DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: bosk1 on March 07, 2019, 12:34:33 PM
-
Thought of this in planning for a certain concert where the venue is close to a Costco, and figuring out dinner options close to the venue. :lol
The Costco "food court" is cheap. And while I wouldn't want to eat there often, the food is surprisingly tasty for what it is. I'm good to go with either the classic "hog dog & Coke" for a buck fifty or a slice of pepperoni pizza.
-
Get the pizza I told you about. Better than Costco.
-
Gah
Voted hot dog, but meant to vote Either.
Our local Costco is my GF and I's favorite "lets eat for super cheap tonight" stop for food. I am 50/50 on the hot dog vs pizza. My only issue is I am a fatty and will get 2 hot dogs, and wind up having no use for the extra drink cup. I've asked before if they could just not give me the second drink cup, and I was told that they HAVE to. :JayOctavarium:
-
Hot dog by a mile. Costco puts the ball of dough on a press and flattens it out in the pizza shape. This squeezes all the air bubbles out of it, which completely ruins the pizza IMO.
Also, you forgot their churros. I usually grab a dog and a churro when I'm there.
-
I've never been a big churro guy. Not that I dislike them. But for the calories, if given the option of a churro or something else, there's usually something else I prefer. I can't recall if I've ever tried the ones there.
-
I've never been a big churro guy. Not that I dislike them. But for the calories, if given the option of a churro or something else, there's usually something else I prefer. I can't recall if I've ever tried the ones there.
I will never understand the love of churros. I mean, yeah, sugar, fried stuff, its good. But gimme an ice cream bar. Or anything chocolate.
-
I love their pizza
-
Get the pizza I told you about. Better than Costco.
I have no idea if this is correct or not, but it's correct.
-
:lol
-
I've never been a big churro guy. Not that I dislike them. But for the calories, if given the option of a churro or something else, there's usually something else I prefer. I can't recall if I've ever tried the ones there.
I will never understand the love of churros. I mean, yeah, sugar, fried stuff, its good. But gimme an ice cream bar. Or anything chocolate.
Costco is actually the only place I've ever gotten a churro. For all I know, that's not even what a churro is supposed to taste like. If I based my pizza worldview solely on my experience at Costco, I would say I hate pizza.
-
I FORGOT ABOUT THE CHURROS
Costco's churros are bomb.
-
I usually get the chicken bake thing, wife gets a hot dog, kid gets pizza. Though I do opt for the hot dog occasionally. It is quite good and paired with a soda for $1.50 there's nothing to complain about. I especially like how they offer chopped onions as a condiment. Don't see that often.
-
I've never been a big churro guy. Not that I dislike them. But for the calories, if given the option of a churro or something else, there's usually something else I prefer. I can't recall if I've ever tried the ones there.
I will never understand the love of churros. I mean, yeah, sugar, fried stuff, its good. But gimme an ice cream bar. Or anything chocolate.
Cinnamon kicks chocolate's ass six ways to Sunday (although it's worth noting that there are places where you can get a churro with chocolate dipping sauce).
As for the poll, I have to abstain for lack of knowledge (and, in the case of the hot dog, a general disdain for hot dogs other than at a sporting event or those with a natural casing that snaps when you bite into it).
-
I can't believe I haven't tried their Churros yet. Definitely gonna get some next time I have the chance.
-
Cinnamon kicks chocolate's ass six ways to Sunday
Actually, no. I've seen them fight, and can tell you from personal knowledge that cinnamon fights like a girl.
What is interesting to me is that practically the ONLY churros you ever see are cinnamon. I think most people assume that there aren't any other types. :lol
-
Thought of this in planning for a certain concert where the venue is close to a Costco, and figuring out dinner options close to the venue. :lol
The Costco "food court" is cheap. And while I wouldn't want to eat there often, the food is surprisingly tasty for what it is. I'm good to go with either the classic "hog dog & Coke" for a buck fifty or a slice of pepperoni pizza.
Gee, I didn't know you were some baked pimply teenager.
Costco Food Court for a concert meal?
-
Ironically, I had a hot dog and Mountain Dew for dinner - $1.50 CAD!!!
Their pizza sucks.
The wings looked good though- but for $7, I couldn't justify it. I mean, $1.50 for a dog and pop?? Can't beat it.
-
Love the dogs. I don't mind the pizza (but fair enough, for me you have to go some to screw up pizza).
I like their frozen yogurt or softserve or whatever the heck that is.
-
No option for both?
For under 4 bucks you get a slice of pizza, hot dog and drink - which is also extremely filling. That's my go to at costco.
I like the sandwich and chicken bake too, but that's not as often what I get.
-
I'm not a big hot dog guy. I always get the pizza. It's not fantastic, but it's good enough for the price.
-
Love the dogs. I don't mind the pizza (but fair enough, for me you have to go some to screw up pizza).
I like their frozen yogurt or softserve or whatever the heck that is.
In the summer, if I'm at Costcoin Waterbury and crave a dog, I just remind myself that Blackies is right down the street.
-
Can I get a hot dog without a coke?
-
Can I get a hot dog without a coke?
They just give you a huge cup. I always fill mine with water.
-
I'd totally get a dog with water. Usually get hot dogs at Home Depot too.
-
They had hot dogs at Home Depot? ???
Get the pizza I told you about. Better than Costco.
Well, you'll be happy to know that we actually did both. There was an accident on the Bay Bridge that delayed us, so when we got there, we hit Costco for the fast & cheap so we could hurry up and go get in line for the show to get in and get a good spot. Even though we were starved, we just kept it to one slice each and a water (S.F. with their stupid sugar soda tax drove Costco to not have anything but water and diet Coke at their fountain! >:( ). So then we stopped at that pizza joint after the show and grabbed a hot slice there. GREAT recommendation, by the way. Even the New Yorker I was with couldn't complain.
-
Yea I stopped drinking soda so I'll either fill it with water or get like a lemonade or something if I am feeling that. Or I just give the cup to whoever is with me so they can have a drink and I'll ask for a cup for water. Or they just have the 25 cent bottles from the vending machine if thats more your thing.
-
The real question is...
What concert were you seeing?
-
The real question is...
What concert were you seeing?
Neal Morse Band.
-
The real question is...
What concert were you seeing?
Neal Morse Band.
Never heard of them.
-
Yea I stopped drinking soda so I'll either fill it with water or get like a lemonade or something if I am feeling that. Or I just give the cup to whoever is with me so they can have a drink and I'll ask for a cup for water. Or they just have the 25 cent bottles from the vending machine if thats more your thing.
Y'all are kind of at a disadvantage in that fresh brewed tea doesn't seem to be a thing up there. It's ubiquitous down here, along with lemonade, so I'm generally an Arnold Palmer kind of guy at the soda fountain. Barring that I hope that the soda fountain dispenses plain fizzy water. Soda water with a squirt of lime is my usual non-alcoholic dinner time drink.
I'd totally get a dog with water. Usually get hot dogs at Home Depot too.
I don't generally go in for hotdogs, but those things tempt me every time I'm there. They just smell so damned good.
-
I've never seen a hot dog at a Home Depot. The one near me has a half-assed Dunkin' outside it.
-
Yea I stopped drinking soda so I'll either fill it with water or get like a lemonade or something if I am feeling that. Or I just give the cup to whoever is with me so they can have a drink and I'll ask for a cup for water. Or they just have the 25 cent bottles from the vending machine if thats more your thing.
Y'all are kind of at a disadvantage in that fresh brewed tea doesn't seem to be a thing up there. It's ubiquitous down here, along with lemonade, so I'm generally an Arnold Palmer kind of guy at the soda fountain. Barring that I hope that the soda fountain dispenses plain fizzy water. Soda water with a squirt of lime is my usual non-alcoholic dinner time drink.
You southerners and your fresh tea :lol I'm really not a big fan of tea unless it has lots of sweetener in it and at that point I might as well just pass on it for my own being. I'm aware that iced tea is much better than up north anyway, but still not my cup of tea
-
They had hot dogs at Home Depot? ???
I've never seen a hot dog at a Home Depot. The one near me has a half-assed Dunkin' outside it.
They do around here! There's always a little hot dog stand in the main vestibule. They are delicious.
I don't generally go in for hotdogs, but those things tempt me every time I'm there. They just smell so damned good.
They taste damn good too. There are few better snacks than a Chicago hot dog.
-
They had hot dogs at Home Depot? ???
I've never seen a hot dog at a Home Depot. The one near me has a half-assed Dunkin' outside it.
They do around here! There's always a little hot dog stand in the main vestibule. They are delicious.
I don't generally go in for hotdogs, but those things tempt me every time I'm there. They just smell so damned good.
They taste damn good too. There are few better snacks than a Chicago hot dog.
Yep, any HD down here has a tiny Mexican woman with a cart out in front of the place. Usually they're bacon-wrapped, which makes them smell even better.
-
Sounds great. I want fewer Starbucks and Subways in stores and more hot dog stands!
-
Yea I stopped drinking soda so I'll either fill it with water or get like a lemonade or something if I am feeling that. Or I just give the cup to whoever is with me so they can have a drink and I'll ask for a cup for water. Or they just have the 25 cent bottles from the vending machine if thats more your thing.
Y'all are kind of at a disadvantage in that fresh brewed tea doesn't seem to be a thing up there. It's ubiquitous down here, along with lemonade, so I'm generally an Arnold Palmer kind of guy at the soda fountain. Barring that I hope that the soda fountain dispenses plain fizzy water. Soda water with a squirt of lime is my usual non-alcoholic dinner time drink.
You southerners and your fresh tea :lol I'm really not a big fan of tea unless it has lots of sweetener in it and at that point I might as well just pass on it for my own being. I'm aware that iced tea is much better than up north anyway, but still not my cup of tea
Before I realized that it was a regional thing I got some pretty shitty looks in NYC. People would snap at me like Belushi with the "No Tea! Snappel!" bit.
-
I voted for the hot dog. But this thread makes me think about the conversation I had with my wife last weekend, while standing at the checkout line at Costco. I was telling her that I can't recall any time where we haven't enjoyed any of their food products that we've tried. I usually buy meats at a couple of local butcher shops near me. But, if we're grilling out with friends, I will buy Costco hamburgers for the grill, and nearly all of their meat is near butcher quality.
My nephew is a manager at Costco, and considering that they make all of their profits on memberships, you would think they would be inclined to cut corners on product quality. Not so. He told me at the corporate office level, their goal is to make and sell at least, if not better, name brand quality food and products. What's really interesting is that they have at times contracted with name brand companies to make Kirkland products for them, but they insist their quality be better than the name brand. That would be like going to Nabisco, asking them to make a version of the Oreo for you with your brand, and then saying , "Now. make that cookie even better!"
How you gonna make a better Oreo?? :biggrin:
Costco rocks! :metal
-
They had hot dogs at Home Depot? ???
I've never seen a hot dog at a Home Depot. The one near me has a half-assed Dunkin' outside it.
They do around here! There's always a little hot dog stand in the main vestibule. They are delicious.
I don't generally go in for hotdogs, but those things tempt me every time I'm there. They just smell so damned good.
They taste damn good too. There are few better snacks than a Chicago hot dog.
Yep, any HD down here has a tiny Mexican woman with a cart out in front of the place. Usually they're bacon-wrapped, which makes them smell even better.
