Costco Food Finds - 2nd Quarter 2012 [Old]

[greygarious]

Please mention your store location when posting, since Costco inventory varies a lot between stores.

[treb]

Just saw Washington State Strawberry Cherries, WOW outstanding. Not a huge qualtity in stock.

[Rilke]

Me too me too! (Which Costco do you frequent?) I can't wait to try them tomorrow; if I like 'em I'll go back and get two more containers.

[meatn3]

It had been awhile since I purchased a rotisserie chicken. I noticed today they are 4.99. Have they gone up in price? ISTR them selling for $3.99...

Raleigh, NC

[FoodDee]

The chicken went up quite awhile ago. Still a good price compared to others.

[meatn3]

Thanks - I was worried my memory was slipping! You are right - it is still a bargain!

[happybaker]

Yup, still a bargain, even at 4.99 - the size is also bigger than most supermarket roast chickens!

[scubadoo97]

You can't buy a chicken that size raw for that price

[Bacardi1]

Definitely!!! I rarely leave there without one of their rotisserie chickens. A real bargain at $4.99. Nice skin & always meat that's tender & juicy with great chicken flavor. Plus, I really love the fact that it's not overly salty like so many other market rotisserie birds are. And for 2 people - good for 2-3 meals depending on what you do with it.

[happybaker]

Just back from costco with my normal haul plus, the treat of fage yogurt (I wish we'd get the kirkland brand greek yogurt, but this is still so much cheaper than the supers, I'll take it), honeysmoked salmon for the weekend and, they were having an AmyLu sausage and meatball tasting - and they convinced me. The apple breakfast sausage was really tasty, and the cranberry jalapeno meatballs were flavorful and not too spicy. Reduced fat, no nitrates and not too expensive, my first time trying them but I think it will not be my last.

SoCal, Los Feliz.

[biondanonima]

Have you tasted the Kirkland brand greek yogurt? I tried it once and threw most of it away - it is nowhere near as good as Fage. Anyway, I am jealous that your store has the Amylu breakfast sausages, though - mine had them a few months ago and I loved them but they're not carrying them anymore. They only had the Andouille (good) and a new spinach and feta flavor this past weekend. I was at the Westbury, NY location.

[cstr]

have to diagree, kirkland greek yogurt is pretty darn good and a good bargain. It has a nice tang and creamy texture.

[greygarious]

I can't say if they are new or not, because I avoid the candy section, but since they were at the end of the aisle, a jar of whole almond and dried cherry clusters covered in dark chocolate leapt into my cart, touting their anti-oxidant benefits ;-). They are quite good and fortunately I have no problem limiting my chocolate intake. If only I could claim that for certain other high calorie or bad-for-you foods!

[cstr]

let's hear it for those anti-oxidents! Also cherries are loaded with healthy goodness benefits as well. BTW - i saw them but held my ground.

[FoodDee]

They are really good!

[Beach Chick]

love love love cherries and didn't see them at my Costco (Poway) but I did get them at Albertson's for $2.49 a pound and they were delicious.
I like getting the mango and pineapple slices and the big container of roasted almonds..
Next is trying the seaweed in sesame..

[khh1138]

I saw that in someone's cart when I was almost to the front of the checkout line and had such cart-envy! I love that stuff and am very excited that it is available at Costco. Has anyone tried it/ is it good? Because I love that stuff from some stores - others, not so much.

[Bacardi1]

Costco has always been our "go to" for nuts - in-shell pistachios (both regular & salt-&-pepper), shelled pistachios (for recipes), cashews, mixed nuts, roasted almonds (both plain & flavored - the wasabi is terrific), etc., etc. Great stuff. Always fresh. More than reasonable prices compared to other sources.

I'd love to hear a review of the seaweed in sesame, since I normally love the stuff. However, some producers make it way too sweet for my taste, which is why I've so far shyed away from buying a tub of it.

[toopie28]

This weekend bought cherries and pineapple - delish. Pears - not so good - soft.
And my usual staple - Bananas. Costco in CA.

[jbsiegel]

We **love** those containers of nuts (the shelled ones). Sometimes I grind them up in the food processor to make nut butter of different varieties.

