Is Costo in Canada better than Costco in the U.S.? While many Americans are stuck with basic hot dogs and pizza, Canadian shoppers get poutine, authentic maple syrup and snacks so beloved that parents transform the packaging into Halloween costumes. But are these Canada-exclusive Costco finds actually worth it, or are they all hype?
To find out, we turned to Tina Chow from Costco Lovers Canada has the answers. Dubbed Canada’s “unofficial Costco queen,” she has the scoop on which Canada exclusives are worth your cash, and which ones are just hype. Scroll down for more.
Costco Canada exclusives: What’s worth it, according to an expert1. Food court poutine
Price: $5.99
What it is: Quebec-style poutine with battered fries, cheese curds and thick gravy.
The crown jewel of Canadian Costco exclusives is undoubtedly the food court poutine.
“The fries are battered and crispy, with cheese curds galore and gravy that’s thick,” Chow explains. At $5.99 for 1,490 calories of what some of Chow’s native Montrealer friends called “pure golden goodness,” this poutine rivals restaurant versions — at a fraction of the cost. Multiple people can easily share one serving, making it an incredible value.
The verdict: Absolutely worth it. You’re getting Quebec-quality poutine that is completely a Canada Costco exclusive. The preparation method and generous portions make this a standout buy.
2. Food court chicken strips and fries
Price: Varies by size
Fries alone: $2.99
What it is: Breaded, deep-fried chicken tenders with golden Cavendish fries.
Another Canada food court exclusive is the chicken strips and fries combo. Costco’s version comes with breaded, deep-fried chicken tenders and golden Cavendish fries. The strips are mildly seasoned, while the fries are lightly crisped and seasoned with salt.
What makes this special? The fries themselves are exclusive to Canada. They’re battered for extra crispiness, and aren’t available at U.S. Costco locations.
“The chicken strips are made with 100 per cent Canadian ingredients,” says Chow, and the battered fries have become so popular that some Canadian members say they visit Costco just for them.
The verdict: Worth it for the unique fries alone. The battered preparation method creates a crispier texture that you can’t get at American locations, making this a genuine, exclusive experience.
3. 100% Pure Canadian maple syrup (Kirkland Signature)
Price: Around $14.99 for 1 litre
What it is: Grade A Amber maple syrup sourced directly from Quebec producers.
Costco’s Kirkland Signature maple syrup is the real deal.
“People try to do price comparisons with maple syrup elsewhere, but they’re comparing apples to oranges,” notes Chow. “The Kirkland Signature maple syrup is 100 per cent pure, and if you look carefully, the others are not the same quality.”
This Grade A Amber syrup contains just one ingredient: pure maple syrup. At around $14.99 for a full litre, it undercuts comparable quality products elsewhere.
The verdict: Excellent value for genuine quality. You’re paying for authentic Canadian maple syrup at wholesale prices. It’s a deal that’s hard to match even in specialty stores.
4. Bulk Pack of Hawkins Cheezies
Price: $19.99 (36-pack boxes of 36g bags)
What it is: Distinctly Canadian cheese snacks in warehouse quantities.
Canadian snack lovers can stock up on distinctly domestic flavours in warehouse-sized portions. Hawkins Cheezies, available in 36-pack boxes of 36g bags, simply can’t be bought at U.S. Costco locations.
Plus, Canadians can score a pretty sweet bargain.
“I’ve heard [the price is] at times better than wholesale from friends that own businesses,” Chow reveals.
These tasty treats are so popular that creative parents even use the giant bags as Halloween costumes for toddlers.
The verdict: Worth it for Canadian snack lovers, and especially valuable for families or offices looking to satisfy distinctly Canadian cravings at great prices.
5. Canadian clothing brands
Price: Varies by category and season
What it is: Canadian lifestyle and athletic wear brands.
Beyond food exclusives, Costco Canada regularly stocks clothing from distinctly Canadian brands that you won’t find at American locations. These include Tuff Athletics, Lazypants loungewear and Lole activewear brands.
The availability of these brands tends to be seasonal and rotational, making them special finds when they appear in warehouses. Lazypants, for instance, offers Canadian-made fleece joggers and crewnecks that have developed a following among comfort-minded Costco shoppers.
The verdict: Worth grabbing when you see them. These Canadian brands offer quality at Costco prices, but their limited availability means you should buy when you spot them rather than waiting for your next trip.
6. Kicking Horse coffee
Price: Varies by format (pods, whole bean, ground)
What it is: Canadian Rocky Mountain coffee brand.
This Canadian coffee brand, roasted in the Rocky Mountains, offers a local alternative to typical warehouse coffee options. Available in various roasts and formats, including whole beans and pods, it’s a good example of the wholly Canadian brands at competitive prices when shopping at Costco.
The verdict: Worth it for coffee enthusiasts and those wanting to support Canadian businesses. The quality matches the price point, making it a solid choice for bulk coffee purchases.
7. Locally-sourced, regional exclusives
Price: Varies by product and region
What it is: Location-specific products from local Canadian suppliers.
“Costco employs Canadians and sources local Canadian products all across the country at amazing prices,” says Chow.
This means that different Costco locations offer unique local finds. Eastern Canadian locations, for example, often feature bread and baked goods from Première Moisson, a Quebec-based bakery. Meanwhile, some locations in Ontario — like Waterloo — feature local supplier Martin’s apples and apple chips.
Other examples include Kirkland Signature products partnering with Canadian producers, such as Bee Maid honey (from more than 300 Western Canadian beekeepers) and Zinetti Foods’s lasagna in B.C. stores.
The verdict: An excellent way to discover regional specialties on a budget (and a fun treasure hunt-type experience if you’re checking out a new Costco).
Beyond exclusives, what makes Costco Canada different?
Beyond the exclusive products, several operational differences make shopping at Costco Canada a distinctly different experience from its American counterpart.
Bilingual packaging: All Canadian products feature both French and English labelling, as required by Canadian law.
Different credit cards: Canada uses the CIBC Mastercard, whereas the U.S. uses the Citibank Visa. You can only use Mastercard credit cards when shopping in Costco stores in Canada and vice versa.
Select sushi bars: Three Canadian locations now feature fresh sushi bars with daily preparation: Vancouver (the first in Canada), Brantford and Newmarket. These locations offer made-to-order sushi options not available at most North American Costco locations.
Smart shopping strategies for Canadian exclusives
Cross-border shopping hacks: “My best friend lives in the U.S., and I buy and take her items,” Chow shares. “People in Ontario or B.C. close to the border tell me Americans come across for things like maple syrup or items they see me post in videos.”
Seasonal timing: In addition to its permanent offerings, Costco Canada frequently features seasonal Canadian exclusives, including maple treats and holiday gift packs.
“Buy now, think later,” advises Chow. “If you think you need it, buy it — Costco has a great return policy. If you go home to think about it, it may be gone in as little as a day or week.”
The bottom line on Costco Canada exclusives
From authentic poutine that costs less than restaurant versions to pure maple syrup at wholesale prices, these Canadian exclusives aren’t just novelties. They’re genuine quality products that make the Canadian membership experience uniquely valuable.
For Canadian members, these exclusives represent the best of both worlds: supporting local businesses while enjoying Costco’s warehouse-like products.
For Americans? You might want to consider crossing that border.
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