Should You Join Costco Just for the Food Court?

Costco food courts are becoming the new airport lounges: overcrowded. The warehouse retailer is reportedly cracking down on non-members eating at the Costco food court. It's no surprise that so many people are excited about $1.50 hot dog combo meals. But if you have to be a Costco member to eat there, is it worth joining just for the food court?

Even if you never bought anything else at Costco -- no groceries, no treasure hunts, no high-end items -- but just stopped by from time to time to eat at the food court, it could still be a good value for your personal finances. The Costco food court offers quick, low-cost meals with friendly service. The dietary options are not diverse and the nutrition levels aren't likely to be as good as what you could cook at home, but for hungry people on the go, the Costco food court is a cheap meal solution that's worth considering.

Let's look at a few reasons why you might want to join Costco just for food court dining. (Prices may vary by location.)

1. Cost savings

Costco is famous for its $1.50 hot dog and drink combo, which has not had a price increase since 1985. The company seems determined to keep the prices low, as a loss-leader, goodwill gesture, and symbol of the brand. Costco's food court hot dogs are beefy and surprisingly filling -- and you can get free sauerkraut and pickle relish, for extra fiber and "vegetables."

When you consider that a typical fast food drive-thru meal of burger, fries and a soda might easily cost $10 (or more in some cities), let's assume that each meal at the Costco food court could save you $8.50. If you eat at Costco twice per month, that hot dog can help you save $204 per year on fast food meals.

2. Takeaway meals: Pizza and more

Hot dogs aren't the only thing to eat at the Costco food court; it also offers hot pizza by the slice for $1.99, or whole (huge) 18-inch pizzas that you can take home, for just $9.95 per pie. Assuming 12 slices per pizza, that means your take-home pizza can cost less than $1 per slice.

The Costco food court also offers a few other items like the chicken bake, Caesar salads, turkey sandwiches, frozen yogurt sundaes, and smoothies. Exact menu items may depend on the location, and sometimes items get discontinued; my kids used to love the Costco churros, and I used to love the barbecue brisket sandwich.

If you are trying to eat only at the Costco food court, then this next idea is "cheating," slightly, but: Costco has many great easy-to-prepare takeaway food items at the deli section. Costco's famous rotisserie chicken only costs $5 and is hot, fresh, well-seasoned and ready to eat -- easily feeding four people. Costco also offers a range of take-and-bake items and prepared meals, like ravioli, lasagna, chicken pot pie, pulled pork, and more. Just be prepared for huge portions -- have friends over for a Costco potluck!

3. Convenience

The Costco food court is not gourmet cuisine, and it's not offering upscale ambience. But what Costco gives you is freshly prepared, convenient food that provides good value for the money. If you're a busy small business owner who doesn't have much time to stop for lunch between meetings, if you're a time-starved parent on your way home from soccer practice, or if you just want another easy option to get a quick, filling meal while you're killing time between errands in the suburbs, Costco can offer what you crave.

For about $5-$10 per month -- less than the cost of a typical fast food combo meal -- you can get a Costco membership that unlocks an entire abundant ecosystem of shopping. The food court is worth trying, and you might love it so much that you find it to be worth paying for. But the real value of Costco is how it introduces you to a wider world of discounts on reliable, high-quality, curated products. Costco's hot dogs are good, but they're just one part of the larger picture of how joining Costco may help you improve your personal finances.

Bottom line

Frankly, I wouldn't recommend joining Costco just for the food court -- but you don't have to. Once you go to Costco and see the great deals on high-end items like TVs, furniture, and treasure hunts for great products you never knew you needed, you'll more fully appreciate the value of a Costco membership. The cheap hot dogs and fro-yo sundaes are just a delicious bonus.