i don't know if anyone has brought this up already, but if not: the costco on ashland just south of roosevelt has a bigger parking lot and a bigger store and HALF the traffic of the clybourn costco. (one of the managers confirmed all three facts). i was there today for the second time and plan to switch my allegiance to it in the future. those living very far north probably wouldn't want to make the trip, but i highly recommend it if the driving time isn't much farther for you. it's a whole lot less stressful, particularly in the parking lot.

justjoan wrote:i don't know if anyone has brought this up already, but if not: the costco on ashland just south of roosevelt has a bigger parking lot and a bigger store and HALF the traffic of the clybourn costco. (one of the managers confirmed all three facts). i was there today for the second time and plan to switch my allegiance to it in the future. those living very far north probably wouldn't want to make the trip, but i highly recommend it if the driving time isn't much farther for you. it's a whole lot less stressful, particularly in the parking lot.

Oh Joan, what am I going to do with you? I figured we would keep it a secret.

pairs4life wrote:

justjoan wrote:i don't know if anyone has brought this up already, but if not: the costco on ashland just south of roosevelt has a bigger parking lot and a bigger store and HALF the traffic of the clybourn costco. (one of the managers confirmed all three facts). i was there today for the second time and plan to switch my allegiance to it in the future. those living very far north probably wouldn't want to make the trip, but i highly recommend it if the driving time isn't much farther for you. it's a whole lot less stressful, particularly in the parking lot.

Oh Joan, what am I going to do with you? I figured we would keep it a secret. :twisted:

oops, sorry, but i think the store can handle a few more LTH'ers. there are even some cheaper prices on commodity items.....

We hit that store a couple weeks ago when we also needed to stop near Pilsen, and it was a pleasure compared to the Clybourn store!I need to time it out and see if it's worth the trip there instead. We live in East Lincoln Park, near the Fullerton entrance to LSD, and we've found that it is sometimes quicker for us to get to Roosevelt than to get over to Clybourn or Elston for big box shopping... especially if time to find parking is factored into the math.

For those who have been to both Clybourn and the one at Roosevelt/Ashland, is the inventory roughly comparable? I once went to the Costco south of Midway (Bedford Park?) while killing some time waiting to pick someone up on a delayed flight and I noticed that they seemed to not have some of the "higher end" wine, beer, and liquor selections one can find at the Clybourn store (which probably makes sense considering the locations' respective customer bases). Did not really spend any time in the food portion of the store, though.

Hi,

I happen to be equidistant from the Mettawa and Glenview locations. I have not noticed much difference in stock. The greatest difference between Mettawa to Glenview is its location north of Lake-Cook Road, the sales tax is less in Mettawa.

I still go to Glenview, if I happen to be near there anyway.

Regards,

Matt wrote:For those who have been to both Clybourn and the one at Roosevelt/Ashland, is the inventory roughly comparable? I once went to the Costco south of Midway (Bedford Park?) while killing some time waiting to pick someone up on a delayed flight and I noticed that they seemed to not have some of the "higher end" wine, beer, and liquor selections one can find at the Clybourn store (which probably makes sense considering the locations' respective customer bases). Did not really spend any time in the food portion of the store, though.

the ashland store seems to have the same stock, but i've never shopped for any of the higher end priced liquor that you might be referring to. the store is bigger and it's certainly fully stocked. i didn't notice anything i haven't seen at clybourn. take a drive over and check out for yourself the items you're interested in. i guarantee if nothing else, it'll be a more relaxing shopping experience than you're used to.

justjoan wrote:

Matt wrote:For those who have been to both Clybourn and the one at Roosevelt/Ashland, is the inventory roughly comparable? I once went to the Costco south of Midway (Bedford Park?) while killing some time waiting to pick someone up on a delayed flight and I noticed that they seemed to not have some of the "higher end" wine, beer, and liquor selections one can find at the Clybourn store (which probably makes sense considering the locations' respective customer bases). Did not really spend any time in the food portion of the store, though.

the ashland store seems to have the same stock, but i've never shopped for any of the higher end priced liquor that you might be referring to. the store is bigger and it's certainly fully stocked. i didn't notice anything i haven't seen at clybourn. take a drive over and check out for yourself the items you're interested in. i guarantee if nothing else, it'll be a more relaxing shopping experience than you're used to.

