The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that people consume 2,000 calories a day, but members of Costco Wholesale can blow that on one meal for less than $10 at the retail chain’s food court.
That has gotten a little harder in recent days with the addition of a $4.99 acai bowl to the menu board.
The acai bowl is said to replace a $1.50 Polish hot dog and soda combo, inspiring social media protests with the hashtag #SaveThePolishDog.
Twitter users have tweeted such comments as:
“Why get rid of a good thing to ‘cater to more customers’? Just add other good things to the menu and leave my dog be.”
Found out that @Costco is removing the polish dog from the food court menu. Why get rid of a good thing to "cater to more customers"? Just add other good things to the menu and leave my dog be. #SaveThePolishDog pic.twitter.com/02S5WoJU1m
— Krista C. (@MechEngPrincess) July 9, 2018
And: “You are ruining my life. I don’t want to buy polish dogs in bulk I want to buy one as I walk out the door. Why are you doing this.”
You are ruining my life. I don’t want to buy polish dogs in bulk I want to buy one as I walk out the door. Why are you doing this.
— Matt (@Matt53591839) July 7, 2018
And:
“Hey @Costco, any way we could skip the acai bowls or whatever super food garbage you’re adding and keep the polish dog? If you have to replace something get rid of those nasty chicken bake things.”
https://twitter.com/AttackTH67/status/1016404579477385216
The acai bowl includes baobab and antioxidant-rich fruits and packs 330 calories. That’s less than the 570 calories in a Polish dog, according to My Fitness Pal.
It’s also less than most of the rest of the food court menu, including the $2.99 chicken bake, 770 calories; the hot turkey and provolone sandwich, 740 calories; and certainly the $1.99 slice of pizza, 710-760 calories.
Washington State-based Costco hasn’t made any announcements on its food court menu changes beyond statements in investors meetings, leaving consumers and regional journalists to try and figure out where the changes have taken place.
While the menu doesn’t change often, a year ago Costco tested an In-N-Out style burger in three Southern California locations: Corona, Lakewood and Pacoima. Earlier this year, it tested food ordering kiosks.
Costco’s $1.50 all-beef hot dog and soda combo remains on the menu, and at 540-960 calories remains the cheapest path to 2,000. Add a 710-calorie, $1.99 slice of pepperoni, a 410-calorie, $1.35 soft-serve yogurt and a 530-calorie, $1 churro and you’ve overshot for $5.84.
