These Costco food court items are delicious AND low-cost!
When you sign up for a Costco membership, you can instantly access many of the warehouse club’s perks and services. Beyond the bulk groceries and household essentials, this membership unlocks a world of savings and convenience that many shoppers don’t even realize exist. Costco has everything you can possibly need, from incredible vacation packages and a full-service tire center to optical and pharmacy services, not to mention significant auto insurance savings. The quality of their exclusive Kirkland Signature brand alone is worth the price of admission for many dedicated fans.
Still, you can only take advantage of these things if you have a membership or visit a warehouse with a member. For many, the true reward after navigating the sprawling aisles and resisting the impulse to buy a pallet of paper towels is the visit to the iconic food court. But the best part is that after a long round of shopping, Costco has food courts where you can kick back and enjoy a famously affordable hot dog or a refreshing cup of soda. It’s more than just a place to eat; it’s a cherished ritual and a testament to the company’s commitment to value.
And while the Costco food court has a few signature items like its legendary $1.50 all-beef hot dog and enormous slices of pizza, this mega store constantly refreshes its menu and tests new items in different regions. This creates a “treasure hunt” atmosphere that extends beyond the main store, turning a simple meal into an exciting discovery. As a result, more than a few food court items often slip under the radar, overshadowed by the timeless classics.
Don’t worry, though! The Price Makers ALWAYS have your back. We live for finding these hidden gems and sharing them with our savvy readers. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of 12 Costco food court items you MUST check out next time you’re there! Consider this your secret menu guide to a more delicious Costco experience.
The Chicken Cesar salad
Eating on-the-go can be tricky if you want to stick to a nutritional breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s all too easy to grab something quick and greasy, only to regret it later. That’s why it’s always refreshing to see healthier options on the Costco food court menu among a sea of saturated fats, fried foods, and high-calorie desserts. This option provides a fantastic balance, offering a genuinely satisfying meal without the guilt.
It’s precisely what Costco’s Chicken Caesar Salad achieves. Served in a large bowl, it features a generous bed of crisp romaine lettuce, a hefty portion of sliced grilled chicken breast, crunchy croutons, and shredded Parmesan cheese. That being said, Caesar salads aren’t the healthiest salads out there, with their ultra-creamy dressing high in saturated fats and sodium. However, as a complete meal, it packs a serious protein punch and is far more substantial than many salads you’d find at twice the price in fast-casual restaurants.
The Italian sausage sandwich (only available on the East Coast)
The Italian Sausage sandwich is kind of like the hot dog’s fancier, more robust cousin. This sturdy sausage sandwich option is a flavor-packed powerhouse, featuring a juicy, perfectly spiced Italian sausage that has a satisfying snap with every bite. It’s topped with a generous pile of sweet grilled peppers and onions and served on a basic hot dog bun that somehow manages to hold everything together. For many East Coasters, this is the go-to choice over the standard hot dog. But sadly, it’s currently only available at select East Coast Costco locations, making it a regional delicacy that shoppers from other parts of the country can only dream of.
The Cold Brew Mocha Freeze
The Cold Brew Mocha Freeze is made of cold brew coffee produced from Kirkland Signature Colombian beans blended with rich chocolate syrup and ice. You can compare it to a coffee slushie, but that description doesn’t do it justice. It delivers a genuine coffee kick, thanks to the quality beans, which is then perfectly balanced by the sweet, decadent chocolate. It’s a far cry from the artificial coffee-flavored syrups you might find elsewhere.
It isn’t exactly a Costco food court item that’s at the epitome of nutrition, but it IS yummy if you happen to be on a cheat day. It’s an indulgence, a treat you give yourself for successfully navigating your shopping list. Its high caloric count and staggering 71 grams of sugar are enough to send your dentist into a tizzy, so consider this a special occasion beverage rather than a daily driver.
So, if you like ultra-sweet beverages and need a serious caffeine jolt, this cold brew is the perfect pick-me-up on a Costco run. And if you’re looking for a healthier choice, other members would likely instead enjoy a regular iced coffee, but they’d be missing out on this truly decadent experience. For a fun twist, some members like to dip their churro in it!
