I compared food courts at Sam's Club and Costco, and this is why Costco comes out on top

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Mary MeisenzahlJul 10, 2022, 17:44 IST
I compared food courts at Sam's Club and Costco, and this is why Costco comes out on top

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

  • Sam's Club and Costco both have food courts where they sell hot dog and soda combinations for just $1.50
  • They have similar menus, though Costco sells churros and Sam's Club has more drink options.
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Costco is well known for its food court, which is beloved by members.

Costco is well known for its food court, which is 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.

Sam's Club, Costco's biggest competitor, has a very similar food court with roughly the same prices.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
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I visited both food courts to see how they stack up.

I visited both food courts to see how they stack up.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

First up, I went to Costco.

First up, I went to Costco.
Kate Taylor/Business Insider
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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

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.

I ordered a hot dog and soda combo, a slice of pizza, and a churro for $5.38.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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The busy food court is very efficient, calling each order number as it's ready.

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.

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
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The pepperoni pizza was large and smelled absolutely delicious.

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.

Holding it up to see the full size, it looks like nearly a quarter of a full-size pizza.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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Though it was a bit greasier than I'd prefer, I'd order it again any time.

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.

The pepperoni was perfectly crispy.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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I also ordered my first churro from Costco, which was temporarily removed from menus during the pandemic.

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.

It was also quite large.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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The churro was warm, sweet, and slightly cinnamon flavored. It's now going to be part of my regular order.

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.

Costco is most famous for its $1.50 hot dog and soda combination, so I had to try that, too.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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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.

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.

The bun was soft and warm, substantial enough to stand up to the hot dog without getting soggy.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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The condiment section was less impressive. There was mustard, ketchup, and relish, but it was messy.

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.

Even though it wasn't pretty, a little ketchup was just what the hot dog needed.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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Costco used to have onions out as a topping too, before the pandemic, but they haven't returned yet at my location.

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.

The hot dog is already so flavorful, though, it doesn't need more than the condiments Costco has available.
Irene Jiang / Business Insider
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I was especially impressed by the texture of the hot dog, which wasn't too wet or mushy.

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.

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
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The drink selection wasn't especially extensive, but it was enough to get the job done.

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.

Since my visit, Costco has raised the price of sodas and chicken bakes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

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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.

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.

Next up was Sam's Club, which has a small food counter near a corner of the store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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Though I visited at lunch time, it wasn't busy at all and I was able to quickly order at the counter.

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.

While I waited for my food, I watched pizzas being prepared.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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I got the hot dog and pizza combos.

I got the hot dog and pizza combos.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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.

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
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Sam's Club branded disinfectant wipes on each table were a nice touch.

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.

The pizza slice came on a paper plate while the hot dog was wrapped in paper.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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The cashier also handed me an empty soda cup branded with Costco's private label, Member's Mark, which I could fill myself.

The cashier also handed me an empty soda cup branded with Costco'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...

The soda fountain was large and impressive, with plenty of choices...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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...including lemonade, iced tea, and different sodas. It was much larger than Costco's.

...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.

I was especially drawn to this berry lime Mountain Dew flavor.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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The slice of pizza I was served was massive.

The slice of pizza I was served was massive.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Here it is next to my head for scale.

Here it is next to my head for scale.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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It was delicious and not too greasy, definitely worth the $2.50 I paid.

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.

I'm not sure I could distinguish between Costco and Sam's Club pizza, so they were roughly on par.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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At first glance it looked similar to the Costco hot dog and came in the same paper bag, though it seemed a bit smaller.

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.

The bun was more plain and softer than the Costco bun.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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However, I was impressed by the variety of condiments, like these large sauerkraut packets.

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.

There was also ketchup, mustard, red pepper flakes, and parmesan.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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The hot dog wasn't bad, but it was much better topped with sauerkraut, ketchup, and cheese.

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.

The hot dog itself was bland compared to Costco's, and slightly soggy.
Sam's Club
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For just $1.50, 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.

For just $1.50, 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.

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.

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