As an FYI (and I don't know if this has been mentioned elsewhere) but the Glenview Costco has a very large selection of Kirkland "professional" cookware including knives, hotel pans, pots and pans of all sizes, dirt-cheap tongs (something like $6 for a 4-pack). It also has a much larger selection of frozen shrimp and scallops than I've seen elsewhere (including U.S. sourced product). They also have different assortments of other products than the Niles location I frequent. It's clearly viewed as an upscale market for Costco.

On the beer front, the Clybourn Costco was stocking (as of last week) mixed 12-packs of Stone -- three 12 oz bottles of each of Arrogant Bastard, Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA, IPA, and Ruination IPA. While not dirt-cheap at $18.99, that works out to $9.50/six-pack, which is decent when considering the Ruination and Black IPAs tend to retail around here for about $11 per four-pack (standard IPA is about $10/six-pack; have not seen the standard Arrogant Bastard in 12-ounce bottles, but a bomber usually goes for about $5).

FEW Bourbon at the Clybourn location for $40.

I finally bought a Costco cheesecake. Cost was $12.99 and it was really good. Just thought I'd mention it.

Hi,

I saw what appeared to be 3 ounces of dried sliced porcini mushrooms at Mettawa Costco for just over $9. I was at an ethnic grocery store last night where an ounce of a similar product was over $7.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I saw what appeared to be 3 ounces of dried sliced porcini mushrooms at Mettawa Costco for just over $9. I was at an ethnic grocery store last night where an ounce of a similar product was over $7.

Regards,

I picked some up to have on hand for risotto. They look very good. Sourced from Bulgaria. Haven't yet tried; maybe this weekend.

spinynorman99 wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I saw what appeared to be 3 ounces of dried sliced porcini mushrooms at Mettawa Costco for just over $9. I was at an ethnic grocery store last night where an ounce of a similar product was over $7.

Regards,

I picked some up to have on hand for risotto. They look very good. Sourced from Bulgaria. Haven't yet tried; maybe this weekend.

Another great use for dried porcinis is putting them in a spice grinder and using as part of a spice rub ... just did it a couple of weeks ago with short ribs -- just porcini dust, salt & pepper.

BR wrote:Another great use for dried porcinis is putting them in a spice grinder and using as part of a spice rub ... just did it a couple of weeks ago with short ribs -- just porcini dust, salt & pepper.

I do this with shitake stems. I used to just throw the stems away, since they're so tough, but there are many uses for the shitake powder.

nr706 wrote:

BR wrote:Another great use for dried porcinis is putting them in a spice grinder and using as part of a spice rub ... just did it a couple of weeks ago with short ribs -- just porcini dust, salt & pepper.

I do this with shitake stems. I used to just throw the stems away, since they're so tough, but there are many uses for the shitake powder.

Interesting recycle, since I also throw them away. Do you air-dry (she hopes) or have a dehydrator (she doesn't)?

Air drying works, or sometimes I'll leave them in the oven set at 150°F for a couple of hours.

Anybody ever try their crabcakes?

tcdup wrote:Anybody ever try their crabcakes?

Yep. Pretty good. Mostly crab, not a lot of filler.Fo' sho' worth a try.

Crab cake report: Exceeded expectations. There was lump crab cake on top and some within the cake itself (which was mostly sort of shredded crab). The ingredient list shows bread crumbs at the bottom. I sauteed them in butter, added a little salt, and I thought they were pretty good for the price. FWIW, I thought they were better than Standard Market or Whole Food, and cheaper, too!

tcdup wrote:Crab cake report: Exceeded expectations. There was lump crab cake on top and some within the cake itself (which was mostly sort of shredded crab). The ingredient list shows bread crumbs at the bottom. I sauteed them in butter, added a little salt, and I thought they were pretty good for the price. FWIW, I thought they were better than Standard Market or Whole Food, and cheaper, too!

Are these frozen? I don't remember seeing them at Costco! They would be good to have on hand for when it's just me for dinner.

Yes, they're frozen. Called Phillips Crab Cakes. They're not by the seafood in my Costco, but more by the ice cream. $22 for 6 3-oz crab cakes.

Hi,

Costco is phasing out the Polish for a Usinger's Brat in their food court. Secret menu item sauerkraut is available for the asking.

I am not going to miss their Polish, because it really wasn't very outstanding. It was more like a garlicky hot dog, then a Polish.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Costco is phasing out the Polish for a Usinger's Brat in their food court. Secret menu item sauerkraut is available for the asking.

I am not going to miss their Polish, because it really wasn't very outstanding. It was more like a garlicky hot dog, then a Polish.

Regards,

This is awesome news. Not that Vienna's polish was bad, but like you said it was little different than their hot dog, which I always ordered. I didn't know the sauerkraut was secret, as I've always known about it. Someone must have clued me in years ago.

laikom wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Costco is phasing out the Polish for a Usinger's Brat in their food court. Secret menu item sauerkraut is available for the asking.

I am not going to miss their Polish, because it really wasn't very outstanding. It was more like a garlicky hot dog, then a Polish.

Regards,

This is awesome news. Not that Vienna's polish was bad, but like you said it was little different than their hot dog, which I always ordered. I didn't know the sauerkraut was secret, as I've always known about it. Someone must have clued me in years ago.