Oh, that reminds me of a sort of tradition we have here. In downtown San Jose, they do a big "Christmas in the park" tree lighting and carnival the day after Thanksgiving every year, and it's pretty fun. And there are in a few select locations around the area, carts with (coincidentally) Mexican women cooking and selling bacon wrapped hot dogs. They also grill rough chopped onions and jalapenos to top them with. SO GOOD!
-
Oh, that reminds me of a sort of tradition we have here. In downtown San Jose, they do a big "Christmas in the park" tree lighting and carnival the day after Thanksgiving every year, and it's pretty fun. And there are in a few select locations around the area, carts with (coincidentally) Mexican women cooking and selling bacon wrapped hot dogs. They also grill rough chopped onions and jalapenos to top them with. SO GOOD!
That sort of thing is commonplace in and around downtown Los Angeles -- and especially during concerts and games at Staples Center. They've got their "grills" set up in shopping carts and converted baby strollers. It's actually pretty creative, and it's about the best smelling thing ever. I've never been brave enough to buy and eat one, though.
-
Oh, that reminds me of a sort of tradition we have here. In downtown San Jose, they do a big "Christmas in the park" tree lighting and carnival the day after Thanksgiving every year, and it's pretty fun. And there are in a few select locations around the area, carts with (coincidentally) Mexican women cooking and selling bacon wrapped hot dogs. They also grill rough chopped onions and jalapenos to top them with. SO GOOD!
That sort of thing is commonplace in and around downtown Los Angeles -- and especially during concerts and games at Staples Center. They've got their "grills" set up in shopping carts and converted baby strollers. It's actually pretty creative, and it's about the best smelling thing ever. I've never been brave enough to buy and eat one, though.
YESSSSSS
I never have cash after shows, but I think I am going to make sure I have something on me to buy post Dream Theater Hot Dogs outside of The Wiltern later this month.
-
Sounds great. I want fewer Starbucks and Subways in stores and more hot dog stands!
My biggest complaint with the flood of food trucks in the city I work in has been the death of the hot dog stand. They charge so much for a permit to sell on the street, hot dog stand operators can't afford it. Now all we have are mobile versions of of restaurants in the area.
-
Oh, that reminds me of a sort of tradition we have here. In downtown San Jose, they do a big "Christmas in the park" tree lighting and carnival the day after Thanksgiving every year, and it's pretty fun. And there are in a few select locations around the area, carts with (coincidentally) Mexican women cooking and selling bacon wrapped hot dogs. They also grill rough chopped onions and jalapenos to top them with. SO GOOD!
Is that the park across the street from the arena? If so, that's nice down there.
-
Alamo Hotdog is my go-to post-concert chow in San Antonio. Bacon wrapped with grilled onions and jalapenos, with a drizzle of queso and chili. Good eatin (https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/YccW8QIzdT9dWhNLfGM0Pg/o.jpg).
Dallas has never had carts. Not really any good place for them to congregate. The food truck craze has been insane, though. By and large I avoid them. Seems to me that they charge a premium just for the fact that they're in a truck. Dallas is trendy like that, so any reason to jack up the price will increase sales dramatically and you don't even have to worry about it being any good. I did some work for a guy selling $8.50 bahn mi out of a food truck. His offerings simply can't be as good as most of the 3000 proper Vietnamese restaurants charging $4 for the damn things, and you're never more than a mile from one of them.
-
Oh, that reminds me of a sort of tradition we have here. In downtown San Jose, they do a big "Christmas in the park" tree lighting and carnival the day after Thanksgiving every year, and it's pretty fun. And there are in a few select locations around the area, carts with (coincidentally) Mexican women cooking and selling bacon wrapped hot dogs. They also grill rough chopped onions and jalapenos to top them with. SO GOOD!
Is that the park across the street from the arena? If so, that's nice down there.
There's a park there? I know there's part of the greenbelt (such as it is) with the Guadalupe River trail, but didn't realize there is an actual "park" there. But no, it isn't there. It's a few blocks away in Cesar Chavez park which is in the center of South Market Street by the Fairmont, the Museum of Art, and the Tech Museum.
-
I go to HD like once a week as part of my job (there are three I hit based on which property I am working on) and none of them have hot dogs.
-
As for hotdogs, Cincinnati chili!! Skyline Chili, Gold Star Chili, Blue Ash Chili, Empress Chili, Camp Washington Chili, Dixie Chili, Price Hill Chili, Chili Time. We are known for our version of chili, and nothing beats a Cincinnati style cheese Coney...Cincy chili, cheese, onions, and mustard. Oh yes!
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skylinechili.com%2Fimages%2Fconeys.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skylinechili.com%2Fconeys.php&docid=eRc2Ae22qXwK3M&tbnid=hpjDGzV90VSgqM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjA0KLil_PgAhUDR6wKHYKbDJwQMwhBKAAwAA..i&w=508&h=384&bih=757&biw=1600&q=skyline%20cheese%20coney&ved=0ahUKEwjA0KLil_PgAhUDR6wKHYKbDJwQMwhBKAAwAA&iact=mrc&uact=8
-
I don't get Cincy chili at all. I mean, I get the concept. But I don't get why people like it. I'm pretty open when it comes to food, but that is one thing that just doesn't work for me.
-
Before I realized that it was a regional thing I got some pretty shitty looks in NYC. People would snap at me like Belushi with the "No Tea! Snappel!" bit.
And I just learned in my last denver trip that snapple is a northeast thing. Funny how that all works out regionally. Snapple peach tea is pretty good, but once again so much sugar that since I cut out soda it makes these drinks really hard to enjoy.
-
I don't get Cincy chili at all. I mean, I get the concept. But I don't get why people like it. I'm pretty open when it comes to food, but that is one thing that just doesn't work for me.
That's cool. I don't really get California chili. Don't you guys put it on spaghetti? :lol
-
I don't get Cincy chili at all. I mean, I get the concept. But I don't get why people like it. I'm pretty open when it comes to food, but that is one thing that just doesn't work for me.
That's cool. I don't really get California chili. Don't you guys put it on spaghetti? :lol
No. That is Cincy chili. Out here, we would think that putting chili on spaghetti is an abomination, as most right-thinking folks would.
I don't think there really is such a thing as "California chili." We just go in for a variety of southwestern chilis. I think most right-thinking folks would agree that your chili should taste like it would be at home in AZ, NM, or Texas, or it isn't worth eating.
-
And I just learned in my last denver trip that snapple is a northeast thing. Funny how that all works out regionally. Snapple peach tea is pretty good, but once again so much sugar that since I cut out soda it makes these drinks really hard to enjoy.
It is a northeast thing? I'm from there, but live out west, and I drink it all the time -- but not until I moved out here. Weird. I go for the diet half n half. Damn tasty.
-
I don't get Cincy chili at all. I mean, I get the concept. But I don't get why people like it. I'm pretty open when it comes to food, but that is one thing that just doesn't work for me.
That's cool. I don't really get California chili. Don't you guys put it on spaghetti? :lol
No. That is Cincy chili. Out here, we would think that putting chili on spaghetti is an abomination, as most right-thinking folks would.
I don't think there really is such a thing as "California chili." We just go in for a variety of southwestern chilis. I think most right-thinking folks would agree that your chili should taste like it would be at home in AZ, NM, or Texas, or it isn't worth eating.
It was Chili Johns that I was thinking of, which does put it over spaghetti, and tops this particular list.
https://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/5-places-to-get-damn-good-chili-in-la-6447513
And New Mexico is an odd duck with chili. I like chili verde as much as the next guy, I actually make it at home rather than the red variety, but it's an entirely different breed of animal. An honestly, I'm more likely to go for a bowl of posole when I'm in NM.
-
And I just learned in my last denver trip that snapple is a northeast thing. Funny how that all works out regionally. Snapple peach tea is pretty good, but once again so much sugar that since I cut out soda it makes these drinks really hard to enjoy.
It is a northeast thing? I'm from there, but live out west, and I drink it all the time -- but not until I moved out here. Weird. I go for the diet half n half. Damn tasty.
We went through a Snappel phase down here. Don't think it lasted all that long. Now Arizona has mostly cornered the canned tea market. I'm a fan of their half n half, though I don't usually want that much sugar.
-
It was Chili Johns that I was thinking of, which does put it over spaghetti, and tops this particular list.
https://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/5-places-to-get-damn-good-chili-in-la-6447513
OK, fair enough. But that isn't really a "California" regional thing. That link says the original place was based in Wisconsin and opened up a sister restaurant in Cali. If a restaurant is importing a recipe from another region, or if it is a specialty recipe that that chef does, it doesn't really qualify as a "California cuisine" in my book.
And I didn't realize that chili verde is a NM thing. Good call on the posole! :tup. The cafe in my building actually does an AWESOME homemade posole on Wednesdays in the winter.
-
It was Chili Johns that I was thinking of, which does put it over spaghetti, and tops this particular list.
https://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/5-places-to-get-damn-good-chili-in-la-6447513
OK, fair enough. But that isn't really a "California" regional thing. That link says the original place was based in Wisconsin and opened up a sister restaurant in Cali. If a restaurant is importing a recipe from another region, or if it is a specialty recipe that that chef does, it doesn't really qualify as a "California cuisine" in my book.
And I didn't realize that chili verde is a NM thing. Good call on the posole! :tup. The cafe in my building actually does an AWESOME homemade posole on Wednesdays in the winter.
It's the only famous chili place I know in Cali. I do know I've been in plenty of places that claim to serve tex-mex out there, and nothing they crank out resembles actual chili. That's what really matters to me, since from my perspective chili is really more of a condiment or a sauce than a meal.
-
Never had the hot dog, had the pizza a few times, but its been years. Not terrible for what it is, but, I'm in North Jersey where we have the best pizza in the world, so...
-
Never had the hot dog, had the pizza a few times, but its been years. Not terrible for what it is, but, I'm in North Jersey where we have the best pizza in the world, so...
You've clearly never been to New Haven CT!
-
Never tried, but I've heard some of it is actually pretty good.
-
Never tried, but I've heard some of it is actually pretty good.
Pretty good? PRETTY good?
Excuse me, sir, but I'll have you know that in 2017, Bar, Modern, and Pepe's pizzas were rated 3 of the top 50 pies in the entire country, and they're all within like a mile of each other. It's pretty wild actually. Definitely something in the water.
-
We've had this discussion before, and as a rule people like the pizza they grew up with. That's why so many Americans like Pizza Hut and hate the pizza when they're in freaking Italy. There is no best pizza in the country.
I don't know as I've ever been in a Costco, so I don't know of this food court thing, but I watched a video on their pizza and it looks pretty decent. I'm not sure about the liquid sauce they put on it, and flattening out the crust doesn't seem like it'd work too well, but they do seem to put a good deal of thought and effort into what they crank out. I was expecting something more high school cafeteria like.
-
I am going to make sure I have something on me to buy post Dream Theater Hot Dogs outside of The Wiltern later this month.
Thursday or Friday (or both)? Friday for me.
-
I don't get Cincy chili at all. I mean, I get the concept. But I don't get why people like it. I'm pretty open when it comes to food, but that is one thing that just doesn't work for me.
That's cool. I don't really get California chili. Don't you guys put it on spaghetti? :lol
No. That is Cincy chili. Out here, we would think that putting chili on spaghetti is an abomination, as most right-thinking folks would.
I don't think there really is such a thing as "California chili." We just go in for a variety of southwestern chilis. I think most right-thinking folks would agree that your chili should taste like it would be at home in AZ, NM, or Texas, or it isn't worth eating.
