If you go to Costco as much as my wife does it's worth it.

Meat section alone makes Costco worth it. Wine too when they have what you like.

NRD09 said:

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we're like 20 posts in and nobody's mentioned the $4.99 rotisserie chickens? That's cheaper than you can buy a frozen chicken (it's a loss leader for them), and they're delicious! Even if I am not planning to eat chicken in the near future, I can't afford to walk out of Costco without one. And by the time you get home you will be hungry for chicken!

Also buy my Mobil 1 there by the case, and there are always a few packages of top sirloin cut nice and thick.

Forget sitting in line to buy Costco gas though. We live near a Kroger gas station that's the same price or cheaper.

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I've actually done what Costco banks on people never doing....parked, walked to the back of the store, stood in line, checked out, and left with JUST a chicken.

We just dropped our costco membership... I'd have kept it if they were closer to the house.

PrimeTime09 said:

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I've actually done what Costco banks on people never doing....parked, walked to the back of the store, stood in line, checked out, and left with JUST a chicken.

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I've driven there and walked in just to buy $100 gift card for $80 on my way to Texas De Brazil, and left with nothing else.

As mentioned by others, I don't shop at Costco to buy in bulk. Their meat, seafood and berries alone are worth it for me. We eat a ton of berries and they are much cheaper. Other stuff like Allergy medicine is plus for me as well.

Get diapers, wipes, and formula there. Significantly cheaper than anywhere else if you get the Kirkland brand. Also bought my tires and they were $150 cheaper than discount and that included the warranty.

The discounted gift cards to places you spend a lot of money at already will more than pay for the membership.

Yep. Definitely worth it for our family. Meat and produce is solid. After about 3 months we have figured out what to get there and what to get at HEB. Also buy a lot of casual clothing there. Shorts, dri-fit shirts, kids clothes, etc

The Sam's that closed in SA was walking distance aka less that a mile

I owned that store would get in and out in 5 minutes
With the everyday crap and the 4 dollar chicken at least once a week even Dr Oz approves

Now I am sad and Costco is a pain in the arse to get too

Bought our Angel Fire lift tickets there this last trip. Damn cheap.

I think Sam's has a better $5 rotisserie chicken.

we have Amazon, costco and sams. we shop enough at all 3 to pay for the memberships. we check prices and go with the cheapest. Sams and Costco gas is usually just under prevailing price, however at times it is .10 to .20 / gal cheaper

We have both Amazon Prime and Costco.

I think they are both worth it.

Our Costco purchases are mostly food.

We get an annual refund check from Costco that is more than the annual executive membership cost so it's worth it.

Amazon Prime is more convenient and offers a wider variety of products.

Reverse seared a couple of super thick choice NY strips last week from Costco. They were awesome. Might splurge for the prime next time, but the choice was amazing.

Also, they have pre cooked real bacon bits in a 1lb bag. I put bacon bits on everything now. Especially eggs in the morning.

Their chocolate chip cookies are the best.

And having 3 girls, I will make up my membership costs in bulk tampons and toilet paper when they get to that age!

Executive member for 4 years, Always come out $50-100 ahead after renewal.

Prime Ribeye Cap Steaks are phenomenal.

I just go for the free samples and the $1.50 hot dog and coke.


Seriously though, their dog food is first rate and very reasonable. plus it tastes great.

Don't forget about the pizza. I try to convince my wife to go there for lunch all the time.

I meet my wife there at least every other week for lunch. We'll hit all the samples, then split a slice of pizza. Well worth the membership.

Optical department is fantastic and the savings easily pay for the membership.

I got $3K off the cost of my chevy pickup last year by having a Costco membership and they gave me a $700 gift card for using their car purchase program. I couldn't believe it either

Cant believe this is two pages long and no one has brought up the mechanically tenderized meat boogeyman for butchered beef at Costco

FYI, I buy all my meat at Costco.

