris Allingham:
If your Costco has country-style ribs in the meat case, then they've got Cryovac'd butts in the back. Just ask and ye shall receive.[/QB] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Ditto, Sam's Club, and $.50 per pound or more cheaper than what's out front.
 
Sam's is all I deal with. They deal in ONLY Choice grade meats and the best beef I have ever had is from Sam's.

Get to know the butchers! I bring them jerky and they are friends for life. I never buy anything pre-packed in the case. They will always cut something fresh to my exact thickness.

They are also the ONLY store in my town that does NOT deal in injected meats...except chicken. That alone is worth the price of admission.

At prices that are regularly 1/2 of what every place else is, I just can't say enough good about them.
 
The closest Sam's is 60 miles away in Lawton,OK. I make the trip because they have the best meat in 60 miles! I don't even know where a Costco is that's close to Altus, but I would like to compare if I can find one.

Bob
 
I have a Costco and a Sam's within 1 1/2 miles of each other and belong to both. I can get butts at both stores but have to ask for them, they are kept in the back. As far as quality, I feel the quality is about equal with only a slight edge to Costco. I have memberships at both and hit each store at least once a week.
 
It seems that the Costco in Chicago area never has briskets and butts. Sam's has them occasionally, but not reliable enough for me. When I see them, I buy a case to freeze.

I have developed a network of butchers that I go to for my meat and tend not to shop at the warehouse stores except for other supplies.

As for spices, I find them not too helpful--the generic stuff they stock don't fit the bill either

Dale
 
For pork shoulder I prefer the bone-in butts, which Costco no longer carries...they only carry the boneless kind now. Sam's has the bone-in kind though, so I get them there.

For spareribs, Sam's carries 3 packs and Costco has 2 packs...both are good, whichever is on sale.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris Allingham:
[qb] <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Konrad Haskins:
[qb]Costco often does not have Butts and Brisket.[/qb] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>If your Costco has country-style ribs in the meat case, then they've got Cryovac'd butts in the back. Just ask and ye shall receive.

Regards,
Chris [/qb] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Chris,

I know that trick and have only had about 50% success with it. Our "Business Center" Costco was doing great selling pre-ordered cases of bone in butts until they decided to go boneless /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif
 
I'm not really happy with either of them. I ended up finding two local butchers/meat markets where I go to get what I want. Works out better for me because for a few dollars more they prepare the meat however I want. IE....trim-up and remove the membrane from the ribs, trim-up my butts and briskets...etc. Since I'm paying for it pre-trimmed I even get them to put the scraps wrapped in butchers paper for me...take them home and use them for various things.....are good to make soup stock with.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

 

Back
Top