Costco in Loves Park Just Added a New Option to the $1.50 Hot Dog Combo

If it's not the most beloved deal in food history, it's certainly my favorite.

Considering we're creatures of habit, small changes can be misinterpreted, as my initial reaction to this Costco news made me double-take.

The headline was something along the lines of, "The Hot Dog Deal at Costco is changing." I was sure hoping it wasn’t the price because, for the uninitiated, $1.50 for a hot dog and drink in 2026 is unheard of. Take it back to 1986, and it was a steal then, and it remains the same today.

READ MORE: Here's How You Can Shop At Costco Without A Membership In Illinois

A Major Menu Update for Costco Food Court Fans

However, I was expecting the worst, but then I found they made a small tweak that non-pop drinkers will love: they added water. Not just water from the tap, but good old Costco brand bottled water.

If you’re keeping score at home, this is the first time they've changed the Costco hot dog deal in the 40 years since it became a thing.

So now you can swap out the pop for a bottle of water. It’s still the same legendary deal as in 1986, just with less sugar.

READ MORE: Ed Sheeran Serving Hot Dogs At The Wiener Circle | Chicago

What the Costco Hot Dog Teaches Us About Change

This taught me (and other folks in the Midwest) a little life lesson today: things can change (a little) and still be just like they used to be.

Costco has locations across America, but the closest to us in the Rockford area is in Loves Park. What’s your reason for going to Costco? The cheap gas, the rotisserie chicken, or the hot dog meal?