G Wiv wrote:We are on a two week Costco Niles cycle and yesterday was slightly weird. 8:30am not one single car in line for gas, zero, nada, none.

Costco Touhy gas was loaded, to the brim, ten cars in every line, at least. Packed as tight as a 400/lb day-shift Santa in a red suit.

Mettawa gas line was pretty normal yesterday and today. Maybe some people dont realize that less gas for the east coast means more gas for us.

-Will

A local Springfield grocer purchased Waygu Rib Eye Cap Steaks from Allan Bros. They were sold for $15 per pound.
That was about three weeks ago. Allen's freezers were filled up during the worst of the pandemic slow down.
Yes, they were wonderful.

Cathy2 posted this on the Trader Joe's thread. Thank you Cathy for this information!
https://www.costco.com/coronavirus.html

May 14, 2021

Dear Costco Member,

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently announced new guidance regarding COVID-19 and vaccines. Among other things, the CDC now says that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most settings, except where required by state and local laws. People are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

Based on this new guidance regarding vaccine effectiveness, beginning May 14, 2021, we are modifying our policy regarding face coverings in some U.S. Costco locations.

U.S. locations with no state or local mask requirements - revised policy
In Costco locations where the state or local jurisdiction does not have a mask mandate, we will allow members and guests who are fully vaccinated to enter Costco without a face mask or face shield. We will not require proof of vaccination, but we ask for members’ responsible and respectful cooperation with this revised policy. Face coverings will still be required in healthcare settings, including Pharmacy, Optical, Hearing Aid. Costco continues to recommend that all members and guests, especially those who are at higher risk, wear a mask or shield.

U.S. locations with state or local mask requirements - no policy change
In those Costco locations where the state or local jurisdiction does have a mask mandate, we will follow the state or local regulations and continue to require members and guests to wear a face mask or face shield. Children under the age of 2 are exempt. If a member or guest has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, they must wear a face shield.

As before, our goal is to continue to provide a safe shopping environment for our members and guests and to provide a safe work environment for our employees, while following public health advice and applicable laws.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Craig Jelinek
President and CEO
Costco Wholesale

The worrying line is

Costco wrote:We will not require proof of vaccination, but we ask for members’ responsible and respectful cooperation with this revised policy.

Given the number of maskholes who can't seem to figure out how to cover their breathing apparatus, I'm going to keep wearing a mask when shopping.

Bought a 3 pack of Kirkland San Marzano Tomatoes at Costco for pizza/sauces, they are the real deal. Found them at the Naperville location.

Costco is bringing back a pre-pandemic staple: Food samples. The warehouse chain announced that it's "beginning a phased return to full sampling" early next month after a 14-month hiatus. Roughly 170 US locations will bring back food samples in the first week of June with "most of the remaining locations" returning toward the end of June, said Costco Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti on Thursday's earning call.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/28/business ... ming-back/

I was at the Oakbrook location today. Saw the sign as I was leaving. Face coverings are now optional for fully vaccinated people.

So, here we go.

Perhaps as big as real sampling, the condiment station is coming back to the food court.

I haven't been able to stand yellow mustard since I was 5, and to offer only that and ketchup for hot dogs was very disappointing. Sure, it's not as good a dog as the Hebrew National version they used to serve, but as a cheap indulgence after a shopping trip, I'm glad to have the spicy mustard, onions and relish back.

FYI - Pita Inn hummus is now available in Costco stores.

Dave148 wrote:FYI - Pita Inn hummus is now available in Costco stores.

They're also carrying Jaffa brand guacamole from the owner of Garden Fresh. Really good. Always nice to see locally-made goods.

how is the esteem for Costco shrimp cocktail? we've never tried (we usually make our own or buy the whole foods rings in a pinch) but i'm thinking about it for an event soon.

spinynorman99 wrote:

Dave148 wrote:FYI - Pita Inn hummus is now available in Costco stores.

