Essential Foods Direct Reviews 122

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3.3

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 44 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Many customers are impressed with the quality of the meat, describing it as delicious and comparable to high-end restaurants, while also appreciating the variety of options available, including beef, chicken, pork, and seafood. Reviewers frequently highlight the excellent service provided by the staff, noting their politeness, professionalism, and willingness to assist, even helping carry purchases to cars. The pricing is often seen as very reasonable, with many feeling they received great deals and a substantial amount of meat for their money, effectively filling their freezers. Conversely, a small portion of people felt dissatisfied with the product quality, describing some meats as having a strange smell, taste, or texture, and appearing dark, small, or mushy. Some customers also noted issues with the product not matching descriptions or expectations, such as thin cuts or missing items, and expressed concerns about the actual ingredients. There were also isolated reports of negative interactions with staff regarding pricing discussions and challenging behavior.

What people talk about most

Product

People report ambiguous experiences with the product, with many expressing satisfaction with the quality and... See more

Quality

Consumers find quality to be ambiguous, with many expressing significant dissatisfaction, citing low-quality... See more

Staff

Customers consistently note positive experiences with staff, highlighting their politeness, respect, and... See more

Price

Customers had ambiguous experiences with price, with some reviewers expressing satisfaction with the deals... See more

Service

Clients share positive opinions on service, with many reviewers describing it as excellent and first-class.... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What a great deal. Happy customer. Purchased the steak, chicken and seafood for my 4th of July cookout. Ending up getting a great deal and stocking up my freezer. Meat was tender and had great fla... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Super great and really fun I was greeting with good energy and customer serves. I great respect to the people that can work all day in any weather and still keep good energy and good smiles.there’s d... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Saw this sale driving by. Pulled in to check it out, with intention on not buying anything. Kyle noticed me, immediately greeted and helped me. Needless to say he talked me into it, with in a few m... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I saw an ad for the company and decided to check it out. I found they had many options as far as beef, chicken, pork and even seafood, left with a great deal and now my freezer is full for the winter... See more


Company details

  1. Meat Products Supplier
  2. Meat Wholesaler
  3. Online Food Ordering Service

Written by the company

Welcome to Essential Foods Direct, your trusted frozen prepackaged meat delivery service. Enjoy 100% All-Natural American Steak, Chicken, and Pork. Our product is unlike the rest and delivered directly to your doorstep.


Contact info

3.3

Average

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

122 reviews

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Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Meat is TERRIBLE quality

Meat is TERRIBLE quality. First, packaging is poor and 2 of our 6 filets had holes in the wrapping. One of our filets had an entire side of silver skin - like the entire width of the meat. Tons of fat on the other filets. I have a picture to show if anyone wants to see.

19 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I purchased a box of horrible beef from people…

I purchased a box of beef from people who had set up a tent in a parking lot with a sign advertising 20 ribeyes for $40. I got a box of meat for $249 plus a 3% charge for using a credit card. This is the poorest tasting meat I have ever eaten. The steaks are cut very thin so you can cut through the gristle and sinew in every steak I tried to eat. The only meat I have been able to eat is the hamburger and even that has a terrible taste. After trying for so long I gave up and gave the remainder to my dog. If this meat was graded it would not be edible. I think it came from a canner or cutter cow. I have never sent in a review but this needs to be stopped. It is a total ripoff. Please don't be fooled into buying this junk.

3 August 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

It’s clear they’re out to get one over on even their repeat customers..

I NEVER do this, but hopefully I can save someone from getting screwed over like I did.

I went to Lincoln Market Center 2/14/25. I lined up by the tent at about 9:45am and was about the 15th person in line.

I had seen an ad for 50 PERCENT off any family pack for the first 100 people, on Facebook. It was for this exact location (Tower Market Center in Lincoln, Ca). I mentioned several times, to the man in front and to the man in the tent, that we followed on Facebook, were previous customers, and saw the ad and that is why we were there this time.

