It would really take us days to ponder every reason why we adore Costco. However, at the pinnacle of our preferences, we’d surely jot down “THE FOOD COURT.” Whether it’s the mouthwatering pizza or the delectable combination of a juicy hot dog with a refreshing soda, we find ourselves craving more each time.
Have you ever pondered the origins of food courts and what dishes customers prefer the most? Keep reading to discover 20 astonishing truths about Costco’s food courts that might surprise you. And make sure not to skip this part.
15 Secrets Costco Workers Aren’t Sharing with You
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The combination of a hot dog and soda has remained at $1.50 since 1984.
In the early 1980s, Costco started offering its popular hot dog and soda meal, and due to various financially savvy business decisions and a commitment to serving Costco customers, the price has remained unchanged for over thirty years.
Here are 5 additional benefits that only Costco customers are aware of.
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It ranks among the biggest pizza franchises in the country.
With over 400 outlets nationwide, Costco places among the leading 20 pizza chains in the nation. In terms of store count, it surpasses both California Pizza Kitchen and Jet’s.
Find out which pizza chain our editors like best.
A precise robot applies the pizza sauce.
Ever wonder why the pizzas at Costco are always on point with the sauce-to-cheese ratio? It’s because they’ve got pizza-making down to a science—literally. Costco uses a hypnotic robot to apply pizza sauce evenly. Don’t miss
additional factors explaining why Costco’s pizza is so delicious
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You can make payment for your meal at the cash register before heading to the food court where you’ll present your receipt.
When you’re checking out with your card at Costco and realize you’ll need to pay an additional $1.50 for your food court items using your credit card, here’s some good news: Instead of dealing with that hassle, just inform the person scanning your items about anything from the food court that you’d like to get. Then present your receipt at the food court counter to collect your meal. Make sure to be courteous though; we wouldn’t want any misunderstandings leading to awkward situations.
Here’s a list of 11 items that annoy all grocery store workers:
1. Customers not bagging their own groceries.
2. Shoppers failing to properly dispose of carts.
3. People removing security tags from products.
4. Individuals using expired coupons.
5. Patrons leaving full shopping carts abandoned in parking spaces.
6. Guests requesting price checks for numerous items.
7. Folks returning damaged goods without receipts.
8. Those who park poorly, blocking adjacent spots.
9. Customers ignoring posted signs regarding store policies.
10. Frequent requests for out-of-stock item availability.
11. Not informing staff about spills or safety hazards promptly.
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Store-bought fresh chicken bakes differ from their frozen counterparts.
Chicken bake is among the mainstay offerings at the Costco food court. Nevertheless, those available in the food court differ slightly from what’s found in the freezer aisle. What sets them apart? Food court chicken bakes utilize fresh components along with discarded pizza dough. Below are some lesser-known facts surrounding this dish.
food court restaurants
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The menu choices vary based on your location.
For instance, did you know that some Costco stores in Canada offer poutine for sale? Additionally, Canadians stand firmly behind this dish. Keep in mind that your geographical location may affect what’s available.
You might also get to sample other local specialties.
, similar to how meat pies are popular in Australia, and teriyaki bowls are favored in South Korea.
Costco makes its own hot dogs.
From the 1980s through the mid-2000s, Costco sourced kosher hot dogs from two different suppliers. As costs increased and the popularity of their food-court hot dogs grew, Costco opted to create their own recipe instead. In 2009,
Costco began manufacturing its 1/4 pound all-beef hot dogs.
And apply it throughout every food court. Interested in dressing up your dog?
These are some of the top hot dog toppings you might not have tasted yet.
The key to their fresh chicken bakes is… Caesar dressing.
The Costco food court chicken bakes boast a dedicated fan base. Who could resist such an enticing combination? Melted cheese, pizza crust, tender chicken, mozzarella, and green onions create quite a delightful treat. However, the true secret behind their deliciousness lies in the drizzle of Caesar dressing. This adds just the right amount of salty richness and creamy texture.
what-is-that?
-ness that we love.
Food court fans are
very
passionate.
Just as with many fan communities, enthusiasts of the Costco food court aren’t fond of having menu items taken away from stores. There are
Several petitions on Change.org focused on beloved menu items
Those that are no longer available, such as the Polish Dog and the Very Berry Smoothie.
Don’t you have a subscription yet?
Take a look at the 7 activities you can enjoy at Costco without membership.
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If your meal isn’t warm enough, you can ask for another one.
Did you end up with a cold churro? You should go back to the food court and request a new one free of charge. The staff in the food court—as with everyone in the service sector—are more responsive to courtesy, so make sure to heed your mother’s advice and use “please.” It turns out that the food court isn’t the sole spot for eating inside Costco.
