What Makes Tony’s True Prime Truly Prime?
Spoiler alert: not all “prime rib” is actually Prime. That’s exactly why we created Tony’s True Prime—to help you know when you’re getting the real USDA Prime experience.
That might sound strange, but the term “prime rib” has been used for decades to describe a standing rib roast—regardless of its USDA grade. In other words, a “prime rib” could easily be USDA Choice or even Select beef.
At Tony’s, we think it’s time to clear that up.
So, what does “Prime” really mean?
“Prime” isn’t just a fancy word—it’s a USDA quality grade, the highest one given to beef in the U.S. Grading is based on two key things: marbling (those fine white flecks of fat in the meat) and maturity (the age of the animal).
More marbling means more flavor, tenderness, and juiciness. USDA Prime beef has abundant marbling, while USDA Choice has moderate marbling—still great, but a little leaner. Only about 5% of all beef in the country qualifies as USDA Prime, making it the rarest and most sought-after grade.
What makes Tony’s True Prime different?
Our Tony’s True Prime program guarantees that when we say “Prime,” we mean Prime. Every roast labeled “Tony’s True Prime” is 100% USDA Prime graded—the real deal, certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
We source our Prime beef locally through JBS in Colorado, with cattle raised across Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska—the heart of American ranch country. Each cut is hand-trimmed by Tony’s butchers to our exact standards, ensuring the perfect balance of marbling and fat for even cooking and exceptional flavor.
Because USDA Prime can carry heavier external fat, our butchers trim every roast to match the same specs as our Premium Choice cuts. If a rib or loin doesn’t quite meet our expectations for Prime, we downgrade it to Premium Choice—so our customers always get the best quality for their dollar.
Read more> What Makes Beef Great?
True Prime vs. Premium Choice
Both our USDA Prime and USDA Premium Choice cuts are exceptional, but there’s a noticeable difference in richness and texture.
| Tony’s True Prime | Tony’s Premium Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| USDA Grade | Prime (Top 5%) | Choice (Next 65%) |
| Marbling | Abundant | Moderate |
| Texture | Buttery and tender | Juicy and firm |
| Flavor | Rich, steakhouse-quality | Balanced and versatile |
At Tony’s, our True Prime selection includes:
New York Strip, Sirloin, Ribeye, and Standing Rib Roast.
All hand-trimmed, beautifully marbled, and perfect for a holiday feast or special dinner.
So whether you’re planning a show-stopping roast or a steakhouse night at home, Tony’s True Prime gives you the top-tier experience—beef at its absolute best.
Limited Holiday Availability
Our True Prime bone-in rib roasts are available for a limited time this holiday season, with about 550 roasts in total across Tony’s stores. They’ll start arriving the week before Christmas, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
If you’re planning to serve Prime Rib this year, make sure it’s Tony’s True Prime Rib—certified USDA Prime, hand-trimmed, and truly Prime in every sense of the word.
The Bottom Line
At Tony’s, we only offer USDA Prime and USDA Premium Choice beef—never lower grades. It’s how we’ve always done it, and it’s what makes the Tony’s name stand for quality you can trust.
Tony’s True Prime: When we say Prime, we mean Prime.