Discussion of Bluegrass Burger review

[Robin Garr]

Don't forget Kentucky Bison Co. at Bardstown Road.

Good point! They're at St. Matthews, too. I neglected to mention that Phoenix Hill (in the Felice Center) also has several great vendors - Adam Barr, Misty Meadows and, I think sometimes Ky Bison, too.

[Robin Garr]

Do any of the locals sell fresh beef - the frozen aspect of it bothers me.

Dreamcatcher will bring fresh to the farmers' markets when they've got it. The problem, of course, is scale. How long will beef stay fresh? You pretty much have to freeze it. That said, in my experience with the local suspects, the hot-sear, oven-finish technique restores the beef on your plate to where it needs to be. I actually did a side-by-side test of Dreamcatcher frozen and fresh and couldn't find any perceptible difference on the plate.

[Robin Garr]

I don't know that I'm buying people are willing to pay more just to help out the local farmers. That is part of the equation, but the lack of hormones and steroids is the biggie for me. I also feel that the meat is safer. I like knowing that I'm eating a cow that roamed around in a field of grass vs. one that stood knee deep in a river of waste.

I agree with all that, Justin. I was using the social contract in direct response to Steve's question about why pay more. I absolutely agree with your points, though, and would also add humane treatment of the animals as a third point that's significant for us.

[Robin Garr]

OK...So NOW we get to the crux of the biscuit. So what I hear you saying then is that it's all about local and all about a "fair" return (and I am SO down with fair returns)...I'm starting to get the flick but I'm curious...How does one go about defining a "fair return" ?

I think it's still a free-market situation, Steve, but a different, smaller free market. I dunno. Really, if this is a concern for you, nobody I know of is forcing you to buy local, hormone-free, humanely produced meat. Some of us care to, and are willing to pay a price for it. I guess it's sort of like whether you think it's a big deal to have water ice taking up valuable space in your high fructose corn syrup drink or not.

I don't know of any study that demonstrates a direct health link between "regular" beef and grass fed "local" beef. If you have a controlled peer reviewed study I'd love to read it.

Given what people choose to put in their bodies on a routine basis - I'm a skeptic that minute traces of antibiotic or hormones (which denature in the cooking process) have any measurable health impact.

There is direct evidence that America’s epidemic of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer is linked to the foods we eat

They didn't say beef only, all foods, like you stated, have a impact. Surely cutting out some of the antibiotics, hormones, pesticides (organic fruits/veg), and fats would improve overall health.


http://www.csuchico.edu/grassfedbeef/re ... fits.shtml

Research spanning three decades suggests that grass-based diets can significantly improve the fatty acid (FA) composition and antioxidant content of beef, albeit with variable impacts on overall palatability. Grass-based diets have been shown to enhance total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (C18:2) isomers, trans vaccenic acid (TVA) (C18:1 t11), a precursor to CLA, and omega-3 (n-3) FAs on a g/g fat basis. While the overall concentration of total SFAs is not different between feeding
regimens, grass-finished beef tends toward a higher proportion of cholesterol neutral stearic FA (C18:0), and less cholesterol-elevating SFAs such as myristic (C14:0) and palmitic (C16:0) FAs. Several studies suggest that grassbased diets elevate precursors for Vitamin A and E, as well as cancer fighting antioxidants such as glutathione (GT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as compared to grain-fed contemporaries. Fat conscious consumers will also prefer the overall lower fat content of a grass-fed beef product.

Sound like propaganda and less like science - when you see the word "suggests" - you know what comes after isn't of much scientific value. The role of anti-oxidents, fatty acids, etc. remains poorly understood - the vitamin and supplement people know this and use similar language to hock their snake oil.

I personally would prefer to use local beef as much as possible just because I like supporting local business as a whole. My opinion is that the health aspect is more hype than reality but that's fine - cholsterol in humans is about 80-85% dependant on your genes - only about 10-15% diet sensative. My gut instinct is that local is likely better for you - but not to any measurable extent.

Thanks for sharing.

http://www.csuchico.edu/grassfedbeef/re ... fits.shtml

Sound like propaganda and less like science - when you see the word "suggests" - you know what comes after isn't of much scientific value. The role of anti-oxidents, fatty acids, etc. remains poorly understood - the vitamin and supplement people know this and use similar language to hock their snake oil.

I personally would prefer to use local beef as much as possible just because I like supporting local business as a whole. My opinion is that the health aspect is more hype than reality but that's fine - cholsterol in humans is about 80-85% dependant on your genes - only about 10-15% diet sensative. My gut instinct is that local is likely better for you - but not to any measurable extent.

Thanks for sharing.

I only understood every 3rd word so it seemed pretty scientific to me and I see no reason for Cal State to push grass-fed meat. I'll take my meat hormone and antibiotic free, healthier or not. I haven't done any scientific research, but I'd bet these hormones are what is making the 16 year old girls look 25.

Do any of the locals sell fresh beef - the frozen aspect of it bothers me.

Foxhollow Farms is now offering fresh beef. We just picked up some last Saturday. You might want to call ahead to verify availability.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the taste of local grass-fed beef vs. grocery store?

Antonia did.

I'd like to add that I think it it just tastes gooder.

OK...So NOW we get to the crux of the biscuit. So what I hear you saying then is that it's all about local and all about a "fair" return (and I am SO down with fair returns)...I'm starting to get the flick but I'm curious...How does one go about defining a "fair return" ?

I think it's still a free-market situation, Steve, but a different, smaller free market. I dunno. Really, if this is a concern for you, nobody I know of is forcing you to buy local, hormone-free, humanely produced meat. Some of us care to, and are willing to pay a price for it. I guess it's sort of like whether you think it's a big deal to have water ice taking up valuable space in your high fructose corn syrup drink or not.

Hey Bro...You know me, I'm all about "The Man" not keepin' a brutha down...and I do (believe it or not) support our locals more so than the average bear. That being said I do sometimes struggle with the "fair return" part of all of this. I suppose if I were more keyed up about this hormone and/or humane thing I'd feel differently. I guess it's a situation where there isn't a right or a wrong, just different priorities...No big deal.

Over and out.

Normal Fries or cole slaw are included in that price, like they are for everything else that comes in a bun there.

I missed this statement. I was charged for the fries and it looks like Robin was too. When did you go? Maybe they changed in the last few days? That would make all the difference. Getting out of there for $8 or so would be about right for me. Others are willing to pay more (some less) I'm sure.

I'm late to this conversation and only want to comment on this one point because I was confused by it when we were there, too. The menu price for the burgers includes fries or slaw. However, when we got our receipt, I was surprised to see charges listed for the fries and slaw. Then I looked a little closer, and realized that the price listed for the burgers was lower than the menu price, and the burger price and slaw/fries price added up to the menu price.

Our burgers were delicious! I really loved that bun. It's special.

I liked Bluegrass Burgers.

I did not like spending $25.

I will probably go again... I will not go often... the sweet potato fries were delightful, and I enjoyed the sauce variety.

I'm also looking forward to buying some local meat at the farmer's market this weekend and making something delicious with it.