Almost every Costco I've been to, the food vending is a window on the outside of the building (so before the checkpoint).
And, at the ones where the food vending is on the inside, it's on the "paid" side of the cash registers. You can get to this area just by claiming you're "going to member services", since that's also on that side, and it's where you go when you forget your card (and so can't show membership at the checkpoint).
* Almost every Costco I've been to, the food vending is a window on the outside of the building (so before the checkpoint).*
I've never seen a Costco with the food vending in a window on the outside of the building. I've always seen it against the wall after the checkout. Which is also after the checkpoint.
I think a window on the outside of the building only works in moderate climates. I don't see it working in Phoenix or Minneapolis.
And, at the ones where the food vending is on the inside, it's on the "paid" side of the cash registers. You can get to this area just by claiming you're "going to member services", since that's also on that side, and it's where you go when you forget your card (and so can't show membership at the checkpoint).
Source: Have forgotten my card a lot.