[Rilke]

Nut butter . . . consisting of multiple nuts all in one butter?!

Why have I never heard of / thought of this?

[jbsiegel]

Yep....just dump some in the food processor, turn it on and leave it for about 10 minutes. Yum!

[Monica]

I bought 2 large racks of seasoned(dry rubbed) babyback ribs for about $22(a bargain). smoked them with hickory wood chips and enjoyed every bit of it. Yum...

[janetofreno]

At the Costco in northwest Las Vegas (Decatur just off the 215) we are often disappointed by the product selection (DH has never forgiven them for telling him that they don't stock canned garbanzo beans there because it is a "specialty item." That being said, today I went to a friend's house for lunch and she served some of the best Mexican wedding cookies I'd ever had. Since these are a favorite of mine I asked for the recipe. She confessed and showed me the package: yep, they came from the Costco on Decatur.....

[treb]

holding a grudge for beans?? I find the bakery dept goods to be excellent.

[Chowrin]

you... don't have the huge cans (over 100 oz. ) of garbanzos? in nevada? how strange...

[janetofreno]

Actually, what we want are cases of the regular sized cans of garbanzos. We eat a lot of garbanzos and like buying them by the case. But what got to DH is that the Costco in Reno ALWAYS had them in cases. But the ones in Vegas, no. "that's a specialty item that we don't stock." OK, Vegas is a far bigger city than Reno, so what gives??

[FoodDee]

they did have them today in Woodinville, WA. Its pretty typical for items to be found in some Costcos and not others. I'll find that between Woodinville and Kirkland and they are only a few miles apart.

[Chowrin]

write it down on a comment card, asking for it. then ask for your friends to do the same. couldn't hurt, they do read them.
course, I haven't got my cornmeal yet...

[givemecarbs]

I'm thinking of requesting the roasted seaweed snacks. My Costco (montgomeryville Pa) had a nice big plastic tub of the snacks and later a big box full of them, each individually wrapped. But I have not seen either form in over a year. I am lucky enough to be able to just hit the TJ's down the road but I wish my Costco would carry them again.

[susancinsf]

I may be the only Chowhound, or only one of about three Chowhounds certainly, who shops at the Merced California Costco, but this week they have prime sirloin steaks and prime tri-tips at $8.99 a pound. I realize that Costco can be a good place to find prime cuts of beef, but not here in Merced, where finding both of those cuts in prime at that price was quite a find! (got some of each. steaks on the grill tonight).

[Rilke]

Has anyone spotted Rainier cherries yet? The ones they get are so so good, and cheap . . . there were days last summer when I ate nothing else.

[onrushpam]

Our Costco had them last week. But, I actually found nicer ones, for a lower price, at Publix!

[Rilke]

No Publix in these parts :( Our Costco has had the deep red cherries for a couple weeks; they are good, but I want my beloved Rainers.

[treb]

I've seen them but in small quantities.

[Rilke]

Still no sight of 'em here in DE. Depressing!

[treb]

Just picked up regular bings for 2.79 pp, way cheaper than any super market around and the size of the cheeries were jumbo. Didn't see any Rainer's. Peaches and blueberries were really nice as well.

[Rilke]

I am loving the blueberries -- they are why I don't get too mad when I go and there are no cherries ;) I am in Delaware and, for the first time that I've seen, Costco is giving us blueberries from Jersey. They are superb and clearly more recently picked than the usuals from much farther away.

[treb]

Been getting NJ blueberries for the past month, again huge berries and sweet. I probably have gone through 4 tubs to date. The red rasberries are a deal as well and their CA peaches are excellent. I really enjoy this time of year for their fruit selectioon,

[Rilke]

I spoke too soon. The NJ blues were nowhere to be found on my trip today -- the inferior Naturipe ones were back :(

[Bacardi1]

Yes - their berries are always good. While we buy all of them from time to time, my favorite are the blackberries, since they're always sweet & flavorful - something that can be difficult to find in blackberries; so many tend to be a little too sour, but never the ones from Costco.

