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Food Review: Kirkland Signature Extra Crispy French Fries, 5 lbs
Posted by: | November 6, 2025
| 2 Comments
| Costco Blog, Costco Product Review, Food, Household, Pet

The First Bite

A crisp shell gives way to a soft, velvety potato texture that makes one toes curl. Whether you like it extra salted or with a kick of spice, these fries can be served as is or with your favorite seasonings!

What Makes It Special

Most frozen fries I’ve tried in the past are still too soggy or lack the seasoning after being frozen for an undisclosed amount of time. These ones are crispy and snack-worthy right outta the bag!

The Downside

Like most Costco items, this is a BIG bag of fries. Unless you’re feeding a family or just me, this bag will take a lot of valuable freezer space. So eat quickly or invest in a deep freezer!

The Verdict

Worth the hype! Since the days of the polish dog and churros, I’ve been a lover of french fries! I’ve tried frozen fries from Safeway, Trader Joe’s, and other big box chains but the Kirkland frozen fries reign supreme. The simplicity of using an air fryer and the reasonable cook time makes this a worthwhile household staple.

Watermelon Papi
Posted by: | October 30, 2025
| 2 Comments
| Costco Blog

A Halloween tale inspired by a true story of a very kind and knowledgeable Costco employee

It was a sunny July afternoon when I wandered into Costco, the air thick with the scent of free samples. My mission was clear: find the perfect watermelon.

In the corner of the produce section, they were piled high in a green, glossy pyramid at the edge of the produce section—each one identical, each one whispering pick me in the hum of the refrigerated air. I lifted each one, gave it a firm tap. Thud. Too dull. Another—tock. Too hollow. I felt like a melon medium, listening for the soul of the fruit.

Then the lights flickered.

“You’re listening wrong,” he said, voice soft as plastic wrap crinkling. “Don’t listen to the Tik Toks and the Instagrams.”

Before I could ask where he came from, he reached out a translucent hand, resting it on a large, dark-green melon near the bottom of the pile. He turned it over once – revealing a deep yellow spot on the underside of the fruit.

“This one, papi” he murmured.

I thanked the specter and he was gone. No footsteps, no cart wheels squeaking down the aisle.

At home, I sliced it open. The flesh was ruby-red, glistening like jewels under the kitchen light. The first bite was transcendent—sweet, crisp, alive.

Thank you, Watermelon Papi.

Costco: After Dark
Posted by: | October 23, 2025
| 5 Comments
| Costco Blog

The bane to all of Costco lovers’ existences is the weekend morning rush. We’ve all been there. Jammed parking lots. Pedestrians constantly weaving in and out of blind spots. A mad dash for eggs. People lining up before the gates even open! The weekend morning chaos is like Thanos – inevitable.

What if I told you that this chaos could be avoided. Let me set the scene. Earlier this month, due to a jam packed weekend schedule, I had to opt for an evening weekday run to our favorite warehouse store. To my surprise, it was such a pleasant experience. The parking lot had an abundance of parking spaces. The food court line was manageable. I could glide through each aisle at my own leisure and not feel rushed by strangers I was subconsciously racing during the weekend. To cap it off, someone decided to play the piano and I heard a few other Costco-goers collectively hum the tune of Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting”.

So…if you haven’t given it a shot. Try going to Costco: After Dark.

p.s. The downside is that certain items like eggs and other produce may be out of stock if you decide to wait till the later hours. You’ve been warned!

Ode to Polish (hot dog)
Posted by: | October 16, 2025
| No Comments
| Costco Blog
polish hot dog

Listen up children to the tale of old
Passed down from generations a long time ago
To enter the food court didn’t even require
A membership card to eat all one could acquire

From Caesar salads to crunchy churros
One item stood above and was the true hero
A polish hot dog so long and tender
Not a moment goes by that I can’t remember

A slightly sweet taste and an undersized bun
The hot dog that had such a magnificent run
The one that contained so much garlic flavor
The one that I still greatly favor

The time I speak of is one of long ago
When there was no self check out and lines were slow
So if you find yourself adrift in these old fond memories
Take comfort in knowing the hot dogs are still a dollar fifty.


