Pastry Chef Invents 3D-Printed Holder to Eat Costco Hot Dog Mess-Free

Pastry Chef Invents 3D-Printed Holder to Eat Costco Hot Dogs Mess-Free

A Bay Area pastry chef and 3D printing enthusiast has created a clever solution for Costco shoppers who want to enjoy the famous $1.50 hot dog combo while navigating the warehouse. Juleon Cotillon, who works as a pastry chef by day, designed “The Buck Fifty”—a 3D-printed tray that attaches securely to the back of a Costco shopping cart’s baby seat.

The tray, printed using a Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer and designed in AutoCAD, features a cupholder for the drink and a flat platform for the hot dog. It turns the otherwise unused toddler seat space into a convenient snack perch, allowing shoppers to carry their food hands-free while browsing the aisles.

Cotillon has started taking pre-orders for the tray at $19.69 via his Shopify store, and interest has been high after the concept went viral on Instagram. For those with their own 3D printers, the design could also serve as inspiration for custom variations.

What is The Buck Fifty?

The Buck Fifty is a practical 3D-printed accessory designed specifically for Costco shopping carts. Named after the famous $1.50 price point of Costco’s hot dog combo, this innovative tray solves a common problem faced by Costco shoppers: how to eat your food while shopping through the massive warehouse store.

The device clips onto the upper rack of a Costco shopping cart’s baby seat area, transforming unused space into a functional food holder. It’s designed with two distinct compartments: a circular cupholder sized for standard soda cups and a flat platform perfect for holding a hot dog in its wrapper or bun. The design ensures that both food and drink remain stable even as you navigate crowded aisles or turn corners.

What makes The Buck Fifty particularly clever is its simplicity. Rather than requiring permanent modifications to the shopping cart, it uses a clip-on mechanism that can be easily attached and removed without damaging the cart. This makes it a practical solution that could be used by anyone without fear of backlash from store management.

How Does The Buck Fifty Work?

The Buck Fifty’s design is straightforward yet effective. The tray is engineered to fit the specific dimensions of Costco shopping carts, which have a relatively standardized design across locations. Here’s how it works:

Installation: Simply clip the tray onto the metal bars of the baby seat area. The design includes a secure clip mechanism that holds firmly but doesn’t damage the cart’s finish. Installation takes just seconds, and removal is equally quick.

Usage: Once installed, place your hot dog on the flat platform and your drink in the cupholder. The platform is slightly raised with edges to prevent the hot dog from sliding off, and the cupholder is sized to fit standard soda cups securely.

Stability: The tray’s center of gravity is carefully calculated to prevent tipping, even when the cart is in motion. The clip design distributes weight evenly, so the tray stays stable even when you’re pushing a loaded cart or making sharp turns.

Materials and Printing Details

The Buck Fifty is 3D-printed using PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament, a common and affordable 3D printing material. PLA is chosen for its ease of printing, durability, and food-safe properties when properly finished. Cotillon used a Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer for production, which is known for its reliability and ability to produce high-quality prints at a reasonable price point.

The design was created using AutoCAD, professional-grade CAD software that allows for precise measurements and iterations. This attention to detail ensures that each printed tray fits perfectly on Costco carts without gaps or instability issues.

Each tray requires approximately 4-5 hours of printing time and uses around 200-250 grams of filament. At current filament prices, the material cost per tray is roughly $4-5, with the remaining $14.69 covering equipment wear, design time, and profit margin.

Why Costco’s Hot Dog Combo is So Special

Costco’s $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has achieved legendary status in American retail. First introduced in the mid-1980s at a price of $1.50, the combo has remained at that exact price point for over 40 years, defying inflation and economic trends. According to Wikipedia, the price has remained unchanged since its introduction, making it one of the most consistent values in American retail.

What’s even more remarkable is that Costco has achieved this price stability through vertical integration. The company operates its own meat processing facilities that produce the hot dogs specifically for Costco food courts. This allows Costco to control every aspect of production and keep costs low. NPR reports that had the combo kept pace with inflation, it would cost approximately $4.40 today—nearly three times its actual price.

In a recent change, SFGate notes that Costco switched from Coca-Cola to Pepsi products, which helped maintain the $1.50 price point while keeping the combo popular with customers. This attention to pricing has made the hot dog combo not just a food item, but a cultural touchstone that represents value and consistency in an era of rising prices.

Comparison: Warehouse Club Hot Dog Options

Warehouse Club	Hot Dog Combo Price	Price History	Beverage	Value Score
Costco	$1.50	Same price since 1980s (~40 years)	20oz soda (Pepsi products since 2025)	★★★★★
Sam’s Club	$1.38	Reduced from $1.50 to $1.38 in 2023-2024	20oz soda (Coca-Cola products)	★★★★☆
BJs Wholesale	$2.99	Price varies by location, typically $2.99-$3.49	16oz soda	★★★☆☆
Average Fast Food Hot Dog	$3.50-$5.00	Regularly increases with inflation	16-20oz soda (additional cost)	★★☆☆☆

Table 1: Comparing warehouse club hot dog combos. Costco’s combo has maintained its iconic $1.50 price point for decades, making it the gold standard for value. Sam’s Club recently undercut Costco with a $1.38 price, but Costco’s longer history of price stability and cult following gives it an edge in overall value perception.

