Costco's Food Court is a favorite for millions across the world. Located behind the cash registers, the Food Court specializes in a limited number of items that are both cheap and high-quality. Beyond the famous $1.50 hot dog (which still comes with a drink!), Costco's Food Court has items like pizza and dessert items.
Yet, while items like the hot dog will likely never leave Costco's menu, they're not afraid to take unpopular items off the menu. With rumors circulating that Costco's new Roast Beef Sandwich is being removed from Food Court menus, let's take a look at what might replace it.
5 Meals That Could Be Coming to Costco's Food Court Next
Costco's disappointing (and expensive) Roast Beef Sandwich started appearing on menus in early 2023, but there are reports it's being removed from Food Court menus across the country. At $9.99, it's always been an odd addition to a menu where meals are known for their affordability. With the Roast Beef Sandwich leaving the menu, that leaves open the possibility of Costco replacing it with something more popular.
Here are five items Costco has either tested out or would fit with items in its Food Court and could be coming to a Costco near you sooner rather than later.
- Cheeseburger
- Chicken Tenders
- Turkey and Ham Sandwich
- Fried Chicken Sandwich
- Bubble Tea
1. Cheeseburger
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If you're seeing this menu item and thinking “didn't Costco used to sell cheeseburgers at their food court” you're absolutely correct!
Costco used to sell a cheeseburger that was 1/3 pound and included cheddar cheese and Thousand Island sauce. The burgers appeared to be a regional item and appeared between 2017 and 2020 stateside. In different countries, you can still find cheeseburgers at Costco's Food Court. They've long been on the menu at Costco in Japan, for example.
@tekoteko_goo ¥780！ #コストコ #コストコ購入品 #costcojapan #チーズバーガー ♬ チグハグ – THE SUPER FRUIT
In fact, Costco in Japan continues expanding its burger selection and recently released a Shrimp Katsu Burger! Costco could sell a cheeseburger for either $4.99 or $5.99 that more closely resembles the pricing on its other menu items. It's unclear why Costco pulled its cheeseburger, but I'm sure Covid supply chain issues didn't help. With those resolved, a triumphant return of the cheeseburger could be an excellent option to replace the Roast Beef Sandwich.
2. Chicken Tenders
If you're looking for what Costco might do next, it always helps to look at their Food Court menus in Japan. On that front, Costco recently began selling buckets of chicken tenders! The tenders come in buckets with potato wedges and sell for about $6.64.
Bought chicken sticks and fries at the food court in Japan.
byu/fiftystorms inCostco
Costco recently started selling chicken nuggets that I recently taste-tested against Chick-fil-A and was very impressed. With good suppliers providing high-quality breaded chicken, it's likely Costco could sell a chicken tender meal that's a fan favorite and sells for much less than their $9.99 Roast Beef Sandwich.
3. Turkey and Ham Sandwich
©Marie Sonmez Photography/Shutterstock.com
The main complaint with Costco's Roast Beef sandwich is that it just wasn't a great value. It cost $9.99, which seems like a fortune next to $1.99 pizza slices, $3.99 Chicken Bakes, and $1.50 hot dogs.
Yet, Costco has noted they're trying to add healthier items to their Food Court, so it's understandable why sandwiches would be a common sense addition. So, maybe they just missed the mark by adding roast beef and need to try a different kind of sandwich.
My proposal: add a Hot Turkey and Ham Sandwich. Costco used to have a Hot Turkey & Provolone Sandwich that was sold for $3.99. The sandwich was hot (which their current Roast Beef Sandwich isn't) and cost far less. Perhaps they just need to use some ingredients that aren't quite as expensive. A sandwich that included meats like turkey and ham, cheese, and perhaps a chipotle mayonnaise would be flavorful and could likely be sold for $4.99 or $5.99.
4. Fried Chicken Sandwich
Here's another item that we can look overseas for some inspiration. At Costco stores in Taiwan, they have a variety of items you won't find in American Costco stores. These include items like Clam Chowder, Bulgogi Pizza, and Fried Chicken Sandwiches.
@haleyandzach_ Why is the food court in America actually trash??? #costco #costcofoodcourt #costcofood #costcoguide #costcotaiwan #costcofoodreview #fastfoodreview #foodreviews ♬ original sound – Haley and Zach | Budget Travel
Chicken sandwiches have been increasingly popular across America. It's not just Chick-fil-A expanding, but also restaurants like McDonald's have also put a significant emphasis on improving their chicken. If Costco didn't want to add a cheeseburger because they've tried it in the past, a fried chicken sandwich that has tomato, lettuce, and sauce with a kick is an easy addition to its Food Court and would likely sell very well.
5. Bubble Tea
@leanne.eats Costco sells TARO and MANGO bubble tea??? 100/10 #costco#adelaide#fyp ♬ Coffee Shop – Late Night Luke
Costco has long sold drinks in its Food Court. Whether that's frozen drinks like their Mango Smoothie or coffee drinks like the Latte Freeze. Bubble tea continues to increase in popularity across the U.S., and Costco sells popular instant Boba drink packs from Boba Bam.
Best of all, Costco has sold taro and mango bubble tea in Australia, so they're no strangers to the product. It might be a bit more “adventurous,” but my bet is a Costco bubble tea would quickly attain cult status and find a legion of fans.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©MomsWhoThink / Eric Bleeker .