Kirkland Signature chocolate chips
In the summer of 2024, Costco discreetly phased out its Kirkland Signature chocolate chips, replacing them with Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips, including both the semi-sweet and semi-sweet 51% varieties. The reaction from customers was overwhelmingly negative. Many members took to Reddit to voice their disappointment over the loss of what numerous fans regarded as the finest chocolate chips available. One Reddit user remarked, "They are genuinely the best chocolate chips ever... Nothing else comes close."
Another user even reached out to Costco via email regarding the discontinued chocolate chips. In a friendly response, Costco explained that the rising cost of cocoa was the reason behind the change. The company noted that cocoa prices had surged by 200% compared to the previous year, making it challenging to offer Kirkland Signature chocolate chips at competitive prices. The silver lining is that this situation may be temporary. Costco indicated that while the products might be unavailable for at least a year, they aim to reintroduce them in the future.
Kirkland Signature French comté
Costco's deli section is a dream come true for cheese enthusiasts. Countless times, we've browsed the chilled aisles in search of a specific cheese, only to leave with an impressive assortment for a delightful cheese board. Sadly, one item we can no longer include in our Costco cheese collections is the Kirkland Signature French comté. It began to vanish around 2018, prompting fans to create a Change.org petition in hopes of its return. As of now, the petition has garnered 923 supporters.
The Kirkland Signature French comté was truly irresistible for many reasons. It offered a perfect combination of dense creaminess with a nutty, buttery taste. It was delicious on its own, in grilled cheese sandwiches, and made for an exquisite alternative in French onion soup. According to a recent update on the Change.org petition, you might still find this cheese as a seasonal offering at select stores. If you're eager for its return or can't locate it nearby, consider trying Fontina or Swiss Gruyère as suitable alternatives. Both cheeses boast rich, nutty flavors and textures that closely resemble comté.
Roasted garlic Parmesan bread
It's difficult to visit Costco without grabbing at least one treat from the bakery section. On any given day, you'll find an array of freshly baked breads, cakes, cookies, and bagels. While some items are staples in the bakery, others appear for a limited time before vanishing without explanation. One Costco bakery item we wish would become a permanent fixture is the roasted garlic Parmesan bread. These crusty, fragrant loaves are ideal for pairing with pasta, dipping into soups, or enjoying as a snack on their own.
It appears that Costco occasionally introduces the roasted garlic Parmesan bread, only to take it away again without any clear reason. Fans have been discussing its absence on Reddit for as long as five years, with mentions continuing into 2024. One bakery employee shared in a Reddit thread, "We receive daily requests for the bread you're talking about. It's fantastic. Please keep submitting comment cards. Hopefully, we can get approval from corporate." For now, if you happen to spot the bread in your local warehouse, you might want to follow the lead of another Reddit user and grab as many loaves as you can.
Kirkland Signature Organic Chocolate Banana Almond Non-Dairy Beverage
One interesting fact that many may not realize about Costco is that it holds the title of the largest organic food retailer in the United States. The company's organic selection goes beyond just fruits and vegetables; it includes a diverse array of certified organic products such as peanut butter, yogurt, olive oil, and various beverages. Among the products that gained a devoted following before its discontinuation was the Kirkland Signature Organic Chocolate Banana Almond drink. Unfortunately, it has been phased out in many locations.
This delightful non-dairy drink was made with organic banana puree, cocoa powder, almonds, cane sugar, and added vitamins. It boasted a creamy texture and a subtle blend of chocolate and banana flavors. It served as an excellent alternative to heavier protein shakes and was ideal for a quick breakfast or an energizing snack. While some warehouses may still have cases of the Organic Chocolate Banana Almond beverage available, members from states as far apart as Hawaii, California, and Georgia have reported that it is no longer in stock at their local stores.
Kirkland Signature Fruit & Nut Medley
If you’ve been a Costco member for a while, you might recall the Kirkland Signature Fruit & Nut Medley. This fantastic snack was loaded with crunchy nuts such as peanuts, almonds, and walnuts, perfectly balanced by chewy fruits like apples, kiwis, mangos, pineapple, papaya, strawberries, cherries, raisins, and banana chips. There was even a tropical variant featuring coconut chips and cranberries. Sadly, this beloved snack began to vanish around 2016 and has not been spotted since.
Describing the popularity of this snack would be an understatement. One Reddit user remarked, "To this day, I can't find that perfect mix of items, nor does anyone make the dried apples and strawberries like that." Another user mournfully declared, "RIP to this glorious product." It remains a mystery why Costco decided to remove it from their shelves. Tasting Table suggested that it might have been due to increasing agricultural costs for some of the ingredients. While we may never uncover the reason for its disappearance, we can still hope for its return someday.
