In addition to saving money on groceries, Costco shoppers love to grab slices of pizza or churros along with the store’s signature deal of a hot dog and a drink for $1.50.
But the warehouse retailer may have struck out with its recent mango smoothie addition to its menu.
So how bad is it? Here are a few reviews of the $2.99 smoothie that might make you rethink trying Costco’s newest food court item.
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Spoiled baby food
One poster on Reddit said their significant other tried it, and neither one was impressed. “It smelled like bad baby food to me,” they said.
Just leave it
One reviewer said it had a weird flavor regarding the smoothie’s sweetness. “I hate it so much, I actually left it,” they said.
Kids aren’t fans
It’s not just adults having trouble finishing a mango smoothie from the food court.
“My two-year-old tried it the first time, and now refuses to drink it when I got it for him again,” one parent reported.
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It’s better as a game
One review said they felt like the mango smoothie would be better served at a place that wasn’t Costco.
“Costco’s mango smoothie tastes like baby food. I feel like I’m playing a baby shower game.”
Bring back the berry smoothie
Some Costco fans are urging the retailer to ditch the mango smoothie and bring back the classic berry smoothie it replaced.
“Costco mango smoothie is a pass from me,” one reviewer said. “Bring back the berry.”
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Kids really aren’t fans
Kids seem to have strong opinions about the new mango smoothie, and they aren’t good. “This mango business is nasty and my toddler agrees,” one review said.
Mango lovers don’t love it
Even mango lovers can’t get excited about Costco’s new addition. “That mango smoothie is not good, and I love mango,” wrote one reviewer.
It’s OK
Some reviewers aren’t as harsh about their disdain for the drink, but they are enthusiastic, either. “It's not what I expected it to taste like,” one taste tester said. “Not gross, but not good.”
One and done
Would you like a more descript explanation of the new mango smoothie?
Check out one reviewer who said, “It’s more like a baby food liquid squash taste than mango. I think this is my first and only time ordering it.”
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Kids definitely aren’t fans
Yep, kids have strong opinions on this one. “Our Costco switched from strawberry to mango smoothies and my children are not fans,” a parent said.
Check on Costco’s return policy
A great Costco hack is its generous return policy, which may include the mango smoothie. One customer described their experience with a manager at their local Costco.
“I took one sip, made a disgusting face, and a manager noticed and immediately refunded me plus gave me a frozen latte instead,” they said.
Cracked the recipe?
One reviewer may have figured out Costco’s recipe for these new smoothies, but it’s not great.
“Flavor-wise, it’s like someone took a bag of the natural dried mango and decided to blend it into a smoothie,” they said. “Do with that as you will but I won’t be ordering again.”
It’s a letdown
Another mango fan also wasn’t impressed with the newest food court item.
“It's honestly not the worst thing ever. The one I had wasn't so bad that I didn't finish it,” they said. “It's just really disappointing if you're expecting a fresh mango taste.”
Where’s the berry?
Even Costco fans that haven’t tried it don’t like the change. “I hate mango and am so sad they don’t offer the berry smoothie anymore,” one customer said.
Kids clearly don’t like it
Leave it to kids, to be honest about how much they don’t like the mango smoothie.
One parent said her daughter “spent her evening writing a letter to Costco about how bad it is and how she wants the berry one back.”
Pro tip: Whenever shopping at Costco with a credit card, you'll need to use one that is Costo-approved. You can make your money go further by using one that offers rewards like cash back.
Bottom line
Costco is a great place to save money, but it might be a good idea not to buy one of the store’s newest food court items.
Remember, there are still plenty of options to help you keep more money in your pocket or grab a bite to eat even if you’re struggling financially.
So maybe stick with the hot-dog-and-a-drink deal and see if there’s something better at the food court in the future.
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