Best food finds at Costco? [old]

[Rhee]

(Note: There are more recent Costco Food Finds threads. If you want to comment on a post below, please go ahead, but if you've got a new product you want to mention, please do a search for the latest thread on this subject -- The Chowhound Team)

Can anyone share their experiences with food from Costco..especially the fresh and frozen prepared food..but even their bulk food like cheeses and olive oil? I just bought and tried the marinated Alaskan salmon, prepackaged in individual servings. It was truly horrible. Extemely salty and just awful. I tried the frozen cooked lamb shanks. They were very good but the sauce had a slightly sweet mint taste. I like the large pans of frozen lasagne but everytime I cook it, the cheese crust burns. I really like the frozen Italian meatballs. The current Kirkland frozen shrimp are good. I really like the french feta cheese.

Rhee

[LePetitChefCanadien]

I love the log of (plain) chevre (which is a soft, creamy, mild goat cheese). It seems to be the cheapest place to get that brand. Yummm!!!

[mcf]

Since I've last visited this thread, I've recently bought two new products (to my warehouse) here on Lawn Guyland. Artichoke dip with jalapenos; delicious, as unctuous and good as the other artichoke, dip, now with some kick. And instead of "organic" eggs from Hillandale, the company involved in the huge samonella outbreak recently, and with a poor animal welfare record, too, there's Kirkland large brown organic eggs that are certified humane, two dozen for $6.29. Had my first ones today, and they were very fresh and good, might replace my Fairway extra large omega 3 eggs, but not sure.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i checked for the eggs today - unfortunately it's still the Norco Organic here in LA. boo.

[mcf]

I've gotta think that since they put the Kirkland label on them, they'll stock them at some point.
Maybe if you request them they'll let you know?

[goodhealthgourmet]

i was going to ask customer service about it but i really wanted to get out of there - the kamikaze cart pilots were out in full force and i couldn't take it anymore :) i'll check next time.

[mcf]

Not the KCP?! The short, old ones are the most aggressive.

[twodales]

(Moved from elsewhere on this board.)

Chicken Korma from Costco

OK, I was a bit cooked out and just wanted an easy night to get caught up on other things. Saw the Chicken Korma in the refrigerated section. (Cuisine was in the brand title). Chicken tenders in a Korma sauce. I have to say, it was pretty good and certainly filled the bill for the evening. I baked it in a large ceramic pie dish for 15-20. (I prefer baking to nuking.) Some rice with a few peas thrown in, some frozen naan and some chutney. Good to go.

I've also gotten some chicken enchilada casserole there which also isn't bad. They used to have some London broil with mushrooms and bacon but seemed to have stopped making those.I'm usually a from-scratch cook but I do need a break from time to time. Anyone else tried any Costco pre-mades?

[amyzan]

Just bought a small camembert du bocage this past weekend. I'm assuming this is a holiday item, and will go fast, so will pick up another one soon. Quite the steal at under $5 for an 8 ounce wheel, and in excellent condition, ripe and ready!

[nan8]

Jose's coffee!! Don't see anyone else talking about it. This is our favorite product. When they have a Jose show, well, wow. They sell the flavored beans and they are soooo good. We have tried the chocolate mint, the nutty doodle and the butterscotch toffee. They are really good. I was at checkout one day and the lady ahead of me had about ten bags in her cart. She said she finds out where the show will be and drives miles to purchase Jose's flavored coffee. I heard the pumpkin isnt so good

[monavano]

CJ's mini wontons!
http://www.cjomni.com/

These things are excellent. I made a big batch of wonton soup this morning and have been eating and slurping all day!
Costco's organic chicken broth
juice of 1 lime
a couple shots of soy sauce and fish sauce
a squeeze of lemongrass paste
http://www.gourmetgarden.com/us/product/view/Lemon-Grass
CJ mini wontons
http://www.cjomni.com/
a couple nobs of fresh ginger
cilantro-lots

[amyzan]

Yeah, I was reluctant to try the Costco brand chicken broth, especially since it nearly doubled in price compared to the Pacific they used to stock. But, it's actually quite passable, so I was pleasantly surprised. No boney goodness, but that is too much to ask, IMO. I make homemade for that gelatinous quality I love so.

[sel]

I saw the Kirkland chicken broth recently but left it on the shelf. I normally use Pacific's low sodium version and Costco doesn't sell a similar product.

[Cathy]

It's Kirkland chicken stock at my Costco, and has been. I never saw Kirkland broth.

[cstr]

It showed up about 3 weeks ago, I usually use Pacific Organic, but I'm going to try the Kirkland.

[monavano]

My Costco in VA still has the Pacific brand (not low sodium) and actually, the Kirkland organic chicken broth is slightly more expensive (surprisingly), but I agree, it's not bad!
Yes, no gelatinous goodness, but I use chicken stock so much, that I'd be simmering chicken parts twice a month if I only used homemade!
I also love the reseal boxes that both use. There seems to always be one open in my fridge.

[mcf]

I'll have to look for the Kirkland, because after tasting the Pacific I've used for years on its own rather than in a recipe, I think it's truly awful, insipid, off tasting blech. I enrich it with Better than Boullion now, til I use up what I have, but never again... Swanson's used to be my favorite, but I didn't like the ingredients; will have to try their organic recipe, too.

[greygarious]

There was a demo table (Nashua NH Costco) sampling and selling pound boxes of Fudgie Wudgie fudge ($10.89, which is less than the fudge company's online ordering). They say they use 30% less sugar than "other" fudge. I found that it was still plenty sweet, but that the other flavors, and the creaminess. came through better. I got the pumpkin fudge (not on the FW website flavor list) and dulce de leche (penuche) for holiday gifts. They had 6 or 8 flavors.

[ilovetoeatout]

I haven't been disappointed with any food at Costco. I just tried the Bruchetta and the marinated mozzerella balls and they were outstanding. We always buy the chocolate chip cookies, and smoked gouda cheese, which is the best price and taste of any grocery store.

[greygarious]

At my recent Nashua Costco trip, I was pleased that they now carry 30-ounce refrigerated Butter Masala sauce, and blocks of paneer. When I saw a sari-clad shopper, I asked if she knew if these were newe to Costco. She said yes, and reported that she'd tried and recommends both. Another thing I'd not seen before is organic blue agave syrup at far less than the per-ounce price of Trader Joe's already-reasonable bottle. It's $7.75 for the 2-pack of 23.5 oz bottles; TJ's 11.75 oz. bottle is something around $2.50, as I recall. The bottle shape and label color scheme are identical, and since the volume of the TJ's bottle is exactly half that of the Costco item, I'm thinking they are made by the same producer.

[givemecarbs]

I was going on about that sauce on my April 13th post. It is yummy. We really probably need a new thread. This one has become HUGE.

[Island]

Yes this is too long. Don't know if this is the same for all or just my computer, but I can't get to the bottomw without scrolling. Someone mentioned starting a new one in 2011, how about now?

[c oliver]

We just bought some sliced Cheddar with chipotle and liked it a lot. I've bought their sliced cheeses for big parties. They're separated with thin slices of paper. Hold their flavor well IMO.

[ML8000]

Just a thought...it would be nice to break this up into an annual list. A bit less unwieldy and perhaps more current. .

[artemis]

Start a new thread (a la the newly quarterly trader joe's)... if you build it, they will come :).

[ML8000]

In 2011.

[mdepsmom]

My Costco had shrimp ceviche last weekend and it was surprisingly good for the price ($5.99/lb) -- decent sized shrimp in a flavorful liquid/broth and lots of chunks of onions and peppers. They had it in clear plastic containers on an endcap in the cheese section. I'd definitely buy it again.

[amyzan]

I saw an English stilton for $1.97 per package, just over one pound each. I don't think this is a regular item, as I've never seen this particular cheese before, and noticed it's dated for the end of April. Of course, it's not really going to be inedible at that point, but they just can't sell it. Hence, the clearance price. I have no idea it's quality, as I didn't buy it like a silly person. The reason I noticed it at all was a gentleman with four pounds in his cart!

[bulavinaka]

I mentioned in an adjacent Costco thread that Costco was selling Point Reyes blue for $9-$10/lb - normally $18+/lb. It can't compete with markdown stilton on price, but this is excellent artisan-quality cheese that most blue cheese enthusiasts would recognize. It really pays to prowl all of the food and drink aisle of Costco - the occasional find is well worth searching for.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6991...

[amyzan]

Before I developed headaches from blue cheese, Point Reyes was one of my favorites, despite the crazy price at WFM. I haven't seen it here in the KC area Costco stores yet, but will keep an eye peeled. My mom adores blue cheese. Why I didn't buy her that english stilton I do not know.

[sparkareno]

I just bought some last night & I think it was around $8/lb at Costco. They also had gorgonzola imported from Italy that I was tempted to get. I love their Pecorino Romano---I keep a wedge in the fridge at all times.
Another great buy there is almonds and pecans. Mmmm- I think i will toast some pecans and have them with my Point Reyes blue for a snack.

[bulavinaka]

A lady was offering samples of the Gorgonzola on my last visit. Definitely worth picking up IMHO. I just don't think I can "wedge" in another piece of blue in our fridge right now. We already have three types good to go. I think I need to put myself in one of those 12-step plans...

[sparkareno]

move over---is there room for me on that plan?

[bulavinaka]

Maybe we can get a double two-for-one on therapy for pecans as well. :)

[sparkareno]

OK, I got into the Point Reyes blue over the weekend & it had a sour taste and some of the blue parts were actually more greenish. I took it back last night. :( I was tempted to get the cambozola but I can't be trusted with that in the house under any circumstances. I did buy some frozen lobster claws. They were $15 for a bag so not cheap---hope they are good.

[bulavinaka]

I noticed that the Point Reyes seemed to be just dumped into the case at my local store - or shoppers had really been rough with the wedges in search of the "perfect" one. I don't know if that was the case with your store, but the wrapping on the wedges is just plastic wrap. Some of the wedges had small tears or perforations in them. They'd be wise to put a more sturdy wrap or put the wrapped wedges in another package to protect the cheese. Otherwise, the product's integrity will be questionable.

[amyzan]

This is one of my pet peeves, but none of the cheese shops here packages cheese properly to take home. I've only seen it done right at Cowgirl Creamery in SF. Oh, that I could afford to live there...someday, over a rainbow.

[bulavinaka]

The specialty cheese shops do it right as well. But they're so few and far between - often a special trip. In LA, that could mean an hour drive to cover 14 miles one-way. If you liked Cowgirl up in The City, you'll love them in Point Reyes as well. Also, the cheese counter in the Oxbow Market in Napa does a great job as well. I liked San Francisco, but I heart Marin, Sonoma and Napa! :)

[kittycren]

hey there's a great CC in DC

[givemecarbs]

Let us know how the claws were spark! Father's Day is comin' up!

[sparkareno]

OK--maybe that will be my weekend project....eating lobster claws & reporting back. What a chore :)
And yes bulavinaka---the cheese did look a little beat up. I agree about the light plastic wrap. This was at the Torrance store.

[sparkareno]

Well I am sorry to report that the lobster claws SUCKED. I am so bummed. They were really dry and funky with none of that lobster sweetness. I tried one cold and I steamed a few to warm them through. I had to use tons of lemon/garlic butter to make them edible. I had defrosted half the bag & now I think I will take the rest back--#15 is a lot of $$$. I am a huge fan of Costco foods but this one didn't work, which is a shame because I love lobster claws.

[givemecarbs]

Darn. Was hoping for a more favorable report. sparkareno. Thank goodness for their generous return policy, too bad they can't refund your time. Now there is an idea for a science fiction story! I was at Costco on sunday by demand from my family. David's Cookies was there this weekend and on friday I did the near impossible by buying only one of their cheesecakes. So hard to resist. But on sunday afternoon when the chocolate truffle cheesecake was half gone I was implored to make another run. They had so many samples offered that I actually got full and couldn't try them all. It is probably just as well that David's Cookies only sets up about once every three months.

[bulavinaka]

Forgot to mention - some of the wedges had that pinkish mold forming as well. These poor wedges obviously had been mishandled - I'd imagine somewhere in the supply chain within Costco - such a waste of excellent cheese...

[givemecarbs]

I've been trying to eat more fish, so the frozen marinated salmon filets I found came in handy. I think you get eight individually wrapped filets. It wasn't kirkland, can't recall the name at the moment but I liked that there were a lot of suggestions on how to cook them. They even included convection oven baking, and times for frozen or thawed salmon. Very convenient.

[rockandroller1]

Our Costco only has "choice" meat, no "prime." This is the same thing the regular grocery store carries, not sure why it's worth bothering to buy it there. Can anyone add insight as to their sources of meat? We don't generally buy grocery store meat because it's flavorless, not to mention not particularly safe-sourced (factory farmed).

I was pleased to be able to buy pop for an upcoming party for $7 a case (4 6-packs), that's a great price.

[mcf]

My Costco carries limited types of prime steaks in a small display case, but I don't buy feedlot beef, either. They also carry an organic brand of ground beef, but I grind my own at home. The only meats I buy at Costco are Australian rib and loin lamb chops, which are grass fed by definition.

[rockandroller1]

we grind our own beef too. Nothing better (or safer).

[Cathy]

The suppliers are local to the area where you live (i.e. meat is not shipped from one central point to every state)and agree to provide "x" pounds of whatever cut of meat.

When they run out of Choice, they substitute with Prime, to make the poundage. Choice is in white foam trays, Prime is in blue foam trays.

I see more blue foam trays during grilling months/summer/3 day holiday weekends. It is not a regular supply.

[bulavinaka]

The "Meat Eatin'" holidays will usually pull in a lot of Prime as well. I visited our local Costco on Good Friday, and the cases were filled with Prime grade cuts of everything, but in particular, prime rib roasts. I think a lot of folks ate very well on Easter Sunday.

[bulavinaka]

>>Our Costco only has "choice" meat, no "prime." This is the same thing the regular grocery store carries, not sure why it's worth bothering to buy it there.<<

I'm not sure what supermarket chain you shop at, but most of the cuts I usually see at the supers in LA are "Select." "Choice" does show up but usually demands a premium, and "Prime" is usually only found in more "gourmet" types of grocery stores, and the quality o "Prime" can vary quite a bit.

[rockandroller1]

Prime and Choice are all they carry. Giant Eagle is my local chain grocer. From their site:

"To cook an outstanding meal, you need an outstanding cut of beef. That's why Giant Eagle® carries only the top two cuts of USDA graded beef — Prime and Choice. "

[bulavinaka]

You are lucky folks. The major supers around LA would probably put each other out of business if they tried to carry Choice as a standard, let along offer Prime. I think it has to do with the market size in SoCal, the level of competition, and customers in general just taking what ever the supers put out. And that's why I almost never buy my meat from those places. Sounds you your situation is the opposite, as you've already stated. We're usually feeding at least six to eight folks when we're looking for Prime, so Costco is a worthy candidate for us.

[sparkareno]

I don't know if you have a How's market near you (I shop at the one in Torrance) but they only carry Choice & Prime.

[bulavinaka]

I'm around the Westside. Von's, Pavillion's, Ralph's, and Albertson's have pushed out virtually all of the smaller more specialty/quality-oriented grocery chains that would be in the same category as How's.

We do have Vicente Foods, Bristol Farms, Gelson's and Whole Foods, but we find Costco's Prime in most cases is at least as good as most of those mentioned, with the exception of Vicente Foods and occasionally Bristol Farms, where dry-aged comes into play.

[rockandroller1]

It's kind of academic, as I really don't buy factory farmed meat if I can help it at all, but I was curious about what the big difference was supposed to be since they appeared to be carrying the same thing my regular grocery does.

[greygarious]

According to one of the media articles(NY Times, perhaps?) several months back, about tainted ground beef, Costco stands nearly alone in that it inspects its meat. The monolith meat packing outfits refuse to sell to supermarkets and other businesses that want to inspect it. Wish I had the reference at hand, but you can search it if you are curious.

[amyzan]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/hea... This article turns my stomach, and gives yet another reason to grind your own hamburger. I also notice the Costcos in this region are now carrying Tyson chicken, which I won't buy.

[cstr]

My Costco carries USDA Prime, also most carry USDA Prime that are frozen in cryovac portions. May want to ask the service desk, they might have them.

