Food Court Now Accepting American Express and Debit Cards!

Costco Seattle

Store Opening: 09/15/1983

The first Costco warehouse opened its doors on September 15^th, 1983 in Seattle, Washington. From that day on the Seattle location has served as a hub for new ideas, including the first ever Costco food court. Over the past couple years this blog has chronicled some of the highs and lows at the Costco food court . . . today was one of the highs. 

It's official

Since 1983, every Costco food court around the world has inconveniently been a cash-only establishment. As can be seen in the photos below, some Costco locations have now implemented card-reading terminals to allow for quick and easy purchases using a debit card or an American Express credit card. It is expected that all Costco food courts in North America will have the card readers in the near future. Gone are the days when patrons were required to pay ATM fees to obtain their meals. The anonymous tipster who provided the pictures said that the decision to accept credit/debit cards was made at the corporate level in response to recently restored U.S./Cuba relations. 

Newly installed credit card terminal at Costco Seattle

Some Costco vets may be claiming “you could have easily bypassed the cash-only requirement by purchasing your food court items at regular checkout aisles as opposed to at the food court.” However, this bypass has its complications. First, you have to stand in a checkout line, which can take a VERY long time! Second, the pickup window usually takes just as long as the food court cash registers. And lastly, members do not have first hand knowledge of developments at the food court before making their selections. For example, a new cheese pizza just came out of the oven and looks extremely tasty, but you bought a hot dog. Or you purchased a slice of combo pizza, but it is going to take another 15 minutes to come out of the oven. Or you purchased a Mocha Freeze, but they are out of chocolate syrup.

Costco Canada

Costco Calgary

Store Opening: 10/31/1990

Unique food court items north of the border.

I was completely unaware that there was so much diversity at Costco food courts in North America. A Costco Connect follower sent these images while on a business trip in the Canadian province of Alberta. In addition to the classic hot dog/polish option, there are french fries (better known as freedom fries in the States), chicken strips and a meat sandwich. The Montreal smoked meat looks delicious.

Close-up of fries with poutine (brown gravy and cheese curds).

Notice the sturdy trays that they offer in Canada. Trays are a genius idea that U.S. Costcos should consider implementing. Currently, it is extremely difficult to carry a drink, polish dog, slice of pizza and very berry sundae back to your table and requires several more trips to fill your drink, get condiments on the polish dog, obtain a fork/knife for the pizza, and pick up napkins to remove the excess grease from the pizza. Trays would also prevent the pizza from hanging over the edges of the plate onto a counter where cash transactions take place. The tipster, who wishes to remain anonymous, said only this, "the fries + poutine was incredibly dank."