I know what you mean. I finally found a butcher who can get me excellent black angus brisket. It's a Korean butcher shop ("Sorry, no Ingrrish -- oh Mr. Brrisketu? Herro Mr. Brrisketu."), in Diamond Bar. Pretty much everything there is prime. They have a case out front where the meat is displayed like jewels. The action takes place in the back where no one can see.
They cut the brisket thin as can be, and roll it into cigarette shapes for Korean barbecue. The retail trays are marked Prime. I think they're getting something like $12/lb for the trimmed sliced, rolled and packed brisket.. There's no question that most of the beef in the store really is Prime. Right marbeling, right color, etc. But I'm buying the briskets whole, still in the cryovac and they're rolled Choice.
The owner as well as several other butchers selling mostly prime tells me his suppliers say there's no such thing as Prime brisket. That the USDA just won't roll a brisket Prime, because the flat gets too much exercise.
I'm not complaining about the quality, the price ($2.75/lb), or the service. It's hands away the best brisket I've ever cooked -- and according to my wife it's the best we ever ate. So, I'm a happy guy. Don't get me wrong. They always hold whichever is the most pliable brisket back for me. And when I call ahead, the butcher's wife who fronts the store and claims to speak no English (no Ingrrish), calls me Mr. Brrisketu -- which is charming as all hell.
Wondering if the same is true at your end. Minus the Korean accents of course.
Do you think it's worth trying to explain "left handed" briskets? Anyone 'round here speak Korean?
Rich