Dropped the delicious kosher hot dogs from the fast food stands at most locations. The new really big and really bland ones ("Kirkland") are awful. Apparently, complaining to the local managers does no good; yet a few locations, for whatever reason, have kept the kosher.

 

yeah i had one 2 weeks ago and left feeling that it was gross and regretted getting it....the dog is huge but tasteless with fat juices running everywhere and the bun is too big and too soft easily crumbling...tis a shame...they should just switch to nathan's..never had the kosher dog so i cant reference that for comparison.

 

I agree that the bun is too big, so I take the low-tech action of (shock!) tearing off a majority of the bun and discarding it (also, I always opt for the Polish Sausage rather than the regular dog, unless they have run out).

 

I gave up on their hot dogs years ago in favor of their really nice pizza. Yummy!

MisterNice

 

+1.

I stopped eating their hot dogs years ago. Their pizza still keeps me coming though.

 

Didn't that happen at least a year ago (at least here in CA)?
In Costco Connection mailer discussion Costco claimed that their hot dogs actually contain more beef - if that's true than sometimes more beef is not a good thing.

 

Likely they kept the kosher ones where there is a large population of people who keep kosher ... but have to agree that their food decisions haven't been the best over the past few years. I don't swing by the food stand as often as I used to (well, maybe their food decisions are good ones then )

 

At least a year ago.

And folks are still snarfing them down by the gazillion around here in So Cal.

Here's some info from a blog entry about the change:

"The cost of the $1.50 hot dog special has not risen since its inception in 1985.

- The original $1.50 combo price was based on a 12-ounce can of soda. Today, it's a 20-ounce fountain drink with free refills.

- In 2008, Costco sold more than 82 million hot dogs.

- In 2009, they expect to sell more than 90 million.

- In 2007, one of their two kosher hot dog suppliers quit the kosher meat business. Another kosher raw-ingredient supplier closed down. There was a decrease in supply.

On this note comes the bombshell: Costco decided to develop their own dog.

The new Kirkland dog is "10 percent heavier and longer than the old," made with "100% beef with only fresh USDA Choice or better cuts" and "without fillers, binder, phosphates, corn syrup, artificial color and artificial flavors".

Though my local Costco still seems to tout their Hebrew Nationals, I don't think I would've noticed even if they made the switch. And if I get 10% more for my $1.50, even better."

 

I also opt for the Polish Sausage, it has much more flavor than the hot dog.

 

Hebrew National is one fine hotdog.

We have a funny family story of my grandmother trying to buy Hebrew Nationals in a WinnDixie in Montgomery, AL in the mid 1970s. Didn't go over so well, as you may imagine.

 

I find the hot dogs nice, filling and of course a very good price. What I don't like is we members who pay a membership fee, supporting the low cost fast food items for people that don't have a membership. Let there be one price for members and one price for those that are not.

 

I can assure you that I don't know anyone who would willingly walk into a Costco just for their hotdog.

 

Maybe our Costco here in So Cal is unique but it's easily one of the busiest places in town at lunch. I never cease to be amazed at the thongs of people eating there at all times of the day. And there are well over 100 restaurants of various types within a 10 mile radius.

But none of them offer a jumbo hot dog and unlimited soft drinks for $1.50. Chicken Bakes are $2.69 and a large slice of pizza is $1.99. For those watching their $$'s it's a great place for lunch/dinner. Great place to take a bunch of hungry kids and fill 'em up at a reasonable price.

Having said that, I haven't eaten there in a long time as hot dogs and pizza are not normal lunch fare for me. However, this thread has prompted me to make a visit soon to try the "new" hot dog.

 

You may not know anyone, but I can assure you that there are many people who take advantage of the low price. In one area near our Costco there is a lot of construction going on and at lunch time and afternoon there are line ups of construction workers taking advantage of low prices, so your assurances are not reassuring to me at all. There is also the matter of those that bring guests into Costco, they are not allowed to buy, but the do on the members card and they also take advantage of the low cost fast food items. Maybe you like supporting those that don't pay a membership fee, but i don't.

 

When you work at the Best Buy next door, and Costco is the only food vendor within 1/2-mile...

This was based on a past job experience. The door matrons would let you in through the exit side if you said you were just going to grab a hot dog. Since I was a Costco member, I would roam for free samples before grabbing lunch.