[Jeri L]

Has anyone tried the refrigerated Spanish Omelette (actually a tortilla, but that would confuse most Americans)? At Seattle Costco #1 they're next to the quiche. Ingredient list is just eggs, potatoes, onion and salt, as I recall. I didn't buy, as I'm in a "use what you've got" mood this week, but I was curious.

[FoodDee]

I saw them in Kirkland too but also didn't want to buy without some feedback.

[ospreycove]

When is COSTCO getting in the Fresh Wild Alaskan King Salmon??? Wegman's has it now.

[treb]

I've seen it in the northeast. BTW - have you tried their bakery pretzel rolls, very tasty.

[ospreycove]

No, but NOW I am,,, Thanks........

[FlyerFan]

Those pretzel rolls are evil - I can't have them in the house or their siren song calls to me until they are dispatched...

[Stricttime]

The pretzel rolls are a huge hit in our house. Split, toasted, smeared with cream cheese and topped with jam.... good lord!!!!!!!!

[Bacardi1]

Yes - I also saw the wild Copper River salmon at Wegmans last week. Noticed in particular that it was a few dollars cheaper than last year. Last year it was a whopping $24.99/lb.; this year they have it for $18.99/lb.

[FoodDee]

Wild copper River salmon $9.99/ at Costco in Kirkland, WA this week.

[susancinsf]

also at Merced, CA Costco. However, it is the sockeye, not the King; I suspect the quote above of $18.99 is for King (I think Copper River comes in three species: Sockeye, King and Coho, and at least around here, sockeye tends to be cheaper. More of it perhaps?).

It was delicious done on the grill!

[FoodDee]

I think prices were also a lot higher last year because there wasn't as large a run. Can't really remember if the sign at the store said King or just wild Copper River.

[Cathy]

La Creperie real Belgian crepes. 16 crepes in two packages, $7.99. Heat 40 seconds in microwave or 2-3 min in pan. Refrigerated but can freeze up to three months.

Belgian crepes are thicker than French crepes. Made with wheat, buckwheat and rye flours. Tasted slightly sweet when filled with egg/spinach/mushroom/cheese mix for breakfast, but no sugar in the ingredients.

(purchased at Costco in Chula Vista, CA)

[pnwfoodie]

I bought these and they were great after being frozen. Today I tried to buy more and none of all of the Costco stores in my area have discontinued the item. I tried tracking it down on the web with no luck. They have also stopped carrying the fab tortilla soup. (OR & WA Costco)

[Bacardi1]

Last weekend:

A large two-pack of vacuum-packed White Anchovy filets marinated in white wine & herbs
.
My usual quart of mixed olives, feta, & a few peperoncini peppers marinated in herbed oil - great stuff. Called "Greek Mezza".

A two-quart pack of Kirkland's own marinated artichoke hearts. Again - great stuff, & much nicer to handle in the 2-quart pack size rather than the big gallon jar they used to sell it in.

A 5# sack of tiny little baby potatoes in red, white/yellow, & blue types, for the same price I'd normally pay at the supermarket for just 1#.

[treb]

what Costco? those little jewels are tasty.

[Bacardi1]

We stopped at two last weekend.

The baby potatoes were from the Costco in Manassas, VA; everything else was from the one in Fairfax, VA.

[mutti]

Bacardi1 can you give me an Idea of what the Anchovy's taste like? I love the salted canned one's but as I'm going to be the only one eating them would it be worth it for me to buy it?Is it simular to pickled herring?which I also like,I have to travel a long way to Costco,so I have to make every trip count.
Also how long of a shelf life in the fridge????

[Bacardi1]

I haven't opened them yet, but I'll make a note to come back here & let you know what they taste like. As far as shelf life, since I've never bought these before, I'm going to have to play that by ear after I open them. It was a two-pack for around $7 if I remember correctly, & each pack is 7 ounces, so I won't be eating all of them in one sitting.

Unopened, however, the instructions are to keep refrigerated at all times, & to use by September 19, 2012.

[mutti]

Thank you for getting back to me,will be getting them when I go to Kansas City Costco.

