Who on earth is Banksy? It’s a question that’s plagued the art world for over three decades. Though the elusive street artist has heroically managed to keep his identity hush-hush since the ‘90s, every now and then he manages to almost slip up. (Unless he’s fake-slipping up as part of his act, of course.) Back in 2018, people thought they’d finally divined who he was. Now, thanks to very old interview found by happenstance, we may finally know…well, his first name, at least.
Per HuffPost, former BBC correspondent Nigel Wrench unearthed an interview he did with Banksy from back in 2003. It’s so ancient that the chat was recorded on a minidisc. To make this discovery even better, Wright found it in a cupboard.
The interview was done for Banksuy’s “Turf War” exhibition, which was held in an east London warehouse. It begins innocently enough, with Wright testing his mic, then asking if it’s okay to use his full name, namely “Robert Banks.”
Banksy then casually corrects him, saying, “It’s Robbie.”
Audio from the interview has since been made public by the BBC. Wright says he’s always believed Banksy was on the level.
“There was no reason to think he was lying,” Wrench said, adding that he repeatedly called him “Robbie” throughout their chat. “No one has ever contacted me from the Banksy empire. No one ever contradicted that.
“If it wasn’t his real name, why wouldn’t he just go with ‘Yes, it’s Robert Banks?’” Wrench added. “I thought [after he said his name was Robbie] that it was absolutely his real name.”
Mind you, this is far from confirmation of Banksy’s identity. Allowing a journalist to call him by some name is absolutely something someone who wants to keep their identity under wraps would do, right? Surely artist who sold a painting for a fortune then had it shredded wouldn’t muck up this badly.
When dealing with a crowd (and a big meal), choosing versatile, easy-to-drink, and food-friendly wine is key — but we’re also not here to break the bank, either. We’ve ranked the 10 best wines for your Thanksgiving Dinner and, best of all, they all clock in under $30.
Snag a few, thank us later, and when in doubt, grab more than you think you’ll need.
Pét-nat is an old-school style of sparkling wine produced using the méthode ancestrale, meaning that the wine finishes its fermentation in the bottle and traps residual CO2—and thus, results in a slightly effervescent final wine. Heidi Schröck and her two sons produce this tasty example from 70% Pinot Blanc and 30% Pinot Gris in the heart of Austria’s Burgenland region, and if you’ve never ventured into this style of bubbles before, this bottle is a great place to start.
Tasting Notes:
Bright, fizzy, and incredibly refreshing, this slightly sparkling wine shows flavors of yellow apple, peach skin, and hints of pear. When we say this wine is super easy to drink, we mean it.
The Bottom Line:
Pét-nats are known for their approachable nature and relatively lower levels of alcohol, both of which will come in handy when serving a crowd on Thanksgiving. Plus, your hipster/wine nerd friends will rejoice at this selection, too. Win-win.
No Thanksgiving Day meal is complete without a bottle of domestic Chardonnay, but we’re going to let you in on an unfortunate secret—most of the sub-$30 selections you’ll find are really not that good, meaning they’re either made poorly, or overpriced due to marketing, or a combination of the two. Thankfully, sommelier-turned-winemaker Patrick Cappiello has the answer. Crafted in the heart of Mendocino with organically-farmed fruit, this well-balanced bottle of Chardonnay promises to please a variety of preferences, as well as pair beautifully with basically everything on your Thanksgiving dinner table.
Tasting Notes:
Two words: balance and refreshment. This 100% Chardonnay is produced from coastal-influenced fruit and vinified in a combination of steel and neutral oak barrels, ensuring that the wine maintains its acidity yet boasts enough texture to please Chardonnay lovers of all particular styles. Flavors of lemon, stone fruit, chalk, and a hint of smoke lead to a zesty, palate-coating finish.
The Bottom Line:
Forget the California ‘butter bombs’ you’ve had in the past—this delicious, restrained bottle of Chardonnay promises to blow your mind (and pair insanely well with mashed potatoes or root vegetables!)
The word Txakolina (chalk-oh-lee-na) may look intimidating, but rest assured, this is one of the most approachable bottles on our list. Spritzy, salty, and slightly effervescent, these unique wines are produced in northern Spain, and Ameztoi is doing so all organically and naturally.
Tasting Notes: Salty and savory, this Txakolina rosé jumps with lively flavors of sour red fruits, citrus rind, and coarse sea salt. This ain’t your aunt’s cheap pink wine!
The Bottom Line: If you think rosé isn’t your thing, think again. This saline-tinged spritz promises to blow your mind.
Domaine Dupeuble knows a thing or two about making great Beaujolais—no seriously, the estate has been running nonstop since 1512. Although tradition runs deep here, the family has made many positive changes over the years, including switching to sustainable farming practices and only using natural yeasts in the cellar. Like all reds from Beaujolais, this wine is crafted entirely from Gamay, which is known for its fruit-forwardness, high acid, and light tannins—AKA, a versatile dinner table match made in heaven.
Tasting Notes:
Gamay is truly the grape variety that can do it all. Wines produced from it are known for their light-on-their-feet nature, as well as their innate ability to please a crowd. This easy-drinking bottle is all things bright cherry, violet, and hints of crushed rocks.
The Bottom Line:
Beaujolais is deemed the king of Thanksgiving wine, and this bottle proves exactly why: it’s zesty, it’s fruit-forward, and it’s super easy to drink. Just be sure to serve it with a chill for maximum enjoyment.
Bodegas Naveran is a family-owned estate that has been producing high-quality sparkling wines since 1901. Today, the property comprises 110 hectares of vines, all of which are farmed organically. Cava is produced via the same method used in Champagne, so think of it like Champagne on a budget with a hint of Spanish flair.
Tasting Notes:
Crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit, this savory sparkler is made from the region’s quintessential blend of Xarell-o, Macabeo, and Parellada. Expect creamy notes of stone fruit, citrus, white flowers, and toast to lead to a long-lasting, effervescent finish.
The Bottom Line:
Nothing screams “holiday festivities” like a bottle of bubbles—and one that tastes like Champagne but doesn’t break the bank is a winner in our book.
Cleto Chiarli has long been a pillar in the world of Lambrusco production. If you’re not familiar with Lambrusco, make this Thanksgiving the year you dive in. A few years back, Cleto Chiarli collaborated with a handful of local organic farmers in the Castelvetro region of Italy to meet demand for their zesty, effervescent reds. Upon first taste, you’ll see what the buzz is all about.
Tasting Notes:
Frothy and fruit-forward, Cleto Chiarli’s organic Lambrusco offers juicy flavors of cherry, raspberry, blackberry… you get the picture. Think of it like a mouthful of all of your favorite berries smashed together into a delicious, slightly bubbly concoction.
