A comprehensive taste test of four major supermarket cheesecakes has identified Costco's offering as the clear winner, delivering the most authentic New York-style flavour at the lowest price per ounce. The test, conducted by a consumer reviewer, compared products from Whole Foods, Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's based on taste, texture, and value.
The 72-ounce Costco cheesecake, priced at $20, was the only option not explicitly marketed as "New York-style" but was judged to be the most authentic. It was described as "dense, creamy, and tangy," with a crust that "nailed the classic, buttery, graham-cracker flavour." Despite a thin crust and an unnecessary sugary frosting topping, it was declared the favourite for its overall quality and exceptional value.
High Price, Disappointing Flavour at Whole Foods
The most expensive option tested was the 40-ounce Whole Foods cheesecake, costing $27. While visually appealing with vanilla bean flecks and a berry topping, its filling was criticised for being overly sweet and lacking the requisite tang and density. The reviewer described the texture as "light, mousse-like, and not at all that cheesy," while the graham-cracker crust was found to be lacking in distinct flavour.
On a per-ounce basis, this was the costliest cake, leading to the conclusion that it did not deliver sufficient flavour for its premium price point.
Frozen Option from Trader Joe's Falls Short
Trader Joe's 30-ounce frozen New York-style cheesecake, priced just under $8, was the cheapest by ounce but required a two-hour defrosting period. Upon tasting, its flavour was deemed "faint at best," missing the iconic richness and tang. Family members who participated in the test were similarly unimpressed.
The cake was also criticised for an imbalanced crust-to-filling ratio, with an insufficient amount of the cream cheese filling. Despite its low cost, the reviewer stated they would not purchase it again.
Walmart's Decent Filling Marred by Poor Crust
Walmart's presliced 40-ounce New York-style cheesecake, costing $13, presented a "heavier" and "pretty good" filling with a mild flavour that was considered acceptable for the price. However, the experience was significantly undermined by the quality of its crust.
The crust was described as "thin, floury," and left visible grease at the bottom of the pan, detracting from the overall product.
Costco's Winning Formula: Authenticity and Value
The Costco cheesecake distinguished itself with its authentic profile and sheer size. The 72-ounce cake comes pre-marked for slicing and features a piped frosting border. The reviewer highlighted that its only notable drawback was the superfluous frosting, which distracted from the excellent filling.
With a price of approximately $0.28 per ounce, Costco's offering presented the best value by a significant margin, compared to Whole Foods ($0.68/oz), Walmart ($0.33/oz), and Trader Joe's ($0.27/oz). The test concluded that for consumers seeking a classic, tangy, and dense New York-style cheesecake from a grocery store, Costco provides the superior combination of quality and affordability.