[Bacardi1]

Okay Mutti - opened one of the packages today & added some to my lunchtime salad. Sadly to say, I HATED them. And there are very few food items I have said that I hate. I shouldn't have ignored the packaging description that they had a fresh "Bluefish" flavor (& I do love fresh Bluefish).

Think VERY fishy marinated herring in an overly-sharp acidic vinegar. While I absolutely ADORE regular oil-packed anchovies & can eat a whole can or jar at a sitting or two, I'm thinking the rest of these babies will be garnishing my cats' dinners after I rinse them off a bit. WAY too fishy tasting for me - & I really really like marinated herring - both plain & in sour cream. Something about these anchovies just puts me off. Go figure.

[FoodDee]

I'm wondering if these are actually boquerones which are marinated white anchovies. totally different than oil packed anchovies. You most frequently see them served as a tapas.

[Bacardi1]

Yes - that's what they are. In my original post above, I said that they were called "White Anchovy filets marinated in white wine & herbs". However, the ingredient list does list oil as well, so I didn't expect them to be so very vinegary & acidic. Not to mention fishy (& I do like all types of seafood). I don't know what I'm going to do with them. Maybe incorporate them into something else?

[FoodDee]

Yes, oil is usually one of the ingredients but they are pretty vinegary tastewise. I've never found them to be particularly fishy though (haven't had the Costco ones). They are traditionally served quite simply - google recipes.

[Bacardi1]

Thanks! I did look up recipes, but it seems that 99% of them are for actually making your own boquerones, not using them in something else. Looks like they're used on crostini, atop roasted peppers, & on salad.

[mutti]

Will still get them,then if It's too vinegary I'll incorporate them with sour cream and onion's,just like the herring in sour cream.
Thank you for the update.

[treb]

just go some white anchovies and my Costco, what a deal!! Normally, I'd get about a third of that for the price I got at Costco, they taste great.

[judybird]

At the Irwindale Costco, try the Honey Smoked Salmon. There's apparently some honey in the marinade, but the fish doesn't taste sweet, it's smoky, oily, and absolutely delicious. We save the skin and fry it crisp to crumble on a salad.

Unfortunately, they used farmed salmon - we normally try to avoid it, but this stuff is too good to pass up.

[happybaker]

I ADORE that Salmon, and have found it at both Ohio Costco's and California.

Kudos to you for frying up the skin, I always have it left, never know what to do with it, and now I'm horrid at all the fun I've missed!

[stevebass]

The other thing we do with the salmon skin is cut it up into bacon-like strips, gently fry it, and make a SS-LT (salmon skin Lettuce and Tomato) sandwich. I can't tell the difference and it's gotta be healthier than bacon.

--Steve

[bostongal]

I am so mad..

I went to Costco this weekend to specifically buy their fantastic CIBO pesto...and they have gotten rid of it. In it's place is a Kirkland brand of pesto that is runny, overly oily, and fairly flavorless. The CIBO brand was excellent as a pasta sauce and as a sandwich spread and now a lousy substitute is in its place.

It was literally the reason I drive all the way to the nearest Costco...and now they are trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes as the packaging looks identical to the CIBO pesto they used to carry...shame on you Costco! Bring back the CIBO!

[mcf]

Oh, NO... it wasn't in my store, either, and I love it! I can still get it, in a smaller container for more $$ at Fairway here on Long Island, but...

[betterbeheaven]

La Brea Bakery torta rolls at the Richmond, CA store. 10 rolls for $5.99. They have really good texture (soft and chewy, but if you toast, nice crunchy exterior) and flavor (faintly sweet).

[givemecarbs]

Torta rolls must be in right now. The food court at the montgomeryville pa Costco is offering hot turkey and provolone sandwiches on torta rolls and they are very tasty.

[randyjl]

I keep hearing about really interesting prepared sandwiches, or food courts. Alas ours in Rockwall, TX has only dogs, churros, and pizza. Sniff,sniff!

[cheesemaestro]

Ditto for the Costco in Harrisburg, PA--without the churros.

One thing I discovered in the last couple of months that I really like is the stuffed grape leaves. I can't remember the brand, as I discarded the cardboard wrapper and the plastic container doesn't have the name on it. Two or three pieces make a nice, light lunch in warm weather.

