Costco food court

[Cool Chris]

Some food courts are inside the building, in which case you have to flash your card to get through the door. Others are outside, and thus do not.

[cramx3]

Do you need to be a member to eat at their food court?

From my experience you do not need to be, but I've always been or gone with someone who is.  All of the costcos I have been to had the same set up where the food in inside but its between the exit and the registers, so you basically walk in the exit if you are just going for food and they do not check ID at all in this process.  Walking in the exit sounds odd, but it's really not as that is the way to get to customer service, it is common to do this here. 

[jasc15]

I'll leave this here

https://youtu.be/nFMFlEtaKbM

[Cool Chris]

Huh, never thought of walking throught he exit. But I've never gone to Costco for the sole purpose of hitting the food court (and why are we calling it that? A food court is several vendors set up in a central location like a mall, not a single vendor selling a handful of items).

[ReaperKK]

I always go hot dog, their pizza isn’t that great.

[lordxizor]

You don't need to be a member to go to the food court. Or at least they never ask. I walk through the exit to the food court a couple times a month and I've never been stopped.

[Zook]

Thanks for the answers. I haven't eaten anything from Sam's Club in over 10 years, and only been to Costco a few times to look around. I remember really liking Sam's Club's pizza and taquitoes, but again, it's been a decade, and I was with my step dad, so no membership issues.

One time I walked into Sam's Club to look around, and the greeter really didn't want me to enter because I didn't have a membership. So weird. What if I was going to sign up for one? Must have been new.

[El Barto]

Thanks for the answers. I haven't eaten anything from Sam's Club in over 10 years, and only been to Costco a few times to look around. I remember really liking Sam's Club's pizza and taquitoes, but again, it's been a decade, and I was with my step dad, so no membership issues.

One time I walked into Sam's Club to look around, and the greeter really didn't want me to enter because I didn't have a membership. So weird. What if I was going to sign up for one? Must have been new.

I've wandered into Sams a couple of times to look around and never been carded. I assumed they verified membership at checkout. And it'd be stupid to do otherwise. Letting people browse is free advertisement. "Ooh, that's a good price for twelve pounds of nutmeg. I should buy a membership."

[Cool Chris]

On the topic of Costco:

Costco runs an extremely efficient operation, which is necessary for its high-volume, low-margin business model. But one of the keys to Costco's success, and its profitability, is that the company spends next to nothing on advertising. Other than sending out direct mail to prospective members, and sending coupons to existing members, Costco does no traditional marketing at all.

Costco can get away with this for one simple reason: Its memberships sell themselves. The value proposition is obvious after one trip to a Costco warehouse, and the customer service is generally superior to that of other large retailers. Costco has had no problem growing its membership, and with renewal rates above 90% in the United States, it's had no problem retaining members, either.

How much does Costco save by shunning traditional advertising? Wal-Mart, which has always been a stingy advertiser, spends about 0.5% of its revenue on marketing each year. If Costco spent that same percentage of its revenue on advertising, its operating profit would be about 17.5% less. If Costco spent the same amount on advertising as Target does, about 2.2% of revenue, the company's operating profit would be slashed by 75%.

[a51502112]

Here in Canada, Costco serves Poutine. I always choose that. It's my patriotic duty.

[Tick]

Don't forget the chicken bake!

No don't eat that!

Anyway...
the pizza is pretty bad


The hot dog and soda is the no brainer option at $1.50.

Its all beef

Here in Canada, Costco serves Poutine. I always choose that. It's my patriotic duty.

Probably that nasty canned super salty poutine sauce on top. Gross.

[cramx3]

On the topic of Costco:

Costco runs an extremely efficient operation, which is necessary for its high-volume, low-margin business model. But one of the keys to Costco's success, and its profitability, is that the company spends next to nothing on advertising. Other than sending out direct mail to prospective members, and sending coupons to existing members, Costco does no traditional marketing at all.

Costco can get away with this for one simple reason: Its memberships sell themselves. The value proposition is obvious after one trip to a Costco warehouse, and the customer service is generally superior to that of other large retailers. Costco has had no problem growing its membership, and with renewal rates above 90% in the United States, it's had no problem retaining members, either.

