Cathy2 wrote:

JoelF wrote:Several stands had display-only food.
The only thing you could actually eat was an Oreo that had been placed in a waxed paper envelope

I sure cannot wait for this situation to be over. I hope they do not adopt this as a permanent procedure.

Thanks!

Cathy2

Show me a person that can eat just one Oreo.

Talked to a neighbor who works there and she clarified that they are only doing demos, not actually handing out food samples.

Katie wrote:Talked to a neighbor who works there and she clarified that they are only doing demos, not actually handing out food samples.

Not true. I was at my local (NWI) on Friday and have the Oreo to prove it (still in my bag, since I forgot about it until I read this).

They also had individually packed samples of cashews and a couple of other items, in addition to a few demo tables.

Not what we’re used to, but what is?

The new policy is "dry" samples, so it's individually packaged samples of prepared items, no cooking or no pasta-and-sauce type samples, just demos.

Hi,

I was in Costco in Mettawa today.

The people who are normally prepping and giving out samples are now standing behind static displays. You can look. They can talk it up. There is nothing to sample. You really cannot smell anything, either. It's employment for these people, though it is really unfulfilling for the consumer. I cannot imagine it is very interesting for the person hosting the display, either.

I did not see any sheet cakes. The food court is running an abbreviated menu.

I bought a two-pound container of Smoked Whitefish Salad. I buy this product everyone once in a while. Today, when I opened, there was a quarter to a half inch of (fish?) oil on top. I don't recall seeing this before. Is this normal and I forgot OR is this not normal? Stir in the oil or should it be returned? It tasted fine, though the oil was a bit messy.

Regards,
Cathy2

Why the hot dog special is still $1.50 = https://www.foodandwine.com/news/why-co ... llar-fifty

Cathy2 wrote:I bought a two-pound container of Smoked Whitefish Salad. I buy this product everyone once in a while. Today, when I opened, there was a quarter to a half inch of (fish?) oil on top. I don't recall seeing this before. Is this normal and I forgot OR is this not normal? Stir in the oil or should it be returned? It tasted fine, though the oil was a bit messy.

I've seen it with a little oil but not a quarter inch. I might have returned it, I might have poured it off (into a sealed jar, don't want that stinking up my kitchen in the trash can).
I'm the only one who eats that stuff in the house, it's tough to finish 32 oz before it starts turning funny colors. Smokefish tacos are probably my favorite use: some chopped onion, tomato, cilantro and jalapeno with a squeeze of lime on warm flour tortillas is a wonderful lunch.

I'm with JoelF--I've seen it with a bit of oil on the top, but not that much, C2. I love the stuff, but man!, that's a BIG container, and one gets tired of it after awhile. And it does
*not* freeze. <sigh> Oh well, at that price, you can afford to throw a bit away.

Love it!

Geo

Geo wrote:Oh well, at that price, you can afford to throw a bit away.

Or share it with a friend in the area.

D'acc, Dave148, but you'd be surprised how many upstate New Yorkers wrinkle their noses at the idea of whitefish spread... Now, were I still in Montréal, things would be different...

Geo

Cathy2 wrote:Today, when I opened, there was a quarter to a half inch of (fish?) oil on top. I don't recall seeing this before. Is this normal and I forgot OR is this not normal?

Although I'm pretty sure it's okay, it's an indication of temperature fluctuation in transport. The only time I've seen oil separate is when I accidentally leave the container out of the fridge for a few hours.

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback. You confirmed what I was thinking, though it is sure better to have it affirmed.

I was at Costco again today. I did not bring the whitefish, because I had to fly out of the house for an appointment.

I bought the quart freezer bags I forgot yesterday. I saw a pallet of Clorox wipes, which was pounced upon as quickly as it hit the floor. Only once before did I come upon those wipes, this time I bought. I estimate if Culinary Historians meetings go live again, I will need the wipes.

At the Mettawa food court, there is no kiosk to order your food. I asked the clerk if they were asking people for affirm they were members before ordering. That policy has been dropped (at least for now).

Regards,
Cathy2

Cathy2 wrote:At the Mettawa food court, there is no kiosk to order your food. I asked the clerk if they were asking people for affirm they were members before ordering. That policy has been dropped (at least for now).

LTHNLG outing?

Dave148 wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:At the Mettawa food court, there is no kiosk to order your food. I asked the clerk if they were asking people for affirm they were members before ordering. That policy has been dropped (at least for now).

LTHNLG outing?

No seating. Grab and go only.

If you want a drink refill, they give you a fresh cup.

Cathy2 wrote:

Dave148 wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:At the Mettawa food court, there is no kiosk to order your food. I asked the clerk if they were asking people for affirm they were members before ordering. That policy has been dropped (at least for now).

LTHNLG outing?

No seating. Grab and go only.

If you want a drink refill, they give you a fresh cup.

Picnic in the parking lot.

In Bannockburn at Route 22 and Waukegan Road, there is a regular group of seniors who sit in the parking lot on lawn chairs. They are located where they can obtain coffee and food from McDonald's or Panera Bread.

Today it was men only, though other times it has been a mix of men and woman.

Regards,
Cathy2

I asked the sample ladies at the Salem Oregon Costco and yes, they are giving out samples that are prewrapped, they are considering ones that they prewrap before having them at the sample station , but no cooking at the stations. Also, they are suppose to ask you to take the sample out of the store before eating it. I've noticed most don't mention that.

If you want a sheet cake, check with the bakery. At least here, they are making them by special order.

I also noticed they have the good Kirkland Chocolate chips back this year. In the white bag. There is no dairy in them. They still have the other Kirkland Chocolate chips that do have dairy in them, so check the label.

