Tag: ground beef

Friendly’s Restaurant Fresh, Never Frozen Burgers – Marketing Hype

I’ve been constantly seeing the new Friendly’s Restaurant’s TV commercial touting their “fresh, never frozen” burgers.

Fresh vs frozen tells me nothing about the quality of the burger!

Personally, I’d rather a promotion stating that they grind their beef fresh on premises, and that they use only anti-biotic/hormone-free beef. And even further, how about grass-fed beef? Now THAT would be a marketing campaign I could get behind.

What Does Fresh Mean Anyway?

The marketing phrase “fresh, not frozen” is very misleading, especially when you look at how the USDA regulates the term “frozen”.

Did you know that a beef patty can be labeled as “fresh, not frozen” as long as the product’s internal temperature never dips below 26° – so in reality, Friendly’s fresh burgers could be hovering on the legal brink of frozen.

Hmm, that’s a pesky fact that’s left out of their commercial.

Pink Slime?

I haven’t seen any Friendly press releases stating that their burgers do not contain “pink slime” (Finely Textured Lean Beef processed with amonia).

Considering how cheap they’re selling their burgers, starting at $5.99, I am assuming (and I am JUST assuming, not knowing for fact) that they use cheap beef, which probably contains some portion of pink slime.

But hey, at least it’s not “frozen” right?

Ground Grass Fed Beef at Whole Foods Disappointing

I’m disappointed with the ground grass fed beef I bought at the last big sale from Whole Foods. It’s supposed to be 90%, but it’s been awfully greasy/fatty when cooked.

I don’t know what cut of beef they are starting with, but I don’t think it’s up to the quality of prior purchases when it WASN’T on sale. It tastes a little dull and gray too.

But I really shouldn’t complain, I mean, what did I expect it was only $5 per pound!

I really have to buckle down and find a local grass fed beef seller.

Whole Foods – One Day Sale – Ground Grass Fed Beef

Friday is Whole Food’s one-day sale on ground grass fed beef! $4.99 per pound! Yay! I’m already planning on buying 2-3 pounds. My freezer will be very happy this autumn/winter!

UPDATE 2011-09-21: I’m a little disappointed with the ground grass fed beef at Whole Foods. It’s supposed to be 90%, but it’s awfully greasy. I don’t know what cut of beef they are starting with, but I don’t think it’s up to the quality of prior purchases when it WASN’T on sale. I’m guessing the sale ground beef is different!