The Definitive Ranking Of Costco's Food Court Items

10. Turkey Swiss sandwich

Cue the melancholic violin music for one of Costco's most underwhelming food court offerings. Coming in at number 10 is the turkey Swiss sandwich. As someone who typically enjoys this lean protein, I found this particular order to be quite disappointing. There was little that could redeem this meal.

First off, the ciabatta was neither firm nor crispy at all. Perhaps it was meant to be served cold, but the bread added no enjoyment to the flavor or texture of the meal. It seemed to exist solely to hold the fillings together. Even the oven-roasted turkey breast, Swiss cheese, and lettuce felt haphazardly assembled, lacking any cohesion. You might expect that the combination of sun-dried tomato spread (which was, to be fair, the dish's standout element), mayonnaise, and mustard would act as a unifying force, but instead, it contributed to the sandwich's downfall. The excessive moisture from both the spread and turkey made for a soggy experience, with liquid dripping from the sandwich with every bite.

9. Ice cream sundae

An ice cream sundae ranking second to last on a food list? That was just as surprising for us as it likely is for you. Costco offers several sundae combinations, but we aimed to find the one that included a bit of every flavor available to ensure a fair assessment. This led us to the chocolate-vanilla twist topped with strawberry, which features both chocolate and vanilla ice cream as its base, with a berry glaze mixed in.

Among the three flavors mentioned, the vanilla flavor dominates. The sundae's predominantly white appearance signals that there's not much cocoa in the ice cream. And based on taste, that assumption holds true. It's somewhat misleading to label this as a "twist" of the two flavors when there's only the faintest trace of chocolate in each bite.

The strawberry sauce is more noticeable, coating the sides and bottom of the cup. It adds a hint of artificial sweetness to the dessert, but the vanilla flavor still prevails overall. In summary, you might find it more rewarding to explore ways to make ice cream at home without a machine.

8. Fruit smoothie

Among a selection of soda, pizza, hot dogs, and ice cream, Costco ensures there are a few health-conscious options, including a beverage. The company's fruit smoothie features three simple superfoods: strawberries, blackberries, and açaí. What stands out even more is what it lacks—added sugar and artificial flavors. This absence of additives is surprising given that the drink's flavor closely resembles a very tart strawberry candy.

Strawberry is the most prominent fruit in this smoothie, although "smoothie" might not be the best term, as the drink has a somewhat watery consistency. The açaí and blackberries tend to get overshadowed by the soft strawberry chunks. These chunks are a welcome addition, as the most enjoyable sips come when you encounter some berry pieces to chew.

Despite this, customers are pleased to see the return of the fruit smoothie after the disappointment caused by its previous replacement, the mango smoothie. Taste testers generally had negative reactions to the mango version, describing it as resembling baby food in both appearance and flavor. The public's dissatisfaction was noted, leading to the reintroduction of the fruit-based smoothie. However, those who order this drink expecting it to be the same as its berry smoothie predecessor should be cautious. Users on Reddit have noted that it simply isn’t the same, which is likely true given the change in its name.

7. Cold brew mocha freeze

For many, coffee is a must-have, whether they're grocery shopping or not. However, if you're visiting Costco early in the morning or right after work, a cup of coffee can be particularly beneficial for maintaining your energy levels. Luckily, Costco's food court offers a cold brew mocha freeze for those in need. Unfortunately, it falls short in several ways.

The texture is unappealing, even considering that it's designed to be frozen. It's better to let it melt into a consistency more akin to regular iced coffee. Otherwise, it resembles a somewhat bland Slushee, with the rich chocolate flavor only making an appearance in the aftertaste. Crafted with Kirkland Signature Colombian Beans, the strong, sweet notes that follow are ideal for those with a sweet tooth who enjoy their drinks on the sugary side, but it may be overwhelming for others. This is not surprising when you discover that the drink contains an astonishing 111 grams of sugar (according to MyFoodDiary).

6. Rotisserie chicken Caesar salad

What clearer indication does the food court need to enhance its offerings of healthier menu choices? Just a few spots above the fruit smoothie is Costco's rotisserie chicken Caesar salad. Although the retailer's beloved five-dollar chicken serves as the protein, this salad fails to impress.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with it. In fact, even the packet of Caesar dressing it includes doesn’t detract from its status as a healthier alternative compared to options like pizza and ice cream sundaes. However, aside from the dressing, the salad mainly consists of romaine lettuce topped with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. The quantity of chicken and cheese is insufficient to complement every bite of greens. Additionally, the tomatoes that were once part of the salad have been removed, and the croutons featured in the promotional image are mysteriously absent. Ultimately, you’re left with the bare essentials in terms of ingredients. While it doesn’t stand out enough to improve its ranking, it does earn some credit for being a cleaner choice.

5. Double chocolate chunk cookie

Costco welcomed the year 2024 with some disappointing news for dessert lovers. Customers had to bid farewell to another beloved treat: the twisted churros. While these discontinued churros can still be purchased directly from the manufacturer, the food court has introduced a new sweet option to take their place: the double chocolate chunk cookie.

