Costco Fans Frustrated by Exclusive Canadian Food Court Favorites

Costco enthusiasts in the United States have been left frustrated and envious upon discovering that a popular food court item available in Canada is not offered stateside. The source of this agitation is the chicken strips and fries combo, which Canadian Costco customers can enjoy for just C$6.99, which is approximately $5.08.

The disparity was highlighted last month by a Reddit user who shared a menu snapshot from a Canadian Costco, sparking a flurry of reactions from American shoppers. The frustration over the lack of chicken strips and fries in the U.S. was palpable, with many expressing disbelief and disappointment that such seemingly simple and popular food items weren’t part of the American menu.

American users called for a collective effort to persuade Costco to include these items in their food courts. Some noted that these additions would likely be very popular, given the enthusiastic responses they received in Canada.

Adding to the sense of inequity, Canadian Costcos also offer poutine — a dish of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. This further highlighted the absence of fries in general from U.S. Costco food courts, surprising many Canadian users who were unaware of this gap. Several Canadians chimed in, expressing their sympathy and extolling the virtues of their food court fries, which they claimed are better than many other items on the menu.

Interestingly, this isn’t the only area where the Canadian Costco food court menu diverges from its American counterpart. While both countries offer the beloved $1.50 hot dog and soda combo — a staple since the 1980s — the Canadian price is slightly over $1 USD, which only adds to the appeal for those north of the border.

Former Costco CFO Richard Galanti reassured customers in March that there would be no imminent changes to the price of the hot dog and soda combo, a sentiment echoed by his successor, Gary Millerchip, who recently confirmed that there were no plans to increase the price of this iconic offering.

In a surprising twist, earlier this year, Costco discontinued its churro in the U.S., much to the dismay of many patrons who enjoyed it as a sweet treat during their shopping trips. In its place, Costco introduced a chocolate chip cookie priced at $2.49. Additionally, U.S. locations now feature a $6.99 turkey sandwich, an option not available in Canada.