07/10/2024
When I hear someone comment how expensive a Brisket Sandwich is at different bbq places I just think to myself " If you only knew why". 2 of my briskets I'm cooking weight a combined total of 44.36 lbs. Of that weight, the hard fat I trimmed off is 13.01 pounds (still leaving a protective layer to render during the 18 hour cook so about 4 pounds). So of that original 44.36 pounds, about 17 pounds is fat. During the cook, the weight of servable meat drops even lower, depending upon how much fat actually renders.
I used Sams Club because it's pricing is available online and the other stores aren't so open about it
Sams Club choice per lbs is $4.18. So $71.06 in fat
So that would be $185.43 for 2 choice briskets and $71.06 of that purchase is initial fat waste off the top. This doesn't include additional product shrinkage during the cook, cooking fuel, seasoning and any supplies used for cooking in addition to the pit masters time to trim, seasoning, monitor, wrap, slice, ect. This is only 1 breakdown. Most bbq places use prime or waygu now. That bumps the cost up even more. Also, using a product delivery service is NOT cheaper. Most times in my experience, it's actually more expensive due to other costs for this convenience of delivery. You also have no idea what the briskets will look like when you open the cases and it's a real crap shoot on how much fat there will be on each one.
Putting all this together for folks that say " I can cook one at home for cheaper", I can tell you that you might be able to and congratulations if it turns out like you anticipated it would. I enjoy a good Brisket Sandwich from time to time and am one of the last people that'll question the price of a Brisket meal when I go somewhere. I hope this helps others to understand better as well. Have a blessed day!
