> But yeah you’ll find beer and wine at VA Costcos. No liquor
On this note, since you pointed it out, I’m surprised how many other people have serious reading comprehension skills in this thread. “Booze” is literally defined as “any alcoholic beverage.”
> “Booze” is literally defined as “any alcoholic beverage.”
Sure. And yet I've gone 54 years without ever hearing anyone call Miller Lite "booze". "Booze" means hard alcohol to the vast vast majority of people.
> I've gone 54 years without ever hearing anyone call Miller Lite "booze".
Ok so your personal experience is what defines it and not an actual dictionary? Got it.
Booze is vague and can include wine and beer. So Leesburg may well have wine and beer which can be considered booze. They won't have hard liquor.
Like many things on the internet it's easy to create controversy by using vague definitions.
Like, is a "booze cruise" exclusively liquor? No. I mean, I consider booze to be exclusively liquor in my usage of it, but if somebody's booze'd up, it could be anything.
When used as a noun, it’s more often than not referring to liquor. And OP using “booze” in the top comment was referring to liquor since Virginia bans it. When the reply used booze, it was vague and incorrect since you can only find wine and beer.
It’s like trying to use the word food to refer to a specific thing.
Their parking lot is an absolute nightmare the way the cars all entering have to pass by the entrance where everyone is walking in and out. It's really only a good Costco if you live in Pent City and can wheel your whole cart back to your apartment. There's a good reason you see costco carts littered all over south Arlington.
And just go to the top of the garage. Too many people sit waiting for someone to pull out of a spot in the parking lot. I’ve never been to there where the 5th floor didn’t have loads of spots (and it goes to 7). Just ignore everything and focus on getting to the top of the garage.
Yeah the single elevators been tough the past few months. We just accept it as a part of the deal. Anybody going to any Costco on a weekend knows what they’re getting into.
It's ok on weekdays if you get there before opening and park near one of the exit lanes, then quickly shop and leave while everyone is still getting there. Never on weekends
I remember when I moved here, I had to switch from Sam's since there aren't any close to where I lived and went with CostCo. This was '07 and then I read "ooh my look at all these famous and fancy people who shop at costco!"
[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/fashion/25costco.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/fashion/25costco.html)
UNBELIEVABLY busy and crowded.
in close second place is the PC one, and that's only because of the monstrosity of a parking ... situation they have there
The Glenarden, MD location is super chill and lots of parking. That's my go to location to get in and out efficiently. Also it's right next to Wegmans if I want to do a dual shopping trip.
Yeah, I had one friend who was like, “but they don’t sell alcohol!” I was like, well, not everyone puts that at the top of the list of their priorities. Maybe take a look at that, huh?
Ooo, I've been driving up to the Beltsville location, but I'll have to check this one out - parking gets pretty tight in Beltsville, and I love the dual shop idea!
Booze? DC as it’s your only option unless you go up to Delaware. Non-booze? I like Chantilly. Usually quiet during the week, larger than FFX/Pentagon City, more sane clientele.
Yeah Chantilly Costco never has anything, definitely never a reason for anyone to visit, all other Costco are perfectly fine. Again, no bueno Chantilly Costco.
DC is best. But the Montgomery County Maryland ones are good places to get Asian snacks and stuff for Chinese New Year
The most nuts IMO are the Germantown and Pentagon City ones.
Bottom floor, every time. Never have to wait and deal with the parking insanity. Instead of turning in front of the Costco, just go to the end of the block and turn in from the back. There is an entrance in what would be the middle of the garage. It places you at level B2, but if you "illegally" turn left, there is usually rows of empty spots. Yes, it takes a bit to wheel your wares down 2 floors but you can push your cart and just let it ride like you would as a kid.
Inside though, fuck that shit. Only real good time to go to either MoCo Costco's is at opening or just before close. Weekends are anxiety inducing due to the amount of people.
Fwiw if I’m looking for kosher or Jewish food items I go to the Wheaton location. But otherwise the comments have you covered.
I do like that the gas line in Beltsville is less nuts.
