Dining Out at Costco: Kirkland Signature Beef Hot Dogs and Costco Pizza

We had a big reaction months ago to a post on Costco hot dogs – the photo alone accounted for thousands of hits – so our recent take-out meal merits a redux, especially for all the harried holiday shoppers who could use a fast and tasty dinner on the go. Plus it’s a great excuse to show off appetite-inducing images.

After a marathon day of shopping, we left Costco with two dogs and two slices for a grand total of $7, drinks included. The large beef franks are the highest quality, and the Costco pizza (we opted for the combo) is legendary. And large. Each slice is practically a quarter of a pizza, easily shareable. We took ours to go, split one slice and kept the other for the next day.

We don’t advocate a steady diet of dogs and pizza, but it makes for a great occasional treat. And you don’t have to be a Costco Member to take advantage. But members do have the option of using the red wall phones inside the warehouse to phone-in orders for whole pizzas, pay at the register, and pick up on their way out.

Dining Out at Costco: Mac and Cheese and Bailey’s Irish Cream

Apologies for being off the blog for so long. Work concerns trumped all over the past couple of months – from L..A. Auto Show coverage to holiday gift guides and much more (check out some of the great work done by Times Custom Publishing) - but we’re back on break for the holidays, and promise to be much more attentive to our Costco Cartel.

In fact, we made a long-delayed return recently and were pleasantly surprised by the quality and volume of the free samples, from Kruteaz Belgian waffles to Ghirardelli triple chocolate. The star, we agreed, was delicious baked Mac ‘n’ Cheese.

Of course, we stocked back up on cans of Kirkland albacore tuna, Duncan Donuts Coffee, Nestles Coffee Mate and a pack of six White Apron apple bacon-wrapped sirloin steaks (did we mention the pack cost $12?). And we took home a nice big bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream, a delicious libation for the holidays, and a nice companion to a bottle of 90-proof peppermint schnapps, a holiday tradition.

We’re returning next week for a full-on feast of holiday samples, as well as the inevitable discount coupons for Bombay Sapphire Gin and Stolichnaya Vodka for holiday entertaining.

We’ll keep you posted, of course, on any and all pending holiday specials to take advantage of.
Meanwhile, the latest sample line-up, a solid B:

 Don Miguel Chicken Empanadas
 Alexia Sweet Potato Fries
 Dr. Praeger’s Spinach Pancakes
 Oro Wheat Flat Bread Sandwich with Kirkland Turkey
 Island West Sorbet
 Evergood Link Sausage
 Full Circle Cheddar Stuffed Chicken
 Coach’s Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
 Wildroot Trail Mix
 Baked Parmesan Cheese
 Del Real Cheese and Pork Tamales
 Potato Pancakes and Sour Cream