Costco Food Finds- 1st quarter 2013

[rasputina]

Time for a new thread and didn't see one...continue on....

[rasputina]

The new thread, for 2nd quarter is http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/896587

[divadmas]

the 8 pack of dried spaghetti is very good. cook it barely al dente and fry into noodle pancake and it is pretty good for chow mein base.

[khh1138]

Is this the Garafalos spaghetti? I agree, it's the best. I won't buy spaghetti anywhere else now!

[divadmas]

yes just checked it is garafalos.

[Jeri L]

At Costco Seattle: 1 kg of fresh asparagus, $3.99 with $1.00 instant rebate, no limit.

[givemecarbs]

In the refrigerated baked goods dept I spied caramel tres leche cake. I thought I would have to freeze half but it's going fast. This was at the Montgomeryville Pa Costco.

[helou]

Costco/Kirkland Rugula from the bakery section.
I just bought these for the frst time in a while because we don't eat them on Passover and i was avoiding buing non-Passover foods.
Anyway, they seem to be in a smaller box. It's still that clear plastic that "clicks" shut, but it's more of an odd shape- like a trapezoid, maybe, rather than the rectangular box it used to come in. Anyone have any idea how much the old boxes held?
This one is $7.99 for 25 oz. I won't stopped buying them ifI'm gettig less for my money - too addicted. But I am wondering.

[cheesecake17]

These are delicious! Last time I bought them they wer in that weird shaped container... It was a while ago

[Rick]

Just found Kirkland Greek Yogurt, $7 for two big containers. It's not stiff like fage, mosr the consistency of sour cream. Really liked it.

[Heatherb]

Did they have fat-free?

[scubadoo97]

I haven't seen anything but fat free at Costco

[Rick]

Yep, that's all they had.

[Heatherb]

Yay! :)

[cheesecake17]

Great stuff! We use 6 containers/month

[brilynn79]

I'm glad that they are carrying this again. I used to buy it then my store started carrying the Fage instead.

[stephen]

I impulsively bought an oven ready scalloped potato casserole at Costco this week. It was something I can make at home...but the ingredient list looked really good (i.e., real food) and there was a cheddar topping. Well...it was absolutely delicious! Don't recall the brand now...but it was definitely a find.

[Christnp]

Olive oil update: The detained olive oil shipments have been cleared. http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oi...

[cstr]

Gota believe, if validated, Costco will be on top of this quickly.

[mcf]

Just a heads up, don't know how significant this is or not:

http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oi...

The United States Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that it has detained, and subsequently refused, a number of shipments from a major Italian olive oil producer, Certified Origins Italia.

[biondanonima]

The Amylu Andouille Chicken Sausages were BACK at the Westbury, NY Costco last weekend, after a long hiatus. I love Amylu products and I have been sorely missing these sausages! Now they need to bring back the Spinach & Feta, Tomato & Mozzarella and especially the breakfast links!

On a related note, I bought a package of the Amylu chicken burgers and noticed that they are now coming as eight 5oz burgers rather than 10 4oz burgers. Rather annoying - the 5oz size is just big enough that I don't need two to make a meal, but one isn't quite enough.

[littleflower]

We're now officially members of Costco! Purchased our membership tonight and it was so near closing time that we only managed to grab a rotisserie chicken (tried a piece of it...it is okay but think I will in the future buy these if I was taking the skin off and using the cooked chicken for other recipes). Looked for the Roasted Garlic loafs but could not find any on the shelves so assumed they ran out. Next time we go will definitely buy a case of the San Pelligrino Aranciata/Limonata sparkling soda - fantastic price!

[ohmyyum]

Woot, how exciting!
Just a heads up that they occasionally have a coupon for the San pellegrino, which knocks a few more bucks off that price!

[littleflower]

Thanks ohmyyum (it's great to see so many who post on Trader Joe's threads over here as well!)...yeah we normally shop only at TJ's and The Fresh Market but when we found out some of the deals we could get at Costco it was a no brainer to join and try it out. Can't wait for the San Pelligrino sparkling sodas to go on sale!!!

Ooh I do have a question...with the coupons some have a limit of only one of a particular item that you are able to purchase at one time - is there a way to go back a number of times during the month to repurchase (ex: this month - buying one case of Deer Park bottled water tomorrow night then going back the next day to buy another case for the coupon price)? I am guessing the answer is no but thought I would check just to be sure...

[ohmyyum]

Yup, I love TJs, but I also make weekly stops at Fresh Market, Whole Foods, and Costco-- they each have their own strengths!

To answer your question, the coupon limit is per membership, and they (obviously) keep track of what you buy. I share a membership with my dad and if he buys the kirkland detergent, I'm out of luck even if I use another set of coupons from a friend. I've noticed that the same items tend to cycle through the coupon booklets either quarterly or biannually. IIRC, the San pellegrino coupon tends to appear less frequently.

I'm guessing you are on the East Coast since you have a Fresh Market-- some items mentioned in the yay/nay thread are regional, and may not be available at your particular location.

[littleflower]

I am - we're fairly close to the VA/NC border, and Fresh Market's rotiserrie chickens although a bit pricey at 7.99 are delicious. I think I will buy Costco's rotiserrie chickens if I need chicken for another recipe but if I am craving carved rotiserrie chicken then the Garlic Butter and Thyme one from FM will continue to be my go-to.

I thought that would be the case with Costco coupon limits but wanted to ask just to be sure...at any rate this month we will go back and take advantage of the Deer Park and Charmin coupons.

[Pwmfan]

Don't know if you know this but when using Costco coupons at the self checkout you need only to swipe any one coupon and it will apply the appropriate discount to all of your coupon-eligible items.

[mcf]

Not any more. No coupon is required. You just need to know which ones are on offer.

[littleflower]

I did not know that...thanks!

[mcf]

The coupon limit is NOT per membership, though that's the first answer you get if you ask. I kept asking, since we pay a higher price for two cards and we each got to buy the limit of 4 cases, for a total of 8,Pellegrino with our individual cards on one account.

If you don't press the question, you don't get the answer you deserve!

[littleflower]

mcf I see where you pay a higher price for two cards...I thought if you live at the same address then the extra card was free? Does your other card holder live at a different address and that is why you pay a higher price for two?

[mcf]

We have an executive membership, so that probably accounts for the higher fee... but they didn't have our cards or know that when the manager said we could each use our card to get the coupon limit. There was inconsistency, you just have to keep asking if you're told "no." We're at the same address. Daughter was not, but we billed her on our addy.

[treb]

Yes, the coupons can be used everytime you come in. Infact, you'll notice the bar codes on the back of the coupons are the same. I've purchase items to the limit and then went back in on another day to purchase more.

[blackpippi]

Many of the coupons in the book are Instant Savings. Everyone gets the discount with or without a coupon. Also, once a single coupon for anything is scanned in the coupon period, all coupon savings are active for that period. So, my Costco has self checkout. Usually, they just leave a book by the scanner. I randomly scan any coupon in the book, even if it's not something I'm buying, and I don't have to worry about coupons again until the next coupon cycle.

There appears to be differnet answers about being able to get the same discount over multiple days. I'm wondering if the difference is between an instant savings and a regular coupon?

[treb]

Both instant savings and coupons will work each time you go to the warehouse.

[cheesecake17]

You can buy the amount stated on the coupon each time you shop. So if you bought the water on sale today, you can go back tomorrow and buy another.

At my Costco the cashier automatically scans the coupons

[mcf]

Yep, we just used the coupon and each of our cards to buy 8 cases of Pellegrino for $11.99 each. Big savings over beverage center, which is over 50% higher than that.

[ohmyyum]

Wait so this is true even if you have two cards under ONE executive membership? My dad is the primary card holder. I guess I've never tried to buy anything after he had already used the limit 1 coupon. If so, I'm sorry for the misinformation littleflower, and thanks all for the clarification.

[mcf]

Yes, but when I asked the cashier, she said only one person on the membership can buy the limit. I asked to speak to a supervisor who told me each card can, and a manager came over to show the cashier how it's done.

If you pay extra for two members, each should be able to purchase. For example, our child was on our account while living apart from us. So we paid for three cards, and she got the deals, too, independent of us.

No coupons are required any longer for any of the deals, instant or otherwise, and we haven't had to bring them with us for the past couple of months or so.

