5 Costco Items That Deserve Every Bit Of The Hype

There’s a lot to love about shopping at Costco as we know firsthand. But are Costco’s most-hyped foods and drinks really as good as everyone seems to claim? Well, we’ve done the shopping, eating, and drinking as Costco shoppers ourselves — and as someone who purchases approximately one rotisserie chicken per week, I’m here to tell you that many products do live up to their hype.

Videos by Sporked

But even among products that genuinely deserve the fanfare they collect online, there are a few specific standouts. So, if you’re looking for Costco products that are as excellent as their reputations, these are the five items you need to add to your cart ASAP.

Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken

I will sing the praises of Costco’s Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken for an eternity — or as long as it maintains its current quality, which I hope is forever. This chicken is near impossible to beat both in value and convenience, and it’s downright delicious, too. It’s a quick, affordable dinner that’ll feed a family. And I love breaking one down to use in various recipes, a move that offers even more value.

Whether you opt to eat the chicken solo or shred it and use it in other ways, it’s always moist, well-seasoned, and perfectly cooked. Costco’s rotisserie chicken has never done me wrong.

Kirkland Signature Vanilla Ice Cream

Another Costco product that gets plenty of hype is the Kirkland Signature Vanilla Ice Cream, and as someone with a serious sweet tooth, trust me: It’s not mere hype. This rich, creamy, and perfectly vanilla-y ice cream is the best you’ll find. And who doesn’t want to be able to dig into a whole gallon of decadent ice cream straight out of their own freezer?

Costco’s plain ol’ vanilla ice cream is made exceptional thanks to its high-quality ingredients, which include fresh cream, skim milk, sugar, pasteurized egg yolks, and vanilla extract. The end result is thick, creamy, and so smooth. It’s so delicious that I genuinely don’t think it needs a single addition — while you can turn it into milkshakes or add classic toppings, it’s incredible on its own.

Kirkland Signature Lemon Cream Caramelized Croissants

I love a great lemon-flavored food, but frankly, I don’t think anything can top one of Costco’s newest bakery products: the Kirkland Signature Lemon Cream Caramelized Croissants. These are no typical croissants. They’re more like a decadent dessert that you can (technically) eat for breakfast. If you’ve heard people raving about these or their blueberry counterparts, there’s a reason for it; they’re part pastry, part pie, and completely irresistible. 

Inside each buttery, flaky croissant, you’ll find a heaping serving of lemon cream that’s sweet and tart at the same time. The croissants are finished off with a dusting of caramelized sugar for additional sweetness and some crunch, making for one impressive final result. Those who’ve tried them call them “one of the best desserts Costco bakery has ever done” and rave about them warmed up; personally, I can never eat just one in any form if I have a six-pack in my kitchen.

Kirkland Signature Croissants

Speaking of croissants, Costco’s other, non-caramelized croissants also get an awful lot of attention online and from regular shoppers. And I completely agree with the hype: All of Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand croissants are excellent, including the basic ones with no special fillings or twists. They’re always buttery and flaky, and I love how their buttery flavor profile pairs with pretty much everything.

Want something sweeter? Another two Costco favorite takes on croissants are the Twice-Baked Cinnamon-Filled Croissants and Twice-Baked Chocolate Croissants. The cinnamon ones, in my opinion, are flawless if you love coffee cake or other cinnamon-y treats. But for classic chocolate, you really can’t go wrong with Costco’s chocolate-filled version, either. 

Kirkland Signature Bar Cakes

Lastly, you’ve probably seen a few of Costco’s Kirkland Signature Bar Cakes go viral online. And while they might look like a taller, crazier version of a typical cake, they are absolutely deserving of their virality. These bar cakes never disappoint, and no matter what crazy flavors Costco concocts, they’re always fantastic and well worth buying whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply yourself.

Each 2.5-pound bar cake from Costco offers layers of light, spongy cake alternated with equally light mousse, plus whatever toppings or additional mix-ins help round out the flavor. The Cookie Bar Cake, for example, features chunks of cookie dough and chocolate chips, plus fudge-topped frosting. The autumnal Pumpkin Bar Cake has a more subtle flavor thanks to its layers of pumpkin-touched cake and mousse. My favorite so far has been the Peaches and Cream Bar Cake, which swaps mousse for whipped cream and add peach jam, a glaze, and white chocolate for one flawless final bite. (And no, I’m not sharing a single bite.)