[duncan36]

When given the option in Costco always pay the extra for the Prime. Most people dont realize it and stores dont have to label it but there is only one grade of Prime but there are two grades of Choice.
Restaurants of course know this and secure the top grade of Choice and since consumers are in the dark and dont know they're getting the bottom grade of Choice.
Stores can sell Choice for not much less than Prime when in reality bottom Choice is a much, much inferior meat to Prime.

The best deal at Costco when you can find it is the Prime Top Sirloin. More flavorful than Filet Mignon but not tough like Choice grade or below Top Sirloin and reasonably priced.

[Chowrin]

costco has the best choice you can buy.

[givemecarbs]

Spotted something new in the refrigerated foods section: butter masala indian sauce by Maya Kaimal. It is a thirty ounce plastic tub and it also has "creamy tomato and ginger" on the label. I grabbed some boneless skinless chicken breasts to cut into in bite sized pieces and then saute and simmer in the sauce. The instructions say you can add veggies instead. The dish cooked up nicely and was very well received. I especially liked that I could buy the chicken and sauce on sunday and keep the food in the fridge until tonight, when I felt like cooking it up. My friend was delighted to see that it was gluten free which was a real plus. I'm planning on getting the sauce again the next time I visit Costco.

[cstr]

They were giving samples of this yesterday, pretty tasty!

[givemecarbs]

I have leftovers and am thinking of adding some sauteed mushrooms to stretch it a bit. I am no Indian chef but I figure it should work. I was dying to have some naan with it but my friend is self-testing for a gluten allergy and I wanted to be considerate. Might pick up some naan tonight though, I've noticed that naan is sold at most supermarkets in my area.

[Beach Chick]

frozen cream puffs for $9.99 for 110 of little puff morsels of pure love.
huge hit at parties or just the two of you with some chocolate sauce to dip them.

[coney with everything]

Beach Chick, I don't know if you have Aldi's in your area, but they have a similar product in non-Costco quantities...if I buy the Costco product we gobble them up. At least with the smaller box we don't eat so many :)

[givemecarbs]

I just discovered those cream puffs recently. I love defrosting just two or three of them and eating them when they are still very cool. This past sunday at my Costco I got peach pie and gooey cinnamon buns, both from the bakery. Yum! I'm so glad I have a chest freezer.

[c oliver]

Don't you think this better belongs on General Chowhounding? And I have some recollection of a similar thread, a boat captain.

[kiwigal]

c oliver: Being new, wasn't sure. Just added here due to my soon to be shopping at Costco and food shopping etc.

I'll check and see what I can find there. Thx

[goodhealthgourmet]

kiwigal, i found the thread c was talking about. it contains some interesting info, i hope it's helpful to you:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/611273

welcome to Chowhound!

[kiwigal]

Hi goodhealthgourmet - thank you so much. This is really helpful. I looked earlier and couldn't find it - really appreciate your help. And thanks for your welcome!

Cheers

edit: Hi again, just had a look at the thread. I have actually worked as a chef on board luxury yachts for 7 years, so not too much new there. No longer in the industry. It is quite different working on a yacht with unlimited budget, two LARGE freezers and two large fridges. This is our own yacht, and much smaller scale. So doing some things I'm not as familiar with - hence my questions around availability and considering I am not there to do the cooking. I welcome any suggestions.

Again, still focus on Costco and availability etc.

Thanks again :)

Made me smile though!

[goodhealthgourmet]

ok, so now that we know a little more detail, the way to get answers to your questions for this particular situation will require posting a thread on the General Chowhounding Topics board as c suggested earlier. just go to that board, click on "add new post" and get to it! you can basically just copy & paste the text from your query above.

good luck!

[kiwigal]

Done. Thanks again GHG.

[goodhealthgourmet]

any time!

[kiwigal]

Hi, I'm a new member and loving this thread. Got some great ideas - thank you. I'll be flying to Hawaii shortly to provision a boat for a long sail. First leg from Hawaii to Samoa - about 20 days - no grocery stops along the way!

Wonder if you can assist; I will not be sailing this time, so there will be just 3 guys - non cookers - on a long, sometime rough sail. They don't really want to cook, but want to eat well. I'll be shopping at Costco as a main spot; others too.
Parameters:
- Organic meat
- One guy prefers vegetarian, but does eat meat (organic)
- Super small freezer
- Foods that can be heated on stove top
- Foods that keep well
- good size refrige
- gotta be easy
- easy breads?

I'll be getting alot of tin food, and I'll prepare some foods and vacuum seal to prolong life of meats / veges.

Any suggestions for this trip?? Thanks so much !

[c oliver]

We just bought a box of 10 sausage and egg breakfast burritos for my elder MIL to have occassionally (she no long cooks). She doesn't use a MW so we prepared the "conventional oven" way which is wrapped in foil and baked at 400 for 35 minutes. They were quite tasty and bigger than I thought they'd be. I think they'd be better MW'd actually as the edges of the tortilla got a little crunchy. And they're only about $1 each.

[dblmnt]

steaks & lamb chops; house olive oils;cakes if for large groups--seriously one sheet cake feeds 30+--wish they'd make a 1/2 size; Kirkland sundried tomato strips;cheeses;ports & wines;various chocolates as they appear;Kirkland premium dog food--rates as well as dog foods costing 2x as much;nuts;snack nuts (pistachios and mixed nuts);butter;frozen salmon & mahimahi;european cookies;some fruit/veg;Dilettante chocolate covered fruit when in stock;Danish.

[amyzan]

Piquillo peppers in jars just showed up at the local Costco. We cracked open the jar this weekend to make crab dip and then a pizza. Pasta with peppers and sausage is next. Oh, and they're great in egg salad with some black olive tapenade on the bread. I believe they were a little over $5 for a 2 pound jar.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i looked for the piquillo peppers at my local Costco in San Diego a couple of days ago after seeing your post - no luck :( what brand are they?

[amyzan]

Del Destino, imported by Atalanta Corporation, product of Peru Hope they come to your region soon!

[sueatmo]

I just recently joined. I am most impressed with the baby spinach which is very fresh, the sugar snap peas, and the bags of multicolored red and orange sweet peppers. We have also had very nice bone-in pork chops. And the canned tuna is superior.

[bulavinaka]

The beef and lamb are usually quite good at our Costco in Marina del Rey/Culver City. If you like those things, give them a try. I also have become attached to their Marcona almonds. They first introduced them on a shelf with the other nuts. Now they usually have a palette in place. No need to hoard them anymore!

[givemecarbs]

I really like that baby spinach too. A big bag lasted me over a week in the fridge and still very fresh!

[amyzan]

Just tried Okami chicken and vegetable gyoza, from the deli section. In our store, it was with the packaged deli meats like salami, etc., refrigerated, not frozen. The wrappers are flabby and bland, but the filling is pretty tasty for a prepared gyoza. We didn't care for the sauces included, however, and made our own. These will do in a pinch, when I don't have time for homemade. They cost about twice as much as homemade.

[cstr]

Just tried the Kirkland Organic Strawberry Spread, unbelievablely awesome, see you later Smuckers.

[psimons]

well everyone, try the Jack salsa--oh my God!, also the meals prepared like chicken stuffed with rice, pork stuffed all of those are excellent, they are in refrigerator cases there. They are pricey but great--like if you made it, not me , you--if you are a good cook. Also, shrimp salad and chicken salads are very good(in meat case), the beef fajita meat in a large package in refrigerator section also is just great. I do keep the meatballs on hand--they are ok for those emergency times. Chicken alfredo prepared section is also very good. Oh yes they have a shrimp and penne prepared in refrigerator section that is to die for.

[decolady]

I like quite a few things at Costco. One is the ciabatta rolls from the bakery and to use for paninis.

[Kitchen Queen]

I enjoy a bit of dark chocolate from time to time but, can't have the sugar. (diabetic) Costco's roadshow at my local Costco offered up the most incredible chocolate: AmberLyn Fine Belgian chocolates. Found them on line 'cuz it's not yet sold in Costco near me. If you're looking for Gluten free, Sugar free, don't hesitate. It's the best ever! I promise!!

[FriendOfTheDevil]

Does your Costco carry Sweet N Low? Just curious. I just joined recently at a new location and it does not carry it. Wondering about everyone elses.

FOTD

[Kitchen Queen]

Sorry, don't know- Don't use the stuff. Me thinks it bad, bad, bad. I will however, use Splenda which is made from milk sugars. I buy Spenda elsewhere but, I have seen it at Costco.

[goodhealthgourmet]