I wouldn't drive over, just call them. The Clybourn location has been very helpful in the past when I was looking for a seasonal item before heading over there. It was fresh figs. The woman looked at the inventory and told me that it was so low it probably wasn't there. She then asked me if I wanted her to check. She did and I went on over and picked up my fresh figs.

Pie-love wrote:

LAZ wrote:I bought a huge bag of peeled garlic last January. When, after a month or so, I still had most of it left, I pickled the remainder and stuck them in the fridge. I'm still using that pickled garlic, which for most purposes, is just as good as fresh.

How did you pickle your garlic? I did confit some by simmering it in olive oil-- that was yummy. I will look at the Korean stores, thanks!

This recipe is more or less what I did. I also did a soy pickle, which starts basically the same way without the chilies. Then after two weeks, you pour off the vinegar (save it, refrigerated, for salad dressings and such) and cover the cloves with soy sauce. Of the two, I preferred the first version, though, at least when using the pickled garlic as a substitute for fresh.

Even after more than a year in pickle, the cloves have not lost their sharpness. I think that if you want the cloves to mellow enough to eat plain, just as a pickle, you'd have to blanch them or something before pickling. But as a substitute for fresh garlic, they work really well. I've even made garlic bread with them. I use the pickled garlic any time I don't happen to have fresh garlic handy. I'm really pleased with the results of this experiment, and when I finally run out, I'll make more.

Hi,

This morning at Costco in Mettawa, they had Kirkland spiral hams for 97 cents a pound. Freshness date is May 25th.

Regards,

At their Orland Pk location I saw whole lambs hanging in the freezer case

Hi,

For whatever it matters, I bought a twin pack of Kirkland fabric softener sheets. I opened the first box on January 10, 2012 and finished it today. It's twin will finally make its appearance now.

I never dreamed this purchase might last me nearly three years.

Regards,

The Lake Zurich Costco has had some Vision Kamado grills for sale for about $570 the last two months. I kept waiting for the price to drop and yesterday they were $399. There were about 10 left. I passed, but today got worried and went over there and there were three left. I bought it. If you want one I suggest you get over there now. Only two left.

costco is selling thick floor mats for a limited time. these are for standing on in the kitchen to make it softer underfoot. i bought one to replace the crappy, more expensive one i bought last year at kohl's, which never stayed put. this one is bigger and does stay where you place it (for me, in front of the kitchen sink). it's a real bargain at $10. the pricey gel-pros are over $100. i've never used one, but i doubt if it's worth 10x the price of this one.

Checked out the Costco in Maui while on vacation-- the places is as crazy as the Clybourn Costco on Fridays. My main observation-- this Costco still has milk in the "regular" gallon jugs, not those awful rectangular jugs that dribble whenever you pour them. Another indication that Maui is paradise....

justjoan wrote:costco is selling thick floor mats for a limited time.

Joan,Which Costco did you see those at? Thanks

I saw that Costco on Clybourn is selling some pistachio gelato imported from Venice, Italy. Has anyone tried it? I was going to buy some yesterday, but it was very hot and I was not immediately heading home.

Artie wrote:

justjoan wrote:costco is selling thick floor mats for a limited time.

Joan,Which Costco did you see those at? Thanks

oh, sorry, i should have said. it's at the costco on clybourn (misnamed as 'lincoln park'). there was a coupon in last months snail mail, so i expect it will have a short window of availability. it's really a great mat. it sticks nicely to my wooden floor instead of sliding around like my last mat did.

justjoan wrote: the costco on clybourn (misnamed as 'lincoln park').

Technically, it is in Lincoln Park, if we accept these as the borders
North Boundary: 2800 N Diversey
South Boundary: 1600 N North
East Boundary: ~200 W Lake Michigan
West Boundary: ~800-1600 W Clybourn
(I've seen this alternately as "West to the Chicago River" and Costco sits N and E of the Chicago River)

See also the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce map at
http://www.lincolnparkchamber.com/asset ... arkMap.pdf

Hi,

AT the Costco in Mettawa, they are discontinuing a hearts of palm tapenade. It is two quart jars for around $4-$5.

The jar has a recipe for lasagna, which I made. I was using no-boil lasagna noodles, which I soaked in hot water for ten minutes between layers of paper towels. When I removed them, I kept them separate on paper towels, too. The one time I did not, it was nor pretty.

