13 Costco Food Court Menu Hacks That Employees Don't Want You to Know

Costco's beloved hot dog is so popular that up to 50,000 are sold every hour. Not only is this signature item tasty, but at $1.50 (a price unchanged since 1985), it's a real bargain. But do you know what's even more of a bargain? A hidden menu of Costco food court options that you can enjoy for under $10.

Whether you're a budget foodie or just looking for the best Costco hack to impress your friends, you'll want to order these 13 items again and again.

When you think of Costco's food court, hot dogs usually come to mind, but there's another item vying for the spotlight: pizza. Costco's food court offers piping hot slices of pizza, available in either cheese or pepperoni.

However, to get a hot, stretchy slice with a crispy crust, ask for your slice to be taken from a whole pizza. This ensures it's fresh and not stale around the edges.

During the pandemic, many Costco locations removed their condiment stations and the popular combination pizza. While some places have brought back their stations, they have collectively decided not to reintroduce the latter.

To enjoy a taste of the recent past, grab a cup of onions (and politely ask for a side of peppers) to add to your $1.99 pepperoni slice. Alternatively, Costco food court workers suggest spicing it up further with a few shredded pieces of the store's popular $4.99 rotisserie chicken.

Be aware that some foods may sit out for several hours before being replenished, especially when the food court is less crowded. To enjoy fresher items, it's best to arrive near opening time, around 10 am or during the busy noon hours, when food is replenished more frequently.

You can also check if fresh food court items are available by calling ahead or asking in-person.

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Next time you buy a bunch of bananas at Costco, break one off and go to the food court to make your own to-go banana split. To create it, order a sundae with fudge at the bottom, then add soft serve and a side of strawberries.

At your table, cut the banana into pieces, then combine it with the ice cream and chocolate. Finish by topping it with the strawberries.

This insider hack is almost as satisfying as a chili dog, and the best part is that it only requires two ingredients: a hot dog and a slice of cheese pizza. Simply remove the pizza topping and spread it over the hot dog.

For extra flavor, spread some mustard and sprinkle on a few chopped onions.

A&W fans, here's a fun tip for you. You can create your own root beer float using items from the Costco menu. Just buy your preferred soda and a cup of soft-serve vanilla ice cream. To make the float, fill the cup halfway with soft serve, leaving space for the soda.

You can use Coke or root beer — the choice is yours, and both are equally tasty.

Introducing the only caffeinated treat on this list, the soft serve mocha freeze. This secret menu item not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also provides a boost of added energy.

To create it, order a mocha freeze and a soft serve ice cream in a cup. Combine the two, and there you have it.

If you don't enjoy frozen chocolate chip cookie sandwiches, consider this Costco food court hack: combine two soft-baked chocolate chip cookies with soft serve ice cream.

Alternatively, cut them into strips and dip each one into the soft serve for a tasty, cooling snack while shopping.

Now, it's time to try another Costco food court favorite, the chicken bake, but with a twist. To make it, request a chicken bake without sauce and a Caesar salad. Slice the bake open, add onions, and include lettuce from the salad.

For an extra something special, ask for a side of shredded cheese to sprinkle inside.

Good news! Instead of waiting in line, you can place your pizza order ahead of time by calling the dedicated food court line, which you can find on Costco's website. Once you order, the staff will provide you with an estimated pickup time.

Upon arrival, simply grab your piping hot pie and pay with a card at the kiosk.

If you're tired of plain mayonnaise or mustard on your hot dog or sandwich, you can craft your very own spread to increase flavor. Start by grabbing an empty cup to mix your favorite options from the condiment bar.

A popular combination is mustard, relish, onions, and ketchup — made famous by the fully-loaded Jochizza. This food hack requires a Costco chicken bake, a hot dog, and a slice of pizza, plus your customized condiment spread.

Treat your sweet tooth to the infamous double-chocolate chunk cookie ice cream. The key to making this chocolatey goodness isn't simply crumbling the cookie into a cup of soft serve. No, no, no. The cookie should be fresh, preferably still warm. Then, and only then, crumble it into a cup of soft serve.

What results is the perfect mix of creamy vanilla ice cream and warm, melted chocolate with buttery cookie chunks.

Here's a bonus tip to elevate your favorite menu items: Check if your local Costco offers free samples.

They might inform you by phone if you call ahead, or you may need to visit in person. You could potentially snag some grilled chicken pieces or plant-based snacks to complement your fries, sandwich, salad, or pizza.

Try variations of the hacks above or come up with a few of your own, and be sure to share them with family and friends. You never know, they might end up on the menu someday.

And remember, while sides are usually kept behind the scenes, politely asking for them can sometimes get you a few. However, it's best to ask during off-peak hours when the lines aren't long. It's a low-stress move and a smart way to save money without making employees feel pressured to bend the rules for everyone.