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Hi David, do you find the quality of Costco beef to be better than your local supermarket? If your local place has a sale on a particular cut, are you likely to buy that? Or does the quality of Costco meat trump price? I ask because I can usually find cheaper prices locally on NY's or ribeyes. (But maybe I'm missing out on quality.) Thanks.

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Great question! For beef, I trust USDA grades, and I rarely see USDA Prime for sale cheaper than what it is at Costco. But I’m also feeding my family, so I’m not always looking for top quality for every occasion. I definitely shop sales at my local grocery store, and rely on them when I can’t get to Costco, which is almost always a weekend destination only for me.

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Thanks for the insight. Agree about Prime. One follow-up (promise this is my last question) ... In your opinion, is Costco Prime quality worth the extra price vs. less expensive local market Choice beef for non-special occasions? If it's, say, a Saturday BBQ with friends, are you going A) Costco Prime, B) Costco Choice, C) sale-price supermarket Choice?

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Please keep the questions loving! On beef specifically, I really only buy at Costco for either a special occasion, or if I’m smoking a brisket. In either case I am going for Prime.

For steak night at home, I usually just do Choice from Giant (my nearest grocery store). They also have a line of grass fed steaks that are solid, too.

For a Saturday cookout with friends, I’m either cooking brisket (from Costco), smashburgers (80-20 from the grocery store), or a pork product.

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Thanks! Thought I might be missing out of something with Costco, but I basically do the same. Great info, and thanks for the tip on the brisket.

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Hey David,

I have a beef roast from Costco. I’m not sure what to do with it?! Do you have any suggestions? Feeding a family here!

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I am new to your site. What is the recipe for smash burgers? Thanks!

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I am new to your site. What is the recipe for smash burgers? Thanks!

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There is definitely Tri-tip regularly at Bay Area Costcos. probably do one every two or three weeks for our family.

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I wish that was the case for me. Costco out here sometimes has pre-marinated tri-tip. It does the job but isn’t as good as prepping myself!

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Do you ever find Plate Ribs at Costco? I've asked and my costco butcher never seems to have them

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I wish! Have never seen them there. I have purchased a bone-in ribeye roast and removed the bones myself to cook separately.

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I buy them at Costco Business in Las Vegas.

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I am jealous!

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