The Bottom Line:
Lambrusco is the unsung hero of the wine world. It’s fizzy, it’s relatively low in alcohol, and it promises to keep you satiated between bites. What more could you want for Turkey Day?
Sokol Blosser has been pioneering Yamhill County viticulture since 1971. Today, the estate is spearheaded by the family’s second generation of growers, who farm all of the estate’s wines organically and sustainably. Pinot Noir is Oregon’s red wine claim to fame, and if you generally reach for Old World expressions, we promise this bottle will give you a run for your money.
Tasting Notes:
Juicy, earthy, and all-around crowd-pleasing, this go-to bottle of Pinot Noir shows flavors of bright red fruits, mushrooms, and hints of baking spice. There’s so much flavor packed in this single bottle of wine that we promise you’ll be reaching for more.
The Bottom Line:
Oregon and California both put out stellar bottles of Pinot, but those from the former are often likened to those from Burgundy, as they grow in similar climate conditions/at the same latitude. Think of it as the best of both worlds.
Château Trinquevedel is located in the appellation of Tavel, the only appellation in France dedicated entirely to rosé production. However, contrary to the pale-hued expressions from Provence, these darker-hued wines offer fuller-bodied styles of wine, which are packed with acidity and flavor. Think of them more like chillable light reds than rosés.
Tasting Notes:
Again, light red over rosé is the name of the game here. Full-bodied flavors of juicy strawberries, cherry skin, and orange blossom lead to a long, mouth-coating finish.
The Bottom Line:
Rosé is one of the most food-friendly styles of wines out there, and the proof is in this bottle from Trinquevedel. Pair it with literally anything on your Thanksgiving Day table — oh and don’t judge a book by its cover. Just because this bottle is darker-hued than most rosés doesn’t mean that it’s sweet or lower quality — actually, quite the opposite in this case!
2. Domaine des Aubuisières Cuvée de Silex Vouvray 2022
Bernard Fouquet is a master of Chenin Blanc. Based on the appellation of Vouvray, which is deemed one of the best places to grow the grape in the world, Fouquet’s ability to coax out sought-after nuances through organic farming and low-intervention winemaking practices renders his bottles some of the best to come out of the region year in and year out—the fact that they’re this affordable is kind of mind-blowing.
Tasting Notes:
Chenin Blanc is produced all over the flavor profile spectrum, from bone dry to seriously sweet. This expression is as dry as it comes, though make no mistake, the fruit flavors are abundant. Green apple, pear, flint, and hints of honey offer a lively, flavorful palate that promises to keep you reaching for another sip.
The Bottom Line:
The green apple and honey notes found in Chenin Blanc make it a match made in heaven with a variety of fall fare—think root vegetables, stuffing, and a variety of fresh salads.
Gamay’s claim to fame is generally found in Beaujolais, though well-made expressions can also be found in France’s northerly Loire Valley Region. This bottling from Terres Blondes is produced from organically farmed fruit. On the palate, it’s a bit lighter-bodied and more peppery than the expressions found in Beaujolais, and when served with a slight chill, it makes for the absolute perfect Turkey Day wine.
Tasting Notes:
Bright and zesty flavors of cherry, cranberry, orange peel, and hints of white pepper jump from this lively bottling. Organic Gamay of this quality for this price? This is a diamond in the rough.
The Bottom Line:
Gamay is the ultimate Thanksgiving Day wine, period. This expression is well made, tastes delicious, and clocks in under $20. Buy a case, you won’t regret it.
Spotify is cracking down on streaming fraud, announcing new rules today designed to help keep would-be fraudsters from gaming the various systems that ensure independent and underground artists get paid their share as the company raises prices on end users. Under the current system, Spotify pays three cents a month to any song that accumulates between one and 1,000 plays.
So, how many streams must a song have to earn royalties now?
When the new rules kick in in 2024, a song must have 1,000 plays in the past 12 months before earning royalties. Spotify says “99.5% of all streams are of tracks that have at least 1,000 annual streams, and each of those tracks will earn more under this policy,” and believes the changes will “eliminate one strategy used to attempt to game the system or hide artificial streaming, as uploaders will no longer be able to generate pennies from an extremely high volume of tracks.”
According to its press release, Spotify “will not make additional money under this model. There is no change to the size of the music royalty pool being paid out to rights holders from Spotify; we will simply use the tens of millions of dollars annually to increase the payments to all eligible tracks, rather than spreading it out into $0.03 payments.” So while, this could negatively affect newer, lesser-known artists, those artists probably weren’t getting paid much anyway, and with more money in the pool, other under-the-radar artists could benefit.
In addition, noise tracks such as white noise, static, whale sounds, etc. must be at least two minutes long to qualify for royalties, and Spotify will now penalize labels and distributors for artificially inflating their streams (looks like J. Cole wins this round).
Hopefully, these policies will help to curtail at least some of the fraud strategies in use, but it remains to be seen if this ultimately winds up helping artists make more money or just protecting Spotify’s bottom line. More money will stay in the royalty pool, but it still needs to be distributed to the artists and major-label artists will still soak up the lion’s share of that money. If these changes do help more artists remain solvent, though, it’ll be nice to see similar measures adopted across the streaming industry.
Netflix kept the content fires burning throughout a difficult year in Hollywood, and now, the streamer is taking you into the thick of holiday season. In other words, get ready to have plenty to watch after you get burned out on eating stuffing and pie (if it’s even possible to get tired of pie). The Crown will come to a final resting place, and Zack Snyder is launching the first part of his latest extravaganza. Coincidentally, Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is also entering the streaming library along with several other DCEU films of yesteryear (no Justice League, though).
Additionally, stand-up comedy is finally getting back in full swing on Netflix, and thank goodness that there’s a handful of specials coming this month because, damn, we can always use more laughs these days.
Here’s everything coming to (and leaving) Netflix in December.
Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire (Netflix film streaming 12/22)
Zack Snyder’s Army Of The Dead did massive numbers for Netflix, so of course this led to his sci-fi, space-set epic dream come true. The film stars Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, and Charlie Hunnam, and Snyder shot the production with a green screen/outdoor mix. The story is original (but sources from Snyder almost-but-not-quite directing a Star Wars film) and follows Kora’s Boutella, who attempting to take down an authoritarian regime with help from fighters portrayed by Hounsou, Human, and Doona Bay. Expect appearances from Jena Malone and Ray Fisher, and this production will be ultra-nerdy because of course Snyder made multiple cuts of this movie.
The Crown: Season 6 Part 2 (Netflix series streaming 12/14)
(No trailer exists for Part 2 yet, so here’s ^^^ Diana again.) The final season of this royal soap opera is winding down its latter half. The story will partially focus upon the courtship of Prince William and Duchess Kate after they met at university. Charles will marry his former mistress, Camilla, and Diana will move on as well. Sadly, the world already knows how a car chase between the paparazzi and Diana/Dodi Fayed ended. Thus, the Queen will enjoy her Golden Jubilee while looking towards succession.
Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only (Netflix documentary streaming 12/12)
The terrible twosome teamed up for a BTS perspective of their careers and long-standing friendship. Expect to see moments from the past relived and their biggest successes, along with probably some controversy before the pair hits New York City for a sold-out, week-long collection of sets.
Trevor Noah: Where Was I (Netflix stand-up comedy special streaming 12/19)
Trevor Noah has enjoyed some time away from the spotlight, but he shall return with a new special that reveals what he’s been doing these days. This includes a lot of travel, apparently, so expect his sharp-witted observation of cultural norms to spring forth.
Ricky Gervais: Armageddon (Netflix stand-up comedy special streaming 12/25)
The repeat Golden Globe host and star of Afterlife and the UK’s The Office is back where he seems to have the most fun of all: onstage. In his new special, he’s covering the dreaded AI subject along with weddings, funerals, and all that provocative stuff that will likely end with him offending somebody.
Avail. 12/1 Basketball Wives: Seasons 3-4 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Big Brother: Seasons 6 and 17
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
Black Swan
Blockers
Boyz n the Hood
Burlesque College Hill: Celebrity Edition: Season 1 Holey Moley: Seasons 1-2 Insidious
L.A. Confidential
Man of Steel
May December
The Meg
Neighbors
Real Husbands of Hollywood: More Kevin, More Problems: Season 1 Shazam!
She’s All That
She’s the Man
Suicide Squad
Sweet Home: Season 2 Taken
Taken 2
The Suicide Squad
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman 1984
Avail. 12/3 The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Welcome to Samdal-ri
Avail. 12/4 Dew Drop Diaries: Season 2 World War II: From the Frontlines
Avail. 12/8 Blood Vessel
The Great British Baking Show: Holidays: Season 6 Leave the World Behind
Women on the Edge
Avail. 12/9 Love and Monsters
Avail. 12/12 Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only
Single’s Inferno: Season 3 Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team
Avail. 12/13 1670
Car Masters: Rust to Riches: Season 5 Holiday in the Vineyards
The Influencer
Se Eu Fosse: Luísa Sonza
Avail. 12/14 As the Crow Flies: Season 2 The Crown: Season 6 Part 2 Married at First Sight: Season 14 Yu Yu Hakusho
Avail. 12/15 Carol & The End of The World
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Face to Face with ETA: Conversations with a Terrorist
Familia
The Hills: Seasons 3-4 Yoh’ Christmas
Avail. 12/18 Mush-Mush and the Mushables
Avail. 12/19 Project Runway: Season 17 Trevor Noah: Where Was I
Avail. 12/20 Cindy la Regia: The High School Years
Love is Blind Brazil: After the Altar
Maestro
Taming of the Shrewd 2
Avail. 12/21 Flipping Out: Seasons 4-5 Like Flowers in Sand
Supa Team 4: Season 2
Avail. 12/22 Gyeongseong Creature: Season 1 Part 1 Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire
Avail. 12/24 A Vampire in the Family
The Manny
Avail. 12/25 Ricky Gervais: Armageddon
Star Trek: Prodigy: Season 1
Avail. 12/26 Thank You, I’m Sorry
Avail. 12/27 Hell Camp: Teen Nightmare
Avail. 12/28 Pokémon Concierge
Avail. 12/29 Berlin
Avail. 12/31 Blippi Wonders: Season 3 The Millionaire Matchmaker: Seasons 3-4
And it’s your last chance to stream these titles:
Leaving 12/14 The Hills: Seasons 1-2
Leaving 12/21 Sing 2
Leaving 12/27 Da Kath & Kim Code
Kath & Kimderella
Kath and Kim: Kountdown Specials
Kath and Kim: Seasons 1-4 Kath and Kim: The Souvenir Editions
Leaving 12/28 The Adventures of Puss in Boots: Seasons 1-6
Leaving 12/30 Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour
Us
Leaving 12/31 8 Mile
American Beauty
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Casper
Catch Me If You Can
Crank
Crank 2: High Voltage
Field of Dreams
Friends with Benefits
Get Him to the Greek
Gladiator
Jaws
Jaws 2
Jaws 3
Jaws: The Revenge
Kung Fu Panda
Lost in Translation
Love Actually
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible II
Mission: Impossible III
Role Models
Runaway Bride
Saving Private Ryan
Scarface
The Wolf of Wall Street
It’s nice to know that with everything going on in Hollywood, we can always trust Jennifer Lawrence to be her usual clumsy self. We’ve seen her fall down some stairs, sell her toilet, and have awkward encounters with other celebs, and it’s nice to know that she’s still being her authentic self and messing things up, as evident at a recent Dior holiday party.
Lawrence, who has been working with Dior for over a decade, was speaking at an event at Saks Fifth Ave when the sound of the microphone startled her, which then caused her belt to have a mind of its own. “I’m so sorry that was so loud and my belt popped off,” she explained with her face covered. It seems like this is a common occurrence for both Lawrence and Dior.
The actress was celebrating the official holiday kick-off at Saks Fifth Ave, the best place to go if you want to see nothing but tourists this holiday season. “I’ve had the honor of being a part of the Dior family for quite some time now. Looking around, this feels like the perfect place to celebrate the holidays,” she said, probably referring to the freezing temperature and expensive merchandise. It really is the holiday season now!
Lawrence has been laying low after her raunchy hit No Hard Feelings recently debuted on Netflix, so maybe we can let this one slide. She’s done enough embarrassing things in her life.
Adam Sandler doesn’t make what anyone would call risqué movies, but he’s still had his share of big time romantic co-stars: Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, Salma Hayek, Oscar-nominee Emily Watson, Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette, Julia Fox, et al. Nothing serious happens — maybe a chaste kiss, maybe. But even those have been too much for one of his kids.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Sandler, who’s promoting his new animated lizard movie Leo, went on The Jennifer Hudson Show. As it happens the two played lovers in his 2017 Netflix comedy Sandy Wexler, prompting Hudson to remember that her son, then 6, was a little confused why mommy was kissing someone who’s not his dad. As it happens, Sandler has had similar issues with his his daughters, Sadie, now 17, and Sunny, 15.
“When I have to kiss anybody, they’re not thrilled about that,” Sandler said about his daughters,” Sandler explained. “My wife is always telling them, ‘It’s OK. It’s part of the job. Let daddy kiss.’”
But one of his two daughters takes it worse than the other. “Sadie was always fine with it,” he said. “Sunny would always be going over to my wife, saying, ‘You have to watch them. That’s not good. I don’t like that.’”
Sandler, though, says he’s always conscious not to get too hot and heavy on-set. When he act-kisses, he says, he’s “a little tight-mouth,” adding, “I don’t open up too wide.”
