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[okie smokie]

My experience with tenderloins is limited but have rarely had a bad experience with Costco meat.  Recently the local Costco had Choice tenderloin steaks for sale at $16.99 lb.  So I bought a package of 4 steaks.  They were about 2.5 inches thick.  First of all, Costco does not trim their tenderloins much, so that rather than the eye of the loin only, you get all the rest that most butchers trim away. I usually buy Prime but the Choice looked very marbled so I went for it.  Last week I sous vide one of them at 135 for 3 hrs then seared it and got a med/rare finish that was a bit chewy for us.  I showed it elsewhere and general consensus was that I should have cooked longer.  So I did the current steak for 4 hrs at 138* (going for medium).  Seasoned it well before going into the sous vide.  Result was a uniform medium that looked great but; inspite of adequate usual seasoning, it needed more at the table and also was again chewy in texture.  My conclusion now is that the fault lies with the meat and not the cooking method. 
This is not my favorite cut but since I had cooked Prime eye of ribeye and also Choice NY strip with the same technique and excellent results, I have to blame the meat. I have two more of these filets in the freezer and plan to cook them with my Grand Slam on high with my GrillGrates.  If they also come out chewy and bland, then that should confirm my opinion about the quality. Any comments will be appreciated.  Maybe I should only buy Prime Tenderloin?  

[hughver]

I believe that you are right, it's the meat. I've bought choice tenderloins at Costco a number of times and by in large, they were very tender and not chewy. That's not to say that I've not had a chewy one, but that is the exception, not the norm.

[bregent]

Still got the receipt? Bring back what you have and get a refund. For $16.99/lb, they should not be chewy.

[hughver]

You do not need a receipt at Costco, everything that you buy is logged on your account. I recently bought a tax software but neglected to pick it up from their storage area. A while later when I went to do my taxes, I realized my mistake, I went back to Costco without a receipt and got my software.

[yorkdude]

We have had a few tough ones but we always buy the whole loin and then peel them ourselves. By far They have always been really good. Agree with the other folks, they will make it right.

[Bentley]

Never had a tough tenderloin, from anywhere, so no help.  But it sure sounds like a meat issue.

[dk117]

had some this last weekend, same cut, same price.  Yes they don't trim enough, but I wasn't going to spend the $21.99 for the prime.   Came out great.  We do choice often (once a month).   I don't mind as I like ribeye, my wife cuts around the untrimmed parts.  Always VERY tender and tasty.

Back during superbowl weekend I bought a prime packer from Costco, after trimming there was no brisket left, I returned and got a new one.  First time I've ever returned at Costco.  I literally returned all the meat and fat, they just threw it away.  It happens even at Costco  (and I really tried to check for the perfect brisket, and this was NOT it.)

DK

[okie smokie]

Great replies from all. Thanks for the advice.  I'm going back to the eye of ribeye from now on. Never was disappointed with that and it is cheaper and has more flavor.