Costco Food Court Secret Menu You're Missing Out On
- 01. Costco Food Court Secret Menu Items: The Complete Guide
- 02. What Are the Top Secret Menu Items at Costco Food Court?
- 03. Ice Cream Secret Menu Items You Can Order Now
- 04. Cookie and Dessert Hacks Worth Trying
- 05. Regional and Seasonal Secret Items
- 06. Coffee and Beverage Secret Combinations
- 07. Hot Dog Upgrade Hacks
- 08. How to Order Secret Menu Items at Costco
- 09. Why Costco Doesn't Officially List These Items
- 10. Price Comparison: Secret Items vs. Regular Menu
- 11. When to Visit for Best Secret Menu Availability
- 12. Final Recommendations for Secret Menu Success
Costco Food Court Secret Menu Items: The Complete Guide
The Costco Food Court secret menu includes officially unlisted items like the Forbidden Glizzy (hot dog stuffed inside a chicken bake), the chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream (strawberry sundae with chocolate ice cream base), the Cookie Sandwich (chocolate cookie with ice cream between halves), the Cold Brew Mocha Freeze plus soft serve, and the Coke float (vanilla soft serve in Coke). These items are not printed on menu boards but can be ordered by combining existing menu items or customizing ice cream orders at the self-serve kiosk.
What Are the Top Secret Menu Items at Costco Food Court?
Costco members have discovered numerous hidden menu combinations that transform the already-legendary $1.50 hot dog and $1.99 pizza into even more indulgent meals. Based on user reports from Reddit, food blogs, and social media posts dating back to 2018, these secret items range from simple add-ons to elaborate mashups that require ordering multiple items separately.
The most popular secret creation is the Forbidden Glizzy, which gained viral traction in late 2023 when TikTok users shared videos of stuffing a hot dog inside a chicken bake. This combination costs $4.49 ($2.49 for the chicken bake plus $1.50 for the hot dog) and delivers a savory, indulgent handheld meal that balances the creamy chicken bake filling with the classic hot dog.
Ice Cream Secret Menu Items You Can Order Now
The most sophisticated secret menu item involves Costco's chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream, which you can create at the self-serve kiosk. This luxurious dessert replaces the retired strawberry ice cream flavor by ordering a strawberry sundae with chocolate ice cream as the base.
- Choose the strawberry sundae option on the touch screen menu kiosk
- When prompted for your base flavor, select rich chocolate Kirkland ice cream
- The strawberry sundae topping replaces regular strawberry ice cream, creating chocolate-covered strawberries in soft-serve form
- You can also choose vanilla or chocolate-vanilla swirl if preferred
This hack works because Costco's ice cream machine limitations allow only two base flavors at a time, and the strawberry sundae topping with chocolate base creates a nostalgic dessert that isn't officially advertised.
Cookie and Dessert Hacks Worth Trying
After Costco replaced the beloved churro with the double chocolate chunk cookie in early 2019, members immediately created the \"Cookie Sandwich\" secret menu item. This dessert costs $4.48 ($2.49 for the chocolate cookie sandwich plus $1.99 for ice cream) and involves cutting the cookie in half and spreading ice cream between the halves.
Another decadent combination is the chocolate sundae plus double chocolate chunk cookie, which Reddit users started sharing in early 2024. Crushing the cookie over the chocolate sundae creates a \"so decadent it almost verges on too much\" dessert that experts recommend sharing with at least one other person.
The Coke float is experiencing a resurgence in 2026 following Costco's switch to Coke products. This simple win combines vanilla soft serve with Coke, creating a nostalgic, fizzy dessert where the creamy soft serve melts into the soda.
Regional and Seasonal Secret Items
Not all secret menu items are available everywhere. Some Costco locations offer regional exclusives that have become legendary among members in specific areas. The BBQ brisket sandwich, consistently rated as the best item on the menu, isn't available at all locations but fans rave about the quality of the BBQ meat and crisp coleslaw.
| Secret Item | Price | Availability | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Sausage Sandwich | $4.99 | Select locations | East Coast only |
| Bratwurst Sandwich | $4.49 | Select locations | Midwest only |
| Poutine (fries, curds, gravy) | $5.99 | Most locations | Canada only |
| Açaí Bowl | $5.00 | Test locations | National (limited) |
| Vegan Al Pastor Salad | $5.00 | Rotating | Seasonal |
The Italian sausage sandwich topped with grilled peppers and onions is only available at select East Coast Costco locations, while the Midwest features a bratwurst sandwich that employees call a favorite. Canadian Costco locations serve poutine with fries, cheese curds, and gravy, and some East Coast U.S. locations serve french fries.
Coffee and Beverage Secret Combinations
The Cold Brew Mocha Freeze plus soft serve has been a staple hack for over five years. This combination creates a food court Frappuccino by swirling soft serve into the cold brew coffee slushie made from Kirkland Signature Colombian beans blended with ice and chocolate syrup.
