Prime grade beef

[C_Dave45]

Does anyone know of a butcher shop that sells "prime" grade beef?

[CKY]

You mean AAA Alberta beef?

[C_Dave45]

No, I mean "prime". Which is the highest grade. One above "AAA". Usually only for restaurants and select butcher shops...but so far I haven't found a butcher shop that sells Prime. One of the butchers in the Co Op stores got a case sent to them accidentally...he bought some for himself and said it was amazing.
I thought maybe the few beyond members who have restaurants might know of one.

[rage2]

Costco apparently has it in some locations.

http://www.agcanada.com/Article.aspx?ID=16777

See the last paragraph.

Good luck finding it though, Canada Prime pretty much all goes to high end restaurants.

[Supa Dexta]

You'd be better off finding a small producer who sells what they raise.. Perhaps a farmers market, or adds somewhere where they sell... My old man does this in NS, you won't find better beef if you can get lined up with the right producer.

Maybe check this out>

http://www.localcanadianfood.com/

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by rage2
Costco apparently has it in some locations.

http://www.agcanada.com/Article.aspx?ID=16777

See the last paragraph.

Good luck finding it though, Canada Prime pretty much all goes to high end restaurants.

Holy shit, nice find rage.....I wonder which locations will get it? Might have to make a call to our Costco's.

[rage2]

Originally posted by C_Dave45
Holy shit, nice find rage.....I wonder which locations will get it? Might have to make a call to our Costco's.
Yea, I read about it a few weeks ago when I was trying to hunt down some Kobe or American Wagyu.

[Wrinkly]

Originally posted by C_Dave45
Does anyone know of a butcher shop that sells "prime" grade beef?

You could try McEwans on Elbow drive, or one I can recommend is Hoven Farms. You can buy from them online or at the Calgary Farmers Market on weekends (Curry Barracks) or some specialist stores in Calgary. TK Ranch Beef is another good one, and can be found in Amaranth or direct from the farmer here in Alberta

[muse017]

I just bought some from Beacon Hill Costco.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by muse017
I just bought some from Beacon Hill Costco.

How did you know it was Prime? Was it labeled in the package?

[muse017]

Originally posted by flipstah


How did you know it was Prime? Was it labeled in the package?


Well, first of all they had a small section only for the primes near Bakery and second, it labeled clearly with GOLD color Sticker on the package. Anyways, it was awsome haha

[cancer man]

Simon valley butchers if you order it.

[flipstah]

Which has a better selection of meats? Vendors at the Calgary Farmers Market or Crossroads Market?

[TYMSMNY]

Farmers Market by MRU. Big selection of meats from various animals.

[TDA]

Originally posted by rage2

Yea, I read about it a few weeks ago when I was trying to hunt down some Kobe or American Wagyu.

Care to share the knowledge? Where's the Kobe at in Calgary!?

[rage2]

There is no Kobe in Calgary, at least, I haven't found it anywhere. Ruth's Chris can import some for me on a one time basis, but only because I'm a regular there. I'll probably order some thru them the next time I throw a party there.

[nonofyobiz]

what is Kobe?

[HondaKid]

Originally posted by rage2
There is no Kobe in Calgary, at least, I haven't found it anywhere. Ruth's Chris can import some for me on a one time basis, but only because I'm a regular there. I'll probably order some thru them the next time I throw a party there.

Next time you are in Vancouver (delivery in the area only):

http://www.nikuya.ca/

Pack a cooler and some ice, fly or drive.

[HondaKid]

I use Second to None Meats:

http://www.stnm.ca/index.php

I doubt you can find a finer meat shop anywhere, give them a call and ask about meat. There is no reason they cannot supply you with everything you need. As for stocking Kobe beef, they stand behind all their meat as does any quality shop so buying is not a risk at all. Good specials as well, this month they have 3 for 4 sirloin steaks and some other goodies.

http://www.stnm.ca/

And their bacon is off the charts, served at "O" on 33rd as well (not that I have had the experience). Puts one off other bacon for good.

I have had great steaks in Japan (Japan/Canada produced) and really bad steaks (Australia/USA produced). The best was a Japanese steak at a wedding of all places.

[clem24]

Originally posted by rage2

Yea, I read about it a few weeks ago when I was trying to hunt down some Kobe or American Wagyu.

I've had some supposedly Canadian wagyu-type beef raised in Ontario I think. They called it Kobe beef but I doubt it truly is wagyu. I bought it when they had some big beef festival or something at Eau Claire a few years back and there was a vendor selling these steaks (it was even in the news). It was very very well marbled but it just wasn't very good at all. Costco tenderloin can beat it hands down.

[flipstah]

Is there a visual and taste difference with American Wagyu and legit Kobe beef from Japan?

[Sailz]

Originally posted by flipstah
Is there a visual and taste difference with American Wagyu and legit Kobe beef from Japan?

Looks like it to me...

http://www.nikuya.ca/products/marbling_comparison.htm

http://www.nikuya.ca/products/japanese_wagyu_kobe_beef.htm

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Sailz


Looks like it to me...

http://www.nikuya.ca/products/marbling_comparison.htm

http://www.nikuya.ca/products/japanese_wagyu_kobe_beef.htm

:nut:

Thanks! Helps if I browsed that site.

[89coupe]

I buy all my Prime Grade beef from Balzac Meats. You just have to order ahead of time.

http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=balzac+meats&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=balzac+meats&hnear=Calgary,+AB&cid=16952676303124570342

[clem24]

Welp don't forget that there's also different grades of wagyu in Japan as well. I have a pic from a supermarket and the price difference between the worst and best was HUGE... Hmm I think I have a pic somewhere... IIRC it sold by the 100g and 5,000Y was the cheapest. Let me dig up the pic when I get home.

