Calling all South Carolina Cooks

[carolyn.1]

I am so frustrated, this board has tons of "Flank Steak" recipes that I'm dying to make, but I can't afford the price of it. The grocers in my area pkg them in 2 lb pkgs and WILL NOT cut it down for me. The price is higher than beef tenderlin. First its too much meat and the price is awful. I brought this up to the board once before...and found out it is so much cheaper in other parts of the country. Jewel had a terrific fajita recipe that everyone enjoyed. It looks like a great cut of beef, because its thin, and lean.

My question to you, Gaye, I know you live in Cola, and Melman in Greenville, Beth H...hope I'm getting this right...memory thing going here;) how is the prices in your neck of the woods? Do you have the same problem?

Carolyn

[Beth H]

I am so surprised that your butcher will not cut down a piece of meat for you -- have you tried calling ahead -- the day before you shop, for example?

I buy flank steak about once a month -- it seems as though the packaged ones I buy run around $8 - 10. Not super cheap, but not tenderloin level either.

Where do you shop? I use either Publix (which is not in the Low Country, I don't think) or the Pig.

[Carolina68]

I know you didn't ask me, but being from SC, I decided to jump in and respond to your question. I am in the Sumter area and like you I can only find very large packages here.....2 pounds plus and it is quite pricey, but the biggest aggrevation for me is not so much the price, but having to buy some much at one time. Mostly I shop at BiLo or Winn Dixie.

[Melman]

I can't help either. I've never bought flank steak. I'm not even sure I've ever checked prices. I just went to Publix last night, so I probably won't be back until the weekend. I'll try to remember to look when I'm in there the next time.

[carolyn.1]

Carolina68, you are ALWAYS welcome to join in...that's a given;)

Beth, the butchers say the flank steak arrives pre-packaged and they can't divide it...yeah rite!!Have you ever heard of such a thing??? The butcher at The Pig told me that. I shop at The Pig & Bi-Lo. We do have a very nice Publix, but its alittle bit out of my way. We also have Harris Teeter and Food Lion but I don't shop there.

Gaye, sorry, I assumed you live in Columbia because I see "Gamecocks" under your username and I just associate Cola with Gamecocks.

[Beth H]

Hmmm. . .I find that hard to believe about flank steak coming pre-packaged. Do you have any other kind of nice grocery store or butcher in your area? Here in Columbia we have the Fresh Market, which has a great meat department. All of their meat is fresh -- no pre-packaging. I'm sure they would cut things to specifications. I know my in-laws who lived in North Charleston used to get steaks from a butcher there -- can't recall the name, though.

You might try some of these recipes with a London Broil -- it's not exactly the same but a similar cut, I think.

[Melman]

I just called our Fresh Market. The butcher said it's usually around $4.99 or 5.99 a pound (since it's still in a sort of rush hour, I didn't want him to be wasting time on the phone call). I asked if I could buy a piece that was around a pound. He said there could be a piece that small but said most of the cuts are probably a pound-and-a-half.

HA...I guess I assumed Gaye was in Columbia too!!!

[GayeC]

Originally posted by carolyn.1
Gaye, sorry, I assumed you live in Columbia because I see "Gamecocks" under your username and I just associate Cola with Gamecocks.

Carolyn -- You are right, I do live in Columbia. I usually shop at Bi-Lo and the main problem I have with flank steak there is, they usually don't have it! I asked the butcher once and he looked at me like I was a nut and said, "Nobody buys it." So when I see it I usually grab a package. My vague recollection is that they are usually about 1.5 pounds.

I had the impression from reading one of Laurie Cowin's books (Home Cooking or More Home Cooking) that flank steak was a budget cut. Wrong! I guess I don't have a good solution to your problem, except to second the suggestion that a store like Publix or The Fresh Market would probably be more responsive to your request for a smaller package.

Gaye

[Melman]

I hate that "nobody buys it" attitude!! Arrgh! That's why I complain about our lousy grocery stores around here. I was in a really good fish store doing research (for another day...just wanted to see what they had on a normal day). I asked if they had haddock. He looked at me almost like I had 3 eyes or something...but sort of smiled. He told me it was a "northern fish" and most people around here never had heard of it.

Oh, the foods the general "southern" public is missing!!!!!! YUMM!!

[Carolina68]

Could some of you Columbia posters tell me where the Fresh Market is located at? I hate Sumter grocery stores and we don't have anything in the way of fresh markets, asian markets, etc...... Every couple of months or so I head over to Columbia, to Publix or Kroger to get those items that I can't find here in Sumter and I would love to visit the Fresh Market that I keep hearing about.

