Costco Wholesale Corporation

Newport Coast Chinese Furniture Importer Gets Prison For Bilking Banks

A Newport Coast importer of Chinese furniture for stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco and TJMaxx has been punished by a federal judge for cheating in a scheme to defraud banks involving a $130 million loan deal.This week inside Orange County's Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse, U.S. District Court ... More >>

Costco Selling Whole Suckling Pigs!!

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself: Costco (at least the one at The District in Tustin) is currently selling whole suckling pigs. I wasn't the only one gawking at the sight. People were taking photos of it, as did I.  Drooling just as much as I was was a Filipino man standi ... More >>

$1 Deals At Whole Foods Market Tustin This Saturday

We rubbed our eyes and squinted before we reread it. A dollar sale at Whole Paycheck? We picture muffins sliced in half quarters, right?If you're willing to fight the hell known as The District parking lot, keep reading for what they're advertising.

Dave Reviews OC Yelp Reviews, Part 2

Ever wonder what it's like to work in food service, retail stores, or really any customer-facing job? Just read the reviews of pretty much any business on Yelp and you'll see the heaping helping of entitled behavior you'll be subjected to on a daily basis. Of course, everyone wants perfection, but e ... More >>

Costco Carries Great Paletas

I'm still waiting for the day Costco has the good sense to stop selling the low-sodium-chicken-meat Spam and bring back the original fully-salted-pork-only Spam onto its bulk-buy pallets (in the meantime I buy my Spam at Fresh & Easy). A while ago, they also stopped stocking the Skinny Cow ice c ... More >>

Jose Quant Is the New Kid on the Old Masters' Block

Q Art Salon makes its debut in Santa Ana's Artist Village with a great show

Costco Food Court Ditches Carne Asada Bakes; Introduces New Item

Adios, Costco's carne asada bake. Howyoudoin' hot turkey provolone sandwich. The preeminent membership warehouse store has once again switched out one of their food court offerings for another. Replaced by the new sandwich, the aforementioned carne asada bake was itself a replacement for a turkey wr ... More >>

Aria International Supermarket to Open in Tustin

​Like a scene from The Game, where Michael Douglas searches for a company that doesn't really exist, Aria Supermarket is a little ambiguous with its public information. With a just-made Facebook page, we get address, hours and a ringing phone. And that's about it.Replacing the defunct Sears Essent ... More >>

Total Wine & More To Open Third OC Store In Huntington Beach: Hiring Event Today

Edwin GoeiPicture of the Tustin store...where there will be a hiring event for the HB store, today.​If BevMo seems like the Trader Joe's of booze and Hi-Time the farmers market, Total Wine & More would have to be the Costco.In 2008 the alcoholic beverage chain opened their first OC store in Tu ... More >>

The District in Tustin Loses 3 Restaurants

Edwin Goei​I noticed in walking around The District in Tustin last week how deserted the place was. No, not the Costco part or the part where Target and Whole Foods continue to snarl up traffic; but the area around the theater. After the failure of Borders and Chaparosa Grill a few months ago, ... More >>

Woman Finds Live Tree Frog in Packaged Organic Salad

Flickr user BlanzerA frog, not THE frog​One of the unintended consequences of the organic-food movement is that the lack of pesticides and focus on making everything seem as "natural" as possible means there's a higher chance that more critters just might make it into your home, and you're more li ... More >>

On the Line: Christian Murcia of Crepes Bonaparte & Brats Berlin, Part One

Photo by Laila Derakhshanian​He may not be French (he's Hispanic), but Christian Murcia can make an authentic crepe. His business acumen has enabled him to launch Brats Berlin, a German-themed luxe lonchera featuring bratwurst, which debuted over the weekend. Join us as we tap the creativity behin ... More >>

Hey, Look: Wasabi-Flavored Dorritos!

Vickie Chang/OC WeeklyWasabi! Dorritos! TOGETHER!​Spotted at the City of Industry Costco location: Giant bags of Wasabi-flavored Dorritos. Are they delicious? And are they really that nuclear green color?