The textual variation between the smooth, creamy soft serve and the slushy, icy freeze creates a unique drinking experience that mimics trendy coffee shop beverages at a fraction of the cost.
Hot Dog Upgrade Hacks
Beyond the Forbidden Glizzy, members have created several hot dog modifications that elevate the iconic $1.50 meal. Adding beef chili (seasonal at select locations) creates a chili dog with beef, beans, and shredded cheddar cheese, topped with onions from the condiment bar.
Adding kimchi brings acidity, crunch, and a totally new flavor profile that cuts through the richness, making the hot dog feel elevated while still costing under $3 total. This hack holds up consistently according to 2026 reports.
The hot dog plus pizza combination has been described as \"a chili cheese dog, just more European,\" though critics note the pizza is too doughy and the hot dog too unwieldy, making this hack less successful than others.
How to Order Secret Menu Items at Costco
Ordering secret menu items requires knowing exactly what to request since nothing is printed on menu boards. Employees at the food court are generally familiar with popular hacks like the Forbidden Glizzy, but for ice cream customizations, you must use the self-serve kiosk.
- For the Forbidden Glizzy: Order a chicken bake and hot dog separately, then ask for them together or assemble yourself
- For ice cream secrets: Use the touch screen kiosk and select custom combinations (strawberry sundae + chocolate base)
- For Cookie Sandwich: Buy the chocolate cookie and ice cream cup separately, then assemble at a table
- For regional items: Check with staff at your location since availability varies by region
Why Costco Doesn't Officially List These Items
Costco maintains a minimalist menu strategy focused on high-volume, low-cost items like the $1.50 hot dog combo that has remained unchanged since 1985. The company tests new items regularly but only keeps what achieves massive sales volume, which is why regional and experimental items rarely appear on official menus.
The ice cream machine's technical limitation of handling only two base flavors simultaneously explains why custom combinations like chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream aren't officially offered, even though they're easily creatable by members.
Price Comparison: Secret Items vs. Regular Menu
Even the most elaborate secret menu items remain incredibly affordable compared to comparable restaurant offerings. The Forbidden Glizzy at $4.49 costs less than half the price of similar stadium food, while the Cookie Sandwich at $4.48 rivals ice cream shop prices for half the cost.
| Item | Costco Price | Comparable Restaurant Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden Glizzy | $4.49 | $10.99 | 59% |
| Cookie Sandwich | $4.48 | $8.99 | 50% |
| Cold Brew + Soft Serve | $3.98 | $6.99 | 43% |
| Chocolate Sundae + Cookie | $4.48 | $7.99 | 44% |
When to Visit for Best Secret Menu Availability
For the highest chance of finding regional and seasonal items, visit Costco food courts on weekends when inventory is freshest and staff are more familiar with popular requests. The BBQ brisket sandwich and açaí bowl are most available during morning hours before high-volume lunch rushes deplete stock.
Seasonal items like beef chili typically appear in fall and winter months, while the vegan Al Pastor salad has historically returned during spring testing periods. The chocolate ice cream base launched in early 2024, so warmth-season visits ensure machine maintenance enables smooth custom orders.
Final Recommendations for Secret Menu Success
For first-time visitors seeking guaranteed success, start with the Forbidden Glizzy and chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream, as these work at virtually all locations. Then experiment with regional items based on your location, and always check the self-serve kiosk for ice cream customization options.
Remember that Costco's food court philosophy prioritizes value and simplicity, so even the most elaborate secret creations maintain the company's signature affordability. Whether you're craving the indulgent Forbidden Glizzy or the nostalgic Coke float, these hidden gems prove that the Costco Food Court has more surprises than the menu board suggests.
What are the most common questions about Costco Food Court Secret Menu Youre Missing Out On?
Which secret item is the most popular?
The Forbidden Glizzy is consistently rated as the most popular secret menu item, with over 2.3 million views on TikTok by early 2024 and frequent mentions in Reddit threads. Food critics and Costco enthusiasts describe it as \"messy but worth it\" due to its surprising flavor balance.
Is the chocolate ice cream new?
Yes, Costco retired strawberry ice cream earlier in 2024 and launched rich chocolate Kirkland ice cream, enabling the chocolate-vanilla swirl option and the chocolate-covered strawberry secret menu item.
Are secret menu items available at all Costcos?
No, many secret menu items are regional or seasonal. The BBQ brisket sandwich, Italian sausage, bratwurst, and fries are location-specific, while items like the açaí bowl and vegan Al Pastor salad rotate based on testing and seasonality.
Can employees make secret menu items?
Employees cannot officially prepare secret menu items since they're not on the menu, but they're typically familiar with popular hacks and will combine items if you order them separately. For ice cream customizations, you must use the self-serve kiosk yourself.
What's the best time to order?
Morning hours (10 AM-12 PM) on weekdays offer the best availability for regional items and freshest inventory, while weekends have more staff familiar with popular secret menu requests but higher risk of stockouts.