Prime Tri Tip

So I made the usual Friday pilgrimage to Costco with the wife and children in tow. First trip with the boys and the new little girl (Emma), so I'm sure I looked white trash fabulous. While browsing the cornucopia of fresh meat offerings I wandered to their Prime graded beef section. To my delight there was a plethora of Tri Tip 2 packs available for my grilling pleasure. Being the frugal type (see above, 3 kids), I initially recoiled at the $8.99/lb expense. Never having indulged in such a treat, my desire overtook my cheapness. I egged my nearly $40 haul of Tri Tip this afternoon. Used a now defunct rub 'Rattlesteak', a Santa Maria style. Seared for 2 minutes a side then inserted my platesetter and a chunk of Oak. Didn't wait long to throw the meat on, but at such a high temp, the smoke usually tastes fine. Let them roast at about 400 for 35 minutes. Pulled at 135-140 internal (children and wife dislike rare meat, and I am fine eating medium/medium-well).

I consider myself a decent tri tip cook. I probably grill 60+ a year for the past decade, and watched my father grill hundreds on the ol weber. Yet this was the best tri tip I have ever eaten. It speaks to the heights that can be reached by starting with an excellent cut of meat. These tri tips were extremely marbled and had a practically 'spongey' feel to them when uncooked. The meat was very limber when I took it out of the package. It was throughly enjoyed by the whole family, and out of 4lbs, what remains in the picture is all that I have left over for sandwiches. Makes me sad because I will never feel like I did before when I pick up a good looking 'choice' grade tri tip.