[blackpippi]

I was told, a few months ago, that you had to at least tell the cashier that you had forgot your coupons. (Though really the correct thing to say would be "please activate my coupons for the period")
Also, I was just there a week or so ago and I handed the cashier a coupon and she scanned it. It would be pointless for her to scan if all coupons are automatic.
The process can be different by location. I'll ask next time I'm there.
(Also, btw, in Massachusetts and California I can buy a hot dog at the register, but in New Jersey have to pay at the concession stand)

[mcf]

I'm in NY, so maybe it's different elsewhere. I went to hand a cashier coupons and she said "you don't need to bring them anymore." For about a year before that, if I hadn't brought them, they scanned their own... now it's just programmed into the system, I guess.

[liza219]

Each costco has a different way of doing things. But, as it goes, you are supposed be limited per day. But not at separate orders. Costco doesn't condone people separating orders to repeat savings. They considerate it taking advantage of the manufacturer. I believe you should use your own discretion. I believe most know when you're taking advantage.

[mcf]

Well, since I asked the cashier and the manager came over to do the transaction after the floor supervisor said we were allowed to buy twice, I think it was pretty clear we weren't trying to abuse the system, just learn the rules. :-)

[khh1138]

I've learned to take the skin off the chicken and immediately take it off the bone when I get home - and put the carcass in the slow cooker overnight with some celery ends, onion ends, and carrot ends - I get a huge pot of incredible broth. And then I use the chicken during the week in recipes. Before, we used to eat about 4/5 of the chicken in one go and feel a little sick and dehydrated the next day (I think too much salt to eat at once).

[scubadoo97]

I also immediately take it apart and separate white and dark meat and the rest goes straight in the pressure cooker for stock. Most often I make tortilla soup with the stock and the dark meat that day

[Sarah]

Has anyone tried David's Cookies cheesecakes, esp the sampler pack of 12 small cakes? In the SF Bay Area?

[blackpippi]

I don't like the texture. Back to Muir Glen for me.

[blackpippi]

My ipad freaked out. Meant this post to be a reply about Kirkland diced tomatoes. Sorry.

[mcf]

What is it about the texture you don't like? I've never been fond of Muir Glen taste... a tad bitter, IMO. And BPA linings.

[Vidute]

muir glen is switching over to bpa-free cans. many of the varieties currently on the shelves are bpa free.

[mcf]

Good to know, thanks! Do they taste different now? I haven't ever liked them before.

[Vidute]

i think that they might have a "brighter" taste. you might want to try a smaller can from the grocery to see if you taste any difference.

[mcf]

I think I will, once I see them labeled BPA free, thanks.

[Vidute]

glad to be of service! :)

[treb]

Just saw New Zealand frozen bone-in leg of lamb $4.49 per pound with an additional $2.00 rebate at the register, great value.

[rabaja]

Last year this time, I got a Snake River corned beef at my local CostCo (Novato, CA). Has anyone spotted thees this year?
It was delicious, and not too salty.

[goodeatsgal]

I bought the Snake River corned beef round, Kobe-style, at the Costco in Redwood City about 5 days before St. Patrick's Day this year.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Today I found one of my all-time favorite cheeses, which Costco has stocked around St. Patrick's Day in random past years, but never regularly, and not for the last year or two.

It's Cahill's Irish Porter Cheddar, a beautifully brown-marbled, slightly nutty, slightly sweet cheese, and it comes in a variety pack with three other Cahill's cheeses: Irish Whiskey Cheddar (you can barely see a light marbling), Irish Wine Cheddar (gorgeous pinkish-red marbling), and Leicester Red (solid orange with brown around the edges). They are all sliced, on a little tray in a resealable plastic bag for $11.99 -- I think the entire package is 18 ounces.

While I wish they just had the Irish Porter Cheddar by itself, I'm happy to find it in any packaging at all. Three years ago, they had a three-pack of the Irish Porter, Whiskey, and Wine Cheddars in little blocks, and this time they were sliced and the fourth cheese was included. It's REALLY good, so pick some up if you see it!

[ohmyyum]

If you want the Irish porter cheddar on its own, Trader Joe's carries it in a wedge (not pre-sliced)!

[walker]

They were sampling it yesterday at my TJ and it was such a teeny sample, I didn't get a good idea of the flavor.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

I live in Florida, where the only Trader Joe's in the state are several hours away. Damn.

[ohmyyum]

That is pretty lame. At my TJs the sample size is a good half ounce. Not so great when it is not to your liking (blue goat cheese comes to mind).

[walker]

It was the size of a small thumbnail; no cracker, even, either!

[liza219]

I still miss the yummy horseradish cheddar....

[PinchOfSalt]

Costco organic diced tomatoes (Waltham, MA). I first noticed them in January. They come in boxes of 14.5 ounce cans. Great flavor, peeled nicely, definitely a superior replacement to Muir Glen and a new staple in my home.

Also, as of Saturday, Kirkland Tuscan EVOO was back!!!! The new bottles are marked November-December 2012 harvest. At last the drought is over.

[mcf]

Melville, NY always has Tuscan, never been without it, AFAIK. I've stopped buying the otherwise excellent canned organic diced tomatoes due to BPA lining of the cans. Kind of makes organic a moot point.

Buying tomatoes in glass now.

[walker]

In glass? What brand? Is it at Costco? Thanks.

[mcf]

No, I haven't found it at Costco yet, so no longer buy them there... plan to request that they offer such products in non BPA cans, though. Eden Foods does.

[PinchOfSalt]

How can one tell if a can has BPA or not? I just looked at one of my cans of Costco diced tomatoes and could not find anything that indicated BPA one way or the other.

[ferret]

If it isn't they'll boast it on the label. If it is, you won't know.

[mcf]

They all have BPA in the lining unless they say that they're BPA free. So do a lot of those paper cartons. Same with cans of soda; all lined with BPA plastics. :-/

[FoodDee]

Saw Kirkland brand organic crushed tomatoes in glass jars today.

[mcf]

Where??? Good news, I can request them if not in my warehouse!

[FoodDee]

They were in the Woodinville, WA store

[mcf]

I hope they send them east to NY. Thanks.

[Heatherb]

ZOMG, I'll buy those by the gallon! I didn't see them at the Arvada, CO store, but I'll be heading back there!

[VTB]

We now have the Kirkland crushed organic Calif tomatoes in jars at the Detroit Costco and they are VERY tasty. Hope they last.

[IndyGirl]

oooh, exciting!!! I love things in glass jars! Glad to hear they taste good as well.

[divadmas]

great, no bpa from can lining.

[PinchOfSalt]

Wow, no Tuscan in Waltham MA for at least six months, though we got Kirkland Arbequeno (sp??? it is a single varietal Spanish EVOO). No glass jar tomatoes at the Waltham store (largest in the Boston area, which is graced by a good many Costcos).

[mcf]

I LOVE the Arbequino, and it's been gone for mos and I'm all out of it...

[PinchOfSalt]

I just checked the last bottle I have. It is from the end-of-2011 harvest. So maybe some 2012 is on the way...

[mcf]

I'm going to have to request it, thanks. Do you love it as much as I do? I can't get enough of it.

[scubadoo97]

Never seen the Arbequino in my Costco. Too bad as it's a great variety which is very fruity

[mcf]

If you see two very dark green bottles bound together by plastic, RUN to grab them... it's very flavorful.

[scubadoo97]

Eyes peeled but no sightings yet.
Hoping

[ohmyyum]

Mcf do you recall how much it was? Is it anything like the TJs California estate (100% arbequino EVOO)? That stuff is like liquid gold and I go thru it way too fast.

[mcf]

I don't recall the cost, and I never buy stuff like that at TJ's because of the incredible variety and quality I can get at Fairway Market. I went though the two bottles I had way too fast, just preferred it to the three other EVOOs I had in the house.

[treb]

I've been buying the organic canned tomatoes for at least 2 years.

[mcf]

Yesterday, Melville, NY: farm raised little neck clams, fresh, sold by the lb, 36 clams for about $13, I think... farm raised in FL. Good news: Only one didn't open, they're very clean and tender and plump. Bad news is that they had no marine/ocean flavor, not even brininess at all.

Good news, still good steamed open in a broth made from diced and sauteed chorizo, garlic, onion, thyme, parsley, diced tomatoes, white wine and chicken stock.

I can't wait til it's local clam season and they taste like the sea again and don't need salt added.

[ns1]

no clams in site @ Burbank Costco yesterday :(

[mcf]

Maybe they're not bicoastal bivalves. ;-)

[ns1]

I saw them a few weeks ago but they disappeared. Had pretty much everything else including boatloads of mussels, but no clams.

[Pwmfan]

Has anyone tried the net bag of mussels? I am always tempted but, living in a landlocked state, I'm not that familar with cooking seafood. Are these any good?

