Awesome steaks at Walmart

[LindellProStaf]

I am curious how many guys get worked up over that title.     We are having a family get together this next weekend.  It is an annual thing.  Lots of fun.  There will be 8 of us.  We rent a house at Grandview by Brainerd.  This year it is my mom and dad's turn to supply the main course.  Well we are grilling steaks there.  My brother was going to pick up the steaks for my mom and dad to save them the work.  Also he wanted some good ones from a meat market by DL.  Well I talked to my mom the other night and she said we don't have to worry about getting the steaks.  Dad went to Walmart and bought them.    I love my dad dearly but.........  I have bought steaks at Wally World before and I don't anymore.  Wasn't too crazy about them....   Will let you know how things turn out.....   My brother and I actually think it is sort of funny.....

[leechlake]

you will survive but I'm sure most of us will agree with you.  I love butcher shops but frankly the steaks at Costco we get are awesome, only problem it's kind of inconvenient from our house but we just stock up.  I'd bet normally the rib eyes and NY Strips are about $4 a pound less expensive than the butcher shop and $6 less than Lunds and they are without a doubt as good if not better.  

I'd suggest that you make some good side dishes, many times they can out shine the steaks.  Don't forget some good bread too...

Reminds me of the year my father in law wanted to have us over and make ribs.  He's had mine for years I make on smoker (5 hours or so) and he gave them a whirl.  I think they were on the Weber for about 35-45 minutes and while I ate some I would not let my kids eat them (had to hide that for FIL).  Medium rare baby back ribs with a hint of lighter fluid...mmm   mmm good.

Edited September 7, 2015 by leechlake

[LindellProStaf]

lolol  That is hilarious Leech.  You know exactly where I am coming from then.  Ya like I said I have the best father in the world.  We laugh when he cooks burgers on the grill too.  Takes lots of catsup and mustard.  He cooks the _____ out of them.  We will make the most of it and it will probably make things even more fun.  We are already talking about the Kangaroo steaks dad bought this year.  Great idea on the sides.  Will definitely do them up extra good.

Ya I have heard that Costco is the place for good meat.

[RebelSS]

Well, there's the Wally World steak guarantee....  I'd eat them and tell him they were great....and promise that YOU'LL pick them up the next time. I'd give anything to have my Dad back just to eat with him again.

 

[leechlake]

The Target steaks probably could go toe to toe with the Walmart ones.  Nothing like a 1/2" Ribeye...

A lot of people don't cook much so they have no clue.  Also, let's admit all of us could do a 12 step program with our addiction to procuring good Beef.

Edited September 7, 2015 by leechlake

[LindellProStaf]

Thats right Leech on our beef addictions.  Pork too.  You too are right on Reb,  I love my dad and will eat the 1/2" ribeye and when my mom says "isn't this a good steak" I will smile and say "it sure is mom, good job dad"  Then my brother, another carnivore, and I will just look at each other and smile some more.

My wife will be giving my brother and I that shut up you guys look too.  It will be great.  I will let you know how it all goes down.  

Also my dad likes Manhattans so he will be making them for my brothers and me.  That will make those steaks a little bit better too.

[leechlake]

Manhattans...take some photos that night since you won't remember by the morning to report back to us.   My neighbor at the lake makes great ones, he's about 80 years old and it's lights out before sundown if I stay too long at their place having Manhattans.  Have fun.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Lindell, my family has done reunions at Grandview.  The grills have consistently been poor.  Might want to bring one.  Last year it took about an hour to grill brats and dogs.

[LindellProStaf]

I wondered about that Mid.  A guy gets used to his own.....  Thanks

[reinhard1]

Well it's a dump shoot at Walmart with beef.  They have very few USDA Choice items and it is marked choice.  Most of the beef is not marked choice and they are USDA select.  I don't buy beef at Walmart.  Your dad is probably unaware of this and I hope everything turns out great.  Give him lot's of compliments and have a great time.  You may need those manhattens LOL.  Costco, Sams, Cubs, and County markets all have pretty much the same beef.  good luck.

[LindellProStaf]

I agree R1.  I don't want to hurt his feelings and love him dearly.  After a few Manny's those steaks will be great!  I like to look at meat so when we have been at Walmart I like to hang in that section while the wife is shopping.  I have weakened and bought their steaks before and was always a little disappointed.  Just did not have the flavor or juiciness that I was craving while in the store.  Now I just get baby backs there that are already packed by someone else.  

