The Costco Food Reviewer: Friday’s Worth-It & Skip-It for Your Next Grocery Run

Not every Costco item is worth tossing in your cart.

After digging through shopper feedback, recent recalls, and real taste tests, we’ve rounded up the biggest “skip it” disappointments and the surprising must-buy winners hiding in the warehouse right now.

The “Skip-It” List

Lemon Custard Pie (Bakery) | $18.99 | Skip It

• The Vibe: A Spring “heartbreaker.” The flavor is clinical and artificial—shoppers are comparing it to lemon-scented cleaner rather than fresh fruit.

• The Flaw: The custard is dense and gelatinous with a rubbery whipped topping. If you already bought it, shave fresh lemon zest over the top to save it.

NKD Nacho Cheese Doritos | $8.99 | Skip It

• The Vibe: A “flavor desert.” Without the artificial dust, these taste like a plain corn chip that sat in the same room as a piece of cheese.

• The Flaw: Thinner than the original, leading to a bag full of broken shards. Use these as a base for real nachos instead of snacking solo.

Prepared Orzo Pasta Salad (Deli) | $10.49 | Skip It

• The Vibe: Highly inconsistent. The vinaigrette is too acidic, and the seasoning is uneven—one bite is pure salt, the next is bland.

• The Flaw: The orzo is consistently undercooked and rubbery. Pro-Tip: Simmer it with a splash of chicken broth for 2 minutes to fix the texture.

Ajinomoto Chicken Fried Rice (Frozen) | $13.59 | Skip It

• 🚨 URGENT: This is currently under a major March 2026 recall for potential foreign matter contamination (glass).

• The Action: Do not buy; check your freezer for batch numbers and return to Member Services for a full refund.

Worthy Crumb Cheddar & Chive Scones | $10.99 | Skip It

• The Vibe: A major quality control miss for March. Multiple regions (especially Canada/Ontario) are reporting mould issues before the sell-by date.

• The Action: Avoid this batch entirely until the warehouse clears the stock issues.

Bulk Fresh Spinach (The Giant Tub) | $5.66 | Skip It

• The Vibe: The “Costco Curse” in a box. Unless you have a family of eight, it becomes a slimy, wet mess before you can finish the top layer.

• The Flaw: Poor shelf life. Pro-Tip: If you must buy, immediately blend half the tub with a little water and freeze into “green cubes” for smoothies.

Prime Rib / Ribeye Steaks | $22.86/lb+ | Skip It

• The Vibe: Current pricing vs. quality disconnect. Members are reporting that “Choice” cuts have very poor marbling lately, despite the premium price tag.

• The Flaw: Surprisingly lean and tough for a Ribeye. Visit a local butcher for better value this month.

Kirkland Signature Bottled Water | $4.53 | Skip It

• The Vibe: A persistent “musty/plastic” aftertaste is being reported in the 2026 pallets across several regions.

• The Flaw: The bottles are getting thinner and more prone to leaking. Invest in the Kirkland Water Filter Pitcher instead.

Veggie Straws | $20.42 | Skip It

• The Vibe: A “health halo” trap. These are salty potato starch sticks with zero real vegetable flavor.

• The Flaw: They dissolve into a sticky paste in your mouth. Pair them with a high-protein Greek yogurt dip if you’re stuck with the bag.

Goodyear Windshield Wipers | $7.99 | Skip It

• The Vibe: The “Aisle of Shame” non-food offender.

• The Flaw: Widely hated by the Reddit community for streaking and “chattering” after just a few Spring rains. Wait for the Michelin or Rain-X sale.

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The “Worth-It” List

Kirkland Pork Tonkotsu Ramen Broth | $15.79 | Worth It

• The Vibe: The viral hit of 2026. Deep, 12-hour simmered flavor in a convenient carton.

• Pro-Tip: Add a soft-boiled egg and a drizzle of Szechuan chili oil for a restaurant-quality bowl.

Prepared Beef Bulgogi (Deli) | $6.99/lb | Worth It

• The Vibe: The ultimate meal-prep shortcut. The marinade is the perfect balance of sweet pear and savory soy.

• Pro-Tip: Sear it in a screaming hot cast-iron skillet to get those crispy “burnt ends” texture.

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Costco Bakery Carrot Cake | $21.55 | Worth It

• The Vibe: A Spring heavyweight. Despite the “raisin controversy” on TikTok, it remains the most moist and densely spiced cake in the building.

• Pro-Tip: Serve it chilled to keep the heavy cream cheese frosting firm.

Twice-Baked Chocolate Croissants | $9.99 | Worth It

• The Vibe: A massive upgrade over the plain versions. Stuffed with rich ganache that isn’t cloying.

• Pro-Tip: Air fry at 350°F for 90 seconds to revive the “shattering” flaky exterior.

Korean Mozzarella Corn Dogs | $11.99 | Worth It

• The Vibe: Better than the mall versions. The panko-crusted exterior is incredibly crunchy with a spectacular cheese pull.

• Pro-Tip: Roll them in a little sugar and top with sriracha and mustard for the authentic street-food experience.

Yoju Hard Vietnamese Coffee | $17.99 | Worth It

• The Vibe: The “it” drink of 2026. A boozy blend of soju and condensed milk that puts espresso martinis to shame.

• Pro-Tip: Pour over a full glass of ice—it’s much better diluted than straight from the can.

I-MEI Boba Ube Ice Milk Bar | $17.01 | Worth It

• The Vibe: Authentic, earthy ube flavor (not just purple sugar).

• The Win: The boba pearls stay chewy even while frozen. Let it sit out for 2 minutes before eating for the best texture.

Sconza Lemoncello White Chocolate Almonds | $11.34 | Worth It

• The Vibe: Like a chilled glass of Limoncello in snack form.

• The Win: High-quality white chocolate with a sharp, tart lemon finish. Keep these in the fridge for an extra “snap.”

Snapdragon Vietnamese Beef Pho | $12.49 | Worth It

• The Vibe: The best “instant” bowl Costco carries. The flavor paste is far superior to standard powders.

• Pro-Tip: Add fresh basil, lime, and jalapeños to elevate it from “snack” to “meal.”

Whole Carrots (2lb Bag) | $8.50 | Worth It

• The Vibe: Sweeter and “earthier” than baby carrots because they aren’t processed or chlorine-washed.

• Pro-Tip: Roast them whole with honey and cumin; pair with homemade hummus.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes | $9.99 | Worth It

• The Vibe: The new 2026 “split-filling” design is a win.

• The Win: You get a clean hit of tart jam and tangy cream cheese in every bite without them getting muddled.

Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Mayo | $7.37 | Worth It

• The Vibe: On sale this month. A clean, neutral flavor without the seed-oil aftertaste.

• Pro-Tip: Mix with garlic and lemon for a 30-second “cheat” aioli.

Sabatino’s Apple & Smoked Gouda Sausages | $14.79 | Worth It

• The Vibe: A consistent fan favorite. The savory-sweet balance is perfect for Spring salads.

• Pro-Tip: Slice on a bias and sear with peppers and onions for an easy sheet-pan dinner.

Kirkland Signature Wildflower Honey (5lb) | $14.99 | Worth It

• The Vibe: Pure, high-quality honey at an unbeatable price point.

• The Win: If it crystallizes, just sit the bottle in warm water—it’s a sign of the honey’s purity.

Graza Olive Oil Hummus | $7.49 | Worth It

• The Vibe: Not your average gritty hummus. Using Graza EVOO makes it buttery and ultra-smooth.

• Pro-Tip: Drizzle with even more olive oil and a pinch of smoked paprika for the ultimate party dip.