EPISODE 62

Why do these restaurant veterans look to Costco for Inspo?

Listen: ON SPOTIFY

Watch: ON YOUTUBE

There’s a certain honesty you get when a conversation starts in the weeds — in this case, buried somewhere between TK’s 43 alarms and the battlefield that is everyone’s notification inbox. What begins as a laugh turns into a full-blown wander through the strange rituals we all carry in our pockets… and the ones that lead us straight to Costco.

From the greasy glory of a $1.99 hot dog to the kind of pizza that’ll make you blot it like you’re performing first aid, we dig into why these places pull us back time and time again. Not for the romance of the meal, but for the ritual of it — the crowds, the chaos, and the comfort of a dog that tastes the same every single time.

But beneath the jokes and mystery-meat confessions, the conversation cracks open something bigger: how people want more from restaurants than just a plate of food. They want a reason to show up. A story. A community. A night that doesn’t look like all the others. Ping-pong tournaments instead of tired Sunday jazz. Wine tastings built for the die-hards. Handwritten notes to the regulars who quietly keep the wheels turning.

It’s about giving people another thread to hold onto — something that makes a place feel like theirs. This episode goes from Costco food courts to the beating heart of hospitality, all carried by the humour, honesty, and “don’t take yourself too seriously” charm that keeps this crew grounded.

If you’ve ever worked in hospitality… or ever eaten a hot dog that made you question your own morals… this one’s for you.