"I will however, use Splenda which is made from milk sugars. "
~~~~~
actually, it's not. sucralose is made from sucrose, which is glucose + fructose...no lactose there. and it's certainly your prerogative to make the choice, but i wouldn't be so sure that it's any better or safer to consume than saccharine is.

anyway, i'm pretty sure i've seen Sweet n Low, Splenda AND Equal at my local Costco in San Diego.

[HBGigi]

The Costco in Cypress, CA carries Equal.

[shorty68]

I like the following:

Cedarlane Vegetable Lasagna
Morningstar Chipotle Black Bean Burger
Montmorency Dried Cherries

[jpc8015]

I still think that Costco hot dogs from the food court are worth the price of membership.

[monavano]

I love, love their hot dogs. Especially with sauerkraut and brown mustard. Sometimes, I plan our visit to Costco so DH and I can have our lunch or dinner there.
I always tell my DH that he spares no expense and takes me to the best places!

[jayt90]

In Ontario the hot dogs are Olympic/Maple Leaf and served with French's bland yellow mustard. The Dunn's smoked meat is a lot better, but thrice the price.
Worse yet, there is no redeeming merit in the nutrition of all their court food: just carbs, protein and fat, no vitamins left in the food.

[jpc8015]

I don't think there are any vitamins in hot dogs regardless.

[beenie]

monavano, we do the same thing. I get a slice of pizza, DH gets the hot dog/giant soda combo. We share the soda and there's our lunch, for under $4.00! Plus it's a nice break before loading everything into the car.

[amyzan]

I thought they sold to the public from the food court? They do at the locations here, anyway.

[walker]

In San Francisco area, they demand to see your card when you enter. The only exception: if you are picking up an RX -- no membership necessary for that. I don't know if that's just in California or if it's nationwide.

[ML8000]

Some Costoc food courts are separate from the main buildings, upfront add-ons. The Costco in South SF (?) near SFO is like that. They don't check for your card to get food.

[RetiredChef]

It's differant all over - In PA they don't in eastern WA they do and some in So-Cal Do while the one I've been to AZ didn't.

There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to it because I've asked and each place says it's company policy (only members can eat OR anyone can eat)

[mcf]

I don't buy prepared foods at Costco, except for the rare rotisserie chicken or a box of Phillips crab cakes (lots of crab, not much bread). Too often, that stuff is too salty and/or sugary or has other ingredients we try to avoid.

My regular purchases are frozen extra large raw shrimp, dry scallops, Chilean sea bass. The sea bass is both overfished and the portions in the bag are shrinking, so I buy less of them for both reasons lately. Occasionally frozen flounder filets, but these I much prefer fresh, not frozen.

Cheeses: Cabot Private stock aged cheddar, President brie, some really good artisanal cheeses when they show up, the new Taleggio that's showed up recently, Dodoni feta (rectangular plastic container), fresh water buffalo mozzarella, sliced havarti is a very good newcomer to my Costco. I don't buy the St. Andre there because it's never ripe enough before they've cut the wedges; I buy the small whole ones elsewhere.

The gold foil bagged organic coffee, medium roast, is the best I've found there for less than half the cost of the coffee we'd been drinking for years with no cheaper substitute found, ever.

Love the Cibo pesto in a container, easy to keep one in the freezer at all times, the hummos with pine nuts and the very garlicky artichoke dip for warmed up gooey goodness.

Also, Earthbound Farms organic mixed baby greens; perfect bed for marinated, grilled meat and fish. Bags of avocado (for the Barefoot Contessa's guacamole salad and on wraps with meat), container of Campari tomatoes, they taste like real summer tomatoes!

Last, but not least, Australian lamb and king crab legs, with a nod to the guys on Deadliest Catch, with thanks. :-)

[monavano]

My Costco (Newington, VA) has seafood kiosk available on the weekend. Mostly shellfish. This weekend, I bought a large bag of PEI mussels for a little over $10. Unbelievable value for what could turn into 4-5 mussel dishes in a restaurant. Each would be $8-as much at almost $20 here in the DC region.
Out of all the mussels, I discarded 5 or 6 due to opening/breakage.
The rest were pristine, plum and very delicious.
I cooked about !/3 for a meal for DH and I (merguez sausage and carrot sauce) and the rest I cooked in a bit of sauteed onions and white wine. The latter, I saved in the freezer for a chowder sometime in the next couple of weeks.

[alkapal]

i never thought of freezing mussels.. were they cooked first?

[goodhealthgourmet]

it sounds to me like monavano froze the ones that were cooked with the sauteed onions and white wine.

[monavano]

I did freeze them after cooking. I think I'm going to make mussel chowder with merguez this weekend;-0
ps...I read that cooked mussels can be frozen for 2-3 months.

[alkapal]

mussel chowder sounds good.

i just saw pepín making mussels with mr. & mrs. t bloody mary mix, plus onions and olive oil, of course -- and parsley to finish. ;-).

[givemecarbs]

Every time I go to my local Costco I scan the bakery department wishing and hoping, and last thursday my wish finally came true! I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming, but there on one of the display tables were cherry pies!!!!!! And boy are they good. And huge. But this time I am not freezing half of my Costco pie. Like it has a chance of going bad. :)

[Leepa]

I don't know if these are seasonal or not, but the Brookside dark chocolate covered pomegranate jellies are da bomb.

[HillJ]

Leepa, da bomb chopped roughly & mixed in cookie dough for baking too!

[goodhealthgourmet]

don't know if you'll hate me or love me for telling you this, but i was just at TJ's and they have containers of dark chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds on the new products display...

[HillJ]

ghg, thanks I'll have to hunt them down, rofl!

[alkapal]

i saw the pom seeds, too -- with the christmas items display near the prepared foods fridge case. (falls church, va. store).

[Leepa]

Thanks, HillJ. Any particular kind of cookie dough you suggest?

[HillJ]

Leepa, I used my go to chocolate chip cookie dough and sub'd equal amt. rough cut dark for the rough cut dark-pom. Left whole they would be awful on the tooth, but chopped worked really nicely.

Also, my son added them to his granola mixed and liked it.

[Bob W]

I second da bomb!

[northernscout]

Here are a few of my favorites from Costco: chicken pot pie, the huge apple pies, the big pork tenderloins (slice them and stuff them with a stuffing made with onions and dried cherries and bread crumbs, or cut them across and make stacks of boneless, low fat pork chops), the Kirtland Hormel pre-cooked bacon (put a few slices between paper towel on a plate and cook for about 35 seconds in the microwave then pop into a couple of slices of toast with ketchup, mayo, cheese , lettuce and red bell pepper and or tomato - mmmmm, a very fast lunch), my pup really likes their Kitland puppy kibble - says it's delicious, like to have a hot dog and drink before I leave (with lots of raw onion and other trimmings - what a good deal). One thing I would like them to carry is chunky natural peanut butter. What is it with Costco and chunky peanut butter?? Bizarre. That's the only kind we will eat and have to go elsewhere to get it.

[ClaraBelle]

Has anyone mentioned Batter Blaster yet? File it in the "god bless america" department. Organic pancake batter in a can! A great shortcut on cold mornings. My kids gobble 'em up!

[Leepa]

Wow. I've never seen these. Unfortunately, I made my monthly trip to Costco last week. But on their website I see they're carried in several supermarkets here. I'll have to check them out soon.

[walker]

It's December and San Francisco area Costcos don't seem to carry Black Truffle Butter. Wah!! I really want to try it (at Costco prices, of course.)

For a while lately they carried a pack of "living" lettuce and now have discontinued it. I miss it.

[Eugene Park]

OK, just got back from the San Leandro, CA Costco, and opened up a can of what I can only describe as "legalized sin". It's a 36 oz. can of BLACK TRUFFLE ALMONDS made by Urbani Truffles of NY, NY. $19.99 was the meager charge for this can of greatness. When you open the can, you get a huge wave of the heady, funky deliciousness that you can only get from anything infused with black truffles. The almonds are small and lightish in tone, and there's a little too much salt for my preference, but DAMN!! I'm glad there's some nutritional benefit to eating almonds, b/c this is not a low-cal/low-fat/low sodium/low taste delicacy.

The description on the label of the goodness inside is as follows:

"Urbani black truffle almonds are a first of their kind. Aromatic black truffles are hand harvested in central Italy. The natural truffle aroma combined with Mediterranean sea salt and sweet California almonds creates a distinct flavor that will transcend all of your senses."

I'm already planning to buy a bunch of cans and stash these in the wine cellar. The best before date is 2/28/2011, and these are great on their own and should be stellar with some cheese and alcohol (I'm leaning towards champagne, but they should be hardy enough to stand up to various types of red wine).

I have ZERO affiliation with this brand or with Costco. These just taste that darn good for me to go crazy with the hyperbole......=-)

[goodhealthgourmet]

aside from the saltiness, these sound *fantastic* - i'm glad i didn't see them at my Costco in San Diego today...probably because i was too busy having an internal debate over whether to buy the Marcona almonds!

[c oliver]

These sound terrific. I LOVE Costco at this time of year :) Also love the Marcona almonds.

[Eugene Park]

I found these in the section where they have all kinds of candies, popcorn, nuts and other stuff you'd typically find in a holiday gift basket.

[Bob W]

Speaking of nuts, the salt and pepper pistachios are great! I think they come in a three-pound bag. That's a lot of stachies for not too much $$.

[kacedalai]

Funny...there is a product on the market exactly like this that was on the O-list a few years ago. Not sure if they are a first of their kind or not.

[Hapa Dude]

I just saw these yesterday at Santa Clara and I bought one for $15. Oooooh they are good. I'm going to buy another can or two before they are gone because they are probably a seasonal product.

[Leepa]

I never did find them in any east coast Costco. Bummer.

[amyzan]

New to the Kansas City area stores--Coleman organic chicken. These come in two packs for the whole birds. The first we made into dumplings, and used the leftovers for a chicken pot pie. The second we roasted. These are well processed birds, and come with giblets, not so common anymore. The flavor is on par with the locally raised chickens I've had, with good texture to the flesh. Highly recommended at $2.29/lb.

[givemecarbs]

Thanks amyzan, I'll look for those at my Costco. I'm dismayed by the lack of giblet availability that only seems to be getting worse.

[KCatty]

Has anyone seen these in the KC area recently? Which store? Saw this post today and checked the midtown store... they had the bacon and hot dogs, but no chickens. I read up on Coleman and I think they've got pretty good practices... would be a much cheaper alternative to Campo Lindo.

[amyzan]

I haven't seen the Coleman organic chicken since they switched from Goldkist to Perdue. I won't buy Perdue because my grandmother was an employee years ago. Back then, they were sacrificing safety and sanitation for speed, and I can only imagine it's gotten much worse thirty years later. I also just plain don't like the flavor and texture of the chicken, though I will admit it's been years since I bought it. I have one Coleman bird left in the freezer, and am thinking of writing Costco to request they bring it back. I never did see it in the KC, MO store on Linwood, but it was regularly at Lenexa and Overland Park.

[amyzan]

Update, KCatty! Spotted Coleman organic chicken breasts and whole birds at the Overland Park location at 123rd and Blue Valley Parkway tonight. Stocked up the freezer.

[Karen Mickleson]

Rare I'd do such a thing, but i'm joining here to offer a couple of great Costco reviews. Both are frozen, from Quisine Solutions. First, I just tried their Beef Wellington last night and it was *fabulous*--I confess to never having had 'real' BW before, but this was great. You start them at 500, then after putting them in, turn down to 425 for 25-35 minutes. Even with my old, imprecise Wedgewood, the tops browned really well, they didn't burn, and just all over YUM!

Then, there's their Lamb Shanks in burgundy w/rosemary & mint. You defrost them in fridge, then slit the plastic enclosure (they come one per plastic thingy) & put them in a baking dish and bake for 15 minutes or so. Again, total YUM.

Each may be seasonal, as I asked after the lamb shanks here in Marin for months, but they only just came in. The Wellington's have been there awhile, but I've just discovered them, so I don't know how long they've been there. I just bought 2 large boxes of the shanks as I think they'll be gone soon.

I appreciate these because it's hard to find good things to fix for one person, and these fit the bill.

Enjoy
Karen

[c oliver]

I've had those lamb shanks also and loved them. Will look for them again in Reno.

[TucsonTeacher]

Just bought 2-1/2 lbs. of Harry & David's Moose Munch for $14 and the same amount is $30 on H & D website. Picked up a chicken but it wasn't cooked all the way through, so that was gross. How do they get them so big!? I got the most delicious chipotle tri-tip roast over the summer, but haven't seen it since. Anyone know the brand name? Also missing the marinated Foster Farms chicken breasts. Good cheesecake! Feta, salad greens, romaine, and Beringer's White Zinfandel are other things I like. You can get those chocolate truffles at Trader Joe's in a smaller package.

[newkai]

This is by far the best thread on Chowhound. I'm going to get a Costco membership soon (for the first time) and I think I'm going to print out this whole thread and try everything!

[givemecarbs]

Let usknow how you make out newkai

[givemecarbs]

Finally got around to trying the frozen Phillips maryland style crab cakes. It had a little blurb saying new recipe or something on the box. I really enjoyed them. I used the defrost and pan fry method. Creamy and meaty. Yum!

[ArrowSmith]

I'm bummed that Costco stopped carrying Brazilian canned roast beef. I guess they must be having a shortage over there.

[ML8000]

FYI: Trader Joe's was carrying a really good Brazilian RB hash in a foil vacuum pack. It was way better then anything in the U.S. Very low fat content, not compressed to hell like canned.

[brooklynkoshereater]

Love their mango-peach salsa

[jnk]

Especially on their St. Andre cheese.

[givemecarbs]

Despite my user name I dashed into my local Costco last night for a big tray of pork chops. Imagine my delight when there was a sign above the pork chops saying that there was an instant rebate of 3.00 taken off at the register on the chops! The item I had intended to buy anyway was on sale, no coupon necessary. Dunno if is a nationwide deal or not. I also got a package with four steaks of beef tenderloin that were very nicely trimmed. Every bite was a delight, no waste.

[mcel215]

I have a bag of their flash frozen Kirkland Tilapia (singularly wrapped) in the freezer and they are very good. But, the last couple of times I went, they didn't have them in stock.

Anyone else get these? I'm near Boston. Thanks.

[c oliver]

I just discovered the Kirkland Lightly Salted Kettle Chips. I think they just might be the best chips I've ever eaten --- and I AM a connoisseur of potato chips if nothing else.

[jayt90]

They are good, and they beat the price of Ms Vickies or the Cape Cod type by quite a margin. They have enough salt for me, not really skimping on it.

[c oliver]

I agree about the salt. Just started our second bag :)

[cstr]

Went to Costco yesterday, they had champagne grapes, first I've seen this season. Sweet little pearls of goodness, good price as well.

[FlyerFan]

I picked these up as well.....so adorable and delicious!

[Father Kitchen]

I'm sometimes disappointed by Costco's limited selection of some staples and some produce. Last week I couldn't even find celery. But the Kirkland dried mushrooms are very good. The cheese selection, though small, is quite good. And last week, to my surprise, I found Kokuho Rose rice, which is one of the best rices in the world.

[cstr]

You shouldn't be disappointed if they don't have certain products. In the case of celery which I also miss from time to time, if they can't get a good quality product or price, it's not going to be on their shelves, pretty simple.

[jfood]

jfood wanted the buffaloe mozzy this week and they were out. urggggh

[chez cherie]

which costco carries buffalo mozz, please? thanks!

[jfood]

jfood was over friends house and they told him they bought theirs in Norwalk CT

[lcool]

further south ;Pa,Md,Va buffalo mozz seems to be a staple in the case

perhaps keep looking at the shrimp at COSTCO,there are 2 organic farms in the USA that sell restaurant only with one exception COSTCO

Not all the shrimp farms in Asia are cess pools.Granted the clean rational ones are few and priced with US gulf shrimp.

[cstr]

That's usually in stock and a deal, could be a delivery timing issue. BTW, I heard that Costco is going to do some house keeping with it's higher end slow moving wines, so if jfood likes the grape, look for the price ending in .97 coming soon.

[jfood]

No wines in CT Costcos and jfood does not imbide, only cooks with, wines.

[Eugene Park]

Wine markdowns have already started, at least at my local Costco here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

[MSK]

OK.....so I dreaded to resurect this never ending thread.

But now,.................... after seeing "Food, Inc"............I regret almost every food purchase I have ever made at Costco.

[jayt90]

To their credit, their buyers do try to get local foods. In Ontario, I can get carrots, apples, potatoes, onions, shallots, concord grapes, wheat, meat, fish, eggs, cheese and dairy, all local. In winter, they get greenhouse vegs from the north shore of Lake Erie, and they even send these to U.S. whses.

I avoid most of their California or Central/South American produce, and restrict my foreign purchases to citrus and rice.

[malibumike]

Why would you avoid California produce??? It is some of the best around!

[lcool]

Or choose a florida off season tomato.There has been much published recently about the labor abuse in florida and mexico tomato farms.Whereas the green houses in St Catherine's (Canada) and Israel farms for off season tomatoes don't have a history of abuse.California can't provide 100% of the national food supply.So perhaps rational is important.Eggs; free range small farm 30 miles away.OR organic,egg farm,near factory 1000 miles away.My choice is the near by egg.Decisions based on complete information are the choice for most of us
social choices and carbon footprint and so on

[jayt90]

Malibumike, there is no denying Ca produce is good, but it drains the water table all the way to the Mississippi for irrigation. One company dominates organic produce, another strawberries, and a single county dominates almonds. Is that good?