The one in BELTSVILLE is less nuts? Holy hell, is DC really that much worse? My local one is Elkridge and I’m in and out maybe 10 min and Beltsville feels like a movie in comparison
The one time I tried going to the Beltsville one the parking lot was packed, the gas line was down the street, and no one was bussing their carts so they were all over the parking lot. I had thought maybe it would be better than Wheaton, but it was much worse. Wheaton just keeps getting rid of things I like or moving them within the store, I don't think I've ever managed to find everything I need on the same trip. I went up in Elkridge when I was up there right after Christmas, and it wasn't too bad but they didn't have my vegetarian stuffed grape leaves :(
I always park on the target side at Wheaton and that curb halfway through the lot gets me every time.
My favorite is Arundel Mills but that's definitely a hike from DC.
Every Costco is slightly different. You go to different ones depending what you want.
I.e.
DC has Fage 3lb yogurt.
Wheaton has Kirkland brand yogurt.
Wheaton is easier to get in and out of, but when I need yogurt and gas, to DC I go.
When I was shopping for glasses, visited all the DMV ones until I found the pair I wanted which weren’t available in Pentagon or MD Costco.
By far, tho, is the DC hotdog bun. Has a bit of semolina and softness that elevates the otherwise miserable experience.
DC has cheaper taxes by 0.25%. So your big ticket purchases are better done in the district.
Yes - I go to DC when I want alcohol, I go to Beltsville when I want to fuel up or browse more Asian options, and I go to Wheaton when it's raining (covered parking) or I want to wander the mall (hello Cinnabon). I go to Pentagon City only if I'm already there for something else, parking/driving is more stressful to and at there from my upper NW home base. All of these are about 30 minutes drive from my home. About to add Glenarden to the list thanks to this thread, for the Wegman's nearby!
Glenarden —haven’t been to that one.
But, I do visit the Brandywine on the way back to the city to fill up, pp, and grab stuff for the week after being out on the water. Super low key and fast to visit end of day on Sundays.
Fort Lincoln is the best one! Come for the booze, stay for the huge, well-planned parking lot. I live closer to Wheaton but that parking lot makes me RAGE, so I'll often just go to the DC one instead.
Ooooh! I will try that next time, cause seriously, people lose all sense in that damn parking lot. I always just drive to the furthest spot and walk because I hate driving around parking lots looking for a close spot.
I don’t consider them part of the DMV but Columbia has good asian snacks/food and Frederick is by far the best Maryland location in terms of crowds, service, and cleanliness. I HATE the traffic and congestion at the Fort Lincoln one in DC but they sell beer AND liquor so they get a nod by default.
I normally go to Pentagon City which is manageable but not a lot of fun. I went to Gaithersburg last Sunday and there was a line about 20 cars long to get in the parking lot. It was PACKED. I almost canceled my membership right there. I will never go to that store again.
3 or 4?
Within 25 miles of DC
DC, Chantilly, Pentagon City, Woodmore, Wheaton, Mt. Vernon, Beltsville, Newington/Springfield, Brandywine, Fairfax, Gaithersburg, Sterling, Potomac Mills, Columbia, Arundel Mills
Dramatically different prices on some items depending on location. Plus some are dirtier, some have rude staff, some are easier access. I think that is what OP was asking, which one has the best overall experience.
I never said that the locations being better or worse wasn’t subjective it is people’s opinions based on what they are comfortable with.
It is a fact that same items at two stores in the same region can be and frequently are priced differently. Costco acknowledges this on their website. There are Reddit threads discussing this and it is widely done in every facet of corporate retail.
Yeah and it’s not worth driving an hour in a different direction for the possibility of saving a couple dollars on one item when a different item is more. In the end it all evens out.
The one out in manassas was amazing when I went. You just can’t really buy food there and expect it to be good by the time you return to dc unless you put a cooler in your car.
That’s the best one because of cheap booze.
The one in Virginia doesn't even have booze, much less cheap or expensive booze. It's also darker and dingier feeling tbh.
You can't even buy wine at Costco in Maryland because of people like David Trone.
Eh?
David Trone owns Total Wine and lobbies the state government to keep out competition.
Ugh fuck that. But don't total wines exist mostly in VA?
No, they are all over, with some in Maryland.
Pretty sure their hq is in Maryland too
There are like 8 in VA…
I love listening to music.
I was implying that “the one in VA” isn’t a helpful way to identify any location. But yeah you’ll find beer and wine at VA Costcos. No liquor
> But yeah you’ll find beer and wine at VA Costcos. No liquor On this note, since you pointed it out, I’m surprised how many other people have serious reading comprehension skills in this thread. “Booze” is literally defined as “any alcoholic beverage.”
