How to Buy Steak for Cheap

There's nothing like a good 18-20 oz steak for lunch. However, buying these large steaks can be expensive, especially when you use almost a whole bottle of Bulls-Eye BBQ sauce on them. That's why I've put together this handy guide to buying good steaks, while not breaking the piggy bank.

Beautiful Place to Visit.

Step One: Choosing the Supplier

Finding a supplier where you can get a large steak for pennies is a craft. My buddy Alvin and I often head over to a place called Save-on-Foods. Its about a 2 minute walk from the office and it is one of the only places I can actually say I enjoy grocery shopping. The important thing when it comes to this guide is that it has a large meat department. The more meat, the more price tags, the more the chance for a mistake.

Step Two: Timing is Everything

We have found that the best time to get the deal on steaks is right away in the morning on a weekday. The butcher is busy getting the meat cut and packaged, weighed and priced. This is all taking place while still tired which is considered prime mistake territory. If you can be there while the employee is stocking the shelves, even better.

Focus on the box: 0.11

Step Three: Scan the Label

Finding a mistake and taking advantage of it is important in sports, games, as well as buying steaks. Focussing on the task is key, distractions will always hurt your chances. If you are busy looking at the quality of a pair of steaks marked at $18.34, your chances of getting the $0.15er is severly hampered. Scan the top row of meat like you normally would except look at price instead of quality on the first scan. Your focus should be on the label only. Don't forget the runner that looks over his shoulder at the one chasing is wasting energy and will often be passed. Finding the deal is a competition and the 300 lb lady with the moustache has trained long and hard, don't be beat.

Step Four: Pick and Walk

I'm not sure exactly how the law works on this one but its better to be safe than sorry. When you find the label that was marked wrong and its a price you like, grab it and walk away. If the butcher notices, he may be able to recall it and fix the price (not sure on this one, if you know be sure to email me.) Put in your cart or basket, grab a few more items to distract the clerk at the register, and head to the tills.

1.046 kg for $0.11

Step Five: The Purchase

There is a consumer protection law here in BC that says if the scanned price is higher than the displayed / shelf price, you get the product free*. This is important to protect the grocer from being able to change the price tag. We're not sure if this is applicable to huge mistakes on the grocer's part but we were given the benefit of the doubt and we didn't even make a fuss about it.

Step Six: Eat. Till Full

These rib steaks that we filled up on were excellent. And for just over a dime, we could feel thrifty as well as full.

I received an email in May 2003 from the United Arab Emirates. It seems that this article has made an impact and a restaurateur there wants me to supply them with their meat. You have to read the email and my reply.