Beef question for Texans

[wilcom]

I have been working in Texas for the last month. Drove there and am flying out to other locations as needed.

When I motel it,  I have a lil BBQ with me so I can grill a steak or a chop for dinner. MY Question is why do they slice their steaks so thin here? I eat my beef medium rare and there is no way I can seer it on one side without cooking it all the way thru!!!!! I had the problem at a Krogers up in Conroe and now at a H.E.B in McAllen. Every steak no matter what cut was sliced at about a 1/2 inch. Steaks at the meat counter in Ca. are 3/4 at least and mostly 7/8.(sorry for you centimeter guys, I haven't a clue on that scale) I was at the Walmart market too and the same thing there also

I guess I will have to have them make a special cut so I can get a normal steak that I can cook  rare/medium rare.

Another issue is price!!!!! Texas beef is $2 a lb higher here than on the west coast, what gives, you guys got all freaking cows!!!!

Hope my wife hasn't given my R65 to her Boyfriend by the time I get home ( BMW content)

[balibeemer]

They do the same in Mexico - maybe there is a cultural connection!

[wilcom]

maybe there is a cultural connection!  

Good thought Bali..........I am pretty close to the border here in McAllen and it is heavily Hispanic................

[Tony Smith]

I MY Question is why do they slice their steaks so thin here? I eat my beef medium rare and there is no way I can seer it on one side without cooking it all the way thru!!!!! I

Thin weedy cattle?

BMW -content. I hope I have my trusty R65 back together in case the state of Texas declares war on me and I have to make a quick getaway.


Mind you, from an Aussie perspective,  the entire State of Texas would make a decent little cattle property here.

[Tony Smith]

Ok, so I looked on Google.

The State of Texas is 696,241 square kilometres in size.
 
The biggest cattle station in Australia (and for that matter in the world) is Anna Creek station at 23,677 square kilometres.


There are 18 cattle stations in Australia with an area greater than 10,000 square kilometres and 45 stations with an area bigger than 4,000 Square kilometres.

[Lucky_Lou]

Why do the Aussies call em Stations and the Colonials call them Ranches ? ps don't tell the Texicans you measured their State in metricery that's asking for trouble.
Lou

[Tony Smith]

Why do the Aussies call em Stations and the Colonials call them Ranches ? ps don't tell the Texicans you measured their State in metricery that's asking for trouble.
Lou

To be quite honest I have absolutely no idea. I was wondering if anyone would notice the metrification.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Wilcom, I'm just spitballing here but my thought is that since beef is sold by the pound (not kilo, just a good old 16 oz. avoirdupois) a thicker cut of meat would cost proportionately more.  Average for a good rib eye will go for an average of $8 - $10/pound.  To feed a family of four would require a minimum of two steaks.  A lot of family budgets cannot tolerate that expense.  Cut it thinner and you think you're getting a better deal, but really not.

On the other hand, if you go to a decent restaurant the steaks will be cut on the thicker side.  Most of the supermarket chains such as Kroger, Tom Thumb/Randalls, Albertsons, HEB, are not noted for good beef.  Go to a decent meat market and you will probably be happier.

And for my good Aussie friends, don't you think your comments are a tad condescending?  Comparing a state of the union to an entire nation is not exactly a valid comparison.   [smiley=beehive.gif]

[Tony Smith]

And for my good Aussie friends, don't you think your comments are a tad condescending?  Comparing a state of the union to an entire nation is not exactly a valid comparison.   [smiley=beehive.gif]

I certainly didn't intend, nor do I think my comments could be reasonably be regarded as "condescending".

In any event the total land area of Australia is 7,692,024 km² and the USA is 9,826,675 km², subtract Alaska at 1,717,854 km² and Hawaii at  28,311 km² and there is exactly 388,486 km² left in the USA's favour. Or in good Australian measurement, two-thirds of five-eigths of bugger-all.
 
If they still teach geography in the USA that would tend to operate as proof of the concept of Australia being either the smallest continent or the largest island [pick one]

[wilcom]

a thicker cut of meat would cost

balibeemer wrote on 09/08/14 at 20:27:06:
maybe there is a cultural connection!  


Both are good thoughts

With the Beef in Texas being $2 lb more than on the West Coast where I shop, you could purchase a T-Bone for less money if you sliced it thin.

and Bali's thought about the cultural significance............Yea, "when's the last time I've  ordered a Taco "medium rare?"  good point

JW

[Luca]

It's not just proximity to the cattle that affects the price, but proximity to the slaughterhouse.  Same goes for oil wells and refineries.

California is also in a serious drought and farmers are sending more cattle to slaughter than usual because they can't maintain a full herd.  That's probably flooding the market with cheap beef right now.

P.S. Tony, we still teach geography in the states.  Whether island or continent, I thought Australia was still just a big rock in the ocean where they send all the miscreants  [smiley=beehive.gif]

[Tony Smith]

P.S. Tony, we still teach geography in the states.  Whether island or continent, I thought Australia was still just a big rock in the ocean where they send all the miscreants  [smiley=beehive.gif]

It is and they did. My distant ancestor was what was called a "remittance man", sent out to Australia and paid a remittance never to return and further embarrass the family. In the case of my distant Grand Father it was something about  fathering children with one of the maids.