655781 Tue Sep 29 11:04:13 -0700 2009 20 3 California 0 5067114 Over the years, I've purchased steaks at Siesel's (before and after Cohns took over), Iowa Farms, Tip Top, Harvest Ranch, Costco and even Valley Farms Market in Spring Valley. All sell top quality, prime beefsteak and I've had varying degrees of success at each place. I've now purchase steaks three times at the butcher shop which is a part of Cowboy Star Restaurant downtown on 10th Ave., and I've got to say, the quality and consistency of their steaks is a distinct cut above all the others. I got a well-trimmed, bone-in ribeye that was the best I've ever tasted. Filet Mignons recently had great 'structure' (not flabby or rubbery) and taste. The wagyu hanger steak was also very special. They carry a small selection of other non-beef items, I remember seeing some chicken, but for special occasion steaks to prepare at home, I believe they're the best in town right now. Tue Sep 29 11:04:13 -0700 2009 38631 mcgrath 1 5067146 Have you ever picked up steaks from the Brandt Beef stand at a farmer's market? We see them at the La Mesa FM and have gotten the bavettes and the flatirons from them as well as ground beef that made excellent burgers. Tue Sep 29 11:13:19 -0700 2009 5067114 23771 JRSD 1 5067236 I'm in agreement with you regarding the steaks from C Star; try the bison rib eye sometime as well. Tue Sep 29 11:34:12 -0700 2009 5067114 31795 ibstatguy 2 5067322 I second your second. I have been very happy with the steaks I have gotten from Cowboy Star, the rib eyes are as perfect as I have seen out here. I still get a lot of my stuff from Siesel's because of proximity, although it seems like the flat irons haven't been as good as they used to be. Tue Sep 29 12:06:50 -0700 2009 5067236 91897 MrKrispy 2 5072578 I usually head into their butcher shop for Bison Ribeyes as well. Pretty good stuff, although a bit pricey but a nice treat for yourself. I picked up a prime NY from there once and it was very good but I believe at that time it was like $4 more per lb from Siesel's. I checked prices of aged prime Ribeyes too and they were a bit more expensive than Siesel's on that too which is nearing red line as is. That's getting pretty expensive, even for top of the line. If they'd bring thier prices back to Earth, I'd shop there much more often. They have Rabbit, Quall, Venison, ect, ect, definitely what I'm interested in. Thu Oct 01 11:24:08 -0700 2009 5067236 375533 mjill 1 5067328 I really like the steaks at Homegrown Meats in La Jolla. They're from cattle raised on pasture on Mt. Palomar. Pricey, but delicious. Whole Foods also has a line of grass-fed beef that is quite nice, though also expensive. Tue Sep 29 12:08:56 -0700 2009 5067114 10809 Josh 2 5069688 How pricey are we talking about, Josh? Say... for a flatiron or flank steak? Wed Sep 30 10:14:17 -0700 2009 5067328 93901 geekyfoodie 3 5070536 Flatirons are cheaper. They don't have them often, but those and hangar steaks go for around $10/lb. I think. The wild boar bacon is also fantastic, and somewhat more reasonable. Wed Sep 30 15:20:41 -0700 2009 5069688 10809 Josh 4 5120931 Do they have other cuts of wild boar or just the bacon? Wed Oct 21 15:39:04 -0700 2009 5070536 272034 The Office Goat 1 5067505 A little known place for some good steaks is Ibis Market in Mission Hills. You'd never know it by looking, but they dry age prime steaks on site. Their prime is cheaper than Whole Foods choice. They'll bring a slab out, cut the black off, and then cut your steak to order. Very limited selection, but good quality and prices. Caveat - haven't been there in a while, but assume it's still the same. Tue Sep 29 13:02:11 -0700 2009 5067114 43141 rotie77 1 5067518 What kind of prices are we talking about here for the ribeyes? Prime? Dry aged? I just bought a whole side of prime ribeye from costco, 18lbs, dry aged it, and cut it myself. But 18lbs is quite a bit. It was $6.99/lb and was well marbled. I'd love to be able to buy a few steaks to enjoy myself though, instead of having to age the whole side (which I do, and split with friends) EDIT:I Noticed Cowboy star sells aged, prime beef. I'm going to have to give this a try. Tue Sep 29 13:07:42 -0700 2009 5067114 148489 deeznuts 2 5067537 Don't recall exactly the price, but podnah, it ain't cheap! Tue Sep 29 13:15:02 -0700 2009 5067518 38631 mcgrath 3 5067548 I'll go ahead and give them a call (Cowboys, and Ibis). I don't mind paying for quality, but if it approaches restaurant price I might as well just eat there, good thing the lady loves steakhouses. She only likes filet, but hey, we can't win them all! EDIT: Btw, thanks for the heads up! Tue Sep 29 13:18:35 -0700 2009 5067537 148489 deeznuts 4 5068002 Last time I bought steaks at Ibis (2 years ago), the prime ribeye was $17.99 and the prime porterhouse was $18.99, IIRC. Tue Sep 29 17:34:37 -0700 2009 5067548 43141 rotie77 1 5072639 I like Iowa Meat Farms a great deal, but recently I have been purchasing the Prime Strip at Costco, it is fantastic. Thu Oct 01 11:43:07 -0700 2009 5067114 21396 normalheightsfoodie 2 5072677 2nd Costco, and most cuts are under $10.pp. Thu Oct 01 11:54:21 -0700 2009 5072639 149836 cstr 1 5163099 How much is it at Cowboy's compared to Costco? Would love to try it Sat Nov 07 07:38:37 -0800 2009 5067114 181707 royaljester 2 5167911 This is general and approximate, but I'd say you'll pay close to twice at C.S for the same cut of beef as you would at Costco Mon Nov 09 13:24:47 -0800 2009 5163099 38631 mcgrath 3 5169345 I havent been to Cowyboy star (it's on my list) but if I get prime ribeyes from costco for 7-10 bucks a pound. CS meat is dry aged so if I could get that for $20/lb I'm there asap. I need to give them a call already and ask their prices. Give them and Ibis a try. On a semi-related note I just had american wagyu at Cut ($100 for 12 oz) and color me non-impressed. Yeah the regular ribeye at mastros was better. Tue Nov 10 00:41:31 -0800 2009 5167911 148489 deeznuts 4 5171802 Agree with your assessment of the Amer. Wagyu at CUT. Had mine in the Vegas restaurant and it was sort of just there. On the other hand, the little bit of Japanese Wagyu I had there was delectable, and nearly worth the price. Tue Nov 10 21:01:53 -0800 2009 5169345 38631 mcgrath 3 5171338 Well that works for me, considering I'm obliged to get at least two steaks at Costco when I just want one. =) Tue Nov 10 17:05:58 -0800 2009 5167911 181707 royaljester