The 30 Worst Costco Food Court Items According to Shoppers
Costco’s food court is famous for cheap, filling food, and the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has kept the same price for decades. But not everything on the menu earns the same love. Some items draw steady complaints about taste, size or price, and others flopped so badly they vanished within months.
This list covers current menu items and past ones Costco has dropped or only tested, based on what shoppers and food reviewers have actually said about them. Menus vary by warehouse, so your local food court may not carry every item. If you shop the aisles too, see our list of the worst Costco foods according to shoppers.
Here are 30 Costco food court items shoppers say are worth skipping, along with a better pick for each one.
1. Chicken Bake
The Chicken Bake is one of the food court’s best-known items, and also one of its most criticized. Chicken, bacon, cheese and Caesar dressing are rolled up in a long bread crust, and it sells for $3.99.
Longtime fans say it isn’t what it used to be. Many shoppers report that today’s bakes are smaller and have less filling than they did a few years ago, and some say they taste like a reheated frozen product rather than something made fresh. Others find the filling heavy and very salty.
In a Mashed reader survey of more than 600 people, about one in five picked the Chicken Bake as the worst item on the food court menu.
If you want something hot and filling for less, the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is still the best value at the counter.
2. Cheese Pizza Slice
A $1.99 slice of cheese pizza sounds like a safe bet, but it’s one of the most debated items on the menu. Tasting Table even ranked it dead last in its ranking of Costco food court items.
The most common complaint is grease. Shoppers say the slices are oily enough to soak through the plate or box. Others find the cheese layer so thick it turns rubbery, while the sauce gets called bland or too sweet.
Consistency is another issue. Some shoppers get slices with doughy, undercooked centers or pale crusts, and uneven cutting is a frequent gripe. Asking for a well-done pizza can help, but it doesn’t always work.
For a cheaper meal with fewer complaints, get the hot dog and soda combo instead.
3. Turkey and Swiss Sandwich
Costco brought in a cold turkey and Swiss sandwich in March 2024, replacing the pricey roast beef sandwich. At $6.99 it costs less than the sandwich it replaced, but it hasn’t won many fans.
The biggest complaint is that it’s served cold. Shoppers who remembered the old hot turkey and provolone sandwich were let down by a cold deli-style sandwich instead. Others say it’s smaller than the roast beef version and tastes plain for the price.
Food sites haven’t been kind either. Chowhound called it the food court item you’re better off skipping.
If you want a cheaper lunch that’s served hot, the $1.50 hot dog combo comes with a drink and costs a fraction of the price.
4. Roast Beef Sandwich
The roast beef sandwich arrived in 2023, and its $9.99 price tag caused an uproar right away. As shoppers pointed out, it cost more than a whole 18-inch pizza or six hot dog combos.
People who tried it often said it wasn’t worth that money. Common complaints included too much bread, dry meat that was hard to chew, and a cold sandwich that tasted bland.
Costco replaced it with a turkey and Swiss sandwich in March 2024, after only about a year on the menu.
If you’re hungry and want real value, stick with the hot dog and soda combo. For the price of one roast beef sandwich, you could have fed a family of six.
5. Twisted Churro
Costco’s thin, straight churro was a food court staple for years before it was pulled in 2020. When churros came back in 2021, they were a new twisted version, and many fans never warmed to it.
The most common complaints are that the twisted churro is dry, tastes stale, and is more like sugary bread than a crisp churro. Costco dropped churros again in early 2024 and put a double chocolate chunk cookie on the menu.
In September 2026, Costco brought the twisted churro back for a limited time at $1.49. Plenty of shoppers were less than thrilled, since they were hoping for the original straight churro instead.
For a sweet treat that gets better reviews, try the double chocolate chunk cookie. It’s big, warm and gooey, though it is rich.
6. Combo Calzone
The Combo Calzone showed up at some Midwest warehouses in May 2025 for $6.99. It’s filled with pepperoni, sausage, cheese, onions, peppers, olives and mushrooms, the same toppings as the combo pizza Costco dropped in 2020.
That’s exactly what annoyed many shoppers. Fans of the old combo pizza saw it as a poor substitute, and reviews were mixed. Some called the price too high, and others complained about too little cheese and bread that wasn’t toasted.
