I had the pleasure of experiencing both the UK and US Costco food courts, and to my surprise, there were more differences than I anticipated. In the UK, the food court offers baked beans, while in the US, churros are a staple. The US food court stood out as superior, with a simpler ordering process and more spacious seating options.
Costco is renowned for its fantastic products, including the famous food court that many shoppers visit for an affordable and quick bite. Although my family never regularly shopped at Costco, I was intrigued to see how the UK and US locations varied. I decided to take a trip to Costco in my hometown of Manchester, England, to try out their food court and determine which menu items were the most delicious. Shortly after, I relocated to New York City for work, which gave me the perfect opportunity to visit a Costco food court in my new city – after all, Costco is an iconic American brand.
As I visited both locations, I was pleasantly surprised by the stark contrasts between the UK and US Costco food courts. Here’s what I discovered:
First, I accompanied my mother, who has a Costco membership, to the Manchester location. Unfortunately, I did not qualify for a membership on my own according to Costco’s eligibility criteria. However, she was allowed to bring me as a guest since she works for the National Health Service. On the other hand, obtaining my own membership at the Long Island City Costco in the US was a straightforward process. Due to my recent move, I faced challenges with updating my banking information, but after speaking with the staff in person, I successfully purchased a Gold Star membership for $60.
Upon arriving at the UK food court, I noticed a busy and somewhat chaotic atmosphere. The food court was situated closely to the checkout area, causing the ordering process to be crowded, noisy, and overwhelming. In contrast, the US food court surprised me with its spaciousness. Located further away from the main area of the store, the layout provided a sense of separation. The self-service stations were conveniently placed on the left, while the dining area occupied the right side of the room. This arrangement made ordering and dining a more pleasant and comfortable experience.
Ordering food at the UK location was not as smooth as I had hoped. Due to the overcrowded nature of the food court, it was challenging to determine where the line started. The close proximity to the checkout area also caused significant noise levels, making it difficult for the cashier to hear our orders. With only one person operating the cash registers, the service was slower than expected. We had to wait in line for approximately 15 minutes and wait an additional 10 minutes for our food to be ready.
In contrast, I was delighted to discover self-service stations at the US Costco food court. This feature streamlined the ordering process, allowing me to select exactly what I wanted and pay with ease. After making my choices and paying, I received a receipt with an order number, which would be called out once my meal was ready for pickup. The entire process of ordering and receiving food took only about five minutes.
The seating at the UK Costco food court felt crowded, with tables placed closely together. Although I didn’t consume my entire meal at the food court, dining in would have been less enjoyable due to the lack of space. On the other hand, the US Costco food court had a decent number of diners, but I was able to find a seat easily. The seating area was more spacious than I expected, allowing me to comfortably enjoy my meal.
At the UK Costco food court, I ordered various food items, including the double chicken burger, Aberdeen Angus cottage pie, jacket potatoes with baked beans, slices of five-cheese, pepperoni, and BBQ-chicken pizza, chicken bake with bacon, and a vanilla ice-cream cup. Some of these items, such as the double chicken burger, Aberdeen Angus cottage pie, jacket potatoes with baked beans, and BBQ-chicken pizza, were exclusive to the UK menu. The total cost of my order in the UK came to £25, approximately $32.
At the US Costco food court, I ordered similar items, including slices of cheese and pepperoni pizza, a chicken bake, the twisted cinnamon-and-sugar churro, and a vanilla ice-cream cup. Among these items, only the twisted cinnamon and sugar churro was exclusive to the US menu. Notably, the US Costco offered a basic cheese pizza, while the UK food court provided a five-cheese version. My food order at the US Costco, which also included two $0.70 sodas, cost about $14.
I began by sampling the UK-exclusive menu items. The jacket potatoes, loaded with baked beans, offered a delightful combination of fluffy potato and soft, comforting beans with a slight sweetness from the rich tomato sauce. Although the Aberdeen Angus cottage pie had all the components of a traditional cottage pie, including minced beef, diced vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes, it fell short of the homemade version I grew up with. However, the double chicken burger stood out as a favorite, with tender meat, a soft and warm bun, and a welcomed addition of cheese, which is not commonly found on other chicken burgers.
As for the US-exclusive churro from the Long Island City Costco food court, it proved to be quite tasty. Although it wasn’t as sweet as expected, the cinnamon flavor shone through, offering a warm and chewy treat with a slight crunch on the edges. I would have preferred a greater sugar coating, but it was still delicious. I improvised by dunking the churro in the vanilla ice-cream cup, which resulted in a delightful combination. I would recommend purchasing both the ice-cream cup and churro together.
Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to try the hot dog at either the UK or US Costco food courts. However, its absence in the UK food court suggested its popularity among customers.
In conclusion, the UK and US Costco food courts present contrasting experiences. While the UK food court offers unique menu items like jacket potatoes and specific pizza variations, the US food court stands out with its spacious seating, self-service stations, and exclusive churro. Whether you’re in the UK or the US, Costco food courts provide convenient and affordable dining options for shoppers seeking a quick bite.
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