Going out and buying meat in supermarkets can be tedious and take time. That is until I discovered meat delivery services like Butcher Box and Omaha Steak.
These companies provide a convenient way for you to order meat through your device and have them delivered right to your doorstep.
Many customers have been debating which one is better to order meat from, so I got curious and tried both for a better comparison review.
While Omaha Steak was established long before Butcher Box arrived in the market, some people still choose the latter for many reasons.
Both companies operate as a meat delivery service where they deliver meat orders to your door. But is one better than the other in terms of overall quality and service? If so, which one?
Here, we will look into the details of how I decided to stick to one over the other, read on to know which one you should buy meat from!
Table of Contents
Main Differences Between The Two
- Butcher Box is a subscription company, while Omaha Steak has no subscription options.
- You can choose specific cuts of meat that you want from Butcher Box in a box, while Omaha Steak offers standard packages that have specific products in them.
- Butcher Box sources meat from Australia, while Omaha Steak only orders from the center of America, specifically in the midwest.
- Butcher Box offers 100% grass-fed beef, while Omaha Steak has grain-finished cuts.
- Butcher Box makes sure to order from farms that raise animals under humane conditions with no antibiotics and hormones; Omaha Steak does not specify whether the animals are antibiotic or hormone-free.
Unique Features Of The Two
Butcher Box
- The cuts come from animals that are raised under humane conditions.
- No antibiotics and hormones in the animals they sell.
- Sources outside the country, such as Australia, for a more diverse selection of products.
- Sustainably sells wild-caught seafood.
- 100% grass-fed beef, crate-free heritage breed pork, and organic chicken.
- Unique cuts like bison, turkey, and lamb are available.
- Offers six different subscription boxes for flexibility.
- All boxes are shipped FREE.
Omaha Steak
- Sells desserts, sides, starters, and wines along with the more common beef, pork, chicken, and seafood.
- Has a wide selection of seafood from salmon, snappers, and halibut to more unique varieties like cobia, grouper, swordfish, sablefish, and caviar.
- Cooked gourmet meals you can order so you can just thaw, reheat, and serve once your order arrives.
- Offers discounted packages that contain multiple items.
- You do not have to subscribe or become a member to order from Omaha Steak.
- Multiple shipping options with different prices/fees.
- FREE shipping on orders over $148.99
- Omaha Steak has been around for over a century, so their products are of really good quality.
Butcher Box Vs Omaha Steak
1. Meat Quality And Sourcing
I consider meat as one of my main sources of food and choosing a shop that offers high-quality cuts is one of the most important factors.
The quality of the meat is next to nothing. You are already paying a lot of money for the cuts that you order so it is only right that the service, and most importantly, the quality of the meat is at best.
Butcher Box
All beef cuts from Butcher Box are sourced from cattle raised in Australia. The country has high standards when it comes to beef and they have the perfect conditions to raise cattle.
This results in well-marbled cuts like the boneless ribeye and New York strip steaks from Butcher Box.
The cows are 100% grass-fed, producing juicy and tasty cuts. It is more expensive than supermarket cuts, but you see why that’s the case.
The texture of the steaks from Butcher Box is perfect for my palate. They have this slight chewiness which makes you savor more of the delicious beefy flavor even longer.
The chicken and pork options from Butcher Box are also sourced from farms that raise the animals under humane conditions.
The heritage pigs and organic chicken are raised crate-free and allowed to roam around so they do not get stressed out throughout their lifetime.
There are also other cuts of meat that are more unique than you might have been used to such as free-range turkeys, bison, and lamb.
All the animals from Butcher Box are never given antibiotics or hormones so the flavors they produce are all-natural and delicious.
If you are into seafood like me, you also have options from Butcher Box. All of them are wild-caught and are sourced sustainably.
Omaha Steak
Since the company’s origin comes from the midwest, it is only right that Omaha Steak sources its cuts of meat from farmers in that area.
Nebraska is one of the world’s largest producers of cattle and beef cuts, with about 4.5 cows for each person in that state, so they take cattle raising pretty seriously.
Butcher Box is a little more transparent about where they get the meats they sell than Omaha Steak.
