Jan 10, 2026
Known for its bright green branding and cult-favorite “Pub Subs,” Publix has long built its reputation on spotless stores, packed aisles and a shopping experience that feels too luxe for a simple grocery run.
Prices have never been bargain-bin, but many shoppers have had no beef paying a premium for quality and convenience. But that price-pain threshold may be wearing thin, especially when it's costing an arm and a leg.
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A photo from a Yulee, Florida Publix location recently went viral on Reddit after a shopper called out what they described as “criminal” meat prices (1). The image shows a 1.23-pound cut of organic prime tenderloin priced at $49.99 per pound, bringing the total to $61.49.
“Not only is this meat mediocre, it’s ridiculously priced,” the shopper wrote. “What the hell, Publix?!”
The post got under readers’ skin, especially at a time when food prices remain high. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, between 2020 and 2024, U.S. food prices rose 23.6%, forcing many households to rethink their shopping habits (2). With that in mind, a $60 cut of beef raises a practical question for consumers: Is this price in line with broader market trends, or are they just price gouging?
Shoppers rethink what goes in their cart
Reddit has become a sounding board for users who are expressing their frustration over rising grocery prices (3). One commenter noted that the cost of the Publix tenderloin alone, Florida diners could enjoy a full ribeye or tenderloin dinner, complete with bread, two sides and soft drinks, at a local steakhouse for anywhere between $26–$31.
Others took a no-nonsense approach, suggesting the most effective response isn’t outrage, but snubbing the chain altogether.
“Just don’t buy these products. DON'T PAY ABSURD PRICES FOR PROTEINS. Consumers have the power. If we don’t pay these prices, they will lower,” another user added. "Eat chicken or whatever is cheaper locally until prices come down.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that retail beef and veal prices rose for the eighth consecutive month between July and August 2025, jumping 2.7% in just one month and nearly 14% compared to the year before (4). The increase reflects a supply crunch that’s been building for years, as cattle herds have steadily declined in size since 2019. Even so, consumer demand has remained strong.
Amid the beef, the White House has highlighted that food inflation is moving in the right direction overall. In December 2025, President Trump noted falling prices in select categories, including turkey and eggs, as evidence of progress. An annual report from the American Farm Bureau found frozen turkey prices averaged $1.34 per pound in 2025, down 16% from the year before (5). The administration has established a new task force to monitor pricing practices and competition within the food industry (6).
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Broader inflation data still paints a murky picture. Grocery prices overall were up 1.9% over the 12 months ending in November, according to the Consumer Price Index; lower than earlier in the year, but still higher than grocery inflation at the same time in 2024 (7).
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How shoppers can adapt
Not everyone saw the price as outrageous. Some users pushed back, arguing the cost reflected the quality of the product rather than price gouging.
“That is prime tenderloin, they just have that for the holidays,” one user wrote, defending the pricing. “Typically, it's a choice. I bought some a couple of weeks ago, and it was the best tenderloin I have made at home.”
For consumers feeling priced out of the meat aisle, flexibility can make a difference. Beef prices vary widely, so shopping around even within the same neighborhood can help find better deals.
Many grocery chains rotate weekly sales, meaning the priciest cut one week could be discounted the next. Subbing based on what’s on sale rather than sticking to one source of protein can stretch your budget further, especially as beef prices remain bullish.
Budget-friendly grocers and bulk retailers are often more competitive, particularly when buying larger portions that can be frozen for later use. Digital coupons, store loyalty programs and meat-counter markdowns, often applied to cuts nearing their sell-by date, can also shave dollars off the final bill.
It’s important not to have a cow when it comes to inflation and seek out the best options for your budget.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Unilad (1); U.S. Department of Agriculture (2), (4); Reddit (3); American Farm Bureau (5); White House (6); Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (7).
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Victoria Vesovski is a Toronto-based Staff Reporter at Moneywise, where she covers the intersection of personal finance, lifestyle and trending news. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a postgraduate certificate in Publishing from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Master’s degree in American Journalism from New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Her work has been featured in publications including Apple News, Yahoo Finance, MSN Money, Her Campus Media and The Click.