To get all these fine products to my Costco in Ontario, there is a tremendous amount of storage, refrigeration, trucking, and waste. The same arguments we might make about Mexican and Chilean products.

I really am happier with Costco buying local products, and they do that.

[Ruth Lafler]

All the way to the Mississippi? Have you heard of the Continental divide? Are you suggesting there's some huge continuous "water table" that flows from California under the Sierras, the Great Basin and the Rockies to the Mississippi?

However, I do agree that, due to the size of the North American continent, buying food from California is not local by any stretch of the imagination for someone in Eastern North America.

[alkapal]

>>>""" there's some huge continuous "water table" that flows from California under the Sierras, the Great Basin and the Rockies to the Mississippi?"""<<<

oh yeah, isn't that the one that flows underneath atlantis, too?

[lcool]

any specifics? rather than hearsay ?

[amyzan]

European butter almond slice cookies in a three pack. These are identical to Trader Joe's butter almond slices and one of the Jules Destrooper cookies, but much more reasonably priced.

[cstr]

MSK, care to factually elaborate a bit.

[alkapal]

just made two awesome pecan pies with the costco's shelled pecans.

used the light karo syrup (recipe on back of the bottle), lessened the sugar by 1/3, and used the pecans, as chopped in the processor till medium-small chunks. used the pre-made regular pastry crusts (don't pre-bake or use "deep-dish" crusts) from sweet bay grocery store.

still enough nuts to make another pie or maybe two! i still might cut the amount of sugar in karo recipe even more, as i don't like a real sweet pecan pie at all. i like more of the nut tart concept. not using a deep dish pie shell gives a higher nut to filling ratio -- and that's a good thing.

[malibumike]

Just got back from the Westlake village/thousand oaks , CA costco and they had choice Fillet Mignon for 8.99/lb looked real good my son and I will try them tonight, heck the boneless rib eyes were 9.99/lb.

[Ruth Lafler]

In Northern California the boneless ribeyes that are $9.99/lb are *prime*; the choice is less expensive. The prime ribeyes were as low as $7.99/lb this winter; they also have had prime NY strips for a dollar more. The prime beef is easy to spot in the meat case: the styrofoam trays are blue, while the regular choice are white.

[monavano]

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but I'm going to add the whole wheat pitas I get at my DC area Costco are soft, fresh, delicious and best of all, 110 calories per pita. I've been making sandwiches and pita pockets with leftovers all week.
Also, I sampled Kellogg's Special K Snack Crackers-Multigrain. 17 crackers are 90 calories.
Not that I just look for low cal foods at Costco!

[Bob W]

I recommend the salt and pepper PopChips in the snack aisle. You could eat the whole bag on the way home.

[batchoy]

3-pack of Chinese sausage, $8.88 at Mountain View, California Costco (Also, if you are anywhere near the vicinity of Mountain View Costvo, that particular shopping center has Goldilocks Filipino Bakery, where you can get mango cheesecake! And also In'n Out Burger)

[osho]

I bought Citterio prosciutto di Parma from Costco in SF, and it's a tremendous value. This is the real deal and prefectly sliced - straight from Italy. It cost $13.25 and it appears to be disappearing pretty quickly from my refrigerator ...

[jisun1]

Since its only me and my SO and have NO room in our littel apt, I only buy a few things that I can keep for a while such as their Pacific Chicken broth, olive oil, canned anchovies, marinated artichokes, and barilla whole grain pasta- all of which have multiple uses. I dropped my first bottle of artichoke hearts halfway through:( spilled all over the kitchen floor. Now I plan on putting them into smaller jars going forward. I love the produce section especially the organic baby spinach (which costs less than conventional spinach in manhattan), those little sweet assorted color bell peppers (not sure what they are called). Too bad I live in Manhattan and dont have a car. I LOVE Costco!

[c oliver]

Do you have a grill? Those little peppers are so good grilled. Just slice in half lengthwise, drizzle with some olive oil and whatever seasonings you like. Mmmmm. Love those peppers.

[jisun1]

No- I would love a grill. I only have a George Foreman Grill. Next time I go to my parents in NJ, I may have to try that! Gosh I love those little peppers. I think Costco was the first time I ever saw them. Now I see them at Trader Joes but not nearly as fresh and not such a great deal. The ones at Costco are so fresh and flawless!

[beenie]

I know this is an old thread, but in case anyone's still reading, i don't see any reason you couldn't "grill" them on a Foreman. Or you could roast them in the oven and chop them up for sauce or salsa, or even puree them after roasting for a roasted pepper soup.

[Rene]

Four one half pound prime tenderloin filets for $18. They look fabulous and I can't wait for the weekend to grill them. I think in the local market (large and great store, while not fussy or anything, they have a great variety and many unique items), I think they are between $23-28 per pound... In any restaurant in Austin, Texas, I don't think you can find one prime filet for that little money anywhere.

[bulavinaka]

Tri-color chick pea salad in the refrigerated section.

[c oliver]

I didn't know they came in colors! Will have to check that out.

[bulavinaka]

The usual color (like cooked chicken), green, and burnished brown. The chick peas are tiny, but the salad (IMHO) is very enjoyable, and seems relatively healthy as well.

[chowmeaow]

Yes its pretty good. Also found Italian white bean salad.
2 weeks ago, found Japanese cheesecake from Sogo bakery.

[amyzan]

New product, I hope nationwide: Grace's Best sunflower seed petite cookies. They're butter based, no trans fats, and at $6 and change for a pound and a half, a good price for such quality. They're crunchy and oaty and good with milk, 'nuff said.

[Leepa]

What part of the store are these generally in... the bakery or the packaged snack section?

[amyzan]

They were in with the packaged snacks at the store here in KS.

[cstr]

Costco is discontinuing their imported whole vanilla beans, 10 beans for $5.97 a steal, get'em while they last.

[Leepa]

Thanks. I'll pick some up soon.

[puddin head]

will the beans stay good for a while, or can they be frozen? If I stock up I won't be able to use them up quickly.

[cstr]

They come in 2 sealed containers of 5 beans each. I think they'll be fine and will last for a long time.

[Bob W]

Thanks to eye-catching packaging, I just tried a new citrus fruit called a "sweetie." it's from the Jaffa orange people in israel. It's a cross between a pummelo and a white grapefruit.

It has the thick skin of the pummelo, with segments that are pretty firm. It's the size of a small grapefruit. The flavor is very sweet.

A bag of 8 was $6.49; we actually got 9 in our bag.

Definitely worth a try!

[givemecarbs]

Was racing around Costco like a fool this past weekend and skidded to a stop when I saw double chocolate cream pies! Dunno if they are just being offered for the spring holidays but I was happy to snag one, there were only about six left. I love the graham cracker crust and the way the pie smells so chocoately when you open up the container. I did learn my lesson and force myself to cut and freeze some slices immediately. I saved a sturdy cardboard box leftover from a frozen cheesecake when David's Cookies set up on Valentine's Day weekend and popped the slices in there to freeze. Doubt they will last long, I really like this pie!

[dumas]

Love this thread!

We just rejoined Costco after a many year hiatus (First joined before it merged with Price Club in SoCal.!) and I've been wondering about the quality of some of the items that look so enticing but we haven't tried yet.

Specifically, the fresh fish? I wonder how they can keep the fish fresh in the case? (It seems like it wouldn't sell very fast since they offer such large packages of fish.)

And the Golden Kist chicken? I've never heard of this brand and we are fairly picky about our chicken. Any thoughts?

Also, our chicken pie and our chicken soup (made from the rotisserie chicken~~I guess probably Golden Kist!?)) were so salty. Is that the case all the time or just the result of how one cook happened to season the dishes?

And I'm wondering how the buying is done for the different stores? Are they stocked and managed regionally? Or do most stores carry the same stock? (If they are by region, I'll make a point of stopping at Costco's when I travel.)

Items we liked: The ground beef, the strip steaks, and we just had a delicious roast rack of pork for Sunday dinner that elsewhere would have been $50 (Garden Fresh Market) and Costco price was $17. I couldn't believe it! Likewise, a rack of lamb that we did on the grill. Right there we earned back our membership $$!!.

And I buy the haricots verts, the boston lettuce, and the hearts of romaine in the veggie section. And the berries! What a deal. (Not so much the apples, though. They were not tasty.)

BUT, I just saw Alice Waters (Chez Panisse) on 60 Minutes tonight talking up the Slow Food Movement, and it made me feel so guilty that I love Costco so much! What a conundrum!

(I did hear somewhere that the generic prescription drugs were quite the deal also and I'll have to check that out.)

[cstr]

Between my Costco card and my AMEX Costco card, my membership fee is covered by the cash back every year and I save at least .05 per gallon on gas for the cars. The meat dept is a very good deal, my Costco offers USDA Prime for a fraction more than the Mega-marts charge for USDA Select. Also, the Kirkland brands are on par with brand name stuff.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

My fiancee's family just got me a Costco membership for my birthday, and I've already been twice! I love that place. Today I went there and got a pound of nice sliced genoa salami ($5.69), two pounds of sliced provolone cheese ($6.69), a bag of 20 soft pita-style flatbreads that look way better than the bland, dry Toufayan pitas at Publix ($4.39), and three one-pound tubs of fresh guacamole ($8.69). I've had the guac before, and it is pretty damn good. The prices can't be beat!

Wandering around, I had a tiny sample of their Kirkland smoked salmon on a little bagel wedge, so I'll definitely be back to try that. Of course all the meats and other cheeses were calling my name too. QUESTION: last year, I accompanied a friend to Costco and we got Cahill's Irish Porter Cheddar cheese, right around St. Patrick's Day. It was absolutely beautiful cheese with dark brown marbling and a touch of rich sweetness. I was disappointed that they didn't have it this year, although they did have an Irish Whiskey Cheddar, also from Cahill's. Whole Foods and Fresh Market don't carry the Irish Porter Cheddar either, but has anyone else seen it at their local Costcos? I'm in Orlando, FL.

Everyone speaks highly of their cakes and pies, and they also have these individual-sized tropical sorbets that come in hollowed-out pineapple halves! I was thinking about how I totally want to serve those at a party, and then tonight I saw Paul Rudd and Jason Segal snacking on those very things in the new movie I Love You, Man. Cracked me up.

[cstr]

Sounds like you're into it already. Some Costco's carry USDA Prime meats, last week I got USDA Prime boneless rib eye steaks for $7.99 pp. On the cheese, it's all about cost, if Costco can't buy right, they'll pass because they will not compromise on customer value. And yes their pastries, cakes pies, etc. are very good, and if you don't think so, you can always return it, no questions asked. Also, don't forget Costco.com, lots of stuff there as well.

[Bobfrmia]

Something that may have already been posted, but I'm not going to expand 290 post to check, anything at Costco that ends with a price of .97, is going away. It's usually marked down, but what you see on the shelf, or in the cooler is gone, it's gone for good, or at least for a long time. Also look for the asterick on the price tag. That usually means the same thing.

[c oliver]

Interesting. How on earth did you find that out?

[Bobfrmia]

Consumer Reports, and if you ask them, they will admit it. Don't know why they don't just tell people. The thing is, if the product still isn't moving, it keeps coming down in price until it's gone.
There is also a "tell" for items at Sam's Club, but I don't remember off hand what it is.

[Leepa]

For Sam's, I think it's either .81 or .61. I used to know but, like a lot of things, I've forgotten it. Thinking about it more though, I'm pretty sure it's any price ending with a 1.

[Bobfrmia]

OK, I looked it up. At Sam's club a C at the end of the item number means it is being cancelled.
Just a couple of examples. At my local Costco, they had 4 packs of Reeds Ginger Beer, in 1 liter bottles. 9.99. Then 6.97, then 4.97, then 1.97. I bought 40 bottles.
540 thread count king size sheets 89.99. then 59.97, then 25.97.
Sometimes it's almost like shoplifting.

[bulavinaka]

I remember seeing a news segment on "shopping wisely," or something like that. The "expert" was a self-made millionaire where part of his wealth-building strategy was being thrifty. In proving his point, he went to Costco with the reporter, and among other things, he pointed out the ".97" as something to watch for as these were items that Costco was reducing the price on for close-out. Another good strategy: if at all possible, avoid the natural inclination of grabbing one of those behemoth shopping carts. Reason being, if you really need it, you'll carry it. Obviously, this isn't practical for those loading up once a month or for large items in general. But the carts make it too easy to toss in another item here, another item there. So if you're constantly going in there to seek out deals or what's new, this tip is for you.

[Lixer]

As a costco employee I'll second this. Many items get marked down until they are dirt cheap when it's the last batch we get. Much of the time though word will get around the store and employees will stash stuff away until their next break.
I've gotten a case of beer for $9.97, Three pack of mascara for $4.97 and a two pack of those lemon bar mixes for $2.97.

[Ruth Lafler]

That's a good tip.

Last Xmas, I stumbled on some really good chocolates that were originally $22-something, that had been marked down to $9.97 and then $5.97. I stocked up!

[monkuboy]

Hmm.. my wife and I love the Martha Stewart chicken slab pies. The price is $4.97 for a two-pack. I guess we better load up on them!

[MSK]

Big Bummer!

Costco no longer carries REAL maple syrup!!! The have Log Cabin and some low sugar stuff.

I asked and they have no intention of bringing it back. I guess they assume that's something people would cut back on in a bad economy.

Let's create a groundswell in protest against High Fructose Corn Syrup!! We only want Grade A dark Amber!!!

[cstr]

Look hard, I saw both at 2 Costco's in my area.

[Leepa]

I saw it at our Costco this weekend, too. Hopefully yours will carry it soon, too.

[lcool]

it is on the shelf at all the DC area stores,GRADE B never left the shelf

[MSK]

There is now a new brand on the shelf. MUCH smaller bottle I might add.

While I was there my eye caught Choc. covered pomegranate. Didn't get it but the thought did "plant a seed." hmmmmm

[gki]

I shopped around and found TJ's has their brand in clear glass wine bottle-like vessel for less.

[Peg]

I just got a Costco card in the UK but have not been there yet - does anyone have any UK recomendations?

[teric762]

Several things I ONLY buy at Costco: Hamburger, and at our local Costco's, you can ask the meat dept. guys and they will sell you a 10-lb chub of 92% lean for about $2.05/lb. It is the way they buy their burger, then they add fat trim to it to make up the packages they sell in their refrigerator meat case. It is not labeled 92% (I don't know why, but they assure me it is, has something to do with the fact that they are re-packaging it), actually it says no less than 8% fat, or something like that).

Carnitas (I saute bell peppers, onions, and add the warmed meat, then tomatoes for a wonderful fajita-style fillilng)
Boneless Chuck Short Ribs - like a smallish but long piece of steak - for about $4.00/lb, add a little meat tenderizer and they are AWESOME on the grill - and I am a steak snob, just too poor to pay for my favorite prime ribeyes at Top Foods.
Cashew Chicken (frozen section) - for a frozen dinner, pretty darned good
butter (they now carry unsalted) - at about $1.40/lb, a pretty good deal)
Chocolate cake from their bakery - it is like 7 lbs of pure chocolate, with chocolate shavings on the side even. Death by chocolate! Yum!
Their Brie is pretty darned good, and very reasonably priced
Love all of their artisan cheeses
Pasteurized lump crab meat (goes in my homemade artichoke crab dip, buzz me for the recipe)
Kirkland brand low sodium bacon - we can't eat any other kind anymore, everything else is too salty
For regular cooking, I use the Shredded Four Cheese Mexican blend for about everything.
The seasonal truffles in the funny shaped brown box - we wait for those things every year.

Can you tell Costco is one of my favorite stores?? We call it the $200 store.

[cstr]

teric762, just an FYI, Costco sells whole rib-eye for $4.99 pp, skip Tip Top. Thanks for the burger tip.

[cstr]

I've only seen this at a few Costco's, butt end tenderloin, aka (the large end) same price as the whole tenderloin. You get the best part and leave the tail behind.

[lucygoosey]

My costco has recently started carrying Delice de Bourgogne and I am thrilled

[hbpthomas]

I buy the big packages of White Cheddar Cheese - same package sold elsewhere but a couple of bucks cheaper at Costco. I also buy the big packages of goat cheese - at our store it's about $5 for four times as much as you'd buy at Trader Joe's. I also buy milk there - can't beat the price! Oh, and the Kirkland coffee we recently purchased actually says something like "Roasted by Starbuck's"... my husband says it tastes the same as the Starbuck's.

[alohatoall]

I used to love the Kirkland Four Cheese Ravioli but haven't been able to find them recently at either of the two Costco stores I use. Can someone tell me if they're still available elsewhere? Thanks for the help.

[alkapal]

kirkland is the "house" brand. i don't know who manufactures them, so that you might find them under a different brand elsewhere.....
where are you shopping, your profile doesn't say....?

[alohatoall]

Sorry, I shop on Oahu. I realize that Kirkland is Costco's house brand and never thought that the ravioli might be available under a different brand name.

[mcel215]

I used to buy these also, they are pre-cooked and exceptionally light and delicious. They do have a new brand, but I forget the name. The thing I look for is the 3 Cheese, Pre-Cooked Ravioli. I believe the bag is dark blue and white. I hope this helps.

[alohatoall]

Thanks for that info - I'll look for them. I did notice that the company that made the 4 cheese ravioli I loved (Seviroli) now provides shrimp/crab ravioli, but I haven't tried them yet.

[lissame72]

I really like the Jack's Special Salsa - fresh-tasting and a teeny bit spicy. Sabra hummus is good, too. They usually have good yogurt as well - our store almost always has Stonyfield Organic and lately they've had a greek-style called Chobani that I like. I get a big thing of cheap olive oil there to use for basic cooking and marinades, and figure I save enough money that way to justify also keeping a small bottle of good extra-virgin for simple salad dressings and other times the flavor will really show.