Using Coupons Smartly for Super Bowl Sunday

Anne Marie Panoringan​ >I used to consider just shopping at Costco and Target saving money. I was wrong. So very wrong. Thanks to The Krazy Coupon Lady for showing me the light.Anyway, if you're trying not to dash to the grocery store at the last minute, here's a deal for you. Pull the Sund ... More >>

Alcoholic Chocolate Milk Now On Sale at Costco

​If this was the year of anything, it's the year of creative and not-so-creative alcohol-based products. You may have heard of Four Loko, the caffeinated alcoholic energy drink that became the subject of bans and dire FDA warnings. Then there was CREAM, the booze-infused whipped topping that our ... More >>

If It Doesn't Fit, Don't Have a Fit

[Hey, You!] If you're being towed, don't act like a toad

Nativo Lopez Cries 'Racist,' Appeals Court Cries 'Defamation'

[Moxley Confidential] Split decision in Overhill Farms case has chilling free-speech implications, dissenting justice asserts

Rick LeBlanc of Rick's Atomic Cafe Goes On the Line

Photo by Todd Barnes​From a hidden office in a hidden industrial park behind another hidden industrial park in Costa Mesa, Rick LeBlanc has been wowing foodies and office drones alike with his Rick's Atomic Cafe, an all-American eater given spins by LeBlanc's organic-obsessed mind and able hands-- ... More >>

New Mexican Restaurant at The District in Tustin Slated For December Opening

Edwin Goei​Remember Bistro West and the building they left behind when they shuttered at The District in Tustin? It turns out the restaurant that will take it's place won't be called Pablo McGinty's as some reports out there predicted.

OC's Costcos Introduce New Food Court Item

Photo by Edwin Goei​Adios Costco turkey wraps; cómo estás Costco Carne Asada Bakes! Yes, you heard that right. The change has been propagating through Southern California Costco's food courts this summer, and now it has finally reached OC (at least the one at the District in Tustin): ... More >>

3hree Things: Why I Listened To Menomena's New Record 43 Times This Weekend (And Am Not Even Remotely Sick Of It Yet)

Watch out for 3hree Things every Tuesday, where Riley Breckenridge, drummer of Orange County's favorite local alt-rock band Thrice, gives his take on life in Southern California, being an OC native and, of course, music.​I moved from Irvine to back to Orange just over two months ago, and ... More >>

Total Wine & More Opens Today In Brea

Edwin Goei​Attention North County booze hounds, you now have a Total Wine & More in your vicinity. The liquor superstore, which some liken to a Costco of alcohol, has opened its second OC store at 471 South Associated Road Brea, CA 92821 (at the Brea Plaza Shopping Center). They are open ... More >>

Jonathan Munsayac of Tranquil Tea Lounge, Part 2

Photo by Kimberly Valenzuela​Today we continue with Part 2 of our interview with Jonathan Munsayac of Fullerton's Tranquil Tea Lounge. Missed the first part? Click here. Otherwise, read on!

Philippine Brand Mango Balls

Edwin Goei​Name: Philippine Brand Dried Mango Balls Origin: Philippines Found at: 99 Ranch, Irvine Cost: $1.29 Ingredients: Selected Mangoes, Sugar & Preserved With Sulfur Dioxide Why I Bought It: It's easily the most wholesome Wacky Snacks I've profiled on this feature. Except for ... More >>

Letters From OC Weekly Readers

[Hey, You!] You're Such a Member!

Dueling Dishes: Costco Pizza Versus Whole Foods Pizza

Edwin Goei​This week on Dueling Dishes: pizza. But not just any pizza: supermarket pizza, bought from opposite ends of the retail spectrum. Yes, it's Costco's pizza versus Whole Foods'. One is unquestionably proletariat, a massive mass-produced pie, sold for price so low ($9.95) it's almo ... More >>

Please Recycle, Pre-cycle, Free-cycle, Up-cycle, Down-cycle, E-cycle

​Just when you finally figured out that the three point-chasing-the-tail arrows means "recycle" along comes a whole bunch more terms without the helpful arrows. They are (drum roll):  pre-cycle, free-cycle, up-cycle, down-cycle and e-cycle.What does it all mean? California News Service's Lori ... More >>

