For The Ringer, Alan Siegel pays tribute to the Costco hot dog, still $1.50 at the food court, a price that’s held steady since the ’80s and is unlikely to increase. Siegel digs into why Costco hasn’t changed the deal, and why it still works. This is a festive (if belated) Fourth of July read, and a welcome addition to a growing collection of editors’ picks about Costco, America’s beloved big-box, membership-only warehouse club.
In a world where the McDonald’s Dollar Menu is long gone, a 7-Eleven dog costs over $2, and it’s a challenge to stay on budget at Taco Bell, the Costco frank stands alone. It is America’s greatest hot dog. And the country’s last great deal.
More stories about Costco
I Want to Live Like Costco People
Jordan Michelman | Taste Cooking | May 5, 2026 | 2,106 words
