Things we love about Costco
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Costco just rocks. As Kmart, Target and Walmart made news last week for announcing they'd kick off the holiday shopping frenzy on Gray Thursday, a.k.a. Thanksgiving Day, Costco stood apart as one of the few companies (along with BJ's and Nordstrom) committed to putting their employees first and staying closed on Thanksgiving.
This got us thinking about all of the other things we love about the Seattle-based members-only warehouse club, one of the largest--and most admired--retailers in the United States.
Here are a few reasons why Costco is fabulous.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}1. Costco really does care about its employees.
In addition to paying them very decent wages compared with their competitors, Costco also offers health insurance for both full-time and part-time employees. Plus, CEO Craig Jelinek has spoken out in favor of raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.
(AP)
2. We love Costco's rack.
Epicurious' Kemp Minifie, longtime Gourmet kitchen editor and our resident food eminence, loves Costco's $15* Australian rack of lamb. "It makes serving a rack as a special-occasion meal feasible for the middle class."
(Costco)
3. Cheese heads, take note.
If you are a goat cheese fiend, Costco's two-log pack of chevre is a total steal, according to Epicurious' Tanya Steel and Kendra Vizcaino. The two enormous logs will cost you roughly the same amount you'd pay for a single miniature grocery-store-bought log. Other smart buys: the Reggiano (which many of us at Epicurious use constantly), and big bags of cheese sticks and BabyBels, which my dairy-obsessed toddler is, well, obsessed with.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(Costco)
4. Costco's Kirkland Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is actually extra-virgin oil.
Unlike so many imposters out there, Costco's extra-virgin oil is legit, passing UC Davis' rigorous olive oil tests with flying colors.
(Costco)
5. Costco's got the best bang-for-your-buck organic good-quality maple syrup around.
Ours costs just under $16 for 1 liter. And if you're like us and want waffles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you will use every last sticky little drop.
(Costco)
6. Costco's vanilla may be the deal of the century.
Not baking enough to warrant purchasing the 16-ounce bottle of pure vanilla extract, or the Rodelle 10-pack of long beautiful Bourbon Madagascar beans? You should probably still buy them, and share them with friends. Or have a baking party!
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(Costco)
7. Choosing Costco's affordable organic frozen produce just makes good sense.
Frozen fruits and vegetables can be as nutritious as--or more nutritious than--their frozen counterparts, and, of course, the frozen stuff lasts a while. We buy bags and bags of their frozen organic berries and broccoli.
(Costco)
Check out the full list with more reasons to love Costco.
More from Epicurious
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipe List
The 10 Best Films About Food, Ever
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}