Thanks for your help!!

[GayeC]

The Fresh Market is located in Trenholm Plaza. There is also a Publix there, so it is a great location for "foodies!" From Sumter you would come up 378, take a right at the fork in the road just past Fort Jackson Blvd. (there will be a Bi-Lo on your left). I'm not sure if this is Beltline Blvd when you take the right fork but it soon becomes Beltline. Very soon (probably less than a mile) take a right onto Trenholm Road. Trenholm Plaza will be on your right, again probably less than a mile after you turn onto Trenholm.

Gaye

[GayeC]

Originally posted by Melman
I hate that "nobody buys it" attitude!! Arrgh! That's why I complain about our lousy grocery stores around here.

I hate that too! I sometimes wonder why I keep shopping at Bi-Lo. I guess because it's close to my house and I know where everything is, so I can breeze through quickly. It's certainly not for the service. But when I need special or unusual items (or just want to enjoy the "zen" of grocery shopping!) I go to Publix or The Fresh Market.

Gaye

[carolyn.1]

Well, it seems we all are basically having trouble getting Flank Steak in our area. I wanted to get a census so I didn't think I was going batty!!:(

I will try Publix, it seems I may have better luck there. It will still ultimately depend on the price per lb. I refuse to pay $6.99 for a lb of the "cheaper cut" beef.

Gaye, thanks for helping Carolina68 with the directions;) and I know what you mean by staying at Bi-Lo, I think I stay because it is alot cheaper on most household staple items.

Carolina68 good luck at the fresh market, I go to Sumter about 4 times a year, our best friends live on Henderson Street.

Melman, I have the same reactions (three eyes on my forehead:eek: ) that you get from our butchers...oh god and to ask them to tenderize a piece of round steak..they go balistic!

Carolyn

[Carolina68]

THANK YOU, Gaye. I will definitely check it out on my next trip to Columbia.

[slknight]

Thought I'd stick my nose in here even though I'm not in S. Carolina. I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in your flank steak dilemma. I have a hard time finding it as well.

And yes, when I do find it, it is almost always in a 2-pound package (for about $12-$14). You may find that depending on which butcher you ask (at any given time of day), they may or may not cut it down for you. I never specifically ask for them to cut it, but say innocently, "Do you have any smaller packages?" Sometimes the answer is no, that's all we've got. Sometimes they'll offer to cut it. This is at the same store. Totally depends on the mood of the person.

The other solution is to buy the big package, cut it yourself, and freeze the other half.

Now haddock is another story. It's everywhere (I'm in Maine).

[Melman]

Funny you should mention Maine and haddock in the same sentence. That's where I was when I had haddock for the first time this past summer!! I want to come back!!!

<quick soapbox moment> I think one of the reasons that Bilo does so well is simply because they're on every corner!! They've over-saturated the area. In my book, their name does NOT say it all (as the advertisements yell at us all the time). The best price on any item depends on what ad is in the Wednesday paper. I think the best prices for general grocery items is Walmart. For QUALITY items, Publix, the Fresh Market, Earthfare, and Garner's runs all over Bilo. I go out of my way to NOT shop at Bilo...and usually only go maybe once a month to get the one or two items that ONLY they carry. I'd rather spend my grocery shopping money ANYwhere else!!<off my soapbox>

I want Whole Foods. Harrummpph!

:D

[GayeC]

Originally posted by Melman
I think the best prices for general grocery items is Walmart. :D

I think you're right. WIS-TV in Columbia did a feature on grocery prices recently and WalMart was the cheapest (Bi-Lo was second). But, you know, even though I'm a fairly cost-conscious person, I just can't bring myself to shop for groceries at Wal-Mart!

Gaye

[Beth H]

I'm not a big Bi-Lo fan either, and I have the same reaction to shopping for groceries at Walmart.

I still miss the Harris Teeter a ton. The Publix I go to (on Trenhom Plaza) has not been responsive at all to requests for certain products, etc.

Recently the Pig nearest me was totally renovated and I have to say I like it quite a bit, although I've never been a huge Pig fan.

[michelern]

Originally posted by GayeC


I just can't bring myself to shop for groceries at Wal-Mart!



I'm glad I'm not the only one who has said that....don't know what it is, but I just can't do it....AND BY THE WAY.....I also think that the ONLY reason Bilo has done well is because they are everywhere you look.....I wish the Fresh Market in Greenville was closer to my house...I think I would go there everyday!

[carolyn.1]

Gaye, Melman
our local Walmart is remodeling into a SuperWalmart. So I haven't been able to get groceries there. BUT...I do buy all my household non food items there. :D I, too don't know about getting groceries there though. We'll see..

