A Mystery Return to the Food Court
Costco has officially signaled that a discontinued food court item will return to its U.S. warehouse locations for a limited time. The announcement, delivered via an Instagram teaser video posted on September 16, featured two individuals standing in front of a food court menu, discussing the comeback of a product whose name was obscured by an audio beep. The clip concluded with the phrase “To be continued,” leaving the company’s membership base to speculate on the identity of the returning item, as reported by USA Today.
While the retailer has remained tight-lipped regarding an official confirmation, social media discourse and reports from individuals identifying as Costco employees strongly suggest the return of the Twisted Churro. According to Yahoo Lifestyle, some social media accounts have even claimed that specific warehouse locations have begun selling the item ahead of a broader announcement.
The History of the Churro and Consumer Sentiment
The potential return of the churro has reignited a long-standing debate among Costco shoppers regarding the evolution of the warehouse’s food court menu. The retailer originally sold a straight-style churro for decades until 2020. In 2021, the company reintroduced the snack in a “twisted” format, a change that met with mixed reviews from customers who frequently expressed a preference for the original recipe. By January 2024, the Twisted Churro was removed from U.S. menus entirely and replaced by the Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie.
The intensity of the current online speculation underscores the significant brand loyalty attached to Costco’s food court offerings. As noted by MySA, a thread on the Costco subreddit regarding the mystery item has drawn over 1,500 comments, with many users debating the merits of the twisted version versus the pre-pandemic straight churro. Despite the nostalgia, some fans continue to use social media to lobby for other items, most notably the Combo Pizza, which was removed from the menu in 2020.
Broader Menu Strategy
The teaser comes at a time when Costco is actively iterating on its food service offerings. Earlier this year, the retailer introduced a hot dog and bottled water combo, providing a non-soda alternative for members. In July, Costco also launched a nationwide rollout of chicken tenders following successful regional testing. These additions represent a broader strategy to maintain foot traffic and engagement within its warehouse food courts, which have become a hallmark of the shopping experience.
While the company has yet to provide a definitive date for the item’s return or an official name for the product, the volume of anecdotal evidence from staff and online observers suggests that a decision has been made. Until an official press release or signage appears in warehouses, the return remains a subject of intense, albeit unconfirmed, anticipation.