Costco, the beloved warehouse giant, is renowned for its unbeatable bulk deals on everyday essentials like toilet paper, cereal, and rotisserie chickens. But beyond the staples, Costco has a knack for surprising shoppers with eccentric, unexpected food items that push the boundaries of what you’d expect from a membership-only retailer.
From luxurious delicacies to downright quirky offerings, these products showcase Costco’s ability to cater to adventurous eaters and curious foodies alike. Below, we dive into the 20 most eccentric food items Costco has ever sold, exploring their uniqueness, appeal, and the reactions they’ve sparked among shoppers. Some of these items may no longer be available, but their legacy lives on in Costco lore.
1. 72-Pound Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Wheel
Imagine walking into Costco and encountering a massive 72-pound wheel of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, imported straight from Italy. Priced at around $950, this isn’t your average cheese block—it’s a statement piece. Aged for at least two years, this wheel offers nutty, salty perfection for serious cheese lovers. While it’s impractical for most households (unless you’re hosting a Parmesan party for 100), it’s a testament to Costco’s willingness to go big—literally. Shoppers have marveled at its sheer size, with some joking it’s a lifetime supply of grated goodness.
2. Jamón Ibérico Bellota Leg (15 Pounds)
For ham aficionados, Costco’s bone-in Jamón Ibérico Bellota leg is a delicacy that stands out. Weighing around 15 pounds and priced at approximately $650, this Spanish ham comes from acorn-fed, free-range pigs and includes a carving stand and knife. The rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor justifies the splurge, but its eccentricity lies in its presentation—an entire leg of ham isn’t something you see every day at a warehouse store. Customers have praised its authenticity, though some admit it’s a daunting amount of meat to tackle solo.
3. Covap Jamón Serrano Leg (14 Pounds)
A slightly more affordable cousin to the Ibérico, Costco’s Jamón Serrano leg debuted in 2019 for about $100, complete with a stand and knife. Weighing around 14 pounds, this Spanish ham offered a budget-friendly taste of Europe. Reviews were mixed—some found it dry or prone to molding, while others felt overwhelmed by the quantity.
Its eccentricity comes from its accessibility; where else can you buy a whole leg of cured ham for under $150? Though no longer listed online, it remains a memorable oddity.
4. Plaza Golden Osetra Caviar Kilo Pack
Caviar screams luxury, and Costco delivered with the Plaza Golden Osetra Caviar Kilo Pack—a full kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fish eggs for around $2,000. Aimed at those hosting lavish parties, this item elevates Costco beyond bulk peanut butter into gourmet territory. The idea of buying caviar in such a massive quantity at a warehouse club is eccentric enough, but the price tag makes it a standout. For smaller budgets, Costco also offers more modest caviar options, like a 2-ounce gift set for $110.
5. 155-Pound Pallet of Godiva Chocolate
Chocolate lovers, beware: Costco once sold a pallet of 60 Godiva Brown & Gold Holiday Gift Towers, totaling about 155 pounds of truffles, coffee, and other treats for $2,500. This isn’t just a snack—it’s a chocolate fortress. Perfect for gifting or an apocalyptic sweet tooth, its sheer scale makes it one of Costco’s most eccentric offerings. Shoppers have speculated it’s a psychological ploy to make smaller splurges seem reasonable by comparison, but it’s undeniably a jaw-dropping find.
6. Giant Lobster Claws
In early 2019, Costco shoppers on the West Coast went wild over massive lobster claws that lit up social media. These oversized crustacean parts—sometimes weighing over a pound each—were a regional oddity, unavailable nationwide. Their eccentricity lies in their size and rarity; they’re not your typical seafood counter fare. Priced competitively (though exact costs varied), they became a viral sensation, with customers marveling at their “monster” appeal.
7. 6.6-Pound Tub of Nutella
Nutella fans rejoice: Costco offers a 6.6-pound tub of the hazelnut-chocolate spread that’s practically a bucket.
dwarfing the standard supermarket jar. Priced at around $22, it’s a cost-effective way to fuel a household’s Nutella obsession. Its eccentricity isn’t just the size—it’s the idea of needing that much spread at once. Shoppers have called it a dream come true, though it’s not for the faint of heart (or waistline).
8. Doomsday Food Kit (1,800 Pounds)
For survivalists, Costco’s $6,000 Doomsday Food Kit is the ultimate eccentric purchase. Weighing 1,800 pounds and packed with 600 cans of food—grains, dairy, freeze-dried fruits, and more—it promises a year’s supply for a family of four, with a 25- to 30-year shelf life. Introduced around 2010, it’s a prepper’s dream and a bizarre departure from Costco’s usual fare. Its rarity (it’s often out of stock) adds to its mystique.