[CrazyOne]

I know this was mentioned before, but since I just had it yesterday again, have to give a shout to the take and bake refrigerated pizza. We had one once before when they put out a coupon. Very good, seems to be the same ones they cook in the food court or very similar tasting and same very large size. First time all they had was cheese, but this time we snagged a margherita which just looked too good to pass up with the fresh mozzarella and basil leaves on there. There were two left, and someone *right behind us* took the last. It was quite good, two meals worth for the two of us, heh. Haven't been much for other food stuff recently there, just frozen fruit which is generally a good value if you're looking for such things. I went in a while back looking for frozen blueberries, and they had a 4lb package for I think 9 bucks, just what I was hoping for.

[lvhkitty]

Just went today to get organic spring mix and grape tomatoes.
Love the organic spinach and multigrain bread.
I cannot live without the mega can of plum tomatoes.
We always have the frozen organic broccoli (tastes better than fresh!) in the freezer.
Recently tried frozen crab ravioli which were outstanding (other ravioli not so great)
Can't miss on the big bags of walnuts, almonds, pecans, prunes.
Garlic hummus and guacamole.
Admit I do like the chicken enchiladas.
However, rotisserie chicken too salty for the hypertensive.
Frozen scallops are also outstanding.
Miss the Dr. Praeger's veggie burgers.
Seasonal fruit is usually excellent.

[alkapal]

i recall the nuts to be a fabulous, fabulous value! what's a bag of pecan halves, these days?

[Bob W]

One of our recent favorites is a big bag of pita chips. They are irresistable. We've found them in a display at the end of the aisle where the other crackers are.

[jules1026]

My local Costco in Portland, OR stopped carrying these lately. I'm wincing spending $3.50 for the small bags at the grocery store!

[ferret]

Our Costco didn't have them for a while but they reappeared recently. May be a supply glitch.

[jules1026]

I just checked today when I was shopping and they're back.

[NewDude]

I recently had a VERY good experience with their organic tortilla chips and organic salsa.

Back in the day, I really liked to go to town on their $4.99 rotisserie chicken. So indulgent.

By and large, I find most of the food products at Costco to be noticably bland and of course the portion size is way out of control.

It's still fun as heck to shop there; the free food samples are enough to serve as a substitute lunch or dinner in a crunch.

[amyzan]

"By and large, I find most of the food products at Costco to be noticably bland and of course the portion size is way out of control."

Are you referring to the number of portions in the mostly bulk size packages sold at Costco? While the value certainly lies in the per portion cost of large packages, I don't see that the portion sizes on the nutrition label are actually larger. That's entirely up to the consumer. People may be more psychologically inclined to eat more when there is more to be had...

[NewDude]

Here's what's massively oversized:

1. muffins. I mean, come on. Do they really need to bake a muffin the size of a softball?
2. bagels: humongous.
3. wontons: way too big.
4. costco pizzas. It's at least 16" Or is it 18" Or 20"?
5. kirkland's turkey and ham slices in the deli section: I have to fold them over (twice) to fit on a slice of bread.
6. pies and cakes.

The list goes on and on. We had family and guests over during the holidays and still couldn't finish one pecan pie. It's just too big and too rich. How much sugar do they put in that thing anyway?

Even the clothes are oversized. They seem to rarely stock men's shirts in size small. But they seem to always have plenty of XL's and XXL's?

I guess you could cut the muffins in half or eat half a bagel, but I think most people are inclined to believe that a costco bagel is "one serving" when it's actually two or three...or four.

[alkapal]

newdude, do you really think most people are that stupid? and what, you don't think people can cut a serving less than the size of alcatraz?

[amyzan]

I don't buy much at the bakery, since I'm in a two person household. I can see where the muffins are too large a serving for one sitting. The rest of what you mention I don't get your objections, really. I mean, what's the big deal about folding lunchmeat or eating only pne piece of pizza instead of my usual two, or eating half a bagel? The cakes are decorated in serving size delineations that seem fairly normal for birthday cakes unless you're going by WW2 standards. I think maybe you're overreacting for effect?

[monkuboy]

"..of course the portion size is way out of control."

"Of course?" You make it sound like you are stating a fact or an opinion universally accepted. Costco does sell things in larger packages than other stores but that doesn't mean the portions themselves are "out of control." And if you are referring to the absolute size, that is one reason why the cost per serving is so much lower than grocery stores, etc., because of the economies of scale. I don't find any of the portion sizes to be out of control; I simply adjust my intake accordingly and save the remainder.

[givemecarbs]

Monkuboy, I'm a Costco noob and I am learning this the hard way monuboy. My downfall is the pies. I know enought to freeze some of the muffins and loaves of pumpkin bread and stuff, but I really need to cut a pie in half as soon as I get it home and freeze it too. It's messier and harder to do so I get lazy and end up throwing some of my colossal pie out. I have noticed the steaks keep a bit longer in the fridge than steaks from some supermarkets. I kept a t-bone in my fridge for four days, stuff kept coming up, and when I finally cooked it the meat was fine, despite the fact that it had turned more grayish. And I am very picky about my steak tasting fresh. I guess it is because the beef is fresher to begin with? It is the only reason I can think of.

[NewDude]

I'm actually getting a lot better about getting my costco stuff home, then immediately portioning stuff up and freezing (most of) it.

But when Costco first opened? I loathed the place. It really was symbolic to me of American excess, it's embarrassingly rapid expanding waistline, and mindless devotion to consumerism.

I tried giving it a second shot, lured in by below market gas prices at Costco pumps, and cheap, quick reasonably tasty fast food pizza and dogs.

Currently, I am a moderately enthusiastic supporter of Costco. They treat their employees pretty well. Their wages are competitive, and they get health care (if I understand correctly).

In a world of imperfect choices, better Costco than Sam's Club and WalMart.

Edit: Costco's has an increasing supply of (semi) organic fare, which makes me feel a little better about shopping there. But let the buyer beware. Some of their products labeled as such, are not actually. For example, their "organic" milk was being sourced from suppliers which did not follow federal guidelines.

[alkapal]

then the organic milk is mislabeled. could be a fda violation. milk police, alert!

[ferret]

As far as I know, the lawsuit, filed in 2007, alleged that the supplier failed to follow organic guidelines. I don't know what happened, but I think it's a fair bet that given the allegations Costco has to have straightened out their sourcing by now (if the allegations were true in the first place).

[teric762]

I asked several of their employees about the work practices there (was helping my son look for a job a while back), and everyone I spoke with said the same thing - Costco is an awesome place to work. They treat their employees very well, good benefits, 401(k), competitive wages, etc.

Now I'm unemployed - maybe I need to go apply myself! LOL

[c oliver]

This may be too late to benefit anyone til next year but.... Costco during the T'giving/Christmas season generally sells rack of port - 7 or 8 ribs to the rack. We buy them, cut them in half, freeze and have for a couple of months. Had the first dinner tonight (our late New Year's dinner) with black-eyed peas and collards. It's so tender and good. I wish they had it all year.

We also have been buying for a while now the uncooked flour tortillas. You can freeze half. So thin and good.

[onrushpam]

Where do you find the uncooked tortillas? Do they also have corn?
I love our new Costco... but, find it difficult to get anybody to help locate desired items.

[c oliver]

We've bought them at two different Costcos. One had them in the cases with the cheeses. The other had them in the tall cases, the ones with the glass doors. Only flour. They are really so good. We've had them for B, L, and D. I'll be devastated if they stop carrying them.

[cvhound]

We love these tortillas as well. At our local Costco, they're in the refrigerated dairy case, near the butter and shredded domestic cheese. Since they come in huge packages and there's only two of us, I immediately portion them out into packages of 4-5 tortillas using Glad's press & seal sheets, then stick the single-use packages into a large ziploc bag. The night before, I grab a pack from the freezer and defrost them in the fridge.

[c oliver]

Good idea. There are just two of us also and, at 22 to a pack, we eat them like mad :) But we've kept them thawed for three weeks in the ref with no sign of mold. Mmm. Maybe we'll have them with scrambled eggs this morning :)

[cvhound]

Good to know they'll keep for 3 whole weeks with no mold! I always fear they'll go bad before we use them (it takes us months to go through the entire package), so what I like to do is immediately freeze one of the two packs (unopened) in the freezer in the original bag. I then open the other bag, portion them into single serving packages (love that press & seal stuff!), then place the sealed packs in a large ziploc bag in the freezer.

[soypower]

I just discovered the uncooked flour tortillas...AWESOME. I've been eating them plain because they're just so good. Makes a great late night snack.

[alkapal]

ok, what is the kind of flour tortilla on the regular grocery store shelves?

[soypower]

those are cooked. the ones at costco are like wonton wrappers, uncooked. and so so yummy.

[alkapal]

hmm, next time i tag along with my costco-friend, i'll look for these.

my list is growing, and growing....

[lcool]

If you find them I'd be greatful to know at which COSTCO.On the MD side of the river I've not seen them.
thanks

[alkapal]

and they're in freezers (where), or in the open refrigerated cases , near <?>.

( i can't recall if you guys said which, upthread....).

[c oliver]

Definitely not frozen although they come in two packages so you can freeze one. I gather that, depending on the store, they're in different refrigerated cases. And as someone noted, they're really, really thin. Breakfast time here - maybe scrambled eggs in a tortilla.

[alkapal]

"scrambled eggs in a tortilla".....con pico de gallo, por favor!

[c oliver]

si, y chorizo y queso!

[alkapal]

mmmmmm (en español, same as english!) ;-).

[Steve Green]

We're big fans of the Cabot 3-year cheddar. It's a steal at appx. $10 for a two-pound chunk. Cheese selections vary greatly by regions, so it's not available at all Costcos.

Also, they had a cheese sampling table the other day, and had a phenomenal triple-cream for around $10/lb. Wish I could remember the name. St. Something-or-other, I think. :o)

[cheesymama]

I'm guessing the triple cream cheese was St Andre. It's a delicious french triple cream and is commonly available. I know the Costco in my area always has it at a far better price than anywhere else.

[Steve Green]

I went back today, and it was Le Delice De Bourgogne, by Lincet. Picked up a pound, which is an awful lot for us at one time. Can this type of cheese be frozen successfully?

[cheesymama]

I would only freeze it if you are planning on cooking with it later, it won't matter wuite so much in a recipe. Check the best before date on the package, soft ripened cheeses like this are at their best right around the BBD, and they are usually sold well before their date, so you might have quite a while to enjoy the cheese before you need to worry about it going bad.

[MarkeB]

Forgot one product tried for Christmas Eve -- the chocolatey-"Lacey" cookies. Very very good. The lady I hired to help me said she had seen them at almost every party she had served at recently -- so perhaps they're not a big secret.

[MarkeB]

I'd keep my Costco membership for this product alone: HoneySmoked Salmon from the Honey Smoked Fish Co. in aurora, CO. (I DON"T think this is what Rhee said was horrible -- since it doesn't come in individual servings.) Comes in 1 lb. vacuum packages -- which have an extremely long shelf life until you open them. (Helps if it's a hike to your Costco and you go infrequently.) The store nearest me used to carry several different flavors, but now just does "Original," which is a shame. There are lots of recipes on the company's website, but I most often use them to add protein to lunch salads. High-quality taste, amazingly low in sodium, esp. considering it's smoked. A friend always brings this to parties as an appetizer, with capers, egg whites etc. and boursin cheese as a spread. I was eating this up to 4 times a week until I realized this is Atlantic farm-raised salmon -- this and albacore tuna will produce mercury overload if eaten too often. But it's still a wonderful product. This next product used to be available only at Costco although now it's more prevalent: John Soules brand chicken fajita strips. Again -- I'd use them a little at a time in salads. Much better than all the other brands. Just tried Costco's large shrimp tray, found in the frozen section, for a Christmas Eve party. I was very skeptical about boiled shrimp that had been frozen, but it was very good and so much more reasonable than Whole Foods or a fish market for a large quantity. Caveat -- this takes at least 1 1/2 days to thaw in a refrigerator. Once thawed, we rinsed them. Also tried their (probably seasonal) Cranberry goat cheese log -- which was good. But it's more of a spread -- it tended to fall apart when a helper tried cutting it into slices.

[jpc8015]

In my opinion the price of membershipat Costco can be justified by the meat counter alone. The steaks and chops are better than you will get at 99% of neighborhood grocery stores. I also love the cheese selection and the wine case; Costco is America's largest wine retailer, you can find some great buys there. I find the seafood to be a bit hit and miss; you can usually find good shrimp and crab but the salmon and halibut are iffy.

My wife loves the prepared chicken salad that comes with dried cranberry's we get at the Costco in Salem, OR. She refers to it as crack.

[cstr]

I can justify the cost of membership on the gasoline alone, everything else is a bonus over the mega-marts.

[carfreeinla]

I like to compare the Costcos around the country- had a great time at the one in Encinitas ( at least I think that was where we were!). They had a gluten free chocolate cake mix that my kids gobbled up ( my local branch had the same brand but not gf cookies), dried cut up peaches- perfect for cereai ( again locally, they had a different fruit mix but whole). I also notice that pricing is not quite the same- pair of pants was 3 dollars more here ( NYC)than in El Paso.
Bought a fresh turkey yesterday- what a pleasure not to only find frozen.

[choosieeats]

chocolate layer birthday cake with chocolate shavings (from the bakery)! - mmmm, yummy, awesome! but there is no Costco near/convenient (Manhattan, NY) & I don't really want to pay $50 mem'ship for the privelege of buying a $15 cake ;-(

[MSK]

I would definitely not recommend the whole organic chicken duo package....I can't remember the brand.

They were fatty, bland and cooked unevenly.

[jamiski]

I have to agree about the chicken. We have absolutely loved all the red meat, fish, and shellfish we have purchased at Costco. However, the chicken just hasn't been as good. We have tried the whole chicken duo pack and the two-to-a-pack chicken breasts. It really lacks flavor and seems to cook up on the dry side.

[amyzan]

Could MSK and jamiski please let me know which brand chicken? In KS, Costco carries GoldKist while in CA, it's Foster Farms. Maybe if you all just tell me what part of the country you're in, I'd know whether we buy the same brand at Costco. I ask b/c fresh chicken is one item I haven't yet bought, and I just joined last month. I'd hate to waste my money if we're talking about the same chicken.

[Ruth Lafler]

IMHO Foster Farms is the best mass-produced chicken out there. I had a friend who had a brother who inspected chicken processing plants here in California and she told me Foster Farms was the only brand he would eat.

Someone mentioned the ice-glazed chicken elsewhere and how it cooked up moister and more tender -- that's because ice-glazed chicken is injected with sodium solution. Basically, it's brined. Which is fine if you don't mind paying chicken prices for up to 15% salt water.

[jamiski]

I can't remember the brand. The chicken breasts come in clear packaging with red and blue lettering. Unfortunately I remember even less about the whole chickens.
And I live in Iowa - hopefully that is helpful where my memory is not!

[amyzan]

Jamiski, since Iowa is in the same region as KS where Costco's concerned, I'd bet you bought GoldKist chicken, same as we get here. I've had it from Hen House before, and found it allright, but not as good as others that are available for a little more, like the Petaluma or Bell and Evans birds at Whole Foods. GoldKist is certainly not as bad as say, Pilgrim's Pride, which I found absolutely deplorable both in processing and flavor.

I have a frozen Empire kosher bird from Costco in the freezer, but haven't tried it yet. I'll report back when we cook it.

[amyzan]

We roasted the Empire chicken last week, and found it a good tasting bird. I probably won't buy it again, though, because it had LOTS of pin feathers I had to pull out, which took almost half an hour to get them all. I despise poorly processed chicken, so this is pretty disappointing for such a flavorful bird. I also noticed this chicken had lots of fat.

[Cathy]

All Kosher fowl will have pin feathers. They are not dipped in the boiling water so the feathers all do not come out. The flavor of the chicken(or turkey) makes the work worth it. To me.

[amyzan]

Do you have any tips for removing them easily? It took too long, and I can't quite understand why they don't remove them during processing even without the boiling water bath. I don't mind pulling a few, but this bird had a LOT of feathers attached. My grandmother used to process chickens, and she called this kind of work lazy, haphazard, etc.

Okay, we've happened upon one of my rants, but I'm annoyed that processing standards have lowered quite this much to where I regularly find an abundance of pin feathers, broken bones leaching blood into flesh (not on this kosher bird, but on others), and wing tips trimmed completely off where I cannot truss the bird well. Rant over.

[lcool]

Call or write the council and or specific group next time you have such poor processing.Pin feathers of that quantity and broken bones aren't SOP.It is sloppy,lazy and questionable.The Kosher chicken to kill to table is reckoned to be a higher standard.I my opinion you are getting maybe a good bird,but crappy handling.