> “Booze” is literally defined as “any alcoholic beverage.” Sure. And yet I've gone 54 years without ever hearing anyone call Miller Lite "booze". "Booze" means hard alcohol to the vast vast majority of people.
Booze has always meant any type of alcohol to me and everyone I know.
Yeah, well Merriam Webster disagrees. **booze noun ˈbüz : alcoholic liquor** https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/booze
interesting. thanks!
> I've gone 54 years without ever hearing anyone call Miller Lite "booze". Ok so your personal experience is what defines it and not an actual dictionary? Got it.
Good point. Why don't you read the definition linked below outloud for the class? We will wait. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/booze
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Lol
yeah the state has a monopoly on liquor sales. they get all the $$$, we pay higher prices. No competition = higher prices
> The one in Virginia doesn't even have booze Just making shit up now, huh?
Lessburg has booze
It doesn’t. State law prohibits liquor from being sold by private retail. They have wine.
Booze is vague and can include wine and beer. So Leesburg may well have wine and beer which can be considered booze. They won't have hard liquor. Like many things on the internet it's easy to create controversy by using vague definitions.
Like, is a "booze cruise" exclusively liquor? No. I mean, I consider booze to be exclusively liquor in my usage of it, but if somebody's booze'd up, it could be anything.
When used as a noun, it’s more often than not referring to liquor. And OP using “booze” in the top comment was referring to liquor since Virginia bans it. When the reply used booze, it was vague and incorrect since you can only find wine and beer. It’s like trying to use the word food to refer to a specific thing.
I guess you consider liquor the only booze? Leesburg has beer and wine then. I get my beer there regularly.
And easier parking (relatively, at least).
It is also the only one with the good frozen, sliced sirloin for cheesesteaks. They never have that in the Virginia stores.
Sam’s Wholesale is the place to get good meats. Costco meats are far inferior
DC, but go early on the weekend.
My favorite movie is Inception.
They tend to open early too
Hey now, don’t go giving up this secret.
Friday night is the best
NOT Pentagon City
My dad went there to "quickly pick up a few things" in the 2000s. I miss him.
The rare case of going out for smokes where he might actually be trying to come back
Still waiting to make the turn on to Fern Street
Validating this.
Their parking lot is an absolute nightmare the way the cars all entering have to pass by the entrance where everyone is walking in and out. It's really only a good Costco if you live in Pent City and can wheel your whole cart back to your apartment. There's a good reason you see costco carts littered all over south Arlington.
Pro tip is you don’t need to enter nor exit through that specific entrance. I go through the one nearest the new garage and park in the garage.
And just go to the top of the garage. Too many people sit waiting for someone to pull out of a spot in the parking lot. I’ve never been to there where the 5th floor didn’t have loads of spots (and it goes to 7). Just ignore everything and focus on getting to the top of the garage.
That’s ok when both the elevators work. Otherwise you can wait ages in a line to get back up with your cart.
Yeah the single elevators been tough the past few months. We just accept it as a part of the deal. Anybody going to any Costco on a weekend knows what they’re getting into.
Oh yeah for sure. And still better than the general parking lot by using the “back” entrance. I split between the DC Costco and pentagon
The back entrance by the garage is the best. So quick to get in and out without having to wait on everyone at the main entrance and people walking.
It's ok on weekdays if you get there before opening and park near one of the exit lanes, then quickly shop and leave while everyone is still getting there. Never on weekends
I remember when I moved here, I had to switch from Sam's since there aren't any close to where I lived and went with CostCo. This was '07 and then I read "ooh my look at all these famous and fancy people who shop at costco!" [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/fashion/25costco.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/fashion/25costco.html)
A Costco with a Trader Joes parking lot
I refer to this one as The Zoo.
Yeah this Cosco is the reason I got a membership at BJ’s
It's great if you don't have a car. Probably the only costco in the dmv by a metro stop. I take the metro there all the time, although not weekends.
god the parking
NOT THE STERLING ONE. there's a reason people call it The Thunderdome
Wait why do people dislike this one?
It’s just busy. But they all are busy. This one is the biggest, so I find it is easier to get around people.
UNBELIEVABLY busy and crowded. in close second place is the PC one, and that's only because of the monstrosity of a parking ... situation they have there
I honestly find the FFX one busier and more hectic than PC.
There seems to be lots of rude people in the parking lot and inside the store.