The bratwurst (only available in the Midwest)
The East Coast may have an Italian sausage sandwich, but the Midwest has an incredibly delicious bratwurst sandwich that Costco employees and members alike often call a favorite. This isn’t surprising, as the Midwest takes its sausages very seriously, and this brat lives up to the region’s high standards. Like the hot dog, it’s generally served plain, but this just means it’s a perfect blank canvas for the condiment station. You can load it up with mustard, diced onions, and relish to create your own masterpiece. Plus, you get a free soda with it, upholding Costco’s famous commitment to value.
The acai bowl
Hidden in the Costco food court, you’ll find the surprisingly healthy acai bowl, a vibrant and refreshing option that feels incredibly modern for a food court menu. Topped with crunchy granola, freeze-dried bananas, and fresh, plump blueberries, this sweet treat debuted at a few Costco locations back in 2018 and has been a hit ever since. It taps right into the “superfood” trend, offering a bowl full of antioxidants and fiber.
The base is a smooth, chilled acai purée that’s both sweet and slightly tart, providing the perfect counterpoint to the rich toppings. It’s an ideal choice for a hot summer day or for anyone craving a lighter snack that still feels substantial. In a world of beige-colored foods, its deep purple hue also makes it one of the most visually appealing items on the menu.
The churro and frozen yogurt combo
Costco fans have been combining their churros with frozen yogurt for a long time now, a grassroots “menu hack” born from pure ingenuity. So, the warehouse club wisely began serving a churro dipped in its signature vanilla fro-yo in early 2019, officially sanctioning this fan-favorite creation. This combo is a masterclass in contrasts: the warm, crispy churro against the cold, tangy yogurt is a delight for the senses.
Churros are a fun dessert you’re probably well familiar with if you’ve ever spent the day at a carnival or festival. The handheld cinnamon-sugar-laden treat can be the best thing you eat all day… if made correctly, that is. And Costco’s version has won us over! Their churros are famously large, with a perfectly crispy exterior giving way to a soft, doughy inside, and they are never shy with the cinnamon-sugar coating. When dipped into the cool, creamy yogurt, it becomes an elevated dessert experience for an unbeatable price.
The turkey provolone sandwich
The turkey provolone sandwich is essentially a ciabatta bun served hot and stuffed with sliced provolone, a generous pile of oven-roasted turkey, fresh tomato, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette or basil pesto dressing. This often-overlooked protein item is an underrated gem. It gets toasted, so the bread is crusty, the cheese is perfectly melted, and the whole thing is wonderfully warm and savory. Fans who’ve discovered this treasure call it “legitimately filling” and “absolutely amazing,” often expressing shock that a sandwich this good comes from a food court.
The vegan Al Pastor salad
Proving it keeps a close eye on modern dietary trends, Costco experimented with a vegan “Al Pastor” salad, where the faux meat is made from soy, a few years ago. It’s a bold and flavorful creation, aiming to capture the smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet notes of traditional pork al pastor. And it seems to come and go from the menu, making it a sought-after item for those in the know. So, the jury’s out on this Costco food court item for some, but we have to assume that it’s rather delicious if it keeps coming back. Its intermittent availability only adds to its mystique, prompting vegan and vegetarian shoppers to grab it whenever they see it.
Fruit Smoothie
If you’re looking for frozen beverages, a mildly healthier choice at the Costco food court is its fruit smoothie. It’s a vibrant, thick, and satisfying drink perfect for a quick energy boost. Originally a Berry Smoothie, a recipe many longtime fans still miss, Costco eventually switched over to a Fruit Smoothie that claims to have no artificial ingredients or added sugars. It’s a blend of various fruits, often including strawberries, blackberries, and açai, delivering a naturally sweet and slightly tart flavor.
Smoothies are usually sneaky beverages with hidden sugars, so seeing an all-natural option sounds pretty good to us, especially at Costco’s rock-bottom price point compared to dedicated smoothie shops. The only downside of this is that the no-sugar version of the smoothie is only slightly better in terms of health, according to The Costco Connoisseur, who noted the trade-offs.
