5 Major Differences Between Costco and Sam’s Club Food Courts Right Now — Eat This Not That

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By Ghuman

Introduction

If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal on the go, you may be considering a trip to either Costco or Sam’s Club. Both of these warehouse stores offer food courts with a variety of options, but there are some major differences between the two. Here are five of the biggest differences between Costco and Sam’s Club food courts right now.

1. Menu Options: Costco offers a larger variety of menu items than Sam’s Club, including pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, and more. Sam’s Club, on the other hand, has a more limited selection, with only pizza, hot dogs, and nachos.

2. Prices: Costco’s food court items are generally cheaper than Sam’s Club’s. For example, a slice of pizza at Costco costs $1.50, while a slice of pizza at Sam’s Club costs $2.

3. Quality: Costco’s food court items are generally of higher quality than Sam’s Club’s. For example, Costco’s pizza is made with fresh ingredients and is cooked in a wood-fired oven, while Sam’s Club’s pizza is pre-made and reheated.

4. Healthier Options: Costco offers healthier options than Sam’s Club, such as salads and veggie burgers. Sam’s Club does not offer any healthier options.

5. Customization: Costco allows customers to customize their orders, while Sam’s Club does not. For example, at Costco, customers can add extra toppings to their pizza or customize their sandwich.

Overall, Costco and Sam’s Club both offer convenient food court options, but there are some major differences between the two. Knowing these differences can help you make an informed decision when choosing where to eat.

5 Major Differences Between Costco and Sam’s Club Food Courts Right Now

When it comes to food courts, Costco and Sam’s Club are two of the most popular options. But what are the major differences between the two? Here are five major differences between Costco and Sam’s Club food courts right now.

1. Menu Options

The menu options at Costco and Sam’s Club are quite different. At Costco, you’ll find a variety of hot and cold items, including pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, and more. Sam’s Club, on the other hand, offers a more limited selection of items, including hot dogs, pizza, and nachos.

2. Prices

Costco and Sam’s Club both offer competitive prices on their food court items. However, Costco tends to be slightly cheaper than Sam’s Club. For example, a slice of pizza at Costco costs $1.50, while a slice of pizza at Sam’s Club costs $1.75.

3. Quality

When it comes to quality, Costco and Sam’s Club both offer good food. However, Costco tends to have higher-quality food than Sam’s Club. For example, Costco’s pizza is made with fresh ingredients and is cooked to order, while Sam’s Club’s pizza is pre-made and reheated.

4. Service

The service at Costco and Sam’s Club is quite different. At Costco, you’ll find friendly and helpful staff who are willing to help you with your order. At Sam’s Club, the staff is less friendly and helpful, and you may have to wait longer for your order to be prepared.

5. Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Costco and Sam’s Club is also quite different. At Costco, the food court is bright and inviting, with plenty of seating and a variety of food options. At Sam’s Club, the food court is more basic, with limited seating and fewer food options.

These are just a few of the major differences between Costco and Sam’s Club food courts right now. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or a full meal, both Costco and Sam’s Club offer great options. So, take the time to compare the two and decide which one is right for you.

When you’re weighing the costs and benefits of joining one of the two biggest warehouse retailers, you might want to consider each aspect of the company before committing. Do you care most about the differences in product selection, the perks and offers, the return policies, or the in-store experience? If you’re finding yourself in a bind trying to balance the pros and cons of Costco versus Sam’s Club, maybe we can offer you a tie-breaker: the food court.

Don’t let the low prices fool you ($1.50 hot dog combo, anyone?) The food court is a certified moneymaker for the clubs, to both increase memberships and make some extra cash. For example, not only does Costco’s food court entice new members to join, but according to MoneyWise, it also brought in annual sales to the tune of $1 billion in 2018. The company is always looking for ways to satisfy eaters after a long bulk grocery haul.

The Sam’s Club Cafe has also been vying for the top spot. In 2018, for example, when Costco customers were heartbroken over the loss of the Polish dog, Sam’s Club swooped in to pick up the pieces and offered their own take on the fan-favorite, in hopes of drawing people to the other side.