Hudson had his back, saying her movie kisses with Sandler were “very movie-appropriate.”
Sandler’s Leo press tour is happening as the holiday season kicks off, so he’s opened up about some of his old festive SNL tunes, including “The Chanukah Song.” In fact, he says, he almost wasn’t the one who first performed that one on-air.
Leo now streams on Netflix. You can watch part of Sandler’s Jennifer Hudson Show stint below.
It’s a great week to find a new Scotch whisky. With all the flavors that come with Thanksgiving week, the meal, the desserts, and the fall vibes outside, Scotch flavor profiles are just about bang on. The thing is, there are just so many Scotch whiskies on the shelf at any semi-decent liquor store these days — making the right pick can feel daunting.
Well… we’ve got your back!
Below, I’m calling out 25 Scotch whiskies that are perfect for this week’s festivities. The Scotch whisky that I’ve listed below covers everything from peated malts to classic blended Scotch whiskies to subtle sherry-finished single malts. There’s something for everyone is what I’m getting at.
The best part is that these whiskies should be fairly easy to find at any good liquor store with a solid Scotch aisle. Not every whisky on this list is going to show up everywhere but you have a pretty good chance of sourcing most of these pretty easily. If not, hit those price links to see if you can get that bottle delivered ASAP. Let’s dive in!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months
This is a release from Diageo that utilizes a lot of Speyside whiskies. Eight single malts are chosen for this blend to highlight the small region within the Scottish Highlands specifically.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This is classic Speyside from nose to finish with apple and honey dominating the whole way through.
Palate: The palate adds a warm oaty malt and spice next to a very slight nuttiness and maybe a touch of orange marmalade. Imagine an oatmeal-walnut scone with a dollop of that jam on top and you’ll be there.
Finish: The end is short, spicy warm, and slightly honeyed.
Bottom Line:
This is a good place to start. This is a standard blended Scotch whisky that delivers. This is the perfect Scotch whisky to make highballs with or even cook with.
The Famous Grouse is an old-school blend that got its start in a Scottish grocery store where grocers often blended their own whiskies to sell. The whisky is now a mix of single malts and single grains with a focus on parent company partners Highland Park and The Macallan.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a Christmas cake nose that’s spicy, fruity, and malty and supported by a note of citrus.
Palate: The palate keeps those nose notes rolling with an additional whisper of oak and a hint of malted cookies dipped in lightly smoked honey.
Finish: The end is short and creamy with a distant wisp of campfire smoke far off in the distance.
Bottom Line:
This is a nice and very even-keeled whisky with a hint of smoke. Think of sipping this over a lot of ice next to a fire in the backyard before or after a big meal.
Dewar’s blends malt and grain whiskies from over 40 distilleries with the famed Aberfeldy at its core. The whisky is blended and then aged for an additional six months in oak to marry all the flavors before proofing and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a matrix of vanilla, oak, and caramel up top that leads towards malts and Christmas spices with an emphasis on nutmeg.
Palate: That vanilla gets very creamy and a sweet, almost peanut brittle edge arrives with a little dried fruit.
Finish: The mid-palate holds onto that sweetness as the maltiness and warmth come back for a fairly quick fade toward the finish.
Bottom Line:
There are a lot of classic “on the rocks” Scotch whiskies on this list and this is perhaps one of the more iconic ones. You know what to do.
22. Buchanan’s DeLuxe Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
Buchanan’s is making a big comeback. Part of that is due to this expression snagging a Double Gold from the San Francisco World Spirit Competition in 2020; another part is the quality Diageo whiskies in the blend.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The whiskey opens with a real sense of dark chocolate married to bright orange zest.
Palate: The palate builds on that adding hints of vanilla pudding and dark spices next to a cedar woodiness and a little bit of spicy/ chewy tobacco.
Finish: A whisper of peat arrives late and far in the background as the chocolate orange throughline lasts the longest on the fade.
Bottom Line:
This has very old-school scotch vibes, especially over some rocks. It also works as a simple cocktail base for pretty much any application.
This old-school blend is built around Cragganmore and Glendullan single malts. The whiskies mellow for 12 years before they’re vatted and proofed for this bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There are cinnamon apple cookies on the nose with a touch of honey, nuts, and dry malt.
Palate: The taste is very malty with a touch of cedar, tobacco spice, and more honey/apple/cinnamon.
Finish: The end is warm, malty, and slightly sweet thanks to the honey.
Bottom Line:
This is, again, very old-school. Serve it over some rocks or in a cocktail and you’ll be all set with deep fall-adjacent flavors.
20. Ardbeg Wee Beastie Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This expression from Ardbeg was first released back in 2020 and instantly became a mainstay of the line (especially for bartenders). The hot juice is aged for only five years in both ex-bourbon and ex-oloroso sherry casks before marrying for the final product. The idea is to give a sense of the quality of the peaty whisky from Port Ellen’s malting house without too much wood influence.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This is a little abrasive on the nose with alcohol soaking through dried berries and raisins next to a hint of pear candy, woody vanilla, and dried dirt.
Palate: The palate has a hint of smoked plums that leads directly into pear candy with a touch of smoked pork belly buried in BBQ ash.
Finish: The finish is a mix of hot asphalt and soft pear tobacco with a thin layer of salt water calming everything down.
Bottom Line:
This is going to be a polarizing pour of peated Islay malt. The whisky is boldly peated and ashen with a nice bourbon creaminess under it all. This is the whisky for the peat heads at your Thanksgiving shindig.
This single malt from the famed Highland distillery, Glenmorangie, is built to be the ultimate single malt mixing whisky. They don’t release much else about the blend besides being a mix of their iconic single malts “made for mixers.”
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of grapefruit pith next to ripe pears and vanilla pods, all in equal measure, next to a hint of orange oils and maybe a little wildflower.
Palate: The palate builds on that orange towards a bright orange sherbert, a vanilla pudding creaminess, burnt sugars, light and sweet marzipan, and a touch of dark chocolate infused with red chili flakes.
Finish: The finish really leans into the spicy chocolate and gets slightly bitter as the spice mellows towards mulled wine spices and a touch more sweetness.
Bottom Line:
This is the whisky you want to get for cocktails. Use it to batch an old fashioned or stir up some nice Rob Roys as the turkey rests between the oven and carving.
18. Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Whisky
This is Johnnie Walker Black that’s been re-casked in deeply charred oak barrels for a final maturation, making this a classic double-cask whisky. The idea is to maximize that peat and amp up the Islay and Island whiskies’ smokiness.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Clove-forward spice and billows of softwood smoke — think cherry and apple trees — greet you on the nose.
Palate: The palate has a vanilla creaminess that’s punctuated by bright apples, dried fruit, and more peat that leans more towards an old beach campfire than a chimney stack.