Omaha Steak does not mention whether the cuts they sell are free from additives or antibiotics, so if you are more conscious about that, I recommend going with Butcher Box.
There are a variety of steaks and pork products that you can get from Omaha Steak. They are all great, but my favorite is the filet mignon and boneless pork chop.
These cuts are pretty juicy; even when cooked under direct heat, they melt in your mouth.
Omaha Steak also sources meat that is grass-fed and grain-finished, which contributes a lot to the well-marbled cuts that they sell.
Along with that, Omaha Steak sells premium cuts of chicken. The chicken cuts are great, but I think Butcher Box has better cuts.
Seafood, on the other hand, is great from Omaha Steak. The deep flavor of their seafood choices is perfect for platters and cookouts in my backyard.
Winner: Overall, I prefer the cuts I get from Butcher Box. While there is not much noticeable difference in the flavor, I am more confident with the transparency of the source from Butcher Box.
2. Types Of Meat Available
There are a lot of cuts to choose from both of these companies. Butcher Box and Omaha Steak are two companies that offer cuts that are beyond what we are used to buying in supermarkets.
Butcher Box
1. Beef
Beef is a best-seller in any market that you go to. Butcher Box has amazing NY strip steaks, boneless ribeye steaks, filet mignons, burgers, and ground beef.
Those are just a few of the many cuts from Butcher Box and while there is a lot, they do not compromise the quality as the cuts are all Choice or Prime-grade cuts.
2. Pork
I love the diversity of pork cuts that Butcher Box offers. You can choose boneless pork chops, St. Louis pork ribs, bacon, and pork tenderloin from the main menu alone.
You can also go deeper into the site and find other amazing pork cuts such as breakfast sausages, mild Italian sausages (my favorite), and baby back ribs.
3. Chicken
The amazing chicken tenders, drumsticks, chicken wings, and chicken thighs are just a few of the chicken cuts you can get from Butcher Box.
You can also order a whole chicken from Butcher Box. This is perfect for when you are preparing a meal for many people.
4. Seafood
A taste of the wild, as I’d like to put it. You can get the most amazing sockeye salmon from Butcher Box or go with the scallops that are full of umami.
You can really taste the difference between the wild-caught seafood options from Butcher Box compared to the farmed fishes that other companies sell.
5. Others
One of the more unique features of Butcher Box is that they sell other cuts of meat. They do not stick to the common beef, pork, and chicken cuts.
If you are feeling adventurous and want to try something new, you can get cuts of meat from bison, lamb, and even turkeys when you order from Butcher Box.
When I ordered the bison cuts, I either roasted them or smoked them because they are pretty tough but trust me when I say they have the most delicious and robust flavors ever.
Omaha Steak
Note: Some products from Omaha Steak are pre-cooked. This is convenient for emergency events ahead of you so you do not have to spend too much time cooking.
1. Beef
Omaha Steak highlights butcher’s cut options with their beef cuts. You get to choose from a wide variety of steaks such as NY strip steaks, top sirloin steaks, filet mignon, and Prime ribs.
There are also larger cuts like T-bone and porterhouse or lesser-known cuts like flat iron steaks, skirt steaks, tri-tip steaks, bavette steaks, bistro steaks, hanger steaks, flank steaks, and more.
2. Chicken And Pork
One of the best-sellers from Omaha Steak is the gourmet chicken sampler where you get 2 pieces each of stuffed cordon bleu, stuffed chicken parmesan, stuffed chicken with artichoke and spinach, and stuffed chicken with wild rice.
The best one for pork is the pork pot roast which is already cooked. It is a great choice if you do not have the time to cook, just thaw it, reheat, and then serve it for your next meal.
There are also other options that are not cooked, such as boneless pork chops, pork loin roast, dry-aged porterhouse, and chicken breast.
3.Seafood
Omaha Steak highlights convenience where they prepare the food for you. For instance, the split skewer lobster tails are great for cooking when you are in a hurry.
There are more seafood options from Omaha Steak than from Butcher Box. You can get salmon, sablefish, snapper, trout, halibut, cobia, grouper, and even caviar from Omaha Steak.
