Walking through the aisles at Costco can feel like winning the lottery. Those giant carts, endless samples, and supersized packages make everything seem like a good deal. But here’s the thing—not every Costco item lives up to the hype. Some products that look promising end up being total letdowns once you get them home. Recently, shoppers have been speaking up about their biggest Costco regrets, and some of these items might surprise you.
The hot sauce gift set isn’t worth your money
Buying a gift set seems like a smart move when you’re shopping for someone who loves spicy food. The Hot Sauce Challenge Gift Set at Costco comes with 12 different bottles, which sounds amazing on paper. But shoppers who bought this set quickly realized they’d made a mistake. The problem isn’t the quantity—it’s the quality. Multiple people who tried these sauces complained that they all taste basically the same, with cheap food coloring being the only real difference between bottles.
One person compared the taste to low-quality Tabasco, saying there’s a little difference between bottles but they all have that same cheap quality. Another called it a “notorious honeypot,” meaning it looks like a great deal but ends up disappointing everyone who tries it. If you’re thinking about picking up this set, you’re better off buying one or two quality hot sauces instead. Your taste buds and your wallet will thank you for skipping this one.
Green and Sunny pad Thai misses the mark completely
Takeout pad Thai is delicious, so grabbing a ready-made version from Costco seems convenient. Unfortunately, the Green and Sunny Pad Thai sold there has left many shoppers scratching their heads. One particularly creative complaint described it as tasting like someone tried to explain pad Thai over a kids’ cup-and-string telephone while drunk and craving Mexican food instead. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement. The main issues people mention are the soggy bean sprouts that take up half the tray and noodles that turn into a flavorless, congealed lump.
Sure, it’ll fill you up when you’re hungry, but that’s about all it does well. People report getting about halfway through their portion before they lose interest in eating any more. When food becomes a chore rather than something enjoyable, that’s a sign to avoid it in the future. You’re better off ordering actual takeout or learning to make pad Thai at home. Both options will give you something that actually tastes like the real thing.
Kirkland chicken breasts have a weird stringy texture
Costco’s rotisserie chicken is legendary, so you’d think their raw chicken would be just as good. Wrong. The Kirkland Signature Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts have earned themselves an unfortunate nickname among shoppers: “spaghetti chicken.” This name comes from the stringy, mushy texture that makes the meat feel more like pasta than poultry. It’s not what you expect when you’re planning to cook dinner, and it definitely doesn’t make for an appetizing meal. Many people who tried this chicken once decided they’d never buy it again.
The texture problem seems consistent enough that it’s become a known issue among regular Costco shoppers. One person summed it up perfectly by saying they stopped buying chicken from Costco because it just wasn’t worth it. If you need chicken breasts, you’re probably better off going to a regular grocery store or butcher. The savings at Costco aren’t worth it if the texture ruins your meal. Stick to that rotisserie chicken if you want poultry from the warehouse.
Kirkland burnt ends beef brisket disappoints barbecue lovers
Burnt ends are supposed to be one of the best parts of barbecue—those crispy, caramelized pieces of brisket that everyone fights over. So when Costco started selling Kirkland Signature Burnt Ends Beef Brisket, it seemed like a dream come true for barbecue fans. The reality turned out to be pretty different. Shoppers who bought this product found that it was mostly fat pieces rather than actual meat. One person couldn’t believe what they’d purchased, calling it a complete waste of money.
Another shopper went even further, saying they’d call a stack of McRibs authentic barbecue before they’d recommend eating these burnt ends. That’s harsh, but it shows just how disappointed people were with this product. When you’re expecting quality barbecue and get mostly fat instead, it’s understandable to feel frustrated. If you want real burnt ends, you’re better off finding a good barbecue restaurant or smoking your own brisket at home. The Costco version just doesn’t measure up.
Kirkland muffins changed and people aren’t happy about it
For years, Costco’s giant muffins were a staple for many shoppers. They were huge, delicious, and seemed like a good value. But something changed recently, and longtime fans noticed immediately. People are saying the muffins taste different now, with many calling the new recipe “trash.” One shopper mentioned that their muffins now just sit forgotten in the freezer because nobody wants to eat them. They really miss those giant chocolate muffins from before.