My daughter and I were in person, but I even called my husband to talk to the man in the tent on the phone. We were offered 4 boxes for $524. That was the full price of a family pack. We were trying to stay closer to $300 so we opted for no seafood. We were given steak, pork and chicken for $424. $436.72 after tax. We had already waited 25+ mins in the cold, I had kids waiting in the car, and my husband was in the middle of work so we were a bit frazzled and it wasn’t until later that I realized they did not honor the 50% off the family pack. We would’ve absolutely done that if we were offered it at $262. I see that they have since changed their ad to say to show them the ad in person to get the discount.. However the ad that came up in my feed states NOTHING about showing it in person. I have screenshots AND it’s still on their Facebook page. I assumed my several mentions of following them on Facebook and being a previous customers would suffice. But it’s sadly clear they don’t care much about their customers and are more interested in getting one over on someone.. we unfortunately won’t be coming back.

14 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Sales Tactics “20 for $40 Ribeye”

It’s a lot of sales tactics. The music is loud and they take one customer at a time. They want you to invest about $500 for one steak box so you can get three other boxes for free. They roped me in with the 20 for $40 Ribeyes but they are very thin. We also got a box that they cut down from $489 to $160. Luckily, we can use those for steak and eggs. Overall, we will test them out for taste and quality but I did not enjoy how aggressive it was. They know most people are coming for 20 for $40 and they put it in a really small box.

13 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

scam

I went to their 20/40 steaks deal in houston. It's a complete scam. I'm not big into writing huge paragraphs so im gonna make it quick for you:

- starts off with a sale pitch of a 7lb beef box worth "500" bucks (they brought me down to 180)
- LIES TO YOU ABOUT HOW MUCH ITS WEIGHED (seller said it was 15 lbs + 5lbs of the 20 steaks deal)
- won't let you only buy the deal you have to get the meat packaged
- meat is already in a water solution of seasoning like wtf i dont want pre seasoned beef.

This place is a terrible scam i hope their company rots and people are smarter than me to actually buy this.

2 January 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ribeye deal is for paper-thin steaks - this company is fishy!

We went for the $40 for 20 ribeyes deal. Waited for an hour in the line and could not see any prices until we were at the front hearing the sales pitch (the line was purposely held back so no one knew the prices until at the front). The ribeyes were paper thin, mixed with some tenderizing chemical, low quality. The other meat boxes are around $200 - 400 dollars each, for maybe 15 - 20 pounds in the box. The sellers go by many different company names (assuming to avoid bad reviews), but "Essential Foods Direct" is the main company. We also saw "Midwest Men Meats" and "Stampede Ranch Farms" as well as "Homestead Meats" but there are more. Just don't fall for it and don't waste your time in line. Find some meat on sale at your local supermarket and that's going to be better quality and more affordable. Be careful out there, everyone!

19 January 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don't buy!

The worst steaks I ever had! I definitely got ripped off on this. I hope the chicken is better than the rib eyes. They were maybe 1/8 inch thin. Sucked!!!

28 September 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Incredible!!!

Unbelievably friendly! They helped answer every question and set me up for savings and success! I love my essential food meat👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🥩🥩🥩

22 August 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Worst steak ever

Worst steak ever! We waisted $199.00 on the steak package.. rubbery, fatty disgusting!! Threw it away after cooking and trying several different steaks. Did you ever buy steak from Market Basket?… Essential is worse than that!! Don’t waist your money!!

2 June 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

High Quality and Affordable

High Quality and Affordable! Not just another online meat company. The service was outstanding. I even ordered subscriptions for my parents! I wish I could give more than 5 stars 🌟 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The greatest meat I have ever tasted!!

The greatest meat I have ever tasted!!! Where can I get some more?? I met Anthony… Thank you for the great discount and bonus!!!

27 November 2023
Essential Foods Direct logo

Reply from Essential Foods Direct

We appreciate you and look forward to serving you again!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Fast turn around on order

Fast turn around on order. Food looks great. Haven’t tried yet.

27 November 2023
Essential Foods Direct logo

Reply from Essential Foods Direct

Thanks Dale! Be sure to give us an update when you are able to try the product. We look forward to serving you in the future.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Essential Foods Direct has great and…

Essential Foods Direct has great and fast service and delivery!! The meat is great and I will surely recommend it to everyone!!

27 November 2023
Essential Foods Direct logo

Reply from Essential Foods Direct

We appreciate you and look forward to serving you again!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I am pleased

I am please. I will be ordering again. I like the discounts.

27 November 2023
Essential Foods Direct logo

Reply from Essential Foods Direct

Thank you Kathryn, we appreciate you. We do our best to offer the best prices in the market while offering premium product.

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