What about taking your wife to lunch at the "club"? $1.50 hot dog and fountain coke. Once a week keeps her happy...........

jgh85Ag said:

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I just go for the free samples and the $1.50 hot dog and coke.

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I just hate it that they switched from Coke to Pepsi a couple of years ago in the cafe.

Got my first year's membership paperwork in the mail today. I came $2.40 short of paying the difference between the regular membership and the executive. So next year's executive upgrade is basically free.

Costco would be worth it to me just and only for access to the best beef at the best prices anywhere near home. I live in Garland, if you know of a better beef supply at better prices I'm all ears!

Summary.....WORTH IT!

The is the freaking OB for chrisakes! Who buys meat in stores anymore? Aren't your freezers full of game, fowl and fish?

MikesFamousJava said:

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You guys are failing to mention all of the educational benefits of a Costco membership. For example, I've learned that in Asian cultures, at least 3 generations of family members must be present whenever shopping. Seriously though, what's up with that?

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You also learn patience by not ramming the ***** out of the asians who park their carts in the exact middle of the asile

NColoradoAG said:

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Cant believe this is two pages long and no one has brought up the mechanically tenderized meat boogeyman for butchered beef at Costco

FYI, I buy all my meat at Costco.

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I preface my comments by saying I'm a longtime member at Costco. But...I don't understand why they blade tenderize even prime ribeye or prime strip steaks. I cook steaks rare (sous vide <130F and sear) and I don't buy any steaks there besides filet (only steaks they don't mechanically tenderize) specifically for that reason.

My view (reasonable or not) is the most common place for pathogens is the surface of the steak that I sear to a nice crust ... but blade tenderizing (needling) has the potential to push those pathogens into the interior of the steak that never reaches temps necessary to kill them.

How big of a risk is it? I don't know. It's less risky than eating a rare-cooked hamburger, but I cook hamburgers more done than I'm willing to cook a steak.

awesome sauce said:

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NColoradoAG said:

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Cant believe this is two pages long and no one has brought up the mechanically tenderized meat boogeyman for butchered beef at Costco

FYI, I buy all my meat at Costco.

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I preface my comments by saying I'm a longtime member at Costco. But...I don't understand why they blade tenderize even prime ribeye or prime strip steaks. I cook steaks rare (sous vide <130F and sear) and I don't buy any steaks there besides filet (only steaks they don't mechanically tenderize) specifically for that reason.

My view (reasonable or not) is the most common place for pathogens is the surface of the steak that I sear to a nice crust ... but blade tenderizing (needling) has the potential to push those pathogens into the interior of the steak that never reaches temps necessary to kill them.

How big of a risk is it? I don't know. It's less risky than eating a rare-cooked hamburger, but I cook hamburgers more done than I'm willing to cook a steak.

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I don't understand it either. I usually buy whole rib roasts, whole strip loins, whole prime briskets, and the vac sealed prime tri tips. All of those are not mechanically tenderized. Every other month my kitchen looks like Rosenthal when I'm cutting all those steaks and packaging them for the freezer.

We have both Amazon and Costco. I dont see them as in the same arena yet as we get groceries,frozen foods and gas from Costco. One year I knew I was going to buy some bigger ticket items so we went with executive membership that pays you back. Got paid back way more than the membership cost me.
Got a tri-fuel generator for $500.
Had Sam's for years because there wasn't a Costco close by. Switched when they finally built one close.

Do they tenderize on site ? Can it be requested not to blade tenderize if so?

redag06 said:

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Do they tenderize on site ? Can it be requested not to blade tenderize if so?

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I believe they tenderize on site. I have never asked anything to be butchered custom. All the prepacked steaks, trimmed briskets, tri tips, etc are blade tenderized before being wrapped.

It is listed on the label if it has been tenderized.

Quote:

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their dog food is first rate and very reasonable. plus it tastes great.

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You and your pooch converse often?

BlueSmoke said:

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Quote:

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their dog food is first rate and very reasonable. plus it tastes great.

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You and your pooch converse often?

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I don't have a dog.