I just made a sweet chili and put it over brown rice. I like variety in food. Next time I'll make it burn insides.
-
We've had this discussion before, and as a rule people like the pizza they grew up with. That's why so many Americans like Pizza Hut and hate the pizza when they're in freaking Italy. There is no best pizza in the country.
For me, I can enjoy lots of different types and degrees of quality. I generally prefer the more authentic, homemade pizzeria varieties as opposed to the mass-produced delivery stuff. Whether it's homemade Chicago style, NY style, or whatever style in a mom & pop shop, it's going to be much better than a Pizza Hut or whatever. Of the more "fast food"-ish, mass produced pizzas, Costco's is probably my favorite. It doesn't hold a candle to the "real deal" stuff. But it's good for what it is.
Take last night, for example. For a quick in-and-out on the run, the slice for Costco was more than adequate, and I had zero complaints. After the show was over, going into the pizza joint next to the venue where you can see the chick covered in flour hand-tossing the dough to spread it, and where they take your slice and throw it into the oven with your toppings on it and give it to you piping hot, it was clear that this was another level. And the Costco pizza couldn't hold a candle to that slice. But both served their purpose and were good.
I have no idea whether I would like "real" pizza in Italy, since I've never been there. But I tend to be very open to food anyway, so I probably would.
I don't know as I've ever been in a Costco, so I don't know of this food court thing, but I watched a video on their pizza and it looks pretty decent. I'm not sure about the liquid sauce they put on it, and flattening out the crust doesn't seem like it'd work too well, but they do seem to put a good deal of thought and effort into what they crank out. I was expecting something more high school cafeteria like.
The sauce I'm sure is pre-pared canned sauce, but it is tasty. And while a rolled crust is not going to have the same texture as a hand-tossed crust, it's still pretty good--for whatever reason, markedly better than other mass-produced pizza places. I don't know why. But it is.
-
A bit late to the Cincinnati Chili party, but count me in as someone who doesn't "get it." But I am not a big chili guy. I'd take a can of Nalley Jalapeno chili any day over most chilis I've ever had.
-
Not to derail the thread any further (my comment was about cheese coneys though), I'll try and explain the phenomenon that is Cincinnati Chili.
With the exception of chili powder in the recipe, it's not really a chili at all. At least in the traditional sense. It comes from recipes brought to the region from Macedonia and Turkey.
Two brothers immigrated to Cincy in the 1920's, and opened a restaurant. They made a meat sauce, where the meat is ground down and cooked into a near paste. Almost a Bolognese type meat stew with traditional Mediterranean spices like cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg and then to satisfy the tastes of the mostly German/Americans they were feeding it to, they also added chili powder, along with other spices familiar to their Slavic Mediterranean upbringing.
They poured it over spaghetti, which was growing in popularity, and the final touch, they donned the whole thing with mounds and mounds of sharp cheddar cheese. The Germans ate it up like crazy.
It would have probably been far more accurate to call what they served an "Americanized Greek stew," but that doesn't have much of a ring to it, does it? Instead, they called it chili, something easily recognized by Americans. They opened their restaurant next to a burlesque cabaret venue called the Empress Burlesk Theater, and called it Empress Chili. It was open 24 hours a day, and was packed all night after the shows ended next door.
It's not spicey. Instead, all those Mediterranean spices, and even chocolate in the recipe, hover delicately in the background, and give the illusion of heat, because there is no capsaicin anywhere.
Most people usually really like it right away, or do by the second offering. It is definitely different. It's served on a plate. You eat it with a fork. It's thin, almost sauce like consistency is ladled on spaghetti and topped with that avalanche of shredded cheddar that blankets the entire top, concealing almost all the chili underneath. But to most of us here, it's so damn good!
We do also eat traditional chili here too. Texas, Memphis, Rocky Mountain, Five Alarm-- we get it. With beans,without, loaded with chunks of meat and peppers. We eat all that too.
But we're proud of, and love our Cincinnati style chili. It's spreading now too. There are restaurants that exclusively serve it in Columbus, Indianapolis, DC, and several cities in Florida.
The two most popular chains, are Skyline, started by Greek immigrant relatives of the brothers who started Empress; and Gold Star, started by Turkish and Jordanian immigrants.
But that same chili, on a hot dog is superb too.
-
Summary: It's a runny, not-spicy, alternative spaghetti topping that needs a heap of cheese to make it even halfway appealing. :D
-
I have one across the street from work. We get pizza, snacks and baked goods there a lot.
-
It's not what Us here in the Southwest call Chile/chili. New Mexico is known for our Green Chili. Mmm....making me hungry now.
-
Never tried, but I've heard some of it is actually pretty good.
Pretty good? PRETTY good?
Excuse me, sir, but I'll have you know that in 2017, Bar, Modern, and Pepe's pizzas were rated 3 of the top 50 pies in the entire country, and they're all within like a mile of each other. It's pretty wild actually. Definitely something in the water.
Never had Bar, but I prefer Sally's over Pepe's (it's not like they are radically different though) and Modern is the bomb-diddly. can't say I know what "North Jersey pizza" is like (but I do understand the difference between "North Jersey" and "South Jersey"; if you live there, it's as if there are two different states) but I know South Jersey and Philly pizza pales in comparison to New York and New Have pizza. I still like Philly pizza, but that's because I like the taste; as "pizza", it doesn't compare to Sally's or Lombardi's.
I also like Chili John's, but again, I make no argument as to it's authenticity as a representative style. I just like the taste.
-
Do you need to be a member to eat at their food court?
-
Some food courts are inside the building, in which case you have to flash your card to get through the door. Others are outside, and thus do not.
-
Do you need to be a member to eat at their food court?
From my experience you do not need to be, but I've always been or gone with someone who is. All of the costcos I have been to had the same set up where the food in inside but its between the exit and the registers, so you basically walk in the exit if you are just going for food and they do not check ID at all in this process. Walking in the exit sounds odd, but it's really not as that is the way to get to customer service, it is common to do this here.
-
I'll leave this here
https://youtu.be/nFMFlEtaKbM
-
Huh, never thought of walking throught he exit. But I've never gone to Costco for the sole purpose of hitting the food court (and why are we calling it that? A food court is several vendors set up in a central location like a mall, not a single vendor selling a handful of items).
-
I always go hot dog, their pizza isn’t that great.
-
You don't need to be a member to go to the food court. Or at least they never ask. I walk through the exit to the food court a couple times a month and I've never been stopped.
-
Thanks for the answers. I haven't eaten anything from Sam's Club in over 10 years, and only been to Costco a few times to look around. I remember really liking Sam's Club's pizza and taquitoes, but again, it's been a decade, and I was with my step dad, so no membership issues.
One time I walked into Sam's Club to look around, and the greeter really didn't want me to enter because I didn't have a membership. So weird. What if I was going to sign up for one? Must have been new.
-
Thanks for the answers. I haven't eaten anything from Sam's Club in over 10 years, and only been to Costco a few times to look around. I remember really liking Sam's Club's pizza and taquitoes, but again, it's been a decade, and I was with my step dad, so no membership issues.
One time I walked into Sam's Club to look around, and the greeter really didn't want me to enter because I didn't have a membership. So weird. What if I was going to sign up for one? Must have been new.
I've wandered into Sams a couple of times to look around and never been carded. I assumed they verified membership at checkout. And it'd be stupid to do otherwise. Letting people browse is free advertisement. "Ooh, that's a good price for twelve pounds of nutmeg. I should buy a membership."
-
On the topic of Costco:
Costco runs an extremely efficient operation, which is necessary for its high-volume, low-margin business model. But one of the keys to Costco's success, and its profitability, is that the company spends next to nothing on advertising. Other than sending out direct mail to prospective members, and sending coupons to existing members, Costco does no traditional marketing at all.
Costco can get away with this for one simple reason: Its memberships sell themselves. The value proposition is obvious after one trip to a Costco warehouse, and the customer service is generally superior to that of other large retailers. Costco has had no problem growing its membership, and with renewal rates above 90% in the United States, it's had no problem retaining members, either.
How much does Costco save by shunning traditional advertising? Wal-Mart, which has always been a stingy advertiser, spends about 0.5% of its revenue on marketing each year. If Costco spent that same percentage of its revenue on advertising, its operating profit would be about 17.5% less. If Costco spent the same amount on advertising as Target does, about 2.2% of revenue, the company's operating profit would be slashed by 75%.
-
Here in Canada, Costco serves Poutine. I always choose that. It's my patriotic duty.
-
Don't forget the chicken bake! :P
No don't eat that!
Anyway...
the pizza is pretty bad
The hot dog and soda is the no brainer option at $1.50.
Its all beef :omg:
Here in Canada, Costco serves Poutine. I always choose that. It's my patriotic duty.
Probably that nasty canned super salty poutine sauce on top. Gross.
-
On the topic of Costco:
Costco runs an extremely efficient operation, which is necessary for its high-volume, low-margin business model. But one of the keys to Costco's success, and its profitability, is that the company spends next to nothing on advertising. Other than sending out direct mail to prospective members, and sending coupons to existing members, Costco does no traditional marketing at all.
Costco can get away with this for one simple reason: Its memberships sell themselves. The value proposition is obvious after one trip to a Costco warehouse, and the customer service is generally superior to that of other large retailers. Costco has had no problem growing its membership, and with renewal rates above 90% in the United States, it's had no problem retaining members, either.
How much does Costco save by shunning traditional advertising? Wal-Mart, which has always been a stingy advertiser, spends about 0.5% of its revenue on marketing each year. If Costco spent that same percentage of its revenue on advertising, its operating profit would be about 17.5% less. If Costco spent the same amount on advertising as Target does, about 2.2% of revenue, the company's operating profit would be slashed by 75%.
That's pretty interesting. I was surprised to see a groupon for Costco last year, it was the same price for the base membership but you got a $20 costco gift card. My gf has a member ship so I don't really need my own so I didn't buy it but I definitely thought about it. That was a good deal and surprising too because you don't really see Costco advertised on anything.
-
At Costco tonight, spent a good minute or two debating between the hot dog and pizza (passed on chicken bake). Almost went pizza but wife was getting hot dog and I was afraid that would give me buyer's remorse. Liked the new order kiosk - anything to minimize my interaction with other people gets a star in my book.
-
Happy Costco member since 2009 here, believe it or not I was eating at the Costco food court when I first saw this thread.
Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis, I usually eat at their food court if I know I won't be eating again for 6 or 7 hours cause I get both the pizza and the hot dog. For a full grown individual to count this as a meal I'd say get both, slice of pizza and a hot dog, the hot dog comes with a drink. The cheese pizza is their best, it's just delicious.
Also Costco is my planned hideout when the zombie apocalypse comes, I think I can survive for at least 2 years there with around 20 people.
-
Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis...
Dang how many people you shopping for? :)
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ac/17/13/ac17132f1ac8edd8d9a8828b543a912c.jpg)
Costco would be a great place to hunker down for a couple years when the Zombies attack. Would the card checkers at the door keep them out if they weren't members?
-
Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis...
Dang how many people you shopping for? :)
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ac/17/13/ac17132f1ac8edd8d9a8828b543a912c.jpg)
You know I used to think that too, cause it's just 4 of us and one time I asked my wife about it and didn't get a straight answer heh
But we do get most of our groceries there, all our meat for sure. The only other store we go to is HEB, also on bi-weekly basis.
