Why Does Costco's Food Court Hot Dog Have Such A Large Calorie Range?

Is there anything better than a snack break at the Costco food court? With its iconic staple menu offerings like the chicken bake and pizza by the slice, it's easy to get drawn in for a bite. But perhaps the most notable Costco offering is the food court's delicious hot dog deal. For just $1.50, members can get an all-beef hot dog and a 20-ounce soda of their choice, with a free refill. But despite its long-standing menu appearance, customers have remained puzzled over this item's large calorie range.

On menu billboards, the calorie range for the hot dog deal is listed as between 580 to 850 calories; at first glance, it seems incredibly confusing — until you factor in that you're purchasing a combo. Not all fountain drinks are created equal, and some contain more calories than others, even if they all come from the same parent company.

Because of this, the large calorie range on the menu likely accounts for the possibility of all hot dog and drink combinations. For example, a large cup of a diet cola won't have the same calories as something sweet like fruit punch. So, for those looking to keep track of their calories, the baseline number of 580 likely refers to the hot dog and bun, and you then add the soda — plus a potential refill — on top. Note that as Costco prepares to switch back to using Coca-Cola products in its food court, the calorie counts of the drinks may change.

Knowing what the range on the menu means when it comes to your hot dog combo helps form a good baseline, so you can best meet your dietary needs. Remember, though, that there are other factors aside from your soda that contribute to your caloric intake. In the United States, you'll find that the hot dogs come with topping options that include classic ketchup and mustard, pickled relish, and chopped raw onions and includes a 100% beef dog. Meanwhile, other countries like Japan offer different condiments and use 100% pork hot dogs. All these things affect the meal's calorie count, so a bit of research might be helpful before visiting a new or foreign Costco location. 

The other factor to consider is how the bun affects the calorie count, despite already being factored into the menu. While the meat is the main event, buns are part of what makes this combo come together — but you could swap the regular bread for a hack Costco Redditors came up with: using a Costco croissant instead. Your base calorie count may change, but trying a croissant bun is a delicious way to upgrade this food court staple if you're a long-time Costco member looking to try something new. In the end, though, it's about understanding where the calories on the menu come from so you can order what's best for your dietary goals.