Costco Prime Beef

[Jenise]

Is this now at everyone's Costco? It finally arrived in Bellingham, and that's on my mind because I'm having my first steak in six months tonight. It probably would have happened anyway, but a friend and I put up quite a campaign so we're taking all the credit.

Small quantities are showing up at my local Costco. One several miles away has had Prime for a few years.

Not yet here in the Baltimore region.....sigh

Drew

[Jenise]

Not yet here in the Baltimore region.....sigh

Drew

Wow, then maybe we DID make a difference! We put a couple requests in the suggestion box every time we went.

It may have to do with economic location. The closest Costco to me is 15 miles in a very blue collar, working mans area located on a very busy truck route. I don't see many purchasing prime grade at the increased prices, although worth it to us who enjoy it. Just my 2 cents.

Drew

Yes, we have had Prime at our Costco for about two years now (La Quinta, CA). There are NY Strips and Ribeyes. Also, near the holidays they put out "Prime" Prime Rib Roasts.
We buy the steaks a lot and they are always very, very good.

[Jenise]

It may have to do with economic location. The closest Costco to me is 15 miles in a very blue collar, working mans area located on a very busy truck route. I don't see many purchasing prime grade at the increased prices, although worth it to us who enjoy it. Just my 2 cents.

Drew

I understand your reasoning and I *do* think that is how Costco seems to operate--the more affluent the area, the wider and higher-end the variety of products sold there. But that doesn't quite apply to my area. A year ago, the closest Costco to us carrying prime was in Everett--Seattle's industrial area which is very blue collar anchored by a Naval station and Boeing, whereas Bellingham (where I live) is a healthy mix of blue and white--a college town with all the upscale elements that attend that. Not categorically wealthy but overall I'd say more affluent than Everett. What Everett does have that probably matters is simply a larger population--although these days half of Canada is down here on weekends. When we were at Costco last weekend, walking to our car I counted the number of BC and Washington license plates just in our row--BC won with 16 compared to just 7 Washington plates!

Yes, we have had Prime at our Costco for about two years now (La Quinta, CA). There are NY Strips and Ribeyes. Also, near the holidays they put out "Prime" Prime Rib Roasts.
We buy the steaks a lot and they are always very, very good.

We've been in Palm Desert since the end of January and one of the first places we headed for was Costco for numerous things but especially the prime meats you described plus they had some veal chops that were ok considering the price.
We're still looking for a good restaurant tried The Cork Tree and Palmer's place in La Quinta, both low mediocre restaurants at best, also a couple of others that I would prefer to forget. Grill the steaks from Costco on the barbeque and quit tilting at windmills, we've been told by other foodies.

Yes, we have had Prime at our Costco for about two years now (La Quinta, CA). There are NY Strips and Ribeyes. Also, near the holidays they put out "Prime" Prime Rib Roasts.
We buy the steaks a lot and they are always very, very good.

We've been in Palm Desert since the end of January and one of the first places we headed for was Costco for numerous things but especially the prime meats you described plus they had some veal chops that were ok considering the price.
We're still looking for a good restaurant tried The Cork Tree and Palmer's place in La Quinta, both low mediocre restaurants at best, also a couple of others that I would prefer to forget. Grill the steaks from Costco on the barbeque and quit tilting at windmills, we've been told by other foodies.

Lou, go to Morgan's at La Quinta Resort. Wonderful. In fact, just attended a Grgich Hills/James' Beard inspired wine dinner there last night.
Agree with your take on the other two you have tried. Cork Tree is actually okay if you stick to the appetizers. Palmers is way over-rated. Tried it a few times and never went back.

We have a few homes we rent out in the desert, so here is the list I provide to our renters for what it's worth...

Morgan’s in the Desert – At La Quinta Resort. This is our favorite restaurant. Chef is wonderful. If you get a chance to attend one of the wine dinners, they are outstanding. Off the regular menu, we love the carpaccio, and they have excellent steaks.

The Nest (HWY 111 in Indian Wells)– You may have heard of this place, as it has a reputation for being a bit of a “pick up joint.” It is under new ownership and has been updated. The food is excellent now. They still have a very active piano bar.

Vicky’s of Santa Fe (HWY 111 in Indian Wells) – Another place with a piano bar. Very basic, but well-prepared good food.

