Why can't I find Tri-tip steak in Texas?

[HelloTiffy]

I'm from San Francisco, and tri-tip is a very common cut of steak. I had it all the time and it was my favorite. I moved to Austin, TX last July and right away I could not find it and I still have yet to see it. I see huge briskets at every store, and some say that's the closest I can get. Is this true and if I can get it, where can I get it? Thanks for your insight, I have had some great steak here but I miss tri-tip.

[Zacchh37]

I know your post is a few years old, but they have tri tip at the N. Lamar Central market right now. My wife is from San Diego and we have not had one since we moved back to Austin a year and a half ago and she was soooo happy I grilled one tonight!

[LakeLBJ]

I love cooking tri tip on the big green egg. What other way can you feed a group of 4 people steak for $8 to $10? Always a crowd pleaser because most Texans have never had it.

I buy it at HEB on East hwy 79 or Sprouts when they have it. I don't have a membership to Costco unfortunately.

[sweet100s]

Tri tip from the Big Green Egg was one of the best steaks I've ever had. My usual favorite is rib-eye, but tri tip gives a lot of delicious steaky flavor without all the fat that rib-eyes carry.

It is the perfect cut for making steak and spinach salad with leftovers.

[chascates]

The Poke-e-Jo's at Brodie Oaks Shopping Center (Lamar & Ben White) has started offering tri-tip BBQ on Sat. & Sun. And while 'hounds know it doesn't rank high for que I love their family pack which I get as 1-1/2 lbs. of turkey, then the 3 sides of jalapeno cornbread, baked potato casserole , and the green bean casserole--super comfort food. I think their sausage is excellent as well.

[choocho rodrigo]

I was in Olivia on south lamar earlier this week and ask the chef the same thing. He said they were already planning on running a tri-tip dish this friday until it runs out.

[Bat Guano]

Costco has it here, if you're a member there. Tri-tip roasts, too.

[RoxieB]

Central Market Westgate has it as well.

[barleybob9]

HEB, Randall's & Costco have it regularly.

[podunkboy]

I wasn't sure what the tri-tip was, so I went looking:
"I know a lot of people who complain about not being able to find this cut. In past almost all of it was shipped to California or ground for sirloin burger patties. With the recent interest however, you can find this cut in many places including the large shopping club stores like Costco and Sam's Club. If you have to, try calling around. It's a great cut of meat and worth the search."
Which might explain why you had no trouble finding in in San Francisco..you were probably getting all of Austin's tri-tips.
Tri-tip steaks are starting to show up in Wichita (generally vacuum packed), along with the flat-iron steaks, which I really love on the grill. You might have to check local butcher shops who do their own cutting, or try the club stores. Or have someone in SF ship you some.

[HelloTiffy]

Interesting, this is very helpful!

[scrumptiouschef]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/400682

I'd call up Longhorn Meat on MLK,they custom cut and will take your order over the phone and get it ready for pickup.