Kirkland Signature American cheese slices
It's easy to get swept up in the cheese aisle at Costco, but one product that consistently offered great value was the American cheese slices. While the cheese was highly processed, like most American cheese varieties, it was tasty and came in convenient packs of 120 slices. These packs were ideal for barbecues, families with big appetites, and cheese enthusiasts looking for a quick slice for a sandwich or snack. Ironically, American cheese slices are no longer available in the U.S., but they can still be found in some warehouses overseas, including in Australia and Korea.
As far as we know, Costco has never officially explained why the American cheese slices were discontinued in the United States. However, Reddit users have shared their theories. Some suggest it might be due to declining sales, while others believe it could be linked to changing consumer preferences, with buyers moving away from processed foods in favor of whole foods and "real" cheeses. If you're not set on the Kirkland brand, many warehouses in the U.S. offer Kraft Singles as an alternative.
All-American chocolate cake
Few of Costco's cakes have captured hearts quite like the All-American chocolate cake. This dessert was a chocoholic's paradise, featuring four layers of chocolate cake enveloped in a decadent fudge-like frosting. Weighing in at seven pounds, it was more than sufficient for any typical celebration. For many, it became the cake of choice for special events such as birthdays and holidays. Unfortunately, in 2020, Costco made the shocking decision to remove the cake from its offerings, leading to a significant public outcry.
The All-American chocolate cake is yet another discontinued item from Costco that inspired a Change.org petition for its return. As of this writing, the petition has garnered nearly 9,000 signatures, with many supporters expressing their affection for the indulgent treat. One commenter lamented, "The best chocolate cake in existence... I nearly cried when it was gone, so please bring it back." While Costco has yet to respond to these requests, it does provide a smaller, two-layer chocolate cake with fudge frosting and a chocolate mousse filling. However, according to numerous Reddit users, it pales in comparison to the beloved original. We couldn't agree more.
Kirkland Signature light beer
There's no denying that Costco offers some fantastic deals on liquor. Many of the Kirkland Signature spirits receive high praise from enthusiasts who claim that the vodka, gin, cognac, and whiskies can compete with numerous well-known brands available. However, the beer has not enjoyed the same level of success. You might remember the Kirkland Signature light beer, which was an astonishingly low price of $22 for 48 cans. It was an incredible bargain, but Costco chose to discontinue it in 2018.
The primary reason for the discontinuation of Costco's light beer was due to poor reviews. And when we say poor, we mean extremely negative. One reviewer on Beer Advocate remarked, "Tastes like battery acid." Another stated, "It was water, not beer. It's unfortunate they even labeled it as beer." Nevertheless, many customers were disappointed to see the beer go, primarily because of the value it offered. As another reviewer on Beer Advocate noted, "For its intended purpose, you won't find a better deal, and that's what makes it appealing. It has a yellow color, barely any flavor, no foam, yet $44 can fuel an entire college party."
Kirkland Signature turkey burgers
Finding healthy options in the frozen food sections of grocery stores can be challenging. This is one reason many customers were upset when Costco discontinued its Kirkland Signature turkey burgers. These extra-lean, all-natural turkey burgers were sold in packs of 12 patties, each offering 35 grams of protein and only 200 calories. It's unclear why Costco chose to stop selling them, but the decision was made in 2018.
When the Kirkland Signature frozen turkey burgers were removed from shelves, customers turned to the internet to urge Costco to bring them back. A petition on Change.org expressed, "Many of us have relied on this product for years, and it has become a staple in our daily diets." One Reddit user lamented, "I had one every single day. I'm really upset about this." Another Redditor commented, "I haven't found any alternative that comes close in flavor." While some fans insist that nothing can match the Kirkland turkey burgers, others believe that the Columbus turkey burgers that replaced them are quite good.
Kirkland Signature four cheese frozen ravioli
Frozen pasta can be a gamble. You might end up with a delicious meal that looks as good as it tastes, or you could be faced with a bland heap of starch. Fortunately, Costco often delivers on quality. The Kirkland Signature frozen lasagna alone makes a trip to the warehouse worthwhile. However, one item we wish would return is the Kirkland Signature four cheese ravioli. Those fluffy pockets of cheese were bursting with flavor and incredibly easy to prepare.