There's still holes in this stories, I know.. :\
Costco would be a great place to hunker down for a couple years when the Zombies attack. Would the card checkers at the door keep them out if they weren't members?
It's their only natural inclination hehe
My little kid loves it when they draw a smiley face on the receipt. One time they didn't and we got home my daughter wanted us to drive back to get a smiley face on our receipt :lol
-
Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis...
Dang how many people you shopping for? :)
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ac/17/13/ac17132f1ac8edd8d9a8828b543a912c.jpg)
Costco would be a great place to hunker down for a couple years when the Zombies attack. Would the card checkers at the door keep them out if they weren't members?
That's assuming they make it through the parking lot with the flying carts
-
Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis...
Dang how many people you shopping for? :)
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ac/17/13/ac17132f1ac8edd8d9a8828b543a912c.jpg)
Costco would be a great place to hunker down for a couple years when the Zombies attack. Would the card checkers at the door keep them out if they weren't members?
That's assuming they make it through the parking lot with the flying carts
Someone please make the "CARTNADO!!!"™ meme.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q0vk_fKDEo
Just found this video of the Robot Arm Pizza Sauce Spreader (or RAPSS*).
*I just made that up, but they should totally call it that. I won't even charge a licensing fee.
-
I had Costco pizza for lunch today. It was delicious. :)
-
I had Costco pizza for lunch today. It was delicious. :)
So did I actually, $3.72 for a pepperoni slice, a hot dog, and drink. Can't beat that. It's not the best quality but it may be the best when you consider cost and quantity.
Funny though while walking in my coworker started bitching, unprovoked by me, about the carts in the parking lot and complaining about "how important do these people think they are to not put the carts back" :rollin He's also a big car guy so I think he's coming from the perspective of damaging cars. I agree with him, but yea, that's another thread...
-
Can’t beat that dog with all the fixings plus a drink on the cheap.
-
I had Costco pizza for lunch today. It was delicious. :)
So did I actually, $3.72 for a pepperoni slice, a hot dog, and drink. Can't beat that. It's not the best quality but it may be the best when you consider cost and quantity.
Funny though while walking in my coworker started bitching, unprovoked by me, about the carts in the parking lot and complaining about "how important do these people think they are to not put the carts back" :rollin He's also a big car guy so I think he's coming from the perspective of damaging cars. I agree with him, but yea, that's another thread...
Contrast that with a typical trip to Mickey D's for lunch - with no coupons - is now about $12.00.
-
I hardly ever go to fast food places, and I haven't been to a McDs in probably 10 years. Is that really true about their prices?
-
I hardly ever go to fast food places, and I haven't been to a McDs in probably 10 years. Is that really true about their prices?
I only get breakfast items at McDonald's nowadays. I know they had a 2 for $4 Sausage Egg McMuffins deal at some point. Don't know if they still have it now. I get that with a Mcgriddle for around $3.60. I'm content with that meal.
-
I just had mcds for lunch and it was 8 even for a large Big Mac meal. The prices have gone up but are not quite five guys prices.
-
And definitely not a five guys quality burger, but yea like 8-10 sounds about right for McDonalds meal these days, lunch or dinner, breakfast is a bit cheaper.
-
Contrast that with a typical trip to Mickey D's for lunch - with no coupons - is now about $12.00.
WTH are you buying and McD's that's costing $12?!
-
Contrast that with a typical trip to Mickey D's for lunch - with no coupons - is now about $12.00.
WTH are you buying and McD's that's costing $12?!
This was exactly the first thing that came to my mind as well.
-
Contrast that with a typical trip to Mickey D's for lunch - with no coupons - is now about $12.00.
WTH are you buying and McD's that's costing $12?!
That's what it cost here. Number two meal - with a Coke or an unsweet tea - and either a cheeseburger or a Filet-o-Fish.
-
McDonalds had those Angus burgers for a bit, would cost around $12 for a large meal if I recall. I usually get a medium #1 and if I am hungry enough, add a McChicken, comes to around 10 bucks. I don't think it's that crazy to spend $12 at McDonalds depending on where you are. Regardless, Costco is much cheaper.
-
McDonalds had those Angus burgers for a bit, would cost around $12 for a large meal if I recall. I usually get a medium #1 and if I am hungry enough, add a McChicken, comes to around 10 bucks. I don't think it's that crazy to spend $12 at McDonalds depending on where you are. Regardless, Costco is much cheaper.
And you're wrong. :lol
Include me in the shocked camp re McD's prices. A bacon-cheese Whataburger meal is $6.64 and is vastly superior to any burger from McDs.
Damn shame about Five Guy's prices. I think I was out $16 last (and final) time I was there. That (and maybe even McD's $12) will buy you a quality burger in a sitdown place here.
-
McDonalds had those Angus burgers for a bit, would cost around $12 for a large meal if I recall. I usually get a medium #1 and if I am hungry enough, add a McChicken, comes to around 10 bucks. I don't think it's that crazy to spend $12 at McDonalds depending on where you are. Regardless, Costco is much cheaper.
I suppose it depends on what you're getting. Stadler mentioned a #2 meal with either a cheeseburger or a Filet-o-Fish. I'm not familiar with any of the combos by number, but if all you're getting for $12 is a McDonald's cheeseburger, fries and a drink, you're paying way too much.
I had this discussion with a friend in relation to In-n-Out. I said I much prefer Five Guys, and he responded that Five Guys is too expensive, and my retort was that I'd rather spend $15 and get what I get at Five Guys than spend $8-9 and get an overcooked burger (both the meat and the bun) and fries that are edible for no more than 5 minutes after they hand them to you. That's even more true with McDonald's.
A bacon-cheese Whataburger meal is $6.64 and is vastly superior to any burger from McDs.
I'm gonna be in Austin in a few weeks, so I'm gonna have to check out Whataburger. Those I know who've had it rank it significantly higher than I-n-O.
-
Wrong about what? I've spent more than 12 bucks before when I've been drunk that's for sure :lol but if you are comparing quality then I agree with you, if I am spending upwards of $12 on a burger then I'd be better off going somewhere else. I just know that if I spent 12 at mcdonals, its going to be because I got shit on the side of that burger.
-
On the rare occasions I go to McD's, I usually get out for under $4. I guess getting a full-on meal plus an additional sandwich could get in the $12 range, but (1) I don't know why you would do that in the first place, (2) of course, if you are getting MORE than a full meal, it's going to cost more than the standard price, and (3) even so, I'm still not sure how you get up to $12, but whatever.
-
I'm trying to find it, but I can't, they used to have those Angus burgers and I could have sworn a large meal with that burger was near the $12 mark. They stopped selling it because it was too expensive. I know that is not a good example, but it kind of showed that you could spend that much on an individual meal there. But yea, I think Stadler even said the 12 was a meal with an add on sandwich and also that's what I considered when I said a Big Mac meal with a McChicken. (i think that comes out less than 12 but it's pretty close and could be even closer in a different market).
-
I'm gonna be in Austin in a few weeks, so I'm gonna have to check out Whataburger. Those I know who've had it rank it significantly higher than I-n-O.
It's really not the be all/end all. It's a good fast food burger and that's all. It's just better than the normal chains. It absolutely pummels InO, though. Since InO is godawful that's not saying anything, though.
In Austin, take thirty minutes to drive to Taylor an/or Lockhart and eat some exceptional BBQ. Good food and an opportunity to see very old, Podunk parts of Texas.
-
In Austin, take thirty minutes to drive to Taylor an/or Lockhart and eat some exceptional BBQ. Good food and an opportunity to see very old, Podunk parts of Texas.
Better than Kreuz?
-
In Austin, take thirty minutes to drive to Taylor an/or Lockhart and eat some exceptional BBQ. Good food and an opportunity to see very old, Podunk parts of Texas.
Better than Kreuz?
Kreuz is in Lockhart. :lol
The truth is that I haven't tried Kreuz (nor Smitty's). There are three legendary BBQ places in Lockhart. Those two plus Black's. Kreuz and Smitty's are famous in large part due to a nasty family rivalry. At that point they kind of became the Pat's and Geno's of hill country BBQ, and people like Guy Fieri started harping on them. I try to avoid places like that, just as I would Pat's and Gino's. When I made a trip to Lockhart I decided to skip them both and go to Black's, and that's my habit ever since. That said, I'm sure both are still every bit as good as advertised. They've been doing it too long not to be. (The Black family have run their place since 1932, and the Smitty/Kreuz crew probably came in just behind them.)
Another truth is that everybody has bad days. This is especially true with BBQ. I'm always hesitant to recommend out of the way places for just that reason. In all likelihood any of them are going to serve up amazing meat. Any given day one of them might simply be average. That makes it real hard to pick between them unless you eat at all of them multiple times. Since they're 40 minutes outside of Austin that's hard to pull off.
-
:lol when I read that I thought Lockhart and Taylor were BBQ joints, not towns. But I can't remember who recommended Kreuz's to me when I was down there and I am pretty sure we had a conversation here or in person about it too, but I have a coworker who lives in Austin and maybe I am mixing up convos. I just know I went there cause someone recommended going to one of those two family feud spots. And it was delish, but now I am looking back on my IG post about it and I feel like I didn't even get anything worthy :lol what was I thinking? https://www.instagram.com/p/BIxXAErgzVs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link (https://www.instagram.com/p/BIxXAErgzVs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link)
-
:lol when I read that I thought Lockhart and Taylor were BBQ joints, not towns. But I can't remember who recommended Kreuz's to me when I was down there and I am pretty sure we had a conversation here or in person about it too, but I have a coworker who lives in Austin and maybe I am mixing up convos. I just know I went there cause someone recommended going to one of those two family feud spots. And it was delish, but now I am looking back on my IG post about it and I feel like I didn't even get anything worthy :lol what was I thinking? https://www.instagram.com/p/BIxXAErgzVs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link (https://www.instagram.com/p/BIxXAErgzVs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link)
How was the ham? Don't think I've ever gotten ham at a BBQ joint before. I'm positive the sausage was fantastic, though. That was Germany's greatest contribution to Texas. It almost makes up for fucking Tejano music. Almost.
And yeah, brisket is king down here, with beef ribs a close second. The problem is that at ~$20lb a single rib can run you $35. The one I got from Louie Mueller's was fantastic, but it's definitely a splurge. On the bright side they really are colossal. I usually go with a couple of slices of brisket, a link, a slice of turkey, and maybe a pork rib or two. Sides are for pussies. :lol
-
If I was at a bbq joint that served ham, I'm not even sure it would even occur to me to order it. I'd be more inclined to go with somethink akin to what Barto described.
-
It was the special that day so I figured Id try it. I'm actually not a huge brisket fan overall (like I'm not one to judge what brisket is good when in general, Id rather have chicken). So I typically go after sausage, ribs, or chicken at BBQ joints. And ribs, like you say, can run a lot of money so when I'm there on my own I went for the cheaper options and special for my curiosity. It was pretty good if I recall, but it wasn't mind blowing, the sausage was better. Still not sure why I didn't get more meats to just try, that plate looks kind of weak in retrospect.
-
It was the special that day so I figured Id try it. I'm actually not a huge brisket fan overall (like I'm not one to judge what brisket is good when in general, Id rather have chicken). So I typically go after sausage, ribs, or chicken at BBQ joints. And ribs, like you say, can run a lot of money so when I'm there on my own I went for the cheaper options and special for my curiosity. It was pretty good if I recall, but it wasn't mind blowing, the sausage was better. Still not sure why I didn't get more meats to just try, that plate looks kind of weak in retrospect.
