So, yeah, signing up was essential.
While not quite as omnipresent as Walmart or Amazon, Costco nonetheless wields extraordinary influence in the grocery business.
According toProgressive Grocer,the warehouse club annuallyoutsells Kroger, America’s largest traditional supermarket operator.
Photos: The brands. Design: Eat This, Not That.
It reportedly even sellsmore organic groceriesthan Whole Foods Market andmore hotdogsthan all the ballparks in Major League Baseball combined.
Costco doesn’t waste your time with any of those other lesser brands.
It stocks only the best and only in bulk.
Costco
Beyond the mere cost savings, you’re also getting a sense of security.
If you have kids, then you probably know what happens when the ketchup bottle suddenly runs dry.
In a word: chaos.
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But, your chances of calamity are greatly diminished if you buy your ketchup at Costco.
And you get two big backups with every purchase.
So, go ahead: squirt freely!
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It’s made with milk from grass-fed cows, hailed as nutritionally superior to the conventional kind.
Kerrygold is one of the most popular andhighest-quality butter brandsout there, and professional chefs say it’sgreat for cooking.
They often break apart, cluttering your dipping bowl with brittle shards that quickly turn to mush.
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But not these durable corn chips from Costco’s house brand,Kirkland Signature.
They’re dependably sturdy, with a satisfying crunch and genuine masa taste.
You’d pay that much for a single 12-ounce bag in some stores.
Costco
Starbucks charges $3.25 for a single box!
So, stocking up at home is the most cost-effective way to go.
A 12-pack of the same brand costs me $15.47 at Whole Foods Market.
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But, at Costco, I can get 18 boxes for $18.99.
(Translation: “I would like a chocolate croissant.")
Suffice to say, she’s a fan of the classic pastry.
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The coffee giant charges $4.45 for a single croissant.
A bag of 16 pastries costs $8.69 at Costco.
I know I used to be.
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After all, it’s high-grade beef, just not the highest.
And it’s a bit easier on the wallet.
Take my favorite cut to cook at home: the New York strip.
Courtesy of Costco
But, once you taste the difference, it’s hard to go back.
In short, it’s worth the extra money.
A Prime strip steak from a reputable butcher near me right now costs $27.99 per pound.
Chris Shott/ Eat This, Not That!
La Colombe Cold Brew Coffee
La Colombe is one of my favorite coffee brands.
Its cold brew is smooth and invigorating.
A single 42-ounce container would cost you $5.49 at Whole Foods.
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But, with a Costco membership, you get two of these for $8.99 at the warehouse.
At Costco, I can get eight cans for just $11.99 in the warehouse.
We’ve tried umpteen kinds of gluten-free pizza crusts over the years.
Costco
This one is hands-down the best.
You get two of these excellent frozen pies for $11.99 at my local Costco.
These greenhouse-grown tomatoes from Canada’sNature Fresh Farmare a great example.
A pack of six ready-to-heat bowls costs just $11.99 at the warehouse.
They’re the lone standouts in both cases.
A big four-pound bag costs $15.99 at the warehouse.
Heck, they’re also gluten-freeso even your usual breading-averse friends can finally indulge, too.
