Super steak: Selecting, cooking

[Chefnot]

Prime beef is the highest-quality, tenderest, most richly marbled meat from a small percentage of cattle. Ultimately, about 2 percent of American beef makes the cut and is stamped USDA Prime.

Most prime meat goes to high-end restaurants. Only a few retail sources, mostly in major cities - Philadelphia included - and online/mail-order sources sell prime beef to the public. Many butchers will custom-order it. Prime beef and branded products of near-prime quality are available at Wegmans and Whole Foods markets. Branded beef is typically at the high end of its designated grade level. Unless labeled prime, that's Choice or, with some store brands, Select.

Super steak: Selecting, cooking | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/13/2008

[Food Network Fan]

They often do not have prime cuts at my store.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by Chefnot

...near-prime quality are available at Wegmans and Whole Foods markets...

I can't speak for all Wegman's but the one in Central PA carries Prime beef. Not a lot of it or many cuts, but strip loin and tenderloin cuts are available.
One way to tell if you are looking at a Prime beef or Lamb is, if you have to stop and take a second look at the price per pound. If you are not sure if they "misplaced the decimal point", that may be Prime beef.

There are some very good sources on the Internet for Prime.
One of my favorites, dry ages their beef and ships it un (never) frozen, overnight, via FedEx in ice packed coolers.
If you even want to stop wondering what Peter Luger's and the famous steak restaurants do to get their meat to taste that way.
Order your favorite cut from The Best Dry Aged Steaks, Prime Beef, Gourmet Meats, Beef Recipes Online | Only at Lobel's of New York , don't over season it and definitely don't over cook it.
Again, this is something where you will get what you pay for.

[BerryBaby]

We have a source, not far from the house, that sells only prime meat to restaurants/hotels. However, if you go there and place an order, they will have it ready within 24 hours. Really pricey, but worth it if you want real prime meat.