PORK. “It’s What’s for Dinner”
Posted by: | October 9, 2025
| 3 Comments
| Costco Blog
pork chops

What do you call a pig that does karate? (hint: it’s what’s for dinner)

As we all know, beef tastes really good. But, what happens when the overwhelming guilt of destroying our ozone, utilizing too many natural resources, and draining our wallets start to leave a sour taste in our mouth every time we visit the meat section? I got you. PORK. “It’s What’s for Dinner”.

Now, we can go the chicken route as well but that’s for another post. Let’s be honest, nothing beats a juicy tender pork chop served with a side of mashed potatoes, green beans, and a homemade apple sauce on a cool autumn night. The only thing that could possibly rival that classic pork dish would be the taste of sweet…sweet…savings. I dare you to take a stroll around the meat section and behold with your own eyes the sheer price difference between a pack of steaks vs a pack of pork chops. Pork is usually around 40-55% of the price of beef! On top of that, I take the classic pack of 9 and butterfly them all the way through to create 18 thinner pork chops. These can be frozen in smaller packs of 4-5 and used in a myriad of ways. From pork stir fry to pork air fried, you simply can’t go wrong!

Here’s my go to Costco pork buying process:

  • Go to Costco
  • Go to the meat section and gawk at the beef prices and dream of a day when they have a sale on rib eyes
  • Buy pork chops
  • Slice them (9) in half to create 18 thin chops
  • Freeze 14/18 in zip lock bags
  • Marinate 4/18 (hoi sin, shaoxing wine, soy sauce, sriracha)
  • Cook and eat pork chops
  • Defrost pork chops when desire for pork strikes and cook
  • Repeat when no more pork chops left in freezer

Let me know which PROTEIN reigns SUPREME!

John’s Big Update
Posted by: | October 8, 2025
| 4 Comments
| Costco Blog

My big update is just that. I got big. Hahaha!

When I’m at Costco, I am no longer torn between a hot dog and a pizza. I eat ’em both. Problem solved. I now weigh 164.5 pounds, the heaviest in my life. It’s almost the holiday season. So, I shall watch my diet starting in 2026. Everything is under control. I will lose 7 pounds, no problem. Hehehe.. Who am I kidding? I am in trouble.

Anyway, this is how I eat at the Costco food court. This is my ritual (40-second video). I use…

  • Hand wipe
  • Eating glasses (sometimes I bring a pair of computer glasses for a lark).
  • Hair band

The watch I am wearing is a Hamilton Khaki Field (used value $200 – $300). I found it at a garage sale for $10. I still enjoy garage sales.

I just watched my video. Oh my God, I am annoying. No wonder I live alone. 🙁

I am doing well. I will keep in touch. God bless everyone.

To banana, or not to banana
Posted by: | October 2, 2025
| 2 Comments
| Costco Blog
Costco bananas

Ah, the humble banana. To buy, or not to buy? This yellow delight often sits abandoned in the corner of the warehouse due to our innate fear of them ripening all at once. But, fear not! For Costco bananas serve as my monthly reminder to make banana bread! While the recipes may vary and the age old debate occurs of which nut or dried fruit belongs in the batter, nothing is better than banana bread baked fresh and shared with one’s coworkers or family members…or consumed entirely by oneself.

Here’s my go to Costco banana buying process:

  • Go to Costco
  • Buy Bananas (usually ~$3 for a bunch, not organic, what am I…made of money?)
  • Use banana to accompany my morning yogurts
  • Get sick of eating yogurt cause I am lactose-intolerant lite
  • 3-4 bananas will ripen quickly and go brown
  • Make banana bread
  • Eat banana bread and share with coworkers/family if I’m feeling generous
  • Repeat

Let me know which banana recipe you enjoy! I usually use the recipe that works with whatever I have in the pantry!

– Matt