Florida’s most popular grocery store has started a beef with its loyal customers who are outraged over its “criminal” prices for prime meat.
Publix, which was founded in the Sunshine State nearly a century ago, came under fire in a viral Reddit thread that started with a photo of a 1.23-pound cut of organic prime tenderloin that was selling for an incredible $49.99 per pound, totaling $61.49.
“Not only is this meat mediocre, it’s ridiculously priced,” the original poster wrote in the thread, titled “This is criminal.”
“What the hell, Publix?!” the poster wrote.
Other shoppers familiar with the store expressed shock at the price of the beef — and suggested it might even be cheaper to go out to a nice dinner.
“For that price I’m going to longhorn and have someone cook it for me too,” one user wrote, referring to the Longhorn Steakhouse chain.
“’You can get a full ribeye or tenderloin dinner with table bread, 2 sides and softdrinks in Florida at a Outback, texas roadhouse or Longhorn for $26 – $31,” another pointed out.
But the Redditor made have gotten a deal, as Publix’s website was selling a similar GreenWise brand prime cut of organic tenderloin for more than $70 per pound.
Even a New York City butcher shop in Manhattan’s popular Chelsea Market, Dickson’s Farmstand Meats, was selling the cut for slightly less on New Year’s Day at $45.59 per pound.
Meanwhile at ShopRite, a prime beef tenderloin can be found for just $35.99 per pound — although it’s not organic.
But it’s not just the meat —- others customers lamented that the cost of a jar of mayonnaise has jumped to $10 and nuts for as much as $20.
The prices apparently have gotten so outrageous that others have started shopping at other grocery stores.
“’Ingles or even Kroger has better selection,” a commenter wrote. “Whole Foods has a good butcher shop. Costco is the best option for unit economics for sure.”
“I usually only buy certain items that they have on sale,” chimed in another. “Other than that, they’re too expensive for me.”
Some, however, defended Publix and slammed the original poster for being so upset about an organic prime cut of beef, which is much higher quality than is served at most chain restaurants.
“It is both Prime beef and a tenderloin. That is a fair price. If you want Choice beef and the lower price then find it. Learn your beef qualities and their corresponding price points,” a Publix defender said.
“That’s a pretty decent price actually,” another said.
The Post has reached out to Publix for comment on what is affecting their prices.
Publix, one of the 10 largest-volume supermarket chains in the country, is the most popular grocery store in Florida and Alabama, according to a survey by NASDAQ.
It operates nearly 900 stores in Florida and national retail sales in 2024 reached $59.7 billion, according to the company’s website.
The grocer, which opened its first store in Florida in 1930, employs some 260,000 people across the country.
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