Major North Dakota Retailer Named #1 For Fresh, Quality Meats

Summertime in North Dakota means grilling time.

Nothing screams summer more than the intoxicating aroma of your favorite flesh on the grill. I would dare say that just about any meat tastes better barbecued.

As somebody who tries to eat healthy, I'm a big fan of whole, real foods. That means I spend a lot of time in the meat department at grocery stores.

There's no doubt, certain retailers have a better selection of quality meats. This can change from cut to cut, and which kind of meat you are looking for. For example, one grocery might be known for its chicken, but not necessarily their beef. Sometimes, it really pays to shop around.

When it comes to the meat department, which grocery chains are the best?

An article from Chowhound caught my eye recently. It breaks down the 12 best meat departments across the country, and we have 3 of the best right here in North Dakota.

Including the number one mentioned grocery chain of them all. More on that business in a second.

First, let's break down the other two mentioned North Dakota grocery chains that made the list.

Aldi - (3 locations in North Dakota- one in Grand Forks, and 2 in Fargo) Known for its beef cuts, and not necessarily for its chicken.

Aldi has great reviews for beef and is known for giving significant savings, up to 50 percent off the price as the use-by date approaches.

Their chicken gets a bad wrap for "woody" chicken breast reviews.

Sam's Club/Walmart - (3 locations in North Dakota- one each in Grand Forks, Fargo, and Bismarck) Good marks for meat quality. Specifically, ribeye, tomahawk, and cowboy steaks.

Who's number one in the country for top-quality meats? (Number one in America & North Dakota)

Costco - (2 locations in North Dakota- One in West Fargo, and 1 right here in North Bismarck). According to the article, Costco is especially known for its cheap rotisserie chicken.

The Costco meat department has a reputation for stocking plentiful amounts of different cuts of meat.

The fly in the ointment when it comes to the Costco meat department could be the price..Some of their meat can be a bit on the pricey side. However, if you buy it in bulk, this could soften the blow a bit.

All this talk about food on the grill has got me hungry. I know what I'm doing after work. Looks like a grocery run.