How much does Costco save by shunning traditional advertising? Wal-Mart, which has always been a stingy advertiser, spends about 0.5% of its revenue on marketing each year. If Costco spent that same percentage of its revenue on advertising, its operating profit would be about 17.5% less. If Costco spent the same amount on advertising as Target does, about 2.2% of revenue, the company's operating profit would be slashed by 75%.

That's pretty interesting.  I was surprised to see a groupon for Costco last year, it was the same price for the base membership but you got a $20 costco gift card.  My gf has a member ship so I don't really need my own so I didn't buy it but I definitely thought about it.  That was a good deal and surprising too because you don't really see Costco advertised on anything.

[Cool Chris]

At Costco tonight, spent a good minute or two debating between the hot dog and pizza (passed on chicken bake). Almost went pizza but wife was getting hot dog and I was afraid that would give me buyer's remorse. Liked the new order kiosk - anything to minimize my interaction with other people gets a star in my book.

[Progmetty]

Happy Costco member since 2009 here, believe it or not I was eating at the Costco food court when I first saw this thread.
Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis, I usually eat at their food court if I know I won't be eating again for 6 or 7 hours cause I get both the pizza and the hot dog. For a full grown individual to count this as a meal I'd say get both, slice of pizza and a hot dog, the hot dog comes with a drink. The cheese pizza is their best, it's just delicious.
Also Costco is my planned hideout when the zombie apocalypse comes, I think I can survive for at least 2 years there with around 20 people.

[Cool Chris]

Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis...

Dang how many people you shopping for?



Costco would be a great place to hunker down for a couple years when the Zombies attack. Would the card checkers at the door keep them out if they weren't members? 

[Progmetty]

Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis...

Dang how many people you shopping for?

You know I used to think that too, cause it's just 4 of us and one time I asked my wife about it and didn't get a straight answer heh
But we do get most of our groceries there, all our meat for sure. The only other store we go to is HEB, also on bi-weekly basis.
There's still holes in this stories, I know.. 

Costco would be a great place to hunker down for a couple years when the Zombies attack. Would the card checkers at the door keep them out if they weren't members?

It's their only natural inclination hehe
My little kid loves it when they draw a smiley face on the receipt. One time they didn't and we got home my daughter wanted us to drive back to get a smiley face on our receipt 

[cramx3]

Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis...

Dang how many people you shopping for?



Costco would be a great place to hunker down for a couple years when the Zombies attack. Would the card checkers at the door keep them out if they weren't members?

That's assuming they make it through the parking lot with the flying carts

[pg1067]

Myself and the family visit Costco on a bi-weekly basis...

Dang how many people you shopping for?



Costco would be a great place to hunker down for a couple years when the Zombies attack. Would the card checkers at the door keep them out if they weren't members?

That's assuming they make it through the parking lot with the flying carts

Someone please make the "CARTNADO!!!"™ meme.

[Cool Chris]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q0vk_fKDEo

Just found this video of the Robot Arm Pizza Sauce Spreader (or RAPSS*).


*I just made that up, but they should totally call it that. I won't even charge a licensing fee.

[lordxizor]

I had Costco pizza for lunch today. It was delicious.

[cramx3]

I had Costco pizza for lunch today. It was delicious.

So did I actually, $3.72 for a pepperoni slice, a hot dog, and drink.  Can't beat that.  It's not the best quality but it may be the best when you consider cost and quantity. 

Funny though while walking in my coworker started bitching, unprovoked by me, about the carts in the parking lot and complaining about "how important do these people think they are to not put the carts back"  He's also a big car guy so I think he's coming from the perspective of damaging cars.  I agree with him, but yea, that's another thread...

[Dream Team]

Can’t beat that dog with all the fixings plus a drink on the cheap.

[Stadler]

I had Costco pizza for lunch today. It was delicious.

So did I actually, $3.72 for a pepperoni slice, a hot dog, and drink.  Can't beat that.  It's not the best quality but it may be the best when you consider cost and quantity. 

Funny though while walking in my coworker started bitching, unprovoked by me, about the carts in the parking lot and complaining about "how important do these people think they are to not put the carts back"  He's also a big car guy so I think he's coming from the perspective of damaging cars.  I agree with him, but yea, that's another thread...

Contrast that with a typical trip to Mickey D's for lunch - with no coupons - is now about $12.00. 