They're also carrying Jaffa brand guacamole from the owner of Garden Fresh. Really good. Always nice to see locally-made goods.

Strack’s by me (Valpo) has 5-6 Jaffa Mexican items —all that I’ve tried so far (avocado salsa, salsa verde, salsa Arbol and salsa Molcajete) have been great. I’ve always thought their Middle Eastern offerings were better than the typical store-bought so happy to see them add more quality products to the line.

Hi,

The reach of Costco is growing, I was pleased to find Costcos in Iowa in the vicinity of:
- Des Moines
- Iowa City
- Davenport

Just saw there is a Costco in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. That was not there two years ago, because I did a search back then.

Regards,
Cathy2

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

The reach of Costco is growing, I was pleased to find Costcos in Iowa in the vicinity of:
- Des Moines
- Iowa City
- Davenport

Just saw there is a Costco in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. That was not there two years ago, because I did a search back then.

Regards,
Cathy2

When our son was at Grinnell College, a good hour (even if you speed on I-80, which everyone seems to do) west of the Coralville (near Iowa City) Costco, he and three of his friends split a membership. They'd drive out, load up on necessities like coffee, cheese, and bacon and then dine on Costco's finest hot dogs and pizza. It was a good system for hungry college kids with a taste for good food!

The Costco here in Salem Oregon has whole pork loin roast, boneless, for $0.99/lb. Didn't check to see if it is water added or not, sorry Mr. Suburban. Of course, with all the butchers where most of you are, this probably is a good enough deal.

For whatever it matters:

Last year I renewed my membership while in Wisconsin, there was a sales tax applied to it.

This year I renewed my membership at the Mettawa location, no sales tax.

On the plus side, I paid $2.68 for regular in Wisconsin on Friday. Costco in Mettawa is $2.99.

Cathy2

Good to know, Cathy. I have friends who alternate Costco locations and would choose their trip based on that renewal sales tax.

Lots of dorm-dwelling collegians at my kid's school seem to go to Costco, sharing their parents' memberships I suppose. Oddly, they all have cars. Tons of giant Kirkland TP and paper towel packs filling dorm bathrooms, and I'm sure tons of Costco pizza filling stomachs weary of cafeteria food.

In case anyone is interested, Rao's marinara sauce is on sale at Costco. $3.00 off a two pack of 28 ounce jars, dropping the price to $9.79 or $4.895 per jar. At least at the Costco here in Salem Oregon.

Hi,

Earlier in the week, I read the chopped onion condiment was returning to Costco's food court.

Today I ordered a hotdog while checking out my other items. When I got to the condiment bar, there were no onions. While I was eating my hotdog, someone at the next table had onions on their hot dog. I learned he received a container at the check-out.

I went up to the cashier inquiring about onions, then I saw it was next to where I picked up my hotdog. I did not see it earlier, because it was a deep box with many containers of chopped onion stacked inside. Those onions truly improved my hotdog already dressed with mustard and relish.

Regards,
Cathy2

Cathy2 wrote:I went up to the cashier inquiring about onions, then I saw it was next to where I picked up my hotdog. I did not see it earlier, because it was a deep box with many containers of chopped onion stacked inside. Those onions truly improved my hotdog already dressed with mustard and relish.

Regards,
Cathy2

I miss the old onion crank. You can get a little cup of sauerkraut too (maybe a carry-over from when they had brats?). But it's still too much single use plastic packaging.

41 pages in… this may have already been covered earlier, sorry.

Today I found myself needing to visit Costco and also in need of a no cook dinner for the family. I don’t typically visit the prepared foods section. The Mac and Cheese was tempting but I knew I wouldn’t have the 40-60 minute bake time. I wound up selecting the orzo pasta salad and the shrimp cocktail. Baked off some garlic breadsticks I had in the freezer to go with. The orzo salad was fine, not bad at all, but nothing to rave about. I thought the shrimp cocktail was pretty darn good and yielded some leftover cooked shrimp I can repurpose. It wound up being a satisfying meal with little/no effort.

