Costco Food Court Tricks That Can Save You Money

For generations, the Costco food court has been an icon of low-cost, high-portion fare for the masses. Shoppers have flocked to the wholesaler for cheap bulk groceries for decades, and the store's food court has developed its own devoted following. A large portion of its popularity is due to the rising prices of fast food around the country, with combo meals from chains like McDonald's and Burger King becoming less cost effective. Unlike these chains, Costco has kept the prices of some of its classic offerings consistent for decades. But even with some food court prices staying low, there are still some easy ways to save even more on your next Costco food court run.

The price of groceries has continued to grow in 2025, making wholesalers like Costco a good option for savings. Stocking up on certain Costco items can save you considerable amounts of cash in the long run. You can also save by taking advantage of Costco's free refills, listed on the menu board, by filling up a 20-ounce drink multiple times while shopping. Additionally, Costco's bulk pricing absolutely extends to its food court items, making it a great place to buy large quantities of snacks, pizza, or baked goods for your next gathering at a lower price point than you might find at a restaurant.

Due to growing lines and overcrowding at entrances, Costco received increased pressure from members to update its policy around the food court. This pressure came to a head in 2024 when the food court became members only. And while not everyone can just walk in off the street and order a chicken bake anymore, the food court's menu alone could be well worth paying the $65 per year for a basic membership once you see the benefits. The retailer routinely sends out coupons for the food court along with its shelved products, significantly adding to members' already-high savings. Additionally, the portions at the food court are robust, and customers often post online about how surprised they are by the size of their meals.

If you intend to use Costco as your main source of groceries, it may be worth investing in the Executive Membership for $130 a year. This membership yields customers 2% rewards at checkout. While these rewards don't apply to food court purchases everywhere, some locations do allow you to order from the food court at the grocery checkout counter, which could yield you those cash back rewards — or at least save you some time. A way to tag on even more savings is by opening a Costco credit card, which offers 2% cash back on all Costco purchases and even more on products like gas. Of course, before opening a line of credit, make sure to avoid common credit card mistakes to keep your next Costco visit as affordable as possible.