My younger son lives in St Pete and wants to find sirloin steak tips. When he comes up here to visit, he always asks me to grill some marinated tips, but he says he cannot find them in Florida. Are they sold in Florida? If so, what are they called?

Dave HERE's a list of other common names, so they may be right in front of your son in the meat case, but may be called something else.

Don't see them listed. They aren't steaks but strips maybe 6-8" long and 1" or so thick that I think are cut off sirloin strips (the tail) before the whole strip is cut into steaks. Sometimes they are cut into chunks, but usually not.Maybe a regional thing up here from what I've been able to gather. Packages usually run about $3.50 per pound and sold mostly in 3 lb packs. Popular up here marinated and quick grilled. Thanks for the chart. Might come in handy in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave/G:
Don't see them listed. They aren't steaks but strips maybe 6-8" long and 1" or so thick that I think are cut off sirloin strips (the tail) before the whole strip is cut into steaks. Maybe a regional thing up here from what I've been able to gather. Packages usually run about $3.50 per pound and sold mostly in 3 lb packs. Popular up here marinated and quick grilled. Thanks for the chart. Might come in handy in the future.

I've seen exactly what you're describing in Costco......they were tri-tip 'strips' if you will....not sure if they're the same thing, but the description you described was to a T to what I saw!

That could be, not sure. Tri tips are unknown for the most part up here. I've only seen the typical tri tips in one market and only twice since I found out about them when I joined here. Pilgrims!!!!!!! I'll try and see if I can find an ad on line for the sirloin tips and send it to you. Upon further review, my wife is headed to the store. Asked her to get a pack. I'll take a couple of pics (assuming she gets the right thing, you know how that is)
Who knows if these people know what they are talking about, but here is a little something I ran into. Maybe from the top sirloin, not sure.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/349139
LOL on the mystery meat they reference.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave/G,

Larry,
Here are a few pics. I guess I'm living in the dark ages as these cost $4.99. When on sale, they are about $3.50-$3.79, but no matter. There are four strips of meat on the platter, each about 1.5" - 2" wide.

Dave, if I were a betting man, I'd say they are pieces of tri tip, but I'm not an expert. I have a butcher friend in Florida that I e-mailed for his advice....

quote:

Tri tips are unknown for the most part up here.

Just go to Trader Joe's. There's one on Rte 9.

'Sirloin tips' are available pretty much anywhere but, yes, they can be called different things - and don't necessarily come from the sirloin ('sirloin tip roast' is actually beef knuckle - from the round - and trim is often sold as 'sirloin tips'). Trim from the top of the sirloin, the rump end, shortloin trim - whatever - is sold as tips.

Dave here's the response I received from my buddy in Florida. Hope it helps!

Larry, it looks like Bottom Sirloin Flap Meat to me. I know it can be found at Costco in Florida for sure. Probably a 'real' butcher shop by request.

In Florida he can find Sirloin "Sizzler" Steaks at Sweet Bay supermarkets and sometimes Albertsons and Publix. They are also cut from the Bottom Sirloin and are relatively tender and flavorful. Different texture than the Flap, but from the same muscle.

The regional names of meat from New England to Florida differ drastically. I'm originally from NE and had to learn the names of most steaks/roasts all over again when I moved here.

Steve

Thanks Larry and Kevin. I'll send this to my son. He isn't exactly starving to death at 6'4" and 225 lbs but he likes these tips so I thought I'd try to help him out.
Kevin, I know the TJ's on Rt 9. That's my neighborhood. You do get around don't you? Thanks.
Larry, the way the Skins are going, you can't afford to be a betting man.

I get around. Heading back your way as I type. Been in Mass every week for the past few - Northboro and Taunton area. Then I go to OKC where I'm both cooking and working on a budget proposal for a music video - then back to Mass, stopping in Conn to cook Thursday evenings. Whirlwind.

Joe's will have tri-tip both plain and marinated. Get the former. (Don't miss their selection of cheeses, dried and freeze-dried fruits, organic dry cereals, among other things. I also highly recommend their mayo, 'European-style' yogurt, butter, chocolate-covered nuts and dried fruit, and a new item I nabbed last week at their W Hartford store: '1000-layer' crackers. Yum.)

I agree. Looks like flap - a favorite that one almost never sees listed by its real name. It is a muscle that's located right next to the tri-tip and thus its similar appearance.

quote:

Originally posted by K Kruger:
It is a muscle that's located right next to the tri-tip and thus its similar appearance.

That must be why I thought it was Tri! Makes me not feel as dumb now!!

Nope, it was a good call. An excellent cut for one of your favorite approaches, btw: London Broil.

quote:

Originally posted by K Kruger:
Joe's will have tri-tip both plain and marinated. Get the former. (Don't miss their selection of cheeses, dried and freeze-dried fruits, organic dry cereals, among other things. I also highly recommend their mayo, 'European-style' yogurt, butter, chocolate-covered nuts and dried fruit, and a new item I nabbed last week at their W Hartford store: '1000-layer' crackers. Yum.)

I'm going there today among some other places. I once bought a marinated tri there and it was horrid. Will check the plain tris. Didn't have them when I was last there.
Chocolate covered nuts? Oh boy, now you've done it. My weak link. Thanks for the tips, both of you. Appreciate it.

My pleasure.

The plain tris are usually right next to the marinated so are easy to miss. (They're also easy to miss by the stocker so if you don't see any ask if there are any in back.)

The chocolate-covered nuts should be on the shelf above the frozen food case. The dark chocolate- and/or chocolate and cocoa-covered almonds are great, as are the macadamias. I'm also a big fan of the chocolate-covered dried cherries and, a recent revelation, the chocolate-covered mixed dried fruits - blueberries, apricots, cherries, and strawberries. They'll be in a smalish clear plastic container and are of mixed colors: brown, white, red and orange. A nice thing to mix with some chocolate nuts.

I second the chocolate covered cherries and especially the chocolate covered mixed berries. They are excellent. Don't bother looking at the nutritional info - they are not quite as good for you as regular dried fruit...

TJ's marinated Tri was my first attempt at Tri Tip a good while ago. Glad I tried again My second attempt was with a plain and it was fine. The TJ's don't have as much marble and are a bit over trimmed, but they're great especially around my part of the country where you can't get them otherwise unless you are willing to travel and/or buy a box. Local butchers don't want to carry them because they "don't sell". The local TJ's to me (Ardmore) never has the plain. I have to go to the one in Paoli/Devon to get them, but that's a nicer/bigger TJ's anyway. BTW - Kevin helped me with all this way back then too - thanks.

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