[leechlake]

as a test maybe we should all head to Walmart and buy one of their steaks.  Then pick up some Bourbon/Sweet Vermouth and see how the steak tastes after a nice long cocktail hour.  Bet they are pretty tasty...Cheers to you dad!!!

[LindellProStaf]

I'm in.    Yup cheers to dads everywhere..... Thanks leech and darn good idea.  You are management material..

[RebelSS]

Well, we're eagerly waiting to see what happened........................

[LindellProStaf]

Ok boys here is the update.  Of course we had a great time.  Our family always has a good time together.  Well we thawed the frozen 1/2" Walmart steaks and my brother and I dusted them with Lawry's, pepper and garlic salt.  That was the only combo of spices we had and worked out fine.  We then let them sit for awhile to get to room temp.  They had new Weber Genesis grill there.  Real nice.  Well I cranked it up to high to give the steaks a quick 2 minutes per side cook.  My sister came up and turned it down to low.  My younger brother put the steaks on and closed the cover.  He waited 5 minutes and flipped them and did another 5 minutes.  I decided I need another Manhattan or TWO.  lol  When we were eating and telling dad how great the steaks were my brother asked him where he got them.  He proudly said Walmart.  My wife gave me the shut-up look and we all smiled.   Like I said we had a great time and that is all that matters.  This whole steak thing is just a fun thing since it does not matter at all.  Love my mom and dad so we'll enjoy every year left with them.  My dad is 83 and golfs almost every day.  We did nine holes and he beat me by 8 or 9 strokes......  How cool is that?  

[reinhard1]

Awesome that it turned out great!!! ya when your mom or any woman give's you "that look" it pays to pay attention to it LOL.  I think it's great to see that your dad is out there golfing at 83.  good luck.

[RebelSS]

That will make for some future great stories...glad it turned out well. That's all that matters.  

[eyeguy 54]

my wally world north shore steak. made 1 for mrs also. found a bunch at 6.90. bought 12.  dandy taste !   cooked on my mini weber

[RebelSS]

That's a nice steak knife ya got there, Sir. The pliers end for the really tough part? 

[eyeguy 54]

lol.... forgot steak knives so the gerber got the honor. 

[leechlake]

Lindell, I spit my drink out when you typed the "1/2" steaks"  and "proudly he said Walmart".

My dad's 86, God love 'em and since you turn into your dad you can see what's coming.

[RebelSS]

I just got back from the car show with a buddy I've known since the 70's. (I keep friends a long time) He just told me that Wally World steaks are THE best, and he grilled a 3 lb (ya, right) sirloin last night....ate most of it.  Melt in your mouth. But, he also told me their 97/3 hamburger is great, too. Told him "uh, Jimmy, that's 93/7..93% lean"  "No, it's not! It's 97/3!!  Okey-dokey....also told me grilling 85/15 is all fat. When I explained 93% is a bit lean for a charcoal grill, he told me 85/15 causes fat fires, and that's "garbage meat". I sure learned a lot about meat tonite. Guess that year or so working in a butcher shop went right don the ol' tube. So grab them Wally World steaks and 97/3 guys, its the best! 

[eyeguy 54]

pop over and I'll grill  up one of these terrible new york strips. then you can watch me inhale it.  lol

[delcecchi]

Just be careful with the dates on that Walmart meat.  It comes in those packages that are sealed with some kind of gas in them to keep the meat looking good for a long time. 

I bought some meat one time that were super marked down without looking at the date.  I think their "best by" date was like a week before I bought them.  They were pretty funky. 

A tip to improve marginal quality steak, from cooks illustrated, is to salt them several hours before cooking, then put in a very low oven (like 200 or 225) so they slowly get to the 90 to 100 internal temp.  Then sear them and they will be just right and more tender due to the enzyme action.   Sort of a poor man's sous vide. 

But if they are too thin, nothing can save them.

Edited September 17, 2015 by delcecchi

[LindellProStaf]

A buddy of mine always gets the 93% burger cause he has had issues with the 80%.  I tell him I like the 80 since the fat drips off and the fat has all of the flavor.  I also pay a buck a lb less.  Now he is thinking........  And yes the Manhattans probably had something to do with us enjoying the well done 1/2"  Walmart steaks..