Citadel Mall, Colorado Springs, CO – Deceptive signage – Banner reads “Compare to” in small text and “Omaha, NE” in much larger text – think “Omaha Steaks”. Meaningless USDA shields are in the upper left and lower right-hand cormers.
“MIDWEST BEST CHOICE DISTRIBUTORS” decieves customers into thinking the meat is USDA Choice – Not true! The package on the right has air and frost in it. This is most likely caused from thawing and refreezing.
This very low quality meat (probably old cow or bull) with a market value of around $2.50 per pound, is injected with 22% water and chemicals. Papain is used as a tenderizing agent.
These 4 oz., 1/4 inch thick slices are being sold at $4 per pound (commodity value is $2.50/lb.). The actual selling price is $4.88 per pound when adjusted for the water weight gain and chemicals.
The truck in the picture is a rental from Ryder. Apparently the cooling unit on their other truck broke down. Refridgeration box temperatures were reported to be as high as 60 degrees. The typical USDA HACCP plan allows for a maximum temperature of 40 to 45 degrees for fresh meat, at which time immediate corrective action must be taken to lower temperatures.
Although this product was packed at a USDA facility in Ft. Worth, TX, USDA has no jurisdiction in direct-to-the-customer retail sales.
The 20 ribeyes for $20 is a hook to get customers to buy a bigger, more expensive bundle of meat.
Handing them my credit card? I don’t think so.
Midwest Steak aka Midwest Best Choice Distributor LLC’s website claims of selling top quality steak, chicken, and seafood– for less, every day and are located in Joplin, Missouri. However, this is not the case! Everything comes frozen and vacuum packed but unbeknown to you, the meat inside that they advertise is “ROTTEN”! It’s disgusting, utterly and completely unsatisfactory! They have an “F” rating on the BBB’s website and many others have had the same/similar stories all over the U.S. just google it! They will sell you this faulty meat product and you will never see or hear from them again. They will not return your phone calls, refund and/or replace the defective, substandard product even with a valid receipt. Guilty?! I suspect so! Scam?! I suspect so! Buyer’s Beware! The “old” meat truck could be rolling in to your town selling 20 for $20.00 ribeye. DON”T Buy! That deal sounds good but it will leave you not only disgusted and frustrated but possibly sick! Watch out now – don’t be a victim! Just Walk Away!!
Contact Information for the three (3) people at Midwest Steak aka Midwest Best Choice Distributors LLC Charter that are affiliated with, marketing for and/or selling the “ROTTEN” 20 for $20.00 ribeye out of trucks at local malls. Google it! Articles and pictures are on the web – public information.
Husband & wife duo: Corey & Melissa aka “Missy” Gatlin and Corey Gatlin’s business partner Chad Davis.
1. Melissa C. Gatlin, Admistrative Assistant at Midwest Best Choice Distributors LLC, Location Joplin, Missouri Currently holds this position. Contact # (417) 483-1151 Business Address: 218 S. Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801. Alt Address: 1425 Matthew Circle, Webb City MO 64870
2. Corey J Gatlin Sales & Marketing at Midwest Best Choice Distributors LLC, Location Webb City, Missouri (Joplin, Missouri Area) Contact # (417) 483-1151. Business Address: 218 S. Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801
Corey J Gatlin’s Experience
Marketing MidwestSteak.com LLC Retail industry April 2009 – Present (2 years 7 months)
Marketing Midwest Best Choice Distributors LLC Retail industry April 2009 – Present (2 years 7 months)
Manager – Small Business/Tech Support AT&T Mobility Public Company; T; Telecommunications industry May 2008 – July 2009 (1 year 3 months)
Manager, Sales and Service Deluxe Corporation Public Company; DLX; Financial Services industry 2005 – 2008 (3 years)
Area Manager / Banking Center Manager JPMorgan Chase Public Company; JPM; Financial Services industry March 1998 – October 2005 (7 years 8 months)
