I'll repeat Gleam's note: There are some great bargains to be had at places such as Assi Plaza or H-Mart as well as the other local-chain places such as Caputo's or perhaps Garden Fresh.

I bought one at Assi for $5/lb and it was just fine for marinating and slicing into small bits. You're not going to get a tough tenderloin unless you overcook it. It'll be bland, but that's tenderloin in a nutshell.

I might not want to use this for a Chateaubriand presentation, but if it's crusted with herbs, wrapped in pastry, cut into bits for kabob, stroganoff, chinese food, etc. etc. they can't be beat.

One more tip: while the quality may not be lacking, the meats from Assi, H Mart, Caputo's are not USDA graded, only inspected as they are coming from Mexico. I have had tenderloins from all three and had no issue with them in quality or flavor.

USDA non graded tenders are good for grinding into burgers or small strips. Even the USDA Choice tenders from Sam's are getting close to USDA Select. We had one from Sam's yesterday(I do my own trimming) and while the flavor was excellent, the tenderness was not what i like. Of course with USDA Prime going for $30/# versas about $10/# for Sam's, its usually not a hard decision.
On the other hand i just purchased a whole boneless USDA Choice Rib Eye from our local Pick n Save for $7/# and it was superb. I cut it into 'Cowboy' Rib Steaks and one large roast and freeze.-Dick

I always roast a tenderloin in addition to a turkey (not at the same time lol). I haven't seen anything below $20/lb so far...and I check wherever I go. I'm in northern burbs, would drive moderate distance to save $$$ since I could buy other stuff. Is there a wholesale place I don't know about? I know Peoria Packing hasn't ever had beef tenderloin when I've been there a dozen times or so.

Thanks.

$7.99 Eurofresh Palatine, Tinley Park, and a couple of other locations

$7.99 Brookhaven, Mokena, Burr Ridge, and some other locations

Can't speak to the current price, but I've gotten great deals on tenderloin at Costco in the past.

Yes on Costco. Also, you'll pay less if you're willing to forego the center cut.

bfolds wrote:Can't speak to the current price, but I've gotten great deals on tenderloin at Costco in the past.

Thirded.

Hi,

I haven't been to H-Mart for a while, though for quite a while they had relatively inexpensive tenderloin. Sure you do the trimming yourself, which happens with Costco, too.

Regards,

Costco was $19.99/lb this week, fresh turkey $1.09.

Thanks for the replies, especially the Eurofresh, will check that out in Palatine.

Caputo's usually has Pismo's and they're frequently on sale.
I'm think it's possible they're previously frozen and then thawed for sale but they always taste great to me.


Edited to add - curiosity got the best of me so I called the Elmwood Park Capuoto's - pismos are $6.99/lb.

I saw cryo'd beef tenderloins at three of my stops this afternoon.
They were $8/lb at HMArt and Tonys and $10/lb at GFS, all in Niles.

Got mine in cryovac today at Eurofresh, they were kind enough to trim it for me, looks terrific. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Final followup, it turned out great and I had zero leftover, everyone inhaled it and I'd head back for a less expensive piece of meat there any time.