Another issue beyond taste is freshness. Some shoppers report finding mold on their muffins the very next day after buying them. That’s a serious problem when you’re dealing with a dozen muffins that nobody can eat fast enough. As one person pointed out, they can’t go through a dozen muffins in 24 hours—and they shouldn’t have to. Whatever recipe change happened with these muffins, it wasn’t for the better. If you remember loving Costco muffins in the past, you might want to skip them now.
Kirkland toilet paper leaves lint everywhere in your bathroom
Toilet paper seems like something that would be hard to mess up, right? Apparently not. The Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue has become a source of frustration for many shoppers. The main complaint is that this toilet paper is incredibly dusty and leaves fluff all over the bathroom. One person asked if they were the only one noticing all the lint, and the answer was a resounding no. Other shoppers confirmed that the Kirkland toilet paper leaves fluff everywhere.
This is frustrating because toilet paper is supposed to be strong and soft, not falling apart before you even use it. When you’re constantly cleaning up toilet paper dust from your bathroom, that’s a sign something’s wrong with the product. Many Costco members say the toilet paper used to be much better quality, suggesting something changed in how it’s made. If you want toilet paper that actually stays together, you might need to buy a different brand—even if it costs a bit more.
Frozen chicken bakes taste nothing like the fresh ones
The fresh chicken bakes at Costco’s food court have fans all over the country. They’re warm, cheesy, and filling—perfect for a quick lunch while you shop. So when Costco started selling frozen chicken bakes that you could heat up at home, it seemed like a great idea. Unfortunately, the frozen version is nothing like the fresh one. People who loved the food court version were shocked by how bad the frozen ones taste. One person described them as tasting like a sweaty sock, which is about as bad as food comparisons get.
The disappointment was so severe that this person returned the frozen chicken bakes—their first time ever returning a frozen food item to Costco. That’s saying something. Another shopper mentioned that trying the frozen version actually ruined their enjoyment of the fresh ones from the food court. When a product is so bad it ruins your memory of something you used to love, that’s a major problem. If you want chicken bakes, stick to getting them fresh at the food court during your shopping trip.
Del Real birria pupusas are dry and disappointing
Pupusas are a delicious Salvadoran dish made of thick corn tortillas stuffed with various fillings. The Del Real Birria & Cheese Pupusas at Costco sound amazing—birria and cheese together in convenient frozen form. But people who bought these were in for a rude awakening. Multiple shoppers report that these pupusas are extremely dry. One couple took a single bite before promising each other they’d never buy them again. That’s how bad the experience was.
Another person said the pupusas were so dry they had to smother them in salsa and sour cream just to get them down. They couldn’t believe Costco was still selling what they called “abominations.” When you need multiple condiments just to make food edible, that’s not a good sign. Real pupusas should be moist and packed with taste, not something you have to force yourself to eat. If you’re craving authentic pupusas, find a Salvadoran restaurant instead of buying these from Costco.
Dessert Italiano tiramisu cups are worth keeping just for the glasses
Tiramisu is supposed to be a rich, coffee-soaked Italian dessert that melts in your mouth. The Dessert Italiano Tiramisu Cups at Costco come in cute little glass containers, which seems like a nice touch. According to shoppers, those glass containers are actually the best part of the product. Multiple people said they loved the glasses but the actual tiramisu inside was not good at all. Some described it as “mid” at best, while others were even less generous with their opinions.
One shopper admitted they ended up throwing away the tiramisu but kept the glasses for other uses. When the packaging is more valuable than the food itself, that tells you everything you need to know about the product. The glasses might be reusable for serving other desserts or drinks, but you shouldn’t have to buy tiramisu just to get nice glassware. If you want real tiramisu, visit an Italian restaurant or bakery instead.
Shopping at Costco can still be great, but it helps to know which products are worth buying and which ones to skip. Not everything in those warehouse-sized packages is a good deal, especially when quality doesn’t match the quantity. Pay attention to what other shoppers are saying, and don’t be afraid to return something if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Your membership fee is valuable, so make sure you’re spending it on products that actually work for you and your family.