Has anyone found/tried to Nongshim Tonkotsu variation that is apparently a Costco exclusive? I am interested in reviews/availability.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I was in Costco in Mettawa today.

The people who are normally prepping and giving out samples are now standing behind static displays. You can look. They can talk it up. There is nothing to sample. You really cannot smell anything, either. It's employment for these people, though it is really unfulfilling for the consumer. I cannot imagine it is very interesting for the person hosting the display, either.

I was at Costco in Orland Park today and they were doing the same thing. They can talk it up all they want but if I've never tried something I'm gonna pass simply because the products are club size. If they were pitching normal size items like a 1 lb package I'd be more inclined to take a chance.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,
...I bought a two-pound container of Smoked Whitefish Salad. I buy this product everyone once in a while. Today, when I opened, there was a quarter to a half inch of (fish?) oil on top. I don't recall seeing this before. Is this normal and I forgot OR is this not normal? Stir in the oil or should it be returned? It tasted fine, though the oil was a bit messy.

Regards,
Cathy2

Just happened to be at the Niles Costco today and picked up a tub of Smoked Whitefish Salad based on your mention. It's completely homogenized with nary a trace of oil separation. It's also quite delicious. So much so, I'm concerned how I'll manage it with my addictive personality. Not being able to finish the container before it goes bad, as mentioned by others, is NOT what I'm worried about...

Buddy

Hi,

On the Acme website, they have recipes using the smoked whitefish salad:

The Whale

Ingredients
4 pounds montreal style everything bagel (A single bagel)
3 pounds smoked nova salmon
2 pounds smoked whitefish salad
1 bunch tomatoes
1 bunch onions
1 bunch capers
2 pounds farm cream cheese

That may be a whale of a sandwich, but I believe I could scale it down to guppy size and be quite happy.

Other recipes using the smoked whitefish salad:

Smoked Whitefish Cakes

Pimento Cheese & Smoked Whitefish Salad Cracker Melts

Cathy2 wrote:

JoelF wrote:Several stands had display-only food.
The only thing you could actually eat was an Oreo that had been placed in a waxed paper envelope

I sure cannot wait for this situation to be over. I hope they do not adopt this as a permanent procedure.

Thanks!

Cathy2

I personally don’t care if they ban sampling forever. No more crowds of leeches to wade through.

chicagojim wrote:I personally don’t care if they ban sampling forever. No more crowds of leeches to wade through.

Great! More for me!

BTW - I think samples can backfire when the product just does not taste very good. Samples have often satisfied my curiosity, which is often what prompts a purchase.

Regards,
Cathy2

chicagojim wrote:I personally don’t care if they ban sampling forever. No more crowds of leeches to wade through.

I've never quite understood the mindset of ppl who need to eat their sample directly in front of the sample section, and block everyone else from getting a sample. They also usually need to try to strike up a meaningless conversation with the person working the display for some reason.

seebee wrote:

chicagojim wrote:I personally don’t care if they ban sampling forever. No more crowds of leeches to wade through.

I've never quite understood the mindset of ppl who need to eat their sample directly in front of the sample section, and block everyone else from getting a sample. They also usually need to try to strike up a meaningless conversation with the person working the display for some reason.

Probably when the post office or bank is closed.

=R=

There is often hostility on this board toward those who enjoy samples.

I take my sample and keep on walking.

If it is really good, perhaps my twin might enjoy it, too.

Cathy2

Cathy2 wrote:There is often hostility on this board toward those who enjoy samples.

I take my sample and keep on walking.

If it is really good, perhaps my twin might enjoy it, too.

I definitely enjoy them but I don't go out of my way for them. But at some trade shows, samples can be the best reason to attend. The over-chatters and lingerers, however, are often a problem, though. They are aisle cholesterol in stores.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:They are aisle cholesterol in stores.

Banner Quote!

Costco kiosk, Niles 9.26.20
I did not take a sample, not sure how it worked. I snapped the pic and moved on, thought it might be of interest to LTH.

Click to enlarge

ronnie_suburban wrote:Probably when the post office or bank is closed.
=R=

Probably after they are done grocery shopping. After they wait for the cashier to ring up 200.00 worth of groceries to start looking for their credit card /checkbook /coupon / form of id / phone scanner code.

They might be lovely people, in general. But...if they could read my mind in those situations, they'd run far, far, away.

I love the samples at Costco. I just get my sample, and keep er movin'. I don't want to become the topic of conversation in the Costco breakroom: "Cripes, will these ppl just SHUT UP. I don't give a rat's about how their neighbor always says Costco chicken nuggets are the BEST."

I do kinda like hovering around when they sample their italian beef. I've seen a few shitshows of grown folks pushing kids out of the way to get their thimble full of bread and seasoned flesh.. MURICA!

seebee wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:Probably when the post office or bank is closed.
=R=

Probably after they are done grocery shopping. After they wait for the cashier to ring up 200.00 worth of groceries to start looking for their credit card /checkbook /coupon / form of id / phone scanner code.

They might be lovely people, in general. But...if they could read my mind in those situations, they'd run far, far, away.

I love the samples at Costco. I just get my sample, and keep er movin'. I don't want to become the topic of conversation in the Costco breakroom: "Cripes, will these ppl just SHUT UP. I don't give a rat's about how their neighbor always says Costco chicken nuggets are the BEST."

I do kinda like hovering around when they sample their italian beef. I've seen a few shitshows of grown folks pushing kids out of the way to get their thimble full of bread and seasoned flesh.. MURICA!

Some people will stop at nothing to get something for free, why because it's free not because they really like it. My mother-in-law is a perfect example, she's been known to go up to a free sample display and feed her face until she can't eat anymore, then she has the audacity to pile a bunch of samples in napkins, put them in her purse and take them home for later.