HEY, maybe they'll have a good price on Flank Steak
:D ;) :D

Carolyn

[Melman]

Maybe I should qualify my Walmart grocery comments. ;-) I don't want ANYONE to think I go there often. Eeeks. I have to kick my brain into some other gear before I even enter the Walmart parking lot!!!! (Something about the number of grocery carts equalling the number of cars gives me --and the sides of my car-- the heeby-jeebies!!)

I go to Walmart maybe every 2 or 3 weeks and buy things like non-grocery items (paper towels, foil or wrap, etc.) and especially CANNED items. Their prices on beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, salsa, and stuff like that can't usually be found cheaper anywhere else. The fact that I can take the Bilo ad and they'll match it is just a bonus. ;-) I don't buy meats there...don't buy milk there (ha! I get that at the Little Cricket - Peelers for $2.49 a gallon!!)...but have bought the same brand sour cream or butter cheaper than any of the grocery stores. Oh yeah...their cilantro is usually better on Woodruff Road than any other store.

For meats, chicken or seafood, or produce, I go to Publix. For special items, it's Publix. I keep wanting to send a letter to the owners of Publix and tell them they need to move their stores toward a Whole Foods and to NOT go backwards and turn into yet another bilo-type store.

Just curious....have any of you really listened to the grocery store ads we get? Bilo, Food Lion, whatever else. They emphasize "best prices". I never hear them say "best quality" or "best selection". Hmmmm... maybe that's what I should the bigwigs at the top at Publix.

[GayeC]

Originally posted by Melman
Maybe I should qualify my Walmart grocery comments. ;-) I don't want ANYONE to think I go there often. Eeeks.

LOL. Believe me, I was NOT picturing you as a "Wal-Mart foodie!"

[GayeC]

Originally posted by GayeC
The Fresh Market is located in Trenholm Plaza. There is also a Publix there, so it is a great location for "foodies!" From Sumter you would come up 378, take a right at the fork in the road just past Fort Jackson Blvd. (there will be a Bi-Lo on your left). I'm not sure if this is Beltline Blvd when you take the right fork but it soon becomes Beltline. Very soon (probably less than a mile) take a right onto Trenholm Road. Trenholm Plaza will be on your right, again probably less than a mile after you turn onto Trenholm.

Gaye

Carolina68 -- I happened to go this way today and noticed that Applebee's is a better landmark than Bi-Lo for taking the right fork off 378 (you will have already passed the VA Hospital and a Target on the left).

Gaye

[Carolina68]

Thanks for the updated directions Gaye. I think I know where the Applebee's is at that you are talking and the fork off of 378. I shouldn't have a problem with those directions......thanks again. I am planning on heading that way very soon.

Happy Easter

[Melman]

Here's an update from Publix. They have flank steak at a cost of $5.69/pound. The smallest pre-wrapped package was 1.78 pound. All the other packages were 2 pounds or higher.

They also carry it at Earthfare on Augusta Road at a whopping price of $9.99/pound.

Guess what nobody in the area carries. Whole nutmeg. I guess that will be on my next Penzey's order.

[carolyn.1]

I'll try the Publix in my area...just too see:)
But, it does look to be more $ than I care to spend on a "cheap" cut on beef. I'll just keep using my venison tenderloin for these types of meat dishes.

Carolina68, I hope you can find it in Columbia at a reasonable price...Good Luck;)

Thanks everyone for your help.
Carolyn

[clarebear92]

I can't believe I've been off the board for a couple months and nearly missed this thread.
I feel all of your flank steak-hunting pain. I can rarely find it, and when I do it's never less than $5.99/pound.
I live in Cola and go to the Bi-Lo for all the same reasons it seems everyone here goes to Bi-Lo: It's near my house, there's no more Harris Teeter, and it beats the Pig and the aging Kroger and Food Lion nearby. And Beth, the redone Pig is nicer, but don't you feel somewhat like it is still a Pig in Publix clothing?
I, for one, can't wait until they open the Publix on Rosewood Drive. I went to the Publix on Harbison a couple weeks ago and was drooling over how lovely it was. I think it will be several months before the Publix opens, though. :(
Sigh ...
And after all that, I want to buy some flank steak this week. I guess I'll just go to Fresh Market first.

[GayeC]

Originally posted by clarebear92
... the redone Pig is nicer, but don't you feel somewhat like it is still a Pig in Publix clothing?

A Pig in Publix clothing?! That is hilarious -- and so true!

Gaye