One thing that helps with the "pin" feathers is timing,there are not huge numbers 365 day of the year on the bird.Why not time the slaughter so as to please the customer???

[Cathy]

Dip it into boiling water for a few seconds. (I get it to a rolling boil and shut off and then immediately dip) (you should test the depth levels to get the whole bird submerged whe the water is cold...)

You have run into some nasty chickens. Sorry.

[amyzan]

My brother told me to do the boiling water dip for the bloody birds, too. His ex girlfriend, who grew up in China, showed him that technique, and I now use it for soups where I want the broth to be exceptionally clear. Thanks for the tip. It's a bit of a pain, but it does make for a succulent bird for soup, enchiladas, etc. Do you do that for birds you're going to roast, then truss after the dip?

[alkapal]

how long to dip?

[amyzan]

Briefly, basically just long enough to submerge the whole chicken. I've also poured boiling water from a kettle in and over a bird, though that's trickier than using the dip in just enough water to cover after measuring by displacement. If you can use chopsticks to hold the bird, you're less likely to break the skin than with tongs. I'm still working on my chopstick "chops," so I'm less enthused about doing this before roasting a bird, where I want the skin intact and presentable. I guess it'll take practice to keep the skin intact.

[MSK]

I am in N. CA where they do carry Foster Farms but I am referring to the organic whole chicken 2 pack in green packaging. Can't remember the name. I was there yesterday but will try to notice on my next visit.

[MSK]

The brand is Coleman.

[treb]

Can't beat their USDA Prime boneless rib eye for $9.99 /pp or whole tenderloin for $8.59 pp.

[teric762]

Our Costcos don't carry any prime meat - darnit! Where are you?? I'm in WA state (western half).

[amyzan]

I asked at the meat dept. and was told they don't order prime, it just gets shipped to them as a surprise. He said that when it's put out, it always goes quickly, and admitted that employees often get first dibs. I'm in the KC area. There might be some areas where prime is regularly stocked, though.

[bulavinaka]

The Prime started out showing up as surprises here at the Marina del Rey/Culver City store a while back. Now it's in stock almost always on my visits (usually about every two weeks). I'd start making some noise...

[chococat]

I'm also in Western Washington- I've seen prime meat (labeled as prime) intermittently in the area. I've also seen some steaks (NY strips) that looked so marbled and fantastic that I asked the butcher if they were choice or prime. He said that the suppliers are contractually required to send meat graded at LEAST choice-- when they run out of choice, they fill the remainder of the order with prime. Costco puts out the prime stuff but labels it "choice". So if you look carefully, sometimes the prime cuts are mixed with the regular stuff.

[lcool]

Also true in the Washington DC metro area,maybe even more so.A majority of the diplomatic community shops COSTCO for meat.

[leek]

We get the Prime in Chicago too, also randomly. Look for the blue foam trays under the meat. Def. worth the extra dollar or so per lb.

[Ruth Lafler]

It's been available for a few weeks now in the Bay Area. The rib eyes were down to $7.99/lb. at one point (now at $8.99). They also have prime NY strip for a dollar more. As you said, they're in with the regular choice, but they're packed in blue trays.

[FoodChic]

I purchase my clams there and the frozen shrimp. I get a huge amount of fresh clams for the price and their frozen shrimp is better than many fresh varieties I've purchased.

[bulavinaka]

Try Trader Joe's Argentine Red Shrimp. It is by far the best I've had from a chain....

[FoodChic]

I would if I had a Trader Joe's. :-(

[bulavinaka]

Sorry...

[gki]

lol!

[givemecarbs]

Anyone try the dim sum sampler in the refrigerated foods section?

[chococat]

I thought the dimsum was pretty horrid. But then, my family is from Hong Kong, so I have pretty high standards. All of the dumplings had the same weird shimp/fish paste filling, just with different shapes/wrappers. I didn't like it at all.

[iloveseafood007]

I thought the dim sum sampler was delicious. It was a great deal for $9.99. You get 21 pieces of shrimp siu mai, ha gao, and potstickers. It comes with a soy-based sauce that has a strong ginger flavor. It was funny at first but it actually tasted pretty good. It was really easy to make to. I just microwaved it and it was ready. I highly recommend it.

[givemecarbs]

My friend John loves dim sum so maybe he and I will go in on a sampler soon iloveseafood. I got a fruit cream pie last week for 14.99 topped with strawberries and blueberries. I loved it, it was so light, but quite a big pie. I looked today and didn't see any more. I also tried a sample of the chicken tortilla soup they have now. It was very good but if I bought a vat of it, (made with their leftover hot chickens) I'd have to freeze at least half of it as soon as I got home. I'd never finish it before I got tired of it. It tastes way better than it looks though.

[Johnny Pastrami]

Here's some favorites from my regular shopping list:
NY Strip Steaks USDA Choice: usually very well marbled and a good value
Bulk ground beef: 6 lbs. that I separate into 1 lb. chunks and freeze in foil
Sweet Italian Sausage: same as ground beef.
Valbresso French Feta: very creamy
Tilamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese: they have recently replaced the 2 lb. w/ 2.5 lb.--AUGH!
Sliced Roast Beef
Butterball Sliced Turkey
Hebrew National Hot Dogs

Now for the bad:
Bill Bailey's (?) Marinated Tri-Tip: way too salty
Ming's potstickers: taste good, incredibly high in calories

Products at Costco always seems to get bigger and bigger. It used to be two jumbo bottles of ketchup, now it's three! I dislike having to buy so much. And I third the irritation of enjoying a product that gets discontinued... But that rant should be saved for another thread.

[monkuboy]

I avoid anything from Bill Bailey's - it's like pouring a whole shaker of salt in your mouth. I guess people must like salt, though, because the refrigerator cases at Costco are filled with their products. Yecch.

[givemecarbs]

Just tried the chicken enchiladas with salsa in the prepared foods section and they were tasty. The salsa was nice and spicy. too. This may sound odd but I was worried that they would have too much chicken in them and I'd have to add beans or something but they were nicely balanced. I noticed my costco had a dim sum sampler in the prepared food section next to the salads. Has anyone tried that?

[robert4444]

Love the rotisserie chicken soup. Tasty, not too salty, with lots of chicken.

[givemecarbs]

robert I liked the parts of the soup, the chicken, the fresh thick noodles, but at the Costco here near Philly the seasoning was odd and overpowering when I tried it recently so the broth didn't have a chickeny taste. Was the broth chickeny at your Costco? Maybe I just got it on an off day?

[robert4444]

Hi GMC:

I am from Indianapolis and purchased it the day it was made. Just had a bowl in fact. The both was very chickeny and the seasonings, I thought, blended well. If I would have any complaint, it would be that they put too much chicken and veggies and noodles in the mix in relation to the broth. The first bowl can be soup, however the next three or so are more like a stew.

[givemecarbs]

Hmm. Thanks robert Maybe I'll try it again. It sure is soup weather here in Penna.

[alkapal]

i don't know if they still sell this around the holidays, but there was a delicious divided plastic "tray" of chocolate/candy-coated dried fruits. the coating is the same "color" as the fruit would be, so it is pretty. it also tastes delicious, and would be a great hostess or christmas gift. very reasonable when compared with similar products from harry & david!

[linsue]

The cinammon coffee cake was absolutely delicious. Much better than more expensive cakes.`

[Bob W]

Our latest find is the five-pound bag of frozen cheese tortellini. The brand is Santoroli or something like that. They were sampling these on Sunday and little Cooper was shoveling them in, plain. So into the cart went a five-pound bag. Last night I served them with butter and the twins devoured them.

So another hit from the frozen aisle!

[smr33]

Just tried a pumpkin bread pudding which was delicious. It's probably seasonal, so it may not be in every store forever, but my it was tasty. Costco is our go-to for cheese, cereal, dry pasta, and canned goods like tomatoes. I am also a big fan of their store-made chicken pot pie, but don't get it very often as I am the only one in my family who loves pot pie (and the thing is so huge, I can't get through it myself).

[givemecarbs]

I really like that pie too! I'll look for the bread pudding. We finally are down to one little slice of a huge pecan pie for only ten dollars. I've made a pact with myself to not get a pie until Thanksgiving because they are so tempting but I want the pies for dessert on Thanksgiving to feel special. This will be hard. I may have to avoid the bakery section entirely.

[givemecarbs]

I have been working my way through the refrigerated raviolis. I liked the chicken alfredo ones but the Mozerella, tomato and basil were a big hit with everyone. I had a free sample of the pesto ones and will probably try them soon. Today I bought Ceres nectars brand mago juice, well because it is costo I had to buy two large plastic containers. I love mango juice but this kind tasted weird. I was wondering if it was just me but I really didn't care for it. If I can't doctor it up or pawn it off on others I guess I could try to make smoothies out of all this mango juice. Did I get a bad batch or something?

[alkapal]

check the ingredients. is it pure mango juice? or blended with other juices and "natural" flavorings? those flavorings can give a weird aftertaste.

[mcel215]

A friend of mine used to buy the small canned/boxed mango juice in a 12 pack and couldn't find them on one trip. She bought the large two bottle pack and said they were awful too.

[jayt90]

The two bottle pack sucks, but they have small cans with a better mango taste, 24 for $14, made in Phillipines.

[marleymom]

In the bakery dept. they have had a cinnamon crumb butter coffee cake. It is fabulous! Not to mention huge and a really good price (I think 6.99 for a very large cake.)
One thing I miss that they used to have all the time, but I haven't seen for a few months: spinach-artichoke chicken burgers. They now have (same brand) sun-dried tomato ones which we tried and hated. Wish they would bring back the spinach ones!

[BlackTea]

Where did those chicken burgers go?? we loved them as well and I'm still hoping they'll get them back after they clear all those holiday cheeses...

[cstr]

Just saw that Costco is offering imported whole vanilla beans, packed in two tubes of 5 each, for $11., what a deal.

[PattiCakes]

I have always needed to watch my sodium intake, and am therefore not used to using much salt. As a result, many prepared items -- especially frozen dinner items -- are just to salty tasting to me. Convenient, but salty. My husband really loves the cheeses, though, and the hummus is awesome. We've recently started to get the chicken burgers (in the cases near the block cheese). Very flavorfull!

[givemecarbs]

Just waded through one of Costco's chocolate muffins. I nuked it with a pat of butter and the chocolate chips got all melty. Mmmmm. Now what to do with the other eleven muffins I had to buy? Maybe I'll drop some off to John.

[PattiCakes]

Gimme: you make me laugh out loud! The chocolate/chocolate chips weren't enough -- you HAD to add a pat of butter! Looks like you've become a certified Costcoholic!

I find that the flash-frozen individual chicken breasts are like having money in the bank. If I'm ever stuck for a quick meal, they make it so easy; there are dozens of things you can do with them. If you are by yourself, then you just need one. If I'm in a giving mood, I buy extra bags & take them to my daughter -- she and her hubby have different schedules, so the individual breasts make providing a non-fast food meal so much easier.

[Rene]

I love the flash frozen chicken breasts! I prefer them to fresh from the market. They are always so moist and tender, not to mention priced very attractively.

[Rene]

Hubs picked up our flash frozen chicken from Costco today. They were offering Foster Farms previously here in Austin but they are now offering a brand called Simmons. (Disclaimer: Hubs said that they had changed things around so I really don't know the scoop... just that he couldn't find things where they had been the past five years or so).

Anyway, we prepared one of the large, fabulous Foster Farms breasts and one of the Simmons for dinner this evening. Both very good. As far as we could tell from our chicken breast preparation, size was the only issue - and size did matter as one of the Simmons pieces is fine for me but too little for him. However, it's easy enough to add another piece.

Anyone else have an opinion on this?

[OCAnn]

So your husband likes one large breast or two small ones?

Our Costco carries the Tyson...and we almost always go for the thighs. And these shrink quite a bit during cooking.

[bulavinaka]

Heehee - this sounds like serious sukebe talk! :)

[givemecarbs]

He he he! Doesn't everything taste better with butter? Yeah that place is addicting.

[JennyEats]

Those flat pretzels with the Sabra Mediteranean (can't spell!) hummus is my new afternoon snack. The Rosey Goat cheese, coated with rosemary so it's gorgeous as well as delectable, is my favorite cheese. Now it's the holidays, and I can't wait to buy the plastic jar full of assorted chocolate truffles; Kirkland brand on the label but "famous maker" candies inside - about $10.

[OCAnn]

How about those $550 fresh winter white truffles? http://tinyurl.com/4quy6z

[MSK]

I know it's not food related but if you're going to check out their website for odd items, do you know that they carry caskets and urns??? Click on "Funeral".
Go figure???

[OCAnn]

Yeah, I've seen that. I shop at Costco for nearly everything...from milk to bedroom furniture. I LOVE that store!

[Cathy]

Have to order within the state- can't be shipped. I've checked...

But oh the flowers...in bulk. The overwhelming beauty of 150 stems of all the same, chosen color for less than $1 a stem...

They used to offer carved ice sculptures...

[azhotdish]

Alexia waffle fries, damn, they're awesome.
http://www.alexiafoods.com/product_in...

[Judith]

I don't know if it's only bay area, but our local Costco has great buys on Odwalla products including mango tango and OJ. Sometimes they have fresh sliced mango Their apple pie is a great buy. They also have a pretty good lemon cake. Both of those are useful for things like potlucks and office parties.

I buy Mexican coke at Costco, and also Swanson's canned chicken broth. I use it in my rice maker and the price has gone up astronomically in the regular grocery stores. And one time during the summer they had fresh halibut for about eight or nine dollars a pound.

[Ruth Lafler]

It looks like no one has mentioned the excellent parmagiano-reggiano. If you have a dog, you can pay for your membership just buying dogfood -- their Kirkland brand is excellent (way better than the crappy, more expensive Beneful they also carry), both canned and kibble, and great treats, too.

[Judith]

And not exactly a chow issue, but dog beds too.

[dockhl]

Why not? Chows need beds, too !

;-0

[carfreeinla]

LOL- I bought one yesterday and one of my dogs chewed it up overnight.

[c oliver]

We've been feeding the weight management Beneful for a few years. What didn't you like about it? I don't believe Costco has a "diet" dog food, do they?

[Ruth Lafler]

I don't think Costco has a weight management formula, but in fact, you can just feed less of regular food and get the same result -- most "diet" dog food is the same ingredients bulked up with undigestible filler to reduce the number of calories per serving -- in the case of Beneful according to their website, it's 14 percent soybean hulls. But unlike humans, dogs don't really care about how large their servings are as long as their bodies tell them they're getting adequate nutrition.

Have you read the ingredients on the Beneful weight managment? They're pretty bad: Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soybean hulls*, whole wheat flour, rice flour, chicken, soy flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), sugar, tricalcium phosphate, sorbitol, animal digest, water, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, sorbic acid (a preservative), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, dried green beans, dried carrots, calcium carbonate, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, zinc sulfate, added color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, niacin, Vitamin B-12 supplement, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, biotin, garlic oil, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite.

Basically, it's mostly corn (first and third ingredients), and corn isn't well digested by dogs. Chicken by-product meal is ground up parts of the chicken that aren't muscle meat; the actual chicken is the seventh ingredient, and that's the weight of the chicken before the water was removed to make kibble, which means the weight of the actual chicken in the finished product is less (chicken meal, which is the chicken with the water removed, is actually a more desirable ingredient). "Animal fat" means they don't know the source -- it's just what was cheapest in the commodities market at the time of purchase; you don't even want to know what "animal digest" is. It has two different sweeteners: sugar and sorbitol, and artificial colors, all of which are unnecessary (the artificial color is just there to make it look better to you -- your dog doesn't care what color the food is!). And it has two different preservatives.

By comparison, here's the ingredients on the Kirkland/Costco chicken kibble:
Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and Vitamin E), egg product, beet pulp, potatoes, fishmeal, flaxseed, natural flavor, brewers dried yeast, millet, carrots, peas, kelp, apples, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, rosemary extract, parsley flake, dried chicory root, glucosamine hydrochloride, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, chondroitin sulfate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite (source of vitamin K activity), riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

No corn. No flour. No by-products. No generic animal ingredients. No "gluten" (gluten is a cheap way to increase the protein content). No artificial colors or preservatives.

I don't think you need to be an expert to read those two ingredient lists and know which one is better, but if you want to learn more about ingredients in dogfood, this is a good site: http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=intro

Or you can look at the test here -- Kirkland Chicken formula got 110 points (A+) while Beneful got 17 (F): http://answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

[c oliver]

Ruth, I am in a state of "shock and awe." The Beneful is going away and Kirkland is coming in. I am also going to share this with all my friends. Amazing. And you are beyond amazing to take the time to do this for me - and others. Thank you SO much --- and the "kids" thank you too. Next time we're in SF, maybe we can share a bowl of kibble - Kirkland only please :)

[Ruth Lafler]

