Costco vs. Sam’s Club – who has the best soft serve ice cream?

I scream, you scream, we all scream for affordable ice cream.

Inflation is having a chilling effect on the beloved summer tradition of going to the ice cream parlor. Parents and children alike are angry at the prospect of having to pay 2024 prices for this simple pleasure.

Fortunately, for dessert lovers who aren’t drowning in ducats, there are still a few sweet alternatives, such as the cheaper options at the drive-thru of your local fast food restaurant or a trip to the supermarket.

But in an article for “Eat This, Not That!” an experienced swirl lover advises all those who like to lick not to overlook the offer in the nearest supermarket.

Both Costco and Sam’s Club are known for selling tubs of cheap and delicious soft serve ice cream – a delicious topping on a trip to either of the all-time favorite retailers.

But who copes with it best? Read the expert’s verdict here.

Known for its good, cheap pizza and juicy, thick hot dogs, Sam’s Club sells a tub of its frozen yogurt – vanilla or chocolate – for just $1 in its stores near New York City.

The treat contains plenty of protein (10 grams per 300 g portion) and is relatively low in calories and fat.

The taste tester described the treat as “pulling flawlessly from the machine with a perfect roll-up, as if it had been made in a real ice cream parlor. The yogurt had a light brown hue. The surface looked shiny and smooth.”

In terms of taste, they described it as “bittersweet at first bite”, with a texture that was “soft and creamy” and “quite comforting on a hot afternoon”.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a better tasting version for a dollar anywhere else, at least in this part of the country. Even McDonald’s charges more for its soft serve,” the pro noted.

But could it compete with the Costco version? Like Sam’s, you currently have a choice of vanilla or chocolate. Here, however, 10-oz tubs cost $1.99, nearly double.

This time, you’ll also have to expect a higher calorie and fat content – not that there’s anything wrong with that.

He described it as “less artfully presented than Sam’s pristine version, but not unattractive.” This version has “more of a mocha tone and looks a little more delicate than the competitor’s product.”

However, appearances can be deceptive.

“The rich flavor immediately reminded me of the old-fashioned Jell-O Chocolate Cook & Serve Pudding that I loved as a kid,” they said.

“Plus, the texture was airier and lighter, making it hard not to drink the whole cup within a few minutes.”

The taste test ultimately proved that you get what you pay for, the expert emphasized.

“Sam’s Club frozen yogurt is an incredible bargain for the price but definitely tastes like a cheap dessert, while Costco’s version costs more but tastes correspondingly higher quality,” they said.

Twice as expensive – but “also twice as much fun”.