By 2026, chicken strips reportedly replaced the calzone at some locations.
If you want a filling meal for less, the hot dog and soda combo costs a fraction of the price.
7. Mango Smoothie
The mango smoothie went nationwide in 2023, and it quickly became one of the food court’s biggest flops.
Reviewers said it tasted like baby food, came across as sour or one-note, and had an odd color. Some guessed it was made from overripe or dried mangoes because it didn’t taste fresh.
It was pulled from the menu within months. If you remember seeing it once and then never again, that’s why.
For something cold and sweet with far fewer complaints, order a plain ice cream sundae instead.
8. Cold Brew Mocha Freeze
The Cold Brew Mocha Freeze replaced Costco’s older Mocha Freeze, and the price went from $1.45 to $2.99 for the same size drink. It’s a blended frozen coffee drink made with cold brew and chocolate.
The number one complaint is sweetness. Many shoppers say it tastes more like a chocolate slushie than coffee. Others go further: in one popular Reddit thread, people called it the worst item at the food court because it tastes burnt.
It’s also a big sugar hit, so it’s more of a dessert than a coffee break.
If you’re craving something cold and sweet anyway, a plain ice cream sundae is cheaper and at least honest about being dessert.
9. Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Costco tested a frozen strawberry lemonade in summer 2025 for $2.99, and it didn’t last long. Reports say it was gone within weeks at many warehouses.
Shoppers who tried it often called it too tart. Others complained that the strawberry pieces clogged their straws, which made it hard to drink. Some posts online also claimed problems with moldy strawberry bags at certain locations.
If you want a cold treat, a plain ice cream sundae or ice cream cup is the safer bet.
10. Açaí Bowl
Costco added an açaí bowl in 2018 as part of a push for healthier menu options. It cost $4.99 and replaced the much-loved chocolate frozen yogurt, which upset fans right away.
The bowl itself didn’t win them back. Shoppers complained that the açaí tasted artificial, the texture was icy, and it came with only a few berries and a small amount of so-so granola. Some also pointed out that it wasn’t as healthy as it looked.
Costco dropped the açaí bowl in 2020.
If you want a sweet treat today, a plain ice cream cup or sundae costs less and gets better reviews.
11. BBQ Brisket Sandwich
The BBQ beef brisket sandwich had a long run at the food court, from around 2013 until Costco dropped it around 2020. Some fans still miss it, but plenty of shoppers weren’t impressed.
The most common complaint was that it was too sweet, between the barbecue sauce and the coleslaw on top. Others said the brisket itself was dry and didn’t have much substance.
Costco never gave an official reason for removing it.
For a cheap, hearty meal at today’s food court, the hot dog and soda combo is still the most reliable choice.
12. Cheeseburger
Costco sold a cheeseburger at some food courts, mainly on the West Coast and in the South, from around 2017 until about 2019. It cost $4.99, and it never caught on.
The patties were baked rather than grilled, and reviewers said they came out dry and bland. Others complained about sloppy assembly and too much salt. A few locations dropped the burger within months.
If you want something meaty and cheap, the quarter-pound hot dog in the $1.50 combo is a far better deal.
13. Italian Sausage Sandwich
The Italian sausage sandwich was a cheap option at $2.79, but it disappeared from nearly all food courts in 2020.
Shoppers who didn’t miss it had plenty of reasons. The sausage was said to lack flavor and spice, and the peppers and onions on top often turned soggy. That made the sandwich wet, hard to hold and messy to eat. Some also found it too salty.
These days, the closest thing on the menu is the hot dog and soda combo. It’s simpler, cheaper and gets far fewer complaints.
14. Vegan Al Pastor Salad
In 2018, Costco tested a vegan al pastor salad as part of its push for healthier and plant-based options.
It didn’t go over well. Reviewers said the meat-free “al pastor” tasted artificial and was nothing like real al pastor pork. It quietly disappeared from food courts.
If you want a cheap, simple meal at today’s food court, the hot dog and soda combo is the better pick.
15. Carne Asada Bake
Before the chicken bake had competition, Costco tried a carne asada bake. It launched in 2010 and was dropped around 2012, when a hot turkey and provolone sandwich took its spot.