9. Kegerator
Since the early 2010s, Costco has sold kegerators—mini keg refrigerators—for home beer enthusiasts. Priced around $500-$700, these units keep your brew cold and carbonated, complete with a CO2 canister. Reviews praise their durability and ease of use, though some suggest upgrading the regulator. Its eccentricity? It’s a bar appliance in a bulk grocery store, blending practicality with party flair.
10. 6-Gallon Bucket of Mac & Cheese
Comfort food gets supersized with Costco’s 6-gallon bucket of macaroni and cheese. Weighing in at 27 pounds and priced around $90, this freeze-dried meal boasts a 20-year shelf life. It’s marketed for emergencies but doubles as a quirky bulk buy for mac lovers. Shoppers have dubbed it “apocalypse-ready,” highlighting its eccentric blend of convenience and excess.
12. Wedding Cake Made of Cheese
For unconventional nuptials, Costco once offered a wedding cake made entirely of cheese from Sid Wainer & Son.
Priced at around $400-$500, it could feed 150 people with tiers of artisanal varieties. Its eccentricity lies in swapping frosting for fromage—a bold move for a warehouse chain. Customers loved the novelty, though it’s no longer a standard item.
13. 12-Pound Alaskan Seafood Bundle
Seafood fans can snag a 12-pound bundle of Alaskan catches—salmon, crab, halibut, sablefish, tanner, and scallops—for $370, shipping included. Flash-frozen from Juneau, it’s a gourmet haul that feels out of place next to bulk TP. Its eccentricity is in its curated, high-end selection, appealing to coastal cravings in a landlocked warehouse.
14. Surf and Turf Package
Can’t choose between steak and seafood? Costco’s $350 Surf and Turf Package offers 12 petite filet mignons and 12 jumbo lump crab cakes, all frozen and shipped. It’s a luxurious, eccentric combo that screams indulgence, blending two premium proteins into one bulk buy. Shoppers rave about its quality, making it a standout oddity.
15. Cheese-Filled Wedding Cake
Another cheesy wedding option, this cake stacked layers of specialty cheeses into a towering edible centerpiece.
Priced around $450, it catered to cheese lovers tying the knot. Its eccentricity mirrors the all-cheese cake but with a focus on variety, making it a quirky alternative to traditional sweets.
16. 7-Foot Tall Chocolate Santa
During the holidays, Costco has sold a 7-foot, hollow chocolate Santa weighing over 50 pounds for around $200. It’s less a food item and more a cocoa monument—perfect for display or a very ambitious dessert. Shoppers have called it “insane” and “hilarious,” cementing its eccentric status.
17. 6-Liter Veuve Clicquot Bottle
Champagne wishes come true with Costco’s 6-liter bottle of Veuve Clicquot, priced at about $1,000. This massive bottle—equivalent to eight standard ones—is a party showstopper. Its eccentricity lies in its rarity and scale; few retailers offer such a giant of bubbly, making it a Costco exclusive for lavish celebrations.
18. Freeze-Dried Astronaut Ice Cream
A nostalgic nod to space exploration, Costco’s freeze-dried astronaut ice cream comes in flavors like Neapolitan for about $10 per pack. It’s not a staple, but its quirky, crumbly texture and sci-fi appeal make it eccentric. Kids and adults alike enjoy the novelty, though it’s more gimmick than gourmet.
19. 1,800-Pound Cheese Vault
A lesser-known oddity, Costco once offered a “cheese vault”—a 1,800-pound assortment of cheeses for an undisclosed (but presumably astronomical) price. Details are scarce, but its sheer volume suggests it was aimed at restaurants or extreme enthusiasts. Its eccentricity is unmatched—few need that much cheese at once.
20. Whole Frozen Ostrich
Perhaps the wildest of all, Costco has reportedly sold whole frozen ostriches in select locations, priced around $300-$400. Weighing 100+ pounds, this exotic bird isn’t your typical protein. Its eccentricity lies in its obscurity—ostrich isn’t a common grocery find, and a whole one at Costco is downright bizarre. Shoppers have shared tales of spotting it, though it’s a rare, regional offering.
Why Costco Goes Eccentric
Costco’s eccentric food items reflect its strategy of blending affordability with spectacle. By placing high-end or oversized goods near entrances, they may trick shoppers into seeing smaller purchases as reasonable—a theory floated online. But beyond psychology, these products cater to diverse tastes, from survivalists to gourmands, proving Costco is more than just bulk basics. They spark curiosity, drive social media buzz, and keep members coming back to see what’s next.
Conclusion
From a 72-pound cheese wheel to a whole ostrich, Costco’s eccentric food offerings blur the line between practicality and extravagance. Some, like the Nutella tub, are quirky yet accessible; others, like the caviar kilo, are pure opulence.
As of March 1, 2025, many of these items have come and gone, but their legacy endures in Costco’s reputation for the unexpected. Next time you’re browsing the aisles, keep an eye out—you never know what oddity might catch your fancy. What’s the wildest Costco food you’ve encountered?