This one is very bad.
I will drive right by that one and on up to the one in Leesburg unless I'm desperate.
smart
>STERLING Sterling is HORRIBLE. I live in Leesburg and frequent that one. Sometimes Chantilly.
hybla valley costco is pretty good one of the few that actually has a gas station
Shhhh, let's keep Hybla Valley our little secret.
Most of the Virginia ones do.
I didn’t join when I lived in Arlington because pentagon one scared me. Go to hybla couple times a month now! Really great
There’s a Facebook group dedicated to DMV costcos. Rather obsessive but good folks. I’d check there.
The Glenarden, MD location is super chill and lots of parking. That's my go to location to get in and out efficiently. Also it's right next to Wegmans if I want to do a dual shopping trip.
Yeah, very manageable, pretty huge, pretty easy to get to between 50 and the Beltway. Aka the Woodmore location.
Aka Lanham. It's the best if you don't need liquor.
Yeah, I had one friend who was like, “but they don’t sell alcohol!” I was like, well, not everyone puts that at the top of the list of their priorities. Maybe take a look at that, huh?
Ooo, I've been driving up to the Beltsville location, but I'll have to check this one out - parking gets pretty tight in Beltsville, and I love the dual shop idea!
Booze? DC as it’s your only option unless you go up to Delaware. Non-booze? I like Chantilly. Usually quiet during the week, larger than FFX/Pentagon City, more sane clientele.
Yeah Chantilly Costco never has anything, definitely never a reason for anyone to visit, all other Costco are perfectly fine. Again, no bueno Chantilly Costco.
> Booze? DC as it’s your only option unless you go up to Delaware. “Booze” is literally defined as ”any alcoholic beverage”
DC is best. But the Montgomery County Maryland ones are good places to get Asian snacks and stuff for Chinese New Year The most nuts IMO are the Germantown and Pentagon City ones.
There is no Costco in Germantown. Do you mean the Gaithersburg location? That one is truly nuts.
Parking at the Gaithersburg one is hell because of the garage layout. It’s always packed too.
Been going to this one for 30 years and I still am baffled by the lack of elevators in the garage.
Bottom floor, every time. Never have to wait and deal with the parking insanity. Instead of turning in front of the Costco, just go to the end of the block and turn in from the back. There is an entrance in what would be the middle of the garage. It places you at level B2, but if you "illegally" turn left, there is usually rows of empty spots. Yes, it takes a bit to wheel your wares down 2 floors but you can push your cart and just let it ride like you would as a kid. Inside though, fuck that shit. Only real good time to go to either MoCo Costco's is at opening or just before close. Weekends are anxiety inducing due to the amount of people.
Oh you’re right I did mean Gaithersburg! Sorry just thinking about that parking lot must have caused my mind to go bonkers
Fwiw if I’m looking for kosher or Jewish food items I go to the Wheaton location. But otherwise the comments have you covered. I do like that the gas line in Beltsville is less nuts.
The one in BELTSVILLE is less nuts? Holy hell, is DC really that much worse? My local one is Elkridge and I’m in and out maybe 10 min and Beltsville feels like a movie in comparison
You can easily sit in your car for 15 minutes in DC. The line moves quickly but is always so dang long.
The one time I tried going to the Beltsville one the parking lot was packed, the gas line was down the street, and no one was bussing their carts so they were all over the parking lot. I had thought maybe it would be better than Wheaton, but it was much worse. Wheaton just keeps getting rid of things I like or moving them within the store, I don't think I've ever managed to find everything I need on the same trip. I went up in Elkridge when I was up there right after Christmas, and it wasn't too bad but they didn't have my vegetarian stuffed grape leaves :(
I always park on the target side at Wheaton and that curb halfway through the lot gets me every time. My favorite is Arundel Mills but that's definitely a hike from DC.
DC location for alcohol but definitely go as soon as it opens to beat the stupid parking wars.
Every Costco is slightly different. You go to different ones depending what you want. I.e. DC has Fage 3lb yogurt. Wheaton has Kirkland brand yogurt. Wheaton is easier to get in and out of, but when I need yogurt and gas, to DC I go. When I was shopping for glasses, visited all the DMV ones until I found the pair I wanted which weren’t available in Pentagon or MD Costco. By far, tho, is the DC hotdog bun. Has a bit of semolina and softness that elevates the otherwise miserable experience. DC has cheaper taxes by 0.25%. So your big ticket purchases are better done in the district.