You're welcome! When I got my current dog (see avatar) and started learning more about what goes into dogfood it was a real eye-opener. When I see people at Costco buying Beneful I have to bite my tongue -- I hate to see the "kids" eating that crap, and I hate that marketing and pretty pictures of veggies on the package have been so successful in convincing people that it's good food! I think you'll notice that your dogs are healthier, have shinier coats, etc.

[alkapal]

ruth, sorry about your old dog (i recall your avatar), and congrats on the new dog. nice looking!

anyway, may i suggest that you do those beneful purchasers' canines a favor, and be a (nice, courteous) buttinski. say something like, "hi, have you ever tried the kirkland? i used to use beneful, too, but compared the ingredients. my dog likes it better, too!" you might find that you've helped out a grateful doggy "parent." i know i'd appreciate the info.

happy new year!

[c oliver]

I think that's a good idea. You figure out pretty quickly when someone doesn't want advice. I've buttinski-ed many times at Costco recommending (or not) a product.

[janeh]

Ditto. I'm always happy to get (and give) a good suggestion while navigating the vast inventory at Costco.

[Ruth Lafler]

Thanks so much for your kind words. I just want to reassure everyone that the avatar is my *new* dog (not so new anymore, it's been three years) and she just fine (lying curled up with me as I type).

[alkapal]

ruth, maybe i've confused your fine canine avatar with mmruth's pooch! sorry about that! i've been away a couple of weeks, so am a bit rusty!

[greygarious]

Old post I know - but: I don't bite my tongue! Whenever I see someone buying another brand of dog or cat kibble at Costco, I give them my Kirkland is better lecture. However, BJ's has large "milk bones" that are chicken-flavored and quite popular round my house. Almost as well-liked, and way cheaper, than TJ's assorted all-natural biscuits.

[MSK]

Stacy' Pita chips.....we go through a giant bag a week
Odwalla Pomegranate Juice.......waaayyy cheaper than retail
Dog Bones..........yummy
Wild Smoked Salmon
Biscotti - house made and individually wrapped choc brand
House made granola
Dried Wasabe Peas
Heirloom Tomatoes (in season)....suprisingly good
Grimaud Duck confit

And the 4 pack of Tropicana OJ...........do you realize how much OJ is these days????

[c oliver]

I looked at the duck confit yesterday, put it in our cart, then replaced it. Felt like I didn't need to spend any more money :) Did you like or love it? Was it enough for two people? I'm sure they're not going to be sampling THAT any time soon :)

[lamster]

We love the duck confit. One package is enough for two people. We serve it with some sort of starch and a salad. Perfect and easy dinner.

[Rene]

They carry Lacey's Almond and Dark Chocolate Confections. I'm not so much for sweets but these are like flat almond roca, only tastier. Gosh, they are good...

[sel]

The organic (uncured/no nitrates) bacon at both Costco and Sam's Club was very good and significantly lower in price than the Trader Joe's equivalent. But it has vanished from both warehouse stores.

[shoelace]

I've gotta say, I really like the new snickerdoodles, but find they taste and look totally different depending on the costco that you get them from.

I love them from one costco in my area (on rockaway turnpike in ny) but have really really not liked them from the other costcos I've tried them at

[jaymor]

chicken rotisserie.....one of the best for the money or not......madeleine cookies at portchester,ny store.... you all in portchester, please try it......different /not-as-good in their torrance,ca store....dont undertsand this.....different supplier maybe

[steinre1]

Long time Costco fan...I usually go about once a week. Some of our favorites:

- Prepared Chicken Salad - made from the rotisserie chickens. very nicely seasoned.

- Chicken Pot Pie - this could feed a small nation. Comparing this to the prepacked ones you'd find at the grocery store is ridiculous.

- Yancy's Fancy's Cheeses - We really like the Champagne and Horseradish

- Whole Beef Tenderloin

- Mango Salsa - dumped this on some chicken breasts and baked - very tasty and easy.

- Boneless Leg of Lamb

A couple of things we tried recently that were disgusting:

- Some sort of honey chicken salad (not made in house). It was so sickeningly sweet, we had to throw it out.

- Bill Bailey's Carne Asada (cryopacked) - this was so salty, no one in my family would eat more than a bite. I forced myself to eat a portion and it made me sick for the rest of the night.

[monkuboy]

I have to agree with you on the Bill Bailey stuff. We haven't had the carne asada but the tri tip was wayyyy too salty. I won't buy anything from that company.

[bulavinaka]

Our family had been lamb-phobic until a few recent experiences that have 180ed our views and tastes. We've noticed the boneless leg of lamb but have been undecided... I don't recall but is it preseasoned? If not, how do you suggest preparing it? Also, have you tried the lamb chops? Thanks...

[coney with everything]

I just got lamb chops from Costco last weekend. Hubby bbq'ed 4 of them and they were great--not too fatty, good flavor (of course he cooked them to perfection!). I'm pretty sure the boneless LOL is not preseasoned.

[bulavinaka]

Our initial interest in the lamb chops was spawned by a couple who also mentioned that they bbq'ed them and haven't turned back since... Thanks for the info...

[Saintwho]

I sear the rack of lamb for about 4 minutes in a hot pan on both sides then I put the entire pan in the oven 350 for about 7-8 minutes, take it out put the rack on the side and add about a cup of some decent red wine to deglaze the pan and it makes an almost chocolate sauce it is soo delicious.

[Pampatz]

This week in the our Costco in Morelia, Michoacan we had chiles en nogada in the deli section. They were very good and much less trouble than making them homemade.

[Tonka]

For large work functions the cheesecakes are tasty. Costco usually has good deals on decent cheese. The meat department has good deals on packaged chicken breasts and boneless thighs. My personal favorites are the ribs and pork tenderloin.

[mimish]

We are huge Costco (Avon, MA) shoppers. It helps to have a freezer. I love their cheese selections and recently enjoyed a French Triple Creme in a wooden box (forget the name), an Italian Trugole, and an Irish Kerry gold cheddar. Lately we've been big fans of their shrimp salad; med size, not overcooked, with a little celery finely chopped, lightly coated in a peppery, herb mayo, on a bed of romaine. One container (about $10.) feeds the 2 of us for 2 days. We had some amazing champagne grapes about 2 years ago and I've been looking for them ever since. Yesterday they appeared again. They're from California and come in a 2lb. box. I don't remember how much but saw the exact same brand in my local supermarket in a 1 lb. box for double the price. It takes a supreme effort of restraint not to inhale the entire 2 lbs. in one sitting. I'd like to make something with them but they're so insanely delicious that we can't stop ourselves from sucking them off their little vines as soon as they're rinsed off.

[treb]

Hey guys, I just got those champagne grapes at Costco, those little pearl sized grapes are loaded with flavor.

[alkapal]

someone brought one of the costco-purchased cakes recently to a volunteers' gathering. it was all gone: cheesecake factory limoncello cake. light, delicious, interesting textures. a hit!

[KevinB]

In Toronto, Costco has recently added frozen packages of Dunn's smoked meat. For my American friends, smoked meat isn't exactly corned beef, and it isn't exactly pastrami, but it is actually better than either. In Montreal, you can get it fresh from a number of spots, but Toronto has been a desert. The frozen Dunn's, while not the same as the original, is still pretty darn good. The frozen packs microwave in about 2 minutes, and then I either eat it plain on the plate (w/ mustard and potato salad), or in a traditional sandwich. If I'm feeling really ambitious, it makes a great Reuben.

[emu48]

It took me several tries, but I figured out how to get a decently crisp crust on the ready-to-bake pizzas, at least in my electric oven. Preheat oven half hour at 500 (there's a pizza stone in the bottom). Put pizza on a pizza screen on the middle rack, close door and turn heat down to 400. After 10 or 12 minutes, pull pizza out, sprinkle with grated parmesan, pecorino or grana (all from Costco, either in wedges or pre-grated) and bake an additional three to five minutes.

I buy the margherita pizza (tomato sauce, sliced tomatos, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil) and usually add torn up thin-sliced prosciutto (also from Costco) before baking.

The crust isn't thin like I prefer, but it's not bad. At my store they put on too much tomato sauce, but in America we're used to that. The fresh tomatoes often are underripe. The result is maybe most of the quality of homemade pizza with way less work and time. You may want to sprinkle on olive oil and salt before baking. Or chopped fresh basil after baking.

Raviolis: Costco has some wonderful ones and some mediocre ones. My favorite is the spinach and mozzarella ones, small and triangular and sold frozen in large greenish bags, with little packages of grated cheese/dried herbs inside the bag. Even without any sauce, they're good tossed with the grated cheese mixture. Toss with a dab of butter and finely diced ripe tomatoes and they're sublime. The shrimp and crab frozen raviolis always taste sub-par, which could be a function of the longer shipping time (I'm in Hawaii). Some of the unfrozen (refrigerated) raviolis are pretty good. If you're a ravioli lover, I suggest working your way through all the ones your store offers. You'll find some winners and some not. Like the Ling-Ling frozen potstickers, they're all easy and fast to prepare.

Costco imported cheese prices are up with the decline of the dollar, but the ones from Spain and Ireland still tend to be much more affordable than the ones from other parts of the EU.

Bagged frozen edamame (edible green soybeans): for the longest time, I resisted buying them because fresh-cooked ones are available everywhere here. I figured the frozen product, while much more convenient to use, would be inferior to the fresh-boiled local product. Wrong! They're every bit as good. Since they're frozen in a large bag, sometimes I pull out just a handful, quickly defrost under warm running water, shell and use them in all kinds of peculiar ways: mixed with basmati rice. In arrozes and paellas. Tossed with the raviolis with butter and fresh tomatoes mentioned above. In salads. These are a great little veggie. The flavor reminds me of artichokes. Try them if you've never had them.

[burlgurl]

The Ghiradelli brownie triple chocolate brownies..someone mentioned this is the only place I know of to get here..
Frozen edamame beans..a big box holds about 12 packs..

[abbey867]

are there any costco's out there that still sell santarelli's pierogies? those were the best ever and now the costco by me (s.e. michigan) have started selling pierogies that come in a purple box (i cannot remember the name), but i am not a big fan of them - they are ok, but santarellies were awesome!

[pengcast]

I forgot about them until I pulled them from the pantry the other night. But as Letterman would say pound for pound the best deal going are the large jars of dried mushrooms. I think the porcinis were about $15-$18 dollars for about litre -- compared to $3 for a little envelope at a speciality store.

[treb]

This past winter I bagged jars of full thread saffron, not dust, for $23 each. I agree the porcini's are a steal. Some places have full legs of procuitto deparma for around $8. pp.

[kittycren]

I keep looking at those legs of prociutto--what do you do with all that and how long does it last?

[Al_Pal]

The Costco near me prepares these awesome turkey (I think) wrap sandwiches, cuts them up, and sells them about twelve in a pack. I buy them when I'm entertaining, and everyone LOVES them. However, I had to stop buying them just for myself because they're so good, and it's way too easy to eat half the container in one sitting.

[itri]

My favorites:
Tillamook Pepperjack (makes great quesadillas for my toddler, and me too!)
Hershey's Triple Chunk brownies (better than the Ghiradelli ones, I swear)
Fischer&Wieser Roasted Raspberry Chipotle sauce (yummy as a glaze, great as a dip, just poured over some cream cheese)
Batter Blasters (This is a new item...ORGANIC pancake batter in an aerosol can, of all things! Sounds crazy weird, but it makes the BEST pancakes, and no icky chemicals. My toddler LOVES them.)

There are lots of other things that I would love to buy/try if I had more freezer space, or more family (it's just me and my little guy).

[gki]

FREEZER SPACE!!! What does someone do with Costco food without freezer space. I would love to know. I personally have a drawer full of chicken breasts, one full of hamburger, another with a 5-year supply of spices, cheese and bakery items piled high to the top. Full time job managing all this. Certainly does direct the family's eating habits. We eat out very infrequently with my constant effort to get rid of all that's in my freezer!!

[itri]

I just don't buy stuff that has to be kept frozen! I only have a side by side freezer, so not a ton of space. I would love to buy waffles and frozen fruit and veggies, all sorts of stuff, but no room. I stick to refrigerated and nonperishable items, for the most part!

[chowmeaow]

I agree, its not very practical for a family of two to shop there. Definitely need lot of freezer space. I had stopped shopping at costco, until lately I came to find they offer lot of organic food and also some brands I favor.
Some of the things I buy regularly,
Salmon burgers ( so good, hope they continue)
Wild Alaskan salmon
Panda Shumai ( just microwave, great flavor)
Amy's burritos
Amy's canned soups
canned tomatoes, beans, etc
Roasted salted peanuts in shells ( my husband loves them)

[coney with everything]

If you eat meat, they offer frozen organic ground beef at 3 lbs for $11.99. Same brand at WF was $6 a pound last time I checked.

[emu48]

I'm single and a Costco shopper. I have a small chest freezer -- 5 cubic feet, because that's what fit in my condo. The freezer, and repackaging stuff in smaller or serving portions, makes Costco-size packages doable for me.

[Patrincia]

What part of the warehouse do I find the Fischer&Wieser Roasted Raspberry Chipotle sauce?

[itri]

At my Costco, it's towards the front of the store in the food section, near the canned goods (mushrooms,salsa, veggiesthat kind of stuff). It comes in a two pack of two big bottles.

[Pampatz]

We bought a 20# bag of russet potatoes at Costco last month. They were the best potatoes we have ever had. I have prepared them numerous ways and DH is always a happy man.
In Mexico, our Costco makes a layered Tres Leches Cake that is really good and miniature cinnamon-sugar donuts. We also buy all our meat there.
In Denver we get La Brea Bakery rosemary-olive oil bread.

[Milt]

We dropped our Costco membership a few years ago - after all, how much can two people eat? A good friend, where I have lunch about once a month, serves Costco in-store made chicken noodle soup and it is fantastic. My understanding is that they use the previous day's unsold rotisserie chicken to make the soup. It is the best chicken noodle soup I have ever had - and, at 65, I have had time enough to eat a lot of chicken noodle soup.

[monavano]

Costco's Campari tomatoes give me my tomato fix outside of locally grown tomato season. The taste is great and they last a long time on my counter.
I recently bought a quart of delicious blackberries and used half for cake.
I love, love! the Pacific Free Range Organic Chicken broth. The taste is very close to homemade.
www.houndstoothgourmet.com

[monkuboy]

Those tomatoes ARE good, the best I've ever tried that were store bought. One poster said they were better than home grown but I disagree. If you've never had home grown tomatoes better than Campari then something is wrong with the person that grew them. But for store bought, these are excellent. All too often the tomatoes look good but have no taste or are mushy; the Costco Campari ones are almost like home grown. Expensive, but worth it. Why pay less for cardboard?

[Patrincia]

Oh yes... the compari tomatoes are the very best tomatoes around - and they last for up to two weeks as long as they stay attached to the stems.

[grouper]

After reading this I'm now hooked on these tomatoes! I go through one package per week and have my husband eating them, too. I now buy them a little green and let them sit on the counter, in the package, and they ripen perfectly. This is coming from someone who only eats homegrown in the summer and always leaves the tomato on my plate when given a salad at a restaurant.

[sleepycat]

mouse cake !

[gki]

Manchego Cheese, as well as Piave, a cows' milk one from Italy
Bruce Aidells Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs - very bold blackpepper notes; keeps months in freezer; microwaves well from frozen
Montecito Brand Key Lime Salsa - haunting lime nuance, yummmm
Kellogg’s Special K Redberry - best price, a staple for teenagers
Campari Tomatoes - better than any home grown
fresh cut Sweet Potato Fries - try raw, then place on cookie sheet, bake til crispy done

[swsidejim]

King Crab Legs
Whole Dungeness Crabs
Don Julio 1942 Tequila
Bags of Ripe Avocado's
Double packs of Cheerios for our daughter.

[Patrincia]

Costco is my favorite store!!! Some of my Must Haves:
Deli-pre-baked pizza - what a steal!
Rostisseree chickens - dito
Smoked Salmon - simply the best!
Fancy mixed salad Greens - another steal!
Golden Pineapples are amazing
Onions... hello!
Guacamole - unbelievable price
Kirkland milk, butter, yogurts, and cheeses - can't be without them
Frozen Salmon - I love them all
Frozen veggies - great deal
Kirkland coffee beans - so affordable and so good
Tortilla chips in the brown bag - a staple in our house
Olive Oil - can't be beat
Nuts of all kinds - my freezer is stocked
Fresh Mozzarella - so inexpensive, yet so wonderful!
Kirkland Vanilla Ice Cream - I'm sure it's made by Haagen-Dazs
Kirland laundry detergent, vitamins, shampoo, etc - such high quality for such a great price.

I could go on forever....

[FoodieKat]

Oh yeah - forgot about onions. Love those huge bags of onions they sell. I use onions virtually every time I cook, so it's a great value. And their tubs of pre-peeled garlic cloves. Makes life a bit easier! Oh, and they sell Kashi, which have above and beyond the best quality level cereals of almost every other brand IMHO.

Those tortilla chips are pretty good. What brand are they again? Have you tried those pretzel chips? Those are addictive!

[FoodieKat]

I buy all of these items from Costco: President feta cheese, their capers, Spanish queen green olives stuffed with pimiento, the canned organic chopped tomatoes, fresh tomatoes on the vine, baby organic carrots, pink lady apples (when they've got them), Kirkland Signature olive oil (pretty good for the price), Jose's Vanilla Nut coffee in big bags, Kirkland frozen, cooked shrimp and Mahi Mahi fillets, Morningstar frozen veggie sausage patties, and Jarlsberg light cheese in large bags. These are all regular Costco purchases for me.

[stellamystar]

The Jarlsburg cheese is my favorite along with the reduced fat cheddar cabot cheese, the Filandia reduced fat cheese platter, and oh..I guess I like the vegetables, too. Sweet mini peppers are fun and tasty.