4. Starters And Sides
This is a combination of cuts of meat like beef meatballs, lobster tails, cooked jumbo shrimp, stuffed baked potatoes, and more to start your meal.
5. Desserts
Another thing I liked about Omaha Steak is that they sell a full-course meal. You can get amazing desserts like triple berry, caramel apple tarts, and pumpkin maple bundt cakes.
My favorite is the individual cheese sampler option, where you get four different flavors. You just need to thaw them and then serve the cakes to finish off your meal.
6. Wines
Whether you want gift sets for other people or a delicious pair for the cuts of meat you order, Omaha Steak has covered you with the amazing wines they have.
Choose from tour de France wines, 90 Point Cabernet, 90 Point red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more.
Winner: Omaha Steak. There are more options when you order from Omaha Steak than Butcher Box. The products are also very convenient, with some pre-cooked.
3. Pricing
The prices from Omaha Steak are higher than the ones from Butcher Box. Butcher Box also offers a variety of cuts with the monthly box they deliver to your house.
You get to select the individual cuts from Omaha Steak, which can cost you hundreds of dollars. For example, the Butcher’s Cut NY strip steak can cost up to $259.99 if purchased alone.
With $259.99, you will get 4 cuts of 10-ounce NY steaks, while Butcher Box allows you to choose up to 6 cuts for only $169, which is not the least expensive but is a cheaper choice.
I understand that Omaha Steak prepares the cuts for you with either seasoning or pre-cooking some cuts, but I like cooking the steaks myself, so I prefer Butcher Box.
One way you can save money when you order from Omaha Steak is by purchasing by package price.
This is where you will get different gourmet meals in one order. The gourmet chicken sampler, for example, consists of 8 small items that cost only $79.98 when ordered.
If ordered individually, the 8 items can cost up to $159.96 so you can save a lot of money by ordering the package and having meals ready for your next meals.
Winner: Butcher Box. You get a lot more varieties of cuts at cheaper prices, and you can also select which cut you will get with the box you have subscribed to.
4. Subscription Options Between The Two
Omaha Steak is an online shop where you can order individual packages or one-time orders. They do not have subscription offers, so you do not have any commitment.
Omaha Steak is the one for you if you want to order just one product and do not want recurring deliveries at your house.
They offer high-quality cuts without needing to subscribe or be a member so you can place orders on the website and just check out once you are done.
Butcher Box, on the other hand, has 6 different boxes to choose from where you can get a variety of cuts that you can also select yourself.
Since Omaha Steak does not highlight subscriptions, Butcher Box is a more convenient option for ordering cuts of meat.
Butcher Box Subscriptions
1. Custom Box – $169 a month
You can select from up to 25 cuts of meat that you want if you subscribe to the Custom Box option from Butcher Box.
A single Custom Box can have 9 to 14 pounds of meat and will be delivered to your doorstep every month or every two months, you get to choose what frequency you want.
The Custome Box contains 20% more meat than the other subscription boxes plus, you can also edit the content of the box every month so you get to try new cuts every delivery.
2. Mixed Box – $146 a month
This option is where you get to pick from 100% grass-fed beef, organic crate-free chicken cuts, and pork in a single box. It is a family-friendly option that will let you cook various recipes.
An excellent example of what you can get from the Mixed Box subscription is 2 pounds of ground beef, 2 NY strip steaks, 4 top sirloin steaks, 1 pound of whole pork tenderloin, and 3 pounds of chicken breasts.
3. Beef And Chicken Box – $146 a month
This is basically like the Mixed Box subscription only you only get to choose from the 100% grass-fed beef and organic chicken options. You will get 8-11 pounds of meat a month from this box.
The Beef And Chicken Box is my most frequent order because I already have a trusted butcher shop near me where I get fresh pork cuts.
4. Beef And Pork Box – $146 a month
Like the previous subscription box, you will get up to 8-11 pounds of meat a month in a box that contains 100% grass-fed beef cuts and pork cuts.
You have the freedom to choose which cuts you can get in the box so you can plan ahead with the recipes that you want to cook.
