Costco Hints at Return of Beloved Food Court Item, Fans Suspect Churros

Costco is teasing the return of a popular food court item, sparking widespread speculation among its members. The warehouse giant posted a video on Instagram on September 16, featuring its food court menu with hints that a long-absent favorite would be making a limited-time comeback. The social media team's commentary in the clip, suggesting they "can't believe we're bringing back" a mystery item, has left shoppers to play detective.

A prominent theory circulating on Reddit suggests the return of the cinnamon-sugared churro, which was removed from U.S. Costco food courts in early 2024 after years as a staple. Numerous comments on a Reddit thread indicate strong belief in this theory, with one user claiming their girlfriend, a food court supervisor, confirmed the return of churros. This particular comment garnered over 1,400 upvotes, while another user's simple declaration of "Churros" received more than 4,000 upvotes. An additional Costco employee reportedly mentioned churros during a meeting.

However, not all customers are convinced, with some holding out hope for other discontinued items. The moderator of the original post clarified that there are "unfortunately no plans" to bring back the Combo Pizza in the U.S. Other suggested items include the bulgogi bake, which is available at some international Costco locations.

The churro has a history of disappearing and reappearing on Costco's menu. It was initially removed during the COVID-19 pandemic as the company streamlined its offerings. The treat later returned in a twisted form but was again removed in early 2024, replaced by a large Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie in many U.S. warehouses. This latest removal led to numerous complaints online, with some members expressing a preference for the original straight churro over the twisted version.

Costco's food court is known for its affordable comfort food. The iconic quarter-pound all-beef hot dog and soda combo has maintained its $1.50 price since the mid-1980s. The 18-inch pizza, introduced in 1989, and $4.99 rotisserie chickens are also long-standing favorites. The retailer has also recently reintroduced items like deli mustard, which had been absent from self-service stations.

Costco has not officially confirmed the identity of the returning item. Until an official announcement or a follow-up video, shoppers will have to wait. Based on the online reaction, if the churro does indeed return, it could be one of the most anticipated comebacks for the Costco food court in recent years.