Omaha Steaks - A Company I've Really Liked for About a Decade

 

Beef Strip Loin Steaks on the Grill from Omaha Steaks

 

The first time I ever ordered meat online was from OmahaSteaks. This was in the dinosaur ages of online – maybe 8 to 10 years back. Many companies were offering coupons, and I was shopping up an online storm and starting to find my voice online with some review companies and then my own blog (before many people had even heard the term blog).

Can You Really Get Good Meat Online?

I sent in an Omaha Steak order and crossed my fingers. I live in a town of 800 people (give or take one two now and then), and meat by mail sounded very odd. I was not sure what to expect or if the meat would even arrive way out here. I was also rather nervous about getting food products by way of the internet and snail mail.

Omaha Steaks made me a believer. They sent really good meat and sides (which were on special) right out and in perfect condition when they arrived on my porch. I still use the bonus cutting board they added as an incentive.

A Random Note to a Company I’ve Known for Years

Here recently I left a message on the Omaha Steak Facebook page about some social media issues. That’s what I teach. Basically I just made a suggestion.

There was a message to get back in touch, but I had an eye infection and then was scheduled for vacation. I didn’t have the energy or time to get in touch, but Paul hunted me down. I’m easy to find actually, since I’ve been online for ages. Still, that does take effort on the part of a company employee.

I was impressed that Paul who works social media for Omaha Steaks took the time to find me though and get more details about my quick comment on FaceBook. I was glad to share as I’ve always been. Many of you may know my day job is teaching (including social media), and I always enjoy chatting about my view of how writers/bloggers can work well with small startups to big companies.  No strings. That’s just the teacher in me.

A Surprise for Calling it the Way I See It

Paul did send me a thank you box from Omaha Steaks for taking the time to share from the blogger side and from the years I’ve worked and taught about online.

He sent steak and the potato balls that my younger son think are the best ever (like he can eat the whole pack of twelve if we’d let him). Paul also sent some of the big Omaha Steak burgers and the berry tartlets which I think may be new (as I’d not seen them), but he said they were a favorite at his house.

Party Night Before My Younger Son Goes Off to College

Tonight I decided to celebrate with my younger son headed off to his first apartment at college, and I grilled the Beef Strip steaks Loin from Omaha Steaks and (of course) made the potato balls. He’s the one who could always eat the whole pack if not reined in. He ate all his other food and saved the potato balls for last like dessert.

I nailed the steak even though I got caught in a thunder and hail storm. My older son said he loved the New York Strip and that they were spot on (medium – our family favorite).  The flavor was really spot on, and these steaks had almost no fat. Maybe one to two teaspoons. But, they were still marbled and full of flavor.  Quite impressive. I can’t remember what I ordered prior, but I don’t this was the cut. I would recommend the NY Strip from Omaha Steak.

 

Always Nice To Nail the Grilling on a Very Nice Cut of Steak

Eli, my younger son, had four of the potato balls and was quite the happy camper. I must confess to also loving the potato balls but hold back, since the kid loves them so much.

 

 

Omaha Steak Potato Balls - My Son Adores These (and I do too)

Paul also put in some mixed berry tarts. He said they were a favorite at his house, so I was thinking they must be really good.

I did not cook them on this same night, because we were quite full after the big dinner. Also, I did them in the oven. I'm sure I could do a closed lid grill on the desserts, but I wanted to try them per the directions. 

 

Mixed Berry Tart by Omaha Steaks

The tart was heaven on a plate. I don't make pastry dough that good, and the mix of berries was just perfect. The older son was here the afternoon I made these, and he was very impressed. Although these are specifically grill food, I have to say they are wonderful. I can see why Paul's family love these.

 

Companies That Listen

I gave a thumbs up to Omaha Steaks years ago. We’ve never had any contact until I made a quick comment about how they do social media. It was just a quick tip, and I was surprised Paul took the time to find me and to get more details. That is impressive today when companies often farm out any contact with customers and leave you on hold and then have someone talking who does not even understand Southern English very well.

The only thing I can think of that I’d change at Omaha Steaks is to put the directions on the bags inside the boxes. Not all foodies have big freezers. I have to unbox products to fit them in, and then I have to remember the directions or cut out and save the side section of the boxes with the time and temps. This is really just the side dishes. The meat – no issue. Something like the potato balls, it would help to just print the directions on the bag inside the box. That would be easy to do. (Note: See the comment section - Paul sent directions to where you can find cooking instructions. He said he had the freezer jam problem too.) 
 

