Costco has responded to customer demand by reintroducing its churros, but the reception hasn’t been entirely positive. Instead of the classic churros that used to be central to food courts, the retailer has launched a $2.99 caramel churro sundae, which features a small churro atop a serving of ice cream swirled with chocolate or vanilla, all drizzled in salted caramel and garnished with mini churros.
The original churros, which were crispy fried dough coated in cinnamon sugar, have been a fixture since the 1990s, originally priced at 99 cents. They’ve undergone various changes over the years and were last discontinued in early 2024.
Laura Jayne Lamb, who manages the Instagram account @costcohotfinds, expressed excitement about the new dessert, noting the buzz on social media. Yet, the response has been divided, reflecting a mix of nostalgia and disappointment. One comment read, “I don’t want a piece of a churro. I want the whole churro back!”
On Reddit, sentiments echoed a similar frustration, with one user lamenting that the new offering feels like a “slap in the face” for those longing for the traditional churro. One amused parent shared a story about their child’s exaggerated grief over the menu changes, highlighting the emotional weight such decisions can carry in families.
Other users found humor in the situation, joking about asking for a “caramel churro sundae” without any of the toppings, suggesting a more minimalistic approach to the dessert.
Fans of Costco have noted that the new sundae’s price nearly doubles the earlier churro price, which was $1.50, and far exceeds the original 99-cent cost. Recently, Costco had replaced churros with double chocolate chunk cookies, another change that sparked its fair share of controversy.
For some, the issue isn’t solely about cost — it’s also about calories. With the sundae clocking in at 850 calories, some have voiced their concerns about indulging too much, suggesting that seeing the calorie count listed might deter them from purchasing it.
Despite the mixed reviews, many are eager to try out the new sundae. Some comments expressed curiosity and excitement, with users sharing their intent to sample it soon.
Costco frequently rotates its food court offerings, so it’s uncertain how long this caramel churro sundae will remain available. This latest addition follows the brief debut of the Double Chocolate Mint Sundae earlier in the spring.
As Costco navigates the dessert landscape, it finds itself in a competitive scenario with Sam’s Club, which recently introduced its own caramel dessert — the Caramel Palmier Sundae — at a lower price. The ongoing food court rivalry continues to shape customer experiences, with both retailers vying for attention.
