CCGA Meats – UA Meat Sciences Lab

The people at the meat lab are so darn happy, at least when I go there, they are very nice and informative as well, will never stop going there to get meat and such, thank you U. of A. for this fresh meat alternative.

So I was finally around at the right time to make it to the meat sale. I diligently followed the signs into a class-​room auditorium set up with a meat counter at the front with various pre-​packaged fresh cuts, a freezer with various frozen items and a small refridgerator with various sausages and bacon. It wasn’t what I was expecting so I tested the water with 2 large lamp leg steaks $ 12 and fed it 4 people.
It was the best lamb I’ve ever had! No gamey taste, well marbleized, tender, etc, etc, I pulled out all the stops and paired it with a wed wine and mushroom reduction, and no steakhouse in town could compare. I will surely be back for more!

For all you locals who enjoy a good piece of meat, check out the U of A meat lab held every Friday from 3 – 6. They have everything from pork and beef to lamb and bison. You can also place orders online to avoid standing in line praying all the grass fed MY strips aren’t gone. Give it a shot if you fancy yourself a true carnivoree.

I’ve been coming to the meat lab for a couple years now. This place has a serious following. Sometimes, when they open at 3:00, there is already a line. People snatch up the grass fed at prices which are a significant discount from the grocery or farmer’s market. Some of the popular cuts, like ribeye can vary a lot and I have had a couple disappointing ones. But I like some of the more obscure cuts like the flatiron, a top round roast, or just ask for recommendations from the students working there. They are very knowledgable. The chorizo and pork chops are always a good deal. Last week, this pushy older woman came in when I was at the Meat Lab, and started interrogating the poor college student staffing the counter with all kinds of questions, «where do you get your meat?» (farms in Arizona and the meat they raise on the property), «is it any good?» (as good as what you get at the grocery), «why should I buy it here and not at the store?» (it’s cheaper, and you are supporting the U of A with your money). The pushy lady was satisfied with the answers and said on her way out, maybe she would come back some day. I hope not. More for me.

I see this sign posted every Friday between 3 – 6 «Meat sale» on a farm for the U of A. Finally today out of curiosity I stopped by. Boy, am I glad I did! From what I can gather, this is a USDA packaged plant for meat and you can get all kinds of frozen kind. I arrived half an hour to closing so they were a little thin on selection, but I walked away with 1 pound of grass fed ground beef for $ 4.50 and two bags of soft jerky for $ 1.50 each.
There is also lamb, various beefs, chorizo, and more. They had bones/​dried meat for your pets, and other kinds of jerky. It’s inside a classroom and there is a butcher in there and someone to ring up your purchases .It looks like you can’t use a credit card so bring cash. They operate from 3 – 6 PM every Friday. Follow the signs, it’s off Roger just west of Campbell.
The meat is delicious! And what great prices!

This was the 3^rd or 4^th time that I noticed small signs, low to the ground on Campbell which read: MEAT SALE. Today was the first time I followed them.
Carnivores: Check. This. Out.
Fridays from 3−7pm, University of Arizona Collegiate Cattle Growers Association (CCGA) students sell amazing cuts of meat. Today they had Beef, Pork, and Lamb for sale. Just about every cut of steak you could ask for, plus beef chorizo, pork chorizo, bratwurst, ground beef, ground pork.
The store at the UA Meat Sciences Lab is staffed by well-​informed students who gladly took the time to talk about meat and recipes.
They also have a broad selection of various sizes of bones and treats for dogs.
Cash and checks only. Come prepared.
Check out their site. There’s info there about ordering online for pick-​up or delivery!
It’s a small, high-​service establishment, which unlike supermarkets, keeps it real ’cause when you walk outside, you just might see cows in the pasture.