Costco

What it is: Costco is a big-box warehouse membership club that offers members discounts for buying in bulk. The store has grocery and household items, electronics, optical, photo and pharmacy departments. It also has a food court that serves hot dogs, caesar salad, slices of pizza, frozen yogurt, berry smoothies and churros as well as fountain drinks. Near lunch time, various sections of the store also famously serve free tastes of various products.

What we like: When we want to go out for a lunch date, I treat my girls to a hot dog at Costco, because at $1.50 for a large 100% beef frank and a drink, it's a good deal and better quality than elsewhere. If they do a great job behaving themselves and eating their lunch, we split a huge $1 frozen yogurt that we can't even finish. If I pick up my girls from lunch bunch at their preschool and they're still a little hungry, then we make the rounds at Costco to taste all the various offerings for free. In this setting, they are much more adventurous with their tastes. Apple pie, cake, chips, granola bars, freeze dried apples, nuts, of course they like those. But also strong cheddar, lobster spread, crab, bean stew, who knew? They love being out of the cart for a change, and after we discuss manners, they also love going up and getting served kid-sized bites by nice grown-ups.

What could be better: Well, the membership cost of course. It's $50 a year for the most basic membership, so it's worth it if you go through a lot of detergent and diapers (and don't get carried away with impulse buys). They won't allow you in unless you are a member. Or make friends with a member? Also, they roll out the tastings near lunch time, but not so much at other times of day.

Details: Costco, 1510 North Pointe Drive, Durham NC 27705, 919-220-2774. M-F 10:00am - 8:30pm, Sat. 9:30am - 6:00pm, Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm.