Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Berkshire Pork

JT272929
JT272929 Posts: 106
in EggHead Forum
Has anyone tried this? Didn't realize they were out of Des Moines until I drove by their office yesterday.

West Des Moines, IA. Pit Boss K24, Anova Sous Vide, Maverick 733, BBQ Guru Party Q, Looftlighter

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Past forum posts show it to be fantastic.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spaightlabs
    Spaightlabs Posts: 2,349
    Berkshire Pork comes from a breed of hog not an individual supplier...

    Kinda like Angus or Wagyu...lots of suppliers, one breed.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    Berkwood Farms?
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dstearn
    dstearn Posts: 1,705
    JT272929 said:
    Has anyone tried this? Didn't realize they were out of Des Moines until I drove by their office yesterday.
    I normally cook Compac Duroc. I just smoked two slabs of Berkshire for the first time as we now have a new local butcher that sells Berkshire.
    I would say that it is equal to Compac Duroc.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JT272929
    JT272929 Posts: 106
    Yes Berkwood Farms to be exact, sorry about the confusion

    West Des Moines, IA. Pit Boss K24, Anova Sous Vide, Maverick 733, BBQ Guru Party Q, Looftlighter

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited November 2016
    Nothing compares, it's the only belly I use.  I've had their jowl, spares and pork chops.  Even their stadium dogs for the Cyclones are awesome.

    Good people, who take pride in producing a great product.



    Some of their new jalapeno bacon, good stuff. Nick gave me this 8lbs for free, before he released it.  I'm sure it's the fattier scraps that don't meet qc to package, but I like my bacon that way.

    You simply cannot go wrong, with anything from BF.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    @Focker our youngest is a freshman at ISU. Dee is going to get her Friday. Can we get the goods at HyVee or do you have to go to the farm?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited November 2016
    Yeah, they should have their "Uncured" bacon, home field franks, maybe a few other items at Hy Vee. If you want a cut, call Nick ahead if time.  You can pick it up at their office.  It should be frozen for ya to travel.
    http://betterpork.com/contact-us/

    May not hurt to call one of the Hy Vees on the route to see exactly what they have to offer.

    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Focker said:
    Yeah, they should have their "Uncured" bacon, home field franks, maybe a few other items at Hy Vee. If you want a cut, call Nick ahead if time.  You can pick it up at their office.  It should be frozen for ya to travel.
    http://betterpork.com/contact-us/

    May not hurt to call one of the Hy Vees on the route to see exactly what they have to offer.

    Thanks Brandon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    pgprescott said:
    Focker said:
    Yeah, they should have their "Uncured" bacon, home field franks, maybe a few other items at Hy Vee. If you want a cut, call Nick ahead if time.  You can pick it up at their office.  It should be frozen for ya to travel.
    http://betterpork.com/contact-us/

    May not hurt to call one of the Hy Vees on the route to see exactly what they have to offer.

    Thanks Brandon
    No problem, Nick will take good care of ya, great guy.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited November 2016
    @pgprescott,
    Pete, looks like Fareway in Ames carries Berkwood too.
    http://betterpork.com/retail-locations/
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Focker said:
    @pgprescott,
    Pete, looks like Fareway in Ames carries Berkwood too.
    http://betterpork.com/retail-locations/
    Excellent. I will see how much cooperation I can push for. Fareway is definitely doable. Running into Des Moines is pushing it. Ha ha. If I was going it wouldn't be a big deal, but she won't like driving over there. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    pgprescott said:
    Focker said:
    @pgprescott,
    Pete, looks like Fareway in Ames carries Berkwood too.
    http://betterpork.com/retail-locations/
    Excellent. I will see how much cooperation I can push for. Fareway is definitely doable. Running into Des Moines is pushing it. Ha ha. If I was going it wouldn't be a big deal, but she won't like driving over there. 
    I hear ya. I hate city driving too, when we're spoiled here with little to no traffic.  Ames would be a good option.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JT272929
    JT272929 Posts: 106
    pgprescott said:
    Focker said:
    @pgprescott,
    Pete, looks like Fareway in Ames carries Berkwood too.
    http://betterpork.com/retail-locations/
    Excellent. I will see how much cooperation I can push for. Fareway is definitely doable. Running into Des Moines is pushing it. Ha ha. If I was going it wouldn't be a big deal, but she won't like driving over there. 

    If you can get some time it is on the very north side of Des Moines, almost to Ankeny. Actually if you just take Duff in Ames and head south for 20 min you will be there :).

    West Des Moines, IA. Pit Boss K24, Anova Sous Vide, Maverick 733, BBQ Guru Party Q, Looftlighter

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    JT272929 said:
    pgprescott said:
    Focker said:
    @pgprescott,
    Pete, looks like Fareway in Ames carries Berkwood too.
    http://betterpork.com/retail-locations/
    Excellent. I will see how much cooperation I can push for. Fareway is definitely doable. Running into Des Moines is pushing it. Ha ha. If I was going it wouldn't be a big deal, but she won't like driving over there. 