Corey J Gatlin’s Education
Louisiana State University
3. Chad Davis, business partner of Corey Gatlin (225)-328-7608 and (855)-328-7832 at http://www.midweststeak.com.
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Information obtained from the Missouri Secretary of State’s website:
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Business Entity Name Charter Number Type Status Entity
Creation Date
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Midwest Steak X01121378 Fictitious Registration Fictitious Active 2/23/2011
Midwest Steak Company X00774817 Fictitious Registration Fictitious Active 11/3/2006
Midwest Steak Company LLC LC0770281 Limited Liability Company Active 10/11/2006
Midwest Steak, LLC LC1115687 Limited Liability Company Active 1/28/2011
Midwest Best Choice Distributors, LLC LC1058914 Limited Liability Company Active 5/18/2010
Midwest Choice Distributors, LLC LC1152161 Limited Liability Company Active 6/28/2011
Midwest Steak, LLC LC1115687 Limited Liability Company Active 1/28/2011
http://www.sos.mo.gov/kbimaging/27310804.pdf
Be “extremely” careful and cautious when buying frozen meat at cheap prices from mobile retail meat vendors such as Midwest Best Choice Distributors! They sell meat even after the sell-by date, that’s why it’s sold at discounted prices. Always check the expiration date and make sure what you buy isn’t past its sell-by date. You don’t know if it’s been thawed and refrozen, thawed and refrozen; traveling long distances only in coolers on rented ryder trucks. There’s no documentation with/about the meat so you don’t know where it came from, you really don’t know anything about it! They pick up the meat from 3rd party vendors and it’s not clear where they get their meat. The meat could possibly be illegal or been injected with chemicals or harmful substances. I recommend buying only from reputable, legitimate businesses with tenure and not these people that Stop, Drop and Roll-Out!
I believe they are taking advantage of people and monopolizing on the down ecomony by making you think that you are getting more bang for your buck. You surely won’t get what you paid for. They will sell you what you see in the article above, take your money and run! They don’t care about you, they only care about lining their pockets. Save your hard earned dollars and don’t be suckered by these types of companies. Go for what you know ~ your local grocery stores!
I hope our government agents/law enforcement are checking for compliance and passing meaningful legislation to protect consumers from this type of exploitation.
How to Spot Bad Meat:
1. Look at the “Color”: Gray, brown or green color indicates spoilage due to bacteria and yeast.
2. Look for mishandling of meat: Be aware of protein denaturation caused by heat, salts, ultraviolet light, low pH, and surface dehydration, which is evidenced in brown or gray discoloration.
3. Look for Mold Spoilage: A creamy-looking surface and discolorations, such as black or green, or “fur” denote the presence of mold colonies.
4. Look for freezer burn: White dried patches indicate freezer burn. When meat and poultry have been frozen for an extended period of time or have not been wrapped and sealed properly, this will occur. The areas with freezer burn will be dried out and tasteless.
5. Look for Bacteria & Enzyme Degradation: Slime, a foul odor, a rancid taste also indicates spoilage. Be aware of the smell of ammonia or sulfur and a chalky taste. This indicates the degradation of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates due to bacteria and enzymes naturally present in the meat. Be aware of potential anaerobic bacterial spoilage of the interior of the meat, vacuum packed products, and sealed containers. These are indicated by tainting and souring of the meat.
6: Look for improperly wrapped meat: Look for improperly wrapped meat, which can cause the oxidation of meat fats, resulting in a rancid flavor and odor.
Yep, I got took for two cases of this horrible stuff. Sadly, I gave part of it away as Christmas gifts. Talk about embarrassing! This meat is so tough, I couldn’t cut it with a steak knife. Complete rip-off. Called the toll free number listed on their website and it rang someone’s cell phone. Left a message inquiring about a refund, but I don’t expect a response. Will continue to try to find places to write reviews about this company so that maybe the next person will just pass them by….
AWFUL steaks. No taste what-so-ever! I would love to get my money back, but there is no way in place to do so. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THESE GUYS! TERRIBLE MEAT! I bought them in Janesville WI at the Janesville Mall. Nobody apparently checked for any kind of license, or certification of the quality of the beef. I didn’t find out until I tried to eat some of the stuff!
This meat landed me in the hospital very ill. They sold fish as well. Very bad stuff!! Buyer beware!!
I bought meat from a guy in a tent in Jacksonville. Not all these guys are the same. My meat is fine & tasty. I’ll buy again no problem.
Horrible! ended up throwing it all out. An expensive lesson learned!!!!!!!