[ns1]

yes they are. had a great pesto mussel dish using costco mussels + costco pesto

something like this:
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe...

[Dax]

They are both delicious and easy to cook, but I had an issue with possibly dead ones in my last bunch and forgot to take back the 1/4 of them (frozen) for a refund when I went two weeks ago. Maybe this weekend.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/892002

[Pwmfan]

Thank you Let us know what happened, please

[Dax]

I returned the mussels yesterday. When I handed her my 1 lb bag, she asked where are the rest. I advised that we had a couple of people over that night for mussels so we ate the other four lbs (and they were delicious). She advised that typically they will only refund a purchase if 2/3 of it is returned. I said well hell, I wasn't going to waste the good ones on a return when we had people over that night specifically to eat mussels and she agreed but noted the 2/3 remainder for future purchases. I understand the intent behind that but 20% of the mussels should not have been dead in the first place. I actually requested only a partial refund and she advised that costco cannot provide partial refunds. Anyway, then she took the bag with the bar code label and looked up my purchase history (I did not have my receipt) and came back a few minutes later to ask if I had purchased mussels elsewhere that day as that was not the costco barcode? I advised that was the only place I had bought mussels in the last three months! Whatever, she refunded the $13 but the whole experience was kind of annoying.

[scubadoo97]

I recently purchased some cod that tasted of ammonia. Didn't have the receipt and was asked if I had the cod to return. Wtf. It was cooked and tossed. Did they really want me to bring it in to the store. After a long consult with the manager the girl finally issued me a credit. Took almost 30 min and I was advised to call the manager if I had any like issues before coming back for a credit. This was the first product I had ever returned. The experience wasn't positive at all.

I wil save my receipts from now on even for food items

[Dax]

I understand they are trying to keep the freeloaders out who would just consume and return for a refund, but when something is off/spoiled the 2/3 request is annoying. Costco is a 15 minute drive for me across town in the best of traffic so I can rarely return items immediately and I also hate them taking up room in my fridge/freezer until I have time to return them (and remember to take them back). I am awful about saving the receipts.

[treb]

They also keep a record in their database of how frequent a member returns items. Just to reinforce your point of freeloading. Once I returned two cans out of eight of tuna, on a company recall, no questions asked, full refund.

[Dax]

Yeah, I assume they keep very tight records there (although their POS system seems antiquated) and they probably have some magic percentage/amount before they flag your membership or something along those lines. I mostly only return items due to quality issues (bad/spoiled/moldy) although I did return the seaweed salad as it was too sweet. I know I don't abuse the system as I appreciate the ability to try something new and return it without a ton of questions.

[ns1]

Just look at it from a managers' perspective for 15 seconds and it really is not an unreasonable request.

[ferret]

I don't make a habit of returning things but the two occasions I've ended up returning bigger-ticket items (one was a pretty expensive watch for my wife that she really disliked) they were extremely helpful and barely flinched at my not having a receipt (all they needed was the approximate date of purchase).

[scubadoo97]

Your right but on these treads all I hear is how easy it is to return anything to Costco, receipt, no receipt. She asked for the fish and acted annoyed that I didn't have the receipt and it was the first time I had ever taken anything back

[liza219]

Dark chocolate Munchy bites.....dark chocolate with cashews and pistachios. On markdown to 6.97. Salty and sweet....delish.

[givemecarbs]

I was just looking for asparagus I swear! And I did get a generous bag for 4.00, there was a dollar off instant savings, but I walked past the refrigerated prepared food and some Irish bangers and some Irish lamb stew jumped into my cart. The Irish stew has a nice long expiration date so it will be good to have on hand for a lazy night. I really liked the bangers at TJs this time last year so I have high hopes.
I passed on the big vat full of packages of corned beef and also the Irish cheesecake. I wish I could provide more details on the cheesecake but it would have been too dangerous to pick up the package.
I could see the tubs of almond bark in the bakery section of the Montgomeryville Pa Costco in the distance flirting with me but I stayed far away. They are on sale for ten dollars and oh so good. There was also some very nice raspberry and also chocolate cheesecakes being sampled, and panko breaded tilapia and mini crab cakes. Who needs dinner?

[cantbeatgoodfood]

I dont have a costco membership,But have had their Kirkland 1/4 # frozen hamburger patties,which i think are Great on the Grill,Can i Get a 1-day pass to buy from costco,and will there an extra charge from what i would pay if i were a member there??Last time i had their burgers for a 18 pk i think it ran 18. per pkg....

[ohmyyum]

Go with a friend! Or give your friend some $ and ask them to get you a Costco cash card. My understanding is that non-members can buy things with the cash card? (Please correct me if I am wrong).

[treb]

Yes, if you receive a gift card, and are a non-member, you can use it but, not exceed the value of the cash card. BTW - they do not issue one day passes but, you can purchase a membership and, within one year, if you are not satisified you can receive a full refund for the membership, no questions asked.

[ns1]

they actually do issue one day passes, but you can't buy anything. pretty much a "tour our warehouse" pass.

[treb]

You're correct, you can peruse but, not purchase. With the money back guarantee on the membership there's nothing to lose.

[divadmas]

you can get gas with just a cash card, no membership card required although pump asks for one just ignore that prompt.

[Bigjim68]

One of the better buys at Costco is the wine, Many are at or below wholesale prices. There is seldom a knowledgeable employee on premises, but Costco wine blog;com, which is independent from Costco, does a good job with reviews.

[ns1]

chateau st michelle @ 5.99 and beringer white zinfandel @ 15/box = unbeatable.

[Heatherb]

I picked up some Imperial Garden chicken spring rolls at the Arvada, CO Costco and basically hoovered the container of 18 of them over the course of 2 weeks. They're only 150 calories and quite tasty.

They've probably been in Costco stores a while, but i only got to try a free sample on my last trip. One makes a great snack and two is a meal, as far as I'm concerned. Only takes a minute to heat them up in the microwave. Very yummy.

[knowspicker]

In the Seattle store we bought the hearts of palm and they are very good though not as good as fresh. 2 jars wrapped together. We like hearts of palm salad. We made the Americanized Chinese version of Kung Pao chicken and subbed hearts of palm for the bamboo shoots and it was very good.

[LuckyCharm]

Does anyone's warehouse have Earthbound Organic apple slices anymore? About a year ago they brought in some "no name" brand that had an awful chemically aftertaste, the EO came back, and now I cannot find EO apple slices at any warehouse in my area (MD/DC/VA).

[knowspicker]

My wife is trying out a gluten free, or at least very low gluten diet so we tried the Tru Roots gluten free penne and it was excellent. We got it at the Seattle store. It's organic brown rice, corn, quinoa, amaranth, made in Italy. It cooks quickly, about 5-6 minutes and the texture is really good. It doesn't taste like wheat but it tastes good.

I'll admit I was expecting something akin to the whole wheat pasta I never liked in the 80s so it was a nice surprise.

We're hoping Costco will get the Tru Roots fusilli and spaghetti.

[pdxgastro]

If they don't, would you go so far as try ordering some directly from the company (Tru Roots)?

[pdxgastro]

I noticed they now sell a small bucket of Coconut Oil. People are going crazy for the stuff so that's a good thing, I guess.

[helou]

What does everyone do with the coconut oil? Does it give all the food a coconut taste? Would you fry wiwth it? Could you, for instance use it for the topping for apple crisp, or something like that? It looks very tempting to me, but I'm not sure what it would be a substitute for.
My Costco (NJ) was doing a demo, and using it to grease the griddle for pancakes.

[knowspicker]

It does give some coconut taste to your food when you cook with it. You can fry in it. We use it to fry coconut prawns. It's also good for stir fry, particularly if you are making Thai food or coconut curry. It substitutes for us in places we would otherwise use peanut oil. We use coconut for Indian food and Chinese too.

You can also use it make refried beans if you want a more carribean flavor.

[MamaCrunch]

We use coconut oil for everything! Cooking, hair, skin, diaper rash, add it to smoothies, even use it medicinally.

[ns1]

Nay on the braised lamb leg in the fridge section. I like lamb flavor but this was too much - like extremely mutton-y.

[littleflower]

We're seriously considering a Costco membership right now (we had a Sam's Club one for years, but Costco really does offer higher quality/variety of products.

Two questions - one re: the lamb quality there since you mentioned the braised lamb leg was mutton-y tasting - how is their boneless leg of lamb and does anyone know the price per pound for it? Also, we love bison/buffalo meat/steaks - does Costco offer any in their meat selection?

[ns1]

This is only the braised prepackaged leg of lamb.

I buy the raw lamb chops/rack all the time and love it. Great price too.

