The Costco Food Court Item That Julia Child Loved

Julia Child, the American doyenne of French cooking, could be incredibly down to earth when it came to her own taste in food. Child whipped up a remarkably unpretentious (and deli-worthy) tuna salad sandwich, for instance. Proving that she was super #relatable, she also shopped at Costco, where she rounded out every grocery haul with a food court hot dog.

Former Bon Appétit editor-in-chief Barbara Fairchild revealed to Lucky Peach in 2017 that Julia Child's home warehouse was the Santa Barbara location. After filling her cart, she liked to sit outside under the shade of an umbrella and knock back a hot dog, which she compared favorably to even the most refined French cuisine. Sometimes the simple delights are the ones that give the most pleasure, after all, and Julia Child was famously unpretentious. Reportedly, Child was a big fan of Costco's meat selection, too, which she considered to be of great quality. We ourselves love the Costco pork shoulder, which we rank as the meat choice that most deserves a place on your shopping list ... again, proof positive that Julia Child was just like us, only way cooler. It may surprise you to know, however, that the Costco hot dog Julia Child enjoyed wasn't exactly the same as the one you scarf down today.

Costco has been selling hot dogs in its food courts since 1984 and, shockingly, the $1.50 price tag for a frank and a soda hasn't changed since then. The reason why Costco's hot dog combo is so cheap is because its former CEO Jim Sinegal insisted it stay that way (with a burst of profanity directed at one doubter, future CEO W. Craig Jelinek). That doesn't mean nothing about the hot dogs has changed, however. While Costco's wieners still weigh in at a solid ¼ pound apiece, the store shifted suppliers in 2008, a few years after Child's death. It went from serving Hebrew National kosher hot dogs to Costco's own Kirkland Signature brand. The hot dog that Child fell in love with, therefore, is not the exact same one as today. This is not to say that it isn't still a delicious glizzy, as many customers may well tell you!

Costco's hot dogs are all-beef, and pack a nutrient-dense punch at 550 calories (minus toppings) and 20 grams of protein apiece. That's a meal that's going to fill your belly for a long time after you eat it, and at an especially low price. In an age where shrinkflation and skyrocketing prices are rampant, it's comforting to know that Costco is still serving up a tasty meal for a shockingly low price. We like to think that, somewhere, Julia Child is smiling at it all.