Several factors contributed to the excellence of the four cheese ravioli. Firstly, the ravioli were generously sized and filled with a delightful blend of ricotta, Asiago, Parmesan, and Grana Padano cheeses. The pasta held its shape well after boiling and paired wonderfully with a variety of sauces. Additionally, the ravioli came in a resealable bag, allowing you to take out just the right amount you needed. To be fair, Costco does offer a similar product in the deli section. However, in our view, the Kirkland Signature organic spinach and cheese ravioli simply lacks the same richness and flavor as the now-discontinued frozen ravioli.
Torta rolls
If you have specific preferences for the bread you use in your sandwiches, you likely have favorite options that you pick up from Costco's bakery. In our view, some of the finest sandwich breads Costco ever offered were the torta rolls. Unfortunately, they vanished into the realm of discontinued Costco products in 2018, replaced by partially pre-sliced artisan rolls. While the artisan rolls are decent, we still long for the lightness and taste of the torta rolls.
We’re not alone in our disappointment over the loss of the torta rolls. One Reddit user remarked, "The substitute 'artisan' rolls are significantly inferior and too tough." Other Costco members have mixed opinions about the artisan rolls; some note that they are smaller than the torta rolls and can become either rock hard or moldy if left out. A Costco employee on Reddit shared that the artisan rolls arrive at the stores frozen. They explained, "All we do is place them on trays and heat them for nine minutes at 380°F before bagging them." This might clarify why some believe the texture of the artisan rolls simply can't match that of the torta rolls.
Kirkland strawberry margarita with gold tequila
Margarita enthusiasts were captivated when Costco introduced its ready-to-drink margaritas in 2020. These pre-mixed cocktails were available in two flavors: lime and strawberry, both crafted with real lime juice and 100% cane sugar. Depending on local alcohol laws, the drinks featured either gold tequila and triple sec or agave wine. While the Kirkland Signature lime margarita remains on shelves in many locations, the strawberry variant has been discontinued.
Costco has not released any official comments regarding the removal of the strawberry margarita, but it’s possible that many customers found it overly sweet. One Reddit user remarked, "I can't get over how it tastes like a Jolly Rancher. It’s probably packed with sugar, but it’s definitely delicious." Blogger Natalie from Costcuisine noted, "It was really exciting to try and not bad at all! Just a bit too sweet for my liking." Despite its sweetness, the strawberry margarita offered a refreshing twist on the classic lime version. A simple addition of extra tequila and lime juice could easily balance out the sweetness. Additionally, the strawberry margarita mix was perceived as less sugary than a frozen margarita blended with ice.
Kirkland Signature milk chocolate peanut butter cups
Costco offers a wide variety of sweet treats, but not all of them are equal. This is especially true for the peanut butter cups. The Kirkland Signature milk chocolate peanut butter cups were truly delightful, featuring creamy peanut butter wrapped in rich chocolate. They struck the perfect balance of sweetness, providing a euphoric sugar rush without being overwhelming. Unfortunately, the manufacturer, Linnette, has ceased production of these treats for Costco, meaning they are no longer available in stores.
Since the Kirkland Signature peanut butter cups disappeared a few years ago, Costco has introduced other alternatives. However, many customers feel that nothing can match the originals. For instance, one Reddit user described the Skinny Dipped peanut butter cups as disappointing, stating, "You mostly taste peanut butter and salt, with only a fleeting hint of chocolate at the end." Even Reese's doesn't satisfy everyone; one Redditor remarked, "I did a taste test with both (thinking Reese's would win), and the Kirkland ones were simply superior in flavor, texture, and the balance of peanut butter to chocolate."
Country French bread
Another beloved item from the Costco bakery that has recently been discontinued is the cherished country French bread. These loaves were sold in pairs and featured the signature criss-cross pattern on top. The bread was the epitome of a rustic loaf—crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. Its versatility was unmatched; it was perfect for sandwiches, paired with soup, used in stuffing, or simply dipped in oil and vinegar. When the bread received the dreaded "death star" asterisk indicating its end in 2024, many members were heartbroken.
One member expressed their disappointment on Reddit, saying, "I just found out they're no longer making this bread. Honestly, I'm pretty bummed because it was my favorite." Another user chimed in, "I'm not unreasonably upset; I'm very reasonably upset." It seems Costco has replaced the country French bread with a rustic Italian loaf, but this change hasn't won over many customers. Some have noted that the Italian version is denser, doesn't toast as well, and dries out more quickly than the French loaf. One Reddit user remarked, "The Italian loaf is awful in comparison. Oh well, just another thing I have to find elsewhere."
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