[littleflower]

Okay that is good to know in advance - thanks ns1.

[Bigjim68]

The Costco lamb loin chops are quite good and at a good price.

[ns1]

re: lamb loin chops

I have a pack in my freezer vacuum sealed, all the time.

[coney with everything]

another yay for the rack of lamb loin chops. I did them exactly as the package suggests (brown them, then stick in the oven) and they were amazing.

[mcf]

The rack isn't loin, unless I'm mistaken, they're rib. The loin chops are flat packed and triangular, the rack is shrink wrapped.

[Bigjim68]

I don't think you are mistaken. I buy the loin chops as they are often cheaper and always meatier.

Racks cut into individual servings are called rib chops.

[mcf]

Well, I actually knew I wasn't mistaken. I was being tactful.

But just this once, so I hope nobody starts expectin' it from me all the time. ;-)

[ns1]

"The loin chops are flat packed and triangular, the rack is shrink wrapped."

I buy both because they are equally delicious.

[mcf]

They are both very good and incredibly fairly priced. But I grill them pretty much all the time, so tend toward the loins, also, Mr. MCF doesn't love lamb unless I marinate the heck out of it Greek style, and loin is better suited to that, where I'd rather crust and roast a rack.

[ohmyyum]

I have not noticed bison at Costco but then again I haven't looked specifically for it-- I get it at Whole Foods and have always found it to be excellent. I'm surprised that Sam's club would carry it, since it's a higher end product.

I can't comment on the lamb as that is not something I cook or eat. But it seems like there are always a few excited yays for it on these threads.

[littleflower]

Trust me, I greatly miss living close to Whole Foods - we moved a few years back and the "closest" one to us now is just a bit out of comfortable driving distance time-wise right now. WF was incredible not onlly for the wide variety of bison/buffalo that they carry but also their tremendous customer service - they would trim excess fat off of the buffalo steaks as well as hand cut buffalo steaks for us if none was avaiable out in the viewing area.

Our Sam's Club does not carry bison/buffalo to my knowledge but have not asked our butcher lately for it.

[splatgirl]

Check out small farmers for sourcing if you are that interested in bison. Localharvest.org is an excellent resource for such things, searchable by location or product.

[cstr]

In addition to ground buffalo, I've seen buffalo rib eyes at Costco.

[ohmyyum]

Where is your Costco, cstr? I presume availability varies with location, as with many of their products!

[cstr]

So CA.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

I got lucky a few months ago and found two one-pound packages of ground bison, packed together, at the Costco I DON'T usually go to. I've been back several times to my regular Costco as well as the one I don't usually go to, and neither one has had bison ever since. Whenever I ask anyone in the meat section, they have no idea what I'm talking about, which is weird because everyone at Costco is usually friendly and knowledgeable.

[littleflower]

Thanks BBVL - great to hear that there is a glimmer of hope for Costco carrying bison! We do not have a WF close by to us here but we do have a Fresh Market, and it shocked me that they looked at us like we were speaking a foreign language when we inquired if they carried fresh bison/buffalo. They were not even able to special order it.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Luckily I can usually get ground bison at Publix (the dominant supermarket chain in Florida), but the packages are $9.99 for 12 ounces. Even "Whole Paycheck" gives you a full pound for $10!

[dgusanz]

my costco (Culver City, CA) has (and has had for a long time) High Plains (brand name) ground bison.

They used to have High Plains Ribeyes and High Plains Bison Hot Dogs. The hot dogs were the best hot dogs of any kind that I have ever eaten (inclding Allen Bros). Sadly they discontinued these and the rib-eyes a few months ago.

Hopefully someone at Costco reads this and will bring them back to my store and to all the rest of you.

[treb]

The boneless leg of lamb is $4.99 per pound, I've purchased it many times, great taste and value. I'm not a fan of prepared foods, the pre-packaged prepared braised lamb shanks were good but, I prefer to cook my own.

[emu48]

Second that. All the raw/unprepared lamb products at Costco are excellent. Usually New Zealand lamb. I'm told that the store in San Francisco will sell you a whole, frozen lamb for barbecuing. Have never seen those at any other Costco. These are halal lambs. Maybe they only go to stores near substantial Muslim populations ... don't really know.

[cstr]

The Costco Business Center, in CA, carries whole lamb.

[acgold7]

As does Lynnwood, WA.

[splatgirl]

I happen to have just purchased and prepared the boneless leg of lamb this week. I would not buy it again.
Partly it was my mistake--it comes already "tied", and I didn't bother to remove the net and unroll/inspect, (I guess I have been spoiled by nice guy, small scale butcher shop type butchery). Anyway, NONE of the silver skin had been removed, which, of course, made for terrible eating. I took the 2/3 of the leftover medium-rare cooked roast and braised it to use for tacos.
I also did not think it had much flavor, but again, I am used to small-farm-next-door pastured meats almost exclusively. I'm sorry I do not recall the price.
They do have bison, but I think only burger.

[treb]

'Partially' your mistake?? How can you season that leg without removing the netting? Also, I've nerver had silver skin on a leg of lamb but, I'd remove it if there was some, just common sense. I think you blew it and blame Costco.

[splatgirl]

I'm not blaming anyone. I'm saying it's not a product I would buy again for the reasons stated. Your cooking mileage may vary.

[cstr]

It does appear to be a tad blamey but, I understand that you are used to a local source which is a very special option to have, not withstanding cost variances.

[mcf]

I've never NOT had the silver skin, and I've ground enough of them at home (from Costco, I mean) to know when I've missed some... it really messes with the grinding mechanism.

[Bigjim68]

I think that someone who buys a boned, rolled, and netted cut of meat should have the expectation of it being oven ready.

Nets are not easily removed and then replaced unless you have the equipment. Which most people don't.

[cstr]

Not me, I unroll, season, and if roasting, roll and tie with butchers twine. I've also marinated and grilled unrolled, awesome!

[Bigjim68]

So would I, but I don't think that you, cstr, and I are the average purchaser of a boned and netted leg of lamb.

[mcf]

Maybe, but I think most folks know the difference between "oven ready" and prepped purchase and those not. I think splatgirl just may have had a lapse on that occasion that's not typical of most folks who buy bundled, unseasoned meat, including her, perhaps.

OTOH, I'm a bit dubious about it having come from the store without flavor, since the very common complaint is that it's too strong tasting compared to American lamb. Having been cooked twice may have been the issue there, but I don't know I wasn't there to taste it.

[splatgirl]

Nor am I, in that normally if I wanted a boneless roast I would acquire the bone-in cut (or larger) and break it down/bone it myself.

[mcf]

I have to disagree there; I want to see what I'm working with, and these are not labeled as oven ready, just as boneless, IIRC.

[splatgirl]

I think that someone who buys a boned, rolled, and netted cut of meat should have the expectation of it being oven ready.
_____________________________________________
Exactly. Or at least properly butchered, which does not include tendon and silver skin intact, at least not in my book of boned, rolled and tied. OTOH, maybe that's me being silly for expecting things to be done properly, and admittedly I am about as far as it gets from being familiar with what to expect from Costco meat.

FWIW, it's not like I just stepped onto the meat, butchery or cooking bus. I'm the person who tries to get their meat processor to ship her side as primals (as a concession, because quarters won't fit in their boxes).

[littleflower]

Thank you, splatgirl for letting me know about the bison burger meat...and I am sure many of us here have inadvertently had a cooking mishap or two! Had I not seen my mom when I was younger many times take off the netting from leg of lamb and remove any excess fat/silver skin that may be there, I am not sure that I would have intuitively known to do so.

We take off the netting and any excess fat (leaving some there for flavor) and season the inside with rosemary, garlic, and sea salt. Then we tie it back up with butcher's twine and season the outside as well - if you want you can try the lamb there again and season it to see if you like it any better. Good luck!

[mcf]

Splatgirl, the Costco lamb is pastured, so is U.S. lamb, they don't survive well otherwise.

[splatgirl]

Yes, true. "Pastured" here as my catch all term for what I call non-skank--small scale raised/processed, drug free, organic.

[mcf]

I don't care so much about organic as long as it's pastured. I think pastured/grazed critters don't end up needing the antibiotics due to the healthy feed. I use "pastured" to signify grass/range feeding only.

[dgusanz]

Additionally, pastured (I like that term) animal meat has Omega 3 (healthy) oils instead of Omega 6 (unhealthy). But it is less tender than the grain fed meat we are used to.

Funny story - in New Zealand all animals are pastured and there is no grain fed beef or lamb. Fancy restaurants make a big deal of having imported/tender grain fed steaks! Here it is the opposite - they make a big deal about grass fed.

