I Found a Kosher Costco… and I Wasn’t Expecting This

I did not [music] expect to find a store like this today. It looks like Costco with bulk huge sections, everything, but here it's all actually kosher. And as I started walking through, there were a few things that really surprised me. So, let me show you what a kosher Costco actually looks like. So, let me put on a pretty tichel and let's jump into it. The first thing that really stands out [music] when you walk into a store like this is the scale. Everything feels bigger. But very quickly, you realize that it's not just about food. One of the first sections that you see, and that might actually surprise you, is a full Judaica [music] section. You will find siddur or prayer books, kosher books and magazines with a wide range of subjects from cooking to world events to commentary on the portion of the Torah, and even music. There is a full section dedicated to Jewish music, which is something you would not necessarily expect to find in a warehouse-style [music] store. And then you start noticing something else. Not only are there books and music, there are also clothing and accessories that are part of daily Jewish life. For men, you will find tzitzit, the small prayer garment worn underclothing with the long strings or pitilim. You also find kippot or yarmulke, and even tallit bags, which are used to store the prayer shawls for men. And for women, there are also modesty items like thicker tights and head covering. And what's fascinating is that all this is part of a regular shopping experience. And if you're wondering, hmm, can non-Jews come? Absolutely. Jews and non-Jews can come to this amazing store because people come not only for the food, for the price, but obviously also for the experience. And from there, you naturally move into another very central part of Jewish life, >> [music] >> Shabbat. Because what really makes this place special is the section dedicated entirely to Shabbat. You'll find items like hot water urns, which are used to keep water hot throughout Shabbat, and warming trays, also called plata, which are used to keep food warm. Because on Shabbat, cooking is not permitted, so everything [music] is prepared in advance and kept warm using these amazing items. These tools allow families like ours to still enjoy warm meals while fully respecting the laws of Shabbat. And I find that so beautiful, the way tradition is not only preserved, but also made practical for everyday life. Once you step out of these sections, you start to notice just how big this store really is, especially when you arrive at one of the most impressive [music] sections in the entire store, the meat department. And this is where [music] the scale really becomes very clear. The counters are large, the selection [music] is wide, and everything is very well organized. And when [music] you get a little closer, you really start to notice the details, the different textures, the marbling, the way each [music] cut looks slightly different. You'll find different types of kosher meat, including what is called Bet Yosef, which is a stricter standard that many Sephardic families follow. And there are even cuts that we don't usually have access to where we live, like these silver tip steaks. And honestly, even the prices are not comparable to what we typically pay at our local butcher. [music] And having access to this kind of variety in one place is really something special. On the opposite side of the store, the dairy section is just as impressive. You have rows of cheeses, yogurts, and many other dairy products all under kosher supervision. Everything is very accessible, very organized, and clearly made for families who cook regularly. And from a geographic standpoint, the meat and dairy sections are kept very far apart because in Judaism, meat and milk are not eaten together. [music] So, even the layout of the store reflects that. Then, you come back to something much more familiar, the bulk section. So, just like Costco, many items are sold in large quantity. You're not picking up two or three cans of tuna, you're buying an entire box. And at first, it can feel like a lot. But when you think about it, for families like us preparing for Shabbat, for holidays, for large meals, it actually makes a lot of sense. It allows me to prepare ahead of time, and it really simplifies things during the week. There are also things that most people wouldn't even think about. [music] For example, the drink section. There are certain drinks like beers that are actually kosher even without a certification as long [music] as they are not flavored. But once flavors are added, they do need to be part of an approved kosher list. And I find that so interesting because these are things that most people would walk right past without even realizing what is or isn't kosher. When you move into the fresh sections, the fruits and vegetables section is also handled very carefully. >> [music] >> In kosher practice, certain fruits and vegetables need to be checked to make sure they are free of insects. And to make things easier, you can actually find pre-checked options, things like salads, broccoli, and other produce that have already been prepared according to these requirements. They do cost a bit more, but in a pinch, they are incredibly practical. And something you will not find in a store like this are fruits and vegetables that are very difficult to check properly, like raspberries or blackberries. Because according to kosher laws, even tiny insects are not permitted to be consumed, which is why we check very carefully. And if you're wondering why we check for bugs, let me show you what we actually find. And this is real footage from foods like celery, salad, rice, zucchini, and even cake mix. So, the way produce is selected and prepared really reflects those requirements. And again, it's another example of how even the most simple foods are approached [music] with intention. Just like any other grocery store, you'll find all the usual [music] sections, condiments, oils, snacks, cookies, [music] and then you also have the bulk bins, spices in bulk, the fish section. [music] You can also find spices in regular size and in super size. You also have Kleenex, toilet paper, including the special Shabbat toilet paper that is pre-cut. Toys and seasonal products. So, in a nutshell, everything you would expect to find in this kind of store, including your favorite cereals. And for us, this is it. And I'm curious to know, have you ever seen this kind of cereal? [music] And also, what is your favorite kind of cereal? Let me know in the comments below. And besides all these essentials, [music] there's also a really fun part of the store, and honestly, this is what surprised me the most, this huge candy and treats section. Of course, this is our kids' favorite because for us and for many Orthodox Jewish families, Shabbat afternoon often comes with a little Shabbat party. Something sweet, something special, a moment they really look forward to. It's actually one of these moments they wait for all week. And having all of this in one place, it just adds to that experience, that feeling of abundance, but within a fully kosher space. Finally, there's the frozen section. Here, you'll find a wide selection of ready-to-cook meals and ingredients. And for busy families, this can be very helpful, especially when preparing for Shabbat or just getting through a busy week. It's about having options [music] and being able to balance tradition with practicality. Visiting a place like this really shows [music] how deeply connected everyday life and traditions can be. From preparing for Shabbat to choosing what to cook for the week, even something as simple as grocery shopping becomes part of preserving our way of life. I really hope you enjoyed coming along with me today, and I would love to know, have you ever seen a store like this before? And what part of it surprised you the most? Thank you so much for being [music] here. It truly means the world to me. And if you made it all the way until the end. Please write in the comments, I love shopping. So I know I was not alone. And if nobody told you today, >> [music] >> know that you are loved and you are enough just the way you are. Until next time, stay safe and stay blessed and don't forget to film it up. I hope you don't mind if I say that I love you.