Finish: The spice kicks back in late, warming things up as the smoke carries through the end with a nice dose of oakiness, fruitiness, and sweet vanilla creaminess.
Bottom Line:
This is quintessential on-the-rocks scotch that hits you with just the right amount of sweet and fruity smoke.
This bespoke whisky is made from special Andalucia sherry casks that are blended with malt aged in ex-bourbon casks. The final product is then finished in fresh Olorosso sherry casks before proofing and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sharp marmalade over scones with a hint of cream drives the nose toward ginger candy and soft vanilla.
Palate: That orange bitters toward chili pepper spice in the creamy malts with a hint of salted caramel and floral honey.
Finish: The sharp spice gets a little woody at the end with a hint more of vanilla and orange rounding things out.
Bottom Line:
This is a nice bridge between subtle scotch and bourbon with a holiday vibe throughout. Pour it over rocks or into cocktails and you’ll be set all Thanksgiving break.
16. Loch Lomond Original Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This lightly peated single malt from the Highlands is a classic. The juice is a no-age-statement whisky that’s meant as an entry point to the wider brand. The malt is just kissed with peat while malting. The single malt blend is a mix of those barrels with an eye on highlighting the subtler aspects of the whisky. Once vatted, the whisky is proofed and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a nice dose of honey wafer biscuits wrapped in an old leather sheet with a hint of dried grass, soft raisin, and mildly spicy malts.
Palate: The palate leans into those malts with a hint of malted vanilla next to oatmeal cookies with cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts next to a glass of heavy cream for dipping.
Finish: The end kicks in with a sharp orange/cinnamon before descending toward soft oak and more of that leather and honey wafer.
Bottom Line:
This is a beautifully subtle malt that has whispers of smoke, creating a wonderful accent to the softer fruits and creaminess. That makes this a great candidate for pairing with your Thanksgiving feast.
Chivas is renowned for its iconic blended whisky. This expression — created for the Japanese market and released in the U.S. in 2019 — adds a unique dimension to the classic blend. A portion of the whisky is finished in Japanese Mizunara casks, adding a layer of nuanced flavors to the standard Chivas.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Caramel and dark dried fruits mingle with tasty pears, soft orange zest, a touch of leather, fresh and floral honey, and maybe some old oak staves on the nose.
Palate: The palate has a dash or two of winter spice next to walnuts and honey-soaked raisins with a hint of sunburnt heather and wildflowers.
Finish: The finish lets the spiciness warm the palate as pear and leather fade through the end.
Bottom Line:
Chivas is the most iconic “on the rocks” scotch there is. You know what to do.
14. Speyburn Arranta Casks Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Arranta translates to “bold” and this whisky leans into that. The hot juice is aged for an undisclosed amount of time in first-fill ex-bourbon casks (that means this whisky was the first thing to go into those casks after they were emptied of bourbon). Those barrels were then vatted, proofed, and bottled without filtration.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Pear candy and honey lead the way on the nose toward woody spices, light leather, and a hint of sour apple skins and stems.
Palate: The palate is sweet and malty with a drive from pear flesh to pit, skin, and tree with floral honey and wet coconut leading to a hint of creamy vanilla sauce dusted with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Finish: The end leans into pears soaked in honey and nutmeg with a hint of old porch wicker and worn leather gloves on the finish.
Bottom Line:
This feels like a fruit-forward dessert in a glass. Pair this with the cheese or pie course after the big meal on Thursday.
The blend of this new-ish Walker blend is 40% single malts from Diageo’s stable of distilleries — particularly Cardhu, Glenkinchie, and Caol Ila — and 60% Scottish rye whisky aged in American oak. Those whiskies are vatted, proofed down, and bottled with a look toward the American whiskey palate.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose feels like the best of both worlds as a twinge of rye spiciness mingles with sweet smoky notes cut with orchard fruit and a hint of vanilla.
Palate: The fruit drives the palate with tart apples spiked with clove and anise as a buttery caramel sweetens the sip.
Finish: The finish moves on from that sweet note towards a dry sense of woody spices and a touch of dried and smoked apple slices.
Bottom Line:
This is the hype beast Scotch whisky to get for you hyped-up whisky fans around the Thanksgiving table. It’s much lighter than any American rye but that’s kind of the point. Use this one for simple cocktails and it’ll shine.
12. Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
This is an entry whisky to Speyside and single malts in general. The juice is aged in a combination of used American and European oak before it’s married, rested, proofed with Speyside’s iconic water, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This dram is creamy like a vanilla pudding with a bright pear orchard vibe, some mild toffee, and hints of sweetgrass next to mild oak.
Palate: That leads towards a very easy and soft woodiness with a touch of candied pear and more vanilla cream before hints of soft cinnamon spice poke up in the background with those soft malts.
Finish: By the end, it’s clear how light and approachable this whisky is as that pear, vanilla cream, and mild spice slowly fade away, leaving you with a silken mouthfeel and just enough malts and toffee.
Bottom Line:
This is one of the purist classic unpeated malts on the list. It’s so clean yet nuanced. That makes this the perfect “whisky for everyone” pour to have on hand during any Thanksgiving gathering.
Also, this is a good whisky to bake desserts with.
11. Kingsbarns Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Doocot
This whisky is from a new(ish) Lowland distillery in Scotland. The whisky in the bottle is a single malt that was aged in ex-bourbon and ex-red wine barriques (a slightly bigger barrel by a few gallons). Those barrels were vatted and proofed with Lowland water before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The light nose opens with a sense of banana bread, pineapple skins, and floral honey with a moment of wet brown sugar and pancake batter.
Palate: That pineapple gets sweet on the palate with a sense of winter spice and dark red berries dipped in vanilla chocolate sauce.
Finish: The fruitiness builds at the end toward more pineapple, mango skins, and kiwi while the spice leans into some soft wood.
Bottom Line:
This is the whisky you grab when you want to have something new and fresh around that also delivers. I’d use this for fruit-forward cocktails and easy-sipping pours over plenty of ice.
This expression is a marrying of whiskies from all over Scotland. 65% of the blend comes from single malts from a “distillery near the town of Aberlour,” Laphroaig, and Clynelish. The rest is part Highland malt blend (from the Glen Moray, Tomatin, and Balmenach distilleries) and a grain whisky from Cameronbridge distillery. Those whiskies were barreled in sherry and bourbon casks with a French oak barrel thrown in too.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose draws you in with this subtle peaty malt that feels more kissed by a hint of smoke than drowned in it in a malting room with a hint of stewed stone fruit.
Palate: The first sip is “malty scotch!” That then leads to dry straw, very mild plum, the memory of opening up a bag of charcoal, and almond shells.
