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Food

Customers Agree: These Are The Worst Costco Items Nobody Should Be Buying

February 8, 2023 by Faith Geiger
shefinds | Food
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Costco is a beloved store to many people; the membership-based warehouse chain is known for offering great deals on great bulk items (like these Valentine’s day treats). However, with so many products under their belt, it’s only natural that a few of them end up falling flat. And if you want to avoid those less-than-satisfactory items, taking a look at what other customers are saying online is one great way to know what to leave on the shelf. As it turns out, Reddit is one of the best places to look for unfiltered reviews.

Below, we’ve put together a list of some of the worst least approved Costco items, according to real customers online. From those darned square milk jugs to food that tastes like “plastic,” find it all below!

READ MORE: 4 Costco Prepared Foods You Should Order For The Super Bowl Now—They Won’t Stay In Stock For Long!

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Costco gallon milk jug on a store shelf.

1. Costco gallon milk jugs

Costco shoppers notoriously have some serious hang-ups about the packaging of the store’s gallon milk jugs. Unlike most gallon jugs, which are rounded, Costco carries square-shaped gallons. They made this design decision back in 2008 in order to make them not only better for the environment but easy to ship, too–however, it was at the expense of practicality when it comes to actually using the milk. 

According to shoppers across the internet, the square shape makes it difficult to pour the milk and frequently leads to spills. Reddit users have even referred to the design as “trash.” Yikes! “Everyone in my family literally groaned when they saw them in the fridge,” one person commented. 

If you're lucky, though, your Costco location may carry different types of milk jugs, as not all of the stores are stocked with this dreaded design.

box of Real Good chicken grande enchiladas with tomatillo

2. Real Good's Chicken Grande Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce

There are plenty of fan-favorite frozen foods at Costco. However, Real Good’s Chicken Grande Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce is not one of those; in fact, judging by the Reddit threads it’s mentioned in, we’re going to say it’s a fan-least-favorite. 

"Tried the Realgood brand enchiladas. Costco, WTF were you thinking? 0 out of 5 stars,” one user posted with a photo of the box. Commenters chimed in to express their own disappointment. “If this is what prison food tastes like, knock some time off everyone’s sentence. These things are inhumane,” one wrote. Brutal!

“I've never seen people more unified on social media,” one person joked about the collective outrage for the product, which seems to be geared toward the Keto crowd. However, even they aren’t pleased: “I also tried these while I was on keto and they are trash. Keto is no excuse to endure these,” wrote one Redditer. Noted! We’ll definitely leave them on the shelf.

Sushi party trays from Okami restaurant displayed attractively.

3. Okami Sushi Party Trays

There’s a divide among Costco shoppers when it comes to their fresh-made sushi–however, the Okami Sushi Party Trays have struck up a controversy of their own on Reddit. One user took to the website to announce that the trays were on sale for $3.97, or just $0.16/piece–and people had a lot to say about it.

“Yeah not sure sushi is something you want to buy on clearance,” one person commented. “That’s a no from me dawg,” another wrote. Someone who seems to have tried the sushi chimed in, saying that “it’s like chewing soft plastic dipped in soy sauce,” and another commenter called them “garbage.” Alright, we’ll probably pass on this discount, then.

Collection of global gourmet hot sauces in various bottles.

4. Global Gourmet Hot Sauce Collection

At first glance, hot sauce lovers may be excited to see that Costco carries a pack of 12 different “gourmet” sauces, featuring options from around the world, such as Africa Cayenne Hot Sauce and America’s Wild West Buffalo. However, if Reddit comments are any indication, this pack isn’t worth your money–especially if you prefer your hot sauce, um… hot.

“If you want to try 12 hot sauces that all taste the same, Costco has a perfect package for you. Very mid,” reads one thread, which features a ton of comments expressing disappointment in the sauces.

"No one who loves hot sauce would buy this or enjoy it as a gift. Avoid," wrote one user. “They all have a cheap Tabasco taste,” someone else agreed. “Definitely a little variance between but they all have a low quality taste to them. Valentina/Frank's etc way better.” Well, so much for variety in your variety pack!

All in all, there’s no denying that Costco offers tons of great quality items at great prices. However, when it comes to these items, it’s best to take your money elsewhere. Unless, of course, you want to join in on the negative comments–then go ahead and try the products so you know what all the anti-hype is about.

Author:

Freelance Writer

Faith Geiger is a New York-based writer and editor. When she's not covering the latest in health and wellness for SheFinds, she spends her time watching reality TV with her roommates, browsing used bookstores, and enjoying live music. You can reach Faith at faithkgeiger@gmail.com.

Drinking spearmint tea for health benefits.
Variety of artisanal breads displayed on a wooden surface.
Costco bakery showcasing a selection of fresh pastries.
Woman holding her head in distress due to stress.
Woman experiencing joint pain while sitting down.
Shutterstock image representing beauty and skincare.
Coffee and donut options from Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Woman adding sugar to her aromatic cup of coffee.
Wooden board with bagels, blueberries, and butter arrangement.
Comparison of cooking spray and olive oil for frying.
Traditional Brazilian dish with rice, beans, and chicken.
Person checking the time while enjoying a breakfast meal.
Display of deli meats and sandwich products in a grocery store.
Cooked salmon served with rice, avocado, and greens.
Inside view of a bustling Costco store with various products.
Woman taking magnesium supplements for health benefits.
Selection of s'mores brownies and baked ricotta from Aldi.
Grilled chicken breast with fries, salad, and sauces presentation.
Frozen pizza varieties available in a retail store.
Crispy fried fish served with fries in a restaurant setting.
Drinking spearmint tea for health benefits.
Variety of artisanal breads displayed on a wooden surface.
Costco bakery showcasing a selection of fresh pastries.
Woman holding her head in distress due to stress.
Woman experiencing joint pain while sitting down.
Shutterstock image representing beauty and skincare.
Coffee and donut options from Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Woman adding sugar to her aromatic cup of coffee.
Wooden board with bagels, blueberries, and butter arrangement.
Comparison of cooking spray and olive oil for frying.
Traditional Brazilian dish with rice, beans, and chicken.
Person checking the time while enjoying a breakfast meal.
Display of deli meats and sandwich products in a grocery store.
Cooked salmon served with rice, avocado, and greens.
Inside view of a bustling Costco store with various products.
Woman taking magnesium supplements for health benefits.
Selection of s'mores brownies and baked ricotta from Aldi.
Grilled chicken breast with fries, salad, and sauces presentation.
Frozen pizza varieties available in a retail store.
Crispy fried fish served with fries in a restaurant setting.