349139 Thu Dec 07 19:06:43 -0800 2006 10 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 2079128 I can't believe I never found out when I lived back there. What are steak tips, or is that like asking what's in a hot dog? Thu Dec 07 19:06:43 -0800 2006 55994 Willy3000 1 2079760 They were "sirloin tips" at one time, and still are in many places. My understanding is that they're cut from the upper part of the sirloin, near where it joins the short loin, so they're something like a cut-up sirloin steak. If they're just marketed as "steak tips" I guess they could come from anywhere. Thu Dec 07 21:31:06 -0800 2006 2079128 10207 FlyFish 1 2080192 I've only heard of steak tips in New England. Is it national or mostly regional? Thu Dec 07 23:27:34 -0800 2006 2079128 14412 wontonton 2 2081155 Okay - after reading what you posted about what you think of Boston restaurants - I know you're not shy. I think you said you lived in Boston for 11 years. It's a regional cut of meat, and sirloin steak tips were sold in every store in the butcher department (not a mystery meat). It's like somebody asking about the delicious Chicago tri-tip - regional - but just curious why you would compare a cut of beef to a hot dog? Fri Dec 08 07:17:13 -0800 2006 2080381 10271 Rubee 3 2081240 "Steak tips" sounds like mystery meat to me. The comparison to hot dogs was sardonic, as in who the hell knows what's in a hot dog anyway? Fri Dec 08 10:07:53 -0800 2006 2081155 55994 Willy3000 3 2081243 I'm just guessing, but to me it implied that when a cut of meat is labeled "tips" it implies a mystery meat mashup. After all, why doesn't the name tell us where its really coming from?! Its ambiguous, and thus open to the most negative interpretation. Is it jumbled scraps? Also... it could be from different cuts. Others have mentioned sirloin tips and I was thinking of filet tips. Fri Dec 08 10:17:20 -0800 2006 2081155 57506 krushdnasty 1 2080235 got them in canada.. or at least where i live. not the nicest cut of steak, i usually only use them cut up in stews or in strips for stir fry Thu Dec 07 23:41:41 -0800 2006 2079128 52894 RiJaAr 1 2081241 So these are not tips of beef filet? I use them (and have generally refered to them as "beef tips") for classic stroganoff, or a quick version of the Cantonese dish "Chinese Sizzling Beef" Usually you can get them *relatively* cheap, or reserve the tip area from the purchase of bulk filet of beef. So... is this particular item refering only to sirloin tips, or also to filet tips? Fri Dec 08 10:11:45 -0800 2006 2079128 57506 krushdnasty 1 2082807 so comparing a steak tip to a hot dog? ok, steak tips are just another cut of meat, like ribeye, or new york, or sirloin, they're just a cut of steak Fri Dec 08 20:43:44 -0800 2006 2079128 52894 RiJaAr 1 2082868 They're a regional thing. Locally, they're sirloin steak tips, or 'tips' or kabobs cut from sirloin 'flap'. From your other Boston posts, I assume that is what you mean by 'back there' in your question. Sorry, I guess I was confused as to how living in Massachusetts for years, this was a mystery as to what it's made of. Anyways, here's some info: Every grocery store has them in the meat case or butcher counter labeled "sirloin tips" whole in strips, or cut. I'm trying to find a picture. They're always grilled. In restaurants, it's usually served as marinated chunks of steak, old-school is over rice pilaf. Here's one article on flap: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/03/16/FDG2BBNBS01.DTL I guess the closest pic I can find is from that article - steak tips would be this, cut into kabobs instead of sliced: http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2005/03/16/fd_flapmeat_2.jpg Found a pic of what they look like whole in strips: http://www.cbef.com/products/Prod_Beef_Sirloin_185A.htm Oh, and if anyone is interested, the best tips are found at a Chowhound spot called New Bridge in Chelsea. :) http://www.hiddenboston.com/BostonRestaurantBlog91005.html#NewBridge Fri Dec 08 21:02:35 -0800 2006 2079128 10271 Rubee 1 2083009 My steak tips are: - Buy a good quality cut for two - Season well with salt and pepper - Get a grill good and hot - Cook it perfectly MR for me and Med for DW - Grab some onion rings, a good ballgame, a really comfy sofa - Relax with DW AND ENJOY Fri Dec 08 21:36:42 -0800 2006 2079128 11290 jfood