I first met John-Scott of Clarion Farms a few years back when the Pittsburgh Public Market was still in operation in the Strip District. I was walking past his stall and he asked if I was interested in purchasing some steaks. I was most certainly interested but balked when I found out everything was frozen. “Don’t you have any fresh meat?” I asked him. I was having vivid remembrances of my family using frozen ground beef that tasted like tiny rubber balls rinsed in bullion. I told him about my experience and he chuckled. “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “If you don’t like they way these steaks cook up, come back and I’ll refund your money – every last penny.” I left the market with my insulated bag filled with Ribeye steaks, ground beef and a chuck roast as well as some feelings of apprehension about the thawing process and whether or not steaks that have been frozen would taste as good as fresh.
That night, after leaving the steaks out on the counter to thaw, I fired up the grill and seared them to perfection. I was shocked that they tasted every bit as good as fresh and from that day forward I was converted and have been meeting up with John every few weeks to purchase beef from him. The ground beef cooked up perfectly for some of my “cheater bolognese” sauce without any texture or off-flavor problems as well. I learned that often when frozen beef has a grainy, rubbery mouth feel its because it was frozen, thawed and then frozen again before being cooked.
Clarion Farms is a sixth-generation cattle farm that has been producing the finest quality locally-sourced beef for four decades and has become my favorite supplier for all my beef-based needs. Every cut of meat is hand-cut under strict U.S.D.A. inspection and every animal is fed a vegetable-based diet. No growth hormones or antibiotics are used and and no artificial colors, flavorings or tenderization in the production as well. Clarion Farms offers both grain-fed and grass-fed beef varieties and do you want to know the most amazing part? There is no difference in price between the two. This is the most affordable, highest value proposition I’ve seen when it comes to buying grass-fed as most cattle ranchers will gouge you on price when it comes to buying grass-fed/grass-finished beef.
My Top Picks:
Grass-fed Bone-in Chuck Roast – My personal choice for what I call the Greatest American Pot Roast.
Beef Osso Bucco – (pictured above) makes the most amazing meal when its roasted in the oven.
Skirt Steak – I love skirt steak – especially from C.F. A good marinade and a little time on the grill will produce the most amazing tacos.
Ground Beef – Now, I know ground beef doesn’t seem like something to get excited about but this beef is amazing and the price is more affordable than the factory farm-produced beef from your local grocery store. I use it for everything from taco night to Hamburger Helper and it is the star of my chili.
How to Purchase:
The Beef Barn – 82 Port Farm Lane, Clarion PA 16214 This is the family’s store located in Clarion and you can buy both fresh and frozen beef at this location.
Bar Marco in the Strip – Every Saturday morning John sets up beside Bar Marco (2216 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15222) from 9am to noon.
Off-farm Delivery – If you live in Oil City or Indiana you may be able to get your beef delivered as they have a program set up in these areas. Please contact them via their website if you are interested.
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