Bismarck Has Two Of The Top 12 Meat Departments In America

As somebody who tries to eat healthy, I spend a lot of time at the grocery store. Eating real, whole foods is a big part of that. That means I spend a lot of time in front of the meat counter. Not only looking for the best cuts of meat to make dinner for my family, but I'm also always looking for a bargain or two. Nothing is more expensive these days at the grocery store than meat.

How Expensive has Meat Become?

It's crazy how much meat has increased. Do you remember being able to buy a big roast for under 10 dollars? It wasn't that long ago. In fact, over the last six years, meat prices, especially beef, have risen significantly. Since 2020, ground beef has been up around 50%, and steaks have been up between 41-54%, according to NPR. Other cuts are up even more.

(SEE ALSO: The Grossest Foods People Eat in North Dakota)

Our friends at Chowhound blanketed the country, looking for the top 12 grocery chains with quality meat departments. The article focused on "quality" because if you have to pay a lot anyway, you might as well get the best meat possible. I couldn't agree more. Their top 12 grocery chain meat departments are based on customer reviews, professional evaluations, and store policies regarding sourcing, feed, and treatment.

We have TWO Grocery Chains in Bismarck that made the Top 12 in America for Quality Meat Departments.

They include Costco and Sam's/Walmart. In the article, they had this to say about the Costco meat department. Their rotisserie chicken received high praise.

The 411 on Costco Meat

Costco has a reputation for stocking a large variety of quality cuts of meat. The only beef (no pun intended), even some of the regular cuts can be pricey. Be ready to buy in bulk for the best savings.

The 411 on Sam's/Walmart Meat

High-quality meats with glowing reviews online. In particular, ribeye, tomahawk, and cowboy steaks were all singled out as great. I will add that I agree on the quality, but much like Costco, some of the cuts can be spendy, and at Walmart, some of the cuts can be a bit thin.

Another grocery chain in North Dakota also made the Top 12, and that was Aldi, which has stores in Grand Forks and Fargo. I know numerous people in Bismarck-Mandan who would love to see Aldi open up in the Capital Region.

This reminds me, I've got a roast in the slow cooker for tonight. I can't wait. Beef, it's what's for dinner.