[Altezza]

When I was in Japan, I paid US$200/100g for the "mid-quality" Kobe beef.

[npham]

Originally posted by clem24


I've had some supposedly Canadian wagyu-type beef raised in Ontario I think. They called it Kobe beef but I doubt it truly is wagyu. I bought it when they had some big beef festival or something at Eau Claire a few years back and there was a vendor selling these steaks (it was even in the news). It was very very well marbled but it just wasn't very good at all. Costco tenderloin can beat it hands down.

Kobe beef is just Waygu beef that comes from Kobe, the actual place. There are many grades of Waygu beef, and it just happens that the stuff that comes from Kobe is freaking amazing and so many other ranchers leech off that name.

[adidas]

Originally posted by nonofyobiz
what is Kobe?

http://api.ning.com/files/ZTsC9XxTly8yNcsc9OwFSbyqYvc4wxyeNilvtmmRLQipm3SNIWl8YeCz5V8rok1geSPNamZz1edtpkP3rawb8tYDm1hSP3Wl/Kobe_Bryant_NBA_MVP_2008.jpg

[old&slow]

We just bought real beef, and by real I mean grown up on regular free range, the taste is outstanding. I find store bought beef to be bland and tasteless and I never look forward to it.
But this stuff make my mouth water just thinking about it!

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by old&slow
We just bought real beef, and by real I mean grown up on regular free range, the taste is outstanding. I find store bought beef to be bland and tasteless and I never look forward to it.
But this stuff make my mouth water just thinking about it!
Good point. Feedlot beef is noiceably different from grass fed beef that's been walking around it's whole life.
That's why wild game tastes so different from farmed meat. It's all about environment.
Hell, I'm thinking of taking up hunting just for the tasty meat.

[B18C]

Originally posted by muse017
I just bought some from Beacon Hill Costco.

I saw some there last weekend as well.

[Kritafo]

bought some yesterday for grilling tonight. They have plenty of choice they are marked with a gold label.

[clem24]

Originally posted by Kritafo
bought some yesterday for grilling tonight. They have plenty of choice they are marked with a gold label.

How did it go? I just bought some rib steak last night and it'll be on the bar-b tonight! Can't wait.

[UndrgroundRider]

Originally posted by rage2
There is no Kobe in Calgary, at least, I haven't found it anywhere. Ruth's Chris can import some for me on a one time basis, but only because I'm a regular there. I'll probably order some thru them the next time I throw a party there.

Definitely none in Calgary. I have been on the look out for years. Nikuya will ship to Calgary, but only by the box. I tried to get a Beyond group buy going a year ago but the thread was deleted. I think the rate was $2000 for a 15lb box of tenderloin.

The biggest problem with Kobe beef is that everyone rapes the name, and unless you've had real Kobe before you won't know if you're getting some American-Waygu knockoff.

[Kritafo]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by clem24


How did it go? I just bought some rib steak last night and it'll be on the bar-b tonight! Can't wait. [/QUOTE

It was a very good steak, I didn't do much to it other put a few spices on it. I just wanted it fairly plain to taste. It cut like butter, had outstanding flavour. They had the seafood the day I went and I bought lobster tails, that were decent as well.

[clem24]

Made the rib steak last night (gold label from Costco). I must say.. It didn't seem any different from what they were selling before (i.e. no gold or AAA label). I personally think it's still from the same herd of cows as before and now they just slap a label on it to market it better. Don't get me wrong, still good as hell, but I think it's still from the same pile of shit. :D

[TYMSMNY]

^ Prime = more marbling. Same batch of cows.

[aaronck]

Hey, I'll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher's ass by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn't you rather to take his word for it? oh, wait

[Kritafo]

Originally posted by clem24
Made the rib steak last night (gold label from Costco). I must say.. It didn't seem any different from what they were selling before (i.e. no gold or AAA label). I personally think it's still from the same herd of cows as before and now they just slap a label on it to market it better. Don't get me wrong, still good as hell, but I think it's still from the same pile of shit. :D

Well I would buy again, it's only a few more bucks. I didn't tell my husband it was different but he noticed.

We decided we would get elk sirloins this weekend instead of beef. I love Rocky Mountain Ranch.

[TYMSMNY]

^ aaronck ???

On almost the same note... anywhere they have good tenderloin cuts?

[TDA]

Originally posted by Kritafo


It was a very good steak, I didn't do much to it other put a few spices on it. I just wanted it fairly plain to taste. It cut like butter, had outstanding flavour. They had the seafood the day I went and I bought lobster tails, that were decent as well. [/B]


+1 quite a hit at my BBQ party over the weekend. Very juicy, soft and so much flavour.

[HondaKid]

I was working a cooking show last year, this BBQ chef guru said this book was the best out there, he said he would like to take credit for the food he had made and served but it all came from this very famous BBQ god from Edmonton, now living in BC.

Really this is a great book, I ordered one and ended up buying six more for family and friends. No more footballs coming from my parent's BBQ, those days are behind them.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2va0279.jpg


Amazon.ca Link (http://www.amazon.ca/Barbecue-Secrets-Deluxe-Recipes-Champion/dp/1552859495/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270688545&sr=1-1)

[clem24]

Originally posted by TYMSMNY
^ aaronck ???

On almost the same note... anywhere they have good tenderloin cuts?

Costco has the tenderloin as prime grade. Even before the prime grade designation, their tenderloin cuts where absolutely SUBLIME. :drool: