Source for Brisket

[bakerboyz]

So I will be attempting my first Texas BBQ Brisket this weekend on my newly acquired Big Green Egg and I am looking for a source for a flat cut brisket, 6-7 lbs with 1/2" of fat on top. I went to Sudbury Farms and the briskets they have are rather small and do not have much fat on them. When I asked them if they could get what I needed they said that they all come in that way. Any suggestions for a local supermarket or butcher? I am sure that John Dewar could do it but I don't want to overpay for a brisket. I went to Restaurant Depot but their briskets are roughly 14 lbs and did not look to be flat cuts.

[Gabatta]

Call Fresh Pond Market in the morning and tell them exactly what you want. Pick it up that afternoon.

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Fresh Pond Market
360 Huron Ave, B Cambridge, MA

[CookieLee]

I've had good luck with the brisket flats from Roche Bros. They have a nice amount of fat.

[PaulB]

My local Star Market (Brighton) has a butcher on duty and will cut a brisket flat that meets your description, imagine other Star Markets would too. Good luck with your first brisket, it's a challenging cut and one I have yet to master on the smoker!!

[rshock]

I have always gotten mine at Market Basket in Burlington. I've never had to order them. Each time, I've wanted and asked for whole brisket (Flat & Point), but they seem to get just the Flat from their distributor. Some times they charge me $3.99/lb since it is just the flat cut. Occasionally they will only charge me 2.99/lb which is their price for the whole brisket, which is what I asked for, even though they don't stock it.

They have always been delicious!

[bakerboyz]

Thank you all. Called Meat House, they could do it but at $6.99 lb; Then called Market Basket in Burlington, they also would do it for $3.99 lb though they had none on hand. Ordered it from Market Basket for Friday.

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The Meat House
1285 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446

[LStaff]

Costco or BJ's.

[ladybugthepug]

+1 on BJ's. Unless you have a butcher that you have a good relationship with, chances are you're going to get one of the what few large briskets they have. I know a lot of people want to look down on the wholesale warehouses, but they sell so much of the stuff that it turns over very fast. The stuff is fresh, inexpensive, and you can pick the one you want. The kill dates are very recent on these things. Unless you're a grass fed, locally sourced person - this is the way to go.

[Jenny Ondioline]

I like the meat options at BJs but honestly, their briskets are overtrimmed and not useful for a slow smoke. I only use BJs brisket for high-heat (325-ish) quick smokes.

[cherrytomato]

I agree Costco or Bj's is a great idea. Whole Foods though has never let me down in terms of their brisket quality.

[emannths]

A few years old now, but here are some suggestions: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/429293

I'd call McKinnon's in Davis if they're convenient to you. I'd guess you'd pay about $3.50/lb there. You could also give Market Basket (who advertises that they'll do special orders/cuts) and Costco (if you're a member) a call. Oh, and Wegman's too--maybe it'll be a good excuse to drive out there.

The Restaurant Depot briskets are almost certainly whole briskets, meaning they're flat+point. I don't know how the point does as BBQ, but I've used it for corned beef and other than being a little more awkward to carve, it's plenty tasty. If the RD ones are cheap enough, it might be worth it to just buy the the whole brisket and butcher it yourself. Lots more info on whole briskets and prepping them here: http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/bri...

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McKinnon's Meat Market
239 Elm St, Somerville, MA

[teezeetoo]

i prefer kosher brisket so i do pay the price at the Butcherie and they are always excellent.

[nsenada]

RD briskets are great - it's pretty easy to separate the "point" part. Blood Farm has them, too.

[Jenny Ondioline]

Always call ahead a couple days and reserve a brisket if you want to get it from Blood Farm. I have never been able to just walk in and ask for a brisket, and I've tried multiple times when I've gone in for other things.

[nsenada]

Good point, though I went twice and was able to impulse buy briskets on both occasions. I will also note that they didn't smoke as well as the RD ones, probably due to their relative leanness.

[BobB]

They usually have them at The Butcherie in Brookline, but that's a kosher market so you'll pay a premium. I've occasionally seen them at my local Star (Packard's Corner in Allston) but not always.

You might try The Meat House, they have very good quality meats and while more expensive than a regular supermarket, they're not as high as Dewar's. And they will cut to order. There are a half-dozen or so locations around the area.

http://www.themeathouse.com/locations...

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The Meat House
1285 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446