Costco prime filet versus a local butcher

Prime fillets are not head and shoulders above choice fillets, much less Prime vs Prime. Just not enough marbling to make a big difference. Get the cheaper one.

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Costco blade tenderizes their meat

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True for most cuts but I don't believe they blade tenderize their filets.

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I believe they only blade tenderize their pre-cut steaks, not the whole loins

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Correct, they blade tenderize the cut steaks on the plastic/styrofoam, not the whole sub primals that are cryovac'd.

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Would a place like McCord's butcher in Metairie be head and shoulders better ?

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I'm not familiar with McCords, but unless they are getting some specially raised cow, then it's going to be the same product and there will be no difference. I would absolutely purchase the one that has the best price, as long as the grades are the same.


Prime Costco vs Prime McCords = should be the same (unless one just doesn't have a good brand of beef, but I'm not aware of either).

Prime Costco vs Choice McCords = Prime will always be better, but there's nothing wrong with choice and I would pick the better price.

Prime Costco vs Select McCords = Prime 100%.

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Prime Costco vs Choice McCords = Prime will always be better, but there's nothing wrong with choice and I would pick the better price.

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This isn’t specific based on these two.

But prime isn’t always necessarily the better cut. The whole cow is graded as “prime” or “choice” so any meat that comes off that cow gets that grade. You can get sometimes get some pieces of “prime” that aren’t as good and some pieces of “choice” that are outstanding.

It’s always better to actually look at the meat instead of getting hung up on prime vs choice.

One caveat, overall “prine” is more consistent, while “choice” can vary widely (better or worse) than standard “choice”.

I’m not arguing. Just clarifying. Nothing I said was untrue. And it’s pretty much the absolute basics of meat grading. It’s not like we arguing over YG vs. its QG

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Prime fillets are not head and shoulders above choice fillets, much less Prime vs Prime. Just not enough marbling to make a big difference. Get the cheaper one.

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I've had butchers tell me the same thing.

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I'm not familiar with McCords, but unless they are getting some specially raised cow,

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He’s got a very nice meat selection and lots of other non meat items. Pretty awesome place.
He sometimes gets the real A5 Wagyu and its expensive as all he’ll.