They are really pumping out the commercials now. I've seen about 4 today all during the same program.

I'm sure Winco carefully selected items that would favor them but still, this sort of effort shows their commitment to low prices in the market.

I bet their stores do as well in OKC as anywhere else in the country. Just such a great fit.

I agree that they probably picked items that would end up showing that their prices were lower. I'll be interested to see what that same test looks like a year from now after the new car smell comes off.

Wife and I took a trip over to Moore last night to give WinCo a try, so I figured I'd give my 2 cents.

I'll preface by say it was busy for 7:30pm on a Thursday night, but not so busy that there was a line. Walking into the store I was not a big fan of how they funnel you all into one aisle that has all their best deals. This was really confusing and somewhat overwhelming because at first you are thinking everything is random. Once we realized these are the 'it' deals it made a little more sense, but everyone else you could tell was just as confused and it was really crowded in this area. This is something I'm sure will get better though, so not overly concerning.

Now I don't usually do the grocery shopping, so I'm not familiar with all the pricing. My wife does all of it usually, and she is not someone who uses coupons regularly. Her overall impression was that there were definitely some good deals (which I'm curious how many of those are because of the grand opening), but most name brand stuff was similarly priced to Walmart (where we tend to shop because of the pickup feature). Where WinCo seemed to shine was their house branded items. From what I could tell their canned and boxed items were half the price of their name brand counterpart. Needless to say we went with their branded stuff to give it a try. If it's as good as the name brand then I can tell that's where you save your money. She also said the meat and cheese we got was cheapest she'd seen. I believe the cheese was also WinCo branded.

There was a couple of things I didn't like though. For starters the aisle width is only 2 shopping carts wide, and not very forgiving. Compare this to Crest (104th one anyways) where they are nice and wide. The store overall felt very cramped. It seems to me that it's smaller than Crest building wise, but appear to have crammed the same amount of shelving and food in a smaller building. I'm sure this is by design, but makes the store seem very crowded very fast IMO. I'm sure this will get better over time once the new wears off and people aren't all coming at once. So I don't expect this always to be an issue. Lastly I'm sure it was mentioned but I had forgot, I dislike bagging my own groceries. After spending over an hour in the store, this is the last thing I wanted to do and with how much we bought, wasn't fun. Glad I went cause I had forgotten about this and would have felt super bad about my 8 month pregnant wife doing this all by herself.

So in summary for us I'd say overall we had a positive experience. There are definitely savings to be had. We will probably start shopping there on a monthly or 6 week basis to bulk up on the majority of our food. We live over by the airport, so it's a bit of a drive over to Moore so we won't really be able to use it to get the fresh produce every one or two weeks, but we'll continue to utilize either Walmart or Crest for that.

We plan on going to the one on 39th as our regular store once it opens, it'll be closer and cheaper than Uptown (we're at 36th/May), but we're curious about the meat/seafood at Winco. We get all kinds of fresh things from Uptown's meat/fish counter and were wondering how Winco compares to Uptown in that respect? We use Sprouts for deli meat and some produce, so it seems like the meat/fish counter might be the only thing that we'd have to go elsewhere for, but hopefully not.

Went to Winco today and browsed the meat section and they only had Select briskets no choice or angus ones at this time.

Oh lordy...

I decided to stop by today to peruse the aisles. I came at the wrong time! It was elbow to elbow on every aisle! Extremely unejoyable. I bought cabbage, sausage, and beer and then I got the hell out of there! I'll be back at a much later date when the hype has died down.

Also, bread is 88 cents a loaf! Whhhaaattt!

Nothing is worth the seventh level of hell that store currently is. I feel like i just went to war for some groceries. Are somethings really cheap? sure. Are some things more expensive then Crest? Also yes. But when you take into account you cant stop to hardly even look at anything because its so god damn crowded AND you have to bag your own stuff, Im not sure if they were giving away gold bars Id be willing to go again. Maybe when the new wears off in 6 months or if it was like 3am.

^

Will help a ton when the other locations open and the newness wears off.

The ones in California were slammed at the usual busy times but otherwise not a big problem.

I bet that Moore is going to set some Winco records at the rate they've been going.

It doesnt help that it is also one of the oddest layouts of a grocery store that I have ever seen.

I really hope the Portland/39th location doesn't feature an extended period of mob crowds, though at this rate that seems unlikely.

Went to Winco today and browsed the meat section and they only had Select briskets no choice or angus ones at this time.

Better get back over there quick.... I found these choice briskets labeled at select prices....

13919 13920

They must have realized they had selects on the floor and pulled them and put these choice out just as you left!

I think we need a WinCo MeatCam

Better get back over there quick.... I found these choice briskets labeled at select prices....

13919 13920

They must have realized they had selects on the floor and pulled them and put these choice out just as you left!

They must have because dam, all I saw was Select ones and they were definitely higher than those Choice ones in your pictures. I was going to grab another one but they didn't have the good ones out when I was their last time. Someone needs to get to the bottom of this immiediately

What's the real difference between choice and select if they are prepared properly?

