Today's Restaurant Depot Protein Run

SaintJohnsEgger

Got my KCBS card yesterday so made an RD run. Cut the Boston Butts in half so I have 4 at about 4lbs a piece and vacuum sealed them then into the freezer for later. The Brisket is 11.43 lbs and will be Saturday's cook. It was $3.18 a pound and the smallest that they had. It will be my first packer as I've only done a flat in the past. I'll be reading everything I can on brisket this evening and tomorrow but any tips will be appreciated.

Spaightlabs

Good luck on your adventure.  RD here always has CAB brisket, and though I  have not tried one, I hear good things.  Many people are saying good things.  Everyone agrees.

If you have a Costco nearby you can almost always find Prime packers. Last weekend they were $3.19 and I find the Prime experience to be be worth the extra $.01.  

Soak in all you can, don't freak out, the cow will tell you what to do, and the cow never lies.

GrateEggspectations

As for the brisket, I’m sure the real pros will be along to give you advice (paging @lousubcap), but you want to give it a good rub (1/4 cup coarse salt and 1/4 cup pepper per 12 lbs of brisket) and then smoke it until your internal temp (measured at the thickest part of the flat; don’t worry about the point) reads 190 or so. Then probe it intermittently until it feels “like buttah”. A lot of people cite 203 to be a temperature that coincides with the finish of a lot of briskets, but your true guide will be feel and not the internal temp. Once it hits the mark, FTC (wrap in aluminum foil, place within a towel and put it in a cooler). It will hold for a good 6 hours or so, when you’re ready, slice and serve. These are the broad strokes, though as I say, others will be along to give you better guidance. Enjoy the cook!

BGEChicago

Spaightlabs said:

Good luck on your adventure.  RD here always has CAB brisket, and though I  have not tried one, I hear good things.  Many people are saying good things.  Everyone agrees.

If you have a Costco nearby you can almost always find Prime packers. Last weekend they were $3.19 and I find the Prime experience to be be worth the extra $.01.  

Soak in all you can, don't freak out, the cow will tell you what to do, and the cow never lies.

Wow, prime packers at Costco for $3.19? Mine (in Oak Brook, IL) is charging $7.28 a pound....  I do have a RD account via KCBS. I'm heading there!

lousubcap

@SaintJohnsEgger If you want to get a great Cliff's Notes (could be pushing the age limit here) brisket summary the above from @GrateEggspectations hits the key points and is right on.

The only add I would offer is to only slice upon demand and then across the grain.  (BTW grain pattern goes around 90* sideways when you get to the point.)  The key thing to remember is that "The friggin cow drives the cook." Read and cook as many as you want and every cook is different.  The most fun cook you can have with the BGE for all the unplanned audibles that come along.  FWIW-

YEMTrey

I've bought some really good beef ribs at RD in the past as well.  Enjoy the haul!

Photo Egg

Some good grub in your future!