Kansas City Steaks Review: Is Their Mail-Order Meat Worth It?
If you‘re a steak lover, you‘ve likely heard of Kansas City Steaks. This popular online purveyor of premium steaks, meats, and sides has been in business since 1932, delivering some of the best beef in the nation straight to doorsteps across the country.
But with dozens of mail-order meat companies now competing for your business, you may be wondering: is Kansas City Steaks really worth the hype – and the premium price tag? We‘re here to help you decide with our in-depth review.
We‘ll take a closer look at the company‘s background, beef sourcing and quality standards, product variety and pricing, and most importantly – how their steaks and other products actually taste according to real customer reviews and our own experience.
By the end, you‘ll have all the facts you need to determine if Kansas City Steaks deserves a spot at your dining table. Let‘s dig in!
About Kansas City Steaks
Kansas City Steaks has a rich history dating back to 1932, when it was founded by Italian immigrant Giovanni Scavuzzo as a small, family-owned butcher shop in – you guessed it – Kansas City.
Giovanni had one simple mission: to provide his customers with the finest quality meats at a great value. Even as the company has grown over four generations to become a leading national mail-order steak company, Kansas City Steaks remains committed to that original vision.
Today, Kansas City Steaks is still based in Kansas City, with a large warehouse and fulfillment center that distributes their meats to all 50 states. The company is now owned by National Beef, but continues to be operated by descendants of the Scavuzzo family.
Kansas City Steaks offers a huge variety of cuts of steak, including filet mignon, KC strip, ribeye, porterhouse, prime rib, sirloin, and more. They also sell other popular meats like chicken, pork, turkey and lamb, plus appetizers, sides, desserts, and complete meal packages.
But their primary focus continues to be on delivering the perfect steak – hand-trimmed and aged to perfection by their master butchers, then flash-frozen and shipped directly to your door for an unrivaled at-home steakhouse experience.
The Quality of Kansas City Steaks
Of course, all the history and variety in the world doesn‘t matter if the actual product isn‘t up to par. Steak is a premium item, and customers expect the best when paying top dollar. So how does the quality of Kansas City Steaks measure up?
The company prides itself on selling only the finest Choice and Prime grade beef, putting it in the top 10% of all beef sold in the US. All of their beef comes from premium cattle raised in the Midwest, with the majority being grain-fed.
Some of their products use grass-fed beef, which appeals to those looking for a leaner, more natural option. However, grain-finishing helps provide the marbling and rich flavor that steak lovers crave, so it‘s a matter of personal preference.
Kansas City Steaks also uses a signature 28-day aging process on their steaks. This is slower than most mail-order steak companies and allows the beef to naturally tenderize and develop a fuller flavor profile. The result is steaks that are juicy, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
We were impressed by the level of craftsmanship evident in every Kansas City Steak. The meat is hand-carved by skilled butchers, closely trimmed to remove exterior fat, and cut to a consistent thickness that allows it to cook evenly. You can tell that a lot of care and expertise goes into it.
The vacuum-sealed packaging is also high-quality, allowing the meat to stay fresh in your freezer for up to 12 months. Shipping is done with plenty of dry ice in an insulated Styrofoam cooler, ensuring your order arrives frozen solid, even in the heat of summer.
Top Products from Kansas City Steaks
As mentioned, Kansas City Steaks offers an impressive range of meats, sides, desserts, and combination packs. Here are some of their most popular items that consistently get rave reviews:
Filet Mignon
The holy grail for many steak aficionados, the buttery-soft texture and mild flavor of the tenderloin make it a perennial favorite. Kansas City Steaks‘ version is wet-aged and skilfully trimmed by hand to ensure a perfect eating experience. Customers describe it as "fork tender," "absolutely the best" and "practically melts in your mouth." Available in 4, 6, 8, or 10 oz portions.
Kansas City Strip
A KC original, this well-marbled cut is known for its robust, beefy flavor and satisfying chew. Kansas City Steaks offers both a traditional bone-in version and a boneless option for easier eating. Whichever you choose, you can expect a thick, juicy steak with a nice exterior crust from the grill. One reviewer raved "I have never tasted any KC Strip steaks as good as these!"
Porterhouse
Ideal for hearty appetites, this substantial steak combines a tender filet and a flavorful NY strip in one. Kansas City Steaks offers 18oz and 24oz versions that make a serious statement on the plate. Fans say it‘s a great choice for special occasions, with one stating "It was, without a doubt, the best Porterhouse I have ever eaten."
Prime Rib Roast
If you‘re serving a crowd, a succulent prime rib is hard to beat. Kansas City Steaks offers both a traditional bone-in prime rib and a more modern boneless version for easier carving. Rubbed with their signature seasoning blend, it produces a deeply flavorful, juicy, and tender roast that will impress any guest.
Steak Burgers
Kansas City Steaks also offers a line of premium, steakhouse-style burgers made from their signature blend of ground sirloin, chuck, brisket and short rib. Thick and juicy, customers say they are "hands down the best burgers I‘ve ever eaten." The 8oz patties come in packs of 8 and are great for summer grilling.
Sides & Desserts
Don‘t forget the extras! Kansas City Steaks has a tempting array of classic steakhouse sides to complete your meal, like loaded baked potatoes, creamy mac & cheese, herb-kissed asparagus, and crisp onion rings.
For dessert, try their decadent New York cheesecake, gooey chocolate lava cakes, or refreshing key lime pie. All arrive frozen for easy baking or thawing whenever a craving strikes.
Combination Boxes & Gift Packs
If you can‘t decide, Kansas City Steaks also offers a variety of curated combos and gift boxes featuring an assortment of their most popular items. From surf & turf duos to "The Kansas City Cookout" complete with steaks, sides and dessert, there‘s something for every taste and occasion.
