Hello From Grand Rapids

[Rich Parker]

I just found this web site and am glad to see this community

I got my first smoker a couple of years ago (Walmart gas smoker) and picked up a WSM last summer and will never go back to gas. I used to have to tend to the smoker at least once an hour regulating the heat. Using the WSM and the Minion method, I can fire it up and walk away with confidence that my meat won't be ruined.

I look forward to learning more from this local smokin community.

Does anyone want to give a newbie a lead on some smoke wood and good meat store in the Grand Rapids area?

I bought an 8lbs Brisket from Meijer and paid over $40 last summer so any leads on a good butcher would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich

[sfisch]

Rich,
Welcome to the madness, great group of people here and a wealth of knowledge and experience. Sorry I can't help with the meat info in Grand Rapids but there are other members in your area that I am sure will give you some help.

Scott

[crossczek]

Nice to meet you Rich.
I'm not from your neck of the woods, but like other Scott said, I'm sure you'll get some help as soon as some others check in.
Plenty of comps in your area this year, maybe we'll see you there! (if not competing, then surly for support)

[JustSmoke2]

Welcome to the forums from the thumb area of this great state.

I would suggest trying calling on local shops that cut there own meat. Sams club is a good source along with wal mart if you really need to. Check out small grocery's and ask to talk to there butchers.

I hope this helps.

[EatonHoggBBQ]

Hi Rich, glad you joined us here.

[Dave]

Welcome aboard Rich, glad to have you as part of the group.

[jmeds75]

Hey Rich,
Welcome to the forums...Have you talked to any local butchers? Seems like I have seen brisket between $1.69/lb and $5.99/lb in the Detroit area...So there is a huge price range...Most of the grocery stores seem to be in the $2.99-$4.99 range...If you look hard enough, you will find a good price-Flat cut briskets (5-8lbs) might be higher/lb than a full packer brisket also...Hope that helps...If you look hard enough, you will find a nice price...

[Rich Parker]

Hey Rich,
Welcome to the forums...Have you talked to any local butchers? Seems like I have seen brisket between $1.69/lb and $5.99/lb in the Detroit area...So there is a huge price range...Most of the grocery stores seem to be in the $2.99-$4.99 range...If you look hard enough, you will find a good price-Flat cut briskets (5-8lbs) might be higher/lb than a full packer brisket also...Hope that helps...If you look hard enough, you will find a nice price...

No - I spoke to one local butcher and his prices were pretty high, and he carved off all the fat of the one pork butt i ordered from him.

I have been happy with the pork butts from Sams club, but they told my wife that they don't sell briskets. Does anyone know if that is true?

I have never even thought of doing this in a competition. Maybe i will need to watch a team to see how it goes and to see if it would be something i would be interested in.

[jmeds75]

I believe they sell flat cut briskets at Sam's Club-but it doesn't seem like they usually go on sale at Sam's...

[JustSmoke2]

I would go back to Sam's and talk to the butcher and get his reason if they don't. Or you could ask him if he could order them for you and get a price. Then again if your not happy with his reply send off an email to Sam's club. If you don't here from them after a week send another email and ask them why have help section if your not going to reply and let them know you are involved in multi meat forums and will be posting the results of your inquiry and there reply. I wanted to get a MES they only carry but nowhere could I find one. Emailed them and did what I suggested so they offered to send one to my local Sam's club dropping the $100 shipping and handling charge.
Check smaller butcher shops they may not carry them but they may order them for you and get a price. If you can find a place like that take him or her some sample of your cooks and they might cut ya better deals. I take one butcher shop samples of new stuff to try. Now I am his go to guy for his customers who are beginning smokers.

[Rich Parker]

I would go back to Sam's and talk to the butcher and get his reason if they don't. Or you could ask him if he could order them for you and get a price. Then again if your not happy with his reply send off an email to Sam's club. If you don't here from them after a week send another email and ask them why have help section if your not going to reply and let them know you are involved in multi meat forums and will be posting the results of your inquiry and there reply. I wanted to get a MES they only carry but nowhere could I find one. Emailed them and did what I suggested so they offered to send one to my local Sam's club dropping the $100 shipping and handling charge.
Check smaller butcher shops they may not carry them but they may order them for you and get a price. If you can find a place like that take him or her some sample of your cooks and they might cut ya better deals. I take one butcher shop samples of new stuff to try. Now I am his go to guy for his customers who are beginning smokers.

Thanks for the info - I will give that a try

[Bbq Bubba]

Welcome to our little clubhouse! :cool:

[spydermike72]

The Sams in Flint only sells flats, but if you ask they probably have some packers in the back. They also have Tri-Tip here in Flint, but you have to ask for it whole. They cut them into steaks. Also if you have Super Wal-Mart near you, they have full packers from time to time and are usually reasonably priced.