[mcf]

Pastured meat has both Omega 3 and 6, but the ratio is correct and healthy, instead of the excess of omega 6 promted by grain feeding.

I don't find pastured meat less tender, generally, as long as properly cooked, slower than grain fed.

[dgusanz]

I stand corrected on the Omega 3 and 6. I would ask you for more advice on cooking grass fed meat except that we have adopted a very low fat (10-15 grams/day) vegan diet for health reasons. We will go off it when we eat out 1-3 times a week but I suspect my meat cooking days are over. Sigh.

[mcf]

The Costco lamb is from Australia and the leg, rib and loin chops are delicious, all range fed. But some folks think lamb from Oz is gamier than American lamb, so it depends on your taste buds. I marinate and/or season heavily for souvlaki or other grilling (husband is not a lamb lover), so it's less of an issue here.

[ohmyyum]

I am in NC.

The price on the 6pk of avocados has dropped to $3.99!

Also, the wild planet tuna (which several people have previously yay'd) 6x5oz cans, $9.99 with manufacturer's rebate!

Furthermore, these are quite possibly the cutest food item I've seen all year. Shamrock-shaped cheese ravioli made with "imported artisan Irish cheese," 32 oz/$9.99. Have not purchased (yet) so I can't comment on the quality/taste... but they are so cute I don't care.

[HillJ]

I giggled at the Shamrock ravioli because the heart shaped ravioli about 2 weeks ago were bought by my son for his gf and she was so impressed. I bought the yellow/orange stripe version earlier this year and wasn't all that knocked out by the flavor...so I'm staying away from novelty pasta for now. But they were cute!

[walker]

I just saw something new at Costco but could not buy it as I was not going straight home (it was frozen).

It looks great: frozen, quick seared, wild salmon (I think it was Sockeye, not positive) on a cedar plank. Pkg says to bake it in the oven. You can see the salmon thru the packaging. It's $10.99 lb and they were about $13 something a package.

Has anyone tried it yet? (It was in an end bin opposite the cooked chickens.)

[ns1]

Not enough love here for the 3 pack of carrot juice @ 7.50 or so. Delicious and ridiculously cheap.

[HillJ]

Only because with an electric juicer I can make gallons for less than $7.50 and pack my own cold thermos.

[ns1]

Yeah well for the rest of us without juicers, this is by far the best price I've found.

[HillJ]

Absolutely. I didn't state the juice wasn't good.

[treb]

Same as saying, I can make a pizza for $3.00 instead of buying one at Costco. It's all about my time and conveinence.

[littleflower]

If I had the time, by all means I definitely would pick juicing fresh fruits and veggies and making things from scratch (re: above pizza example). Costco and Trader Joe's are heaven sent for those of us who want high quality, preferably natural/organic foods for a decent price - even if it is gently processed/processed in the end result.

[HillJ]

Which would also apply to me treb...that is when the price of the ingredients is lower than the price of buying it made by someone else. Costco doesn't sell a $3.00 pie and I can't make a delicious pie for that price either. So no, not the same.

However, with a coupon I can nab a pizza for $8.00 (large with two toppings). A bit harder to do that from scratch....but not impossible.

[Dax]

I have a question about that HillJ and ns1. The 3 pack is how many ounces each/total? I like carrot juice ok and we bought a juicer but it seemed to me that it took a considerable amount of carrots (maybe a pound) to make 8 ounces of juice (I could be wrong, please explain) and therefore it would cost more than $7.50 worth of carrots to get a gallon (16 cups) of juice. I did not use organice carrots either. I am not trying to argue at all here, just curious about the math.

[HillJ]

Hi Dax, if memory serves you're an Aldi shopper. I have bought dozens of 2 lb bags of fresh (not organic) carrots for .88 from Aldi's and from the Asian market on sale. I juice lbs at a time and freeze it in batches. Defrost as I want. I use a original model Jack LaLane juicer (super motor but nothing high end) and I double press. Meaning the carrot fiber that ejects to the back bin goes through the press 2 or 3 times so I get the full press of the carrot out of it. So btwn carrots on sale, the method I was taught and having the juicer on hand, I am enjoying now and later juice. Carrot juice freezer really well.

I'll ask ns1 to talk about the commerical purchase at Costco. I have only bought the bottled brand of carrot juice once.

[Dax]

Yes, we are definitely Aldi shoppers. Without Aldi, our juicing days would have ended before they started.

Using the above math, basically you would get another 32 oz the Aldi route.

HillJ, do you peel your Aldi carrots before juicing? I figured a quick rinse would suffice. While I don't wish to lose the nutrients in the peels (can you get those from juicing), I don't want to risk dirt or excessive pesticide contamination either.

Thanks for the input!

[HillJ]

Same as you, I rinse the carrots and proceed. No peeling. If the carrots are particularly sandy/dirty I give them a standing sink-bath in a bit of vinegar with the water and then rinse well.

[cstr]

Don't forget to factor in the cost of that Jack LaLane juicer. FWIW - I do buy lots of Costco's organic carrots at aprox 45 cents per pound, a steal.

[HillJ]

I've had the juicer for several decades. My investment has more than covered juicing vegetables/fruits.

Aldi's is charging 88 cents for a 2 lb bag, often on sale. At the price you're paying for organic carrots, a juicer is the ideal investment.

[treb]

I believe what cstr is stating, there's 'overhead costs' in the production of prepared foods. Even when you make your own, there's a cost associated with going to get the product (gas, time, car wear and tear etc), preparing the product, electricity, equipment, preping tools (knives, peelers etc), water to wash the product and to clean the machine. Just say'n, manufacturers of prepared foods bear a cost, we purchase them at a premium, as a convienence. That's life!

[HillJ]

treb, I just read your comment now. Sorry for the delayed reply. I've understood the argument scratch vs. prepared many times. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy both in my own shopping routine. I'm not putting down your choice.

[ns1]

it's 3x32oz pack

the website claims "13 servings of veggies" per 32oz

I'll look at the label when I get home.

[ohmyyum]

Sorry to intrude on the conversation-- The Kirkland/bolthouse organic is 3x32oz for $6.99, I believe? I am not absolutely sure, as I have not bought it in some time.

[ohmyyum]

Oops, $7.29

[HillJ]

I was in Costco today and the 3 pack was $7.29 as well. Carrots at Shop Rite were .59 for a 1lb bag.

[ohmyyum]

Did you also happen to notice the steal of a deal on the avocados?!

[HillJ]

No but I nabbed the whole wheat tortillas for 1.99! Avocados at Aldi's were .49/each so I went there today.

[ohmyyum]

Whatttt, which brand on the tortillas? I usually get la tortilla factory and use them for quesadillas, but the texture is all wrong for wraps as they are not very pliable and tend to tear/crack.
Darn I know there is an Aldi's somewhere in town but I have never ventured there! There seems to be a lot of fans on the boards. I think it is in a slightly sketchy neighborhood though.

[HillJ]

La Tortilla Factory, they usually go for about $5.00 for 20.

Aldi's near me is in a fine neighborhood and I've been to a few other locations that weren't as nice but I ventured anyway. I can't resist the bargains on basics. And, it becomes harder to "over pay" once you've paid for produce, cheese, egg and dairy bargains. Plus all the veg/fruit juicing I do Aldi's is just ideal.

[ns1]

I looked at the bottle - they claim 17 carrots per 32oz.

[littleflower]

ns1 - what brand of carrot juice is it? that is a great price!

[ohmyyum]

I'm assuming its the Kirkland/bolthouse brand. I liked it and I don't even like carrot juice.

[ns1]

Kirkland/Bolthouse indeed.

[Dax]

They were sampling the carrot juice this weekend and I thought it was just ok. Wife did not like so we didn't buy it (she is the juice fan).

Our Hoover, AL Costco did not have the partially cooked tortillas which was disappointing. I spoke to one of the employees and they tried to look them up but seemed clueless. She asked another employee who advised she thought they uses to sell them. So helpful!

We bought some of the frozen, breaded chicken tenders about a month ago after sampling them there. They are delicious plain, for chicken parm, or just baked for salads.

A while back we bought the jar of roasted red peppers and loved them so we have continued to buy them on occassion. One time, they molded (in the fridge) within a month after opening. The jar we bought Saturday had mold inside the lid. We just washed them off, cleaned the jar and kept them as our Costco is about 15 miles away and is a pain to return items (like the dead but frozen mussels I forgot to return Saturday).

I had to stop buying the almond bark as I could not stop eating it.

[givemecarbs]

That almond bark is ridiculous!

