Costco Food Court Menu Gets Healthy Face Lift, Angering Customers
Scandal at the superstore.
Image: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Shoppers have trusted the reliable superstore, Costco Wholesale, for all things big since they opened their doors in 1983. But the brand may have lost many of its supporters after a recent, drastic change in their food court.
The bulk-buyer haven has, much to the dismay of their patrons, revamped their menu, making way for healthier dishes and getting rid of the ever-popular Polish dog.
The ousting of the Polish dog, a kielbasa-style sausage favored by so many, has caused an uproar from loyal customers, some even threatening to cancel their memberships because of the disappointing turn of food court events.
The new menu items, including a Millennial-friendly acai bowl, organic hamburgers, and some other healthy options, have been included in an attempt to cater to shoppers looking for something lighter to munch on or to those on vegan or vegetarian diets.
Those furious with the menu change have taken to Twitter to express their grief.
One angry user wrote, “You are ruining my life. I don’t want to buy polish dogs in bulk I want to buy one as I walk out the door. Why are you doing this.”
Another bargained with the store: “Come on #Costco please please please #SaveThePolishDog. It doesn't take up that much room. Just cook them at the same time as the beef dog. I promise to have the acai bowl for dessert.”
With each tweet, mourners have been asking Costco to rethink its life-changing decision with the rallying cry of #SaveThePolishDog. There is even an online petition, so far garnering 1,700 signatures, to bring it back.
Even the CEO of Costco, Craig Jelinek, doesn’t seem too hyped about the changes to the menu. Speaking about the new plant-based protein al pastor salad added to the menu he said, “It is healthy. And, uh, actually, it tastes pretty good, if you like those kind of things. I tried it once.”
So, while you’ll still be able to buy the Polish dogs in-store to cook at home, along with a four-pound package of butter, an engagement ring, a car and a gallon jar of mayonnaise, there are no signs that the customer fury will bring the dogs back to the food court.
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