where to buy whole brisket in L.A.?

[LoRezSkyline]

so i'm planning on smoking my first brisket for the 4th, and i'm trying to find a flat cut brisket around at least 7-10 lbs. so it won't dry out during the cooking process! problem is, the people at the meat depts. of all the local supermarkets i've been calling around to have either barely spoken a word of english (jon's), been a 16-year-old incompetent kid without the patience to help me (ralph's) or only sell smaller pre-cut pieces of brisket around 2-3 lbs. (von's) that i know will end up tasting like dried-out beef jerky (blech...) after 8 hours on the grill. can anyone help? i've not called mayfair and whole foods yet, as i was hoping to avoid paying through the nose for it - but at this point, i just want to find a decent-sized cut of meat...

thank you in advance!!!

[mc michael]

The key thing for smoking is that you want the fat cap on the brisket (don't let them do you a "favor" and cut it off). You place this up on the grill while smoking. No fat cap, no purchase, regardless of price.

[JAB]

Agreed. Self basting!

[Burger Boy]

Try Hows in North Hollywood, Smart & Final or Cost Co. I thonk Jetro & Restaurant Depot both require a Business License or Resale #.

[Professor Salt]

I'll also second Smart & Final. They normally have the "packer cut," a slab that contains both the leaner flat, and the fattier point cuts.

The Costcos near me usually sell flats only. Only occasionally will I see the brisket sold in its entirety. YMMV.

chef74 also has good suggestions. I normally buy the USDA Choice grade Angus briskets at Restaurant Depot (wholesale only, tho). If they carry it at Jetro, you'll be in good shape.

[nosh]

Another rec for the whole brisket in the cryovac bag at Smart & Final. May be more than you need with the flat and the point sections, but the price is right -- if I remember correctly well under $2/lb. Sure there is a lot of fat and waste, but the quarter-inch trim that the supers advertise is useless for a long-cooked brisket.

[JAB]

I have had good luck at Smart& Final for briskets and pork butt/shoulder. By the way, good luck. 1 hr. per lb. at about 180 degrees and you'll be golden.

[chef74]

costco actually has a really good meat department - they have large briskets there. Or you can try "jetro" it is the cash and carry side of restaurant depot. (you need a business licence to get into rest. depot, but I believe that the general public can shop at jetro - it is on Jefferson just east of hauser)
You can always try Harvey Guss's Meats - maybe a bit more expensive than the other 2, a specialty butcher who sells to restaurants, but I think that the public can buy from him, too.