Finish: You’re left with a slightly sweet straw and a buzzing maltiness that is more reminiscent of a cleaned-out fireplace than “smoke.”
Bottom Line:
This is another great version of peated scotch for folks who don’t want to go full-on with the peatiness. It’s subtle but definitely there. That makes this a good sipper or mixer for the peat curious around the table.
9. Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 10 Years
Glengoyne uses unpeated Highland barley that they airdry themselves before fermentation. The uniqueness of this whisky doesn’t end there. They also season their own American and European oak barrels with sherry for six years before filling them with their juice. After ten years of maturation, those barrels are vatted, proofed, and bottled for this expression.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This starts off fairly familiar for a sweet Highland malt with notes of apple candies, butter toffee, and a few chocolate-covered almonds.
Palate: The taste leans back into the apple but it’s more tart and juicy now as minor notes of anise and wet cedar bark lead to a little bit of warm cream sitting on top of a shot of espresso and a hint more of those almonds.
Finish: The finish lets the malts sweeten with a hint of orange marmalade on toast rounding things out.
Bottom Line:
This is another great bourbon-adjacent Scotch whisky. The notes are subtle but there and will entice hardcore American whiskey fans to the Scotch side of things this Thanksgiving.
8. The Singleton Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old
This single malt from Diageo is a great gateway to good single malt. The juice is aged for 12 years — mostly in ex-bourbon barrels and a few ex-sherry cask-matured whiskies — before it’s cut with that iconic Speyside water and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This is a delicate sip of whisky that leans into notes of dried florals and sweet fruits counterpointed by spicy oak and worn leather.
Palate: The palate lets the spice amp up a bit while the fruit touches on both orange oils and orange blossoms with whispers of bourbon vanilla, dried fruits, and fresh honey.
Finish: The end really holds onto that lightness while fading fairly quickly, leaving you with a cedary leather, more of that sweet fruit, and almost creamy vanilla.
Bottom Line:
Subtly is the name of the game with this unpeated pour. This is creamy and lush, making it an easy pairing whisky or dessert pour. That said, this shines the brightest in a cocktail.
7. Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old
This is a pretty unique whisky. The distillery is located in Scotland’s far north Orkney Islands. The whisky in the bottle is a classic peaty single malt that spends 12 years maturing in European and American oak, both of which were seasoned with sherry. The whiskies are then married and proofed down to a very accessible 40%.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a real sense of rich and almost rummy holiday cake full of dark spices, dried fruits, candied citrus, and nuts with a hint of smoke.
Palate: A touch of fragrant honey arrives to smooth out the texture while adding sweetness.
Finish: That smoke pops back in on the finish but it’s more like a chimney smoke from a house a few doors down on a snowy day than a funky peaty smoke from a bog.
Bottom Line:
Ever wondered what a bourbon-forward whisky would taste like with a creamy layer of smoke folded in? This is it. Make your favorite whisky-forward cocktails with this one to get that subtle smoke note into them this Thursday.
The whisky in the bottle is a blend of sherry-cask-finished whiskies from The Macallan, The Glenrothes, and Highland Park. The whisky is then cut down to a very accessible 80-proof and then bottled in a nicely understated bottle.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a sweet malt buried under a buttery scone dripping with raspberry jam with a touch of light spice lurking in the background.
Palate: The sherry really kicks in on the palate with big notes of dates soaked in black tea next to creamy caramel, vanilla cake, and a touch of dry raisins.
Finish: The end doesn’t overstay its welcome and leaves you with a lovely note of chocolate-covered cherries with a sweet/dry vibe.
Bottom Line:
This is a nice and easy-sipping blended malt that sings over some rocks or in a cocktail.
This Speyside blend is crafted as a workhorse whisky. The juice is drawn from the William Grant & Sons stable of distilleries. The juice is then rested for up to six months after blending to let it mellow even more before proofing and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a nice welcoming note of creamy vanilla that almost becomes cream soda, next to hints of zesty orange marmalade, malts, and dark spices.
Palate: The taste delivers on those notes by amping the spices up to Christmas cake territory with a slight tart berry edge next to that cream soda sweetness.
Finish: The end is short and sweet with a nice lightness that really makes this very drinkable.
Bottom Line:
This is designed for making highballs and cocktails. Use it accordingly with Thanksgiving flavors in those drinks.
The lion’s share of this blend — 45% — comes from a single-grain whisky aged in ex-bourbon from Cameronbridge Distillery. 22% is a single malt aged in ex-bourbon that comes from Linkwood Distillery. The rest is a mix of French oak and ex-bourbon single malts and blended malts from the Highlands, Clyneilish, Linkwood, and Balmenach. Those whiskies are vatted and then proofed down before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This opens with a very clear and concise note of apple candy with a hint of salted caramel ice cream cut with a touch of eggnog spices.
Palate: There’s a nice maltiness that leans into a creamy vanilla, soft holiday spice mix, butter toffee, and a hint of milk chocolate near the end.
Finish: The finish is warming with a whisper of tobacco next to a woody apple, spice candies (maybe ginger), and a final hint of cocoa and caramel.
Bottom Line:
If you’re leaning into rich fruit-forward desserts this Thanksgiving, this is the scotch for you. It works however you want to drink it.
3. Aberfeldy Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old
This Highland malt is the cornerstone of the much-beloved Dewar’s Blended Scotch. This whisky is a very accessible single malt that spends 12 years resting in various casks before it’s married and proofed down and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The heart of the nose is in the mingling of pear and honey with a hint of Christmas spice, especially nutmeg.
Palate: The palate expands on that with a lush maltiness, creamy vanilla, mild spice, and more of that honey and orchard fruit.
Finish: The end gets slightly nutty and bitter with a little water as the honey, fruit, and spice linger on the senses.
Bottom Line:
This is a great scotch to get you into full-on holiday mode, making it the perfect pour for anyone going into Christmas decorating over Thanksgiving weekend.
2. Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
Old Pulteney is all about sea vibes. Their entry-point spirit is aged for 12 years in second-fill bourbon casks before it’s batched, proofed, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a clear sense of creamed honey with a touch of sea spray on the nose.
Palate: The taste really holds onto that creamy honey while notes of wildflowers and oaky spice mingle with malts.
Finish: The end is fairly short and leaves you with a sense of that creamed honey and a touch of spicy warmth.
Bottom Line:
This is just good whisky. Drink it however and whenever you like this weekend.
1. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 14 Years
Glenmorangie’s 14-year expression spends 10 years resting in used American oak casks. Those barrels are vatted and the whisky is re-barreled into Quinta Ruban port wine casks from Portugal for another four years of mellowing before batching, proofing, and bottling as-is.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose draws you in with a sense of burnt orange layered into dark chocolate and then melted over a singed marshmallow with a hint of malted vanilla cookie tying it all together.
Palate: That dark chocolate drives the palate with a hint of waxiness and woody winter spice next to whole black peppercorns, fresh tangerine, and a whisper of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Finish: The dark chocolate, woody spice, bright orange, and sharp spearmint all collide on the finish with a sense of soft malted sweetness and faint old oak staves.
Bottom Line:
This is the mountaintop. I’d argue that this is one of the best unpeated single malts that money can buy at this price point. Moreover, it’s the perfect holiday-vibe whisky to have on hand from Thanksgiving to Christmas and all the way through New Year’s Eve.
The Costco Food Court is low-key one of the most popular fast food joints in America. They sell well over 150 million hot dogs every year — that’s nearly one hot dog for every two people living in America. Costco sells so much pizza that it’s one of the biggest pizza chains in the country. And here’s a free hack — while you need a membership to actually shop at Costco, you can hit up the food court without a membership card. But even outside the store, the prices stay right.
Costco‘s famed hot dog is $1.50 with a fountain drink. The pizza is $9.95 for a very large pie.
But the Costco food court is more than just dirty water dogs and sloppy pizza pie. There are often a good dozen other options on the menu on any given day (depending on your location). Which begs the question: What’s the best item on the Costco food court menu?
To find out, I re-tested everything at my local Costco. One key point we have to keep in mind for this ranking is that the menu isn’t exactly the same coast-to-coast. There are also seasonal variants of some dishes (like the soft serve ice cream). And there’s a massive difference between U.S. Costco menus and menu items abroad. In Canada, you can get poutine. Japan has sushi. In England, you might see chicken strips and fries. This ranking is solely about the standard menu items that you can get in the U.S.
Then there are the food court menu items we’ve lost over the years. Some of them were beloved while others … not so much. Let’s take a look at what’s no longer on the menus. Cue up the Sarah McLachlan!
Double Cheeseburger
Costco Fries (Yes, this was a thing for a minute)
Turkey Melt Sandwich
Acai Frozen Yogurt Bowls
Gelato
BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich
Cobb Salad
Al Pastor Salad
Mango Smoothie
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Costco Chili Bowl!
The Combo Pizza!!
And … The Polish Sausage Hot Dog!!!
The loss of the Combo pizza was a big one. The slice (and whole pie) had pepperoni, sausage, black olives, red onion, bell pepper, and mushroom. It was glorious. And the Polish Sausage hot dog had a garlic-onion vibe that was second to none. But alas, they’re gone.
The rest of us must carry on. Below, I’m ranking the current menu at Costco’s food court (this does not include Costco-branded hot food that you can get in the actual store). If your local Costco has a slightly different menu… I won’t have those items on this ranking. Apologies in advance, now let’s dive in!
Costco’s soda fountain is cheap and … that’s about it. The mix of syrup to fizzy water is very light, making for a weak AF fountain pour of soda pop. Moreover, they’re Pepsi products only with a very narrow window of options. Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Starry, and maybe lemonade are usually the only options. There used to be a root beer fountain but those days seem to have passed.
Bottom Line:
The soda fountain is too water-heavy, even at 69 cents (nice) a cup.
This new item is a baffling one. First, it’s not cheap. $10 for a sandwich is a lot, especially for Costco where you can get an entire pizza for the same price. Second, it’s not great. The sandwich is “ciabatta” bread with mayo and mustard, some lettuce, stewed tomatoes, and onion relish with sliced beef.
Bottom Line:
The sliced beef is a little gummy and feels processed (it is). The bread is always dry and cold (a terrible combination). The sauces are fine but don’t do enough to make up for the lackluster beef and cold/dry bread.
This is Costco’s Cold Brew Freeze with chocolate syrup added. It’s not bad. There’s a decent caffeine kick and the price feels right.
Bottom Line:
Costco’s chocolate syrup is so sickly sweet that it makes this a hard drink to get down with, especially since the Cold Brew Freeze is already sweet AF.
Buy or Skip?
Buy it if you need a blast of cocaine-like energy for the next hour.
This is a standard frozen coffee with a decent layer of coffee notes and chocolate-y sweetness. It’s very cold so sip it slowly or fall victim to an ice cream headache with every slurp from the straw.
Bottom Line:
This is fine. It’s not Starbucks but it gets the job done.
This is Costco’s signature pizza. There’s a lot of cheese and even more red sauce (that’s very sweet) over a pressed crust. The crust is pretty nice but gets very sloppy at the point of the pizza.
Bottom Line:
This is so sloppy that you’ll need like five napkins to clean yourself up after noshing on a slice of this pie.
Buy or Skip?
This is pure comfort food. It’s plasticky and over-sauced with sugary tomato sauce. As with all pizza though, even the mediocre pies are still pizza. I’d buy if there was no other hot food option at the food court counter.
This is a big box of romaine lettuce, industrial shredded “parmesan” cheese, croutons, and shredded chicken from leftover rotisserie chicken meat from the back of the store. There’s a small cup of Caesar dressing on the side.
Bottom Line:
This is an exhausting salad to eat. There’s just so much of it — you can easily split these between two people. That said, you’ll need at least two more dressing cups to get a good Caesar salad vibe.
Buy or Skip?
I’d say skip unless you’re really in need of a massive salad in a pinch. The chicken isn’t bad and provides a good dose of protein so that’s a win. Just ask for an extra dressing cup.
This is a classic berry smoothie. It’s icy, sweet, and full of dark berry vibes.
Bottom Line:
This is a standard and sweet berry smoothie. There’s a nice layer of real berry flavor amongst all the sweetness. Again, pace your sips as the cold smoothie will give you an ice cream headache if you dive in too fast.
Buy or Skip?
Buy. It’s fine and scratches and itch for something berry-forward and sweet in a smoothie format.
This is a standard cup of vanilla soft serve. That’s it.
Bottom Line:
Costco’s soft serve is pretty decent but not great. You do get a creamy (almost buttery) sense of ice cream with a good layer of vanilla. It is on the lighter end of the spectrum flavor-wise while still feeling heavy in the “cream” sense.
Buy or Skip?
This is a nice but very plain treat for a hot day. Buy it if you need that cool down in the heat.
This is Costco’s vanilla soft serve with a big dollop of their chocolate sauce. The sauce’s sweetness works here since the soft serve isn’t overly sweet to begin with.
Bottom Line:
This is nice enough and provides a classic counterbalance of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce from your childhood. Just to be clear though, there are no frills here. It’s just soft serve and chocolate sauce.
Buy or Skip?
Again, if it’s a hot day and you need a sugar rush, go nuts.
86 the overly sweet chocolate sauce and replace it with a jammy strawberry sauce (with actual chunks of real strawberries).
Bottom Line:
The real strawberry sauce takes this to the next level. This is a good dessert treat whether it’s hot outside or not. Again, the soft serve isn’t the best in the world but it works well with this strawberry sauce since there’s plenty of it.
