Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners - Variety Details

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'Big Beef' Tomatoes

Sub-Category:	Standard Main-Season

Sub-Category 2:
Description:	Hybrid. Main season standard beefsteak type. Indeterminate plants produce 8 to 12 ounce, 4 to 6 inch, globe-shaped, slightly acidic red fruit. Disease resistant variety. Resistance to Alternaria stem canker, Fusarium wilt, gray leaf spot, nematode, tomato mosaic virus and Verticillium wilt. Resists cracking. All American Selection 1994. About 70 to 75 days to maturity.
	AAS Winner in the year 1994
Days To Maturity:	70-75
Seed Sources:	Gurneys Seed & Nursery Co. - updated in 2019 Totally Tomato - updated in 2015

Rating Summary

Overall: (4.1 Stars) Taste: (3.8 Stars) Yield: (4.1 Stars) Ease/Reliability: (4.3 Stars)

Reviews

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Number of Reviews: 26

Posted Pictures by Reviewers:

KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 09/03/2018 by Franco - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Daviess, Indiana, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Sand Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I would rate this an overall 4.5. It has been a top 2 producer for me that last three seasons. I have planted Brandywine, Jet Star, Beefmaster, Better Boy, Rutgers, San Marzeno, and Celebrity. Jet Star and Big Beef do best for me.

Reviewed on 11/02/2012 by Dusty - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Chippewa, Michigan, United States Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days Soil Texture: Sand Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Good high yielding main season tomato. Does well here in northern Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Not as susceptible to early blight as other tomatoes in this area.

Reviewed on 01/07/2012 by Keeper - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Hartford, Connecticut, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Understanding that I would have to plant a tomato variety for two or more years to make up for unforeseen weather conditions, has caused me to re-evaluate this variety. The plantings done in 2010 and 2011 have produced outstanding results. Producing on average 75 large (10 oz. - 1 lb.) tomatoes with much better than average taste. If you have temperatures like we have in Southern New England (80 to 100 degrees) from late May - September I would give this variety a try.

Reviewed on 09/27/2010 by mikey99 - A novice gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Monroe, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Not Sure Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
Very good tomato. Planted 2 plants this year, already harvested well over 25-30 lbs, continued yield after each harvest, its almost difficult to keep up with all the tomatoes as they ripen! Healthy fruit, no cracking, plants grew very tall, over 6' with stakes and tied with fabric. Low maintenance, decent flavor, good for fresh use in slicing, salads, sandwiches, etc. Must cook for long time if using for sauce.

Reviewed on 12/06/2009 by edesch - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
Big Beef has been my main variety since it came on the market.Disease resistance is excellent, and flavor is good, almost as good as some of the heirlooms that offer weaker production and have little disease resistance.

Reviewed on 08/31/2009 by backyd_grdnr - A novice gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Boulder, Colorado, United States Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days Soil Texture: Not Sure Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I found Big Beef to be a good, but not great tomato. The taste was better than average, but not outstanding. It lacked the full-flavor of heirlooms such as Cherokee Purple. The tomatoes seemed to hold up better when sliced than some other varieties. Very meaty and solid. The yield was average.

Reviewed on 04/02/2009 by riceke - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Gwinnett, Georgia, United States Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
A very good main crop. Fruit avg 8-10 oz. Hi production. Plant became a huge sprawling mess when planted too close. Very healthy and disease tolerant. Lasted until frost with slight infections which is unusual here in GA where the tomatoes usually tire out around late August. I would have rated this tomato a 5 if it was for the sprawling branches. Tough to keep neat. Stake or cage with strong supports. Flavor was good until the stink bugs discovered it.

Reviewed on 01/11/2009 by Keeper - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Hartford, Connecticut, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Common Tomato that is sold on stands and in super markets everywhere in CT. After planting this variety two years in a row and receiving mixed results, I have to give this variety a thumbs down. Under good conditions Big Beef did well but when we had a slightly dry year it performed poorly. (Other varieties did well) While it's a good looking tomato it lacks a lot in true tomato taste.

Reviewed on 01/03/2009 by lakeeriegarden - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Lorain, Ohio, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I think this is the best hybrid out there. Better Boy, Celebrity, all of them take a bow to this incredibly disease resistant and easy to grow tomato. Plus it simply tastes better. No mealiness at all that you find in so many of the other hybrids. I'd say this may be the best all around tomato there is.

Reviewed on 08/30/2008 by flowerbill1952 - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Prince Georges, Maryland, United States Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Used to be my main hybrid variety. Now I plant Celebrity as I think the flavor is a little better.