Discover the 21 insider secrets Costco’s free-sample staff hopes you never found out.
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Every pizza uses 1.5 pounds of cheese.
You read that right—
an astounding 24 ounces of cheese
Is included with every pizza. As stated in the Costco Connection, each cheese pizza includes a mix of reduced-fat mozzarella, provolone, and freshly grated Parmesan.
Are you fond of cheese as much as we are? Take a look at
101 cheese recipes we crave the most
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Costco takes good care of its food court staff (and indeed— they enjoy the cuisine too).
The company provides a broad range of perks to its employees, creating an enjoyable workplace for most people. During a
Reddit AMA
A worker at the Costco food court admitted to frequently indulging in the food offerings. While these staff members don’t receive an employee discount, they do have access to an executive membership.
Discover more genuine revelations from a past Costco worker
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You can discover Costco food court recipes in the Costco Connection magazine.
Costco publishes a complimentary magazine called the Costco Connection. This publication includes details about the company itself, heartwarming articles, and recipes utilizing products from their Kirkland Signature line. It also offers dishes inspired by popular items found in their food court.
such as dipping sauces for churros
Moreover, you can discover a
Here’s a copycat recipe for making your own homemade churros:
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The top-selling item on the menu is the combination of a hot dog and a soda.
Is this truly unexpected? For merely $1.50, you can purchase a hot dog and a soda— at many locations, you cannot even buy just a soda for that amount. As reported by CNN,
In 2017, Costco sold over 135 million combo meals.
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If you find yourself suddenly wanting hot dogs, consider shaking things up by trying something different.
One of these methods to make hot dogs more enjoyable
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While shopping, you have the option to pre-order pizza.
On Fridays and Saturdays, pizza sales soar. If you decide to get a pie from Costco during these peak evenings, be prepared for a waiting period of about 20 to 30 minutes—however, there’s an easier way! You have the option to place your order at the food court before you start shopping. Alternatively, you might choose to save some time by calling ahead and reserving your pizza via telephone.
Try
One of our premier pizza recipes
the next time you plan to prepare this meal at your place.
One menu slot is always left open for tester items.
Costco’s classic offerings such as their pizzas, hot dogs, and roasted chickens will remain unchanged; however, they consistently reserve space for seasonal items. Some stores have recently experimented with cheeseburger options, whereas others in California have introduced acai bowls to their selection.
The menu at the food court isn’t very nutritious.
While we eagerly await the day when pizza is recognized as a nutritious evening meal, today does not mark that occasion. (Pizza still beats out cereal from a health perspective, however.) The food court at Costco doesn’t lean towards being particularly wholesome, yet some choices do offer fewer calories. If you’re seeking something relatively healthier, consider going for either the chicken Caesar salad or an acai bowl.
You may ask the staff for nutritional details.
If you’re curious about the nutritional contents of your meal, you can ask for it! Food court employees can provide you with a printout that has all the information you need.
Costco’s food court focuses on maintaining affordable prices.
Those affordable prices? Costco shows no signs of increasing them anytime soon. Actually, the company makes certain that outside influences do not lead to higher costs. To avoid relying on vendors who might hike up their pricing, Costco began producing its signature hot dogs in-house. Additionally, when Coke raised its prices, Costco switched over to Pepsi products instead. Struggling with finances?
These evening meal dishes won’t strain your budget.
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The food court is a popular place for dates.
Costco’s food court serves as a gathering spot for many individuals. Take, for instance, a pair from San Diego who chose this location for their initial date.
Then they got married there three years afterward.
And Costco got involved too—they arranged seating, made paper flowers, and sprinkled rose petals for the newlyweds.
If you succeed in securing that second date,
amaze with one of these dinner options perfect for a memorable date night
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Each pepperoni pizza consists of precisely 60 slices.
We’ve previously discussed the importance of accuracy with robots, haven’t we? But did you realize how meticulous Costco is when preparing their pepperoni pizzas? According to The Costco Connection issue from August 2011, they shared this detail. They also disclosed that their combination pizza tips the scales at an impressive 4.49 pounds. Make certain to check out the
15 things you aren’t buying at Costco, but definitely should
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The food court began with just one hot dog stall.
It comes as no shock that the food item which ignited the popularity of the Costco food court was the humble hot dog. This phenomenon began back in 1984.
Costco employed a hot dog vendor to sell food outside its San Diego warehouse.
By the end of the ’80s, Costco launched its initial food court called Cafe 150, offering a meal deal with a hot dog and soda for just $1.50.
