Some Costco Shoppers Can't Stand The Food Court Fountain Drinks. Here's Why

The cult following that Costco's food court options enjoy is legendary — with how many hot dogs the retailer sells, it's no wonder that people are talking — but not every menu item is a smash hit. While Costco pizza is almost universally agreed to be good and the ice cream is a banger, there's one staple offering that has scored some bad press. That would be the fountain drinks.

On paper, Costco food court drinks are a steal. They cost less than a dollar (with free refills, no less!), and the selection of Pepsi products means that there should be something everyone enjoys. In reality, however, some members have alleged that the Costco sodas' carbonation-to-syrup ratio is out of whack. A Reddit comment complaining that the fountain drinks taste low on syrup and are way too fizzy went viral, inspiring a bevy of criticism about the sodas. A popular gripe was that Costco's fountains produced too much carbonation, skewing the flavor and disrupting the drinking experience.

Those who enjoy soft drinks know that, while the fizz is a huge part of enjoying a soda, too much carbonation ruins the pour and throws off your beverage. A popular hack for the perfect pour of canned soda emphasizes pouring at just the right angle to ensure that an overzealous head of foam doesn't drown your drink. Fountain soda has an advantage over canned soda in that the syrup and carbonated water are mixed just before the point of delivery, which should lead to a fresher taste. Also, serving fountain drinks over ice cools the drink down and can help make the soda taste sweeter. The perfect mix of carbonated water to syrup is said to be 5-to-1, but the reality is that things can go wrong in the process and result in a less-than-stellar soda.

Why do Costco soda fountains not deliver the perfect blend? Another Reddit comment thread suggested that members simply don't take the time to inform workers that the machines are running low on syrup. It's also possible that the machines need to be recalibrated to perfect their soda to syrup ratio. At the end of the day, however, you are able to get a fountain soda for less than a buck that will keep your whistle wet while you are stocking up in Costco. Even if it's not perfect, that ain't a bad deal, no matter how you sip it.