Maybe it’s the tasty bites along the way that add up to a delectable shopping destination, so here are five differences between the food courts at Costco and Sam’s Club to keep in mind when deciding which sign-up sheet to write your name on.

RELATED: 6 Things You’ll See at Costco This Year

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While both Costco and Sam’s Club offer the same basics—hot dogs, pizza, and churros—they have key differences. Sam’s Club has a longer list going for them: savory and dessert pretzels, Caesar salads, and yogurt parfaits, to name a few. Where Costco has only cheese and pepperoni pizza, Sam’s Club throws in four-meat and deluxe options.

However, even though Costco’s menu is a bit slimmer, they may have quality over Sam’s Club. According to a review by the blog Cheapism, Costco’s pizza, hot dogs, and savory baked items reigned supreme in a taste test against the equivalents at Sam’s Club.

The blogger described the Kirkland slice of pepperoni: “After having Sam’s Club’s pizza, this slice feels like a revelation. The crust is puffy and chewy, and while it sags when you pick it up, it doesn’t collapse. It’s baked long enough to get some nice charring around the crust and on the cheese for some contrast in flavor and texture.”

So if you’re likely to get bored by the same old, same old, visit your nearest Sam’s Club. But if you’re looking for tried-and-true favorites, consider Costco your first stop.

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The safety measures implemented due to the pandemic led some stores to introduce new no-touch processes. For Costco, this meant rolling out self-service kiosks for the food court. They originally tested them in 2018, but when social distancing became the norm, they expanded this option to more stores in 2020, according to SheKnows.

Sam’s Club’s food court line is standard fare—waiting in a queue of customers to order at the counter. But just because it’s low-tech doesn’t make it the inferior option. In fact, some people perceive the kiosk wait as longer, according to a Reddit post from two years ago on why some Costco employees noticed an uptick in customers skipping the screen and ordering at the register.

Reddit user u/comittedindian observed, “The kiosks are a good idea for reducing the Food Court lines that would snake and create choke points for people trying to leave Costco. However, the behind-the-counter staff wasn’t beefed up to handle the extra workload. Those poor guys are running around getting 3 new orders for each 1 they fill.”

So depending on whether you’re still remaining cautious or would rather have the in-person experience, you can pick between Costco and Sam’s Club according to your needs.

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The soda selection may have even the most die-hard Costco lovers thinking about switching sides. While the Kirkland food court added touchless fountain drink dispensers, many customers wish there was more variety. For one thing, Costco seems to only carry Pepsi products, leaving Coke fans out in the cold. And for another, there are only five drink options, according to Cheapism.

Meanwhile, Sam’s Club cafe goers can fill their cup from an array of 16 different sodas, with multiple sugar-free and non-caffeinated choices. They even have a Sam’s exclusive–Berry Lime Mountain Dew—that won over Costco loyalists.

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The condiments at Costco are the star of the Kirkland food court. Since the start of the pandemic, Costco fans have anticipated the return of popular toppings, such as relish and onions. The self-serve station garnered attention on Reddit earlier last year, after COVID policy required people to get condiments at the register, showing how highly sought these food court embellishments are to customers.

The Sam’s Club condiment bar, according to Cheapism, is a little more bare bones, with the basics like bottled ketchup, bottled mustard, and individual packets of red pepper flakes.

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Unlike the Sam’s Club Cafe, the Costco food court is members-only. The rule has always been in place at the Kirkland warehouse, but in March 2020, Food & Wine reported that Costco began enforcing this policy. Some Reddit users even saw that the self-serve kiosks in some locations, like California, asked shoppers to scan their membership card before ordering. However, others reported that they had not encountered the requirement at their stores. Reddit user u/Nardelan said, “Definitely not nationwide yet. I’m in the Midwest and my Costco has kiosks for ordering but has never required a card.”

One reason for Costco’s crackdown on cafe customers is likely due to the famed $1.50 hot dog and soda deal, which, according to Food & Wine, is priced at a loss to encourage more people to become a part of the club. But whether or not you have a membership, you could take your chances at Costco or walk confidently into Sam’s Club for that beloved hot dog combo.

Will the food court change at all any time soon? Read up on 5 Major Updates Costco Is Making Right Now to find out.

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