Oh, Costco! Just the name alone brings a very particular type of happiness, doesn’t it? For so many of us, it’s never really been about stocking up on giant containers of snacks or braving the seemingly endless labyrinth of bulk items. It’s about the whole experience: the excitement of the hunt, the solace of familiar aisles, and maybe most cherished of all, the fabled food court. That trusty bargain spot in the warehouse is where die-hard Costco devotees congregate united by greasy pizza slices, cold beverages, and that legendary $1.50 hot dog and soda pair that has endured the ages.
That food court isn’t just a nicety; it’s a tradition. Nostalgic memories, quick meals with relatives, and spontaneous snack stops on the way out of the store all meet at those plain plastic tables. My own recollections center on standing alongside my deceased father at the condiment table as he lovingly loaded his hot dog then made a return trip past the crank-powered onion machine just for good measure. The Hebrew National frank, the questionable chopped onions, and the sea of red-and-yellow mustard pumps: it was something more than a meal. It was an event. And although the food court has changed, taken its lumps, and surprised us with new offerings, there is always something to look forward to on each visit. Some things make their appearance, then fade away. But sometimes one makes a triumphant reappearance.
1. The Return of the Hot Turkey Provolone Sandwich
Costco enthusiasts, rejoice your prayers have been answered. The beloved hot turkey and provolone sandwich, much cherished but somehow lost to food court menus, is officially returning later this year. Costco’s CFO Gary Millerchip made this announcement on a recent earnings call. News of the return spread quickly throughout Costco communities, as enthusiastic fans commemorated the long-awaited return of a long-loved favorite suddenly lost from the menu.
This sandwich is not a food, it’s a reference point. Stuffed with meaty slices of turkey breast, smooth provolone, red onion, tomatoes, and a big helping of basil garlic mayonnaise, it is a dense comfort of flavor and nutrition. At 820 calories, it is definitely a meal, not a snack but one many devotees feel is worth every morsel. Although it has already been reported on Reddit that it has been spotted in areas such as Eugene, Oregon, the newly increased price point of $6.99 left some wondering. Most remember it costing $3.99. Nevertheless, despite the surge, most customers opine that it delivers on quality, with one of them commenting, “It has more meat than the old one, but otherwise, it’s pretty much the same.” For people keen to relive it, the common advice is to order a fresh one from the oven for optimal satisfaction.
2. A Fresh Face on the Menu: The Strawberry Banana Smoothie
As much as the return of the turkey sandwich feels like coming home, there’s also something new mixing things up. Costco recently added a strawberry banana smoothie to the food court menu, and by all reports, it’s already a winner. The buzz on social networks is largely positive, with enthusiasts hailing the smoothie as a welcome addition that goes nicely with pizza or hot dogs.
On X (formerly Twitter), one shopper exclaimed, “Costco has been crushing it lately. They are winning big time in 2025.” Another called the smoothie possibly “the best thing to ever come from Costco.” Such excitement has made the smoothie more than a beverage since it’s a new favorite among members who need something cold, fruity, and filling on the go. Whether you’re chasing it with a churro or sipping it alongside a pepperoni slice, it’s clear that this smoothie is here to stay.
3. The Ongoing Mystery of the Disappearing Onions
Of all the food court tales, few are as recurring and sentimental as the one about lost onions. For longtime enthusiasts, the hand-cranked onion contraption was almost a hallowed tradition. It was sloppy, it was liberal, and it was treasured. And then the pandemic arrived, and with it, a surfeit of modifications that shook everything, including the condiment bar. The crank machine was gone, replaced by nothing.
Since then, the onion hunt has been an near-mythic pursuit. In some places, staff dispense diced onions in little cups. In others, they’re entirely absent. Some people have reported sightings of the all-too-rare and even posted photos online as evidence. One Reddit user cried out, “There were onions at the food court tonight! ” with the sort of excitement normally reserved for celebrity spotting.
But the truth is that such appearances are usually short-lived and random. Why? It’s not merely about health codes it’s about expense, abuse, and logistics. Some employees have reported that individuals used to cram soda cups full of free onions, leading to uneconomical waste. Today, when onions are given out at all, they take pre-prep, staff on hand, and morning availability. If the supply is exhausted before early afternoon, it won’t be refilled that day.
It’s a minor but emotional matter for many who miss the onion machine’s presence as another reminder of a bygone food court era.
4. Bye-Bye to Pepsi, Hello Again to Coca-Cola
Another recent shift causing a splash in Costco food courts is its soda fountain makeover. For 12 years of dispensing Pepsi products, Costco is going back to where its founded with Coca-Cola. The move was confirmed by CEO Ron Vachris at a shareholders meeting, and it’s already being implemented across various stores within the U.S. Coca-Cola enthusiasts are overjoyed, particularly those who recall the pre-2013 Costco era when the soda pairing featured a traditional Coke. Today, sodas such as Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Powerade, and Minute Maid Lemonade are taking the place of the Pepsi offerings. The change is particularly significant since the move to go back to Pepsi in 2013 was done purposely to uphold the $1.50 hot dog and soda special. The news?
Despite this brand upheaval, the price of that combination goes unscathed a welcome relief to many.
Not everyone is pleased, however. Left off the new drink roster are fan favorite Coca-Cola brands such as Dr. Pepper and Barq’s Root Beer, leaving some members in disappointment. Yet for many, this return to Coke is a nostalgia victory and a recommitment by Costco to honoring customer favorites in tandem with operational expenses.
5. The Ongoing Lament of the Combo Pizza
While there is joy in welcoming back sandwiches and smoothie introductions, one missing item still stings: the combo pizza. Canceled in 2020, this cult-favorite menu offering piled high with pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives was not only a pizza. It was tradition.
The $9.95 pie has become the subject of petitions, social media wails, and online protests. More than 18,000 members signed a 2020 petition calling for its return. Members left comments raving about fond memories. Bryan called it his go-to kid treat, and Phoenix said the combo pizza was “the best pizza this side of the world.” The general agreement? Its demise created a pizza-shaped void in Costco’s food court ritual.
Though there have been some concerted cries for its return, no word has come officially from Costco leadership. The chain continues to long, however, and every new food court update is met with revitalized hope that the combo pizza will return someday. In the meantime, its memory lives on in pictures, petitions, and the optimistic hearts of thousands of members who remain hopeful.
A Food Court That Fuels More Than Hunger
Costco’s food court is not merely a convenience stop after shopping it’s a component of the brand and an essential bastion of its member culture. Amid the ups and downs, whether cheering the return of a favorite sandwich, finding a new smoothie, or bemoaning the removal of the onion machine, enthusiasts are still strongly attuned to what the food court embodies: value, community, and comfort.
Even as the prices shift and the products cycle on and off the menu board, there is one constant: the revered $1.50 hot dog and soda special. That special has been a tradition since 1985, a sign of Costco’s commitment to its members. Amidst a universe of constantly increasing prices and unpredictable change, that small meal provides something potent: familiarity, dependability, and happiness.
The history of the food court is not one of food it’s one of family traditions, customer loyalty, and the minor things that create a significant difference. Whether you’re following the return of the turkey sandwich or nostalgically recalling the combo pizza, it’s certain: the Costco food court is a beloved cornerstone in the hearts and bellies of millions.
