Costco members enjoy free samples and cheap gas, but many are drawn by the food court's budget-friendly options like the iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. Now, the membership warehouse is offering a new menu item: a $6.99 chicken strips special, replacing the calzone combo that shoppers deemed 'disappointing.'
From Calzone to Chicken Strips
Costco previously offered a combo pizza in its food court, later replaced by a combo calzone with pepperoni, sausage, peppers, and onions. Customer reviews were mixed, with many craving the discontinued pizza. Listening to feedback, Costco has now replaced the underwhelming calzone with chicken strips and dip.
The new item is priced at $6.99 and includes five breaded chicken breast strips with a dipping sauce on the side. Unlike the Canadian version, the US offering does not include French fries. The tenders come with a generous dipping sauce reminiscent of Chick-fil-A.
Availability and Nutrition
These new chicken strips are already available in at least six warehouses across the Chicago area and are expected to appear in food courts nationwide. The chicken tenders are baked, not fried, but pack a hefty 1,640 calories—more than half the daily recommended intake for an average person. For comparison, five Chick-fil-A strips total around 510 calories. The dipping sauce alone accounts for 510 calories.
Social media users quickly dubbed the item 'calorie dense.' One Reddit user commented, 'Those look good, I'll definitely try them. But it's going to be hard to beat $1.50 hotdog and $2 pizza slices.' Another said, 'I wish I could do two or three chicken strips for half the price. I know myself, five is way too many.' A shopper who tried them described the tenders as 'huge' and 'really good,' suggesting air frying for extra crispiness.
Customer Reactions
Some customers lament the removal of the calzone, with one writing, 'please just give me the combo pizza back, especially with no calzone option.' Costco's food court also sells desserts like the caramel churro sundae and soft serve ice cream.
Costco's Iconic Hot Dog Combo
Costco's food court remains one of America's most popular, famous for ultra-cheap staples including pizza slices and a $3.99 chicken bake. The $1.50 quarter-pound hot dog and 20-ounce soda debuted in 1985 and has not increased in price. Adjusted for inflation, it would be an estimated $4.65 today. In 2022, former CFO Richard Galanti described the $1.50 price as 'sacrosanct,' revealing the company sells around 130 million hot dogs annually. Earlier this year, CEO Ron Vachris confirmed the combo price will not increase, stating, 'The hot dog price will not change as long as I’m around.'