[CanadaGirl]

Keep lookin for the sandwiches. My local Costco has only had the turkey and provolone sandwiches for a couple of weeks. I was in yesterday and they couldn't keep up with the orders for them.

[dave_c]

A couple new items I've seen in the Seattle area, pesto turkey and provolone sandwich (It was okay, needed more pesto flavor) and a beef bake (a beef version of the chicken bake) which is only okay.

For me, the hot dog and soda is still the best food court deal.

[treb]

they also sell the torta rolls in the bakery dept.

[givemecarbs]

At my Costco (montgomeryville pa) too. And I bought a cold turkey and provolone sandwich with a side of salad from the refrigerated section where they sell the wraps and such. That was on a torta roll too but the hot offering from the food court is such a good deal.

[Midlife]

The torta rolls are terrific........ But La Brea Bakery is generally good quality even after going 'big time'. At 50¢ a roll they're my go-to sandwich bread. They freeze well too. - South Orange County, CA

[knowspicker]

New for me though I don't know how new to the store in Seattle.

French butter with sea salt crystals. Delicious and a better price than in other local stores. For some reason [less water maybe] it is also easier to spread when cold than most other butters.

[knowspicker]

Wild Planet Tuna. It's more expensive than Kirkland but it's half the price you buy it for in Whole Foods. Tastes great and less mercury and more sustainable fishing practices. Seattle area.

[Rilke]

Thanks for posting, hope to see this in Delaware.

[meatn3]

Just found a terrific 8 piece canner set in Raleigh, NC location. 33 quart granite-ware with jar rack, all the usual canning tools plus jar wrench for $37.99!

I've mainly just done small batch canning but I'm ready to can more quart jars and this holds 9 as opposed to the two my biggest pot could accommodate.

This was on an endcap near the housewares area.

[givemecarbs]

Got some frozen shrimp pad thai (four pack) in the frozen food section. Authenic Asia or something. The shrimp is at the top separated by a cardboard partition so you can nuke it a different amount of time.
I ended up frying the shrimp and then tossing it in with the nuked noodles. I wasn't expecting much but was very happy with this tasty easy dish. I'm glad I have a chest freezer as the package was fairly bulky. I'll be going back to my Montgomeryville Pa Costco for more, these are fast easy and light as well as delicious. I did squeeze some lemon juice over my portion. I can't resist playing with my food.

[mayfruit]

I'm fairly new to Costco. Denver, CO area.

I love popsicles and took a chance on the Whole Fruit Frozen Organic Juice (mixed flavors of Cherry, Strawberry and Grape). They are all mixed with apple juice. They are not too sweet and just the right slushiness when slightly thawed. They are a push-up type of bar, and just the perfect portion. I don't have kids -- so this was purely an adult treat :)

Sukhi's Tandoori Chicken; Fully cooked chicken. Great spicey flavor; not overly spicey or salty. Very versatile - I've put it in salads, with rice, with veggies etc. For me, this was excellent based on the flavor and convenience.

Madras Lentils, described on the package as "Lentils, Red Beans and spices in a creamy tomato sauce" - I tasted a sample of this a couple weeks ago. This is almost as good as what my dad makes. I would describe it like a chilli. It heats up really quickly, and I've eaten it by itself and mixed it in with all sorts of other foods. I thought the price was just a tad high, but I will definitely buy it again....unless of course my dad offers to make me a pot of it.

[JerryMe]

We get the Madras Lentils as well. The price is on the high side but we can easily get two meals out of each package. They are quite good.

[ferret]

Those tasty Bites packets are over $3 each at grocery stores, so they're effectively half-price at Costco. Pour over rice and you have a nice meal for about $2.

[Beach Chick]

At the Poway, CA Costco, I always buy the bag of baby mini peppers for me and my dog, which he loves but I halved them with the goat cheese and baked them in the toaster oven ...delicious..
Didn't need much goat cheese and what a deal from Costco at around $5 for 2 logs..
Made a goat cheese eggplant parm last week that was incredible and used it in place of the ricotta.

