Costco Brought Back a Food Court Item, and Fans Can't Stop Talking About It
Our emotions are mixed on this returning menu item.
www.allrecipes.comHere’s the latest I can summarize based on recent coverage.
- Summary: Costco appears to be testing or rolling out a chicken strips item in place of the calzone at several Midwest locations, including Chicago, with a potential nationwide expansion in the works. This shift has been reported by multiple outlets in early May 2026 and has generated considerable social media chatter among Costco members.
Key developments
- Chicago/Midwest tests: Several reports indicate chicken strips have appeared in Chicago-area warehouses as a replacement for the calzone. This has been the focal point of early tests and social-media chatter. These sources point to ongoing rollout plans beyond the initial markets, with expectations of broader adoption if reception remains positive.
- Calzone withdrawal: The calzone, long a subject of member conversation since its rollout last year, is being phased out in many locations as the new chicken strips appear. Calls for bringing back prior favorites have circulated, but the current reporting centers on replacement and testing rather than a full reinstatement.
- Community reaction: Fans and food-court followers have debated the change, with mixed opinions about the chicken strips compared to the calzone and to Costco’s earlier menu shifts.
What this means for you in Dallas
- If you’re hoping to see chicken strips replace the calzone at a Dallas Costco, there’s no confirmation of a nationwide roll-out date yet, but coverage suggests expansion could follow Chicago-area testing if reception is strong.
- If you’re specifically seeking a calzone, you may want to call ahead or check local social feeds for sightings, as availability now varies by warehouse.
Want I can do next
- I can pull up the very latest local reports for Costco in Dallas or surrounding Texas locations to confirm if any Dallas warehouses have started the swap.
- I can also summarize the pros and cons of the replacement from customer sentiment in the latest articles, or track any announced rollout timeline if you’d like.