Costco Is Quietly Rolling Out a New Food Court Item and Members Aren’t Sure How to Feel

There's a new way to get more out of your Costco membership, and it starts in the Food Court. A fresh arrival just hit the warehouse club's classic menu, throwing members for a loop.

While the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is the star of the show, Costco recently rolled out a chicken strip meal that's getting plenty of buzz. What do shoppers think about this new addition? If you haven't tasted it for yourself yet, or your club doesn't have the crispy breaded tenders, keep reading to get all the info you need from the store's loyal customers.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

What shoppers should know about Costco's Food Court

Don't let the name "Food Court" fool you into thinking this section of the warehouse club in any way resembles the multi-stall space at your local mall. You won't find a corn dog on a stick shop or an assortment of eateries here. Costco's version is more of a snack bar than an actual food court. But that doesn't stop members from flocking to the end-of-the-store area.

Costco's classic Food Court menu

What's on Costco's regular menu? The warehouse club is known for iconic options like the hot dog combo, oversized slices of pizza, calzones, low-priced smoothies, soft serve ice cream, rotisserie chicken salad, chocolate chip cookies, and savory sandwiches.

With prices under $10, these deals are steals members can't pass up as they leave the store. And, as shoppers know, the checkout aisle pretty much leads you straight to the Food Court.

The new Food Court find Costco members are talking about

With all the greasy goodness, it's still possible for Costco to add one new item every so often. Recently, shoppers have noticed a brand-new addition to the classic menu: Breaded Chicken Strips. The five-piece order also includes dipping sauce for a grand total of $6.99.

Some Costco customers have an issue with the calorie content

A recent Reddit post revealed a look at the new strips on one store's menu. And members have thoughts about this 1,640-calorie meal.

Costco subreddit user nawtawshaw wrote, "Seems kinda calorie dense for tenders. Would be interesting to try them," warehouse club customer devouTT noted. "That's 3/4 of my recommended daily calorie intake," shopper chris100185 commented. "Even Cheesecake Factory is impressed with that calorie count for chicken tenders."

Other Costco members wrote better reviews of the chicken strips

Even though members seem to agree the new item isn't healthy, some shoppers had positive things to say about the breaded baked tenders.

One Redditor responded, "These look good, I'll definitely try them," and another wrote, "I got them today. They're huge. Really good. The sauce is like a sweet honey mustard. I'll probably air fry them to reheat them so they're a little crispier."

In another post, Redditor nomadicfeet wrote a glowing review, saying, "Five pretty large chicken strips and a tasty sauce. Good breading and high-quality chicken."

Is the new Costco menu item available in clubs everywhere?

According to recent social media comments, the chicken strip meal is currently available only at select Chicago Costco locations. But like other new additions, the warehouse club could soon roll out the meal in other areas.

As of now, Costco has not released any further information about when and where customers can find this Food Court menu item.

Alternative options in Costco stores

Don't live in Chicago? If you feel left out of the new chicken strip craze, you're in luck. Instead of waiting for the tenders to hit your Food Court, try a simple substitution.

While it might not come in a little paper boat, you can whip up a similar selection at home. The store's freezer section is filled with affordable alternatives like Kirkland Signature's Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, Kirkland Signature's Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets, Tyson's Panko Breaded Chicken Breast Tenderloins, and Just Bare's Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks.

These bulk buys are quick, convenient, and possibly a healthier alternative to the high-calorie Food Court five-piece meal. Here's a tip to reduce fat and give the chicken a fresh, crisp flavor: Instead of skillet-frying the pre-prepped poultry in oil, heat the chunks or fillets in an air fryer.

And here's a bonus — you don't have to worry about wasting half your meal. Cook one, two, three, or as many strips as you can eat right now and freeze the rest.

Bottom line

What's the verdict? Based on the comments, members are divided. While some aren't thrilled about the high-calorie content, others praise the large quantity, crispy breading, and tangy sauce.

Chicken strips aren't the only new items to look for in the Food Court. Costco also just introduced a Strawberry Shortcake Sundae (for $2.99). If you're looking for an easy way to keep more cash in your wallet while feasting on a sweet treat, members are already obsessed with this affordable indulgence.