In this episode of The Meat Dudes, we dig into a question that’s been bugging us: Why isn’t Wagyu beef taken seriously yet? We break down the perception problem, the misinformation, and why so many people still don’t get what makes Wagyu worth it.

We also shine a light on the Ranch Steak — an overlooked cut that’s a game-changer when it comes off a Wagyu cow — and ask the hard question: Should steakhouse servers actually know where their meat comes from? (Yes. Yes, they should.) And yes, we walk back our hot take on the Wagyu hot dog — because when it’s made right, it actually slaps.

We finish with a field interview straight from the finishing pen at Plum Creek Wagyu, where Adam Wackel talks local feed, full-blood genetics, and how keeping cattle calm leads to better beef. You can almost hear the cows breathing.

Marbling, myths, and meat-based redemption — let’s go.

In this full interview, we sit down with Andrew Shirley of River Valley Wagyu to talk about one of the biggest questions in premium beef: Can Wagyu be grass-fed and still deliver?

Andrew raises 100% grass-fed, grass-finished Full Blood Wagyu in Chehalis, Washington, and shares why he took a different path from the grain-fed norm. We cover marbling potential, nutrient density, how flavor develops on pasture, and what he’s learned raising full-blood cattle on grass alone. If you think all Wagyu has to be grain-finished, this episode might change your mind.

Find Andrew Shirley here: www.rivervalleywagyu.com

In this episode, we ask the big question: Is Wagyu just hype? Or is there more behind the marbling? (Quick answer... hell no its not, but we can see why you may think so.)

We break down:

• Why the world needs Wagyu Sommeliers

• Our honest take on Wagyu hot dogs (spoiler: hard pass)

• The underrated magic of the Bavette cut

• A hot take on Wagyu burgers (they’re not all created equal)

Then we sit down with Andrew Shirley of River Valley Wagyu, who raises 100% full-blood, grass-fed Wagyu in the Pacific Northwest. We get into how raising docile, grass-fed cattle impacts the quality, taste, and ethics of the beef on your plate.

Whether you're a meat nerd or just Wagyu-curious, this one's for you.

You can find River Valley Wagyu: https://www.rivervalleywagyu.com

This podcast is sponsored by Preservation Meat Collective: https://preservemeat.com/