[michiana mark]

Welcome Rich, glad to have you on board. As far as the brisket, I echo the walmart and Sams club. Our local walmarts all carry packers (select) and Sams carry flats, usually choice. As far as wood, check with a local tree service in your area. They sometimes have apple, cherry, hickory and what not.

[Rich Parker]

Welcome Rich, glad to have you on board. As far as the brisket, I echo the walmart and Sams club. Our local walmarts all carry packers (select) and Sams carry flats, usually choice. As far as wood, check with a local tree service in your area. They sometimes have apple, cherry, hickory and what not.

Thanks for the info! I actually found some apple and cherry near by, and I just read that I can smoke with oak which the family has several acres of, so I should be good on the wood.

I have only cooked one brisket mostly because the outrageous price I was charged but can you tell me the difference between a "packer" and a "flat"?

[JustSmoke2]

there are 2 parts to a brisket. they are the flat and tri tip. Packer is the the whole brisket. I am not an expert on brisket but this is what I understand.

[Rich Parker]

there are 2 parts to a brisket. they are the flat and tri tip. Packer is the the whole brisket. I am not an expert on brisket but this is what I understand.

I remember seeing brisket at Meijer but it was only about 3lbs and it didn't seem big enough to mess with. Which one is better on the smoker and which one do you guys use during competitions?

[Puff]

Glad to have ya' here! :cool:

[JustSmoke2]

Run fast and do not stop at Meijers. lol A flat is the larger of the 2 pieces. Flat should have a fat cap but the butchers seem to like to cut it off.
The tip or tri tip is the end piece which will cook faster then a flat. So Sams and Wal mart will have full packers which you can seperate yourself. I am sure someone will be along who could guide on seperating them or other good info. I have only done 1 brisket and the butcher didn't listen to what I wanted.

[jerry516planes]

Richard,

I have been told that you can get whole Packer Cut Briskets at Franks in Grand Rapids.

Costco sells flats only!

Meat prices have been out rageous lately.

We have been getting Round End roasts at Cosco for way way less than brisket. They cook up nice and you can make shreaded beef sandwiches just like pulled pork. Not competion meat but really good eating!!

I have been looking for a reasonable butcher as well. If you find a good reasonablely priced butcher please pass the info along.

Good Luck! Butchers seem to be closely guarded secrets!! I still have my feelings hurt that I got no help when I asked earlier this season!:mad:

[Rich Parker]

Richard,

I have been told that you can get whole Packer Cut Briskets at Franks in Grand Rapids.

Costco sells flats only!

Meat prices have been out rageous lately.

We have been getting Round End roasts at Cosco for way way less than brisket. They cook up nice and you can make shreaded beef sandwiches just like pulled pork. Not competion meat but really good eating!!

I have been looking for a reasonable butcher as well. If you find a good reasonablely priced butcher please pass the info along.

Good Luck! Butchers seem to be closely guarded secrets!! I still have my feelings hurt that I got no help when I asked earlier this season!:mad:

Thanks! - I will check out Franks. I checked out one of the more popular butchers in Grand Rapids, Byron Center Meats www.byroncentermeats.com and they are selling brisket for $3.29 lb which doesn't sound to bad. I have been getting pretty good size pork butts at Sam's for around $1.20 lb

jmeds75 recommended talking to the local butchers and see what deals you can get. I will try that and let you know how it goes.

[spydermike72]

Ok, I think you guys are getting mixed up. Tri-Tip has nothing to do with Briskets. A brisket has 2 parts. A flat and a Point. Try this for a quick explanation of the 2 parts of a Brisket:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisket

And this for a Tri-Tip: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tri-tip

I hope this helps.

[jerry516planes]

Rich,

Superior Foods used to sell to the public. They have changed this policy as the retailers put pressure on them to not sell to the public.

Keith Osterhaven obtains all of his meats from them and sells retail to the public. So you know the quality is high.

Big O Smokehouse
9740 Cherry Valley Rd (M37)
Caledonia, MI 49316
616.891.5555

Kieth smokes alot of fish for retail and wholesale. He smokes 2 batches of fish every day. Kieth has frozen Elk and Buffalo for sale. He also sells both Mesquite and hard wood charcoal. I have found that they welcome all new business and will discount larger orders.

They are very good people and are always looking for new business!

[Rich Parker]

Rich,

Superior Foods used to sell to the public. They have changed this policy as the retailers put pressure on them to not sell to the public.

Keith Osterhaven obtains all of his meats from them and sells retail to the public. So you know the quality is high.

Big O Smokehouse
9740 Cherry Valley Rd (M37)
Caledonia, MI 49316
616.891.5555

Kieth smokes alot of fish for retail and wholesale. He smokes 2 batches of fish every day. Kieth has frozen Elk and Buffalo for sale. He also sells both Mesquite and hard wood charcoal. I have found that they welcome all new business and will discount larger orders.