These make impressive gifts for the steak lover or grilling enthusiast in your life. You can even create a custom gift box with their easy online tool. Talk about a gift that‘s in good taste!
Pricing
There‘s no denying that mail-order steaks are a luxury item, and the prices from Kansas City Steaks reflect that. You can expect to pay a premium over your local grocery store or even many butcher shops.
However, when compared to other high-end online steak companies like Omaha Steaks or Crowd Cow, Kansas City Steaks‘ prices are fairly competitive. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20-60 per pound, depending on the cut you choose.
Combos and gift packs can offer a slightly better value, with prices ranging from $80 for a small "Surf & Turf" combo with 2 filets and 2 lobster tails, up to $400 or more for a fully-loaded "Ultimate Steak Sampler" with filets, ribeyes, strips, porterhouse, prime rib, and burgers.
Shipping is extra, and varies based on the size of your order and delivery speed selected. Standard shipping starts at $20, while expedited and overnight options can add $30-50 to your total.
Kansas City Steaks does frequently offer coupon codes and limited-time promotions that can take 10-20% off your order, so it‘s worth checking their website or signing up for emails to snag a deal. They also have a Refer-a-Friend program that grants you a $30 credit for each new customer you bring in.
Overall, while Kansas City Steaks isn‘t cheap, the old adage that "you get what you pay for" rings true. For many customers, the exceptional quality and convenience is well worth the cost for special occasions or to stock up the freezer. The general consensus is that you‘d be hard-pressed to find better steaks at your local store for any price.
Customer Reviews
Speaking of consensus, let‘s take a look at what real customers have to say about their experience with Kansas City Steaks. The company has an impressive 4.7 out of 5 star rating average across nearly 5,000 reviews on their website.
Positive comments far outweigh negative ones, with the most common praise citing the superior quality and taste of the steaks, great customer service, and speedy shipping. Here‘s a sampling of real reviews:
"The steaks are incredible! I have served these to guests on several occasions and they can‘t stop raving about them." – Carl S.
"Everything arrived perfectly packaged and frozen solid. The filets were beautiful with great marbling throughout. Cooked to perfection, they literally melted in your mouth." – Samantha R.
"These are hands down some of the best steaks I have ever eaten! The flavor is amazing and they are so tender. I have ordered multiple times and have never been disappointed." – Michael P.
Of course, no company is perfect, and there are some negative reviews mixed in. The most common complaints seem to be around toughness/lack of tenderness in some cuts, fattier-than-expected steaks, and the high price tag. A few customers also experienced shipping or packaging issues.
However, the company seems committed to making things right if a customer is unsatisfied. Many reviews mention responsive customer service and quick resolutions, including replacing orders or issuing refunds as needed to ensure satisfaction.
This dedication to standing behind their products makes ordering from Kansas City Steaks a fairly low-risk proposition. Their 100% satisfaction guarantee covers you for a full refund or replacement within 45 days if you‘re not completely satisfied for any reason.
Comparison to Other Mail-Order Steak Companies
These days, Kansas City Steaks is far from the only game in town when it comes to mail-order meat. From old-school favorites like Omaha Steaks to newer rivals like Snake River Farms and Crowd Cow, how does Kansas City Steaks stack up to the competition?
In terms of quality, Kansas City Steaks is definitely in the top tier, on par with Omaha Steaks and Snake River Farms. All three sell primarily premium Choice and Prime grade grain-finished beef, with some grass-fed and American Wagyu options available.
Kansas City Steaks might have a slight edge in taste and tenderness thanks to their signature 28-day aging process, which is longer than the 21 days used by most others. However, it likely comes down to personal preference.
From a price perspective, Kansas City Steaks and Omaha Steaks are very close, with similar prices on popular cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, and strip steak in the $25-60 per pound range. Snake River Farms comes in a bit higher, as they specialize in pricier American Wagyu beef.
Crowd Cow, which focuses on sourcing beef directly from small, independent farms, has some lower-priced options starting around $10-15 per pound. However, their selection is more limited and inventory tends to fluctuate.
Where Kansas City Steaks really shines is in their customer service and satisfaction guarantee, which is among the most generous and hassle-free in the industry. They seem to truly care about their customers‘ experience and go out of the way to address any concerns.
Omaha Steaks also has solid customer service, but Kansas City Steaks might have the edge when it comes to flexibility and responsiveness based on our research. Both are likely a safer bet than taking a chance on a lesser-known company.
At the end of the day, all of these online steak delivery services have their unique selling points, but Kansas City Steaks offers an unbeatable combination of exceptional quality, attentive service, and fair prices that‘s tough to top.
The Bottom Line
So, is Kansas City Steaks worth it? If you‘re looking to enjoy some of the best beef money can buy from the comfort of home, we say absolutely.
The taste and tenderness of their steaks is truly a cut above what you‘ll find at most grocery stores or even many steakhouses. The level of craftsmanship and care put into each cut is evident from the first bite.
Yes, you‘ll pay more than you would picking up some steaks on sale at the supermarket. However, the convenience and reliability can‘t be beat, and in our opinion, the splurge is well worth it for special occasions, gift-giving, or just treating yourself to an exceptional meal.
Especially given their rock-solid satisfaction guarantee and stellar customer service, there‘s very little risk in giving Kansas City Steaks a try. Their combo packs and gift boxes offer a great introduction to their product line.
If you‘re a die-hard steak lover, or are looking for an impressive way to mark a celebration or holiday, Kansas City Steaks should definitely be on your radar. Just be warned – once you‘ve tried them, you may get spoiled for anything else!
We give Kansas City Steaks a solid 5 out of 5 stars, and highly recommend them to anyone looking to enjoy a taste of one of the nation‘s top steakhouses without changing out of your pajamas.
