While Costco’s $1.50 hot dog and soda combo remains one of the most beloved deals in fast food, some longtime fans still feel something is missing: the return of the food court’s legendary hand-cranked onion dispensers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Costco removed its self-serve condiment stations from food courts across the country. Though ketchup and mustard have since made a comeback, the diced onions—once dispensed in generous portions by the iconic crank machine—remain elusive.
Recently, a Costco shopper reignited the conversation by posting a photo on Reddit of a hot dog topped with onions, noting they hadn’t seen onions at their store “since before the pandemic.” The post sparked a flood of responses from fellow Costco fans sharing their own experiences.
“Ours is so hit or miss. I feel like I won the lottery when they have them,” one commenter said. Another added, “My Costco sucks and they’re out of onions by 2–3 p.m., typically.”
Some shoppers reported finding onions pre-packed in small condiment cups on the pickup counter, though sightings appear to be rare. “Yes. Though I see it once every 100 days or so,” one Redditor remarked.
Others are still holding out hope for the return of the original dispensers, but expectations are low. According to one user, store employees have explained that the machines were removed due to customers overusing them—filling soda cups with free onions, which resulted in product loss.
“Now, they use little disposable cups in the mornings that have to be prepped daily,” the user wrote. “But due to lack of space, lack of employees, and lack of prep time, they usually run out by midday.”
The future of the hand-cranked onion dispenser remains uncertain, but for many Costco regulars, its absence continues to be a sore spot in an otherwise satisfying food court experience.
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