Buy or Skip?
This is probably the first 100% buy. Give it a try, it’s a nice sweet dessert with zero frills.
This is the same sloppy pizza as the cheese pie above. But something happens with the pepperoni. For one, it adds a massive amount of flavor. Second, the pepperoni holds the whole thing together better, making it a much less sloppy eating experience.
Bottom Line:
This is the pizza you want to eat at Costco. It’s also a good take-home version since it’s only $9.95 for a whole massive pie.
Buy or Skip?
Buy if you’re in the mood for a sloppy sweet/spicy and very cheesy pizza experience.
This is the gold standard of the Costco food court menu — an all-beef hot dog in a big bun that you can dress yourself, paired with a soda. This is the epitome of KISS — keep it simple, stupid.
Bottom Line:
This is a good hot dog. I’m willing to die on that hill. The beef frank is well seasoned and has a good meatiness. Make sure to get a little cup of freshly diced white onion to add to the relish, deli mustard, and ketchup from the bins by the fountain drinks.
Buy or Skip?
100% buy. This is a big dog and it will fill you up.
The Chicken Bake is Costco’s signature dish and sort of a giant hot pocket. The “bake” is filled with tender white chicken meat, a cheesy sauce that’s reminiscent of a Caesar salad dressing, and plenty of onion and garlic with a hint of bacon. The bread is then bespeckled with more cheese that melts into the crust and creates a textural crunch.
Bottom Line:
This is a flavor bomb. If you’re looking for a massive and unique hot pocket with a cheesy, oniony, and warm creamy chicken vibe, this is it.
Buy or Skip?
Buy it. It’ll fill you up better than any other item on the menu. Plus, it’s a specialty item that stands the test of time and remains a cornerstone of the Costco food court menu.
Original Twilight director Catherine Hardwick recently stopped by the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where she opened up about her experience directing the first installment in the young adult film franchise that sparked an entire slate of imitators who just couldn’t match the vampire romance between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that the couple had a real-life romance that whipped up a tabloid frenzy. However, like the films themselves, the relationship came to an end, but the friendship still endured. Hardwick revealed that Pattinson recently celebrated his 37th birthday party, which she crashed after tagging along with Toni Collete. Except Hardwick soon learned she wasn’t the only one who crashed the festivities.
“I went to Rob’s birthday party recently. I kind of crashed with my friend Toni Collette, who had just done a movie with him,” Hardwicke said. “We had a fun thing, and then Kristen crashed it too. That was just a few months ago, and it was just like, ‘Oh my God!’ We all hugged each other, like, this is so crazy and cool.”
Hardwicke said that they not only surprised Pattinson but also each other. “When Kristen walked into Rob’s birthday, she’s like, ‘Catherine? Rob’s birthday? What’s going on?’ I go, ‘I kind of crashed it with Toni.’ And she goes, ‘Well, I crashed it too.’”
On top of revealing that the KStew and RPattz friendship is still going strong, Hardwick also shared a surprising bit of trivia about casting Pattinson: The studio didn’t think he was hot enough to play Edward Cullen. Of course, it didn’t help that Pattinson showed up in a stained T-shirt, but judging by the fan frenzy over his performance, the studio was obviously wrong.
In today’s world, where urban dwellings are increasingly compact, maximizing limited living space has never been more pressing. Enter Expand Furniture, a trailblazer transforming tight quarters into versatile, stylish living areas.
This company is not just about furniture; it’s about reinventing your home’s potential, regardless of size. In this feature, we’re diving into a trio of their ingenious creations – each designed to unfold new possibilities in your living space.
From multifunctional tables to sofas that do more than just sit there, prepare to be amazed by solutions that are as smart and adaptable as your lifestyle demands. Let’s unfold how Expand Furniture turns the concept of ‘less is more’ into a living reality.
Imagine a sleek console table, quietly sitting in your cozy studio apartment, that magically transforms into a grand dining table fit for a family feast. This isn’t a scene from a futuristic movie—it’s the Junior Giant Table from Expand Furniture.
At first glance, it’s a compact, stylish console, but with a few simple adjustments, it becomes a spacious table that can comfortably seat up to 12 people. Perfect for those impromptu dinner parties or family gatherings in small spaces.
The genius of the Junior Giant lies in its five extension leaves, each seamlessly connecting with built-in magnets, expanding your dining space without the hassle. Whether you’re hosting a romantic dinner for two or a lively gathering, this table adapts to your needs, proving that your living space’s size doesn’t limit your hospitality.
This table isn’t just about saving space; it’s about expanding possibilities, turning every meal into an event and every home into a haven of functionality and style.
Nestled comfortably in the corner of your urban oasis is the MurphySofa Migliore, a two-seater that’s more than just a cozy spot to unwind. It’s a masterclass in design, blending functionality with a flair for the modern. With its sleek lines and plush fabric, this sofa is a statement piece that doesn’t scream for attention but effortlessly commands it.
But here’s the real magic: the MurphySofa Migliore is a perfect companion to Murphy beds, making it a space-saving superhero. Imagine transforming your living room into a bedroom without the usual furniture shuffle. This sofa gracefully slides or folds away, harmonizing with the Murphy bed to optimize your space without compromising style or comfort.
And comfort? It’s in every stitch and cushion. Whether you’re lounging with a good book or entertaining friends, the Migliore offers a luxurious seating experience. It’s not just a sofa; it’s a haven in your home.
In a world where every square inch counts, the MurphySofa Migliore isn’t just furniture—it’s a lifestyle upgrade.
The Compatto is an alchemist in the furniture world, seamlessly transitioning from a chic bookcase to a cozy bed to a functional table. This ingenious piece doesn’t just save space; it redefines it. Your books and cherished keepsakes have a stylish home on their shelves, and when the night falls, a comfortable bed folds down, welcoming a restful sleep. In the morning, it transforms again, offering a table space for your coffee or laptop.
What truly sets the Compatto apart is its ease of transformation. With a simple turn or pull, your living area becomes a bedroom or a study without the clutter or cramp. It’s not just furniture; it’s a space revolution.
In the heart of our urban jungles, the Compatto isn’t just a piece of furniture; it’s a beacon of intelligent living, proving that there’s enormous potential for beauty and functionality in small spaces.
Expand Furniture’s innovative designs are more than just furniture; they’re a lifestyle revolution for the space-savvy. The Junior Giant Table, MurphySofa Migliore, and Compatto Wall Bed perfectly blend functionality, style, and smart space management. Imagine your home’s possibilities: spaces that adapt, furniture that transforms, and rooms that invite both comfort and versatility. Ready to redefine your living space? Visit Expand Furniture’s website to explore these wonders and more and take the first step towards a home that’s as dynamic as your life.
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