They are very good people and are always looking for new business!

I seen your post on the Big O Smokehouse. My only concern is I don't have a place to keep a case of 75lbs meat.

I will take a drive out there and see what he has to offer. Thanks for the tip Jerry!

[jerry516planes]

Perhaps if several of us combine our order we could split-up a case?

[Bbq Bubba]

Good Luck! Butchers seem to be closely guarded secrets!! I still have my feelings hurt that I got no help when I asked earlier this season!:mad:

Really?
I can get you guys 12-14 lb packers all day for $1.49/lb.....but you gotta make the drive out here! :rolleyes:

Your wasting your time with "butchers". They rarely pass on their savings and usually cut and trim them so bad that it's not worth while.

[jerry516planes]

Those fresh or frozen? I am in Columbus for a while. I should be able to stop by and pick up some. You probablly should add this to you Supply Store.

[Bbq Bubba]

Ummm...that would be illegal.Those fresh or frozen? I am in Columbus for a while. I should be able to stop by and pick up some. You probablly should add this to you Supply Store.

[Rich Parker]

Really?
I can get you guys 12-14 lb packers all day for $1.49/lb.....but you gotta make the drive out here! :rolleyes:

Your wasting your time with "butchers". They rarely pass on their savings and usually cut and trim them so bad that it's not worth while.

Are you getting them from a big box store? Because other than butchers, I don't know where else to get them except knock one over at night and cut it out myself. :eek:

[Bbq Bubba]

I know a guy.

[Rich Parker]

I know a guy.

I appreciate the offer, but I think the extra $1 a pound for the Brisket would be eaten up in the 3 hour drive at $3 a gallon a gas in my truck that only gets 11- 13 miles to the gallon.

My wife has been on me about taking her out to a nice restaurant...so made I could take her to your roadside diner for her night out on the town. Hmmm!

Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the act of kindness!

[spydermike72]

Rich,

If you seriously want a brisket, check out WalMart they usually have them for about $1.99 per lb. Like Bubba said, most Butchers today wont give you a good price because they are competing against Wal Mart and Meijers. Also check with the Spartan Stores in your area, their meat counter can probably get you what you want...

[Rich Parker]

Rich,

If you seriously want a brisket, check out WalMart they usually have them for about $1.99 per lb. Like Bubba said, most Butchers today wont give you a good price because they are competing against Wal Mart and Meijers. Also check with the Spartan Stores in your area, their meat counter can probably get you what you want...

I will definitely do that. I appreciate the advice you, Bubba, and the others have given me.

[sfisch]

Damn things were $5.49 a pound at Spartan this week.

Scott

[JustSmoke2]

This was awhile back but I went to a well known butcher or meat store here in Yale. I noticed they had corn beef on sale for $2.80 a LB. So i thought I would check the brisket price. Young lady asked if she could help and i replied yes I was wondering what your price on beef brisket was. So she went out back, came back says that will be $5.89 a LB. We have 2 in the back sir. Okay thanks but maybe another time and she asks is there anything else I thought for a moment. Well Yea kinda, how come the corn beef is cheaper then regular brisket. She stood there said I really don't know but I will ask I said don't bother I won't becoming back anyways.

[Bbq Bubba]

I will definitely do that. I appreciate the advice you, Bubba, and the others have given me.

WTF......if Theresa ever stopped in and said hi, she could hook ya up, your neighbors! :cool:

[michiana mark]

Have you tried www.sobiemeats.com in Walker.

When you do find that whole packer, here's a little help in trimming and seperating. http://www.azbbqa.com/articles/brisket-trim.htm

[Rich Parker]

Is Theresa part of the Smokin Scotsmen BBQ team? If she is then they are definitely getting their meat from Sobie Meats because there is a picture on their homepage that shows their tent. There isn't a product list on their website, but I will go in their and find out how much they are charging. I like to shop at places that sell locally grown goods.

Thanks for the good info!

[sfisch]

Yep, Theresa and Walt are the Scot's!

Scott

[udoughguy]

Hi Rich, welcome to the forum. Good to have another "Q'er" here in SW Michigan. Lots of events happening in this area this summer. Hope to meet you at them.

[Rich Parker]

Hi Rich, welcome to the forum. Good to have another "Q'er" here in SW Michigan. Lots of events happening in this area this summer. Hope to meet you at them.

Thanks Ron! I hope to get out and meet some of you this year.

I haven't done any competitions except the ones by myself in the backyard, which by the way I always win.;)

[Rich Parker]

Damn things were $5.49 a pound at Spartan this week.

Scott

My wife just came home with an 8lb flat from Sam's that was $2.96 a pound. I guess that isn't too bad excluding Bubba's boyz price.