'Ban the Food Samples!’ and Other Unpopular Costco Opinions

The problem with most online communities is that they become so niche and insular that everyone starts saying the same thing. The r/Costco subreddit is no exception. If you’re a member, there’s a good chance you love the rotisserie chicken and would do anything to bring back the combo pizza. 

But thanks to a few free-thinking Costco contrarians in a recent thread, the subreddit came up with some hot takes that are bound to make some fans’ blood boil. And who doesn’t love a good hate read?

For months, Costco superfans have been complaining about the warehouse store’s toilet paper, with one user calling it “sandpaper.” But a brave soul on Reddit was courageous enough to admit that they liked the low-cost TP — and a few others agreed. While it’s not exactly a glowing review, one Kirkland TP defender said that it is “soft enough to not hurt but durable enough to get the job.”

Samples are such a big deal at Costco that major outlets like CNN and NBC News treated their post-pandemic return like breaking news. That said, a vocal minority of Costco shoppers want the samples gone. Critics complain that they generate litter and cause “massive traffic jams.” “YES! Ban the food samples!” one commenter writes. “They don't even need to ban them completely, just limit the days/hours they're out, and publish and enforce those hours.”

Scrap the self-checkout lines and replace them with express lanes for shoppers with 10 items or fewer, one Redditor suggests. The problem with the current system, another Redditor explains, is that Costco has effectively combined the two systems, as the self-checkout lane is often staffed by workers who scan your groceries. “Either have a self-checkout (and actually let people do it themselves) or have an express lane, but let people pick one!!” they write.

With its legendary $1.50 hot dog deal and cheap pizza, Costco’s food court is a point of pride for members. Even so, multiple Redditors criticized the food, saying that it’s “gross” and “overrated.” “If I want mediocre food in a crowded, noisy (environment), I'll just stay home,” one comment reads.

Related: The Most Popular Costco Food Court Items, Ranked

The reviews are in: Costco’s new mango smoothie tastes and looks like baby food! But hey, some people are into it. One Costco contrarian writes that it’s “absolutely delicious.” “A lot of times smoothies sort of taste like their ingredients, but the mango smoothie tastes exactly like a ripe mango," they continue.

Related: Food Court Showdown: Costco vs. Sam's Club

Celebrity chef David Chang turned heads when he called Costco’s beloved Rotisserie chicken “disgusting” earlier this year. “Costco chicken is the worst rotisserie chicken,” he said on his podcast. It turns out that some Costco members agree, with multiple Redditors writing that it has a “weird” flavor. 

Related: Costco Rotisserie Chicken Now Tastes ‘Chemically,’ Redditors Say

Is Costco’s low-priced gas worth waiting 20 minutes for? Not really, one Redditor argues. We’ll chime in here to say that while waiting in line is definitely a hassle, filling up exclusively at Costco should save you around $316 a year.

Related: Here’s Why Costco’s Cheap Gas is Good for Your Engine

For how ugly it is, Kirkland logo wear is surprisingly popular on r/Costco. But then again, if you’re fashionable and care about looking “cringe,” you’re probably not shopping for clothes at Costco.

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