Sam's vs. Costco

[Pat Trammell]

We have recently had our first Costco open in Birmingham. I have been buying meats from the local Sam's, and was wondering if anyone had tried both and might have any input as to which is superior.

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[Bruce Bissonnette]

Pat,

We have a Costco and a Sam's within a mile of each other and I belong to both. I can't say if one is "superior" to the other, however, I have never bought briskets from Costco, they have them but they are super trimmed and not "Q" material. Sam's on the other hand has flats usually in the 5-7lb range. Neither have pork butts in cryovac displayed, but if you ask they will get them out of the back.

They both carry non-enhanced ribs and basically if you seen one's meat counter you've seen the others. But I still shop them both at least twice a week.

 

[Tom Chilton]

Hi, as Bruce Bissonnette pointed out, Sams is better for briskets. Butts are the same. I don't know if it's the same where you live, but here in Southern California, Sam's has Tyson chicken and Costco has Foster Farm chicken. The Tyson chickens Sams sells seem small and really young, and there are no giblets in them. The Foster Farms chickens are bigger and I think better for BBQ'n. You'd probably have to go in and take a look in your area to see what you think of the Costco meat vs. the Sams meat you're familiar with. Costco has better seafood.