See, this is a healthy plate. :lol
(https://www.texasmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/LMTray_680x382.jpg)
(It's probably also upwards of $80)
-
Yup, that looks solid and someone posted a pic of another awesome full plate of food from a BBQ joint in the food thread. My last BBQ trip though was much better than my visit to Kreuz though, I swear :lol (Rudy's in Colorado Springs)
-
1) What is in that little cup at the top?
2) Is that yellow thing a slice of cheese? Never seen that before on a BBQ plate.
3) Is it assumed that plate is to be shared, due to the 2 forks and knives?
-
I see it as one set for meat and one for sides but all for me :lol
upon further inspections, I'm not sure what is at the top, mac and cheese was my initial thought and I'm still going with it but the left side of it makes me question it. I've also never seen a slice of cheese served with this food either, but the cheese looks like it could be a slice of cheddar or american, and if cheddar then thats better :yarr
-
The yellow stuff is going to be cobbler, most likely peach.
That is cheese of undetermined nature. For reasons unknown white bread and a slice of cheese is a popular accompaniment down there. Normally American, but that looks like it could be cheddar.
I would hope that's a meal for two. You're looking at 3lbs of meat there. And since this came from Texas Monthly (the holy bible of Texas BBW) I'm guessing it's what their critic ordered up to sample everything. Critics always take along a friend.
I see it as one set for meat and one for sides but all for me :lol
Poor form. Meat is finger food. :lol
-
That slice of cheese looks as thick as the bread.
-
I'm positive the sausage was fantastic, though. That was Germany's greatest contribution to Texas.
How long is that list? :lol
-
I'm gonna be in Austin in a few weeks, so I'm gonna have to check out Whataburger. Those I know who've had it rank it significantly higher than I-n-O.
It's really not the be all/end all. It's a good fast food burger and that's all. It's just better than the normal chains. It absolutely pummels InO, though. Since InO is godawful that's not saying anything, though.
In Austin, take thirty minutes to drive to Taylor an/or Lockhart and eat some exceptional BBQ. Good food and an opportunity to see very old, Podunk parts of Texas.
I won't have a car and will be downtown (near Congress Av. by the river), so I'm kinda limited to places I can walk to or that I'm willing to Uber/Lyft to. I had my eye on Cooper's at Congress and 3rd, but I'm happy to have suggestions.
I would hope that's a meal for two. You're looking at 3lbs of meat there. And since this came from Texas Monthly (the holy bible of Texas BBW) I'm guessing it's what their critic ordered up to sample everything. Critics always take along a friend.
I'm guessing if I were to google that, I'd get results with a very different kind of meat! :lol :lol :lol
-
The yellow stuff is going to be cobbler, most likely peach.
Knowing that makes it look significantly more appetizing.
That is cheese of undetermined nature. For reasons unknown white bread and a slice of cheese is a popular accompaniment down there. Normally American, but that looks like it could be cheddar.
American would be unacceptable, especially given the price. I mean, I get that regional "down-home" cuisine sometimes includes bizarre things, like pimento cheese, or American "cheese." But a slice of American "cheese" on a plate is just...strange. But then again, so is including a couple of slices of white bread, so... :dunno:
I would hope that's a meal for two. You're looking at 3lbs of meat there. And since this came from Texas Monthly (the holy bible of Texas BBW) I'm guessing it's what their critic ordered up to sample everything. Critics always take along a friend.
Really? It doesn't look all THAT big.
(It's probably also upwards of $80)
I get that there are few things like good bbq. But if you were not exaggerating on the price tag, that's ridiculous.
-
I see it as one set for meat and one for sides but all for me :lol
Poor form. Meat is finger food. :lol
I'm not big on eating a sausage with my hands :lol but the ribs for sure
-
I'm positive the sausage was fantastic, though. That was Germany's greatest contribution to Texas.
How long is that list? :lol
BBQ, Tejano, kolaches, and Bock beer. That's about all I can come up (and the Kolaches are technically Czechoslovakian).
-
I'm gonna be in Austin in a few weeks, so I'm gonna have to check out Whataburger. Those I know who've had it rank it significantly higher than I-n-O.
It's really not the be all/end all. It's a good fast food burger and that's all. It's just better than the normal chains. It absolutely pummels InO, though. Since InO is godawful that's not saying anything, though.
In Austin, take thirty minutes to drive to Taylor an/or Lockhart and eat some exceptional BBQ. Good food and an opportunity to see very old, Podunk parts of Texas.
I won't have a car and will be downtown (near Congress Av. by the river), so I'm kinda limited to places I can walk to or that I'm willing to Uber/Lyft to. I had my eye on Cooper's at Congress and 3rd, but I'm happy to have suggestions.
Terry Black's isn't too far from that. He's a brother from the Black family and definitely knows his shit. I ate there a month or two ago and found it pretty good, but not the best I've had. I was a bit disappointed in the sausage (honestly, cheese has no place in sausage). The brisket was good, and the turkey was excellent. Cool, eclectic neighborhood, if weird Austin is your thing. Expect a line.
-
I'm gonna be in Austin in a few weeks, so I'm gonna have to check out Whataburger. Those I know who've had it rank it significantly higher than I-n-O.
It's really not the be all/end all. It's a good fast food burger and that's all. It's just better than the normal chains. It absolutely pummels InO, though. Since InO is godawful that's not saying anything, though.
In Austin, take thirty minutes to drive to Taylor an/or Lockhart and eat some exceptional BBQ. Good food and an opportunity to see very old, Podunk parts of Texas.
I won't have a car and will be downtown (near Congress Av. by the river), so I'm kinda limited to places I can walk to or that I'm willing to Uber/Lyft to. I had my eye on Cooper's at Congress and 3rd, but I'm happy to have suggestions.
Terry Black's isn't too far from that. He's a brother from the Black family and definitely knows his shit. I ate there a month or two ago and found it pretty good, but not the best I've had. I was a bit disappointed in the sausage (honestly, cheese has no place in sausage). The brisket was good, and the turkey was excellent. Cool, eclectic neighborhood, if weird Austin is your thing. Expect a line.
:tup :tup
-
That is cheese of undetermined nature. For reasons unknown white bread and a slice of cheese is a popular accompaniment down there. Normally American, but that looks like it could be cheddar.
American would be unacceptable, especially given the price. I mean, I get that regional "down-home" cuisine sometimes includes bizarre things, like pimento cheese, or American "cheese." But a slice of American "cheese" on a plate is just...strange. But then again, so is including a couple of slices of white bread, so... :dunno:
I think it's tradition. These families were serving up the same food in the early 1900s, and I suspect being able to make a sandwich out of it if you desired was a luxury. I always pass on it, myself, but it's always offered.
Really? It doesn't look all THAT big.
The links are easily a 1/4 lb each. That looks about like a half pound of brisket. That rib is easily 1 1/2. I'm only guessing on the pork ribs, but I'd guess close to a half pound.
I get that there are few things like good bbq. But if you were not exaggerating on the price tag, that's ridiculous.
Meats at Louis Meuller's run 18-20/lb. Sixty bucks worth of meat plus 3 sides and presumably a couple of beers each to wash it down. I'm sticking with $80. Like I said, that's why the beef ribs are a luxury I don't generally go for. That thing is nearly half the cost.
-
The links are easily a 1/4 lb each. That looks about like a half pound of brisket. That rib is easily 1 1/2. I'm only guessing on the pork ribs, but I'd guess close to a half pound.
And I'm guessing half of what you're paying for is bone, eh?
-
The links are easily a 1/4 lb each. That looks about like a half pound of brisket. That rib is easily 1 1/2. I'm only guessing on the pork ribs, but I'd guess close to a half pound.
And I'm guessing half of what you're paying for is bone, eh?
You're certainly getting more meat than bone, but yeah, you're paying for the bone.
And if you do hit up Terry Black's, I'm serious about the line. I was there close to 1600 and still had nearly a half hour wait. Don't think you can do it on a lunch hour, and by dinner they might be running out of stuff.
-
McDonalds had those Angus burgers for a bit, would cost around $12 for a large meal if I recall. I usually get a medium #1 and if I am hungry enough, add a McChicken, comes to around 10 bucks. I don't think it's that crazy to spend $12 at McDonalds depending on where you are. Regardless, Costco is much cheaper.
I suppose it depends on what you're getting. Stadler mentioned a #2 meal with either a cheeseburger or a Filet-o-Fish. I'm not familiar with any of the combos by number, but if all you're getting for $12 is a McDonald's cheeseburger, fries and a drink, you're paying way too much.
I had this discussion with a friend in relation to In-n-Out. I said I much prefer Five Guys, and he responded that Five Guys is too expensive, and my retort was that I'd rather spend $15 and get what I get at Five Guys than spend $8-9 and get an overcooked burger (both the meat and the bun) and fries that are edible for no more than 5 minutes after they hand them to you. That's even more true with McDonald's.
A bacon-cheese Whataburger meal is $6.64 and is vastly superior to any burger from McDs.
I'm gonna be in Austin in a few weeks, so I'm gonna have to check out Whataburger. Those I know who've had it rank it significantly higher than I-n-O.
First, not talking quality at all. I'm with all of you that Whataburger and Five Guys far eclipse McDonald's (though I don't consider McDonald's "shit" like many do; it's not bad when it's hot). I don't get the hoopla over In-And-Out, but to each his own. I have often gone to Wendy's for a single with cheese, then cruised through Mickey D's for fries.
Which brings me to second: PG is right. What up with the "durability" of McDonald's fries. They are delicious, but when you get them, the clock is ticking. The closest McDonald's is about 15 minutes away, and I dislike the fries already by the time I get home. They are NOT good when cold.
Third, I went to see if I had any receipts lying around, but I don't eat there much so I don't (I save all my travel receipts, but no Mickey D's). So I went on the app. For my local Mickey D's, if I add a Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal with a med. coke - that's a number 2 meal with NO upgrades - it's $9.39 BEFORE tax. To add a cheeseburger, just the sandwich, it's $1.29; to add a Filet-O-Fish, just the sandwich, it's $5.29. So you're looking at $10.88, plus $0.69 tax, or $11.57, or $14.68, plus $0.93, or $15.61. So I said "$12", when actually it is between $11.57 or $15.61 for the meals I typically get. On rare occasions I will sub out a QP for a Big Mac. At my local store, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese is $5.69, a Big Mac is $5.49, and the meal is $9.09 before tax. So we're looking at a quarter ($0.25) difference on each end of the range.
I feel okay about my statement of "$12 for a meal at McDonald's". Whether that's $12 well spent or not is another discussion (I don't think it is, frankly; I'd rather go and get a cheeseburger grinder or an Italian hoagie from my local pizza joint).
-
I really never understood the love of 5 Guys TBH. The burgers are so so, and I the fries always get gross because they put so many of them into that bag.
I think Wayback (Jake's Wayback in some places) is far superior.
-
Never heard of wayback, but I'e always felt you got to eat those Five Guys fries quick, they get too potatoey and mushy over time, but I do enjoy them a lot fresh, with ketchup. It's one of the few fries that I really want to put ketchup on.
Stadler, I am with you, I think it depends on location. There's definitely meals that cost over 10 bucks and while I don't have a receipt to prove it, Ive definitely experienced it here in NJ before. I do have a receipt from my trip to Amsterdam where I hit up a Mcdonalds since I just did this expense report recently. 8 Euro for a medium big mac meal including tax. Thats $9 and a medium, a large is likey close to $10. I did add a mchicken to that meal which was 3.4 euro but that sandwich wasn't exactly the same as the US version which is much cheaper.
-
It was the special that day so I figured Id try it. I'm actually not a huge brisket fan overall (like I'm not one to judge what brisket is good when in general, Id rather have chicken). So I typically go after sausage, ribs, or chicken at BBQ joints. And ribs, like you say, can run a lot of money so when I'm there on my own I went for the cheaper options and special for my curiosity. It was pretty good if I recall, but it wasn't mind blowing, the sausage was better. Still not sure why I didn't get more meats to just try, that plate looks kind of weak in retrospect.
See, this is a healthy plate. :lol
(https://www.texasmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/LMTray_680x382.jpg)
(It's probably also upwards of $80)
Look at that crust. My mouth is watering.
(I want to try Black's; I've heard a lot - relatively speaking - about it up here and would like to try it.)
-
The thing I hate most about working 7 days a week now is no more long smokes on the weekend. Best I can do is a 5-6 hour rib session on a Friday night, and even then I'm not eating those babies until 10:30 or so. I used to smoke brisket all the time, and had some take as long as 14 hours to finish up.
I love building up that bark on the outside. I'd go out there every 45-60 minutes with a spray bottle filled with apple cider vinegar, apple juice, melted butter, and a bit of brown sugar and spray the brisket with it. It'd give all that smoke and debris something to stick to, and you'd get a really nice layer of deliciousness on the outside.
Damn. Now I'm hard in my cubicle.
-
My dad's coming with me to the DT show tonight and he just texted me "Hey. Want to grab dinner before the concert? Costco?" :lol
-
Dad knows what's up. :lol :tup
-
:lol good call Dad
-
The thing I hate most about working 7 days a week now is no more long smokes on the weekend. Best I can do is a 5-6 hour rib session on a Friday night, and even then I'm not eating those babies until 10:30 or so. I used to smoke brisket all the time, and had some take as long as 14 hours to finish up.
I love building up that bark on the outside. I'd go out there every 45-60 minutes with a spray bottle filled with apple cider vinegar, apple juice, melted butter, and a bit of brown sugar and spray the brisket with it. It'd give all that smoke and debris something to stick to, and you'd get a really nice layer of deliciousness on the outside.
Damn. Now I'm hard in my cubicle.
You tried wrapping it and/or staging it? Down here the so-called Texas crutch is the new norm. Smoke it until you've developed the bark you want, at which point it's probably hitting the stall, and then wrap it tight in foil or butcher paper to blow right on through the last few hours. Once it's done you can unwrap it and throw it back on the heat to crisp up your bark real good and give it a final whiff of smoke. This will shave several hours off of your cook time.
Something else you see some good pitmasters do is to spread it out over a couple of days. Kent Black smokes his briskets up until the bark/stall point and then throws them in cooler for a day or two. Then it's back onto the smoker for the final four to five hours right before it's served. I've seen a few people do it this way, and Kent's is some of the finest brisket I've ever eaten.
There are definitely options for people who can't spend 14 hours smoking a brisket. Down here a guy named Aaron Frankly forced everybody to up their game in a big way. Because of him you've got a whole state full of people looking for new ideas in smoking. YT is now chock full of people demonstrating their techniques now.
-
Hot take here.... McD's fries are awful.
-
The thing I hate most about working 7 days a week now is no more long smokes on the weekend. Best I can do is a 5-6 hour rib session on a Friday night, and even then I'm not eating those babies until 10:30 or so. I used to smoke brisket all the time, and had some take as long as 14 hours to finish up.
I love building up that bark on the outside. I'd go out there every 45-60 minutes with a spray bottle filled with apple cider vinegar, apple juice, melted butter, and a bit of brown sugar and spray the brisket with it. It'd give all that smoke and debris something to stick to, and you'd get a really nice layer of deliciousness on the outside.
Damn. Now I'm hard in my cubicle.
You tried wrapping it and/or staging it? Down here the so-called Texas crutch is the new norm. Smoke it until you've developed the bark you want, at which point it's probably hitting the stall, and then wrap it tight in foil or butcher paper to blow right on through the last few hours. Once it's done you can unwrap it and throw it back on the heat to crisp up your bark real good and give it a final whiff of smoke. This will shave several hours off of your cook time.
That's what I do for the most part. I do it with ribs and pork butt too. I wrap it in pink butcher paper, and once it hits temp, I wrap that up in a couple of beach towels and then stuff it in a cooler for 2 hours or so.
-
McDonalds had those Angus burgers for a bit, would cost around $12 for a large meal if I recall. I usually get a medium #1 and if I am hungry enough, add a McChicken, comes to around 10 bucks. I don't think it's that crazy to spend $12 at McDonalds depending on where you are. Regardless, Costco is much cheaper.
I suppose it depends on what you're getting. Stadler mentioned a #2 meal with either a cheeseburger or a Filet-o-Fish. I'm not familiar with any of the combos by number, but if all you're getting for $12 is a McDonald's cheeseburger, fries and a drink, you're paying way too much.
I had this discussion with a friend in relation to In-n-Out. I said I much prefer Five Guys, and he responded that Five Guys is too expensive, and my retort was that I'd rather spend $15 and get what I get at Five Guys than spend $8-9 and get an overcooked burger (both the meat and the bun) and fries that are edible for no more than 5 minutes after they hand them to you. That's even more true with McDonald's.
A bacon-cheese Whataburger meal is $6.64 and is vastly superior to any burger from McDs.
I'm gonna be in Austin in a few weeks, so I'm gonna have to check out Whataburger. Those I know who've had it rank it significantly higher than I-n-O.
First, not talking quality at all. I'm with all of you that Whataburger and Five Guys far eclipse McDonald's (though I don't consider McDonald's "shit" like many do; it's not bad when it's hot). I don't get the hoopla over In-And-Out, but to each his own. I have often gone to Wendy's for a single with cheese, then cruised through Mickey D's for fries.
Which brings me to second: PG is right. What up with the "durability" of McDonald's fries. They are delicious, but when you get them, the clock is ticking. The closest McDonald's is about 15 minutes away, and I dislike the fries already by the time I get home. They are NOT good when cold.
Third, I went to see if I had any receipts lying around, but I don't eat there much so I don't (I save all my travel receipts, but no Mickey D's). So I went on the app. For my local Mickey D's, if I add a Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal with a med. coke - that's a number 2 meal with NO upgrades - it's $9.39 BEFORE tax. To add a cheeseburger, just the sandwich, it's $1.29; to add a Filet-O-Fish, just the sandwich, it's $5.29. So you're looking at $10.88, plus $0.69 tax, or $11.57, or $14.68, plus $0.93, or $15.61. So I said "$12", when actually it is between $11.57 or $15.61 for the meals I typically get. On rare occasions I will sub out a QP for a Big Mac. At my local store, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese is $5.69, a Big Mac is $5.49, and the meal is $9.09 before tax. So we're looking at a quarter ($0.25) difference on each end of the range.
I feel okay about my statement of "$12 for a meal at McDonald's". Whether that's $12 well spent or not is another discussion (I don't think it is, frankly; I'd rather go and get a cheeseburger grinder or an Italian hoagie from my local pizza joint).
I missed that you were talking about adding a sandwich to a combo meal. That's a different story.
I was referring to the In-n-Out fries as not being "durable" (as you aptly said), but yeah, the same applies to McD's fries (although, honestly, I think all fries suffer if you don't consume them right away). The all-time best fast food fries were the old-school Carl's Jr. fries made from dehydrated potato pellets.
Wendy's is ok, but it used to be great before they changed their meat. I don't recall when that happened (maybe 10 years ago), but a Wendy's double used to be the best fast food burger out there.
-
I really never understood the love of 5 Guys TBH. The burgers are so so, and I the fries always get gross because they put so many of them into that bag.
I think Wayback (Jake's Wayback in some places) is far superior.
I've never been to 5 guys. Tried once, and we stood around for several minutes while 2 employees shot the shit and didn't even acknowledge us. We has a Wayback here for like 2 years. I ate there maybe half a dozen times. I got their 9x9 or whatever burger once. I felt like I was going to die after... but it was SO freakin good!
-
You need to go to five guys Jay, give them another shot.
-
You need to go to five guys Jay, give them another shot.
I almost did last night... but went to Red Robin instead :lol
-
Family went to Costco tonight, and since I had sausage hoagies for dinner last night, I opted for the turkey provolone sandwich for the first time. Quite tasty, and I don't recall it getting much pub in this thread.
-
For the record, my wife, stepson, and I went to Costco last Monday for a quick dinner... three hot dogs, drinks, and I got one of those Turkey melt thingies to try (GOOD!) and the whole shooting match was $15 and change. It's not Capital Grill, but for the dollar, I'm not sure there's a better choice out there.
-
Costco has the best price to taste ratio, no doubt.
-
On my most recent visit to Costco I noticed they have a hamburger on their menu now. Looks pretty basic, like most of their food. Can't recall the price. Anyone ever have one of these?
-
On my most recent visit to Costco I noticed they have a hamburger on their menu now. Looks pretty basic, like most of their food. Can't recall the price. Anyone ever have one of these?
I didn't see it on the menu here when I went last week.
Color me intrigued.
-
They've had it for awhile. But it looks basic, and it's pricey (for Costco, anyway). I don't see the point of NOT just going for the dog-&-a-Coke or the pizza.
-
I'm heading to Costco on my way home after work. I'll try to remember to check. If they have it, I'll buy one and provide a report.
-
Update:
I can confirm that the Waterbury CT Costco does NOT carry the cheeseburger. However, I bought a new gaming chair while I was there, and it is comfy as hell.
-
But how does the chair taste?
-
Did it come with a soda?
-
Costo food is cheap. Beyond that I can't say much. The hot dog is certainly edible and fills you up. Its not a great dog by any means. The pizza is nasty.
-
Never tried their hot dogs. Had pizza a few times and don't really remember anything special about it. I guess it was fine for the money.
-
Update:
I can confirm that the Waterbury CT Costco does NOT carry the cheeseburger. However, I bought a new gaming chair while I was there, and it is comfy as hell.
They don't have a burger in the Milford location either.
-
This won't be the best analysis and review. I had a full cart, an 8 year old being an annoying 8 year old, and a 2 year old falling asleep on my shoulder, and I was starving. I just had the hamburger at the food court. It was 6 oz of beef in 2 patties, 2 slices of melted cheese, chopped lettuce, and some diced tomato/relish/special sauce maybe? The meat was good, the cheese was melted, the lettuce seemed fresh, good bun. I added a little ketchup and mustard and some diced onions, and thought it was quite tasty. At $4.99 it seems pricey for a Costco food court item, but it filled me up nicely, and I don't eat like a mouse.
-
a costco double double animal style? sounds good to me
-
Had to Google that. Never been to an In and Out. Onions aren't included, you have to add those from the condiment bar.
-
Hmmm
For $5 it doesn't sound worth it. I think I'd take the pizza or dogs over it still.
With that being said, I am kind of annoyed that I don't at least have the option here :lol
-
Waiting for the "Impossible Costco burger" to appear.... :\
-
Waiting for the "Impossible Costco burger" to appear.... :\
Sarcasm?
