great idea!
1 Like
I think it has more to do with differences in regional tastes. If you live in a place where a croissant is white bread in a croissant shape, the costco croissants are going to be great.
Neglected to mention that I have the good fortune to live equidistant from Costco and Patisserie Rotha, where the croissants are ethereal, perfection! If in or around Berkeley on a day when theyāre open, itās well worth a stopā¦ā¦if thereās a line, itāll be worth the wait!
1 Like
I admit that I donāt know what a really good bagel is, but Iām pretty sure the bagels at my local Costcos arenāt it.
5 Likes
Looks amazing!! I tried to convince my d to attend Berkeley for the rice sandwich shop but as usual, she ignored my advice.
In addition to the various beef cuts mentioned above, I love their organic ground beef (comes in a three-pack of 20 oz blocks). The Wagyu ground beef is also very good as part of a mix for burgers (itās a little greasy on its own). I also like any of the sausages they carry by Teton Waters Ranch. Today (at the Nanuet, NY location) I found flanken-cut short ribs at a reasonable price, will report back after I try them.
Their price on Kerrygold butter and LOL Half and half (any heavy cream) canāt be beat. My local stores want $5 for a quart of half and half, while they are $2.19 at Costco. Their Parmigiano Reggiano is always moist and fresh. Nuts are generally excellent quality.
4 Likes
Lamb chops are way cheaper than anywhere else. I vacuum pack them two to a bag, sous-vide from the freezer to 132F, quick hot sear, very good.
Viccolo cornmeal-crust pizzas, packages of three for the same price as singles in other stores. 1/2 of one is about right for lunch.
Itās frustrating when they stop stocking a favorite, like the Peerless Guatemalan coffee beans. And when they run out of smaller-sized menās clothing. I got a pair of Leviās 505s for $29, and when I went back to get another a few days later, only very large sizes were available.
2 Likes
I was raised with āechtā (proper) NY bagels but they would probably not be most folksā favorite. They arenāt much larger than the shape of an adult hand touching the tip of the thumb to that of the index finger. They have a surface sheen and are extremely chewy. Your jaw should ache when you are finished. Best eaten warm from the oven. The baker will die a little inside if you ask to have it toasted, or want it to contain berries.
8 Likes
This has nothing to do with food, but still a big YAY today at Costco. I had a flat and the tire could not be fixed, but they gave me just over 50% credit (road hazard warranty coverage) on a new tire today, and did enough research to confirm that I didnāt have to buy a full set on my AWD vehicle. Saved a bunch of dough.
11 Likes
I also like the Kirkland almond butter. Itās just nuts and a little salt. Costs the same as other almond butters but is twice as large.
2 Likes
The bagels here in my area of SoCal are boiled and are pretty good for the very low price. Not as good as our nearby bagel specialty shop, but decent. Trader Joeās bagels are pretty decent too. Again, not the best, but better than anything at a supermarket or a few of the bagel chains. JMHO of course.
1 Like
In my state (WA), I donāt find Costcoās brand liquor prices very good. Regular grocery stores beat them half the time with rotating āsalesā. The liquor tax burden here is high, maybe thatās to blame.
1 Like
costco vodka recommended by wirecutter:
Kirkland bourbon sells out in st aug within a day or two of arrival at the store, we havenāt tried it (and I couldnāt tell good bourbon from bad)
1 Like
Iāve heard the short rib lasagna is good, anyone tried it? also Iāve wanted to try the cottage pie, itās just such a big portionā¦
The bourbon is good for old fashioneds and the like. The XO cognac is great for the price.
I didnāt realize that NY/NJ costcos donāt sell alcohol even at a separate store (I think there ar 2 allowed in Ny state but the one near nyc is not what I would call easily accessible) so Iām going to have to remember to order these things next Iām in boston and carry them back.
+1 almond butter. Peanut butter also good but I like almond better in general.
If you have Nutella lovers in your circle, the price is excellent (and the jars are giant).
The store brand spice selection has shrunk a bit, but the turmeric, granulated garlic, and dried onion are staples (I miss the onion powder).
Their saffron is also excellent, and well-priced.
I ate one after a minute in the air fryer tonight. Delicious. And all butter, too.
The lamb chops have been 5.99 per pound lately. Maybe thereās an unusual abundance this season? I donāt recall them being so economical in prior years.
1 Like
Their Kouign Amann look delicious, too.
The best patisserie in Sacramento is Moonbelly, in my opinion. Next Berkeley trip Iāll try Rotha!
1 Like
I was miffed my freezer was full when I saw them in Dec 
Maybe itās that ālamb seasonā in the US isnāt till spring, so most people arenāt buying?
