Nice resource I found recently. It is a meat wholesaler, so straight warehouse facility that I'm…read moresure delivers to stores and restaurants. And after gazing at their product listing one day, I can kinda tell that they probably service a lot of ethnic shops like taquerias and small brick n mortars.
You actually don't see or interact with any of their products directly. Upon opening their public door, there's a small office with a window. There's a current product sheet there with current pricing. You have to go by this and not with what you got in the past, or internet postings, as this sheet will be their current inventory and pricing. And pricing these days can vary greatly from week to week as well as supply. There's also a hanging bulletin board that has a lot of weekly specials.
Once you've found something, you just place the order with the nice receptionist. She'll draw up a receipt and take your payment. CASH ONLY (for some reason). You then have to go outside where your car is and wait for a warehouse employee to bring it out to you. They are quick, like I've never had to wait more than 3 minutes.
I've tried this place like 3 times now since I work nearby and just hit this up on my way home. Here are some finds:
*In a very industrial zone of San Leandro. Close to the Costco but much deeper in industrial streets. Can't see it from a main road. Gotta go under an overpass then parallel a railroad track. Now that I know where it is at, it's a breeze. But first time looking it was a bit of a challenge.
*All meats I've gotten thus far are frozen solid. But nicely frozen where you won't have to break anything separating things. Lots of things are well sealed in tight cryovac. So will have to spend time defrosting goods, can't go home and start cooking. But I just put whatever I'm planning on cooking in the fridge for a good day and just cook it the next day or so. And in what meats I've gotten even though frozen at one point is still of really good quality once defrosted.
*Beef seems somewhat 'Choice grade' but I haven't seen any labeling to say so. Steaks I've tried are meatier and chewier than most grocery stores in my area, but in a good way. Feels more natural and not as 'water-y'. I've only tried 1 lb Rib Eye Steaks and thin cut NY strips so far, and have been more than pleased. Also tried some lamb shoulder chops and they too made for good dishes.
*Pricing less than retail grocery stores unless there is mass grocery sale. Competive with Costco beef pricing but here you'll have to defrost something slowly. But you won't have to go through the Costco grind of getting aggravated in the parking lot, weaving through hundreds of people and waiting in life-sucking lines. I mean I'll still go to Costco, but if I can go to Costco less, then I've just freed up a big part of my personal time.
*If I'm ever gonna feed a big group, big bbq, holiday party, big potluck etc., this will be a legit option. You can get cases of stuff here, whole ribeyes and briskets, cases of chicken/pork/lamb. They even have bacon, sausage and common cheeses on wholesale. And a big draw here is they have a ton of ethnic meats, which is why I'm sure they deal with a lot ethnic mom n pops. Tripe, suadero, beef cheeks, pork necks, livers all here. Probably won't find that stuff at Costco.
*Warehouse hours, open like super early like 6-7 am and close by noon. Works for my hours but not for many others.
Good fit for me, so they'll become a resource for me.