While cruising to my local neighborhood BBQ supply store to buy some propane refills for my gasser, I noticed they had a new stock of beef in their meat locker. They just have one of those upright beverage type cooler with some ribeyes, New York strips, tri-tips and briskets for sale. They generally have SRF meats, which is tempting because the price is a lot more reasonable then ordering it from SRF as a result of shipping. This time; however, they switched to a local Texas ranch that carries Akaushi American Wagyu. When I saw that my eyes popped out of my head. For those who know about Akaushi Wagyu cattle you know what I mean. To find that in a BBQ supply store is somewhat off the wall. Let me explain about this type of wagyu to the uninitiated.
Of the four Japanese breeds of cattle, Akaushi is the one known in its native Japan as the "Emperor’s Breed." They did not exist outside of Japan until 1994, the year eight females and three males were shipped to the U.S. on a specially equipped Boeing 747. They found their way to HeartBrand Ranch in Hardwood, Texas in1994, where they have helped build a herd that has not only survived but thrived in this south Texas region.
Known as Prime of Wagyu in Japan, these cattle are the most sought after. They are unique in that they are red in color versus the usual black seen on must Wagyu breeds.
I've heard that this type of American Wagyu was available in Texas (and apparently across the country) but have never actually seen any until now, and that in a little supply store with a single beverage cooler full of meat !!
Now here's the the best news of all. These guys were giving the stuff away. The ribeyes and New York strips were in the $25/pound range, good buy for the quality of beef, but look at what I picked up a Teres Major cut for;
and for the best part, look at what I got a full packer brisket for !!! HEB is selling SRF Black and Mishima Reserve for $6.99/pound as a reference point....
I went back on Friday to buy more to somehow fit into my overpacked freezers and they jacked the pricing up to that $6.99/# level at HEB and were out of Teres Major, a cut I can never find around here anyway.
I'm going to cook the Teres Major cut I have next week when I get back from the Rockdale Meat-up. I'll report back as to whether this is a great deal or not. Even if it's just of Prime grade it's still a good deal regardless, but if it's top grade American Wagyu, oh boy. Bottom line, there is still good pricing on quality beef in Texas, just gotta look around and be lucky enough to stumble onto it !!!
Of the four Japanese breeds of cattle, Akaushi is the one known in its native Japan as the "Emperor’s Breed." They did not exist outside of Japan until 1994, the year eight females and three males were shipped to the U.S. on a specially equipped Boeing 747. They found their way to HeartBrand Ranch in Hardwood, Texas in1994, where they have helped build a herd that has not only survived but thrived in this south Texas region.
Known as Prime of Wagyu in Japan, these cattle are the most sought after. They are unique in that they are red in color versus the usual black seen on must Wagyu breeds.
I've heard that this type of American Wagyu was available in Texas (and apparently across the country) but have never actually seen any until now, and that in a little supply store with a single beverage cooler full of meat !!
Now here's the the best news of all. These guys were giving the stuff away. The ribeyes and New York strips were in the $25/pound range, good buy for the quality of beef, but look at what I picked up a Teres Major cut for;
and for the best part, look at what I got a full packer brisket for !!! HEB is selling SRF Black and Mishima Reserve for $6.99/pound as a reference point....
I went back on Friday to buy more to somehow fit into my overpacked freezers and they jacked the pricing up to that $6.99/# level at HEB and were out of Teres Major, a cut I can never find around here anyway.
I'm going to cook the Teres Major cut I have next week when I get back from the Rockdale Meat-up. I'll report back as to whether this is a great deal or not. Even if it's just of Prime grade it's still a good deal regardless, but if it's top grade American Wagyu, oh boy. Bottom line, there is still good pricing on quality beef in Texas, just gotta look around and be lucky enough to stumble onto it !!!
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