Is This A Fair Price?

[hikerman]

I ordered tri-tip from my local butcher shop. Could not order one as he said they'd go bad before he could sell them. No problem, came 5 in a package, 17 lbs. at 3.99/lb. It is graded as choice. Good price?

[flbentrider]

I pay $6.99/lb when I can find them.

[Pappymn]

$6.79 at Costco.  Choice as well. You got a good price

[hikerman]

My butcher told me he appreciates my business and would sell it to me at the same price he pays from his packing house. We ordered them on Sat. and they were delivered today.

[drholly]

Hey Pappy,

Up in Fridley - headed over tomorrow - http://www.bobsproduce.com/Shop/WeeklyAd.aspx  - Page 2

Keep your fingers crossed.

[sliding_billy]

That is a great price.  My two butchers both stock them regularly, and I pay between $4.50 and $5 a pound (choice) when they are on "sale."  They both charge $5.99 regular for choice.

[hikerman]

Oh one thing I failed to mention, they need to be trimmed. They have a fat cap, the fella said he could cut it off if I wanted, but I decided to do it myself. I actually felt a little guilty if he wasn't making any money on the deal. I can't wait to cook my first one....

[Pappymn]

Oh one thing I failed to mention, they need to be trimmed. They have a fat cap, the fella said he could cut it off if I wanted, but I decided to do it myself. I actually felt a little guilty if he wasn't making any money on the deal. I can't wait to cook my first one....

Mine come trimmed. Would be curious how much you end up trimming off. I have never seen an untrimmed one

[hikerman]

Pappy, I'm going to open the bag tomorrow. I just got a new vac. sealer so I'm going to trim and seal, in the a.m. I'll post a pic or two for you.

[pz]

... I just got a new vac. sealer ...

You'll never regret purchasing the vacuum sealer - I have food in the freezer in FoodSaver bags that are months old, yet look as good as the day I sealed them.  In contrast, the ZipLoc bags that I formerly used for freezer storage would always result in the formation if ice crystals in the bag as well as freezer burned meat.

The FoodSaver might not be the best quality sealer on the market, and I'm almost ready to invest in something better, but it sure saved me lots of $ in what would have been ruined food.

[muebe]

Oh one thing I failed to mention, they need to be trimmed. They have a fat cap, the fella said he could cut it off if I wanted, but I decided to do it myself. I actually felt a little guilty if he wasn't making any money on the deal. I can't wait to cook my first one....

Mine come trimmed. Would be curious how much you end up trimming off. I have never seen an untrimmed one

We have them trimmed and untrimmed here. There is not an enormous amount of fat but it could be a 1/2 lb or up to 1 lb.

Even the trimmed ones I find here are only trimmed on the part you see from the package. You lift it up and look at the bottom to see a big layer of fat Costco does not do this however.

[Rummm]

I ordered tri-tip from my local butcher shop. Could not order one as he said they'd go bad before he could sell them. No problem, came 5 in a package, 17 lbs. at 3.99/lb. It is graded as choice. Good price?

Not only is that a good price, it's a GREAT price! Next time you are in the shop, take your butcher a couple hunks of the cooked Tri-Tip 

Just a suggestion for freezing........I like to lay the meat on a cookie tray with wax paper or foil and set in the freezer (if you have room) for about 45-60 minutes and then vacuum pak them. Not as messy 

[hikerman]

I ordered tri-tip from my local butcher shop. Could not order one as he said they'd go bad before he could sell them. No problem, came 5 in a package, 17 lbs. at 3.99/lb. It is graded as choice. Good price?

Not only is that a good price, it's a GREAT price! Next time you are in the shop, take your butcher a couple hunks of the cooked Tri-Tip 

Just a suggestion for freezing........I like to lay the meat on a cookie tray with wax paper or foil and set in the freezer (if you have room) for about 45-60 minutes and then vacuum pak them. Not as messy 

Thanks Rumm for the advice, and I will bring my butcher some finished product. You are right, hopefully he'll enjoy it.
After trimming the fat layer off, I ended up with 12 1/4 lbs. of lean meat. That comes out to about 4.90/lb. still a good price judging from what everyone else pays. 
A few pics since Pappy was interested.   Now to put a good rub on one and vac. seal the rest.
Thank you everyone for your advice! 




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[Pappymn]

Thank you sir!

[hikerman]

You are welcome Pappy. It didn't take too long to remove the fat cap on the 5 roasts, 'bout 10 min. each. I kept the fat and vac. sealed it as well, to try Old Daves recipe for white burger meat.