We buy the Kirkland brand coffee for "weekday" run and go coffee - HUGE 3lb tin for I think $8? Very tasty. We use fancy stuff on the weekends.

Those torilla chips are out of control good.

[honu2]

Nuts, all types
Dired cranberries and blueberries
Lobster bisque
Spring salad mix
Portobello mushrooms
Wines (supposedly the mark up is only 13%)
Llyod's barbecued ribs

[pengcast]

Ghiradelli Triple Chocolate brownie mix is worth the annual fee. Costco is the only place I can find it here.

I also like frozen shrimp wrapped in shredded potato. It really crisps up in the oven and actually tastes like shrimp. The macadamia nut cookies are pretty amazing. But I tend to eat 10 before I get home so there are now on my banned list.

My usual items are the big bag of Starbucks coffee beans; the dried cranberries and dried blueberries; the 4 pack of asian noodles that come in the square boxes (I have one for lunch almost every week) and asparagus which is usually half the price of Safeway.

I used to love the bire in pastry but haven't seen for a while.

[BBQ Boy]

Leg O Lamb w/o bones
Menage a Trois wine
Applewood Bacon
Pork Loin
Short Ribs w or w/o bones
Acme Bread
Blood Orange Soda
Canned Lump Crab
Strawberries when available
Mussels
SF French Roast Coffee
Nuts (all kinds)

[reenum]

The Basha brand hummus (labeled "Hommus") is the best store bought stuff I've tasted. I also like to get their stuffed grape leaves once in a while.

[maliengus]

Careful price comparisons showed Costco is often NOT a better deal, but there are things we have found that are super cheap and we buy on a regular basis:

Rotisserie chicken -- cheaper and 100% better than any grocery deli counter
Eggs: bundle of 5 doz -- best price around
Kirkland butter - bundle of four 1 lb packs -- best price around
Kirkland coffee beans - 9.99 for huge bag
Boca burgers -- makes an excellent sandwich, nutritious, 100 cals ea, way cheaper than grocery stores,
Burritos: big bag of 30 -- very nutritious after school snack that our kids can make themselves
Egg rolls: large box of 18 -- ditto
Heinz ketchup - bundle of 3 lg bottles, 1/2 price over grocery
Stacy's pita chips - addictive, good with ANY kind of dip including guacamole
Marcona almonds
Excellent rhubarb pies when in season
Maple syrup -- way cheaper than grocery store
A-1 sauce -- ditto
Earthbound farms spring mix salad greens $3.50 (in a big plastic shoe-box like container) -- WAY cheaper than grocery store ($4.99 @ Walmart)
Don't buy bottled water -- environmental catastrophe & sorry, but shame on anyone who does (IMHO)

While we're there we always grab lunch from their food court. Kids chow on pizza and frozen yogurt sundae, hubby goes for all beef hotdog + drink for just $1.50 and I love their Chicken Cesear for 3.75 (excellent chicken, HUGE salad, eat half and save the rest for lunch the next day)
Non-Food: Toilet tissue, laundry soap, dishwasher detergent, books

[Docsknotinn]

The stores here stopped carrying Boca burgers which was a major downer for us. I joined Sams club just to buy Bocas. :(

[vickib]

rotisserie chicken
avocados
carnitas
bagels
cheeses
meat (wish they had grass fed)
eggs (they have organic now!)
wine
lemon bundt cake
tortillas
sundried tomatoes
nuts: pecans, pignolias, cashews, almonds
chicken dino nuggets (toddler fuel- and adults when no one's looking)
cases of ramen for ravenous yet lazy teenage son

I'm sure there's lots I'm missing.
But with 7 people living in my house, the stuff goes fast.

[livetocook]

We love to buy:
all our meat there
coarse pepper, basil, thyme, oregano
frozen sole, cod (I'm soooo buying the salmon next time)
chicken fingers, nuggets, dip-its (totally hubby's thing)
premade rib 'n sauce that's fall of the bone and really yummy
most veggies and fruit (asparagus, brussel sprouts, baby potatoes, oranges, blueberries etc)
whole grain bread (2 for the price of 1 compared to safeway)
canned albacore tuna. (6 cans for the price of 2 at safeway)

The list is endless. It's crazy how much money you can save and the quality of food is usually great

[Beach Chick]

Costco San Diego has the frozen French Onion Soup that is so good..
I buy my black peppercorns for under $4
3 pound French Roast for under $10
Tapenade is really good
Lobster Bisque
18 Eggs for under $3
Paper Towels..the best!
Slab of salmon..non marinated
Baby Bell Peppers
Romaine lettuce
Fingerling pots
Butter
Pecorina/Romano cheese bulk
Fat Tire Beer

[Beach Chick]

Just got the 3 tubs of Guacamole for $4..really good and I can freeze it too.

[somervilleoldtimer]

I didn't know Guacamole froze!

[Cinemaverite1]

The cinammon coffee cake at costco is surprisingly good.

[Johnnyman7]

My girlfriend and I are addicted to Costco like junkies are to crystal meth. It's just her and I (she only weighs 110 pounds too!) and last year, our 2% rebate was $350. Unlike most people, I wasnt happy when I saw that figure (hmmm...$350 is 2% of what number again?!).

That being said, regarding food, here is what comes to mind:

- Easily the best partnership between two products in Costco is the bag of Stacy's Pita Chips combined with the Sabra Hummus. Buy both, enjoy both, thank me.

- Buy the guacamole, use one tub, freeze two more. I swear there's like 25 avocados in that product, yet it only costs $5. How do they do it???

- Instead of the pre-marianated salmon, why arent you guys buying the frozen Kirkland-brand salmon that they sell? It's high quality. Same goes for the frozen scallops.

- Must...buy....rotisserie chicken. Night 1: eat one breast meat. Night 2: put thigh meat in enchilada sauce and serve with tortillas. Night 3: chicken noodle soup.

- The raw almonds are awesome (and MUCH cheaper than anywhere else).

- Popcorn

- Tilamook Pepper Jack Cheese is INCREDIBLE....thats basically the only cheese we buy now. TheTilamook "Tila-Moos" are great little cheese snacks that are perfect for brown bag lunches.

- Amy's Chicken sausages are probably the single-best "find" I've had. 120 calories per sausage and they taste amazing.

[crosby_p]

I am not a Costco member, but I've tried their spinach artichoke dip and it is the best that I've ever had! I wish I knew what brand! I've bought the same kind of dip at Sams and it wasn't even close. The Costco one was so good, I won't eat s/a dip unless it's theirs or homemade!!!

[mac8111]

Things we enjoy on a regular basis:

1) Cinnabon sliced bread. (toasted with just a little butter on it!)

2) The pre-made Chicken Alfredo isn't bad. I usually kick it up with some of my own spices and cheeses etc, but it is a nice base and good quality chicken breast.

3) The Kirklands Alaskan Sockeye smoked Salmon (the one in the 1lb slab) was delicious. I bought the other one they had there and didn't like it as much. Seemed stringy for some reason.

My dad swears by the rotiessiere chicken. I guess I need to try it. I would be willing to try the pre-made ribs, but they seem very pricey since I know I could eat that whole thing in a flash.

I bought the frozen Cajun chicken pasta and it had a really good flavor but was very spicy and had LOTS of garlic as well.

[Eugene Park]

Not sure if this is available in all Costcos, but I've bought black truffle butter from the San Francisco & Foster City locations. Best $8.99 I've spent in some time. Makes even plain Jane french bread taste amazing, esp. if the bread's been sliced thin and toasted. A little bit of the BTB goes a long way, even if you're slathering it on pasta or scallops....

[ML8000]

Really? Recently? In what part of the store was it located? Real bits of truffle?

Man, you don't have to convince me. Lulu restaurant in the summer served corn on the cob with truffle butter. It was really amazing, yet so simple.

[Eugene Park]

In the "ready-made" refrigerated section where they keep the raviolis, parm-reggiano cheese, heat & serve soups, artichoke dip, hummus, etc. Real bits of black truffle. The butter is a grey-beige color with black bits of truffle thruout.

Just toasted some bread and spread some of the BTB for breakfast this morning. Mmmmmmmmmm........

[ML8000]

EP - thanks! I'll be looking for it next trip.

So, how much does $8.99 buy?

[Eugene Park]

Eyeballing the container, a little bit less than two sticks worth. Wasn't paying attention when I threw away the wrapper which had the producer and weight info.

[ML8000]

Thanks again, that doesn't sound unreasonable.

[bubblet4me]

My father in law swears the smoked salmon from there is the best he's ever had.

My favorite thing is the pre-made spinach salad. I comes with a poppy seed dressing and is surprisingly good. The cakes are consistently good to, for a large party cake.

We also seem to always be getting the Horizon chocolate milk in the shelf safe packaging. DH takes them to work with him, way cheaper than buying them at the cafeteria or Starbuck's.

Otherwise, I keep their 2 serving pre-packages chicken breast in my freezer as back up food. For those weeks when I don't make it to the local butcher for a better cut of meat.

[LoN]

We don't have a huge need to buy "in bulk" but there are a few things I will seek out if in Costco vicinity....chicken breasts, whole beef tenderloin, feta (it freezes well and then crumbles), Nancy's appetizers were handy over the holidays (quiches and deli spirals), black berries and blueberries...and all the other things that seem to jump off the shelves into my shopping cart!!!!

[Docsknotinn]

Some of my favorites;
The estate bottled olive oil is an absolute steal at around $12 a bottle.
The Boudin San Francisco sourdough bread.
Lamb, farm raised salmon and king crab.
Cottage cheese for $5 a tub!

[mdepsmom]

Their store-made swedish meatballs (packaged on top of fettuccini) is very good for a quick dinner. I'm not usually a fan of their prepared foods but we really enjoyed this.

[Rhee]

we like the costco whole combo pizza for $10 from the food court. I reheat each slice in the toaster oven or directly on the rack of a convection oven long enough for the bottom crust to become crispy. I think its better reheated that way than freshly cooked. This works great for an informal gathering..so cheap. Make a salad from the romaine lettuce and ceasar dressing and you handle a large group of people with almost no effort for under $50.

[mutti]

Question to you Rhee?? I'm not planning my trip to Kansas to Costco till the end of this year,never noticed the Rhubarb pie before,have you seen it come around Christmas time?? I live in Harrison Arkansas,so Kansas is the closest for me to travel,also never noticed the unfrozen shrimp,maybe I was too tired from my long trip,do they alway's have it also??
I would like to add that we have a Sam's club in springfield Mo,which cannot compare to Costco,that's why I travel so far to go to a Costco,having originally come from Miami I will say when Sam's club has a Costco in the same city they upgrade theyre merchandice.thanks in advance.

[leek]

Pies are seasonal. You'll see rhubarb in spring, cherry in summer, etc.

[shaun theewe]

The Costcos I've been to in NYC and san Diego have a fresh fish counter. They occasionally have unfrozen shrimp.

[mcf]

But those have been previously frozen and thawed, as a rule.

[Jeanne]

This summer they had a raspberrry/rubarb pie that was very good - my family loved it.

I was also glad to see their regular apple pie back - without the caramel topping. Very good.

I love the combo packages of humus - 1 lb of plain garlic and 1 lb of cilantro jalapeno - addicting!

We also have the tinned Marcona almonds - excellent.

I was surpised at how good their alfredo sauce was - with the fresh pasta - is great with their fresh spinach ravioli.

Their in-store made chicken enchiladas are good too - popular with my family.

I could go on and on -

[Rhee]

I am a huge Costco fan. But I have bought some terrible food there. I agree that the frozen marinated salmon is just horrible and the lamb shank sauce is too sweet. For a while they had terrible frozen shrimp but they have moved away from the bad vendor. I threw out a large container of taboule..too much vinegar and one of bean salad..too sweet.

But the pies are great except for apple..strawberry rhubarb is one of the best. We buy the cheap french roast coffee beans for about $3/lb. and like them a lot. Olive oil is excellent, feta and most cheeses are excellent. We buy the romaine lettuce and chicken and beef and pork and like all the meat.

We don't like the sushi..the rice is gummy. The chile verde is too salty. The vanilla ice cream is excellent, so are the frozen berries and the frozen cream puffs. The chocolate cake is good..not great.

I keep their nuts in my pantry and they have great deals on expensive spices like saffrom and vanilla beans. I buy their dry yeast.

I make pulled pork from their pork shoulder. The whole New York strip is a great value and excellent to cut up into steaks for a party. I used to buy the POM pomegranate juice but my local store does not carry it. I buy the five packs of sparkling apple cider. It keeps forever.

I have a wine friend who says that their wine can be bought cheaper elsewhere so I buy it as a convenience item

[bulavinaka]

I find their wine selection to be quite good and the prices reasonable. It's almost impossible for me not to grab at least one or two bottles while shopping...

[imabigeater]

okay, for my job, I need to shop at costco every week so I am somewhat of a Costco afficianado. Great buys include: all nuts~ walnuts, pecans, cashews, pine nuts... best prices you will find, chicken breasts, salmon filet, pork tenderloin, beef tenderloin, you can cut and freeze in portion sizes you need (some come cryovaced) marinated artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes in oil, cheeses of many countries... the jarlsberg, the french offerings, feta, fresh mozzarella, the dubliner is awsome with little crystals of salt throughout..., in the produce section~ the golden pineapples are a steal, bluberries and black raspberries, and the "french" green beans are great although they are just young, tender green beans and not true haricot verts, english cucumbers too!

Also good prepared items include~ the fresh pesto (unless you have time and ingredient to make your own, this is the best I've had), the spinach and feta pie (not the appetizer size) is very good for a simple lunch or dinner, the stuffed shells are of consistent okay quality, as are the chicken potstickers...

The seasonal offerings are also usually fairly good, I recently had the corned beef and found it very good and easy to prepare well. I too would never buy any "marinated"meat product and am amazed people continue to do so. I must wonder at the low level of texture/taste/quality many folks find acceptable...

anyway, costco offers some great choices and some truly awful... don't forget to glance at the book section while your there, some great finds/buys...

Have fun!

[renna]

A little late in the game, but I'll post a reply anyway... they sometimes stock Marcona almonds over in the snack-foods section that are very good and a good buy. They come in black cans that look like coffee cans. Their fresh chocolate muffins are also really good-- more like a dense, chip-filled cake than a muffin-- and at $5.99 for 15 or so you can't beat the price. Also have to agree about their hummus-- especially with garlic-- the best prepared hummus I've ever had. Ditto on the Ghiradelli brownie mix-- I've brought them to potlucks and people have raved over them. It's Ghiradelli though, so that's not surprising.

Don't miss some of the items in their little "food court" area or whatever you'd call it-- the spot where you can get lunch. The chicken caesar salad is quite respectable (and costs much less than the supersized version over in Prepared Foods). And oh my gosh-- the chocolate ice cream bar is incredible. It comes as plain-vanilla and they dip it when you order, in rich, somewhat bittersweet chocolate. It's like a Dove Bar on steroids. Three of my children shared one and-- get this-- *could not finish it*.

The only Costco food I've had lately that I was truly unimpressed with was the Kirkland brand (but supposedly Carnegie Deli recipe) pastrami. It was thick cut and had a lot of fat and gristle to it, making it difficult to chew-- plus the long/narrow size of the pieces made sandwich-making awkward. I'll stick to getting my pastrami from the deli, thin-sliced and cut to order.

[spyturtle008]

They sell 100% pomegranate juice for an amazing price (Kirkland brand).

[Bob W]

Yesterday we sampled some tikka masala simmer sauce. Even the twins liked it! So we bought a tub. You just heat it up and dump it over chicken. We'll see if the kids like more than one bite of it, but mommy and daddy will definitely eat it.

It's in the section with the cheeses, sausages, soups, etc., between the wine and the meat.

[ciaogal]

Maple Leaf Duck
Kirkland Smoked Salmon
Hebrew National Salami (Great for Salami and Eggs)

[Jwsel]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned their pies. The apple pie, which has now been replaced with a caramel apple pie, is fantastic. The trick is to back it for an hour before serving. We also like their pumpkin pie.

The beef and lamb at my local Costco is great. The lamb is an especially good deal. The same for the fresh salmon filet -- not marinated.

When they have the king crab legs, they are excellent. I had some from Costco and bought some the following day at Whole Foods. Absolutely no comparison.

For packaged foods, I like the hummos (I'm going through a container of roasted garlic/artichoke right now), a lot of their party dips, the frozen hors d'oeurves, and the chicken pot pie (which can feed a family for three days).

I also get h

[gki]

In my opinion, the apple pie and pumpkin pie have way too much sugar. Can't taste fruit when there is SO MUCH sugar!!

[notmartha]

The stuffed salmon in the fresh seafood section is very good.

The other prepared stuff are hit or miss. I liked the meatball lasagna and seafood lasagna, but can't seem to find them recently. A year ago they had osso bucco in the freezer case that's to die for, but can't find it either now.

Had the marinated wild salmon, and didn't find it too salty (I generally avoid salt), it taste just OK though.

Trader Joe's frozen meatball is juicier than Costco's. Didn't like their lamb shanks with rosemary and mint - too overpoweringly minty.

My husband loves the pine nut hummus.

Their little brownie bites are very good also.

[linsue]

I love their rotessiere chicken, bought excellent spinach cheese ravioli, they have very good thin crusted margherita pizza. From the meat department their burgers and steaks are good, but the packages are large and you must repack before you freeze. most of my purchases are non food items. They also have good soinach dip,

[Bob W]

The Kirkland Four-Cheese Ravioli is really good.

[2m8ohed]

Rice Works sweet chili brown rice crisps (like Doritos, but made of brown rice, and so addictive)
Tillamook aged sharp cheddar
Fresh mozzarella, the small balls in olive oil - great for tomato salad in the summer
Kalamata olives in a jar
Shelled pecans (usually around holiday baking season)

[NiKoLe1625]

those brown rice crisps are amazing! you are right, they are unbelievably addicting!

[Saintwho]

figures, I was looking at these just the other day and just wasn;t sure whether to get them or not...to the OP, I have some of their frozen orange chicken and it was great.

The meats and fruits are good though, I always seem to go in there hungry for some reason and every time I leave I have at least a 250 dollar bill...might not be that much for some of you with big families...but it is just me and my 4 year old :D