5. All Beef Box – $146 a month
I love this option because there are times when I just want to cook beef or if someone is to bring other cuts during barbecues in my backyard.
With only $146, you can get 2 pounds of ground beef, 2 NY strip steaks, 1 pound of premium steak tips, 2 pounds of chuck roast, and 4 top sirloin steaks in just one box.
6. Basic Box – $99 a month
Just like some customers, I was pretty skeptical about the subscription boxes from Butcher Box so I was relieved when I knew there was a cheaper option so I can try the cuts of meat before paying more.
The Basic Box subscription allows you to choose from all the cuts of meat – beef, pork, and chicken for only $99. You do, however, only get 7 to 7.5 pounds of meat in the box.
Note: All subscription boxes from Butcher Box are shipped FREE and you can cancel any time you want.
The only disadvantage is that there is a limited supply, so specific cuts like New York strip steaks, flat iron steaks, boneless pork chops, and others might not be available depending on the region.
5. Packaging And Delivery
Butcher Box
Like how they care about the animals, Butcher Box also ensures that they do as little damage to the environment as possible.
The packaging of Butcher Box is nothing short of impressive with the recyclable packaging and plant-based materials used for making the boxes.
Butcher Box also goes further by testing the packages in labs and providing a zip code tool on their check-out page.
The zip code tool allows them to determine whether your area needs the meat to be packed with dry ice, and if so, how much, so they do not put excess waste in the box.
You can track your orders through the e-mails sent to you by Butcher Box. You are most likely to receive your box within 8 working days but is often faster than that.
The boxes have amazing insulation that allows the meat to stay outdoors for 6 to 8 hours.
With the proper insulation and dry ice inside the box, you have enough time to get to your house and pick up the package if you are not home.
Lastly, you can also change the frequency of the delivery. Choose between a month, 6 weeks, or every 2 months for your order to be delivered.
One downside of Butcher Box’s delivery is that you cannot specify the exact date of delivery.
Omaha Steak
When you order from Omaha Steak, you get a more flexible delivery option. There are additional fees for some areas but your order will be delivered properly and quickly.
The packaging from which your orders will arrive is a reusable mini cooler. I love this one because I can use it for picnics or when I go on outings with the family.
It is well-insulated with polystyrene insulation, and the cuts of meat I ordered arrived frozen with a lot of the dry ice still solid and cold.
As for the shipping itself, I chose the standard shipping option, where I got FREE shipping for my orders that were over $148.99 in total.
Here is a quick look at the Standard Shipping from Omaha Steak
Note: Wine purchases do not apply to either of the three faster shipping options (Rush, Express, and Saturday Rush).
Customer Service
Now back to our comparison of Butcher Box and Omaha Steak. How do these two companies deal with complaints and questions from customers?
Butcher box makes sure that all your questions are answered as quickly as possible. At the bottom right of their page, you can see a “Help?” button where you can ask questions.
There are pre-answered questions and FAQs that might be related to your question or specify it in the box.
If the bot is not able to answer your questions, you can contact Butcher Box through their e-mail and they are very responsive.
Omaha Steak also has a FAQ page to help you with common questions. You can also visit the company’s Customer Service page, where more specific questions are answered.
I must admit that Omaha Steak has a more organized Customer Service page with categorized questions and answers that you can access with a click of a button.
Omaha Steak’s department is open weekdays from 7 am to 10 pm, Saturdays from 8 am to 7 pm, and Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm.
Regarding responsiveness with more specific questions, Butcher Box does a better job, but Omaha Steak is better with common questions, and all my questions were answered within the page.
What Do Other Customers Think Of Butcher Box Vs Omaha Steak?
Butcher Box
If you go to any page that gives reviews to different companies, Butcher Box mainly receives rave reviews that mostly talk about the quality of the meat they receive.
Most customers mention how good it is to know that the meat they order is from animals that did not have too much stress in their lifetime and are raised responsibly.
Others say that they get their orders quickly and have the right box delivered to their doorstep.
“I have used Butcher box since 2018 and have had a wonderful experience. The 2 or 3 issues were handled with replacements ASAP. Great quality and customer service. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants quality meat delivered to your door. I have a carnivore way of eating and all I eat is meat. Very satisfied with this service. THANK YOU Butcher Box…”- Roxanne Lambert
There are, however, some customers that complain about the poor packaging that arrived with their orders.
