Lately, when making anything with beef that is a low and slow cook (stew, goulash, stroganoff) I've been buying tri-tip steaks at the local Kroger and cut it up myself. It's a little pricier than what they label "stew beef" but the last time I used stew beef the amount of gristle and fat was disappointing. The tri tip does very well with the low and slow cooks, and has really good flavor.