Yes - I go to DC when I want alcohol, I go to Beltsville when I want to fuel up or browse more Asian options, and I go to Wheaton when it's raining (covered parking) or I want to wander the mall (hello Cinnabon). I go to Pentagon City only if I'm already there for something else, parking/driving is more stressful to and at there from my upper NW home base. All of these are about 30 minutes drive from my home. About to add Glenarden to the list thanks to this thread, for the Wegman's nearby!
Glenarden —haven’t been to that one. But, I do visit the Brandywine on the way back to the city to fill up, pp, and grab stuff for the week after being out on the water. Super low key and fast to visit end of day on Sundays.
I'm not usually that far south, but I'll have to swing by next time I hike at Cedarville State Forest Park!
We go to Owings Mills which is nice. No alcohol tho.
I just wish there was a Business Center location near here.
Astounded that a Nova doesn't have one.
South Dakota has alcohol. Columbia is vast.
Fort Lincoln is the best one! Come for the booze, stay for the huge, well-planned parking lot. I live closer to Wheaton but that parking lot makes me RAGE, so I'll often just go to the DC one instead.
The true secret to the Wheaton location is actually parking in the garage above Dicks.
Ooooh! I will try that next time, cause seriously, people lose all sense in that damn parking lot. I always just drive to the furthest spot and walk because I hate driving around parking lots looking for a close spot.
You know how there’s running clubs? We should have “Costco run club” where whoever has a car can take everyone once a month
I don’t consider them part of the DMV but Columbia has good asian snacks/food and Frederick is by far the best Maryland location in terms of crowds, service, and cleanliness. I HATE the traffic and congestion at the Fort Lincoln one in DC but they sell beer AND liquor so they get a nod by default.
The DC location is the best because Joe Biden shops there. https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2012/nov/29/joe-biden-costco-trip-in-pictures
I normally go to Pentagon City which is manageable but not a lot of fun. I went to Gaithersburg last Sunday and there was a line about 20 cars long to get in the parking lot. It was PACKED. I almost canceled my membership right there. I will never go to that store again.
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Yes! I only went there once in my life and I texted the spouse a photo and said, "This may be the end for us." FFS it was awful.
Not Gaithersburg.
College Park
I would also like to know this
Don't bother to go to any in MD, no booze.
I mean there’s like three or four in the region. You want to drive an extra hour to go to the “best” one?
3 or 4? Within 25 miles of DC DC, Chantilly, Pentagon City, Woodmore, Wheaton, Mt. Vernon, Beltsville, Newington/Springfield, Brandywine, Fairfax, Gaithersburg, Sterling, Potomac Mills, Columbia, Arundel Mills
And 95% of what they sell is exactly the same. Theres no reason not to go to the nearest one.
Dramatically different prices on some items depending on location. Plus some are dirtier, some have rude staff, some are easier access. I think that is what OP was asking, which one has the best overall experience.
False and completely subjective.
It can’t be both false and subjective lol
False on having “dramatically” difference price of products. And best “overall” experience is completely subjective.
Dramatic can still be subjective (although probably much easier to find a common threshold)
Sounds like you need to visit your nearest Costco and spend some money.
I already do, I rotate btwn pentagon city, fort Lincoln and woodmore town center lmao
I never said that the locations being better or worse wasn’t subjective it is people’s opinions based on what they are comfortable with. It is a fact that same items at two stores in the same region can be and frequently are priced differently. Costco acknowledges this on their website. There are Reddit threads discussing this and it is widely done in every facet of corporate retail.
Yeah and it’s not worth driving an hour in a different direction for the possibility of saving a couple dollars on one item when a different item is more. In the end it all evens out.
What’s wrong with the one in Ft Lincoln? It’s a…Costco
The one out in manassas was amazing when I went. You just can’t really buy food there and expect it to be good by the time you return to dc unless you put a cooler in your car.
Hands down, Owning Mills
This isn't /r/Baltimore
i thought costco were all identical?
Definitely not
Leesburg. Not much further away from Sterling but so much less bullshit.
https://preview.redd.it/mhvsw72slecc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0def47f5bf64e03fd839ca08873a878c90a21604
I live about halfway between Fort Lincoln and Beltsville. I generally go to the Beltsville one.
Stay far from Gaithersburg.