Long time lurker - first time Costco poster. I've never set foot in a Costco. Does one need to be a member to access the Costco food court? Is it up front similar to a Sam's Club?

Dave148 wrote:Long time lurker - first time Costco poster. I've never set foot in a Costco. Does one need to be a member to access the Costco food court? Is it up front similar to a Sam's Club?

Nope. Don't need to be a member. Just walk in - usually you'd go in through the exit which is where the food counter usually is. Nobody will say a word except, "Hello." The workers all know the deal. If I am not mistaken, however, the food counters are cash only. Most usually have an atm close to the ordering counter. You CAN pay with credit if you go through a normal cashier line. I have no idea if you'd need a membership for that. You just tell the cashier what you'd like, and then take the receipt to the food counter.

This sauerkraut news has made my day. I had no idea. The east coaster in me is a fan of the kraut&mustard dawg.

Also, I had a brat in a Wisconsin Costco, and I'd happily take that option over their current Polishes.

seebee wrote:You CAN pay with credit if you go through a normal cashier line.

To clarify, when you say credit at Costco, that means American Express only (or an ATM card). Also, Costco stopped serving Vienna hot dogs and polishes years ago. Those are now Kirkland products and have been for quite some time. I suppose the Clybourn store may be a outlier, being so close to the Vienna factory and all. I don't normally go to that Costco, so I don't know for sure.

Thanks guys!

The Lincoln Park (Clybourn) Costco still has Vienna Beef in their food court. What a deal at $1.50 for a "1/4 pound plus" hot dog and fountain drink! Want to be even more frugal, get the dog on the way in, and get a soda refill on the way out. Hot dog, we're saving money now!

laikom wrote:The Lincoln Park (Clybourn) Costco still has Vienna Beef in their food court. What a deal at $1.50 for a "1/4 pound plus" hot dog and fountain drink! Want to be even more frugal, get the dog on the way in, and get a soda refill on the way out. Hot dog, we're saving money now!

Well, that Costco is adjacent to Vienna's factory, so that's not so unusual.

tcdup wrote:Yes, they're frozen. Called Phillips Crab Cakes. They're not by the seafood in my Costco, but more by the ice cream. $22 for 6 3-oz crab cakes.

Phillips is a Maryland company that's famous for its crab meat. (They also have several Maryland-area restaurants.) Though in searching online, I'm sorry to see that it appears* their grocery products are now using crab meat sourced in SE Asia, not the Chesapeake Bay.

* Their website seems to be down so I can't confirm it's exclusively from Asia, but the Google page descriptions imply that it is.

laikom wrote:This is awesome news. Not that Vienna's polish was bad, but like you said it was little different than their hot dog, which I always ordered. I didn't know the sauerkraut was secret, as I've always known about it. Someone must have clued me in years ago.

Hi,

I only learned sauerkraut was available for the asking, when I was offered some with my Polish a few years ago. It wasn't anything I would have even thought to ask for, now I ask every time.

Regards,

Hi,

Discussion on Best's Kosher or Best Kosher hot dogs has been moved to this thread dedicated to Best Kosher hot dogs in Eating Out in Chicagoland Forum.

Regards,
Cathy2 for the moderators

I guess this should be posted under the "Eating in Chicagoland" thread, but I was picking up some stuff at the Schaumburg Costco today around lunch. My go to is usually a slice or a hot dog since it fills you up and almost free. Decided to check out the "steep priced" BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich ($4.99). It was terrific! A little greasy, but tender. Not too saucy either. The bun held its structure under a generous portion. They scooped some nice crispy coleslaw on top as well. Damn tasty lunch for anyone who has been on the fence on trying one of these. I don't know if it's available at all Costco locations...

HonestMan wrote: Decided to check out the "steep priced" BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich ($4.99). It was terrific! A little greasy, but tender. Not too saucy either. The bun held its structure under a generous portion. They scooped some nice crispy coleslaw on top as well. Damn tasty lunch for anyone who has been on the fence on trying one of these. I don't know if it's available at all Costco locations...

I'd prefer to think that they've changed the sandwich than impugn your tastes, but I couldn't disagree more. The one I had a few months ago tasted mostly of sugar.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

For whatever it matters, I bought a twin pack of Kirkland fabric softener sheets. I opened the first box on January 10, 2012 and finished it today. It's twin will finally make its appearance now.

I never dreamed this purchase might last me nearly three years.

Regards,

Hi,

I began plucking from the twin box of fabric softener sheets on June 29, 2013. I pulled the last one a few minutes ago on January 6, 2015.

Nearly three years since I purchased it on January 10, 2012.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

For whatever it matters, I bought a twin pack of Kirkland fabric softener sheets. I opened the first box on January 10, 2012 and finished it today. It's twin will finally make its appearance now.

I never dreamed this purchase might last me nearly three years.

Regards,

Hi,

I began plucking from the twin box of fabric softener sheets on June 29, 2013. I pulled the last one a few minutes ago on January 6, 2015.

Nearly three years since I purchased it on January 10, 2012.

Regards,

I save even more and don't use fabric softener at all. I read somewhere that some of them use animal fat in them, did a little more looking and there seem to be some rather suspect chemicals in them. I'm not a scientist and I didn't do a thorough review of the web, so it could be that they are 100% ok. I guess I've never really seen the point of adding some sort of coating to my clothes to make them slightly softer.