The Costco food court menu in Canada has a variety of items ranging from $1.50 to $12.99 in price.
A well-known fact is that Costco’s founder has vowed that it will never increase the price of its $1.50 hot dog no matter how high inflation goes.
This makes the Costco hot dog one of the most recession-proof meals around!
All of the items on Costco’s food court menu are reasonably priced, making them a popular choice for a cheap meal.
Here is a table that compares all of the Costco food court items in terms of price and caloric count.
Costco Food Court Menu Item | Price | Calories |
---|---|---|
1/4 Pound All Beef Hot Dog and 20 oz Fountain Drink | $1.50 | 540 to 940 calories |
1/4 Pound Polish Sausage and 20 oz Fountain Drink | $1.50 | 540 to 940 calories |
Slice of Cheese Pizza | $2.59 | 650 calories |
Slice of Pepperoni Pizza | $2.59 | 670 calories |
18 Inch Cheese Pizza (6 slices) | $12.99 | 3,900 calories |
18 Inch Pepperoni Pizza (6 slices) | $12.99 | 4,020 calories |
Chicken Strips and Fries | $6.99 | 1,300 calories |
French Fries | $2.99 | 910 calories |
Poutine | $5.99 | 1,890 calories |
Gravy | $0.30 | 45 calories |
Chicken Strip and French Fries | $6.99 | 1,300 calories |
20 oz. Fountain Drink with Refills | $0.89 | 0 to 390 calories |
Ice Cream Cone (Vanilla, Chocolate, Twist) | $2.89 | 610 to 640 calories |
Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae (Caramel/Chocolate Sauce, Berry Topping) | $3.49 | 670 to 740 calories |
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie | $3.49 | 820 calories |
Do You Need a Costco Membership to Visit The Food Court?
Technically, according to Costco’s policy, you need to show your membership at the store entrance to proceed inside.
Costco has also started implementing scanners at their entrances, so it looks like the loosely enforced rule at entrances is beginning to be tightened down.
In some Canadian locations, the food court is accessible from outside the store.
Additionally, most self-checkout machines in the Canadian food courts do not require a membership card.
In contrast, certain US stores have started requiring membership for food court purchases.
With the increasing popularity of Costco’s food court, it seems likely that they will become stricter about enforcing the membership requirement.
Why is the Costco Food Court So Cheap?
There are several reasons why the Costco food court menu items are so inexpensive.
First, Costco aims to reward members with lower food prices as a perk for paying the annual membership fees.
Second, Costco sells most of the ingredients in its stores, allowing them to purchase these products at bulk discounts.
Despite the low prices, Costco is likely still making a profit.
Costco also has exclusive partnerships with suppliers for their food court items, such as Pepsi for beverages in Canada and Cavendish for French fries.
Lastly, Costco’s founder, Jim Sinegal, has always opposed raising the prices of menu items, especially the hot dog combo.
A famous quote from current CEO Craig Jelinek highlights this stance when he suggested increasing hot dog prices, and Sinegal firmly refused.
Did You Know?
Costco first introduced its hot dog combo in 1985 and sells hundreds of millions of them each year.
Does the Costco Food Court Menu Vary Based on Location?
Yes, Costco food courts around the world will differ based on their location and local cuisines.
For example, Canadian Costco food courts serve french fries and poutine, but American Costco does not.
Other products on the American Costco food court menu include things like chicken wings, turkey and provolone sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches, seafood chowder, chicken bake, and smoothies.
For the most part, Costco’s across Canada offer all of the same products on the food court menu.
Tips for Visiting Costco Food Courts in Canada
The one thing everyone needs to know when planning to visit a Costco food court in Canada is to get there early or late.
Going right at noon or dinner time can result in a substantial wait for your food.
It also probably means there is limited seating capacity.
Another tip is to eat before you go shopping!
Have you ever noticed that shopping on an empty stomach leads to a higher shopping bill?
If you’re already hungry, head to the food court to get your hot dog before you begin your shopping trip.