The localCostcoandSam’s Clubstores are situated just over one mile apart.
Both locations feature their own freestanding gas stations outside and vast warehouses full of groceries inside.
They each also offer refreshments right after checkout in their respective food courts.
Photo: Chris Shott; Design: Joe Heroun for Eat This, Not That!
While each menu is a little different, several items are remarkably similar, providing easy points of comparison.
I recently visited both locations twice to see how each food court stacks up.
But the frankfurter itself has undergone some modifications.
The hot dog at Costco in Edison, N.J.Chris Shott/ Eat This, Not That!
The reddish dog arrived juicy, smoky and a little chewy.
Its soft texture lacked the snap of a more taut casing.
I requested chopped onions but this location had none to give out quite yet.
The hot dog at Sam’s Club in Edison, N.J.Chris Shott/ Eat This, Not That!
The hot dog at Sam’s Club is priced lower than its rival at $1.38.
You also seem to get a little less hot dog in return.
It is noticeably thicker, though, and more brownish in color.
Cheese pizza slice at Costco in Edison, N.J.Photo: Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
However, Edison had none to give when I asked.
Nowadays, your choices are just plain cheese and pepperoni.
For the purposes of this comparison, I chose the plain slice at both stores.
Cheese pizza slice at Sam’s Club in Edison, N.J.
This reduces the popular foodstuff to its most basic elements: crust, sauce, and cheese.
They tasted practically the same as well, though the Costco pie also seemed slightly more saucy.
The price difference is negligible, too.
The Chicken Bake at Costco in Edison, N.J.Chris Shott/ Eat This, Not That!
Costco’s slice costs $1.99; Sam’s is just one penny less.
The most noticeable difference is the crust.
Costco’s crust is puffy, soft, and doughy, while Sam’s is thinner and crispier.
The Pizza Pretzel at Sam’s Club in Edison, N.J.Chris Shott/ Eat This, Not That!
With so much else being nearly equal, the optional toppings really become the deciding factor.
Why else would Costco fans want tostick their hot dog in the middleof this glorified Hot Pocket?
However, to my surprise, it is probably the most delicious thing on the entire Costco menu.
Sundaes at Costco (left) and Sam’s Club (right)Courtesy of Chris Shott/Eat This, Not That
The flavor is tangy and perfectly salty, and overall just really hard to put down.
It’s also enormous.
The one in Edison measured almost one foot long and weighed over 12 ounces.
I cut it in half and got two meals for the total price of $3.99.
The pizza part was less enthralling.
Advantage: Costco
Sundae
Talk about simple pleasures.
That said, it’s pretty substantial.
The cup stands five inches tall, and comes filled to the rim with icy, sweet goodness.
The entire thing weighed in at over 12 ounces in Edison.
The Brownie Sundae at Sam’s Club, however, is a step above.
Oh, and it’ll save you some change as well, priced at just $1.58.
That could change in hurry, howeverjust as soon as Costco brings back its long-lost Combo Pizza.
