The 6 Items to Avoid at the Costco Food Court, According to Customers

Costco’s a popular big box store for budget-minded shoppers who prefer to purchase large quantities in bulk for greater savings, convenience, and discounts. Plus, Costco also has a rich selection of unique and creative products, as well as high-quality Kirkland (store brand) products on its shelves.

It’s worthwhile to dedicate some extra time to explore the food court, too, which offers a nice selection of items to settle the munchies (especially prior to shopping to help minimize impulse buys due to hunger). Plus, there are definitely some great options that satisfy and hit the spot. Costco’s food court does a lot of things right—price, value, and convenience are unbeatable.

“You aren’t going to find a $1.50 hot dog anywhere else that is ready to eat in just 2 minutes, and the giant $1.99 slice of pizza still provides some much-needed calories after a long shopping trip,” says Greg Larkin, Managing Editor of the Costco Food Database.

However, there are a few items that may taste lackluster, in terms of quality, nutrition, and flavor, and in comparison to the others. What’s more, there’s even a consistent consensus collectively, as expressed by customer feedback and many rankings and reviews. “Most of the menu still leans towards fast food style options, and in addition to being rather unhealthy, the quality of some food court items has significantly diminished over the years,” Larkin explains. So, it’s a good idea to go in with a game plan and knowledge about the food court’s menu and its most and least favorable picks.

These are the worst foods to grab from Costco’s food court. You can try them if you like, but you’re probably better off picking something else that’s considered reliably delicious, to be safe. 

The Worst Items to Get From Costco's Food Court

Chicken Bake

The Chicken Bake at Costco’s food court has become quite the disappointment to many. “In addition to a price raise from $2.99 to $3.99, the chicken bake is no longer being made fresh in-house,” Larkin says. “Chicken bakes are now shipped in as frozen, and the taste and quality difference is noticeable,” Larkin notes. It’s a calorie-dense option, made with chicken, cheese, bacon, and rich Caesar dressing, wrapped inside a pastry crust, and is heavy and lacking in flavor. Instead, go with the Chicken Caesar Salad (it’s back as a regular menu item), but take note—it isn’t much better, based on customer reviews.

Hot Dog

While there’s no denying its affordability, it’s also important to note that quality may suffer. “The Costco hot dog provides fantastic value at $1.50, but Costco has taken away a lot of the fun with the hot dog,” Larkin says. “During the pandemic, they removed the sauerkraut and onions, leaving just ketchup, mustard, and relish, and while the diced onions are now returning to the food court, they must be requested at the counter,” Larkin adds. If you didn’t know that, you’re welcome—but also, you’re probably not the only one who didn’t have the insider tip!

Combo Pizza

The Combo Pizza has been discontinued, so it’s off the menu, but people still tend to order it. However, it’s also a lot to handle and is actually the worst pizza to request at the food court. “It’s not on the menu anymore for a reason, as it has too many toppings, all of which are very dense and salty, and includes pepperoni, sausage, and cheese,” says registered dietitian Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD. “Instead, simply order a slice of the plain cheese,” Best suggests. Oftentimes, the “minimal” choice offers better quality and flavor. “The combo pizza can be heavy and greasy, so if you're looking for a lighter option, I recommend trying their Margherita pizza,” concurs another Costco customer, and the founder of Barbecue Pals, Jakob Miller.

And speaking of discontinued items, though many other Costco items have been taken off the menu, people still order them. While it’s nice to have the option to still enjoy them, there’s a reason they were discontinued. And the real issue is that it’s impossible to guarantee reliability and consistency each time. “Over the past two years, many popular items have been removed from the menu, including the Polish sausage and beef brisket sandwich, and with the loss of these fan-favorite items, the food court is now streamlined, but simplified,” Larkin says. You’re better off with an item currently listed on the regular menu for the sake of quality and flavor.

Churros 

The churros at Costco’s food court may seem like a tempting choice for a sweet snack or dessert, but they’re unfortunately known to be disappointing, based on several rankings and reviews. The churros are deep-fried and sugar-coated, which sounds a lot better than how they really taste. “Get the frozen yogurt, which has a good dose of calcium and protein,” Best suggests. And, it tastes better, too. “The churros are pretty bad—they're not authentic, and a bad imitation at that, and I can't even justify them with anything positive,” says David Bakke, Costco Expert at DollarSanity. Basically, they’re just not that good. Instead, try Costco’s new Churro Bundt Cake With Dulce de Leche, which has received positive feedback, thus far. 

French Fries 

It’s hard to admit, but it’s possible for fries to let you down. “There are times when they are awesome and times when they are almost inedible,” Bakke says. And, the sheer lack of reliability is a huge drawback and concern. “I think it might be in the storage of them or their freshness,” Bakke notes. Either way, it’s hard to predict whether you’ll get a good batch or not, and they’re somewhat a wildcard. “At the very least, they need major improvement,” Bakke says. 

Hot Turkey and Provolone Sandwich 

When it comes to sandwiches, the Hot Turkey and Provolone is a poor option, according to customer feedback. “This sandwich can be a bit lackluster in terms of flavor and texture,” Miller explains. “Instead, I suggest trying their Roast Beef & Cheddar Sandwich for a more satisfying choice,” Miller suggests. They’re comparable, since the fillings are similar, as a combination of meat and cheese, but taste and texture may differ. If you’re not a fan of this one, take Miller’s tip, and see if you agree.