The Best Things I Buy Each Month at Costco and 3 to Skip

Costco is a kind of wunderstore for everything big and in bulk, the King of the Clubs, the other’s being BJ’s Wholesale, and Sam’s Club. Some have even developed a kind of hierarchy for stores. I was talking to a friend the other day and she mentioned: “Oh, the poor man’s Costco!” Who knew there was such a rank. Costco keeps its prices low by famously subsisting on club dues to sustain itself and by applying a very small markup (approximately 11%) to its merchandise.

Don’t think Costco is for you? Check out our future post on whether Costco membership is worth it.

Brands like Tide and Proctor and Gamble are able to sell at club stores at a lower price without upsetting mainstream retailers like Walmart and Giant by creating special “Club size” variants of products. Sometimes this is just the case-pack size that a wholesaler would get, but more often than not with established brands its a unique club size. That’s why you can only buy a 5-Pack of Lysol disinfectant wipes or a 22 pack of Kind bars.

Stock up

Dry Goods

Costco is great for dry goods. Our family typically goes one Saturday a month. Go early to beat the lines. Entering the store is akin to entering a grocery distributor with rows of racking, stark walls, and commercial overhead lights. You’ll quickly notice virtually no expense is wasted on the amenities of the store. Everything goes into the low prices. Walking the aisles with our warehouse club mega-sized cart feels like the beginning of The Oregon Trail video game where you have to go to the general store stock up your wagon for the journey ahead. Watch our Donnar Party!

1. Organic Olive Oil – This is an absolute standout and favorite of Samrin Nosrat, author of salt, fat, acid, heat. It comes in a giant bottle so don’t feel bad about using it for everyday cooking. It is a mix of Spanish and Greek olives and it bottled in Italy. It has a milder taste than a more robust EVOO.
2. Kirkland Signature Chocolate Chips These are not as good as Ghirardelli but perfectly serviceable for less discerning crowds. Keep a bag stocked in your pantry and you’ll be ready to whip out a batch of chocolate chip cookies for your kids classroom. The taste is comparable to Trader Joe’s or Wegman’s private label brand.
3. King Arthur, Unbleached All Purpose Flour, 25lbs- The Lexus of flours at a Toyota price. Many bakers swear by this Vermont cooperative company’s products. Be warned the 25lb size is not for the faint of heart but if you do any amount of baking you’ll find yourself powering through it in a few months. Be sure to store it in an airtight container away from the light to maximize its shelf life.

Skip

The Bakery. Costco diehards may be shocked but hear me out.

The bakery at Costco really isn’t that great. Hear me out. There’s nothing inherently to fault with the products. They are excellent values for money and some are still solid choices. The sheet cake, in particular, comes to mind. There’s nothing wrong with a 1/2 sheet cake for $20. Most bakery shops would charge $50 dollars or more for a similar cake. 

The problem comes down to how inoffensive the products are. Most items don’t really stand out flavorwise. They taste like they were developed for mass-market (which in their defense they were.) With the availability of more quality baked goods from neighborhood shops again Costco bakery items just don’t taste special. Sure, they’re fine if you’re going to a barbeque or a PTA meeting where you’re required to bring something. 

Bread, in particular, is one item where Costco falls short. Sourdoughs lack the tang and even Ciabatta varieties don’t’ taste far off from a generic white loaf. There are some areas where spending a little extra money is worth it. If you have a local bakery I implore you to spend the extra $1-2 on a fresh loaf. You’ll be glad you did.

Never forget the food court.

Perhaps one of the most screaming deals at Costco is in the food court. Here you sit your tired body down on some outdoor picnic benches with umbrellas to protect you from the indoor sunlight and enjoy a $1.50 hotdog and soda combo. Hands down the best deal in town. 

Also don’t miss the frozen yogurt cup with strawberry topping. 

Other Costco shoppers love the pizzas, which are made by sauce dispensing robots. These are an excellent deal quantity-wise but I think from a taste perspective it leaves something to be desired. Maybe my tongue is too bougie