Castelli’s (HWY 111 in Palm Desert) – Probably our favorite Italian restaurant in the desert. Great meat dishes, (veal Milanese, pork chops), unbelievable garlic bread. Nice “old Palm Springs” atmosphere. Feels like big city dining inside.

Solano’s Bistro (Side street in Old Town La Quinta) Fresh Seafood, great salads, some good Italian dishes.

Two other good (very casual) places in Old Town La Quinta (the newer section) are Stuft Pizza and The Grille on Main. Stuft Pizza has a lot more than pizza and is also a pretty active sports bar. Very good food. The Grille on Main has great sandwiches, burgers, etc. Both places are nice to sit outside. There also is a wine bar in Old Town…Old Town Cellar that is a nice place to have a glass of wine on the patio. I hear they also have food now but don’t know much about that. (One more note about Old Town: There is a Farmer’s Market there every Sunday from 9 to 12:30. Great produce, breads, olive oils, etc. There is a great coffee shop right in the heart of it…lots of dogs and a great place to people watch.

Cunard’s Sand Bar (On Calle Tampico between Washington and Eisenhower in La Quinta) The best sautéed sole in the desert. Kind of a La Quinta “institution.”

Fisherman’s Market (Washington Street, just south of Hwy 111 in La Quinta) Very casual, super-fresh seafood. The best fish tacos in the desert. Fish comes in daily from Santa Monica Piers.

Ciro’s Pizza (Hwy 111 and Monroe in Indio) We think they have the best NY style pizza. Especially good Italian sausage. Also have really good linguini with clam sauce (red and white are equally good).

Pueblo Viejo (right next to Ciro’s) is our favorite Mexican Restaurant. The one in the Ralph’s shopping center is also good. (Rose Amarillo’s)

The Costco in Frederick has a little prime beef, mainly whole filet and some NY Strips and Delmonicos. I hope more is coming. When prime sits next to choice in ther same bin, the difference is so apparent!

The Costco in Frederick has a little prime beef, mainly whole filet and some NY Strips and Delmonicos. I hope more is coming. When prime sits next to choice in ther same bin, the difference is so apparent!

It's also apparent, when you have a piece left over and bite into it cold then next day. You would not believe all the fat in the flesh part of the steak. I know...that's kind of "the point" of Prime meat.

Oh, I was in Costco yesterday to buy batteries and noticed they now have Prime Top Sirloin. Two gorgeous sharable-sized steaks in one package. Can't wait to try one. Will report back.

It's also apparent, when you have a piece left over and bite into it cold then next day. You would not believe all the fat in the flesh part of the steak. I know...that's kind of "the point" of Prime meat.

We had leftover Costco Prime Top Sirloin for dinner yesterday - it was still just delicious. It had been grilled on Friday or Saturday evening and I warmed it in the microwave on very low power. It was still pink in the center and very tender. I told Liz that I've had many tenderlions that were not nearly as good. Had a nice glass of 2006 Beringer C.S. with it.

[Jenise]

It's also apparent, when you have a piece left over and bite into it cold then next day. You would not believe all the fat in the flesh part of the steak. I know...that's kind of "the point" of Prime meat.

We had leftover Costco Prime Top Sirloin for dinner yesterday - it was still just delicious. It had been grilled on Friday or Saturday evening and I warmed it in the microwave on very low power. It was still pink in the center and very tender. I told Liz that I've had many tenderlions that were not nearly as good. Had a nice glass of 2006 Beringer C.S. with it.

The flavor of the rib eye we had last Friday night was about as good as any I've ever had--oh, and it helped that Bob took apart my Viking range's grill before I embarked on this and realized the guts had never been put in right! I've been EXTREMELY disappointed in that thing, so much so that I hardly use it, but on Friday night it started pouring just as we were about to fire up the outside grill so we had to cook inside. And voila, an incredible steak. Will have to try a top sirloin soon--love love love that cut.

HEY JENISE....WE GOT PRIME!!!!

Stopped at our "Blue Collar" Costco, Hon, on the way home from work today and found a small amount of Prime. Delmonicos, NY strips and Prime serloin which I bought. Thanks for putting in the word for me....

Drew