Costco has plenty of foods shoppers swear by, but recent feedback shows that not every warehouse favorite is living up to expectations. From disappointing food-court launches to changing recipes and inconsistent prepared meals, these are the Costco foods members have been complaining about most lately.
1. Costco Food Court Chicken Strips
The new chicken strips have quickly become one of Costco’s most talked-about food-court items—and not entirely for good reasons.
Members repeatedly complain about thick breading, inconsistent portions, dry chicken, and strips that aren’t particularly crispy. Some batches seem substantially better than others, which only adds to the frustration.
The dipping sauce has also divided shoppers. While some enjoy it, others find it too sweet or simply not good enough to rescue disappointing chicken.
Why shoppers are skipping it: Too much inconsistency for something that should be a straightforward food-court favorite.
2. Costco Rotisserie Chicken
Costco’s rotisserie chicken remains an unbeatable value, but recent complaints suggest some shoppers aren’t enjoying it as much as they once did.
The biggest concern is texture. Members describe some chickens as gelatinous, unusually soft, greasy, or almost slimy, especially near the bottom of the container.
Others say the chicken tastes saltier than before or that the overall flavor has changed.
Why shoppers are skipping it: A longtime favorite is becoming increasingly unpredictable from one chicken to the next.
3. Kirkland Signature Protein Bars
Kirkland protein bars still offer an impressive protein-to-price ratio, but taste and texture complaints continue to pile up.
Some shoppers describe them as chalky, unusually hard, or overly chewy, while others dislike the lingering taste of the sweeteners.
Recent complaints about the bars becoming smaller haven’t helped their reputation either.
Why shoppers are skipping it: Great nutrition numbers don’t matter much if finishing the bar feels like work.
4. Kirkland Signature Bacon
Costco bacon has plenty of loyal fans, but recent packages appear to be less consistent than shoppers expect.
Complaints include excessively fatty slices, uneven thickness, oddly shaped pieces, and more liquid inside the package.
One package can look fantastic while the next contains far more fat than usable bacon.
Why shoppers are skipping it: Bulk bacon isn’t much of a bargain when a large portion of the package is fat.
5. Costco Food Court Chicken Bake
The Chicken Bake has been a Costco institution for years, but longtime fans continue to argue that today’s version isn’t the same.
Recent complaints focus on smaller portions, dry filling, inconsistent baking, and occasionally burnt or overly hard crusts.
A great Chicken Bake can still be satisfying. The issue is knowing which version you’re going to receive.
Why shoppers are skipping it: Inconsistency has taken some of the shine off a Costco classic.
6. Costco Quesadilla Meal Kit
The prepared-food section’s quesadilla meal kit sounds like an easy weeknight dinner, but it has generated surprisingly harsh feedback.
Some shoppers say the quesadillas contain far too much cheese compared with the other fillings, creating an overly soft, heavy texture.
Others simply find the overall flavor bland and disappointing.
Why shoppers are skipping it: Convenient, but not necessarily better than making simple quesadillas at home.
7. Erie Meats Hot Dogs
Costco Canada shoppers have been particularly critical of these hot dogs.
The recurring issue isn’t price—it’s the eating experience. Members complain about an unpleasant texture and flavor that doesn’t compare well with other familiar hot dog brands.
When you’re buying a Costco-sized package, discovering that nobody in the house wants another one becomes an expensive mistake.
Why shoppers are skipping it: Bulk quantities make an unpopular flavor especially risky.
8. Erie Meats Chicken Nuggets and Breaded Chicken
Several Erie chicken products sold through Costco Canada have also drawn complaints.
Members report finding pieces that are rubbery, unusually tough, gristly, or inconsistent from one bite to the next.
Some shoppers say they encountered similar problems across multiple packages rather than experiencing a single bad bag.
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Why shoppers are skipping it: Texture inconsistency is difficult to overlook in a giant frozen bag.
9. Costco Fresh Strawberries
The strawberries can look beautiful in the warehouse and deteriorate surprisingly quickly once they’re home.
Members repeatedly complain about hidden mold, moisture trapped inside the package, and berries spoiling before the container can be finished.
The large package compounds the problem because losing even half the strawberries wipes out the value of buying in bulk.
Why shoppers are skipping it: A bargain isn’t a bargain when half the package ends up in the trash.
10. BFree High-Protein Tortillas
High-protein tortillas sound ideal for wraps, breakfast burritos, and quick lunches, but these have attracted some unusual complaints.
Some shoppers dislike the smell and aftertaste, occasionally comparing it with plastic or packaging.
Others report that the tortillas crack or fall apart too easily when folded.
Why shoppers are skipping it: The added protein doesn’t compensate for an unpleasant taste or a tortilla that won’t hold together.
11. Costco Fresh Lasagna
A giant prepared lasagna seems like one of the easiest family meals Costco sells.
However, recent complaints suggest the balance can be off.
Some shoppers feel there is too much sauce and cheese compared with the amount of pasta, leaving the lasagna heavy rather than layered and structured.
Others simply prefer Costco’s frozen lasagna options.
Why shoppers are skipping it: Plenty of sauce and cheese, but not necessarily the classic lasagna texture everyone expects.
12. Jongga Kimchi
Jongga has plenty of devoted fans, but kimchi is one product where fermentation level matters enormously.
Some Costco shoppers have complained that certain containers taste far more sour or fermented than expected.
That isn’t necessarily a defect—kimchi naturally changes as it ages—but shoppers looking for a fresher, crisper taste can be disappointed.
Why shoppers are skipping it: The flavor can be much more intense than first-time buyers expect.
13. Costco Chicken Alfredo and Refrigerated Pasta Meals
Large refrigerated pasta meals are incredibly convenient, but some versions haven’t impressed shoppers.
The complaints usually center around watery sauce, muted seasoning, or pasta that turns overly soft during reheating.
The generous serving size can become a disadvantage if nobody wants leftovers after the first dinner.
Why shoppers are skipping it: Convenient family meals still need enough flavor to make everyone want seconds.
14. Costco Stir-Fry Noodles
Prepared stir-fry noodles should be one of the easiest shortcuts in the warehouse, but recent feedback suggests the flavor may not work for everyone.
The most noticeable complaint is saltiness, particularly when the included sauce is used generously.
Some shoppers also find the noodles and vegetables less impressive after reheating than they appear in the package.
Why shoppers are skipping it: The sauce can overpower what should be a quick, balanced meal.
15. Kirkland Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets
Frozen breaded chicken is one of Costco’s easiest air-fryer dinners, but shoppers have reported some inconsistent bags.
Complaints include chewy pieces, tougher sections of chicken, excessive breading, and occasional gristly bites.
When they’re good, they’re extremely convenient. When they’re not, the huge freezer bag feels like a commitment.
Why shoppers are skipping it: The convenience is excellent, but inconsistent chicken texture can ruin an otherwise easy meal.
The Bottom Line
The biggest theme behind Costco’s recent food complaints isn’t that every one of these products is bad. It’s inconsistency.
Chicken strips can be crispy one visit and dry the next. A rotisserie chicken can be fantastic one week and strangely soft the next. Produce may look perfect in the warehouse but spoil days later.
That’s particularly important at Costco because nearly everything comes in bulk. When you love a product, the oversized package feels like a bargain. When you don’t, you’re stuck trying to finish—or return—a lot of food.
For these 15 items, it may be worth inspecting the package carefully, trying a smaller quantity when possible, and paying attention to recent quality before automatically adding an old favorite to the cart.
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