Q7 Ranch

I drove out to Q7 Ranch today and bought a few pounds of free range, grass fed sirloin, ground beef and few pasture raised chickens (which are better than simply "free range" in that they get to eat more natural grass because their pen is moved a few feet to a fresh spot every day). They also have pork but I didn't order any. They're very friendly and easy to buy from. Just call first to make an appointment and drive out to the ranch. Most meat is sold by the pound. When I got home I cut the frozen sirloin into 3-4oz pieces and seared in a cast iron skillet (which I think is a more pure way to cook a steak, avoiding any extra flavors which are imparted from cooking over fire). The steak was extremely flavorful. I also minced a piece to have as traditional steak tartare (see picture above). The beef flavor was bright and full -- and the color was amazing.From the Q7 Ranch website:"Quarter Circle Seven Ranch is an Illinois family owned and operated all natural, grass fed beef cattle ranch based in Marengo, Illinois. Blessed with an abundance of natural vegetation and water; our ranches provide over 400 acres of native grass pastures in Marengo, Poplar Grove and Virginia, Illinois with our home pasture being only 58 miles northwest of the Chicago loop.Our husbandry and pasture management practices meet all of the All Natural/Grass Fed requirements that our clients want...locally produced and locally processed. No growth hormone implants or additives. No fed antibiotics. No herbicides applied to our pastures. No pesticides applied to the cattle. Plenty of natural grasses, shade and clean flowing water.Our processing, packaging and pricing is intended to allow for the maximum in client choice. You can purchase one steak, one whole beef or any amount in between or split a purchase with family or friends. We believe that buying locally leaves a smaller carbon footprint by saving energy and therefore should cost less. Our prices are market based, applying discounts of 10% to 33% to the prices of the largest internet based providers.Our mission is to provide Chicagoland families a high quality, locally produced, and affordable choice in grass fed beef.Living "Green" is critical. It is also inconvenient when compared with a trip to the local supermarket. We try to help with that by offering delivery service to your home or business. Although, we have more fun when you visit the ranch to pick up your order and take a look around."

We purchased some ground beef from them at the Family Farmed Expo. It was the tastiest beef I have ever had. We have also purchased some of their Beef at the Butcher and the Larder and love it. It is nice to have a free range grass fed alternative to the regular store beef. We look forward to ordering our first 1/8 beef side.

Oh my word, the best beef we've ever had. So far, we've been ordering the ground beef from Door to door organics. We plan on going to the ranch and placing an order directly so we can see the place. We have a monthly meat delivery from a local farmer and I'm sorry to say that his grass-fed beef is good, but nowhere near as delicious as Q7 Ranch.

I cooked one of there roasts today and the flovor was amazing. It was the most tender roast I have ever cooked.This meat is fantastic.