5 Shocking Truths About The Costco Food Court Salad In 2025 You Need To Know

The Costco Food Court is legendary, a temple of value where the $1.50 hot dog combo reigns supreme, but for years, a different, arguably healthier, item held a special place in members' hearts: the food court salad. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the salad is back, but it’s not the one you remember, and its return has sparked a major controversy among loyal shoppers.

This deep dive will cut through the noise to reveal the absolute latest, most current, and fresh truths about the current Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad, including its real price, its surprising nutritional profile, and why its new form has left a significant portion of the Costco fan base feeling betrayed. If you’re planning your next post-shopping meal, you need to read this first to understand the dramatic changes to this beloved menu item.

The Dramatic Return: A Complete Profile of the 2025 Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad

The history of the Costco Food Court salad is a turbulent one, marked by a pandemic-induced disappearance and a highly debated comeback. The original Caesar Salad was a simple, affordable option that vanished from menus during the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside other favorites like the combo pizza and the churro.

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The current iteration, the Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad, returned to the food court menu in the spring of 2023 after a two-year hiatus. This wasn't a simple reintroduction; it was a full-scale revamp that changed the salad's identity and, more significantly, its price point.

Here is a quick breakdown of the current salad profile:

• Current Name: Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad
• Availability: Currently available on the standard US Food Court Menu (as of 2025)
• Price: $6.99
• Core Ingredients: Romaine lettuce, Rotisserie Chicken, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and a creamy Caesar-style dressing.
• Key Difference from Original: The new salad notably lacks the cherry tomatoes that were a feature of its predecessor.

The use of Rotisserie Chicken, a signature Kirkland product, was a strategic move to link the food court offering to one of the warehouse's most iconic and profitable items. However, this change, combined with the new pricing, became the source of immediate and intense customer debate.

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Truth #1: The Price Hike That Sparked a Fan Revolt

The single most controversial aspect of the salad’s return is its price. The original, much-loved Caesar Salad was a steal at $3.99. When the new Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad appeared, its price was a staggering $6.99. This near-doubling of the price tag—a 75% increase—led to widespread fan "fury" and accusations that Costco was abandoning its legendary focus on ultra-low prices for its food court staples.

For context, the $1.50 Hot Dog Combo has famously remained the same price since 1985, a commitment that CEO Craig Jelinek has repeatedly affirmed. The new salad's price stands in stark contrast to this philosophy, positioning it as a premium item rather than a budget-friendly lunch. This price point puts it on par with other new additions like the Turkey and Provolone Sandwich and the Chicken & Bacon Sandwich, both of which also retail for $6.99.

Many long-time members feel the price hike is not justified by the quality of the new ingredients. Some reports on forums like Reddit suggest the chicken is "poorly processed" or that the overall offering is a "sad imitation" of the previous salad, further fueling the outrage over the cost.

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Truth #2: It's a Nutritional Trojan Horse (The Calorie Shock)

Many customers order the Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad believing they are making a healthy choice compared to the Chicken Bake (which clocks in around 840 calories) or a slice of Pepperoni Pizza. While it is arguably the healthiest item on the food court menu, its nutritional profile is far more substantial than most people realize.

The primary culprit is the combination of the creamy Caesar-style dressing and the generous portion of croutons. When consumed with the full portion of dressing provided, the salad is not a light meal.

Here are the approximate nutritional facts for the full salad (with dressing and croutons):

• Calories: 650–670 Calories
• Fat: 40 grams (g)
• Protein: 40 grams (g)
• Carbohydrates: 34 grams (g)
• Sodium: High (often over 1,000 mg)

The high protein count, thanks to the Rotisserie Chicken, is a major positive, making it a very filling meal. However, the fat and calorie counts are significantly higher than a typical fast-food side salad. To reduce the calorie and fat intake, savvy shoppers recommend asking for the Caesar dressing on the side and using only a fraction of the provided amount, turning it into a genuinely lighter option.

Truth #3: The Food Court is Undergoing a Major Menu Overhaul in 2025

The salad’s reintroduction is part of a larger, ongoing strategic shift in the Costco Food Court menu, a move that is making the current information vital for members. 2025 is proving to be a year of significant change beyond just the salad.

These changes signal Costco’s attempt to refresh its offerings while still maintaining its core value proposition. Other notable entities and changes include:

• The Coca-Cola Switch: Costco is converting its fountain business back to Coca-Cola products, moving away from Pepsi, a major logistical and branding change.
• New Smoothie: The introduction of a Strawberry Banana Smoothie in March 2025, replacing the previous berry smoothie.
• The Return of the Turkey: The Hot Turkey and Provolone Sandwich is confirmed to be returning, satisfying a major customer request.
• The Combo Calzone: Some locations are testing a Combo Calzone, a potential spiritual successor to the dearly departed Combo Pizza.

These new items, including the salad, reflect a trend toward more prepared, slightly higher-priced items, moving away from the ultra-basic, pandemic-era menu that only featured the Hot Dog and Pizza.

Truth #4: The Missing Tomatoes Are a Symbol of the Past

A small, yet emotionally significant detail for loyal fans of the original salad is the absence of cherry tomatoes. The current Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad is made with a simple base of Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and the chicken. The bright, sweet burst of the cherry tomatoes is gone.

This omission is more than just a recipe tweak; it’s symbolic of the streamlining that has occurred in the food court kitchens. The original salad, sometimes referred to as the "deluxe" or "garden" salad, required more complex prep work, including chopping various vegetables. The new version is a simpler, more standardized Caesar that aligns with Costco's operational goal of speed and efficiency. The old Caesar dressing was also a point of nostalgia, with some fans claiming the new dressing isn't quite the same, though it remains a creamy, classic Caesar style.

Truth #5: It’s the Ultimate Protein Powerhouse for $6.99

Despite the controversies—the $6.99 price tag, the high sodium, and the missing tomatoes—the Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad remains an undeniable value proposition when viewed through a specific lens: protein per dollar. With approximately 40 grams of protein, the salad is a powerhouse of muscle-building macros.

In a world where a comparable chicken Caesar salad at a quick-service restaurant or fast-casual chain often costs $9 to $12, Costco’s large portion for $6.99 is still difficult to beat. For members looking for a substantial, high-protein meal that isn't deep-fried or encased in bread (like the Chicken Bake), the salad is the clear winner.

The sheer size of the salad, combined with the famous Costco Rotisserie Chicken, ensures a filling lunch that can easily be split or saved for later. It’s a testament to the warehouse club’s ability to deliver value, even if the definition of "value" has shifted from the original, ultra-cheap $3.99 model.