Food court fiasco.
Costco aficionados are outraged online after discovering that the Canadian equivalent of a $1.50 hot dog and soda combo isn't available in the US.
Last month, a Reddit user shared a post of the menu from the Canadian retailer's food court, showing a chicken strips and fries combo for just $6.99 Canadian (about $5.08 US).
A Reddit user shared a post from the food court menu at a Canadian Costco location, revealing that a chicken strips and fries combo costs just $6.99 CAD (about $5.08 USD). r/Costco/Reddit
However, the offer isn't available in the United States, leaving American shoppers frustrated.
“WHY THE HELL DON'T HAVE FRIENDS OR CHICKEN STRIPES IN AMERICAN COSTCO?!?! I DIE FOR THEM!” one angrily Reddit user asked.
“We need to harness the power of this sub to put chicken strips and fries on the American menu (and poutine!),” explained another user.
“Chicken and fries would be a big hit in the US,” one user commented on the post.
However, Canadians were unaware that the dish isn't available in the US, with one user replying that it was “the best thing on the menu.”
Canadian locations also offer poutine, which is French fries covered in cheese curds and gravy. r/Costco/Reddit
But the chicken strip combo isn't the only Costco food item sold in Canadian stores that's not offered in the U.S.
Canada also has poutine, which is French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.
But the fact that Canadians are eating poutine highlights another flaw in American menus: Costcos in the US don't serve fries in their food courts.
The chicken strips and fries combo isn't available in the US, and American shoppers are unhappy. r/Costco/Reddit
“Costco in the US doesn't have french fries? That's so surprising,” responded a Canadian user.
“I feel so bad for you. Honestly, these fries taste better than any other fries I've had. And they're not regular fries, they must be battered to make them more crispy and flavorful,” explained another user.
“French fries are the top seller at my warehouse! Poutine and chicken strips + fries are the two biggest sellers! (Source: I work there),” shared another.
The outdoor food court area at Costco in the Camino Real Marketplace shopping center just north of Santa Barbara. Getty Images
To make matters worse for Americans, Costco in Canada is offering the popular hot dog and soda combo for $1.50 Canadian, which is just over $1.
In the United States, the popular hot dog and soda combo has been a staple at Costco food courts since the 1980s, and remains priced at $1.50.
Costco's outgoing chief financial officer, Richard Galanti, provided an update in March on whether the price of the warehouse retailer's $1.50 hot dog and soda combo might change for customers.
The hot dog and soda combo has been a Costco food court staple since the 1980s, and it still costs $1.50. VCG via Getty Images
Before leaving the retail giant, Galanti explained that the deal was “probably safe for a while” after his decades-long tenure.
Former Kroger CFO Gary Millerchip will succeed Galanti.
Supporting Galanti's assertion, Miller Chip promised last week that it has no plans to raise prices on its iconic food court staples.
The retailer stopped serving churros earlier this year, which came as a shock to many who regularly pop into the food court for something sweet while shopping.
Instead, Costco added a chocolate chip cookie for $2.49.
Costco's food courts have also begun offering $6.99 turkey sandwiches, an option not available in Canadian stores.
