I know there has been a thread on this in the past, but I can't find it.

Planning to roast a whole pig for the first time, in a couple of weeks. Probably a small one. Under 40lb.

Need suggestions on where to buy.

Kuby's

For about 25 people, how big a pig would you suggest?

I just called Kuby's and they said they don't see whole pigs, they just process them.

I'm not sure. We had one at a crawfish boil several years ago and i would guess it was 40 to 50 lbs before it was cooked. A buddy provided it, he bought it cooked from Kuby's. Contact them and see what they think.

6601 Snider Plaza
Dallas, TX 75205
Phone: (214)363-2231
Fax: (214)363-9673

I could have brought you a boar or sow around 50#, shot them Saturday. They would have been good for cooking whole.

Call Columbia Packing in Dallas. 214-946-8171. Wait until tomorrow morning. Already too late to get them today (they roughly operate 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm). Good people there. They can advise you and provide the appropriate size pig.

Search the DFW board, there was a post there about this a while back.

Haven't called Columbia yet. But went to the El Rancho Supermercado in Richardson. None of their butchers know any English, but a lady translated for me and they said they might have pigs in on Friday.

Vietnamese market in Carollton sells them. I just can't remember the name, sorry!

Here it is:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vietnam-plaza-market-carrollton

Same question but for the Houston area.

Gracias.

After a long drive in bad traffic, I have officially confirmed that that Vietnamese place does not exist at that address. Is it an empty suite available for lease.

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Search the DFW board, there was a post there about this a while back.

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yep, remember seeing that thread a few months ago

Any Mexican grocery store. Specifically the Super Plaza at Webb Chapel and Royal.

Columbia $3/lb.

Super Plaza $1.49/lb. They said they can special order a smaller pig, but the smallest they normally carry is 90lb.

I also have a friend who hunts pigs who says he will give me one if he bags one in the next week.

So looks like I have some options.

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After a long drive in bad traffic, I have officially confirmed that that Vietnamese place does not exist at that address. Is it an empty suite available for lease.

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WTF? I was just there a month ago!

Those Asian-owned markets in the DFW area mostly all get their stuff from Columbia anyway. May as well get it directly from the source.

what's the point when the Columbia price is double?

How do you say "do you sell whole pig?" in SPanish?

^
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/?fr=avbbf-us

Be aware, if they special order you a smaller pig, the price/lb likely will go up significantly. Make sure you know before they order what it's going to cost. I will say that $3/lb. is high; but it somewhat depends on the size. It costs essentially the same to slaughter a small pig as it does a big one.

what about buying a big pig, and just roasting half, and freezing the other half?

Might look kind of lame, but that would solve my problem of finding a smaller pig.

That would work if you have a big enough freezer.

So I may end up resorting to this.

I went back to the Plaza, and they only had 2 carcasses left. The smallest was 134lb. At 1.69 lb, it was just too much for my needs.

I went to an El Rancho Supermercado, and they said they will order a smaller pig for me. At about 50lb, $1.49/lb. The manager there explained to me that the smaller pigs (50lb and less) come frozen, and the larger ones come semi-fresh, but they are usually 120lb minimum. Same price /lb.

So that's what I've learned so far.

If you are going to cook a whole pig, you might as well go to an auction barn to buy it as well. Seguin has an auction twice a month. I've also seen locals selling them on the east side of most towns on Sat mornings.

Nothing like being able to say you took care of it from start to finish.

I sell them at my place in Johnson City. We butcher them ourselves. I an get one delivered to Westphalia market in Westphalia. (SWof Temple) Smaller roasters are more expensive.
Email if you like, maybe I can help you out. kthompson at moment.net

dang, you're far. Too far for this weekend regardless. But I'll put your contact info in my "pig database."

See, getting a pig just keeps on giving...

I got the frozen pig from El Rancho, and it was apparent to me that it would not fit in any of my coolers. Nor did I want to put it in my chest freezer, because it needs to thaw.

So the wife gave me permission to buy a new cooler. The biggest one that Academy sells. Which will come in handy when I get to go hunting for the first time sometime in the future.

Not quite sure best procedure for defrosting. I have it in the 7-day igloo with a bag of ice. I"m afraid that cooler is insulated enough that it will just remain frozen in there.

I bought charcoal at the Plaza for about $2/10lb. I walked out with 120lb for about $23. I hope it's not loaded up with arsenic or something!

[This message has been edited by shiftyandquick (edited 11/17/2010 5:59p).]

We just had six hogs in a trap about 2 hours from DFW. Dad will be down next weekend and check it again, you might be able to work something out with him.

I've had to assist with an inspection of the Asian market in Richardson with the game wardens. I can eat just about eat anything, and have a strong stomach, something walking in the door about gagged me.

Ursus--might be all that Durian fruit. It's nasty.

Vietnamese supermarket--my go-to place for cheap rabbit.

Eyeguy - I won't have an immediate need for another pig. But since I'll have all the stuff for doing another, I'm sure I'll get to it eventually. Will put your username into my pig database.

Thanks, OB, for helping make my first pig roast a success, and a lot of fun.

Looks like it turned out well!