Costco Food Court Brings Back Twisted Churros — But Not the Ones Fans Wanted
Costco is bringing back its twisted churros to food courts nationwide for a limited time, the company confirmed this week after teasing a mystery item's return on social media. But the announcement has been met with a mix of excitement and frustration from members who had hoped for a different blast from the past.
The return comes after Costco posted a teaser video on Instagram on Wednesday, Sept. 16, showing two people standing in a warehouse looking toward the food court menu. One says, "I think it's going to look great right there." The other responds, "I think so too, I can't believe we're bringing back BEEP for a limited time." The video ended with "To be continued..." — prompting a wave of speculation among members.
When the answer turned out to be the twisted churro — a version introduced in 2021 with a different recipe and shape — many fans were quick to voice their disappointment. The twisted churros were discontinued in early 2024, and their return marks the first time in years that members can enjoy the treat in a traditional form, albeit not the original one.
A Beloved Treat With a Complicated History
The churro has long been a staple of Costco's food court, but its history is anything but straightforward. From the 1990s until 2020, Costco sold thin, straight churros that developed a devoted following. The item was temporarily removed from the menu in 2020, then brought back in 2021 with a new recipe that swapped the straight churros for twisted ones.
That change did not sit well with many members. "The twisted ones ain't it!!" read one Instagram comment. "Bring back the ORIGINAL Costco Churro!!!" Another Reddit user complained in 2023, "These are terrible compared to the pre-Covid version and are 50% more expensive." Others described them as "nasty, doughy, dry, and overpriced."
The twisted churros were eventually discontinued in early 2024, and earlier this year Costco released a Kirkland Signature Caramel Churro Sundae. Now, the twisted churro is returning — but not in the form many fans had hoped.
Fans Had Other Items in Mind
While some members are excited for the churros' comeback, a significant portion of the online reaction has focused on what Costco didn't bring back. In a Reddit thread with over 1,500 comments, many users said they would have preferred the return of other discontinued items, particularly the combo pizza and the Polish dog.
"I would rather have the combo pizza," said one Instagram commenter, a sentiment that received over 300 likes. More than two dozen comments in the Reddit thread supported the combo pizza as well. Fans also lamented the absence of the Polish dog, with one Redditor saying, "Not being able to get a polish dog makes me a little sad every time I go to Costco."
Some fans did find a silver lining, suggesting that dipping the churro in the Kirkland Signature Caramel Churro Sundae or a mocha freeze would make for a satisfying treat.
A Year of Food Court Changes
The churro return is just the latest in a series of food court updates from Costco in 2026. Earlier this year, the company quietly rolled out a hot dog and bottled water combo, allowing members to swap the traditional 20-ounce refillable fountain soda for a bottle of Kirkland Signature water while keeping the price at $1.50.
In July, Costco added a new chicken tenders option nationwide after testing it in select markets since May. The meal costs $6.99 per basket and comes with five strips and a dipping sauce. The company has also brought back other fan-favorite deli items this year, including the Greek Pasta Salad with Rotisserie Chicken, the Kirkland Signature Chicken Pot Pie, and Kirkland Shepherd's Pie.
The Bigger Picture: Nostalgia and Social Media Hype
The mixed reaction to the churro's return highlights a broader trend in how consumers engage with nostalgic food items — and how social media can amplify both excitement and disappointment. By turning the return into a mystery game, Costco generated significant buzz and speculation. But that same strategy also set expectations that the company ultimately couldn't meet for many fans.
Costco is not alone in leveraging nostalgia. Chains across the fast-food and retail landscape have increasingly brought back discontinued items in limited-time offerings, often using social media to build anticipation. The strategy can drive traffic and engagement, but as the churro case shows, it can also backfire when the returning item isn't the one customers remember most fondly.
For now, the twisted churros are back — at least for a limited time. Whether they win over skeptics or remain a polarizing presence on the menu, their return has already succeeded in getting people talking about the Costco food court.
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