Here's Why Costco's New Pre-Made Fried Chicken Meal Isn't Worth Your Money
Costco shoppers are starting to see a new take-home meal kit in the prepared foods section of the store. The new meal kit is composed of fried chicken and mashed potatoes, a classic combination none of us can complain about. The meat itself is boneless and a dark meat cut (likely thigh), while the mashed potatoes look similar to what's already available in the deli.
Online commenters on Reddit have pointed out a few things you might want to consider before buying the kits, however. On one post, a few people expressed hesitation at the fact the meals are charged by weight (which is normal for these kits) due to the fact that dense and inexpensive mashed potatoes fill up about half of the container. One user said, "May still be considered a good value overall, but charging for mashed potatoes by the pound is wild." The photo on the original Reddit post shows the trays are priced at $4.99 per pound, which means the kits are priced around $18.
A few people noted that these prices are much better than standard fast food fried chicken, with another user adding, "Less than $20 for this package to feed a family of four is better than $60 at KFC. Plus this package is all thighs, so that's a huge bonus."
Early reviews of Costco's fried chicken meal are mixed
There aren't a ton of reviews out there yet, but I was able to poke around and find a few. They're about as emphatic as you'd imagine when it comes to fried-then-refrigerated chicken thighs.
@thecandelarios Costco came out with fried chicken so OF COURSE we had to get it 🤣 #couple #couplecomedy #husbandwife #food #foodie #foodtok #foodreview #tastetest #friedchicken #costco #fyp
One couple, who go by @thecandelarios on TikTok, filmed a review of themselves eating the new meal in their car (yes, they heated it up). After a bite of chicken, one of them declares, "I need sauce." She then grabs fast food dipping sauce from their center console and declares it's better that way. Her conclusion was, "On it's own? Kind of weird? With Buffalo sauce from McDonald's? Kind of great!" She later adds, "It's not life changing."
It sounds like it's one of those things where your mileage may vary. As long as you go in knowing you're pretty much just getting a regular take-and-bake type of meal, you've got some average convenience food, which is generally what Costco's deli kits are good for. But if you're looking for a Popeyes killer, you're not going to find it here. You'll have to make your own judgment based off that price.