A Definitive Ranking Of Costco’s Food Court Offerings
Photo by GoToVan/Creative Commons Food Lists Costco's food court
One day, you’re young and full of life. The next, you realize that the Costco food court is your preferred weekend hangout. And who can blame you? The prices are great, the food is good and the vibes are immaculate. After all, who wants to go home and actually cook after spending a few hundred dollars bulk-purchasing groceries and garbage bags? The Costco food court is calling to you—yes, you—every time you leave the store, convincing you that, sure, you really do want a hot dog.
Beyond the hot dogs and ice cream sundaes, the Costco food court boasts some seriously delicious (and also some less-delicious) items on its menu. Wondering what to get the next time you have to stock up on rotisserie chicken, bottles of shampoo and cost-effective wine? Check out this ranking of Costco’s food court products from worst to best.
10. Mango Smoothie
Costco’s mango smoothie might seem appealing at first glance, but it’s gotten plenty of bad reviews from disappointed customers. Some say it tastes like cardboard, and others claim it has a bitter flavor to it. Truthfully, it’s not terrible, but there are certainly better places to get a smoothie if you’re craving fresh fruit and not processed food court meat.
9. Ice Cream Cup
It’s a cup of ice cream. It’s not bad ice cream—it is, in fact, creamy, with a subtle sweetness that’s not overwhelming. That being said, it’s hard for plain vanilla soft serve to elicit an ultra-enthusiastic response, so Costco’s ice cream cup comes in near the bottom of our list.
8. Turkey and Swiss Sandwich
It may not be the best item on the menu, but Costco’s turkey and Swiss sandwich is still a decent option if you’re looking for a quick lunch. It boasts lettuce, mustard, mayo and a flavorful sun-dried tomato spread to complement the oven-roasted turkey breast and Swiss cheese. Is it kind of bland? Sure. But at the time of writing, you can get one of these bad boys for just $6.99, which feels like a particularly good deal considering all the meat you’re getting.
7. Chocolate Chip Cookie
Costco’s massive chocolate chip cookie is definitely big enough to share, so consider splitting one if you’re not craving a massive dessert. These cookies are warm and soft, and the store definitely isn’t skimping on the chocolate chips. It’s not a groundbreaking dessert, but it is a nice treat after a long shopping trip.
6. Pizza
Costco offers both cheese and pepperoni pizza, so there’s an option available for you whether you want to eat meat or not. The price for a slice (just $1.99 at the time of writing) is a great deal, especially if you just want to grab a quick bite to eat after shopping. Plus, the size of the slices is substantial, so you’re not going to go hungry if you decide not to order a second slice. Opt for a whole pizza, and you’ll only pay $9.95.
5. Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad
Looking for a greener option on Costco’s food court menu? Try the rotisserie chicken Caesar salad. This classic salad features Caesar dressing and Parmesan cheese on romaine and Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken. It’s basic, but it’s hard to mess up a chicken Caesar salad, which means it’s a safe (and fresh) bet for lunch.
4. Ice Cream Sundae
The ice cream cup at Costco’s food court may be less than inspiring, but the ice cream sundae is actually quite good. Choose from strawberry or chocolate sauce to customize your sundae experience. The strawberry sauce is just slightly tart, which lightens up the creaminess of the ice cream, and the chocolate sauce adds a deep richness that’s super satisfying after you’ve been shopping for hours.
3. Chicken Bake
Chicken breast, bacon, cheese and Caesar dressing all join forces in Costco’s chicken bake, which is wrapped in bread. The item disappeared from food courts during the pandemic, and now it’s back. Some claim that the quality isn’t what it used to be, but chicken wrapped in bread and adorned with sauces, bacon and cheese is never, ever going to be bad.
2. Cold Brew Mocha Freeze
While many of the Costco food court’s items are best enjoyed after a shopping trip, you should snag the flavorful Cold Brew Mocha Freeze on your way in, as it’ll give you the burst of energy you need to buy aspirational quantities of produce. Chocolate and coffee will never not be a delicious combination, even (and especially) at Costco.
1. Hot Dog
You can get a hot dog and a drink for $1.50 at Costco, which brings Costco’s hot dog to the very top of our list. Everyone loves a good deal, but fans wouldn’t keep going back to the Costco food court if its signature hot dog wasn’t delicious as well. It’s nothing wild—just a standard hot dog that feels like a reward after a Sunday afternoon spent at a crowded Costco. And you deserve it.
Samantha Maxwell is a food writer and editor based in Boston. Follow her on Twitter at @samseating.