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Costco vs. Sam's Pork Butt?

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cssmd27
cssmd27 Posts: 345
edited August 2012 in EggHead Forum
I know Sam's has the bone in it, but beyond that, do you have a preference? My history only extends to 1 from each store, so I haven't developed much of an opinion yet.
Dallas (University Park), Texas
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  • Buckdodger
    Buckdodger Posts: 957
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    Sam's club member here. Been getting my butt's and BB's from Sam's and have always gotten very good quality meat from them. Can't give an opinion on the quality of Costco but I would imagine it is good quality too!

    Opelika, Alabama
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  • smasch
    smasch Posts: 115
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    Costco has quality meat, but I prefer the bone in and Costco only sells bone out.  On the lighter side, I don't pay for the bone:-)   My last 2 butts I bought at Publix.   Reasonable price and quality meat.  
    Owner of LBGE, Antique Komodo Green in Color. Proud Career Firefighter. Johns Creek / South Forsyth GA
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  • tjcavitt
    tjcavitt Posts: 6
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    Both sell CHOICE meat versus SELECT which is what you find at most super markets at the same price. They both have good quality meat.
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  • tjv
    tjv Posts: 3,830
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    On pork butt, I prefer bone in....can always use the pull test on the bone to check doneness.  Almost all competition teams use bone-in butts.  Gotta figure, they are on top of what's best.  As mentioned Costco carries boneless, Sams carries bone-in.

    With ribs, I just check to make sure they are not injected with some salt solution.  Sometimes, Costco carries st. louis style ribs.   With Costco, I'm getting ribs with the membrane already removed.  It's a crap shoot with both whether the middle rib rack is any good or not.....

    For beef, my local costco carries choice and some prime.  Costco also carries tri tip which is a nice change from sirloin cuts.  Costco ribeyes seem to be consistently better with more marbling.  Sams on special weekends will pull out the show case cart where you can pick the ribeye from an assortment....that's nice if you only need one or two.

    On chicken, I just check to make sure they are Grade A birds.  Chicken is cheap and I find Grade A birds have better whole skin (no tears) for spatchcock grilling......

    I can't tell much difference on seafood between Costco and Sams.  

    Beer selection is about the same.....On wine, I'm a knucklehead so might as well be picking in a dark closet........lol

    t


    www.ceramicgrillstore.com ACGP, Inc.
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  • Buckdodger
    Buckdodger Posts: 957
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    IMHO I think the bone in butt cooks better. I did a small butt that I got from Winn-Dixie (5 # ) without the bone and the end of the meat was like rolled into the center. Did not care for the texture after it was done.

    Opelika, Alabama
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,749
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    i get more tasty bark with boneless butts, more surface area for rub.
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Aviator
    Aviator Posts: 1,757
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    I see mo betta butts walkin around at Sams than Costco.

    Just my 0.02$

    >:)

    ______________________________________________ 

    Large and Small BGE, Blackstone 36 and a baby black Kub.

    Chattanooga, TN.

     

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  • double
    double Posts: 1,214
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    Try asking the Costco butcher. I found out that our local Costco does carry bone in but they keep it in the back for restaurants as they prefer to sell a case at a time 4 butts in a case.
    Lynnwood WA
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  • Austin Egghead
    Austin Egghead Posts: 3,966
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    We have a Sams and a Costco within 5 miles of each other and I can't really tell the difference between the two.  Both only sell choice or prime (selected cuts) beef.  Both pork prices are within pennies of each other.  Major difference is bone in vs no bone.  Quality....no difference.
    My meat preference is Costco only because a former neighbor and a friend works for Costco in the meat department and I like knowing that the $$s I spend supports a friend's paycheck.  
    Large, small and mini now Egging in Rowlett Tx
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  • texbagger
    texbagger Posts: 90
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    My local Costco sells great meat and the Butts are bundled, 2 cyro packs, no bone. I use the temp probe to determine doneness and I pull the thing off at 195, no less.  Last cook was 14 hours, low and slow at 225 to 250.  I used salt lick rub on mustard, coated heavy with a great bark.  I actuallt took one into work for the team to snack on.  Bought a 2 pack of those small Hawaii rolls and man that pulled pork was a huge hit. I was the hero for the morning!  I'd try a sams but I dont have a membership over there anymore.  For my money Costco beats Sams in every way, 
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  • FanOfFanboys
    FanOfFanboys Posts: 2,615
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    tjcavitt said:
    Both sell CHOICE meat versus SELECT which is what you find at most super markets at the same price. They both have good quality meat.

    For the slower members of the forum, ya know the idiots who are newbs, can you rank, from worst to best, the cuts of meat?
    Boom
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
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    I had a BJ's membership and recently switched to Costco to try something different.  I was a little disappointed to see they only had the boneless butts.  I have cooked a pair of the boneless and they were pretty darn good.  The best butts I have ever done were bone-in from BJ's, but I certainly couldn't  state for sure it was "the bone" that gave them the edge :).  I would definitely do the Costco butts again.  I would suggest tying them up with butcher twine (I just use cotton twine from Ace hardware) as they tend to fall apart. 

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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  • MikeP624
    MikeP624 Posts: 292
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    Might have to start checking out Costco.  Buying from my local butcher (not a grocery store butcher) is gettting expensive.
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  • ShedFarm
    ShedFarm Posts: 499
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    Prime (best) > Choice > Select > Standard/Commercial > Utility/Cutter/Canner (worst)
    BJ (Powhatan, VA)
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  • FanOfFanboys
    FanOfFanboys Posts: 2,615
    edited August 2012
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    ShedFarm said:
    Prime (best) > Choice > Select > Standard/Commercial > Utility/Cutter/Canner (worst)

    Thanks! Now I just gotta remember choice over select
    Boom
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  • JOJayhawk
    JOJayhawk Posts: 27
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    Costco's in Overland Park Ks. always have bone in butts. 2 per package
    Overland Park, Kansas
    XL
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  • SteveWPBFL
    SteveWPBFL Posts: 1,327
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    It's gotten out of hand here with the Costco butts, my new social crutch. We use a tiewrap or two to keep them together. No waste. Twin pack fits on the Egg, very little waste. Almost no effort to prep. Put them on overnight then in the cooler, give half away. We are being worshipped by those we know!
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