This baked delight is a substantial addition to the menu, measuring an impressive seven inches in diameter—larger than the four-and-a-half to five-inch Crumbl Cookies that have been trending on social media. Costco's cookie is not only bigger than a person's palm but also notably thick, likely due to its generous filling of bittersweet and semisweet chocolate chips. When you break through the crisp, perfectly baked exterior, you'll discover a wealth of gooey, melted chocolate that is best enjoyed fresh for the ultimate experience. The cookie's al dente texture and rich buttery flavor come together beautifully to satisfy even the most intense sweet cravings. It's worth noting that the sweetness can be quite pronounced, so you might find yourself wanting to save some for later.

4. Chicken bake

Placing Costco's popular chicken bake in the middle of this ranking may spark some debate, but hear us out—there's a solid reason for its position. Priced at a wallet-friendly $3.99, this generously stuffed, lengthy roll is a favorite for good reason. With its straightforward and delicious ingredients like chicken breast, cheese, bacon, and Caesar dressing, it’s easy to see why it has a loyal following.

Ultimately, it boils down to personal taste. The mixed feelings arise from the chicken bake's size, which is ample enough to serve two to three people, and its satisfying ingredients. However, the Caesar dressing tends to dominate the flavor profile, overshadowing the more subtle tastes of the chicken and bacon. Even the delightful golden, caramelized cheese crust gets lost in the mix. On the bright side, the combination of soft and crispy textures is spot on.

While many online reviews praise the roll, there are also some strong dissenting opinions. One user, who identifies as both a chef and restaurant manager, took to Quora to declare the chicken bake "the single worst food [they've] ever had that wasn't rotten or contaminated," criticizing the dressing for taking on a "violently vomit-like flavor when served hot," among other complaints.

3. Cheese and pepperoni pizza

Despite the abundance of frozen pizzas lining the shelves at Costco, don’t overlook the top contender still available. A quick visit to the food court can reward you with a hot slice (or an entire pie) fresh from the oven in just minutes. While the discontinued combo pizza has yet to make the much-anticipated return that many shoppers are hoping for, the classic pepperoni and cheese options remain thankfully on the menu. At just $1.99 for a generous slice or $9.95 for a full 18-inch pie, it certainly deserves a prominent spot on this list based solely on its price.

However, it’s the flavor that truly cements the pizza’s ranking. The slices are delightfully chewy, boasting a generous amount of cheese, while the base remains firm enough to hold up with each bite. The crust is light and fluffy, adding to the overall experience. Although it lacks a strong flavor, its texture makes it enjoyable enough.

You can’t go wrong with either option. The pepperoni pizza is generously topped, with nearly every inch of cheese adorned with meaty pieces, each featuring perfectly crisp edges. It’s best enjoyed right away, as the salty flavor intensifies as it cools. On the other hand, the plain pizza is packed with cheese, delivering that iconic, stringy pull that people love to showcase on social media.

2. Chocolate ice cream cup

Costco truly excels at the classics, capping off customers' meals with a $1.99 ice cream cup. However, flavor choices are somewhat limited, especially after the strawberry option that debuted in 2023 was removed early in 2024, much to the disappointment of many. Fortunately, there was a bit of a trade-off: chocolate took its place, while vanilla remains a staple in the lineup.

The "better" flavor sparks the age-old debate of chocolate versus vanilla. No matter which you choose at the food court, you'll receive a generous cup of creamy soft serve that's perfect for sharing with a friend. However, the chocolate is so delicious that you might find it hard to part with it. The spoon is difficult to set down, thanks to the ice cream's rich, perfectly sweet, and light flavor. But does it surpass vanilla or fill the gap left by the absence of strawberry? That’s for you to taste and determine.

1. Hot dog and soda combo

It’s no surprise that the top position in this Costco food court ranking is held by the incredible $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. This beloved choice is truly unbeatable in every way. From its value to its classic taste, nothing can top this cherished menu item. It’s no wonder that nearly 200 million of these orders were sold in 2023.

There aren’t many contenders against a classic all-beef frank, especially when it’s priced under two dollars and comes with a generous 20-ounce cup of soda. Don’t forget about the optional toppings like chopped onions and relish! Customers can select from a variety of soft drinks to pair with their hot dog, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Brisk Iced Tea, and Tropicana Lemonade. The best part? Refills are free. So if you plan to spend a while at the store, make sure to enjoy your drink throughout your shopping trip and grab another before you head out.

Methodology

This ranking was mainly based on the flavor of each menu item. All products underwent comprehensive taste tests to assess their quality and to see if they matched the images, ingredients, and other details presented on the food court billboard. Items that fell short in taste and texture, or that deviated from their advertised appearance, were ranked lower.

In addition to flavor, the cost and portion sizes were also factored into the rankings. Costco is well-known for offering exceptional prices and often large quantities, a trait that extends to its fresh food offerings. Some items are available in particularly generous portions at impressively low prices, which contributed to their higher rankings for being budget-friendly. Finally, both positive and negative customer reviews from platforms like Quora and Reddit were also considered.