Get The Best Costco Food Court Pizza Using These 5 Ordering Tips

Pizza is one of the most popular items on Costco's food court menu, and the warehouse giant is arguably one of the largest pizza chains in the U.S. As most pizza connoisseurs know, there is an art to ordering the perfect pie, whether you do it via the kiosk, over the phone, or at the counter. And though the retailer limits its offerings to just cheese and pepperoni, one of the best parts about getting a whole pie is that you can use some tips and tricks from fans to make it truly your own.

You can customize your pizza by making special requests at the counter, or adding gourmet-style toppings at home or right in the food court. Or try dunking your slices in a bold, flavorful butter chicken sauce. In fact, the subreddit r/Costco is full of helpful advice from members who have made it their mission to get the most out of each cheesy, hot, mouthwatering slice of 'za.

To determine the best way to upgrade your next pie, I used knowledge gained over my long history of ordering in the food court (pizza is literally the only thing I get there, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert) as well as scoured online comments and did some footwork at my local Costco warehouse in Arizona. In the end, I came up with five ordering tips to make sure you get the best Costco food court pizza the next time you visit.

Something I have learned from personal experience is that Costco's current in-store pizza ordering system is a bit flawed. When I was a kid, the warehouse had red phones in certain areas that members could use to place a pizza order while shopping. By the time you checked out, your pie was waiting, hot and fresh, for you to take home. Now, you place your order at the kiosk at most locations. However, it isn't necessarily made right away. Instead, you then wait in line and present your receipt to an employee, who either grabs your pizza from a stack or makes it right then and there while you stand around. On a busy Friday or Saturday night, you can end up waiting an hour.

If you want to save time, members recommend you place your order at the counter before you shop, or place it at the kiosk and let the person at the counter know when you'll be back to pick it up. This can help you avoid the hassle of just standing around with 20 other people, hoping your order is next in the queue. Of course, one of the facts about Costco food court pizza that true fans know is that you can call ahead so your pizza is ready when you arrive. Just call your local store and select the option for the food court, place your order, and then pay at the kiosk when you arrive.

If you have any special requests that aren't available at the kiosk, try placing your order at the counter. While most Costco locations allow you to order whole pies via kiosk, not all of them let you make any customizations, like asking for half cheese, half pepperoni. If you don't see that option, ask an employee if it's possible. While they can't always accommodate special requests, especially if they're busy, you might get lucky.

For instance, you can try asking for less pepperoni or more cheese, or even see if they will make a cheese-less pizza if you are lactose intolerant. If you're ordering a pizza for a kids' birthday party or work event, ask if it can be "party cut." This means that the pizza will be cut into thinner slices so that you can serve more people. Normally, an 18-inch Costco pizza can serve 12 people, but the person slicing yours up can shift the cutting device slightly and make a second cut so that each slice is half as wide. You can then serve 18-24 guests with one pie. 

Alternatively, you can ask them to cut your pizza into larger pieces so that the pie has eight total slices. If you do want to make special requests, put your order in early and be prepared to wait around for a bit, because it may take longer than a standard order.

One common issue with Costco pizza is that there is so much cheese on it that eating a slice can turn into a lesson in humility. If you take a bite and the floppy slice folds over, or the cheese slides off in one big piece, you might want to try this Costco pizza ordering trick. When placing your order, ask for the pizza to be well-done.

As one Reddit user explains, telling an employee that you want "50% less cheese and cooked well done" can score you a pizza with "no box grease or flop." You can also ask for an extra minute or two in the pizza oven to get the cheese extra crispy. The employee may warn you that it could end up having burn spots, but most will agree to your request as long as there isn't a huge line of people waiting.

Of course, if they don't have time to accommodate this request, you can pop it in the oven at home. The best way to reheat pizza is to preheat your oven to 350 F and then put the whole pizza or individual slices in for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also pop them under your broiler for 5 minutes at 400 to 500 F to crisp up the cheese.

If you're still mourning the loss of Costco's iconic Combo pizza, you're not alone. It was genuinely a masterpiece, perfectly layered with crispy, caramelized pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, red onions, black olives, and green bell peppers. Although this Costco food court loss broke the hearts of thousands of members, it's unlikely it will end up back on the menu again any time soon. Luckily, it's incredibly easy to recreate it at home, potentially even for less than what you would pay for a large combo pizza at another chain.

Just order a classic pepperoni pizza from Costco, and either pick up the other ingredients at your local grocery store or at the warehouse. To save even more money, order a single Italian sausage or a quarter-pound of ground sausage at the meat counter of your neighborhood supermarket. Sliced mushrooms, a red onion, a bell pepper, and a 2-ounce can of sliced black olives may run you around $6 at a store like Walmart.

When you get home, slice up or fry the sausage and add it to the pizza, then layer on the rest of the fresh toppings. Heat it up in the oven at 400 to 425 F for 5-7 minutes, or long enough to crisp up the raw veggies. You can also grill the veggies in the same pan as the sausage if you prefer them well-done, then add them to the pizza.

Whether your tastes tend towards the gourmet, or your favorite food item is a Costco hot dog, you can use items from the food court or warehouse to spice up your pizza. One Costco food court pizza hack is too easy not to try: dress up your 'za with some raw diced onions. This option has earned a cult following among Costco members, with one Redditor even admitting, "I lift up the cheese and put the onions under, so they don't fall off when eating."

The internet is a treasure trove of ideas ranging from amazing to questionable, but if you're someone who will try anything once, there's no harm in experimenting. For instance, a Costco member on Reddit suggests creating a pizza-chicken bake hybrid. Order each item from the food court, and then roll the chicken bake up in a slice of pizza and take a bite. You can even cut the chicken bake in half, insert a Costco hot dog, and turn it into an unholy pizza sandwich. Or just slice up a food court hot dog and add it as a topping to your pizza.

If you're a fan of buffalo chicken pizza, it's pretty easy to upgrade Costco's food court pizza with items found in the warehouse. Order a cheese pizza and food court chicken strips, then get a bag of Kirkland Signature Bacon Crumbles along with barbecue sauce and hot sauce. Once you're home, make some buffalo sauce and add your toppings to the pizza. It will taste best if you reheat it before eating, of course.