Reviewers described it as bland and mushy, with too little filling and a weak cheese layer. A few fans still ask for it online, but it never earned the following the chicken bake has.
Since it’s long gone, the hot dog and soda combo is the safest pick at today’s food court.
16. Chicken Strips
Chicken strips are one of Costco’s newest food court tests. A five-piece order costs $6.99, and they were spotted at a Schaumburg, Illinois, warehouse in May 2026 before showing up at more locations. At some warehouses, they replaced the Combo Calzone.
Reviews so far are mixed. Some critics called the strips dry and overly salty, while others liked the breading and the dipping sauce.
At $6.99, they also cost more than four hot dog combos. If you want the most food for your money, the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is still hard to beat.
17. Chicken Caesar Salad
Costco took its Caesar salad off the menu during the pandemic in 2020. When it came back in 2023, it was a Chicken Caesar Salad made with rotisserie chicken, priced at $6.99.
Not everyone liked the changes. Some shoppers missed the cherry tomatoes that used to come on the salad, and others felt the price was high for a food court salad.
It’s still a filling option, but if you’re watching your budget, the $1.50 hot dog combo is a much cheaper way to fill up.
18. Fruit Smoothie
Costco’s original berry smoothie disappeared around 2017, and the Fruit Smoothie that took its place never fully won over fans. Its price also climbed from $1.45 to $2.99 over the years, which shoppers noticed.
The main complaint was that it was far too sweet, which reviewers blamed on fruit juice concentrates. Tasting Table ranked it second to last among food court items in 2024, and many shoppers said it didn’t measure up to the old berry smoothie.
Costco replaced it in 2025 with a Strawberry Banana Smoothie. For a sweet treat today, a plain ice cream cup is cheaper.
19. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
The Strawberry Banana Smoothie replaced the Fruit Smoothie in 2025 and sells for about $2.99.
Critics pointed out that it has more added sugar than the drink it replaced. Some shoppers also said the banana flavor completely drowns out the strawberry.
To be fair, it has its fans, and some Reddit users who expected to hate it said it was very good. But if you’re looking for a lighter treat, it may be sweeter than you expect.
If you want something cold and sweet with fewer surprises, try a plain ice cream sundae instead.
20. Pepperoni Pizza Slice
The $1.99 pepperoni slice gets many of the same complaints as the cheese slice, plus a few of its own.
Grease is the big one. The pepperoni adds even more oil to a slice that’s already known for soaking through paper plates, and some shoppers say they feel sick after a couple of slices. Others find it very salty.
Since Costco dropped its combo pizza in 2020, pepperoni and cheese are the only pizza choices at U.S. food courts. If you want more variety for less money, the hot dog combo is the better deal.
21. Whole 18-Inch Pizza
A whole 18-inch pizza costs $9.95, which looks like a great deal for feeding a family. But the same problems shoppers have with slices show up on a whole pie.
Common complaints include grease that soaks the box, undercooked or doughy centers, and slices that aren’t cut all the way through. Some reviewers also gave it low scores for flavor and said it tasted bland or too salty.
There’s also limited choice. U.S. food courts only sell cheese or pepperoni pies since the combo pizza was dropped in 2020.
If you’re feeding a crowd on a budget, a few hot dog combos at $1.50 each can go a long way.
22. Rotisserie Chicken Chef Salad
The Rotisserie Chicken Chef Salad is one of the newer, pricier items on the menu at $7.99. It comes with rotisserie chicken, romaine, cherry tomatoes, bacon, egg, cheddar and peppercorn ranch, and it packs about 840 calories.
Most complaints are about value. Shoppers have pointed out that a whole rotisserie chicken costs $4.99, less than the salad. Some said the chicken in their salad was dry and overcooked, and others felt there wasn’t enough lettuce.
Reviews aren’t all bad. Some fans like the dressing, and Sporked gave it a middling 5.5 out of 10.
If you just want a cheap lunch, the hot dog combo costs about a fifth of the price.
23. Caramel Churro Sundae
In spring 2026, Costco tried a Caramel Churro Sundae for $2.99 as a limited-time dessert, a different item from the twisted churro.