These are rare, but I figured it is important to point out. In my personal experience, there have not been any bad packaging arriving at my doorstep but there are cases with other people.
“When the meat arrives frozen, it’s fine. But too many times meat arrives thawed.” – Sarah Hopkins
Overall, Butcher Box has received great reviews from their customers who love the service and the selection and quality of their meat.
“Great service, awesome selection, high-quality meats. I just received my first box and I was impressed by the packaging. The grass-fed sirloin steaks tasted amazing! I also love that the chicken is free-range organic, and the seafood wild-caught. Signing up for this was such a good idea. Love keeping my freezer stocked!” – Danielle A.
Omaha Steak
From the service to the quality of the meat, Omaha Steak has received mixed reviews. Some are happy about their service but some are not pleased with the order they received.
Perhaps the more commendable service provided by Omaha Steak is that they were extremely innovative and active during the height of the pandemic.
“My order arrived earlier than expected, frozen, expertly packaged, with dry ice to spare — an impressive feat coming from Nebraska to Hawaii during a pandemic!” – Vanessa H.
“Moment of truth: it was the BEST Thanksgiving Meal I ever had. All the appetizers were delicious, the desserts were perfect and the ham was moist and tender.
I highly recommend Omaha steaks and I will order again this coming Christmas.” – Mary Joy D.
Some, however, are not impressed with the orders they received. Customers often complain about the hassle they have to get to just to order the meat they want.
The customers say that their orders would change during check-out and they have to go through a lot of trouble just to have it fixed or just straight change their orders.
“They advertise a special and then it changes in your cart. I used to be a customer but I’ve had it. Worst process ever.” -melaniemoriartyyoung
In my own experience, I have not encountered these problems so they can be occasional.
What About Refunds Or Exchanges?
Butcher Box
If you receive an order from Butcher Box that you are unsatisfied with, you can get credits on your account or receive refunds once the company confirms that your order is not up to their standards.
Of course, Butcher Box reserves the right to ensure that your complaints about your order are valid.
For instance, Butcher Box partially or fully refunds the damaged boxes, late delivery, and missing items.
You can also choose which compensation you want. So aside from the partial or full refund of your order, you can also get account credits for your next orders.
They do not, however, accept returns since they are selling perishable products.
Omaha Steak
Omaha Steak also refunds orders that do not meet your satisfaction. They stand by their product so if they do not meet the guarantee they offer, you have the right to ask for refunds.
They can either replace your package or refund your money if you are unsatisfied. You have the freedom to choose which compensation you prefer.
You can contact them during their set hours by calling their toll-free number. See more about the unconditional guarantee from Omaha Steal.
Does Butcher Box Or Omaha Steak Have A Better Company Reputation?
Both Butcher Box and Omaha Steak have great company reputations. They have A-plus grades on Better Business Bureau, which means they are a good company.
Omaha Steak has been in the business for over a century, and throughout that time, there have been a lot of negative reviews.
Within five years, Butcher Box garnered an A-plus rating as a company because of its great customer service and high-quality products.
So Butcher Box has a better company reputation than Omaha Steak.
Final Verdict
So between Butcher Box vs. Omaha Steak, which one should you choose? It all comes down to preference but personally, I prefer Butcher Box over Omaha Steak.
I love cooking, and since I order meat online, I have to get as much information as possible to know where and what I am ordering.
Butcher Box is transparent with where the animals are raised, how they are raised, and what quality of meat I am getting.
That is why it is easy for me to choose Butcher Box over Omaha Steak. It is also convenient that the boxes I ordered last month can be edited so I can order other cuts that I want to try.
Omaha Steak is for you if you are not interested in subscribing to any membership. You can place single orders without worrying about any recurring ones.
Omaha Steak has got you covered if it is a one-time thing you want and you want some pre-cooked or pre-seasoned cuts.
They also have more options, including wine, desserts, and sides, so Omaha steak is an excellent company for ordering meat and gourmet meals.
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