We've shared a grass-fed cow with our neighbors for three years now and the ranch sends the beef to Steve's for processing. It's a bit of a haul to pick it up but the local places get their schedules filled and can't hands our order. The first year, when we drove out to Lebanon in October, it was nearly 100 degrees out there and our beef was almost thawed by the time we got it back to the coast (even though it was in coolers and frozen when we picked it up). Part of the reason is that they wheeled the meat out to the lobby and in boxes. We used the dolly to take one box at a time out to the car but couldn't fit it in that way and had to open the boxes and load it into coolers. It took a while and no one offered to help us. In future years, we took a truck so we didn't have to open the boxes. More expense in gas but worth it.
They do a nice job wrapping the meat, everything is clean and clearly labeled and the order is custom. They call and ask how you want everything. One annoying thing is that they don't seem to keep this information on file so we have to go through it again every year. Good thing we keep notes! The hamburger comes in two-pound tubes which are really convenient, especially for company. It makes plenty for a party of four to six. But you can also get it in one-pound tubes. Same with steaks. We get them in packages of two but you can get four per as well. The do a great job with the trimming, the meat is really beautiful. If you request to receive the organ meats, bones or fat, however, you have to really make sure they've given it to you. They'll either forget to include it, give you something else, or give you a partial order. After driving home an hour and a half, it's pretty annoying to realize you didn't get it all.
Like most meat processors, they also make sausage and have a good selection at the shop. We didn't try any but I would guess that they're good. read more
