Customer says food at Sam’s Club is cheaper than groceries

If you’re a member of a subscription retail store like BJ’s, Sam’s Club, or Costco, then you’re probably very familiar with the incredibly low prices of the food courts at these locations. Costco famously still sells its gargantuan hot dog and soda combo for $1.50.

Sam’s Club has the same offering, along with 89-cent fountain drinks, $1 soft serve yogurt, $9 pizza slices, $2 cheese pretzels, and $2.50 pizzas stuffed with toppings. Cheapism calls Sam Walton’s $1.58 Berry Sundae their food court’s “sleeper hit.”

At these prices, it’s very easy for customers to get plenty of pre-cooked calories for relatively little money. In fact, one TikToker said the cost of the items is so low they chronicled all the groceries they could get for $7.

@samanthuhh.a we really are in a recession huh 😭😭😭#recession #samclubshopping #samsclubfinds #budget #budgethack #moneysavingtips #savemoney #grocery ♬ use this sound if you’re stupid – flyn‼️

A user of the platform named Samantha (@samanthuhh.a) writes in a text overlay on the video: “No reason why was it cheaper for us to eat at sam’s club than to cook at home??? That was $7 and groceries for a decent meal for two cost at least $15.”

In the clip, Samantha and another customer are seated at a table in the food court, in front of them are two slices of pizza with different toppings, along with an icee and a soda.

Depending on dietary needs and calorie intake, Samantha may have a point. According to the USDA, food cost increases will outpace restaurant price increases in 2023.

Several viewers agreed, and many echoed their own experiences of eating out rather than at home.

I buy a whole stuffed crust pizza at the store for about $6

At my Sams it’s $2.50 for pizza (2 slices) and large lemonade. Can’t beat it

And no mess! Literally no need to cook anymore

However, some TikTokers dismissed Samantha’s theory, stating that customers ultimately get more food out of groceries, especially when preparing multiple servings of the same meal over multiple days.

One user simply shared, “You’re not shopping right,” while another stared, “Your estimate for a meal for two is way over the top.” The creator responded that she includes desserts and drinks in her estimate, and ended with “Food is expensive!!!”

The Daily Dot reached out to Samantha via TikTok comment and Sam’s Club via email.

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