Sam’s Club and Costco both have food courts where they sell hot dog and soda combinations at low prices.
Sam’s Club cut the price of the combo to just $1.38, less than at Costco.
Costco wins because of a more flavorful hot dog and better ordering system.
Costco is well known for its famous food court, beloved by members.
Shoshy Ciment/Business Insider
Sam’s Club, Costco’s biggest competitor, has a very similar food court with roughly the same prices.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
I visited both food courts to see how they stack up.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
First up, I went to Costco.
Kate Taylor/Business Insider
I really appreciate the convenience of ordering at one of the many kiosks near the counter, which is especially useful as lines start to get long around meal time
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I ordered a hot dog and soda combo, a slice of pizza, and a churro for $5.38.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The busy food court is very efficient, calling each order number as it’s ready.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I picked up my food just a few minutes later and joined many other Costco customers to sit down and eat, though I typically take it with me to go.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The pepperoni pizza was large and smelled absolutely delicious.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Holding it up to see the full size, it looks like nearly a quarter of a full-size pizza.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Though it was a bit greasier than I’d prefer, I’d order it again any time.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The pepperoni was perfectly crispy.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I also ordered my first churro from Costco, which was temporarily removed from menus during the pandemic.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
It was also quite large.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The churro was warm, sweet, and slightly cinnamon flavored. It’s now going to be part of my regular order.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Costco is most famous for its $1.50 hot dog and soda combination, so I had to try that, too.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Even though I’ve had Costco hot dogs before, I was still shocked at how hearty it was. It comes wrapped in a paper bag.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The bun was soft and warm, substantial enough to stand up to the hot dog without getting soggy.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The condiment section was less impressive. There was mustard, ketchup, and relish, but it was messy.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Even though it wasn’t pretty, a little ketchup was just what the hot dog needed.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Costco used to have onions out as a topping too, before the pandemic, but they haven’t returned yet at my location.
Gary W./Yelp
The hot dog is already so flavorful, though, it doesn’t need more than the condiments Costco has available.
Irene Jiang / Business Insider
I was especially impressed by the texture of the hot dog, which wasn’t too wet or mushy.
Irene Jiang / Business Insider
Costco’s hot dogs are 100% beef, made in the company’s Kirkland Signature hot dog factories in Los Angeles and Chicago. The hot dog was a great deal, more than enough for a meal.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The drink selection wasn’t especially extensive, but it was enough to get the job done.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Since my visit, Costco has raised the price of sodas and chicken bakes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Insider
Even with the higher prices, I found Costco’s food court to be basic but well done. It isn’t fancy, but everything it sells is high quality and affordable.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Next up was Sam’s Club, which has a small food counter near a corner of the store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Though I visited at lunch time, it wasn’t busy at all and I was able to quickly order at the counter.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
While I waited for my food, I watched pizzas being prepared.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I got the hot dog and pizza combos.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Sam’s Club recently cut the price of the combo from $1.50 to $1.38, undercutting Costco.
Sam’s Club
My food was ready quickly, and I went to sit at one of the cafeteria style tables near the counter. They’re the same type as at Costco.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Sam’s Club branded disinfectant wipes on each table were a nice touch.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The pizza slice came on a paper plate while the hot dog was wrapped in paper.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The cashier also handed me an empty soda cup branded with Sam’s Club’s private label, Member’s Mark, which I could fill myself.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The soda fountain was large and impressive, with plenty of choices…
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
…including lemonade, iced tea, and different sodas. It was much larger than Costco’s.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I was especially drawn to this berry lime Mountain Dew flavor.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The slice of pizza I was served was massive.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Here it is next to my head for scale.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
It was delicious and not too greasy, definitely worth the $2.50 I paid.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I’m not sure I could distinguish between Costco and Sam’s Club pizza, so they were roughly on par.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
At first glance it looked similar to the Costco hot dog and came in the same paper bag, though it seemed a bit smaller.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The bun was more plain and softer than the Costco bun.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
However, I was impressed by the variety of condiments, like these large sauerkraut packets.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There was also ketchup, mustard, red pepper flakes, and parmesan.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The hot dog wasn’t bad, but it was much better topped with sauerkraut, ketchup, and cheese.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The hot dog itself was bland compared to Costco’s, and slightly soggy, not worth the 12 cents of savings over Costco.
Sam’s Club
For just $1.38, the Sam’s Club hot dog is definitely a great deal, but it doesn’t compare to Costco’s. Costco’s hot dog is so impressive that it doesn’t need them. It’s great with nothing but ketchup.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Sam’s Club and Costco have very similar food courts, but Costco wins thanks to a superior hot dog, more convenient ordering and service, and delicious churros.
Hollis Johnson
Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.