Even though the current Fruit Smoothie has fewer calories and less sugar than its berry predecessor, it has much more sodium, which is likely used to enhance the flavor and act as a preservative. Despite this, it’s still a far more affordable smoothie than what you will pay elsewhere. So if you must get a frozen beverage while at Costco, the Fruit Smoothie is the way to go for a refreshing and fruit-forward choice.
The Costco cheeseburger
Costco began trying out a cheeseburger in select locations in late 2017, and it went over so well that they added it to the menu in more stores, though it remains a regional find for many. This isn’t just any fast-food burger. The 1/3-pound organic cheeseburger is made with a high-quality ground beef patty, sharp cheddar cheese, ripe tomato, crisp lettuce, and Costco’s “special sauce” served on a fluffy brioche bun. The use of premium ingredients like organic beef and a brioche bun elevates it far above typical food court fare.
The BBQ brisket sandwich
The BBQ brisket sandwich has been consistently rated as one of the best, if not *the* best, item on the Costco food court menu by hardcore fans online. And although it’s not available at all locations, those who have it swear by it. Fans rave about the crisp, tangy coleslaw and the incredible quality of the tender, smoky BBQ brisket that it’s served with. The meat is slow-cooked to perfection, and the sandwich is piled high, making it an incredible value. The combination of warm, savory meat and cool, crunchy slaw on a soft bun is a culinary home run.
Strawberry Sundae
If you want to add some extra flavor to your vanilla frozen yogurt cup, you have two classic options: Strawberry and Chocolate. When Costco added the toppings to its food court menu, its members loved the ability to customize their dessert. If you choose Strawberry, your dessert will come with a sweet, vibrant, fruit-flavored drizzle on top that cascades down the sides of the creamy frozen yogurt.
Is it the freshest strawberry option out there? Negative, it’s a nostalgic, bright red strawberry syrup, but when you’re going in for a Strawberry Sundae, you probably aren’t too concerned about whether or not your topping is artificial. You’re looking for that classic, sweet, and satisfying taste, and Costco delivers exactly that.
One drawback about this Costco food court item is that some Costco members have complained about is the chance that your ice cream might come with a significant air gap in the middle of the cup. This is a common occurrence with soft-serve style machines, which can create an air pocket during dispensing.
Others have pointed out that this is common across the three ice cream varieties (vanilla, chocolate, swirl), which brings the actual value of the sundae into question. After all, why pay for something you only receive a fraction of? You’re paying for a full cup, and you expect a full cup.
But don’t worry. Costco knows this can happen, so some servers have a brilliant and customer-friendly solution: they fill the cup well above the top to make up for any potential gap. This gesture of goodwill ensures you get your money’s worth and then some, turning a potential complaint into another example of Costco’s great value.
Bonus Costco food court item: Beef chili on a hot dog is an excellent hack you MUST try!
Chili is a seasonal item that comes and goes from a few select Costco locations, usually appearing during the colder months. But when it’s available, it always makes a great companion piece to their signature hot dog. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s an ingredient for the ultimate food court creation.
Their chili contains beans, ground beef, and shredded cheddar cheese, creating a hearty and flavorful mix. For the ultimate hack, order a plain hot dog and a cup of chili. Then, simply pour the chili over the hot dog to create your own massive, delicious chili cheese dog. To take it to the next level, you can top it all off with a mountain of fresh, diced onions from the Costco food court condiment bar.
We want to hear from our readers! What’s your absolute favorite item from the Costco food court? Is there a regional specialty in your area that we completely missed? So be sure to leave us a comment and let us know if we missed any delicious Costco food court items. Share your best food court hacks below!
Looking for the best place to pick up some fresh produce after all this talk of food? If our article has you hungry for high-quality ingredients, you should check this out for groceries delivered right to your door!
And if you enjoyed this article, don’t leave yet! The Price Makers has many more fantastic tips and tricks to share with you. For instance, if you’re obsessed with getting the most value from your membership, we highly recommend you also read: 11 Best Budget-Friendly Costco Lunch Options You’ll Love
One Response
Costco need to lower members ship to 40 dollars for renew..and more lower prices on food..