Did you know that it’s still possible to get a meal in the Bay Area for under two dollars?
Given that this is the land of $17 burritos and $80 steaks, that might be surprising. But two Bay Area stores still offer a meal for under two dollars.
Here they are:
The Costco Food Court
If you’ve never experienced the glory of the Costco food court, you have to stop by your local Costco store now.
Since 1985, Costco has held the price of their hotdog and soda combo artificially low. For only $1.50, you can get a hotdog with all the fixings and a soda you can refill as many times as you want. It’s a popular item not only for shoppers but also for contractors and business owners who stop by Costco on their way to work.
If you need a meal for your family, you can also get a Costco chicken for five dollars. I get one about two to three times per month, and I attest to the fact that they’re delicious.
Imagine that; even here in the Bay Area, getting lunch and dinner for your family for under 10 bucks.
The IKEA Marketplace
If you stop by the IKEA store in Emeryville, California, or the new location in downtown San Francisco, you’ll find another incredible deal. The IKEA marketplace sells Swedish food items and other specialties.
But it also has insanely cheap food. We’re not talking about the restaurant that sells Swedish meatballs, although that’s pretty cheap too.
The one you’re looking for is a little market right after the checkout stand. Here, you can get such things as an ice cream cone for $1.25, a hotdog for 75 cents, and more.
I recently went to the IKEA in Emeryville and got ice cream, pretzels, hotdogs, and more for my kids’ lunch, all for about six dollars.
Granted, you’re probably not going to be getting any of these items every single day. But it’s nice to know that if you ever want a break from the Bay Area’s high prices and rampant inflation, relief is just a Costco or IKEA visit away.