Seems like using higher quality meat for BBQ defeats the purpose of why BBQ developed in the first place :p

Seems like using higher quality meat for BBQ defeats the purpose of why BBQ developed in the first place :p

Yep.... It's a fad brought on by shows like BBQ Pitmasters that show all the comp guys using prime/wagyu briskets..... That may be necessary in competition but the beginnings of BBQ are rooted in making tough, undesirable, cuts of meat edible.


What's the real difference between choice and select if they are prepared properly?

Price mostly.... I have no problem cooking select briskets and getting quality product...... With that said if I can get a higher quality piece of meat for lower quality price... I'm going to do it.

They must have because dam, all I saw was Select ones and they were definitely higher than those Choice ones in your pictures. I was going to grab another one but they didn't have the good ones out when I was their last time. Someone needs to get to the bottom of this immiediately

Any chance you spotted sasquatch buying beef jerky at Winco the day you were there too?

What's the real difference between choice and select if they are prepared properly?

I don't think that I've ever cooked a select brisket, but it would stand to reason that less marbling means a greater possibility of drying out the meat, especially the flat portion. Of course, if one wraps the brisket at the stall, that could help a great deal. Choice brisket is pretty inexpensive at Sam's, so I'll either buy it there or Uptown. When I'm spending that much time and money on a piece of meat, I figure I'll hedge my bets by going choice. Doubt I'll ever be able to feel good about spending Prime money on a brisket.

Any chance you spotted sasquatch buying beef jerky at Winco the day you were there too?

Actually yes...but conveniently there are no pictures of THAT, either.

What's the real difference between choice and select if they are prepared properly?

Your meat will take longer to smoke and render out the fat on Select vs Choice or Prime, so you end up using more wood and it takes longer for it to cook.

Does anyone know of a grocery store in OKC that sells Prime briskets?

Your meat will take longer to smoke and render out the fat on Select vs Choice or Prime, so you end up using more wood and it takes longer for it to cook.

Hmmmmm.... In 20+ years of cooking briskets I've never had this problem.... I must be doing something wrong.

Does anyone know of a grocery store in OKC that sells Prime briskets?

Yes

Your meat will take longer to smoke and render out the fat on Select vs Choice or Prime, so you end up using more wood and it takes longer for it to cook.

I would think Select would take less time to cook as they generally have less fat (%2 or so) where Choice can range up to that 4% to 10% based on the cut. I've never really had a reason to buy Select and Choice is widely available here in Oklahoma for my smoking habits at reasonable rates.

I would think Select would take less time to cook as they generally have less fat (%2 or so) where Choice can range up to that 4% to 10% based on the cut.

Yeah... You would think that but apparently there is something in that select fat that makes it harder to render out.... Or so I've heard. :rolleyes:

Personally all the briskets I cook get cooked until they jiggle like jello, so cook times vary, but that usually has more to do with the size of the brisket than the grade.

I dropped down to select grade during the drought when prices skyrocketed as cattle farmers cut back on their herds.... Now that choice is back under $3 lb.... I've gone back to choice or CAB briskets just because they are a little more forgiving to cook.

Yes

Ok what stores carry Prime brisket and whats the price range for them??

You can get prime brisket from Lobels in New York for 119.00 but that seems really high to me.

http://www.lobels.com/usda-prime-beef-brisket/p/UPBRSK

You can get prime brisket from Lobels in New York for 119.00 but that seems really high to me.

http://www.lobels.com/usda-prime-beef-brisket/p/UPBRSK

Seems like you would pay more for gas to get there than the brisket costs.

Seems like you would pay more for gas to get there than the brisket costs.

It's sent through the mail. But what stores locally sell Prime Briskets?

39th & Portland location as of last night:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/winco1.jpg

Went in the other day, moderately impressed, they had some solid prices on their value items and of course their wall of deals you walk through to enter. Average retail pricing seemed to be at a Crest level if not a tad cheaper in many cases, many things higher though probably to margin up on those things. Maybe I've been spoiled by the mega Crests, Reasors etc in OK but it was almost a bit claustrophobic to walk around in? It was busy but the ceiling didn't feel as high as a normal high end grocery store is and had a lot of utilities hanging down. Very plain as well which probably helps their low costs but after seeing stores in the area put a ton of work into theming and decor it was a bit odd.

Very impressed by their bulk section, though some of the suggestions seemed a bit odd to me. The coffee grind section and honey section were also very unique and neat to see. Pricing in bulk was fantastic if that's your thing. Not impressed at all with their bakery, very few cakes on display, I was a bit concerned by their dates on their bakery items, many things I saw went out of date within a day. Which is fine if they're baking fresh every morning which hopefully they are this soon into being open. Meat section looked good, good prices, interesting recipes on the tags a lot of time, I didn't get a chance to check percentage of select vs choice though ;) .

Center store grocery seemed a bit confusingly laid out. Maybe it's the fact you have so many avenues to go down and turn down aisles but I was missing a lot of things as I shopped. They also have a lot of issues still at checkout which I'm sure is due to customers not understanding the bag your own thing yet. Many people just stared at the groceries instead of hopping down and getting started. Maybe better signage would improve things.

