Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Photo Essay: Holiday Shopping and Nine Courses of Costco Food Samples

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

()

It's become a bit of a tradition. Each year, my co-workers and I spend one of our November lunch breaks at Costco. The seven of us help each other shop and have a fun time trying to find some deals.

The first year we did it, someone posed the question: "But doesn't that mean we'll miss lunch?" Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks to the little food sample stands set up at key locations around Costco, it's a treat for the taste buds, and with so many options, it makes one feel like a judge on Top Chef. This year the store outdid itself. We tasted morsels from nine different tables and I daresay it might've been the best lunch break all year.

After the jump you'll find more store photos and images of all nine courses. Thankfully, the politics of restaurant photography don't seem to apply to the sample tables. The Costco employees were more than happy to let me take some photos of their food during yesterday's excursion.

Support for LAist comes from
()

()

()

Course 1 - Pistachios

()

Course 2 - Harry's King Crab and Sweet Corn Chowder

()

Support for LAist comes from

Course 3 - Yakitori Seasoned Chicken

()

Course 4 - Ling Ling Potsticker

()

Course 5 - Pasta Prima Italian Sausage Ravioli

()

Course 6 - Mrs. May's Cashew Crunch

Support for LAist comes from
()

Course 7 - Caffe D'Vita (it's a drink but I'm still counting it as a course)

()

Course 8 - Guylian Belgian Chocolate

()

Course 9 - Island Way Sorbet

()

Support for LAist comes from

At the end of our little trip, I ended up purchasing one of the sampled items: Mrs. May's Cashew Crunch. It seems like the perfect salty and sweet snack food, and I think I'll be going back for more.

Photos by Michele Reverte for LAist

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist