BY PETER BOUGIOUKOS // MARCH 1, 2014 //

Most people know Costco as a wholesale superstore. You must buy a membership to shop, but can then purchase a huge array of bulk products.

What most people don’t know about Costco is that it’s a pretty great place for cheap in-house dining. For the college crowd, that’s a great thing.

There is a Costco located right next to Legacy Place in Dedham, a hot spot for Curry students about 10 minutes from campus.

The “food court” at Costco is open to the public and offers a discount bonanza. For only $1.50, you could get a hot dog and a 20-ounce cup for a drink machine that allows for free refills. A slice of pizza costs $1.99 and also comes with a 20-ounce drink. If you have buddies with you, get a huge whole pizza for just $9.95.

Other items on the menu are various sandwiches—including a delicious turkey melt—that cost 3.99 each, Caesar salads for $3.99, and my personal soft spot: the $2.99 chicken bakes. Costco also serves smoothies and ice cream, which cost $1.45 each..

I recently spoke to a server in the food court about how great the prices were. He said store executives keep food prices low so that area residents who are struggling financially can eat inexpensively. That’s another reason why Costco leaves the food court open to the public.

So next time you and your friends are hungry and have just $5 in your pockets, the Costco food court is hard to beat.