The Best Cuts of Steak for Your Summer BBQ – And Where to Get Them

📍 Published by Lakewood Meats & Sausage
🕒 Read Time: 6–8 minutes
📍 Pick Up In-Store: 316 N Ham Ln, Lodi, CA

 

Nothing says summer like the sizzle of steak on a hot grill. Whether you’re hosting a weekend barbecue, celebrating the 4th of July, or just treating yourself to a good meal, the cut of steak you choose can make or break your BBQ.

At Lakewood Meats & Sausage, we offer only high-quality USDA Choice cuts, including Creekstone Farms MasterChef selections, known for their tenderness, flavor, and consistency. In this guide, we’ll help you pick the perfect steak cuts for your summer BBQ — and show you where to get them locally.

1. Ribeye – The King of Flavor

Why it’s great:
With its rich marbling, the ribeye is a juicy, tender, and flavor-packed steak that performs beautifully on the grill. The fat renders into the meat during cooking, resulting in mouthwatering bites every time.

2. New York Strip – A Lean, Meaty Classic

Why it’s great:
The New York Strip is a leaner cut with a great balance of tenderness and chew. It has a strong beefy flavor and a fat cap that crisps up perfectly on the grill.

3. Filet Mignon – The Tender Favorite

Why it’s great:
Known as the most tender cut, the filet mignon is a luxurious steak experience. While it's lean, it’s still buttery soft and perfect for special occasions.

 

 4. Top Sirloin – Budget-Friendly, Grill-Ready

Why it’s great:
Top sirloin is a versatile, affordable cut that grills well with the right prep. It’s leaner than ribeye but still flavorful, especially when marinated.

 

5. T-Bone – The Best of Both Worlds

Why it’s great:
This iconic cut includes a strip steak on one side and a tenderloin on the other, separated by a T-shaped bone. It offers two steak experiences in one.

 6. Short Ribs & Beef Ribs – For Slow BBQ Magic

Why it’s great:
If you're smoking or slow-grilling, short ribs and beef ribs offer a deep beefy flavor with fall-off-the-bone tenderness when cooked right.

7. Ground Beef & Veal – For the Ultimate Burgers

Why it’s great:
Lakewood Meats’ house-ground beef and veal are made fresh in-store from high-quality cuts. No fillers. No pre-frozen meat. Just pure, flavorful protein.

While our steaks and butcher cuts are only available in-store, you can still enjoy Lakewood quality at home by ordering our seasonings, house-made sausages, and jerky online.

✅ Seasoning blends
✅ Signature house-made sausages
✅ Jerky for on-the-go snacking

👉 Shop Online Now
📍 All steaks and fresh meats are available for in-person pickup only at our Lodi location.

 Pro BBQ Tips from Our Butchers

• Let steaks sit at room temp for 20 minutes before grilling
  
• Always rest meat 5–10 minutes before slicing
  
• Use a meat thermometer: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium
  
• Don’t over-season—let the meat speak for itself

 

📍 Visit Us In Person

 

Lakewood Meats & Sausage
316 N Ham Ln, Lodi, CA 95242
📞 (209) 369-1122
🕒 Mon–Sat: 9am–6pm | Sun: Closed
🌐 Shop Online 

🔥 For the best cuts of steak this summer, visit us in Lodi and let us help you fire up the grill with quality you can taste.