7 Costco Food Items Some Shoppers Say Are ‘Gross’ in 2025
Written by
Cynthia Measom
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Amber Barkley
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Ask a bunch of Costco members what their must-have Costco food items are, and the list of delicious and budget-friendly foods will likely be long. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some items lining the aisles of the warehouse club that are better left behind.
According to a recent Reddit thread, here are seven food items from Costco that some shoppers find gross, so you can save your money for the better buys.
Kirkland Multipack Chicken Breasts
Steer clear of the raw chicken breasts. Shoppers claim them to be woody, stringy and slimy. Overall, the consensus is that they look and taste bad.
Kirkland Burnt Ends Beef Brisket
When it comes to burnt ends, people are either a fan or not. Picking up some from Costco would likely mean you are. However, it would be a mistake.
Shoppers claim that they taste bad and mostly consist of pieces of fat. One shopper stated that these burnt ends were basically fat coated in barbecue sauce — so you may want to skip getting them from Costco.
Kirkland Lobster Bisque
Although lobster bisque might bring to mind a flavorful, rich cream-based soup with tender, delicious pieces of lobster, that’s not the case with this Costco food item.
Shoppers who tried it claimed that the taste was weirdly chemical or fermented and tossed it.
Kirkland Bagels
Bagels are delicious when done right, but apparently, Costco’s need some work. One shopper described them as dense lumps that they would never call bagels. Another agreed, saying they were “dire.” Another said that their warehouse makes them buy two packs at one time, and they mold really fast.
Note that many shoppers on the thread complained that Costco’s baked goods, in general, mold quickly, but another shopper pointed out that it’s because they don’t have preservatives and suggested putting them in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent mold.
Kirkland Frozen Pizza
Most people like pizza, but Kirkland’s frozen version is one to avoid, according to Redditors.
One shopper said they bought a three-pack, and it was the “worst garbage” they have ever had. They cooked one of the pizzas, took a bite and threw it away immediately. Even though they were frozen, the remaining two pizzas also went in the trash, the shopper reported.
Another shopper said the pizza tasted like the cardboard it came in, while yet another one said that the frozen pizza was “offensively bad.”
Kirkland Oat Milk
Oat milk is supposed to be mild and creamy with a subtle oat taste — perfect for adding to coffee or chai. Not so if you buy the Costco version, according to the Reddit thread.
One shopper said after pouring some in their coffee, they couldn’t stomach it and threw it out, along with the carton of oat milk. Another said that while they love oat milk, Costco’s version separates, and what’s left is watery milk with visible oat pulp. They also trashed the item.
Rotisserie Chicken
Costco’s rotisserie chicken used to be a cult favorite. It was big, juicy, tender and tasty. Not anymore, apparently.
Some shoppers claimed the chicken tasted like plastic and the texture was rubbery. One pointed out that the chickens are half the size they were in the past.
As for the taste, shoppers pointed out that the rotisserie chicken is now packaged in a plastic bag that gets hot under the heat lamp — instead of placed in a plastic container with a lid — and that’s why it tastes like plastic. Whatever the reason, this is a meal not worth buying.
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