[Rick]

That almond bark kills me! My parents gave me a bag of it to take home and I ate it all in one night! It's on sale for now for $9.99 I believe.

[meatn3]

I used to have mold issues with the jar of roasted peppers too. I now fill a small jar (use to hold pimentos) with water and seal it. Then I place this on top the pepper to keep them under the oil. Since I've been doing this I've eliminated my mold problems!

[estnet]

caviar with pearl spoon is back at around $69 for 2 oz, but I don't recommend it - got it in Dec and was very disappointed. Mushy, small roe.

[treb]

As for the small roe, it's segruvia, a small roe cavier. Cavier roe should pop when eating.

[dgusanz]

In late 2012 I got Bulgarian Osetra for that price/qty at my local Costco. I bought 4 of them for New Years and took the cardboard/plastic off to store in the fridge. Unfortunately, it was not very good and I could not return it.

In late 2011 they had American Osetra (same brand, same price) that was superb.

Next year I will buy one and try it and go back for more if it is good.

[treb]

Curious, Why were you unable to return it?

[dgusanz]

The wee jar of caviar was on a large square of cardboard with a plastic bubble over the jar. I removed the cardboard and plastic and put the unopened jars in the fridge. They then sat there for a couple of weeks until New Years. I just assumed as I had removed the outer packaging that I could not return it. Was I wrong?

[treb]

Costco maintains your complete purchase history on their database. Could have just brought the jars back, no receipt necessary, and you'd get a refund. Just an FYI - caviar is very perishable and should be consumed as soon as possible, two weeks might be stretching it a bit.

[ferret]

There's no way to taste it without opening, so you can't be expected to leave it in the unopened package.

[dgusanz]

The date on the cardboard said good until Feb 13, 2013. I guess it was ultra pastuerized or????

I bought 4 and removed the outer packaging on all 4. I did not think I could return it once I did that.

The caviar was not bad, i.e. spoiled. It just had a slight tinny flavor and was not as oily/unctuous as others I have had. It did pop. It was just not as good as others I have had over the years or even close to as good as what they sold the year before.

[treb]

Caviar is not ultra pasterized, it's ou natural! but, once it's opened you gota eat it. A tinny taste, I would not hesitate to return it. Might have been a funky lid on the jar.

[Bigjim68]

Imported sturgeon caviar of any sort at $30 an ounce seems to me to be one of those deals that sounds to good to be true, and is apparently is/was. Lower grades of caviar run around $100 an oz at most sources.

[dgusanz]

Domestic was even more expensive than imported this year. The quality of the of the American Osetra I have had over the last few years has been top notch - better than most imports I have been lucky enough to also enjoy.

[Shrinkrap]

Same here.The part about the disappointment. Got mine around Christmas, and hope I didn't pay that much!

[Rick]

I had it on New Year's Eve, gf didn't like it, I didn't mind it. Was fun to do once, have no desire to repieat it though.

[Samalicious]

KC- "Del Destino" grilled Piquillo peppers in a 32 oz jar. Excellent taste, texture holding up all the way through to the bottom, About $7.

[puzzler]

Nalley Dill Pickles a "Product of India" ???

Costco used to carry Farman's dill pickles, which we enjoyed, but switched to Nalley. Nalley is a regional brand here in the Pacific Northwest so we didn't think much of it. After several jars consumed I noticed they are a "Product of India."

We've got enough to wonder about with food safety, and India doesn't inspire confidence.

Is there a cucumber shortage in the US or is this just the latest in outsourcing?

And the weird(er) part is that the word "Pickle" isn't anywhere on the label, in large or small type. Is there some standard they don't meet in order to call them pickles, like there is with jam, etc.? The word appears on the lid in small type in a drawing of a jar that says Nalley Pickles.

[treb]

They have to meet US standards.

[ferret]

http://rockinontheblog.blogspot.com/2...

[cheesecake17]

We like the refrigerated deli half sour pickles

[divadmas]

if you live near skagit valley you might like this. while driving thru conway on back way to hwy 20 my brother mentioned in and out burgers sourced their pickles from nearby farm. they have limited distribution and kind of spendy but are available at that small grocery a little past the bridge.

[gbtbag]

My local Costco (Marina del Rey) has stopped selling the quinoa salad! I was mortified. They were always switching it around to different locations within the warehouse so I thought maybe that's why I couldn't find it. But an employee said they're not making it anymore.

It was so popular, they increased the size of the container so people but I'm wondering if making the salad was just too labor-intensive. I think it was made on the premises.

[theotherdikcheney]

'mortified' means you were embarrassed.

[snusan]

How about a Costco Food Lost-- What happened to the Kirkland Dried Cherries? I haven't been able to find them in DC (Pentagon City, VA or Lanham, MD/FedEx Field). We really miss having them to add to our oatmeal and homemade granola.

[LuckyCharm]

I definitely have seen these recently. But I refuse to shop at Woodmore and haven't been to Pentagon in a while. I want to say I've seen them at Columbia as well as Arundel Mills recently.

[divadmas]

last year michigan cherry crop (much of which is dried) very poor. recently saw kind of small bags of dried cherries at costco.

[ohmyyum]

Does anybody happen to know if there are ever coupons/rebates for the 2pk of mistos? I seem to recall they did but haven't seen it in some time.

[meatn3]

They had them on special prior to Thanksgiving. It was several dollars off iirc.

[ns1]

Are any of the bacons at Costco decent or are they pretty much run of the mill?

[Bigjim68]

I think the Kirkland brand bacon is slightly better than run of the mill, but only slightly. I think it varies by region, but what we get here comes out of Canada.

At least it is fairly thick sliced.

[splatgirl]

The Coleman natural bacon is quite a bit better than average, IMO. It used to be great but they started slicing it thinner recently.

[ohmyyum]

I was also wondering if anyone had tried the applewood smoked bacon....

[ns1]

which is ~16 bucks for 2/2 pound packs IIRC. I'm also curious.

[Xaga]

My local Costco (Santa Cruz) has Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Bacon. It's pretty much the best bacon I can get that doesn't need to be mailed to me. There used to be Fletcher's Bacon at one point as well, but I haven't seen it in a year.

[biondanonima]

Not in NY/the tri-state area. The Kirkland brand used to be acceptable, but the last couple of package I bought were AWFUL - watery and tasteless. I don't think they sell any other types (except low-sodium, which doesn't interest me). I really wish they would start carrying a thick-cut brand like Wrights - I get it at Sam's club when I'm visiting my parents and it is DIVINE.

[mcf]

I get the Niman stuff at Fairway, and I have never bought bacon at Costco. Trader Joe's carries thick cut, smoked bacon under their own label, too, good price. They carry Wellshire/Garett, too, but the regular thin sliced is too water and tasteless. I buy Wellshire/Garrett County or Niman's only.

[biondanonima]

Good to know about TJ's - I'll have to start buying bacon there.

[mcf]

Just go for the thick cut, dry rubbed with the fake Wellshire label, or Niman's, if they have it. Their own TJ labeled stuff is completely tasteless.

[HeyImBack]

The Kirkland small peanut butter cups (the ones that are about the diameter of a nickel). A coworker had a jar of these on her desk this week. I had one earlier in the week. They were wrapped in red foil and I thought they were Reese's all dressed up for Valentine's Day. The chocolate had a little bump/swirl on top, which I'd never noticed on the Reese's cups before, and which I thought was interesting, and the pb/chocolate ratio seemed a little off (more pb than chocolate, which is actually my preference), and the entire pb cup separated from the wrapper, instead of half of it sticking to it. Fast forward to two days later, when I tried another one, and actually looked at the writing on the red foil wrapper, and imagine my surprise to find out they weren't Reese's after all. I love me some Reese's pb cups but the Kirkland brand is actually better IMO.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

The TortillaLand uncooked flour tortillas are some of the best tortillas my wife and I have ever had -- definitely better than any other storebought tortillas, and better than the majority of Mexican restaurants we've ever tried. They come in a package of 36 (I believe), in the refrigerated case near the meatballs, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and all that.

You just heat them in a hot pan, about 30-45 second per side, and you don't need oil or anything. They puff up, and they're soft and fluffy and taste VERY fresh. We are thrilled with them, and we went through our first package very quickly.

[givemecarbs]

I keep hoping to find these tortillas at my montgomeryville pa store. No luck yet.
I was looking to score some asparagus this week but instead found the cubed peeled winter squash. So fast to cook up and yummy. Also some nice peas.

[scubadoo97]

No luck here either.

[mojavebc]

A staple in my house!

