3 Amazing Costco Items You Won't Find at Other Stores

Most people know that Costco can be a great source of groceries and household essentials, like paper towels and cleaning supplies. But let's face it -- Costco isn't the only store selling eggs, paper plates, and laundry detergent. You can find all of these items at other warehouse club chains, as well as big-box and grocery stores.

But some of the items Costco sells are truly unique to Costco. Here are three you may want to scoop up if you have a membership (or, you may want to get a membership to enjoy these items).

1. A massive hot dog and soda for $1.50

Plenty of food establishments will sell you a hot dog and a cup of soda -- one that's probably largely diluted with ice. But you'll be hard-pressed to find a massive hot dog and large soda that you can fill yourself from a dispenser for a mere $1.50.

Now, if it seems like that price is too good to be true, you should know that it's sort of a gimmick on Costco's part. The warehouse club giant has made a point to keep its decades-old price in place for its hot dog and soda combo as a means of customer retention. But hey, that's not a bad thing if it means getting to pick up lunch on the cheap.

2. Kirkland Signature Cashew Clusters

Plenty of supermarkets and big-box stores sell snacks. But Kirkland's Signature Cashew Clusters aren't any ordinary snack -- they're a protein-packed combination of cashews, almonds, and pumpkin seeds with a mildly sweet glaze that offers up the perfect blend of sweet and salty.

These clusters are a great snack to take on a hike, or to pop in your mouth when you need a jolt of energy during a tiring workday. And at a price of $5.50 per pound, they're incredibly easy on your budget.

Oh yeah, and $5.50 per pound is the online price. But you should know that items sold by Costco both online and in stores are pretty much always cheaper to buy in person. So if you spot these on the shelves of your local Costco, you're probably looking at spending even less. 

3. Kirkland Signature Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake

If you love chocolate, then you should prepare to have your mind and taste buds blown by Costco's Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake, which you can find in the bakery section. It features a layer of chocolate cake, white chocolate mousse, traditional chocolate mousse, brownie chunks, and a chocolate ganache topping.

To get a sense of just how much chocolate is packed into this cake, let's put it this way -- it's a good thing Costco sells cheap milk by the gallon. You're going to need it to polish off a few slices of this beast of a cake. It's also a stunning dessert to bring to a party or put out for company. 

If you order the cake for same-day delivery, you're looking at a price of about $21. But if you pick it up at your local store, it's going to cost substantially less. 

These are only some of the exclusive products you'll find at Costco. If you're on the fence about getting a membership, it pays to sign up, roam the aisles, and check out Costco.com to see what inventory you'll gain access to. 

You can always cancel your membership at any time for a refund if you're not satisfied with it. But this way, these and other fantastic Costco buys will at least be on the table.