Spares, Sams vs Costco

I've not done Costco, but the Sam's around here have IBP spares. I've been happy with them, you just have to watch because sometime the middle rib in the 3 pack is less then desirable, sometimes it's good though.

quote:

Originally posted by cal:
I've not done Costco, but the Sam's around here have IBP spares. I've been happy with them, you just have to watch because sometime the middle rib in the 3 pack is less then desirable, sometimes it's good though.

Like Cal I have not used the Costco ribs, but have repeatedly used the Sam's - and yeah many times the middle rack is smaller and has more shiner posibilities. Good meat tho. I just smoked 5 racks for my neighbor yesterday, they were great.

My bud brought me a pack of 3 spares and a section of rib-eye to butcher.

My first observations are:
Spares VERY inconstant size and quality I wonder if the packer was in a hurry. I'll be eating tomorrow.

Rib-eye was marked Angus, it seemed like a rush job here as well as there were bone fragments all over it. It also had a LOT more fat than I'm use to. Flavor good but unless side by side not better.

Checked prices at time of delivery and Costco was less on each item.

At this point I'll stay with Costco and not travel 125 miles each way for Sams.

I've had real good luck with Sam's spares and loin backs. Steaks have been real good. For a few cents/lb, I avoid the crowds at our Costco.

I was a Costco member since the mid 80s, always had one pretty close to me, until I moved to New Jersey. Still stayed with them though the drive was over 25 minutes each way. My wife's job uses a Sam's that's half a mile from her office. She finally convinced me to get a membership - she goes by the place twice a day, LOL. I miss some of the Costco branded stuff like their granola, and I always liked their electronics stuff more (tv), But Sam's is far closer and their meet always is really good - ribs, filet mignon, chicken, half salmons. And our Sam's is one of the few that has a liquor license (in Jersey that is rare for warehouse store to be able to sell liquor too).

So it's Sams. If we ever upgrade to a new tv I will likely reup my membership at Costco.

Travel time can be real important.Many comp cooks,as well as restaurants use Sam's.
The guarantee is typically replace the meat and give you your money back.On the circuit you usually can travel and find what you need.Sam's will let you go thru several cases and pick what you need.Many comp cooks buy the heavy 3-pak of spares and accept that you need to buy 4 to get 3.I've found that as good as about anybody in the pork business on a national basis.

3 or 4 major players are buying up all the labels in the country,so hard to know what you are getting.

An angus stamp can mean,the the calves' mother could have had 10% red,or black,angus.

The rest is supposed to be of 1/2 black in color-like many well known dairy cows.Maybe 25 yr old Longhorn crossbred bulls running the Mexican border wild and should have been ground for burgers?

Seems like Sam's is more likely to carry packers than Costco.

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Hope this helps a little.

the brand is more important than the retailer for me.

Agree, except we typically belong to one membership store not both (except the Pag's). So feedback on their meats could be of some value should one want to join a Sam's closer to home than a Costco.

I belong to both clubs. I & two others I know have gotten spoiled ribs from Costco. They refunded our money but it messed up our plans. When they were good I couldn't tell much difference except Costco removes the membranes and sometimes they were torn up a bit with tiny punch holes. I'm sure it's probably a local/delivery refrigeration issue for our Costco. I buy mine @ SAMs now. The big lesson learned is open the cryovacs up the day before in case you need to get something else to cook. SAMs here has packer briskets and other cuts Costco doesn't carry. Costco has Prime. SAMs will give you a one day pass (I think you pay 5% more on purchases).

Costco only sells choice or prime grade as opposed to Sam’s/Wal-Mart selling select grade. You’d expect to pay more for a better grade of meat, but their prices are comparable

I was going to say exactly what I think about Sam’s/Wal-Mart as the Corporate Welfare King as opposed to how Costco treats and pays their employees, but I think I’ll keep my mouth shut

My Sam's doesn't carry select, only choice. We've been satisfied with their meats. Agree that Costco has a larger selection.

My Costco doesn't sell Brisket and the Pork Butts are deboned. As they say, "all politics is local".