    If you can get some time it is on the very north side of Des Moines, almost to Ankeny. Actually if you just take Duff in Ames and head south for 20 min you will be there :).
    That sounds really easy. Very familiar with Duff. Thanks both of you. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Hey, you guys tried Hickory Park? Is it worth the wait? Every time we have gone by there they are waiting outside in Ames. The place is huge. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JT272929
    JT272929 Posts: 106

    Is it the best bbq? No. But it is part of the experience of Ames, and the portions are huge! Good cheap food, and the line moves super fast. Give it a try.

    West Des Moines, IA. Pit Boss K24, Anova Sous Vide, Maverick 733, BBQ Guru Party Q, Looftlighter

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    I've been by 1/2 hour after they opened and there was a line. Printing money! When I say huge place, they must seat 500?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mikeymise
    Mikeymise Posts: 53
    I've been able to get Berkshire pork the last two years in MA.  Worlds apart from supermarket pork.  Visible marbling, no flare ups while grilling, and incredible flavor.  We like them just a tad underdone.  Rib chops are $12lb.  If you can get them locally (not frozen and shipped), you will be amazed.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dldawes1
    dldawes1 Posts: 2,208
    Walhill Farm in Batesville, IN is a great restaurant that specializes in Berkshire Pork from their farm.

    Good stuff.

    Donnie Dawes - RNNL8 BBQ - Carrollton, KY  

    TWIN XLBGEs, 1-Beautiful wife, 1 XS Yorkie

    I'm keeping serious from now on...no more joking around from me...Meatheads !! 


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JT272929
    JT272929 Posts: 106
    pgprescott said:
    I've been by 1/2 hour after they opened and there was a line. Printing money! When I say huge place, they must seat 500?


    Yes, they seat a ton of people in there, and like I said they move quickly so the line moves quickly. My buddy worked in multiple restaurants and said there was no comparison to the assembly line in that place. Here is a pic of what I usually get there, the Hot Beef. Keep in Mind the metal plate is probably 18" around and this is like $8.

    West Des Moines, IA. Pit Boss K24, Anova Sous Vide, Maverick 733, BBQ Guru Party Q, Looftlighter

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    JT272929 said:
    pgprescott said:
    I've been by 1/2 hour after they opened and there was a line. Printing money! When I say huge place, they must seat 500?


    Yes, they seat a ton of people in there, and like I said they move quickly so the line moves quickly. My buddy worked in multiple restaurants and said there was no comparison to the assembly line in that place. Here is a pic of what I usually get there, the Hot Beef. Keep in Mind the metal plate is probably 18" around and this is like $8.

    Man, love me some hot beef, and the IA prices and portions.  

    That looks cold winter day wonderful.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mikeymise
    Mikeymise Posts: 53
    Before relocating to MA, our local Whole Foods carried Niman Ranch bone-in rib pork chops.  Fantastic flavor.  Never bought supermarket pork after that.  As good as the Berkshire.  Meat mgr told me they were grade B, but always well trimmed and excellent appearance.  I guess the high end restaurants got the A grades.  So, if you have WF nearby, ask where the pork is from, and enjoy.  You will never eat supermarket pork again.  I'm eyeballing the Snake River Farms heritage pork chops, but they're like $14ea for a 5oz. chop. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Well, I procrastinated and missed out on the belly and osso bucco, but i have a couple BB slabs and a couple butts being picked up tomorrow. Yippy!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    I guess they cut stuff on Tuesday. FYI
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    AWESOME!!!!!
    You can't go wrong with anything from Berkwood.
    Enjoy my friend.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JT272929
    JT272929 Posts: 106
    let us know!!!!

    West Des Moines, IA. Pit Boss K24, Anova Sous Vide, Maverick 733, BBQ Guru Party Q, Looftlighter

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    I'm pretty psyched. I only wish I had called earlier in the week and gotten a bigger haul. Oh well, with the kid just a freshman over there I will have ample opportunity. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited November 2016
    pgprescott said:
    I'm pretty psyched. I only wish I had called earlier in the week and gotten a bigger haul. Oh well, with the kid just a freshman over there I will have ample opportunity. 
    That's a good first haul Pete.
    Those spares above, were the best I have ever done.  And I don't think it was because of the KBQ.

    I forgot their kill/cut day.  Thanks for posting that.

    Did you talk to Nick?  Tina maybe?
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Focker said:
    pgprescott said:
    I'm pretty psyched. I only wish I had called earlier in the week and gotten a bigger haul. Oh well, with the kid just a freshman over there I will have ample opportunity. 
    That's a good first haul Pete.
    Those spares above, were the best I have ever done.  And I don't think it was because of the KBQ.

    I forgot their kill/cut day.  Thanks for posting that.

    Did you talk to Nick?  Tina maybe?
    Nick. Told him you referred me. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories