I guess i could buy my portehouse steakes from the food mammoth, pick and lick or the food crypt, rather than my local butcher and still leave the store with a "porterhouse" (and maybe get e-choli sp.??), but to me, I'd rather buy from someone passionate about their product AND provides superior service.

I know you really weren't intending to talk about steaks, but it did give me an excuse to segue into a mention that if there's anyone who's not yet discovered it, you absolutely need to check out the beef at COSTCO.

At first, I was reluctant to even try their meats, skeptical about any steak from a place that also sells auto batteries and cheap VCRs. Then a friend talked me into giving them a try. What a surprise!

I find they're not only about 40% less than my local supermarkets, their steaks are far higher quality.

I live in the Boston area and used to miss the quality meats I enjoyed when I was living in TX. COSTCO is the only place I've seen where you can get that same quality meat. And it's damn cheap, too! Can't do better than that!

Nicki