This tapenade is somewhat dry and sticks together. I added some water to loosen them up enough to spread.

I made this recipe as-is and another time with leftover chopped smoked chicken. It is a different style of white lasagna.

I bought two more jars for future use.

Regards,

The LP Costco had flap steak yesterday. First time I have seen it in years.

Also noticed every cut of beef was labeled as "blade tenderized". Did they always do this and just start labeling? It is terrible.

bnowell724 wrote:Has anyone else tried the Bialetti nonstick pans? My nonstick pan wore out, so I bought the set of three(small, medium and large) for $20. I didn't expect anything from them, they were so light and cheap. They turned out really nice, though. They're aluminum coated in teflon stuff, and they heat up very evenly and slowly. Nothing sticks, and food browns well. After a month of heavy use they're still like new.

Hi,

I have had the above pans for a few years, which means they are now begging for replacement.

At Costco presently, they have Tramontina 'porcelain enamel' in three sizes for about $25. According to the sidebar the non-stick coating is a Teflon Platinum high performance non-stick coating. These are heavy-gauge aluminum pans provide even heat distribution.

Shall I call these a replacement for what I bought above sometime ago or should I seek standard issue teflon?

Thanks!

Regards,

C2,

I have a lot of different Tramontina stuff—pots, pans, knives—and it's all been pretty decent quality. I'd be willing to trust the non-stickers, too.

Geo

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

For whatever it matters, I bought a twin pack of Kirkland fabric softener sheets. I opened the first box on January 10, 2012 and finished it today. It's twin will finally make its appearance now.

I never dreamed this purchase might last me nearly three years.

Regards,

I bought a twin pack of said softener sheets last week after taking two years to go through the last one I bought. Unfortunately I found the unopened second half of the pack I bought 2 years ago while putting away the second half from last week's pack. At this point we're set for softener sheets for at least 5 years.

I'm late to the party, but I love Costco.

I'm sure some see it as a faux pas to buy frozen meat, but I've done great things with their frozen chicken breasts and frozen tilapia. The fresh meat is just as awesome. Took a whole salmon fillet and seasoned it with cumin for my wife and her Slovak friends.

I think a membership has value. The gas prices alone are a deal.

Has anyone tried the pour spouts for the square milk jugs:

http://www.squarejug.com/

I just ordered a pair, so will report back...

Jen

Cathy2 wrote:

bnowell724 wrote:Has anyone else tried the Bialetti nonstick pans? My nonstick pan wore out, so I bought the set of three(small, medium and large) for $20. I didn't expect anything from them, they were so light and cheap. They turned out really nice, though. They're aluminum coated in teflon stuff, and they heat up very evenly and slowly. Nothing sticks, and food browns well. After a month of heavy use they're still like new.

Hi,

I have had the above pans for a few years, which means they are now begging for replacement.

At Costco presently, they have Tramontina 'porcelain enamel' in three sizes for about $25. According to the sidebar the non-stick coating is a Teflon Platinum high performance non-stick coating. These are heavy-gauge aluminum pans provide even heat distribution.

Shall I call these a replacement for what I bought above sometime ago or should I seek standard issue teflon?

Thanks!

Regards,

Did you buy the Tramontina? That brand has always gotten high marks from Cook's Illustrated for the value/quality ratio.

sdbond wrote:Did you buy the Tramontina? That brand has always gotten high marks from Cook's Illustrated for the value/quality ratio.

Yes, I did and Ci is on board. I finally started using them earlier this week to cook some trout.

What really inspired me to replace my older one was a very thin egg pancake wrapped around some fried rice. I haven't done it yet, though now I have the right tools.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:

sdbond wrote:Did you buy the Tramontina? That brand has always gotten high marks from Cook's Illustrated for the value/quality ratio.

Yes, I did and Ci is on board. I finally started using them earlier this week to cook some trout.

What really inspired me to replace my older one was a very thin egg pancake wrapped around some fried rice. I haven't done it yet, though now I have the right tools.

Regards,

My goal is to have all-clad where possible, but it sounds like the Tramontina would be a good subsitute for certain pieces!

Hi,

When I need to replace pans or kitchen tools, I do look to Cook's Illustrated for their advice. They really use their equipment, so I value their insight.

It may mean I have a motley crew of pots and pans, though each one highly regarded by CI's staff.

Regards,