Although Costco’s food court is best known for its $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, other items have garnered attention over the years, including a cheeseburger that was available at select Costco stores. Despite positive reviews and press coverage — some compared it to Shake Shack burgers — it never became a permanent fixture and eventually quietly disappeared. This decision left customers wondering why such a seemingly popular item was being taken off the menu.
The $5 cheeseburger appeared in a limited number of food courts in 2017, mostly on the West Coast, though some spotted it in shops in Hawaii, Texas, and Virginia. The burger featured an organic patty, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and a smoky Thousand Island dressing on a challah bun. Then, in 2020, shoppers spotted signs announcing that the burger would no longer be available.
Although it was compared to Shake Shack in terms of appearance, the similarities ended there. Many Costco fans who tried it felt it couldn’t compete, and some noted that the food court’s equipment wasn’t suitable for frying up high-quality burgers. Since the burger was only tested at a few locations, this could mean that sales and feedback weren’t good enough to keep the item on the menu. Some also speculated that the burgers were discontinued to simplify the menu and reduce operating costs, though it doesn’t seem like the wholesale chain ever confirmed their reasoning.
Cheeseburgers joined many other discontinued products
The food court cheeseburger is far from the only item missing from the menu. In fact, there are many discontinued foods and drinks that fans still remember. One of the more controversial discontinued items was the food court churro, which was first replaced with a chocolate chip cookie, then brought back in a different form, and then removed again. Shoppers also miss the combination pizza, which was discontinued in 2020, prompting fans to start a petition on Change.org to bring it back. And then there’s the Polish hot dog you probably forgot about, which was removed to streamline the menu, much to the dismay of some shoppers.
Both popular and less popular dishes have disappeared over the years. The roast beef sandwich, which cost $9.99, was quickly replaced by a less expensive turkey and Swiss sandwich. Fans of the hand-scooped ice cream bar, a sweet treat covered in chocolate and almonds, were disappointed when it disappeared from the menu. Additionally, Costco once offered hearty chili and a carne asada casserole, both of which developed a loyal following before being discontinued. The inconsistency of the food court offering can be frustrating for loyal customers, but at least we can always count on the inflation-proof hot dog combo for $1.50.