What prepared foods there do you all enjoy? Again, sorry if this has been covered previously.

we are big fans of the chicken curry and the chicken tikka masala that are in vacuum sealed pouches (inside boxes) in the fridge section with the raviolis and other such items. you cut open a pouch and heat stove top in 5 minutes; add some naan or rice if you've had the time; stir up a yogurt+garlic+green apple raita and dinner is on the table fast. (fwiw the raviolis - spinach, and lobster - are really superior to what can be had at other stores and also make a fast dinner)

LynnB wrote:41 pages in… this may have already been covered earlier, sorry.

Today I found myself needing to visit Costco and also in need of a no cook dinner for the family. I don’t typically visit the prepared foods section. The Mac and Cheese was tempting but I knew I wouldn’t have the 40-60 minute bake time. I wound up selecting the orzo pasta salad and the shrimp cocktail. Baked off some garlic breadsticks I had in the freezer to go with. The orzo salad was fine, not bad at all, but nothing to rave about. I thought the shrimp cocktail was pretty darn good and yielded some leftover cooked shrimp I can repurpose. It wound up being a satisfying meal with little/no effort.

What prepared foods there do you all enjoy? Again, sorry if this has been covered previously.

Their pot pie is legitimately good, rotisserie chicken is a great value, enchiladas pretty decent, and take and bake salmon w dill butter is serviceable too.

LynnB wrote:What prepared foods there do you all enjoy? Again, sorry if this has been covered previously.

Pretty sure from a tip in this thread:
The sliced precooked sirloin in the refrigerated section with all of the other prepared "warm up at home" selections. Pricey, but, it can compete with some of the better event style "Choose beef or chicken for your entree" food. I'll also buy their Kirkland Pulled Pork - which is more like smoked pork chunks, that needs a little effort to be pulled. Crock pot, a lil sauce, and some good rolls, and that's a winner here.

I don't buy too much of their prepared stuff, but, the chicken pot pie is totally edible, the Shephard's Pie is totally edible as well. Honestly, I'm on board with their cheese pizza from the food court as a decent buy at $9.95, in a pinch, too. I've seen the take and make tacos, gyros, and butter chicken "kits," but never got the gumption...yet.

The raviolis are great. I also liked the Tortellini salad but that seems to have disappeared at the Costcos that I usually frequent.

i've recently discovered their gyoza filled with edamame. in the refrigerated case with ponzu sauce for serving. a little bland, but healthy and tasty.

Thanks for all the suggestions! In my situation on Wednesday I literally needed “no cook”. No time to bake or boil water.

I will definitely look for the ravioli, the salmon, pot pie, & gyoza for future easy dinners.

I don’t tend to browse there much as I am usually pressed for time and know exactly where to go for my staple items. (Except for the time they moved the butter from the freezer aisle to the dairy area! Grumble…) I need to go sometime when I have more time and slowly explore the aisles like I did years ago when we first became members.

The stuffed peppers are pretty good. They need about 45-50 minutes to bake a bit but they are colorful and tasty. If I have some leftover jarred spaghetti sauce, I’ll pour a little of that on before baking to add even more flavor.
I have heard that they can be microwaved for 15 minutes, in pinch, but I haven’t tried that.

Just kind of flabbergasted by the number of videos posted at youtube that document Costco in one form or another. There are dozens (if not more), in all sorts of forms. Family shops, pre-storm shops, Costco in Alaska shops, father & son shops, massive supply runs, monthly deals, 10 things you should buy10 things you shouldn't buy, 10 things you should never buy, what I ate in the Costco food court and this instant classic "I Ate Nothing But The Costco Hot Dog Meal for 1 Week." And many, many more.

It seems totally wacky but I guess it's a thing. People must really like watching other people do their business at Costco. For me, I just try to get in and get out as quickly as possible, lol.

=R=