Reviewed on 04/14/2008 by tmurphy171 - A novice gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Orange, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
This plant grew to over 7 feet tall, over produced all summer in Orange County NY where it can drop off in to the 50's at night mid summer. Was a little (and I mean only a little) disappointed in the flavor. I had more then I knew what to do with.

Reviewed on 01/07/2008 by Mary-Elizabeth Murray - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Orange, California, United States Frost Free Season: More than 203 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
A great tomato. Was amazed at how prolific a producer this plant is. Good looking fruit that is blemish or crack free. Don't crowd this plant, it grows and spreads all over, even when staked.

Reviewed on 08/05/2007 by lbroer - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Bartholomew, Indiana, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: Less than 6 hours per day
One of the best I have ever grown. Have been having problems with other varieties due to disease but all 4 plants are producing great tomatoes with no problems. Won't plant any other next year.

Reviewed on 03/06/2007 by FK - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Monroe, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Don't crowd this plant even if you use towers. I miss Big Girl which was a much better producer than Big Beef.

Reviewed on 01/09/2007 by Grean - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Fulton, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Sand Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I've grown this variety for three years now and have found fairly consistant yeilds and flavor over a wide range of conditions. Upstate New York is known for its unpredictable weather and I find it hard to get good results every year. This tomato performed well for me and the taste was almost as good as my Brandywine and the yeild was much better.

Reviewed on 09/15/2006 by Chuopic - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Jefferson, Louisiana, United States Frost Free Season: More than 203 days Soil Texture: Sand Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
This variety lives up to its press and for me, unfourtunately, more, too much more. The plant does not suffer from high heat it is nearly a heat set in its bearing ability, but in this climate I think too well and the name for it should be the "Triffid" variety. In my conditions the staked and suckered vine grew to over 15ft long and impacted my other plants. The following year, I staked and caged it rather than sucker it to try and absorb some of its growth habit. It did, the vine only went to 12 ft., but with reduced yield. This maybe just too much of a good thing for my skills.

Reviewed on 04/30/2006 by Bill Shakespear - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	British Columbia, Canada Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
The best flavor and taste in a hybrid ever. Very strong plants with abundant production.

Reviewed on 04/24/2006 by danceswithferrets - A novice gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Greenville, South Carolina, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
This one came highly recommended, and I was very disappointed with it. I found the flavor to be bland, typical of commercial varieties. It was no better or worse than Big Boy or Better Boy. There are many other varieites that are much better in my opinion.

Reviewed on 03/15/2006 by jamin - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Chippewa, Wisconsin, United States Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
We generally grow the Better Boy variety; last year we decided we needed more tomatoes and the local greenhouse didn't have any more of the Better Boy and recommended this variety. We planted both the Big Beef and the Better Boy; we are switching to the Big Beef this year. The main reason? FLAVOR! Excellent Flavor. The brother-in-law stopped over and took some of the Big Beef tomatoes, because ours produced first, and he also preferred the flavor. They produced average sized, well shaped fruit. Pretty shape and nice red color.

Reviewed on 12/22/2005 by dgtucker1417 - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Jefferson, Kentucky, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
This variety was hard to grow and maintain because it grew to such a height. It didn't produce well and wasn't real tasty. I won't grow it again.

Reviewed on 12/05/2005 by Digit - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Spokane, Washington, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Sand Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
The "surest" choice for a slicing tomato in my garden. I've been growing this one for at least 5 years and it has always come through. This is a difficult area for tomatoes to ripen because of short season and cool night temps.

Reviewed on 12/01/2005 by Joachim - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Fairfield, Connecticut, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Best among the hybrids but the taste does not match heirloom tomatoes like Brandywine or Marianna's Peace.

Reviewed on 08/13/2005 by viv - A novice gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Pennsylvania, United States Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
This was the only local variety of tomatoe available to my area at the time of planting. I was looking for a slicing tomatoe. I usually buy beef steak tomatoes but the quality of this tomatoe was close in conparison.

Reviewed on 01/31/2005 by beyfuss - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Schoharie, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
my most consistent tomato variety, ripens even in my cold, short season climate, yields well, disease resistent, large, attractive fruit

Reviewed on 01/26/2005 by Lee_ - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	North Carolina, United States Frost Free Season: More than 203 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
A very consistent producer in my NC7 garden. Tomato size ranges between 12~16oz for me. Taste is very good. Meaty with a slight tart bite to it. A good all purpose variety that has shown excellent disease tolerance in fusarium infested soil. 1 of 2 hybrids I have found actually worth growing for the taste.

1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.

Reviewed on 01/02/2005 by Bob B - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Chemung, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I rated Big Beef lower because it was the most susceptible tomato to early blight that we grew in my garden and the demonstration garden. If you expect a cool wet year, I'd pass on this one. I've had good luck other years and may try Big Beef again.

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