Meat Markets

[Gaspar]

Not sure if this belongs here but I stopped by Perry's today. Walked in, and within 5 mins, walked out. Not very clean, and the meat counter is just not interesting. Seen better meat selection at Reasors and deli counter way better at Siegis. I don't get the appeal I guess.

Perrys has great meat.  They are very "no frills" in fact if you hum and haw for too long they will just skip you and move on to the next customer.  They're an old fashioned meat market, and they don't jack up their prices.  We buy most of our pork and brisket there.  The key is that they know how to buy their meat.  Their pork shoulders are always well marbled and pale (never buy pink pork) their briskets and other cuts of meat are mostly "left handed" (briskets from the right side of the cow are tough because cattle are typically right dominant). Most of the beef you get in the grocery store is going to be right handed because the meat markets try to buy the left sides first.

A lot of what they have is from the same suppliers that the grocery chains buy from but Perry's chooses each cut, side, and cryo pac, and if it doesn't look good they won't buy it or they'll send it back.

Give them another try, don't expect fancy, just good.

[Conan71]

Perrys has great meat.  They are very "no frills" in fact if you hum and haw for too long they will just skip you and move on to the next customer.  They're an old fashioned meat market, and they don't jack up their prices.  We buy most of our pork and brisket there.  The key is that they know how to buy their meat.  Their pork shoulders are always well marbled and pale (never buy pink pork) their briskets and other cuts of meat are mostly "left handed" (briskets from the right side of the cow are tough because cattle are typically right dominant). Most of the beef you get in the grocery store is going to be right handed because the meat markets try to buy the left sides first.

A lot of what they have is from the same suppliers that the grocery chains buy from but Perry's chooses each cut, side, and cryo pac, and if it doesn't look good they won't buy it or they'll send it back.

Give them another try, don't expect fancy, just good.

Meat snob.

Guido- I suspect they will sell you whatever you want and whatever quantities you need.  I don't usually buy in bulk unless I find a great deal on ribs or a whole loin then I'll cut some chops and roasts and vac pack them at home before freezing.

[erfalf]

Having lived in the Big D for a stretch, I miss Central Market. I lived close to one and the meat counter there was unbelievable and packed all day. That place emptied your pockets faster than Whole Foods, but it made WF look like Reasor's in comparison.

An interesting thing about grocers in Texas, they seem to have several brands within each firms family. We often went to a Tom Thumb, which is a slightly upscale Safeway I believe. Central Market is an HEB entity. Just an observation. Maybe just due to the diversity in income levels in a metro area that big. But it would be neat to see someone like Reasor's come out with a concept along those lines.

[Townsend]

Perrys has great meat.  They are very "no frills" in fact if you hum and haw for too long they will just skip you and move on to the next customer.  They're an old fashioned meat market, and they don't jack up their prices.  We buy most of our pork and brisket there.  The key is that they know how to buy their meat.  Their pork shoulders are always well marbled and pale (never buy pink pork) their briskets and other cuts of meat are mostly "left handed" (briskets from the right side of the cow are tough because cattle are typically right dominant). Most of the beef you get in the grocery store is going to be right handed because the meat markets try to buy the left sides first.

A lot of what they have is from the same suppliers that the grocery chains buy from but Perry's chooses each cut, side, and cryo pac, and if it doesn't look good they won't buy it or they'll send it back.

Give them another try, don't expect fancy, just good.

What do they put in pork for the pink color?  Is it to hide age?

[Hoss]

Having lived in the Big D for a stretch, I miss Central Market. I lived close to one and the meat counter there was unbelievable and packed all day. That place emptied your pockets faster than Whole Foods, but it made WF look like Reasor's in comparison.

An interesting thing about grocers in Texas, they seem to have several brands within each firms family. We often went to a Tom Thumb, which is a slightly upscale Safeway I believe. Central Market is an HEB entity. Just an observation. Maybe just due to the diversity in income levels in a metro area that big. But it would be neat to see someone like Reasor's come out with a concept along those lines.

The Houston metro area had Randall's.  I think they no longer exist, or at least not as many they used to have.  But Randall's there was like Reasor's here.  A lot of stuff, but you paid higher prices than say, Kroger's, which was big there then too.  This was before WM got big into being a grocery store.  I did like Kroger though.  I almost wish they'd bring one here.

[Townsend]

 I did like Kroger though.  I almost wish they'd bring one here.

There's a Kroger owned store in Sierra Vista, AZ named Fry's.  I want that exact store brought here...with the same laws that allow it to have wines and cold "heavy" beers.

