What do they do with the rest of the Prime beef?

[Fat Guy]

Okay, so USDA Prime is a designation given to an entire carcass. That means everything in there is Prime, be it the short loin or the brisket or the hanger steak. Now, we know the steakhouses and high-end gourmet retailers take most of the short loin cuts -- NY strip, filet mignon, porterhouse, and variants -- plus the rib cuts. But what about the rest of the animal? It must go somewhere. How come one almost never sees Prime brisket, shank, top butt, etc.?

[tommy]

i've seen some prime butt in my days.

steven, this is the type of thing that you're supposed to do research on and tell us!

[SteveW]

Steven, from your neck of the woods, Lobel's butcher shop among other Kobe beef cuts(all from Australia), carries Kobe Brisket.

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Steve

Edited July 12, 2003 by SteveW (log)

[Fat Guy]

Lobel's sells Prime and kobe everything, and at Fairway one occasionally sees Prime stew meat and chopped meat. That's what prompted me to ask this question, because I've never seen anybody other than Lobel's do it comprehensively, but one would think, given what a small percentage of the carcass the steakhouse cuts comprise, there would be more of the other cuts out there in Prime, rather than less.

[fifi]

Interesting question and one I have wondered about as well. I am particularly curious about prime brisket. Would it smoke up any differently?

[Fat Guy]

Lobel's says yes: "The quality of meat is the same in every section of the animal´s carcass. A prime steer yields all prime cuts. The same is true for the choice and select grades. Prime quality beef has better flavor and texture — this includes the less expensive cuts chosen for pot roasts, stews and casseroles. Even in variety cuts such as oxtails, sweetbreads and calves´ brains, the quality of the meat affects the taste of the final dish."

[tommy]

can you define "prime". that is, what does it mean in real life? how is prime meat produced?

[guajolote]

My butcher in Chicago (Bornhoffens) sells prime chuck, brisket, shank, oxtails, etc. Even the groundchuck is prime.

[Fat Guy]

can you define "prime".  that is, what does it mean in real life?  how is prime meat produced?

It's a game of odds. You select the right genetic material, you feed and care for the cattle according to various practices that are likely to produce prime carcasses, and in the end when you kill a bunch of them a percentage will be prime.

[Suzanne F]

This question reminds me of a ditz in my management class at restaurant school. We were discussing menus for different types of establishments; at one point, bar food. In all seriousness, she asked, "Well, Buffalo Wings are such a popular item. But what do you do with the rest of the chicken?"

[SteveW]

This question reminds me of a ditz in my management class at restaurant school.  We were discussing menus for different types of establishments; at one point, bar food.  In all seriousness, she asked, "Well, Buffalo Wings are such a popular item.  But what do you do with the rest of the chicken?"

One of my favorite Montreal radio announcers Peter Anthony Holder(http://www.peteranthonyholder.com/), makes this exact same comment often on his radio show.

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Steve