15 Things to Know Before Buying Costco Platters
Costco food platters are a great option if you’re expecting company and must provide a large amount of food. However, if this is your first time purchasing a Costco platter, you may have some reservations about the quality.
1. Order Costco Platters as Part of the Company’s Catering Service
If you go into the store and ask about it at the deli, Costco has an entire catering menu. These platters form a popular part of the menu, which features many other items, including favorites from the food court.
2. There Are Six Costco Platters to Choose From
Costco platters come in six varieties, with something for everyone. The main platters are as follows:
- Croissant Sandwich Platter (choose from chicken, roast beef or ham)
- Chicken & Swiss Rollers
- Shrimp Platter
- Meat & Cheese Platter
- Sushi Platter
- Chicken Wing Platter
Mind you, depending on what market (or country) you’re in, the names might look different. For example, outside the U.S., shrimps are known as “prawns.”
3. Your Costco Platters Are Designed to Feed a Crowd
Let’s look at how much food you’re getting with each platter:
- Croissant Sandwich Platter: feeds 16-20 people
- Chicken & Swiss Rollers Platter: feeds 20-24 people
- Shrimp Platter: feeds 20-24 people
- Meat & Cheese Platter: feeds 16-20 people
- Sushi Platter: 50 pieces of sushi
- Chicken Wing Platter: feeds 15 people
4. Costco Platters Are Priced Right for Your Party
Costco wouldn’t be Costco if it didn’t impress you with both the vast quantities of food on each platter as well as the jaw-dropping cheap prices, such as the following:
- Croissant Sandwich Platter- $29.99
- Chicken & Swiss Rollers Platter- $29.99.
- The Shrimp Platter- $39.99.
- Meat & Cheese Platter- $26.99.
- Sushi Platter in the U.S.- $24.99
- Chicken Wing Platter- $12
When you compare the platter prices to other grocery stores, they make you wonder why anyone would order their party food anywhere else.
For example, the Cooked Sushi Favorites Tray from Wegmans, a popular mid-Atlantic chain, costs $60, compared to Costco’s $24.99.
The real kicker is that while Wegmans’ platter does have more pieces, it only has eight. The comparable Favorites Combo Tray, a sandwich platter from Wegmans, feeds 18-20 people and costs a whopping $74.
The Chicken & Swiss Platter from Costco also feeds an extra four-person family yet costs $40 less.
5. Ordering Costco Platters Is Easy
To order a Costco platter, you must stop inside your local warehouse and pick up an order form (or speak to an associate).
Fill out the form and drop it into the Party Platter Order box to place an order. If you have any questions, ask an associate for further assistance.
6. You Can’t Order Costco Platters Online
Like Costco sheet cakes, this company doesn’t take platter orders online. Instead, they can only be done via order form or speaking with an associate. I
There is minimal indication on Costco’s website that catering services are offered.
7. Give Your Costco Platters At Least 24 Hours to Be Prepared
It’s considered good to give Costco at least 24 hours to prepare your party platter, but giving them two days’ notice would be even better.
The extra time is appreciated, depending on how many platters you’re ordering, what type of platter(s), and the volume of orders your store is handling.
This also ensures that your Costco platter(s) receive the required care and attention.
8. Because Costco Platters Are Made Fresh
At Costco, you won’t receive stale bread, expired meats, or anything that was once frozen and has been thawed.
According to a commenter in an article about Costco platters, “Everything in the deli, bakery, and food court is made fresh daily.”
Therefore, you can count on fresh bread, meats, cheeses, and great prices.
9. Costco Platters Featuring Fruits and Vegetables Are Available Without Ordering
If you’re serving a meal to vegetarian or vegan friends or just want to offer a healthier counterpoint to wings and sandwiches, you can also pick up fruit and veggie trays at Costco.
These trays are pre-cut and prepackaged in the deli section and come in four-pound (veggies) and three-pound (fruit) servings. The fruit platter costs $10.99, and the vegetable tray costs $10.79.
While you don’t have to order these trays ahead of time, you do have to count on availability, so it’s recommended that you stop in and pick them up a day or two ahead of time.
10. The Best Deals on Costco Platters Are…
According to The Kitchn, two stand-out platters among the six are the famous pinwheel platters (a.k.a. Chicken & Swiss Rollers) and the Meat and Cheese Platter.
The author believes the pinwheel platter is the most delicious, while the Meat & Cheese platter is the best deal.
11. You Might Think Twice About These Costco Platters
That same Kitchn writer also thinks customers should think twice about the shrimp platter and the croissant platter because, for customers who love shrimp, the latter is worth it for the convenience and volume alone.
12. You Can Find Many Individual Items From Costco Platters in the Deli
What if you think you need more than one platter for your party, but a second one would be too much?
All of the items sold in the Costco platters are also available individually, such as croissant sandwiches, pinwheels, and sushi.
You can supplement your trays with a few individual items as well.
13. There Is Some Nutritional Info for Costco Platters Available
If you’d like to know the nutritional value of these platters, you can find some of the nutritional information for the Costco platter here.
The only nutritional information available now is for the wings platter, where a serving constitutes 1/14th of the tray and constitutes 210 calories per serving.
14. Customers Really Enjoy Costco Platters
Overwhelmingly, reviews of Costco platters are quite positive, with customers praising the sheer volume, low prices, quality, and taste.
“They are amazingly delicious and will keep a large group fed pretty well,” one Redditor shared.
“The roll-up sandwiches are my favorite!” a commenter on The Kitchn gushed. “I love love love them…”
15. Pair Your Costco Platters With a Sheet Cake, and You’ve Got a Party!
Save time and money by purchasing an affordable Costco sheet cake while ordering your platters.
Costco has become a one-stop party-shop destination where you can get sandwiches, snacks, and sweets all in one building.
Ian Colbeck is a writer for Costco Food Database. Born in Seattle and living in Salt Lake City. Ian enjoys everything outdoors.