Pro tip: check your supplier's beef grade labels... I almost got burned

I was breaking down a shipment last Tuesday and noticed the boxes said 'Choice' but the invoices said 'Select'. Been using this supplier for about 6 months, never thought to double check. Turns out they were swapping the cheaper grade into my order and hoping I wouldn't notice. The difference in marbling is about 3% fat content, which changes the whole cook for my customers. Found it by accident when a new guy on the dock mixed up the paperwork and I saw both side by side. Cost me nearly $200 extra on that one order if I'd paid the Choice price for Select meat. Has anyone else caught their supplier pulling something like this? What did you do about it?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_sandra17d ago

Whoa, that's a rough way to find out. I remember a few years back my local butcher was swapping out the ground chuck I ordered for a cheaper mix. He was grinding it fresh in front of me, so I didn't think to look at the labels until I got home. It was a whole different texture when I cooked it up for my family dinner, just fell apart instead of holding together. I called him out on it and he played it off like a "mistake on the order sheet" but I switched suppliers anyway. Your mileage may vary, but I'd say trust your gut if the meat doesn't cook the same as usual.

theabarnes17d ago

Whoa that's shady! I actually read somewhere that switching grades like that is way more common than people think, especially with bigger distributors. I remember seeing a report last year about how some suppliers bank on busy restaurants not checking every box. @the_sandra's story about the ground chuck is exactly what I'm talking about, if the texture or look is off, something is probably up. You gotta check those labels every time because the fat content really changes how the meat cooks and how your customers like it. The whole thing is honestly just dishonest business, and I'd be making a stink with the supplier or reporting them to the Better Business Bureau if they don't make it right.