best place to buy corned beef? (a market, not a restaurant).

[bella_sarda]

I work downtown and live in Cambridge/Somerville. Does Savenor's have it? thx.

[yumyum]

The Shaws off McGrath highway in Somerville has every kind and cut you need.

I posted about the dinner I hosted last night over on Homecooking.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/602951

[itaunas]

Johnnie's and McKinnon's both should have gray corned beef and ribs probably from Boston Brisket Company (I have the Johnnie's flyer and gray is $2.99/lb, they have point cut red for $1.59/lb, and low sodium for $2.99). Market Basket I believe has Pearl Gray corned beef, they might have more options now, plus usually have really inexpensive red from carando or someone. S&S in Medford at least had a bunch of gray briskets (flat cut) too, but I didn't see what other options they had. Savenors has got to have something, but not certain the advantage of shopping there of one of the grocery stores since there are relatively local products available.

[sinned61]

The best available is at Lucci's Supermarket in Wilmington. They have it every day of the year, and they corn thier own just like I do.

[buffet king]

I bought a Hummel Bros. low sodium flat cut brisket at S&S in Medford yesterday. It's on sale with the S&S card for $2.59 a pound normally $4.49 a pound. I have never bought Hummel Bros. brand before. I used to buy low sodium Brookfield flat cut corned beef brisket but S&S doesn't carry that brand anymore. I read online that Brookfield was bought out by Westin Foods from Nebraska. Hummel Bros. is made in New Haven CT. S&S in Medford also had Nathan's and Colorado Premium corned beef briskets.

[rlh]

The sample of Wilson Farms own in Lexington yesterday was delicious - and they also have Boar's Head.

[9lives]

If you go early and ask nicely, Sam LaGrassa's on Province St will sell in bulk..but don't tell anyone..:)

[Science Chick]

Pretty certain I saw Trader Joes tauting a corned beef. Don't know cut details, though.

[Chris VR]

I don't know cuts, but i bought that TJs corned beef (pink style, $4.99 a pound, I think) and had it for dinner last night. Very good.

[Karl S]

What kind do you want? Traditional New England gray corned beef? Or the pink kind the rest of the country prefers?

The New England style tastes beefier.

Market Basket would be the go-to for it, or Johnnie's Foodmaster - in other words, local chains that know to do things the local way. Individual butchers might do so, but if price matters, you'd want to compare.

[macca]

I got mine at Johnnies (gray of course), and also bought some of their corned ribs, though they don't like they were conred for too long. I know Johnnies in melrose does their own beef and ribs.

[Allstonian]

Whole Foods corns their own, and it's quite good.

[bella_sarda]

Excellent tips, thanks. I may do an upscale/downscale comparison, checking out both Whole Foods and Johnnie's. I'm pretty ignorant about corned beef (despite being Irish-American and generally into food), and I didn't know about the gray kind. I will definitely try it. thanks!! I have no idea why, but we didn't eat corned beef growing up in my family.

[janzy]

Instead of the large super markets why don't you try a few small local butcher shops.
There are 2 that I use for grey corned beef and corned spare ribs.
One of them is in South Boston. It's Joseph Bros. Market at the corner of K st and 8th.
The other one is in Dorchester.
It's the Dorchester Market and called Gene and Paul's by the locals. They are located at the corner of East Cottage and Dorchester Ave.
Both carry great corned beef that they corn themselves.

[southie_chick]

Bell's Market in Southie on Dorchester Street also does corned spare ribs & corned beef that they make themselves, as well as home made pickles. They do also sell the ribs cooked for lunch specials ocasionally.

[itaunas]

BTW, I know there has been some discussion from local hounds about comparing cures/cuts here and on other boards. Johnnie's in Arlington has some point cut brisket for $.99/lb, both in grey and red. Looked like the trimmings from whole briskets and wouldn't win any beauty contests, but of the economic minded experimenter might serve... Or wait until next weeks circulars come out because all corned beef will be on sale soon.

[fragolino]

You can buy some a Michael's Deli in Brookline. I don't know where he gets it from, but it's fantastic.

[BobB]

He brings it in from somewhere in New York. I agree, it's wonderful stuff, but I get the impression that the OP is looking for meat that (s)he can cook at home, like for corned beef & cabbage dinner.

[batesbc6378]

McKinnon's has both the grey and red cured on sale now for $ 2.49 per pound.

[redbird]

Henry's Market in Beverly. They cure their own and have both the gray and red varieties. Wouldn't buy it anywhere else.

[donpaul]

if this is for a st. Patricks Day dinner, I recommend using Irish boiling bacon instead. Corned beef is not used in Ireland. The Lucky Shamrock on beale street in quincy has it frozen.