Where to buy Steak?

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  • #191406
    DavidRushton
    Member

    Does anyone know where to buy good steak in San Jose? I’ve tried lomido from Hypermas but it’s inedible. I tried delmonico and New York strip from PriceSmart. I honestly believe it was cut from Costa Rican Army boots and I know CR hasn’t had an army since 1948. Trouble is I’m used to the steaks at Sam’s Club in Florida. But surely there is somewhere here to get something I can eat?

    #191407
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Have you tried the butcher – Don Fernandos in Plaza Colonial in Escazu or behind BAC San Jose in Santa Ana? They also have entraña which is my favourite cut of meat but it’s Tico entraña and not imported which tends to be juicier

    El Novillo Alegre restaurant in Santa Ana serves entraña but it’s twice the price of the excellent steaks you’ll find at La Esquina de Buenos Aires in San Jose which is a terrific, cozy little restaurant.

    Out of all the regular supermarkets, we feel that AutoMercado has the best lomito (fillet mignon).

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #191408
    jamesgoshen4
    Member

    Forget about steak in CR….stick with either chicken or pork.

    #191409
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    And that includes all the imported steaks that come from the USA does it jamesgoshen4?

    I spent ten years on Wall Street and ate in many of the best restaurants in Manhattan plus quite a few others in other major US cities and I can assure you that I seem to be able to find great steaks every single week in Costa Rica, in restaurants and in my own home…

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #191410
    DavidRushton
    Member

    Thanks Scott:

    I will try AutoMercado. I was avoiding that because every time I make the ninety minute treck to the Capital Hypermas has almost everything I want and one stop is surely best. But I guess I need to make that extra stop once a month anyway.

    You are right of course there are many wonderful steaks to be had in restaurants all over San Jose. That Brazillian Buffet in LaSabana has a dozen different meats, all of them perfect. The only problem there is knowing when to stop.

    I will also give Don Fernandos a try.

    Pura Vida

    #191411
    maravilla
    Member

    I had fabulous lomito that I bought on a whim at Maxi Bodega of all places. It was as tasty and tender as any filet mignon or tenderloin I’ve had in the states. of course, I did marinate it for an hour or two in a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary and garlic. It was divine, and I’m not a meat eater.

    #191412
    sumaSal
    Member

    Quimbombo, new restaurant in Santa Ana (300 East of the Red Cross), very good lomito (steak).

    #191413
    mcsolas
    Member

    Most of the good stuff seems to get exported. Ive seen a lot of people trying to address this issue in the Central Pacific region. People seem to have good feedback about at the Argentine run steak houses.

    I found that you have to ask for ‘lomito para exportacion’ at the carnicerias to get the best cuts of meat.

    Good luck.

    #191414

    I agree with Scott on El Novillo Alegre restaurant (though they ain’t cheap)!!

    BUTCHERS:
    DON FERNANDO el Especialista en Carnes has 4 locations now:
    Pozos de Santa Ana – Centro Comerial Vistana Este, Contiguo a Matra (the plaza just South of Auto Mercado) (2-282-0181 / 2-282-0182) – HOURS: Butcher – Mon.-Sat. 7:30am-7:30pm. Sun. 7:30am-4pm (they have the only butcher on Sun.). Restaurant – Mon.-Thurs. 11:30am-4pm. Fri. & Sat. 11:30am-9pm, Sun. 11:30am-4pm. Michael speaks English
    Curridabat – Plaza Carpintera – contiguo a Aldesa Valores (2-271-3334). Mon-Sat. 8:30am-7:30pm
    Tamarindo – (2-653-2264)
    ESCAZU (San Rafael) – Plaza Colonial (2-289-9165). HOURS: Butcher – Mon.-Thurs. 8am-7:30pm. Fri. & Sat. 11:30am-9pm, Sun. 11:30am-4pm (no butcher on Sun.). Restaurant – Mon.-Thurs. 11:30am-4pm. Fri. & Sat. 11:30am-9pm, Sun. 11:30am-4pm (no butcher on Sun.). Christian speaks GREAT English!
    Catering – 227-0245

    PRIVATE STOCK / AZUCAR GRILL & BAKERY – NOW LOCATED in Santa Ana and a full on restaurant – 2 blocks/200 meters before/East of the Red Cross/Cruz Rojo, on the LEFT side of the road heading Westbound (towards Piedades/Ciudad Colon) (2-282-9210 / http://AzucarCR.com / azucarcostarica@yahoo.com) – Whatever meal you have at Azucar, it’s going to be TASTY!!! Their specialities for Dinner are their own – homegrown and naturally fed U.S.-style tender TASTY STEAKS that THEY raise in Costa Rica (albe them MUCHO $$ – $1.50/ounce and they’ll cut it BIG if you don’t watch/be specific!!! I believe the smallest is 9oz.). You can also buy the fresh beef in MANY different cuts to take home. It’s part of their “PRIVATE STOCK” company – http://azucarcr.com/about_private_stock / PrivateStockCR@yahoo.com / 2-289-3543). Lunch offers HUGE SANDWICHES (it’s like they take the loaf of bread & cut it the other way! ) including REAL PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS and range from $3-$8 and they have EXECUTIVE LUNCH SPECIALS!! SALADS include CEASAR. Their BAKERY includes MANY YUMMMMY DESSERTS including pastries from Argentina, PIES, including one that’s merange with a caramel drizzle!!! MEGA YUMMMMM!! They also have a YUMMMM mixed bread that is the BEST BREAD I’ve EVER eaten! They’re famous for their hearty gringo and Tico-style BREAKFASTS include French Toast & Omelets range from $5-$7. Check out FUN FRIDAYS! KIDS MENU. WiFi. HOURS: Mon., Wed. & Thurs. 8am-10pm. Fri. & Sat. 8am-11pm. Sun. 11am-6pm (closed Tues.). Say “Hola from Vicki” to OWNERS Barbara & Dean Jupiter!

    Auto Mercado has ARGENTINIAN BLACK ANGUS

    GOOD STEAKS AT RESTURANTS:
    Another restaurant for REALLY GOOD Steaks is all day on Sun. for their Argentinian Night at The Pub (2-288-3062) in Centro Escazu on Sun. for just 4,500!

    #191415
    jamesgoshen4
    Member

    My experiences in CR have led me to believe that red meat is not usually a good choice in most of the restaurants or supermarkets (like Mas por Menos) that I have visited. I too am a big fan of steakhouses in several cities on the east coast…high end establishments in NYC/DC/Boston. Although I have to admit that I have not dined on Wall Street….is that where the best steaks are served? Can you recommend a good steak in areas outside of SJ or any place that is not a “4 star” resort? If so..please pass on that info.

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