Spam More Popular Than Ever

HormelAccording to this article in MarketWatch, the demand for Spam has risen. It doesn't go as far as to directly link the increase to the economy, but the implication is there. But me?  I'd eat Spam in boom times as well as bust.  I love Spam. And not just because of Monty Python. ... More >>

Irony Alert: Kettle Brand Baked Potato Chips

Edwin GoeiSaw this on sale at Costco this weekend and it was so thick with irony, I could not resist taking a picture. To me it seems like the worst case of brand dilution since what California Adventure has meant for Disney theme parks; but even more so. I suppose it's about the only option f ... More >>

How to Spend Disney Bucks? Let Mickey Count the Ways

Everybody has cash to spare these days, so the big question is how to blow it to get the most bang for your buck. This is especially true, of course, of Mouseketeers. I mean, should those with valid Orange County addresses spend $99 for a three-day pass to visit Disneyland and/or California Adventur ... More >>

Churro Station To Open Franchises in Santa Ana and Anaheim

Move over cupcakes. Step aside frozen yogurt. There will be a new dessert in town. And his name is churro. He's been deep-fried, covered in sugar and cinnamon, and franchised by an outfit called Churro Station. The chain -- started by a woman who rightly realized that there were no churro franc ... More >>

Welcome to the Poorhouse: the Fresh and Easy Life

It was good to be back in Henry's. I'd been a regular customer of the yuppified farmers market since it opened in February 2003 on the other side of Costa Mesa's Great Wall of College Avenue that blocks the sights and sounds of the Target store loading docks from my humble abode. Everything changed ... More >>

The $1.50 Costco Hot Dog: Hebrew National Out...Kirkland Brand In

I don't usually read the Costco Connection -- the corporate propaganda Coscto puts out every month and sends to every member in the mail -- but this month is different. The cover story was all about the food court, its past and future. And I've gotta say: it was quite an interesting read -- e ... More >>

Ajisen Ramen & Greek Islands Open at Diamond Jamboree

I am not sure why they always seem to come in twos. This week, both Ajisen Ramen and Greek Islands debuted. Ajisen was already doing decent business at 4 P.M. yesterday,  attracting a few looky-loos like myself. Greek Islands, on the other hand, was not. It remains to be seen how Greek food ... More >>

Free Thanksgiving Feast Tasting This Saturday at Whole Foods

I'm a sucker for free samples. You'll often see me at Costco on Saturday mornings making the rounds on the sample buffet, emulating Homer Simpson. Remember that episode? Anyway, it looks like I'll have two places to graze this weekend. All L.A. and Orange County Whole Foods will be doing a Thank ... More >>

Total Wine Opens in Tustin: Ribbon Cutting Today

Just made it under the wire for Oktoberfest. Total Wine, the alkie's Costco (well, that's not an apt methapor since Costco has booze too doesn't it?), has opened in at the Tustin Marketplace (next to Best Buy) in what used to be a furniture store. Now that last part should give you an idea of its ... More >>

The Accidental Critic: End Roulette at The District at Tustin Legacy

Being new in town, I'm on the lookout for music wherever I can find it. And a young band looking to make a name is in no position to turn down a gig, no matter where it may be. So it might have been kismet that I found myself listening to Los Angeles-based four piece End Roulette last night at, o ... More >>

[Best of OC 2008 Post Cards] Nightlife: Greetings From Robin Wood and Gary Nalder

The Mexican invades . . . Signal Hill?

Photographic Memory

Splitting Images

Fourth of July On a Plate

THIS HOLE-IN-THE-WALL LIFE

Letters

'Vicki [sic] Chang has got to be one of your worst writers with the worst taste. I abhor her Trendzilla column. It has the most contrived style blurbberings [sic] Ive ever read.'

This Hole-in-the-Wall Life

An Ethnic Costco: HK Market in Tustin

FDA FUs Plan B

Plan Your Unplanned Sex Accordingly

Un Poquito Es Mas

Celebrating T-Day Eve 2003 with Buddha and the boys from Argentina

Diary of a Mad County

Diary of a Mad County

Great Slabs O' Dead Stuff!

OCCCA's 'Extreme' is a 'Sensation'!

Letters