the Butcher

[side_show]

Confession time:

As a person who really enjoys quality product, I'm embarassed to admit I buy my meat, poultry, giraffe and sausage in neat little packages at the grocery store.  I'm kind of intimidated by the butcher.  I have no concept of weight when it comes to meat purchase.  I feel oddly on the spot when faced with figuring out how much of each meat I want.  I think it's because I started my adult life as a vegetarian and came to meat later.  Now I'm a certified meat eater, but at the bucher I freeze up and end up wussing out and just getting a couple steaks or a sausage.  It's a thing I want to get over though.

Anyone here big on going the butcher?  Suggestions or tips?

[jay-ell]

We just got our first real butcher shop (other than the rinky-dink counter at the grocery store) and I am trying to get up the nerve to go myself. So no, Smells, you're not alone in this. And I was never a vegetarian.

[wombat]

We don't have a butcher, but the Whole Foods has both a butcher counter and wrapped-up meat and we buy both. If you have an actual real honest to goodness butcher, they should be happy to answer any questions you have about what cut to use for what kind of recipe and how much you need to buy.

[AugustWest]

If you have an actual real honest to goodness butcher, they should be happy to answer any questions you have about what cut to use for what kind of recipe and how much you need to buy.

This.  That's what they're there for, isn't it?

[side_show]

I have several honest to goodness butchers.  I can't explain my fear.  Me + being on the spot + cuts of meat = intimidation.  JL gets it.

[Choop]

just take a number, and when it's your turn, say "help me, i'm confused." and they will.

[Asherdan]

"I can get a hell of a good look at a T-Bone steak by sticking my head up a bull's ass, but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it."

[theinevitable]

at the store where I work, a guy I really like works at the meat counter. He tells me when there is a good sale, and suggests how I should cook it.
I like that so much. I am a huge fan of this. Also, customers love him.

Unfortunately, he made one of my other favorite co-workers cry because he laughed in her face when she told/asked him to help with something it is his job to do. He is not getting in trouble for this at all.

when buying meat, I usually figure half a pound of meat per person. Maybe that is excessive? There are usually leftovers. So maybe more like 1/3 of a pound.

[jay-ell]

I plan 1/2 pound for just me and Pedro if it's boneless, but we are trying to cut back on our meat portions. If I'm having guests, I plan 1/3 lb per person and that's usually plenty.

If it's bone-in, I have no idea.

[AugustWest]

Bone bone bone bone bone

[side_show]

just take a number, and when it's your turn, say "help me, i'm confused." and they will.

Ah, I just realized what it is:  I hate looking helpless, uneducated or dumb. 

I think I need to learn about meat so I wont feel like a tools.  For example, I have no idea what a quality cut of meat for a roast looks like vs a crap cut.

[Choop]

you ain't gonna be the first customer that butcher's seen with no clue what to do or say or ask. you ain't gonna be the last. the difference is you can form a relationship with this butcher and suddenly choice cuts get set aside because "oh hey i thought you might like this"

people love to teach, they just need students. go when it ain't so busy and get yourself a teacher. hint: look behind the butcher counter



now is the time to MAN UP

[Asherdan]

I like choop's point there, don't go in trying to act like you know your ass from a hole in the ground when you don't, it won't reflect well on you when the butcher picks up on it, as he likely will.

Spouse has that kinda deal at the local meat counter, a couple of the dudes will step away from the case and get her stuff from the back because "this is what you want." The produce guys will do the same for her, step in the back for something just a little more gooder.

It's because she's nice and asks questions and says thank you, is all. I bet any one of you mooks could do the same.

[wombat]

Ah, I just realized what it is:  I hate looking helpless, uneducated or dumb. 

About a piece of meat? Relax. It is no big deal to have to ask for help about a piece of meat. It is their job to serve you. It is their job to answer your questions so you have a good experience and are a happy customer who comes back for more meat.

[jay-ell]

Ah, I just realized what it is:  I hate looking helpless, uneducated or dumb. 

I think I need to learn about meat so I wont feel like a tools.  For example, I have no idea what a quality cut of meat for a roast looks like vs a crap cut.

I have this problem, too. It took a lot of balls for me to walk into a garden center yesterday, go up to a random employee, and say, "I know less than nothing about plants, but I want to learn enough to grow a few vegetables with my kids. Do you have time to show me some easy-to-grow plants and give me detailed care instructions for them?"

Going when it's not busy is essential. The lady I talked to spent half an hour with me talking about lettuce because I was the only customer on the lot. She said, "Do you have any questions?" and I said, "I don't know enough to have questions yet. I'll probably be back next week with a list, though." She laughed.