[divadmas]

i believe these are a staple for many east indian families as sub for naan.
you can deep fry and drizzle with honey for sopapillas, it will really puff up.

[puzzler]

Cherry Pomegranate Habanero Sauce -- great as intended on meat and even better on ice cream.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/890906

[dgusanz]

My Costco is in Culver City and they used to carry High Plains Bison Hot Dogs that were incredibly good. But they no longer carry them and they cost a fortune mail-order from the vendor.

They also have Horseradish Cheddar that I just adore but did not have for about 3 months. Last week it was back again.

Lastly, my thanks to the first poster. I tried the dried Phillipine coconut and loved it.

[alohatoall]

I agree -- found the blue cheese way too bland.

[roxlet]

Meh- Kirkland brand artisanal blue cheese. My husband bought this to make blue cheese dressing to serve with the celery for the wings, and I found it very bland. I had to really work hard to get the flavor to be a bit more assertive, plus it was more creamy than crumbly. Maybe I'm just spoiled by Roquefort, but I think that the cheap-ass pre-crumbled blue cheese bits would have been better for this dressing. I think this cheese would be suitable for some one who is on the fence about liking blue cheeses.

[givemecarbs]

Almond bark is baaack! They were sampling it today at my montgomeryville pa Costco. I heard two different women say that they were afraid to buy it because they would end up devouring it all.
I think their fears are well based. The bark tasted very fresh and sublime. They don't skimp on the almonds either. Glad I only bought one :)

[Dax]

We bought some Saturday and are working through it pretty quickly as well. It was $2 off (instant) this week.

[linsue]

I also bought the prime rib(Boneless) for New Years. I usually buy prime meat but this was choice and it was delicious, Better than the Prime I bought at Fairway.

[scubadoo97]

As I like to call it, Prime in Choice clothing. It's often possible to find very well marbled Choice steaks that are more marbled than some of the Prime steaks. Remember that there is a range for each grade

[Bigjim68]

You are correct. USDA grades are a range and an opinion. In addition, most grading is done on a side, never on an individual steak.

Meat, especially beef, is generally the largest portion of the grocery bill. It pays to gain a little knowledge of grades and cuts.

[pine time]

Any opinions on Costco's prime beef? We've been disappointed by the humungo tray of choice-grade steaks. Recommendations?

[FoodDee]

I've had good luck with the prime. Had an amazing prime rib at New Year's and have had very good rib steaks - haven't tried other cuts.

[dgusanz]

Love the Prime Rib Eyes but am careful as to the ones I pick. The Prime Tri-tip is also excellent.

[coney with everything]

We bought prime sirloins that were fantastic. I can't remember if the ribeye roast we bought at Xmas was prime or not--we dry aged it in the fridge for a couple of days and it was wonderful

[Bobfrmia]

Look at them closely. I've had prime strips that weren't worth a damn. It was my fault, they didn't look well marbled, but they were the only prime strips left, so I took a chance.
If they look good, they usually are good. I find that they need a couple days in the fridge before cooking. They are so fresh they haven't figured out they are dead yet.

[shoo bee doo]

I'm enjoying the Almond Cherry Clusters. Roasted almonds, dried tart cherries and dark chocolate. They are crunchy, chewy, and not too sweet.

[Ruth Lafler]

Those things are dangerous!

[JerryMe]

New to me, as I was looking for a way to distract myself from a salesman making a pitch about a really cool camping tent (Man, I really wanted that tent) was pitted Kalamata olives. Krisnos brand. They're in the refrigerated section by the cheeses. Yum! Now, about that tent . . . .

[Heatherb]

How long do refrigerated olives like that usually last?

[treb]

I've had olives in the frig for months, no problems.

[ipsedixit]

Variety pack of Dove Magnum Ice Cream Bars.

[treb]

Those bars are dangerous, can't stop with just one, just like potatoe chips!

[helou]

Absolutely fabulous are the Garden-Lite Chocolate Zucchini muffins. You read that right, folks, chocolate zucchini.

In my NJ Costco it's in the frozen section with some of those other boxed vegetable items like veggie burgers. The first 2 ingredients are zucchini and carrots, but in every way it's a rich tasting chocolate muffin without a lot of fat. I leave them frozen, and nuke them for 25 seconds whenever I want one. Warm and moist with oozy melted chocolate pieces.

I looked it up on the Garden Lite website, and for now it seems that they only sell it at Costco.

I think I'll go have one right now.

[cumineat]

Yeah, these are great, discovered them last week.

[Rick]

New to my Costco (Pittsburgh, PA) are fresh made Deep Dish Pizzas, located right next to the take and bake pizzas. This is the first time I've seen them, they're $10 and weight 3 pounds! I bought one, haven't tried it yet but it sure looks good.

I'll also review the caviar I bought over the holidays. It was the first time I've had expensive (for me at least, it was $68 or so for 1.5 ounces) caviar. It was good, but not $68 good, once was enough for me!

[FoodDee]

Really liked the deep dish pizza - much more than the regular.

Wasn't impressed with the caviar though it was a fun thing to do for a small group.

[HeyImBack]

I tried the deep dish pizza and didn't care for it at all. The crust stuck to the pan after baking, which made it impossible to get clean slices, and the pepperoni was buried under other toppings, so it never got crisp. We picked at it a bit, and I ended up returning what was left for a refund. Wouldn't recommend.

[DagingKuda]

Same experience here. It was like eating pizza stew, because the sticking made it such a fight to get it out of the pan, that everything got smashed together.

It was tasty, but we'd never buy it again.

[Rick]

We really liked the deep dish. The directions said to add time for a crispy crust and I baked an additional ten minutes. We did nit have a problem with the crust sticking to the pan.

[Bacchus101]

Ok let me see if I have this right. You bought a deep dish pizza, follow all the directions , ate some and returned it because you did not like it. Did you think it spoiled, outdated or defective in some way or was your return based on "we did not like it"?

[ns1]

"we did not like it" is a valid reason to return goods at costco.

[Bacchus101]

Ok, got it, the official word. So then those who purchased the $65.00 can of caviar, an acquired taste, could have returned an open, partly eaten can for a refund for no reason other than "we did not like it"? Now that is a liberal return policy.

[ns1]

Per their official policy, yes. Would love to see the results of such a request on CH.

it's not a return policy btw, it's a satisfaction guaranteed policy.

[Bacchus101]

I suppose the customer themselves then would be the modifier/regulator of how and when and on what the Satisfaction Guarantee Policy is used. Sort of like a Seinfeld episode were there were different opinions on what should be , not what could be returned.

[michelley]

Actually, you have to have at least half of it. I once bought a tuna 4 pack, ate 3 cans then noticed that the 4th one was bulging. When I tried to return it, they refused because we had consumed 3/4 of the package. I left it with them.

[ns1]

duly noted, thanks for the info!

[FoodDee]

I had that happen once (not tuna but the sme idea). They had me buy another 4 pack, return it for a refund and then took the package apart and gave me one can free.

[michelley]

Sounds like they're nicer in Seattle than in Brooklyn!

[cheesecake17]

They're not always very nice in Brooklyn.
I brought back peaches last spring because the two that I sliced were black. They didn't want to take it back because two were missing from the case. I was told to put any rotten fruit in the freezer and bring it back with the uneaten stuff

[Rilke]

That's ridiculous.

At the Christiana, DE store I once brought back an empty 24oz blueberry container (along with a full one). I had used the entire container at once to try to make smoothies, and they were gritty and disgusting. They refunded me for both containers without a hitch.

[cheesecake17]

Wow. At the nj store I go to, they're super nice like that. A friend of mine took pics of rotten lettuce, brought back the empty box and they gave her no issues.

[NorthEncantoGirl]

Actually, not always. I'm in San Diego, and bought a rotisserie chicken, ate a good deal of it, and then was going to make chicken salad out of the rest. I noticed when i was deboning that it was quite red, to the point of bloody, inside. I called the Market Street Costco, and they told me to come back for a refund; they didn't even want to see the chicken. I thought they were gonna refund my money, but they did more--I left with a chicken, as well as 4.99. Amazing service. I still can remember it, at least 18 months later.

[ferret]

Their policy is extremely liberal, but even they have to draw the line somewhere. They used to have an unrestricted policy on electronics returns but found that customers would use the policy for unlimited upgrades, that is they'd use the product for a year and then exchange for a newer device. SO electronics are ow restricted to 90 days, but they'll add a year of warranty for free:

COSTCO'S RISK FREE 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE

Membership:

We will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied.

Merchandise:

We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, touchscreen tablets, MP3 players and cellular phones.