Many reviewers said it didn’t actually taste like a churro and was too sweet. The strong cinnamon sugar flavor did win over some fans, but it wasn’t the churro fix many shoppers were hoping for.
It has since rotated off the menu. For a dessert with fewer complaints, the regular ice cream sundae costs less and keeps things simple.
24. Vanilla Cookie Crunch Sundae
The Vanilla Cookie Crunch Sundae arrived in July 2026 as one of Costco’s rotating limited-time sundaes.
It’s a cookies and cream style treat, and it’s not bad. The most common complaint is that it’s too basic. Next to more creative flavors, many shoppers felt it didn’t stand out, even if cookies and cream fans enjoyed it.
It has since ended. If it’s back at your warehouse and you just want something simple, the plain sundae is cheaper. In fall 2026, the rotating Apple Pie Sundae has been getting strong reviews from shoppers.
25. Caramel Brownie Sundae
Costco’s Caramel Brownie Sundae launched in fall 2025 for $2.99 and became a viral hit. It was replaced by a Double Chocolate Mint Sundae in early 2026.
Most reviews were positive, but the complaints were consistent. Several reviewers said the caramel sauce was good but not great, and lacked the salty, buttery flavor they wanted. Others said there weren’t enough brownie pieces, with many spoonfuls coming up with no brownie at all.
It also packs about 810 calories, more than many full meals.
If you want a lighter dessert, the plain ice cream cup is the simpler and cheaper choice.
26. Chicken and Bacon Sandwich
The Chicken and Bacon Sandwich joined the food court in 2024 for $6.99, and it has been controversial from the start.
The biggest letdown for many shoppers is that the “bacon” is a sweet and savory bacon jam, not strips of bacon. It’s also served cold, which didn’t sit well with people who expected a warm sandwich. Others complained about the 920 calories, a thick ciabatta roll that can overpower the fillings, and flavor that’s bland or too salty.
Some shoppers do like it, especially the bacon jam. But for a hot, cheap meal, the hot dog combo is the better pick.
27. Cold Brew Latte Freeze
The Cold Brew Latte Freeze is basically the Cold Brew Mocha Freeze without the chocolate syrup. At some warehouses it’s only sold through the self-order kiosks and isn’t even listed on the menu board.
You might expect a less sugary drink without the chocolate, but reviewers say it’s still very sweet. Fans of real coffee often find the coffee flavor gets lost.
If you’re after a sweet cold treat anyway, a plain ice cream cup is cheaper and gives you what you’re really craving.
28. Fountain Soda
Fountain soda seems like the simplest item at the food court, but it has its share of complaints. Shoppers often say the quality is very inconsistent from warehouse to warehouse, with drinks that taste flat or watery at some locations.
There was also the brand change. Costco served Pepsi at its food courts starting in 2013, and plenty of members never got used to it. In July 2025, Costco began switching back to Coca-Cola, with every food court expected to make the change by fall.
Your best move is to get the $1.50 hot dog combo, which includes a 20-ounce drink or a bottled water.
29. Hot Turkey and Provolone Sandwich
The Hot Turkey and Provolone Sandwich was a fan favorite before Costco pulled it during the pandemic. It has since returned to food courts, but not everyone loves the comeback version.
The biggest complaint is the price. It cost $3.99 before the pandemic and now costs $6.99. Some fans also noticed changes: reports say the crispy ciabatta-style roll was swapped for a softer hoagie-style bun, and the basil pesto was replaced with a basil garlic mayo.
To be fair, early reviews have been mostly positive, and some fans say the new version has more meat. But if you want a hot lunch on a budget, the hot dog combo costs less than a quarter of the price.
30. Polish Dog
Costco removed the Polish dog from its food courts in 2018, as part of a menu change it tied to healthier options and its switch to all-beef hot dogs.
For many shoppers, the worst part about the Polish dog is that it’s gone. Fans started petitions to bring it back that gathered thousands of signatures, and many still say the food court hasn’t been the same since. Losing the hot dog condiment station with its free chopped onions during the pandemic made things worse for longtime fans.
The good news is that the all-beef hot dog and soda combo is still $1.50, and it remains the best deal at the food court. For the Costco products shoppers actually love, check out our list of the best Costco foods according to shoppers.