[Rilke]

My dogs and I love those mini peppers as well. Great with ranch :) (for me . . . not them)

[Beach Chick]

I have to buy a bag of those mini peppers, rotisserie chicken and some fresh Ahi at least once a week for my dog...he is the ultimate Chowhound!

[Tripeler]

BC, what a great idea with the goat cheese. That sounds REALLY good!

[Beach Chick]

Hey Trip!
They are really good and half them with fresh dill or other fresh herbs..
Good visual too.

[Rene]

In Austin, I bought the Casual Gourmet Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Chicken Sausage after a very flavorful sample. I made the recipe for lasagna on the package. I made a few small adjustments and it was a total 10 for the cook tonight.

[JerryMe]

The roasted red pepper chicken sausages are a staple in our house. We use them for everything from sandwiches (hoagie rolls) to pasta as well. Very good!

[cstr]

Just picked up some Point Reyes Blue cheese, $10.99 per pound, creamy, tangy and a great deal.

[Beach Chick]

Point Reyes Blue cheese...love that stuff...I could eat that all day long..didn't see it at my Costco this weekend.
Was that Good Earth tea the cinnamon kind?

[cstr]

Good Earth, yes it is a light cinnamon infused tea and awesome, got the Point Reyes at Carlsbad, in your neck of the woods.

[Beach Chick]

The Point Reyes Blue rocks..I could eat a whole block of that with a baquette. ; )
I'm going to do a sun tea version of the Good Earth tea.
Red Zinger from Celestial Seasoning is really good too..made from Hibiscus leaves..

[cstr]

Red Zinger makes for an interesting Sangria! Hint...Hint ! Ever think tea was just for tea?

[Beach Chick]

Tea as Sangria...wut?

[cstr]

make a tall glass for yourself and try it. Of course, just add the tea in place of half the soda water.

[janethepain]

The Kirkland brand green tea bags. Shockingly good. The tea itself is great, tastes almost like it's pure matcha powder (I actually empty the entire plastic bag into my cup to get all the great powder left over). Even the sachets/tea bags themselves are wonderful - a woven bag with the string coming off the middle of the bag and a paper tag designed to conveniently hook onto the lip of your cup.

Can't get enough of these. Made by Ito En, according to the package.

These were found in Northern Virginia (sorry, don't live there, so had to have relatives give me bagfuls of their own).

[cstr]

I recently bought a box of Good Earth Tea, just outstanding.

[rasputina]

I can't believe Good Earth tea is still around. I used to eat at their restaurants back in the 80's.

[khh1138]

I miss those Good Earth restaurants - there was one down the hill from my house. Best nutty blueberry pancakes...glad I can still get the tea.

[NA07950]

The green tea is a staple in all the NJ stores I've been in. While I'm not a fan, I work in a Japanese company and my expat colleagues are all big fans of the product.

[khh1138]

Yes, Ito-En beverages are huge in Japan. This is a very good product!
(I remember reading the label some years back - I don't know if it still says this - but that actually *is* a little bit of matcha powder you are meant to sprinkle on the top)

[dave_c]

Vancouver BC - chocolate filled mini-croissants. Very nice with coffee.

[ferret]

In the Chicago area there are a number of new dips/spreads that have popped up lately. All pretty good. There's a company (can't recall name) with "no mayo" prominently displayed on the label offering bean-based olive dip and baba ghannouj - both good. There's also a Buffalo Hummos (Hummos with Buffalo wing spicing) - hot and good.

[givemecarbs]

I finally tried the turkey and spinach lasagna with no fat ricotta in the refrigerated food section. Not bad at all. This was at Montgomeryville Pa. Forget the brand name and I tossed the packaging but I'll buy it again for the convenience. I chose to bake it in my convection toaster oven although the directions claim you can microwave it as well.

[artemis]

After a long absence, the Mario Batali refrigerated sausage ravioli are back at Foster City. They're pretty good for a quick dinner.

[givemecarbs]

Maya Kaimal coconut curry simmer sauce with coconut milk and ginger. Very pleasant, would buy again but there is no way this is medium heat. Very mild which worked for my dining companion. Got this at the montgomeryville pa Costco in the refrigerated prepared food section.