[treb]

Yup, that's their 'satisfaction guarantee' policy. No questions asked, that's why Costco is a good value. I just returned a 2 year old bath towel that was a guest bath display towel, I began using it a month ago, it developed a tear so back it went, they searched their database to verify my purchase, refund applied, no questions.

[monavano]

I returned a bed sheet set after washing it. Out of the packaging, I didn't like the cheap feel and thought maybe it would loosen up or change somehow after washing. It didn't so it went back.
Back to CH world, I returned an Ancona range hood (ordered online) several months later because I hated it. It sat in my garage for a couple months until my kitchen redo was ready for it, then once installed, I knew it fell way below my expectations. But, I gave it about a month because I'd have to have it uninstalled and buy another. Which is what I wound up doing, after calling Costco's customer service and ensuring that yes, indeed, I could take it back (no more box or any parts we didn't need to use, just the hood).
The silver lining to this relatively minor snafu in the whole scheme of kitchen remodeling is that I could schlep it back to
Costco and get my money back.
Try that anywhere else when you don't like your range hood!

[HillJ]

This week I stumbled upon 3 pkg-29oz cans of pumpkin puree for $1.97 at Costco/NJ. A steal!

[Bigjim68]

My favorite Costco finds are frozen blueberrys, Columbia Supremo coffee, and the primal cut prime strips and rib eyes. The herring in wine sauce is also good, and that staple foodstuff, Altoids. About a buck a can in 12 packs.

[cstr]

Justr walked into my Costco in CA, they have Kirkland Sprial cut hams for .97 per pound.

[Cathy]

Yep. I mentioned it on another thread earlier this year. They're marked down starting about the 10th every year, to clear out after the holidays. You can freeze the ham; it's sealed.

[treb]

Yep, sounds like cstr was just refreshing their memories.

[FoodDee]

Looked today in Woodinville, WA and they were $3.99 per pound - looks like the sale price was very short lived or perhaps only in certain areas.

[splatgirl]

Can anyone weigh in on that giant chocolate cake covered with chocolate shavings? I was tempted in my pre-New Year's madness of trying to shop, cook and prep for our NYD brunch AND figure out a festive cake for MIL's 80th birthday, if only because I was planning on doing chocolate+chocolate anyway. I ended up making a big tiered, decorated cake from scratch, but it would be good to know if I can keep the costco one in my back pocket for cake emergencies...

[treb]

It tastes as good as it looks, plus it's a real value.

[FoodDee]

Agree - it is an amazing cake.

[splatgirl]

wow. thanks and good to know!

[rasputina]

It's really good, but I haven't had it in a few years.

[sasha1]

Agree - cake is yummy. Have a big group though, because if you don't, the leftovers go on and on.

[KaimukiMan]

and that's a bad thing because . . . ? LOL

[CindyJ]

We've got a fairly new Costco here in southeastern PA in Glen Mills. Funny thing is, the half-dozen or so times I've been there, it's never been really crowded. I've never had to wait for more than one person in front of me at the checkout. Maybe that's because it's not visible from the main road, and the signage at the drive leading to the store is hardly noticeable.

All that said, there's an item I recently noticed that both my mom (who turns 90 in a couple of weeks) and I have been enjoying -- it's Fresh Hungarian Style Beef Stuffed Cabbage in Tomato Sauce. They come 4 to a package and they're almost as good as my own homemade. They're Kosher, too. I didn't realize Costco carried Kosher foods. Not that I seek them out, but it's nice to know.

[Bob W]

You might be surprised how much food is certified kosher. I bought a four-pack of Indian vegetable dishes at Costco once, and saw that they were certified kosher by the "Indian Kosher Certification Authority," or something along those lines. There are not many Jews in India, but at least one of them spends his time certifying food as kosher.

[tardigrade]

I don't usually look for kosher foods, but I was a little surprised today to pick up some ducks in Costco that were certified Halal!

[Janet from Richmond]

I love stuffed cabbage and my husband does not, so I don't make it. This would be perfect.

[Unraveled]

Dried Organic Calimyrna Figs. I think they're "Made in Nature" brand and sold in other stores. A big pack was less than $10 ($9.xx). This was purchased in Fairfax VA. It was in one of the side displays rather than inside the aisles.

No added sugar. VERY sweet. It paired perfectly with some excellent grass fed milk from Whole Foods.

It also said that I needed to refrigerate after opening. (It was with the other dried fruits.)

[HillJ]

I gave the Dried Organic Calimyrna Figs a try recently and food the moisture level and dryness of individual figs within the same bag inconsistent. Some where very dry and I prefer a moist center. Because of that, I was hesitant to buy them again. I thought the price was fair for the # of figs.

[carfreeinla]

Definitely my favorite item these days.

[TraderJoe]

Greater Detroit area, The best new product I've seen this year is canned line caught Tuna. It's more $$$ but the quality is fantastic.

[sasha1]

Please say more? It is chunk lite or white tuna? Packed in oil or water?

[TraderJoe]

Hi Sasha, The brand is "wild Planet" . 100% Pole & Troll caught wild albacore tuna, The bottom of the cans say;
" We hand-cut and pack delicious, premium tuna steaks in a micro-cannery process. All the omega 3 oils are retained and no liquid is added; please dont drain .
100% pure tuna. No water, oil or fillers added."

There is still liquid in the can and I do still drain it but this is as close to fresh steamed Tuna I've ever found in a can.

[treb]

Hey TJ, Costco has the six pack of Wild Planet for $4.00 off.

[TraderJoe]

Where did you see that? I hate it when I don't get the coupon book! :(

[Cathy]

It was marked that way on the shelf in 'my' Costco (San Diego); all of the specials were marked on the price tags (lots of the vitamins/supplements are on sale now.)

All the coupon bar codes/numbers are the same anyhow. I think as soon as one set of coupons ends, another set begins. Maybe ask at the front desk if you don't have a booklet when you go to shop.

[TraderJoe]

Thanks for the tip. I'll stock up at that price! :)

[treb]

The auto rebate, for the tuna, is on till 2/10/13.

[ohmyyum]

At saw this at my Costco in NC but the signage didn't reflect a rebate...?

[TraderJoe]

The tuna is not on sale here (MI) ;(

[shoo bee doo]

It's not here in Minnesota either.

[treb]

No coupon, just an in store special.

[khh1138]

I don't have a new find to report exactly, but I tried to go to Costco in Alhambra, CA yesterday and the entire parking lot was full. I got caught in the line of cars just circling the store, in the maze of the parking lot. Then a storm hit and it started pouring rain. I aborted the mission (returning some kids' science books we were going to give as Christmas presents that turned out to be comically bad - including one astronomy book that had an incorrect photo of Carl Sagan) and decided to come back another day. What gives? Is Costco running a special I don't know about?

Oh, wait, I take it back. I do have a find - Philippine brand dried young coconut. - that's something I was going to buy yesterday. It's in a bag like their dried mango, and equally delicious and addictive. I haven't had good dried coconut like this for years - about 7 years ago, Trader Joe's sold a little tray of it and promptly discontinued it as soon as I fell in love. This bag of Philippine Young Coconut is a real find for me - the coconut is soft and chewy, not dry and dusty. Nice big pieces for snacking, not really for baking. I think it was about $9 and lasted me 5 solid days of coconut gorging.

[juliejulez]

I went this weekend to the one in Broomfield, CO, and it was very very busy too. When we go, it's always on Saturday afternoons (horrible time to go) but it's generally not that bad, nothing like it was on this past Saturday. I think it's a combo of people getting paid (first of the month) and people restocking after the holidays.

I have a find too, although we didn't buy it. They had a box of 80 k-cups for $24. I forget the brand but it was one I haven't heard of, and it was light roast (which is why we didn't buy it) That's probably the best price I've seen for K-cups. We ended up with the 80 pack of Newman's Own medium roast for $35ish.

[CindyJ]

I recently read that the patent on K-cups has expired and they've gone generic. I've seen K-cups in a number of supermarkets recently. I'm sure the prices will be coming down everywhere.

[rasputina]

Well that explains why Keurig came out with their new Vue that uses Vue packs instead of K-cups.

[juliejulez]

Yup, I've read that too. That makes me glad because I spend a lot of my grocery money on BFs K-cups!

[GreekChorus]

I have to go to the Alhambra Costco tomorrow morning so thanks for the heads up!

[liza219]

Yup....this happened to my hubs, too. We were watching tv one night, and next thing you know.....bag was empty! No fret to him.....he works there. Happened the next day. Sometimes it's soooo bad having someone in the house that works at Costco. Used to be worse....when he worked at a bakery!