You can’t beat Costco’s enduring $1.50 hot dog

Talk about a lingering loss leader. Since Costco introduced a 1/4-pound hot dog to its food courts in 1985, the price has not budged from $1.50. And this includes a 20-ounce soda and refill, if you’re into that much sugar.

Still, where else can you find an enduring bargain of an all-beef or polish sausage dog, lathered with all the trimmings, for a handful of change? While the price of a meal out has risen 20 or 30 per cent at most places in recent years, the Costco hot dog price has survived pandemics and high inflation unscathed.

The only thing that’s changed is the self-serve kiosk

My Costco food court in southwest Calgary has seen a few recent changes, most noticeably a self-serve kiosk and a smaller menu. But you can still find hunger-busting bargains like chicken strips and fries ($6.99), poutine ($5.99) or pepperoni pizza slices ($2.59). No salads or vegetables that I could see.

But every now and then, I like to indulge in nostalgia and a little meal that costs me all of $1.50. Even if its consumed mere minutes after I’ve dropped $150 or $200 on all those Costco deals. As I like to say, you can go broke saving money here.