32 Cult Favorite Items From Costco

It's hard to go wrong with practically anything at Costco, especially when it comes to price. But there are some items that the membership-only store carries that many customers just can't get enough of. Costco fans take to social media to wax poetic about their must-buys, including these grocery, home, and food court cult favorites. 

(Not a Costco member? You can apply here.)

The food court's Hot Dog Combo — a quarter-pound hot dog and 20-ounce soda — has been offered since 1984, and its price hasn't changed in that entire time. It's still $1.50, and Costco's co-founder ferociously guarded its price, making it probably the best fast-food deal around.

Paying $5 for a fully cooked (and delicious!) chicken is almost unheard of now. That's generally less than the cost of a whole raw chicken, and the convenience can't be beat. Fans love to throw it on the premade caesar salad kit or turn it into nachos.

If you've never seen one of these crazy giant teddy bears in real life, you're in for a treat once you run into one. They're larger than most adults, and weigh over 40 pounds. Sure, it's $300, but they're priceless for cuddling.

After a pandemic hiatus, sheet cakes are back at Costco, and people are thrilled. They're incredibly inexpensive and so tasty that some people even use them as wedding cake. Though the ordering process is archaic, it's not stopping people.

It's dangerous to have these in your house if you're watching your calorie or sugar intake. But people love them, especially around the holidays, when they make a great addition to the cookie and dessert tray.

Of all the Costco prepared meals available in the deli area, the chicken street tacos are probably the most popular. It's got chopped seasoned chicken, tortillas, and plenty of toppings.

There are a number of frozen pizzas to try at Costco, but none have quite the amount of buzz at Motor City's Detroit-style pie. It's got a thick, airy crust, lots of toppings, and comes in its own baking pan.

Peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets are the perfect snack. They're sweet and salty, have a great crunch, and stay fresh forever in the sealable jar.

Costco's pumpkin pies might be the one item with the biggest cult behind it. People go nuts over these huge, inexpensive pies in the fall, and they're a must on many Thanksgiving tables. They tend to fly off the shelf as fast as the bakery can make them.

Somehow, snacks out of a giant plastic tub just seem more fun than a bag. If you're a fan of party mix like Chex Mix, you'll love this cheesy Utz Pub Mix just like so many Costco members do.

We love Rao's, and it's got a cult following outside of Costco. But Costco is definitely the best place to buy it, since it's so much cheaper than the regular price at the grocery store.

Grade A amber colored maple syrup in a huge jug for a relatively small price. What's not to love? 

Kerrygold is an Irish butter that bakers (and just plain people who love butter) swear by, but it can be difficult to find, not to mention expensive. That's why it's such a popular item with Costco fans.

Costco carries a lot of beef jerky options, but these Steak Strips are a fan favorite. They're softer than most so they won't pull your teeth out, but they're just as high in protein as the other brands.

Of all the protein bars at Costco, Fit Crunch are talked up the most. They have 16 grams of protein in each bar, and according to people who have tried many different brands, these taste the best — just like a candy bar.

Women love the quality of Costco's leggings. They're thick enough that they're not see-through (a real problem if you've ever bought cheap leggings before) and super soft.

Costco's bakery cycles through various varieties of loaf cake throughout the year. There's pumpkin spice in fall and lemon blueberry in summer, for example. No matter what, the big loaves are always a hit with Costco shoppers, and many finish off an entire loaf themselves.

Vanilla extract is one of those baking essentials that's really jumped in price over the last few year but you just can't live without. Luckily, Costco's version has a great floral flavor and will last you a long time.

Next to the hot dog, Costco cafe's pizza is the item you'll see people eating the most. It's legitimately good, though people really want the combo (supreme) pizza back after it was axed during the pandemic. Grab a big slice for $2, or better yet, get a whole 18-inch hot pizza for only $10. People love grabbing a few of them for big parties.

Bacon afficianados love the Kirkland Signature brand bacon because it's smoky and cooks up evenly. The package has 4 individually wrapped pounds of bacon, so you don't have to go through 4 pounds at once.

Though the selection varies from store to store, most people absolutely love Costco's fresh beef and especially the steaks. From ribeyes to T-bones, shoppers say that the quality of the meat is great and the price is wonderful to match.

Costco's bakery sells packages of muffins, and everyone loves them. They're mix-and-match, too, so you can get two different flavors. According to fans, they freeze really well, whether you cut them in half or not (they're massive).

For a quick, healthy side dish, the Normandy Blend frozen vegetables have captured shopper's hearts. Many like to roast the carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, and squash blend for the best flavor. 

A handful of chocolate covered almonds feels just right for a small dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. People love that the chocolate isn't waxy like some cheap candy.

People swear by the Just Bare frozen chicken nuggets at Costco, and we agree: They came in second in our chicken nugget taste test. They're popcorn chicken style, and both kids and adults love them.

Who doesn't love a whole wheel of amazing French cheese? Grab a twin-pack of baguettes from the bakery, this monster wheel of brie, and you've got a great picnic, date night, or holiday entertaining cheese board.

Not only is France on top in the cheese department at Costco, but in the liquor aisle too. The French vodka beats out the American hands down, and it seems its the favored brand among many customers. 

Though it's not available all the time (it seems to be around mostly during the cold weather months), the chicken pot pie from the deli is a family favorite. It can feed a lot of people, and shoppers love the creamy, chunky filling that's packed with chicken and veggies.

Extra virgin olive oil is one of those kitchen necessities that can be really expensive. At Costco, it comes in a pack of two 1-liter bottles, so it's a good value and you don't have to use it all up quickly.

Kids can go through snacks like nobody's business. That's why people love this massive tub of the classic animal crackers. They stay fresh thanks to the screw-on lid, and they're organic to boot.

Besides pumpkin, one of Costco's seasonal bakery items that makes waves whenever it hits the coolers is peanut butter chocolate pie. It's a massive 5 pounds in weight, and is extremely rich and filling. If you don't take it to a big party, plan to freeze some of it.

On the non-sweet side of the Costco bakery, people are in love with the fresh croissants. In our Costco bakery taste test, we found that they both look beautiful and have a delicate texture. 

For more great Costco stories, please sign up for our free newsletters.