[Cool Chris]

I hardly ever go to fast food places, and I haven't been to a McDs in probably 10 years. Is that really true about their prices?

[Anguyen92]

I hardly ever go to fast food places, and I haven't been to a McDs in probably 10 years. Is that really true about their prices?

I only get breakfast items at McDonald's nowadays.  I know they had a 2 for $4 Sausage Egg McMuffins deal at some point.  Don't know if they still have it now.  I get that with a Mcgriddle for around $3.60.  I'm content with that meal.

[ReaperKK]

I just had mcds for lunch and it was 8 even for a large Big Mac meal. The prices have gone up but are not quite five guys prices.

[cramx3]

And definitely not a five guys quality burger, but yea like 8-10 sounds about right for McDonalds meal these days, lunch or dinner, breakfast is a bit cheaper.

[pg1067]

Contrast that with a typical trip to Mickey D's for lunch - with no coupons - is now about $12.00.

WTH are you buying and McD's that's costing $12?!

[bosk1]

Contrast that with a typical trip to Mickey D's for lunch - with no coupons - is now about $12.00.

WTH are you buying and McD's that's costing $12?!

This was exactly the first thing that came to my mind as well.

[Stadler]

Contrast that with a typical trip to Mickey D's for lunch - with no coupons - is now about $12.00.

WTH are you buying and McD's that's costing $12?!

That's what it cost here.  Number two meal - with a Coke or an unsweet tea - and either a cheeseburger or a Filet-o-Fish. 

[cramx3]

McDonalds had those Angus burgers for a bit, would cost around $12 for a large meal if I recall.  I usually get a medium #1 and if I am hungry enough, add a McChicken, comes to around 10 bucks.  I don't think it's that crazy to spend $12 at McDonalds depending on where you are.  Regardless, Costco is much cheaper.

[El Barto]

McDonalds had those Angus burgers for a bit, would cost around $12 for a large meal if I recall.  I usually get a medium #1 and if I am hungry enough, add a McChicken, comes to around 10 bucks.  I don't think it's that crazy to spend $12 at McDonalds depending on where you are.  Regardless, Costco is much cheaper.

And you're wrong.   

Include me in the shocked camp re McD's prices. A bacon-cheese Whataburger meal is $6.64 and is vastly superior to any burger from McDs.

Damn shame about Five Guy's prices. I think I was out $16 last (and final) time I was there. That (and maybe even McD's $12) will buy you a quality burger in a sitdown place here.

[pg1067]

McDonalds had those Angus burgers for a bit, would cost around $12 for a large meal if I recall.  I usually get a medium #1 and if I am hungry enough, add a McChicken, comes to around 10 bucks.  I don't think it's that crazy to spend $12 at McDonalds depending on where you are.  Regardless, Costco is much cheaper.

I suppose it depends on what you're getting.  Stadler mentioned a #2 meal with either a cheeseburger or a Filet-o-Fish.  I'm not familiar with any of the combos by number, but if all you're getting for $12 is a McDonald's cheeseburger, fries and a drink, you're paying way too much.

I had this discussion with a friend in relation to In-n-Out.  I said I much prefer Five Guys, and he responded that Five Guys is too expensive, and my retort was that I'd rather spend $15 and get what I get at Five Guys than spend $8-9 and get an overcooked burger (both the meat and the bun) and fries that are edible for no more than 5 minutes after they hand them to you.  That's even more true with McDonald's.

A bacon-cheese Whataburger meal is $6.64 and is vastly superior to any burger from McDs.

I'm gonna be in Austin in a few weeks, so I'm gonna have to check out Whataburger.  Those I know who've had it rank it significantly higher than I-n-O.

[cramx3]

Wrong about what? I've spent more than 12 bucks before when I've been drunk that's for sure  but if you are comparing quality then I agree with you, if I am spending upwards of $12 on a burger then I'd be better off going somewhere else. I just know that if I spent 12 at mcdonals, its going to be because I got shit on the side of that burger.

[bosk1]

On the rare occasions I go to McD's, I usually get out for under $4.  I guess getting a full-on meal plus an additional sandwich could get in the $12 range, but (1) I don't know why you would do that in the first place, (2) of course, if you are getting MORE than a full meal, it's going to cost more than the standard price, and (3) even so, I'm still not sure how you get up to $12, but whatever.