[Conan71]

Having lived in the Big D for a stretch, I miss Central Market. I lived close to one and the meat counter there was unbelievable and packed all day. That place emptied your pockets faster than Whole Foods, but it made WF look like Reasor's in comparison.

An interesting thing about grocers in Texas, they seem to have several brands within each firms family. We often went to a Tom Thumb, which is a slightly upscale Safeway I believe. Central Market is an HEB entity. Just an observation. Maybe just due to the diversity in income levels in a metro area that big. But it would be neat to see someone like Reasor's come out with a concept along those lines.

I make it a point to go to the Market Street in Wichita Falls when my wife and I do the Hotter 'N' Hell century ride there every August.  Very, very neat layout and they have a deli area very similar to Whole Paycheck.

And, of course, a nice wine selection.  Something I don't think we will ever see in Oklahoma grocery stores.

[Gaspar]

What do they put in pork for the pink color?  Is it to hide age?

Potassium salts.  Injecting potassium chloride solution gives meat a nice healthy pink color and plumps it up signifigantly.  A 1lb slab of meat can weigh as much as 1 1/2 lbs after injection. Basically you are paying for water.



When the meat cooks the solution is lost and you have "shrinkage" plus, you are cooking a product that has been punctured so keeping it moist is going to be a challenge.

Many of the commercial foods suppliers do this too, and restaurants end up paying as much as 30% more for what looks to be beautiful meat that will not turn out as well as an unaltered cut.  The sales people will say that the injection "helps to preserve moisture and texture" but that is a crock of smile!

[Conan71]

Potassium salts.  Injecting potassium chloride solution gives meat a nice healthy pink color and plumps it up signifigantly.  A 1lb slab of meat can weigh as much as 1 1/2 lbs after injection. Basically you are paying for water.

When the meat cooks the solution is lost and you have "shrinkage" plus, you are cooking a product that has been punctured so keeping it moist is going to be a challenge.

Many of the commercial foods suppliers do this too, and restaurants end up paying as much as 30% more for what looks to be beautiful meat that will not turn out as well as an unaltered cut.  The sales people will say that the injection "helps to preserve moisture and texture" but that is a crock of smile!

I take it that is similar to the phosphate solution and "chicken broth" solutions they inject in chicken?

[carltonplace]

I've been there a few other times, this was just a bad experience. Besides, you know where I live. For me to get down that way requires an event of some sorts--this time it was a court appearance. As for meats in general, I purchase mostly in bulk and freeze. Not sure if Perry's would be a source for that. Is it?

Funny thing, some colleagues gave me a bunch of sm!le about not knowing where the Tulsa court house is today because I rarely go.

Why would a lawyer need to know where the court house is?

[Gaspar]

I take it that is similar to the phosphate solution and "chicken broth" solutions they inject in chicken?

Same purpose. Plumps the meat and makes the consumer pay more.

[Teatownclown]

I make it a point to go to the Market Street in Wichita Falls when my wife and I do the Hotter 'N' Hell century ride there every August.  Very, very neat layout and they have a deli area very similar to Whole Paycheck.

And, of course, a nice wine selection.  Something I don't think we will ever see in Oklahoma grocery stores.

Bet these type chicks don't hang out in Wichita:

[heironymouspasparagus]

I hope your neighbors don't catch you.

I have a very good source of wood when I need it, from small pieces to whole trees.  My neighbor has 3 very large maples in the yard, and I have been helping her trim them for a few years.  We have talked about completely taking them out, and that is ok, too, but I need to get a sawmill before I do that, so can make use of the trunks.  Smaller limbs all go to the backyard fire pit and fledgling charcoal efforts.

This has developed as kind of a "hobby" - like building one's own airplane versus just buying one.  The fun is in the journey.  Well, there is also a LOT of fun in using charcoal to cook out...

MY approach to woodworking in general - slow it down, make the fun last.  I use the power tools for stuff to finish quick, then nothing but hand tools to make it fun.  I do have a shortcut I am almost - but not quite - ashamed to admit - I have a bandsaw to cut small limbs in lengths that I want for the process - rather than cutting each by hand.  That becomes too much of a "good thing".

[Conan71]

And it's pretty hard to find shirts with two different sleeve sizes

[Red Arrow]

but I need to get a sawmill before I do that, so can make use of the trunks. 

Unless you just need a new toy, check out the sawmill between Catoosa and Inola on Admiral.

http://www.morethanmowers.com/index-3.html

My brother used to buy wood there for his woodworking projects before he moved out of the area.