 

Not All Foodies/Chefs Have a Ton of Space (maybe some day I will)

Thoughts on Omaha Steaks

Every order I’ve made from Omaha Steaks has been a good experience. They mail fast and pack carefully. The foods are delicious. I’ve never had company contact from Omaha Steaks until now, and that was a very nice experience too. I told Paul that I had been a fan for years, and I don't fudge on that. As always, I call it the way I see it. It's nice when some listens. Thanks.

Win Omaha Steak Products with a Hole in One and Other Fun Contests - August 2010

Score a Hole in One and Free Steaks Too!

For all my barbecue golfing readers, I have great news. Well, it’s great news if you’re good on the links (-: And, if you’re not so great at golfing, well, that’s OK too.

Hole in One Instant Winners – Steak from Omaha Steaks

If you live in the United States and hit a Hole in One at 150 yards or better during the month of August 2010, you win four free Omaha Steaks Filet Mignons from Omaha Steaks. And, I can tell you those are sure yummy. I've written about Omaha Steaks before, and we have always enjoyed grilling with their products.

Just submit your hole in one certificate to Omaha Steaks by:

1. Facebook

2. Email: custserv@omahasteaks.com

3. Snail Mail:
Omaha Steaks10909 John Galt Blvd
P.O. Box 3300
Omaha, NE 68103

OK – You’re Not that GREAT at Golf – No Problem

If your skills at golfing, you’re not likely to hit a hole in one. That’s fine though, because Omaha Steaks has weekly contests for us.

Facebook and Twitter

For Facebook and Twitter followers of Omaha Steaks, there are Friday trivia contest. Just check in between 10 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. CST throughout August 2010. Answer the question, and you’re in the drawing for a great Omaha Steaks prize both on Facebook and Twitter every Monday during the month.

Foursquare

For all the Foursquare fanatics out there, you get an easy entry too. When you head out to the links, just tweet your check in at @OmahaSteaks and mention that you’re “golfing for Omaha Steaks,” and you’re in on the weekly drawing too.

So – What Are You Waiting For?

Here’s a great excuse to head out to the golf course and to win great products from Omaha Steaks. I’ve been grilling Omaha Steaks for years now. I thought buying meat online sounded odd to start with, but they do a great job packing up the products, and we’ve been really happy with our Omaha Steak purchases.

Enter Here at Barbecue Master for $20 on 8-24-2010 with a Giveaway Drawing

Omaha Steaks is also sponsoring a $20 gift certificate for Barbecue Master readers. Just check out the Barbecue Master Omaha Steaks contest and enter by Tuesday August 24, 2010 for a good chance to win!

Pork Chops and Texas Toast on the Grill

Pork Chops Grilling - Will Add BBQ Sauce Near the End


The dad person wasn't the keen on the idea of slathering BBQ sauce on the pork chops. He's rather a pork purist as he grew up on a hog farm in Kansas. Hey, I'm easy. If someone else wants to grill, then whatever they want to try out is fine by me. I read some stats that suggested that more males grill, but the females decide on the menu and how the stuff is cooked. Come on girls. Let the guys play a bit. If it gets you out of the kitchen, then it's no skin off your nose. And, the fellows come up with some good stuff if you give them free rein.

Anyway, those were some massive chops. I know he used lemon pepper--a real staple for grillers. Other than that, I don't know and didn't ask. I'm not ruining a good thing. I'm glad the guys are doing some of the outdoor cooking. Gives me more time for writing and blogging. Plus, they're just darn fine. So the lesson of the day is: Don't micro-manage.

We had some Omaha Steak potatoes with the pork. I think they were called au gratin potatoes, but they tasted more like potato pancakes but a bit stiffer--in a ball shape. I did those in the oven while the guys manned the grill. My youngest son loves those, and we're definately buying some more.

To round out the meal, we had Texas Toast. Those come in the freezor section. You just toss them on the grill about the time the meat is done. Yum. They are tasty and especially with the char marks and the smoke flavor. It only takes a few minutes to heat up frozen Texas Toast. Check out the frozen section of the grocery and add some easy bread to your outdoor meal.