This Is the #1 Worst Costco Food Court Menu Item Right Now

The Costco Food Court is home to the iconic hot dog, pizza, and chicken bake. It's gone through some changes recently—from the return of some beloved items to some sudden price hikes. But while it's common to flock to the line for some post-shopping fuel, the menu contains items that are higher in calories and saturated fats, potentially making it harder on your waistline.

As tempting as these may seem, many of them haven't quite earned the reputation of being a healthy lunchtime selection when visiting the warehouse. Nutritionist and Eat This Not That! Medical Expert Board member Dr. Lisa Young shared exactly which menu item stood out for all the wrong reasons.

Of all the Costco Food Court items, Young says that it's the cheeseburger, fry, and soda combo that should be avoided when scanning the menu. Though largely unavailable in the U.S., the cheeseburger is still served in other areas across the world such as Iceland, and there are still a few locations in Southern California that serve them as of 2021. Despite its appeal, the combo meal may not be doing your diet any favors. As Young suggests, the combo meal "contains nearly 1800 calories, enough for a full day!"

costco food court signs and seating — Shutterstock

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states a daily calorie intake of 2,000 calories per day as a general guide for nutrition, which varies depending on a person's individual needs. Yet a cheeseburger, fry, and soda combo stands at 1740 calories, or nearly 90% of that daily value, with over 40% of those calories coming from fat. According to Young, the combo is "loaded with fat, including saturated fat, and lots of sodium. Plus, the soda contains lots of added sugar."

Deemed one of the best food court menu items, by some, others did not embrace the cheeseburger and don't miss its disappearance. But when it comes to deciding whether you should or shouldn't indulge, Young's best advice is to simply "Skip it."

There are, however, other menu items that have fewer calories than the cheeseburger, fry, and soda combo. The hot dog and soda combo have significantly fewer calories at 960 calories. The hot turkey & provolone sandwich has 740 calories, and the berry sundae has 480 calories.