Because that idea excites me a little :lol
-
Waiting for the "Impossible Costco burger" to appear.... :\
Sarcasm?
Because that idea excites me a little :lol
I have never had one but the idea of a plant burger bleeding like beef is a bit creepy. :natalieportman:
-
Waiting for the "Impossible Costco burger" to appear.... :\
Sarcasm?
Because that idea excites me a little :lol
I have never had one but the idea of a plant burger bleeding like beef is a bit creepy. :natalieportman:
We pump full of antibiotics and harvest animals by the millions, hanging them upside down to cut their throats and carve them up with chainsaws, treat them with bleach, and then package them in facilities that are probably looking the other way in terms of safety and handling. A bleeding plant burger doesn't sound all that bad.
-
Waiting for the "Impossible Costco burger" to appear.... :\
Sarcasm?
Because that idea excites me a little :lol
Fair point
I have never had one but the idea of a plant burger bleeding like beef is a bit creepy. :natalieportman:
We pump full of antibiotics and harvest animals by the millions, hanging them upside down to cut their throats and carve them up with chainsaws, treat them with bleach, and then package them in facilities that are probably looking the other way in terms of safety and handling. A bleeding plant burger doesn't sound all that bad.
Fair point
-
Some bad news for those who enjoy the food court without membership
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/costco-stores-soon-require-membership-175513647.html (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/costco-stores-soon-require-membership-175513647.html)
-
Huh. I always assumed you needed one for the court. I thought it was only the Costco Packy that didn't require a membership.
-
I know out here where I am, some stores have the food court on the exterior, where you can walk up and order without going into the store. For those, you might not have needed membership to order food. But most of the stores out here have the food court inside, and since you need to have a membership to get in, you have had to have membership just to get to the food court in the first place.
-
The costcos Ive been to in NJ are all the same, the food court is inside but behind the registers where customer service is so you just walk in to the left and they don't check you.
-
The costcos Ive been to in NJ are all the same, the food court is inside but behind the registers where customer service is so you just walk in to the left and they don't check you.
That's how it is at mine as well. My wife has a membership that we share with my mom, so I'm not technically a member. I hope they don't start checking cards because I love swinging by for a cheap lunch when I feel the need to get out of the office.
-
Sorry to be a dick (sort of) but I'm not upset by this. It's not a restaurant, in the sense that there is limited seating and limited access, and the prices are undoubtedly subsidized by members and their annual dues. I don't see why it's a big deal - IF you want to eat there with any regularity - to help chip in on the cleanup, etc. etc. I know no one here is really complaining, but that's how I feel.
-
I've got no issue with it. I always thought that made sense but didn't really question it since it benefitted me a handful of times.
-
Bumping, not really cause of the foodcourt but in praise of the kirkland booze :yarr There's a costco near work and near my house, neither sell Kirkland booze but if I drive about 25 minutes away from home, there's one. So I signed up for my membership again after about 3 years of not having one through Groupon for $60 and it came with a $40 gift card. Made my way over to the booze Costco and just loaded up a cart with kirkland booze for such a significant amount of savings.
-
God I wish Costco could sell booze in Ontario. :sadpanda: >:(
-
Bumping, not really cause of the foodcourt but in praise of the kirkland booze :yarr There's a costco near work and near my house, neither sell Kirkland booze but if I drive about 25 minutes away from home, there's one. So I signed up for my membership again after about 3 years of not having one through Groupon for $60 and it came with a $40 gift card. Made my way over to the booze Costco and just loaded up a cart with kirkland booze for such a significant amount of savings.
Lol. Not sure how it is in Jersey, but here in CT you don't need a Costco membership to buy booze. That's open to the public.
-
Bumping, not really cause of the foodcourt but in praise of the kirkland booze :yarr There's a costco near work and near my house, neither sell Kirkland booze but if I drive about 25 minutes away from home, there's one. So I signed up for my membership again after about 3 years of not having one through Groupon for $60 and it came with a $40 gift card. Made my way over to the booze Costco and just loaded up a cart with kirkland booze for such a significant amount of savings.
Lol. Not sure how it is in Jersey, but here in CT you don't need a Costco membership to buy booze. That's open to the public.
Including Kirkland brand? The costco by work sells alcohol outside the store so you don't need a membership, but it's only name brand.
-
What the heck is Kirkland booze?
-
What the heck is Kirkland booze?
Costco brand alcohol. They pretty much make their own version of the major liquor types as well as wine and beer. It is rumored their french vodka (at $20 for a 1.75) is the same as grey goose (based on being made in the same distillery and most people agree the quality is top notch). I haven't personally tried the others but I understand their whiskey is VERY good for the price. I've had their beer before which is really good too (can't recall which kind if was though and didn't pick up any this time).
-
What the heck is Kirkland booze?
Costco brand alcohol. They pretty much make their own version of the major liquor types as well as wine and beer. It is rumored their french vodka (at $20 for a 1.75) is the same as grey goose (based on being made in the same distillery and most people agree the quality is top notch). I haven't personally tried the others but I understand their whiskey is VERY good for the price. I've had their beer before which is really good too (can't recall which kind if was though and didn't pick up any this time).
Ok cool. I had never heard of it. My wife goes to BJ's. I'm not sure I've actually ever been in a Costco.
-
What the heck is Kirkland booze?
Dirt cheap, but generally well regarded liquor under Costco's store label. Think of it as Great Value Scotch, or Signature Select Vodka.
Also, only available in some states, so you might not have any reason to have ever heard of it. Definitely a no-go in Tejas.
edit:What the heck is Kirkland booze?
Costco brand alcohol. They pretty much make their own version of the major liquor types as well as wine and beer. It is rumored their french vodka (at $20 for a 1.75) is the same as grey goose (based on being made in the same distillery and most people agree the quality is top notch). I haven't personally tried the others but I understand their whiskey is VERY good for the price. I've had their beer before which is really good too (can't recall which kind if was though and didn't pick up any this time).
Like most store brands, they don't make any of it. They just buy off label stuff and put their own name on it. Just like Trader Joes. That's why it's quite possible that it's made by name brand distillers. Titos is actually what I've seen bandied about for their vodka. Their cheap American whiskey is most likely Beam. Their Scotch is Alexander Murray.
-
What the heck is Kirkland booze?
Dirt cheap, but generally well regarded liquor under Costco's store label. Think of it as Great Value Scotch, or Signature Select Vodka.
Is that Albertsons or Safeway?
-
What the heck is Kirkland booze?
Dirt cheap, but generally well regarded liquor under Costco's store label. Think of it as Great Value Scotch, or Signature Select Vodka.
Is that Albertsons or Safeway?
Albertsons and Vons. They got some good side dishes and $5.00 8 pieces of chicken every other week.
-
Signature Select is Albertsons/Safeway/Tom Thumb (not familiar with Vons), but I don't know as they make firewater. I was trying to be lighthearted.
-
Signature Select is Albertsons/Safeway/Tom Thumb (not familiar with Vons), but I don't know as they make firewater. I was trying to be lighthearted.
My store is under their umbrella, so I recognized the Signature Select brand name.
-
What the heck is Kirkland booze?
Dirt cheap, but generally well regarded liquor under Costco's store label. Think of it as Great Value Scotch, or Signature Select Vodka.
Also, only available in some states, so you might not have any reason to have ever heard of it. Definitely a no-go in Tejas.
edit:What the heck is Kirkland booze?
Costco brand alcohol. They pretty much make their own version of the major liquor types as well as wine and beer. It is rumored their french vodka (at $20 for a 1.75) is the same as grey goose (based on being made in the same distillery and most people agree the quality is top notch). I haven't personally tried the others but I understand their whiskey is VERY good for the price. I've had their beer before which is really good too (can't recall which kind if was though and didn't pick up any this time).
Like most store brands, they don't make any of it. They just buy off label stuff and put their own name on it. Just like Trader Joes. That's why it's quite possible that it's made by name brand distillers. Titos is actually what I've seen bandied about for their vodka. Their cheap American whiskey is most likely Beam. Their Scotch is Alexander Murray.
If you hear Titos, that's likely the Kirkland American vodka which is $15 for a 1.75, the French vodka is the $20 variant I was referring to. It's not surprising though, I kind of figured it is like literally the same thing, but I have no way of proving that. I'll just say, for $20, it's a super bargain if you can get past the label (and I know, for some reason, many people can't).
-
Huh, I've never heard of them selling booze (or anything for that matter) outside the store so anyone can buy it, even if they do not have a membership.
-
When I was a teenager, I knew a guy who worked in a food packaging plant. He said that for the no named brand potato chips, it was exactly the same product as (insert name brand such as) Lays, just different packaging. Same goes for hairspray, detergent ... basically any / everything.
-
Right.
-
When I was a teenager, I knew a guy who worked in a food packaging plant. He said that for the no named brand potato chips, it was exactly the same product as (insert name brand such as) Lays, just different packaging. Same goes for hairspray, detergent ... basically any / everything.
I really never knew that. For the most part in my experience getting store brand items, they always seemed a little worse than the name brand (and occasionally I'd find some store brand product to be solid, for some reason I love shoprite brand BBQ sauce but the shoprite potato chips are good enough for the cheap price but definitely not as good as the main brands). Seeing Costco or TraderJoes do it is one thing, but if that's also what Shoprite or similar does, I'm kind of boggled.
-
All of the chains do it. It's not like Shoprite has a factory making mayonaise.
-
All of the chains do it. It's not like Shoprite has a factory making mayonaise.
Yea, but are they ALL using the big name brands or are they maybe using smaller less known ones? And they are always exactly the same? Like for chips, they maybe use less salt on the ones they sell off to another brand or something similar?
-
All of the chains do it. It's not like Shoprite has a factory making mayonaise.
Yea, but are they ALL using the big name brands or are they maybe using smaller less known ones? And they are always exactly the same? Like for chips, they maybe use less salt on the ones they sell off to another brand or something similar?
All of the above.
-
In my experience the contents of store brand stuff are usually brand name stuff, but they cut corners elsewhere. Formula 409 uses a good quality spray bottle. The store brand uses a cheap spray bottle where the trigger never really works quite right. It's always things like that. Cheap caps on dish soap that get clogged up after a few days. Fake Windex is watered down so it's streaky. Cheap paper towels are never perforated worth a damn, so they never tear off clean. The same quality products sold in an inferior fashion. Often times it's just fine like that. Foodstuff is generally not a problem. Other times I won't touch it (things that won't tear cleanly because they're not perforated right piss me off to no end). Just gotta figure out what works and what doesn't.
All of the chains do it. It's not like Shoprite has a factory making mayonaise.
Yea, but are they ALL using the big name brands or are they maybe using smaller less known ones? And they are always exactly the same? Like for chips, they maybe use less salt on the ones they sell off to another brand or something similar?
Like TAC suggested, I'm sure it varies by product, as well as the contract the stores have with the manufacturer. Chips are a good example. I suspect the good folks at Frito Lay use a little less salt on their white label products so they're not quite as tasty to the average consumer. For other things, say liquor, they just rely on secrecy, knowing that people will still pay for the real deal so-as not to be embarrassed at their dinner party. In other cases they might be buying "factory seconds." I think that's the case with 3 buck chuck. Lastly, I wouldn't bet on them being the A-list manufacturers. Perhaps instead of Kellogg they're selling General Mills cereal. Still a top name brand, but not the biggest.