They definitely are going to have an audience that will love them but honestly for me, if I still want a premium shopping experience with good prices I'll probably still go to Crest the majority of the time. I can also confirm Crest is pushing hard on AWG to get pricing on key items more in line with what Winco is currently at. But many are waiting to see if Winco raises prices up here in a few months. So we will see.

I find the comments on claustrophobia to be interesting. That's the same reason we frequently end up skipping the crest on Rockwell and Hefner for Homeland. Even though the selection is good, the store is so moved that we end up deciding to pay $30-$50 more a grocery trip at Homeland to avoid the crowds.

I went at 7:30 on a Tuesday night and it was busy but not overly so. Maybe the aisles aren't as wide as I'm accustomed to at something like a Crest? I dunno it felt slightly overwhelming.

I find the comments on claustrophobia to be interesting. That's the same reason we frequently end up skipping the crest on Rockwell and Hefner for Homeland. Even though the selection is good, the store is so moved that we end up deciding to pay $30-$50 more a grocery trip at Homeland to avoid the crowds.

This. I usually skip the homeland to shop at Crest on Rockwell and Hefner, but man those aisles are small..

Anyone know what is the latest on the Penn and Memorial rd location?

Anyone know what is the latest on the Penn and Memorial rd location?

Their are site issues (a creek runs right through) they have been trying to work through. Winco still hasn't purchased the land.

Midwest City location

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/wincomwc061817.jpg

Just got a flyer in the mail that Winco is hiring for the Midwest City location.

Has anyone heard when they plan to open?

Just got a flyer in the mail that Winco is hiring for the Midwest City location.

Has anyone heard when they plan to open?

Pete,
Yeah, I'm excited. They want to hire me. Got an offer in the mail Saturday. Somewhere on this forum I read that August is their target date. I think it's in the Mid-Del group.
C. T.

Ok what stores carry Prime brisket and whats the price range for them??

Sams Club

1394113941

Sams Club

Nice... Did you have to ask for them? All I ever see at Sam's is select.

They were out in one of the coolers. They had prime in one side, select on the other, and angus/choice in a different cooler. Maybe they are just stocking up for July 4th cookouts?

They were out in one of the coolers. The game had select on one side, select on the other, and angus/choice in a different cooler. Maybe they are just stocking up for July 4th cookouts?

That could be.... I checked the Sam's website and they don't show them available there..... Last time I looked at the Sam's in Moore all they had were the trimmed flats and they were all select for a higher price than the choice untrimmed I had just seen at Winco..... Trimmed usually runs a little higher than packer but still it was select at a higher price than choice.

Sams Club

1394113941

Your putting me on with that fake USDA PRIME sticker you superimposed on that photo LOL good one

Why do we bother...

Why do we bother...

You may have noticed I never answered beyond saying "Yes".... Even if I fed the troll the answer it would have only found select briskets.

Ya the Sams in Norman only carries choice brisket but they carry very few full packers. If you ask they can usually get you one from the back though. Never asked for prime. I might next time.

Ya the Sams in Norman only carries choice brisket but they carry very few full packers. If you ask they can usually get you one from the back though. Never asked for prime. I might next time.

Yeah... I'm curious now. I know they carry slabs of short ribs by the case but you never see them out in a display.... Wonder if they are doing the same for prime briskets..... I know Homeland will special order prime briskets if you ask them to. One of my competition cook friends has ordered them from the one on N. May.

My uncle will buy prime tenderloins, brisket, etc. from Sam's and they keep them in the back. You have to ring the bell and ask a butcher to get you one.

The signage has been hung on the MWC location.

Why does this meat grade argument seem like it's building up to the promotion of someone's own business or where they work?

Welcome to The Brisket Blog.

Why does this meat grade argument seem like it's building up to the promotion of someone's own business or where they work?

Don't know.... I haven't been self employed in almost 14 years, although Pete has offered to introduce me to some investors to start a BBQ business a couple of times, and where I work wouldn't benefit any from an announcement on a thread for a grocery store I like to shop in.

Don't know.... I haven't been self employed in almost 14 years, although Pete has offered to introduce me to some investors to start a BBQ business a couple of times, and where I work wouldn't benefit any from an announcement on a thread for a grocery store I like to shop in.

My comment was directed at you at all. Sorry if you took it that way.

Let's please stick to talking about Winco. Thanks.

��Sorry, Pete

No worries.

Just learned the Midwest City location plans to open on August 1st.

I'm looking forward to the MWC store since I live 1.2 miles from there. I went to the Moore location this week and I liked some things I saw. Unfortunately, I live alone and don't cook much since I only eat one meal a day, so I can't comment on prices. They seemed to be fairly low but I believe fairly close to Walmart and Crest. I just look forward for another option.
C. T.

They are starting to build cinder block walls at the Route 66 WinCo location.

The crowds at Moore have settled 'some', I'm sure MWC and eventually Portland and 39th will be the same for awhile after they open, with another similar response whenever the dust clears on the fourth location.

Given this response, are there any rumors about looking into additional metro locations?