[bbqphx.com]

Back in the day (~15 years ago), Omaha Steaks were a real treat to behold.  A friend of mine was in sales and Omaha Steaks were one of the incentives, and man-did we eat good back then.
Fast forward, the beloved Mother-in-law sent some Omaha Steaks for my birthday back in August.  They got pretty ripe sitting on my hot front patio, so I called and they sent me a gift card to use at the Omaha Steaks store.  I got my favorite (Strip steaks) and a couple other things, I cooked the strips tonight and they really sucked.  Totally gristly (sp??) and lacking flavor big time!!  There's seriously better steaks at Fry's.
I do get Prime steak at Costco when available or AJ's when I have a coupon, but I swear I'm not jaded

[jmcrig]

It's hard to find a real butcher shop anywhere. Everything comes already trimmed and cryovaced. I think that's spelled correctly. Today after I meant with you, I stopped at what is supposed to be the premiere butcher shop in Mesa. They were very nice, but when I asked for pork back fat, they thought I was crazy. We finally settled on pork trimmings, but the real butcher shops are gone. I'm afraid Omaha Steak is no different from what you get over the counter at Food City. (My opinion).

[desertdog]

Was that Midwestern meats? Picked up a couple nice steaks there today myself.

[jmcrig]

Like I said, they treated me great, and I got 5# of pork trimmings from them. It's just that the state of butcher shops have changed, and I haven't. Growing up, I was always around the industry. When I was 16, I lied about my age and spent my summers working in the packing plants in Missouri. It's a B!t@h to get old. And yes they have good meat there.

[PAT YOUNG]

CHARLIES in PAYSON does a good job, He'll cut to order and he makes great sausages too!!!!

[Quiggs]

One of our members (RVRiggs) is a lifelong catleman, he used to send Omaha Steaks as gifts for years.  But he found the same thing, poor quality meats now so he quit doing it.  But the styrofoam boxes are cool!

[toys4dlr]

One trip to Costco and a foodsaver and my Freeezer is loaded with better quality Steaks.  I was excited about the first Omaha Steak I over paid for and was very much let down.

For around 80 bucks I can buy a Whole Boneless Choice Rib Eye and it cuts up into about 12-15 inch plus steaks.  FoodSave and they are ready to go when I get that "Beef, It's what's for dinner."

[BERNIETHEK]

If your looking for Prime steaks, AJ's is having a 50% off sale on their steaks.  Better get there quick.

[jmcrig]

Food Saver, what a great invention. I've got two and love them.

[kingbrutis]

I got some strip steaks cut for me @ Safeway. Inch and a half or so thick for $5 a LB. Not a butcher shop in the least. Sams club is usually pretty good.

I have a friend that used to be a butcher and said they replaced him 2 guys who dont speak english. They didnt care about the quality anymore. It's hard when your trying to balance running a successful business and quality product. Most people dont care much about quality anymore. It's like it's fast and edible. People on here are much different than the population at large. 

[jmcrig]

I'm on a first name basis with my Safeway store director. When they do things I like, I tell her. When I don't like the service, the meat department doesn't give me what I ask for, or they have someone working that can't help you because of the language barrier, I let her know. More than once I've gotten mad and walked out leaving a full basket in front of the managers office.

[hillbille]

It's hard to find a real butcher shop anywhere.

 Here in SAn Diego, there's quite  a selection of Asian stores that butcher whole hogs and  one slaughterhouse, that I know of.

 But yes, real butchers are few and far between.

[jmcrig]

There use to be a great butcher shop just north of the 5 and 10 interchange on Moreno Blvd. Just before Thanksgiving, you could go in and pick your prime standing rib for Christmas and they'd hang it for you. Great place.

[ArizonaRed]

There is a butcher out by me on a 107th and union hills I know that is a Hike for most of you.  It is called Al's.  Super nice guy we are getting all our meat for pulte through him he gave us a 10% discount.  We told him we would put some flyer's out for him at the comp.  I'm guessing some of you guys know him already because he said a few teams have been in there before. 

[Mike (AZBarbeque)]

Tell him to contact me, we would love to have him on board as one of our great club sponsors..