-
Usually with chips and soda, they will likely be made by regional makers, generally not Frito or Coke.
As all of these companies merge, it's hard to keep track of. My regional grocery chain is now part of a national company.
A lot of times, you can look at the packaging. Who's peanut butter does your private label bottle look like?
-
Well I'm learning some new stuff today, I guess that all makes sense.
Actually have been doing most of my grocery shopping at Lidl lately (it's so cheap and very good food) and I noticed the Lidl frozen burgers are almost EXACTLY like bubba burgers for 3/4 of the cost and after trying them out, they are just as good. Actually impressed a friend with those recently.
-
I didn’t mean to imply that ALL no name brands are the named brand product in different packaging is, but some of it is. Part mix for instance. I’d wager it’s literally just a different logo on the bag. Shampoo... I’ll guarantee the “Purt” brand is from the same vat as “Pert”
-
One of my favorite deals when I first got into beer was Trader Joe's annual Vintage Ale release in the fall. They had it made for them by a well regarded brewery in Canada, the brewery's own beer went for ~$10/750mL bottle, but the Trader Joe's label beer could be had for $4 or $5 and was on par with their other offerings.
-
As I drink vodka almost exclusively, and Tito's almost exclusively within that, I'm going to try the Kirkland label. That's right up my alley.
As for name-brand vs. signature, El Barto has it right, I think. They cut corners elsewhere, and there MAY be some differences with the product itself. I know that working for an electronics manufacturer, we used to supply product for off-brand use. But it wasn't EXACTLY the same. Let's say that the product had to pass a certain spec - let's say it's got to be rated a "2" on a scale of one to five - to sell it. So all 2's or better would be sold, everything below that was scrap or rework. Stuff rated 5 would be our military or government contract stuff. Stuff rated 4 or 5 would be our name brand stuff. Stuff rated 3 would be the off-brand stuff, and stuff rated 2 might go to discount parts distributors.
Put in terms of potato chips, 4 and 5 would be less than one "brown" chip out of 100, and of a certain size. 3 would be 1 to 5 brown chips per 100, and of a certain size, but with an allowance for smaller pieces. 2 would be 5 to 10 brown chips per 100, and of a certain size, but smaller still. We did this with lightbulbs, for example. For vodka, there might be a purity standard. Doesn't mean your vodka IS less pure, but maybe the consistency isn't QUITE the level of that which gets poured into the Tito's bottle. It LIKELY is, but not guaranteed.
-
Yea, that makes a lot of sense really and would explain my personal experiences with lots of store brand products not exactly being as good as name brands but often times, not by much.
Stads, you will really enjoy the kirkland vodka from a taste perspective and even more from the savings. I think this is totally worth my effort for the hour round trip every once in awhile to stock up. I even grabbed a few bottles for my boss while I was there yesterday.
-
Bumping, not really cause of the foodcourt but in praise of the kirkland booze :yarr There's a costco near work and near my house, neither sell Kirkland booze but if I drive about 25 minutes away from home, there's one. So I signed up for my membership again after about 3 years of not having one through Groupon for $60 and it came with a $40 gift card. Made my way over to the booze Costco and just loaded up a cart with kirkland booze for such a significant amount of savings.
Kirkland booze is the shit although I can only get beer and wine at Costco in NC, no liquor:(
-
Nov 13, new Costco opening just 18 minutes up the highway from me, rather than the 30 minutes away the closest one is right now. Plus, it's got a gas bar. :fistpump: The current one we go to is quite long in the tooth. The newer ones are so nice. It'll be nice for our bi-weekly trip there not to burn 2 hours of a day.
-
Nov 13, new Costco opening just 18 minutes up the highway from me, rather than the 30 minutes away the closest one is right now. Plus, it's got a gas bar. :fistpump: The current one we go to is quite long in the tooth. The newer ones are so nice. It'll be nice for our bi-weekly trip there not to burn 2 hours of a day.
What's a gas bar?
-
Nov 13, new Costco opening just 18 minutes up the highway from me, rather than the 30 minutes away the closest one is right now. Plus, it's got a gas bar. :fistpump: The current one we go to is quite long in the tooth. The newer ones are so nice. It'll be nice for our bi-weekly trip there not to burn 2 hours of a day.
What's a gas bar?
Gas station.
-
Thought you guys called it Petrol.
-
Thought you guys called it Petrol.
That's ariich
-
You still measure it in "litres", though, don't you?
-
You still measure it in "litres", though, don't you?
Of course. We're not savages!
-
(https://i.imgur.com/8X7naDy.jpg)
-
Well, I decided to bump this thread. So I saw a Groupon where they were offering one year of a Costco Membership card for $60.00 (and added an incentive where after you get the card and set it up for renewal, you also get a $40.00 gift card and a promo for $40.00 off for orders over $250.00).
So, I guess I'm off to Costco today see what's up with the food court and everything else that they have there.
-
Their hot dog/drink combo is the best budget lunch in existence afaic
-
Won't argue that. Though I am displeased they no longer offer fresh chopped onions for the hot dogs - at least mine doesn't.
-
Sounds like a good deal, but every time I've had a warehouse club membership, I've ended up buying a bunch of stuff I otherwise wouldn't have bought.
Plus, I HATE auto-renew stuff. I've had a Sam's Club membership for the past few years to buy stuff for my kid's marching band, and last time I renewed it (at the checkstand), it automatically did auto-renewal. Initially, I thought it was one of those things where you had to make a phone call to cancel, but I was able to do it online. I also had a "VIP" thing with a shoe store when I got some special walking shoes, and that was a "must call to cancel" thing. Fortunately, I had to cancel my debit card because of some specific fraud, so I ended up not having to deal with it.
-
Sounds like a good deal, but every time I've had a warehouse club membership, I've ended up buying a bunch of stuff I otherwise wouldn't have bought.
Plus, I HATE auto-renew stuff. I've had a Sam's Club membership for the past few years to buy stuff for my kid's marching band, and last time I renewed it (at the checkstand), it automatically did auto-renewal. Initially, I thought it was one of those things where you had to make a phone call to cancel, but I was able to do it online. I also had a "VIP" thing with a shoe store when I got some special walking shoes, and that was a "must call to cancel" thing. Fortunately, I had to cancel my debit card because of some specific fraud, so I ended up not having to deal with it.
I hate that some places can access the new card info when the old one gets cancelled.
-
Well, I decided to bump this thread. So I saw a Groupon where they were offering one year of a Costco Membership card for $60.00 (and added an incentive where after you get the card and set it up for renewal, you also get a $40.00 gift card and a promo for $40.00 off for orders over $250.00).
So, I guess I'm off to Costco today see what's up with the food court and everything else that they have there.
How was your experience?
-
It was pretty good. I had the chicken bake and a coffee drink. Good value.
-
We were Costco members, but the closest one was about a 30 minute drive.
They just recently opened a new one 10 minutes down the road. WIN
-
That groupon deal is great. I did it a couple years ago. However, I think this may be dfifferent for different costcos, but the ones here in NJ you don't need a membership to eat at the food court.
-
It may have been something that applied to California as far back as March 2020. No matter, what's done is done on my end.
https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-03-03/costco-food-court-membership
Interesting quote in that article. "The change will not affect Costco’s policy allowing non-members to purchase alcohol in its stores or use its pharmacy, which are mandated by state and federal law."
-
Sounds like a good deal, but every time I've had a warehouse club membership, I've ended up buying a bunch of stuff I otherwise wouldn't have bought.
We go to Costco maybe once every 2 months, and it is usually for toilet paper, paper towels, and a few other bulk items. But we cannot go there without my wife spending 30 minutes in the clothing section.
-
We were Costco members, but the closest one was about a 30 minute drive.
They just recently opened a new one 10 minutes down the road. WIN
Pfft. For almost 2 years, we were making a 40 minute trip. Nov 2020 one opened 20 minutes away.
-
We were Costco members, but the closest one was about a 30 minute drive.
They just recently opened a new one 10 minutes down the road. WIN
Pfft. For almost 2 years, we were making a 40 minute trip. Nov 2020 one opened 20 minutes away.
Luxury! I had to drive 2 hours to get there and 3 to get back, and by the time I got there their gas prices had gone up so much I had to return everything I bought just so I could afford to get back home.
-
There's a costco very close to my house. Probably less than 10 minutes. But there's a costco about 30 minutes away that sells the alcohol. I usually go every 3 months to that one to stock up and almost never go to the one closer bcause I just don't need to go to costco more than once every 3 months or so. There's another costco about 15 minutes from work that I will go to just for lunch too.
-
https://mynorthwest.com/3902116/costco-members-leave-mixed-reviews-for-newly-added-sushi/
Costco recently unveiled its newest item for the company’s famously-priced food court — sushi — which caused lines and wait times to grow nearly immediately as members wait to try the retailer’s latest cuisine.
Costco also unveiled a $9.99 roast beef sandwich earlier this year that appeared at a Costco store in Lynnwood.
I go to the Lynnwood store and don't recall seeing this on the menu last time I was there. I says "appeared" so maybe it was a temporary trial run.
-
https://mynorthwest.com/3902116/costco-members-leave-mixed-reviews-for-newly-added-sushi/
Costco recently unveiled its newest item for the company’s famously-priced food court — sushi — which caused lines and wait times to grow nearly immediately as members wait to try the retailer’s latest cuisine.
Costco also unveiled a $9.99 roast beef sandwich earlier this year that appeared at a Costco store in Lynnwood.
I go to the Lynnwood store and don't recall seeing this on the menu last time I was there. I says "appeared" so maybe it was a temporary trial run.
I didn't notice sushi at our Costco this weekend, but if I had seen it, no way would I have ordered it.
They did change out the Berry Smoothy for some kind of coffee drink. :tdwn
-
My local Costco sells pre-packaged sushi in the store all day everyday. Only 2 different kinds of packs, and I've ordered it a couple of times. It wasn't terrible. It's fast, and it's inexpensive - which goes to prove the theory of that everyone has 3 service levels.
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/F-4AAOSw9NdXqOPN/s-l400.jpg)
-
I've tried one of their pre-packaged sushi. It wasn't great. It almost turned me off sushi for a good while, which sucks, because I really like good fresh takeout sushi.
-
I haven't seen Costco sushi before but I also haven't looked for it. However, I did see a tiktok from one of the more popular sushi tiktokers that the frozen Kirkland salmon is pretty good and cheap to use for homemade sushi. I may try it one day with my gf.
-
I haven't seen Costco sushi before but I also haven't looked for it. However, I did see a tiktok from one of the more popular sushi tiktokers that the frozen Kirkland salmon is pretty good and cheap to use for homemade sushi. I may try it one day with my gf.
I had an old friend that told me he did that once. While slicing those fillets, he thought "this looks good enough to eat as sashimi". Told me he just drizzled a little soy on a tiny slice, and gulped it down.
-
I haven't seen Costco sushi before but I also haven't looked for it. However, I did see a tiktok from one of the more popular sushi tiktokers that the frozen Kirkland salmon is pretty good and cheap to use for homemade sushi. I may try it one day with my gf.
I had an old friend that told me he did that once. While slicing those fillets, he thought "this looks good enough to eat as sashimi". Told me he just drizzled a little soy on a tiny slice, and gulped it down.
Apparently you should give it a salt water bath and dry it out and let it sit for a few hours before eating. (this was all new to me, I'm no expert here but we may try this soon)