Comparison: 3D Printers for Printing Your Own Tray

3D Printer Model	Price Range	Build Volume	Enclosure	Suitability for The Buck Fifty
Bambu Lab P1S	$699-$799	256×256×256 mm	Fully enclosed with filter	★★★★★ (Used by original creator)
Bambu Lab P1P	$599-$699	256×256×256 mm	Open-frame design	★★★★☆ (Similar performance, no enclosure)
Creality Ender 3 V2	$199-$249	220×220×250 mm	Open-frame with optional enclosure	★★★☆☆ (Budget option, requires tuning)
Prusa MK4	$799-$899	250×210×220 mm	Open-frame with optional enclosure	★★★★☆ (Premium option, excellent reliability)
Anycubic Kobra 2	$249-$299	220×220×250 mm	Open-frame design	★★★☆☆ (Good entry-level choice)

Table 2: Comparing 3D printers suitable for printing a tray like The Buck Fifty. The Bambu Lab P1S, used by Juleon Cotillon, offers a fully enclosed design with carbon filters, making it ideal for indoor use. Budget options like the Ender 3 V2 or Anycubic Kobra 2 can produce similar results but may require more setup and tuning. According to Tom’s Hardware, the P1S represents “a new standard for 3D printing” with its combination of performance and price.

Installation and Usage Guide

Installing The Buck Fifty on your Costco shopping cart is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Locate the Baby Seat Area
Find the metal bars that form the baby seat at the back of the shopping cart. This area is typically unused by adult shoppers and provides the perfect mounting point.

Step 2: Align the Tray
Position The Buck Fifty so that the clip mechanism aligns with the horizontal bars of the baby seat frame. The cupholder should face toward you for easy access.

Step 3: Clip It On
Apply firm pressure to snap the clip onto the metal bars. You should hear or feel a satisfying click when it’s securely attached. Test it by gently pulling to ensure it’s stable.

Step 4: Load Your Food
Place your hot dog on the flat platform and your drink in the cupholder. The edges of the platform will help keep your hot dog in place.

Step 5: Shop Hands-Free
You’re now ready to shop! The tray will keep your food stable as you navigate the store, allowing you to browse and compare products while enjoying your meal.

Removal: When you’re finished, simply pull the tray away from the cart bars to release the clip. It should come off easily without leaving any marks or damage.

The Story Behind the Invention

Juleon Cotillon’s journey to creating The Buck Fifty is a perfect example of everyday problem-solving meets modern technology. As a pastry chef, Cotillon is no stranger to precision and creativity in the kitchen. His passion for 3D printing provided the perfect outlet for his problem-solving mindset.

According to SFGate, Cotillon came up with the idea after experiencing the frustration of trying to eat a Costco hot dog while shopping. Like many Costco shoppers, he found himself awkwardly standing in less-traveled aisles, trying to eat quickly before continuing his shopping trip. The solution became obvious: create a way to carry the food hands-free.

The design process involved multiple iterations. Cotillon measured Costco carts carefully to ensure a perfect fit, then used AutoCAD to create the initial design. After testing several prototypes, he settled on the current configuration that balances stability, ease of use, and printability.

Once the design was finalized, Cotillon began printing trays on his Bambu Lab P1S. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. After sharing the concept on Instagram, the post went viral, generating thousands of likes and shares. This viral success led to the decision to offer the trays for sale, giving other Costco shoppers the opportunity to enjoy the same convenience.

Design Considerations and Engineering

The Buck Fifty may seem simple, but significant engineering thought went into its design. Several key factors influenced the final product:

Cart Compatibility: Costco shopping carts have a remarkably consistent design across locations, but there are minor variations. The clip mechanism is designed with enough flexibility to accommodate these variations while still providing a secure fit.

Weight Distribution: The tray’s center of gravity is carefully calculated to prevent tipping. Even when loaded with a full soda and a hot dog, the tray remains stable during normal cart movement.

Material Choice: PLA filament was selected for its balance of strength, printability, and cost. It’s strong enough to hold a full soda can without deforming, yet flexible enough to allow the clip mechanism to function properly.

Print Time vs. Strength: The design balances print time with structural integrity. Using infill patterns and wall thicknesses that provide adequate strength without unnecessarily extending print time helps keep production costs reasonable.

Cleanability: The smooth surfaces and lack of complex internal structures make the tray easy to clean with simple soap and water, an important consideration for any food-contact surface.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The Buck Fifty raises some interesting questions about the use of shopping carts and store policies. While the product is designed to be non-destructive and easily removable, shoppers should be aware of potential store policies regarding attachments to carts.

Costco has not officially commented on The Buck Fifty, and the product appears to operate in a gray area. Because the tray clips on without modifying the cart and can be removed without leaving any trace, it’s unlikely to be considered vandalism or damage. However, individual store managers may have different perspectives.

From an ethical standpoint, the product enhances the shopping experience without harming the store’s property or disrupting operations. In fact, by allowing shoppers to eat while shopping, it could potentially increase the amount of time people spend browsing Costco’s aisles—arguably benefiting the store.

For those printing their own versions, it’s important to respect store property and remove any attachments before returning carts. This ensures that other shoppers aren’t confused by unexpected accessories and that the carts remain in their standard condition for store staff.

Future Possibilities and Variations

The success of The Buck Fifty opens up possibilities for similar accessories designed for specific retail environments. Some potential variations could include:

Different Store Chains: Similar designs could be adapted for other warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale, which have their own loyal food court followings.

Multi-Item Holders: Expanded designs could accommodate additional items like pizza slices, churros, or other popular Costco food court items.

Customizable Options: Future versions could include customizable elements, such as different colors, personalized engravings, or modular components that can be swapped based on what you’re eating.

Integration with Cart Features: More advanced designs could potentially integrate with existing cart features, such as using the child seat harness clips for additional stability.

Commercial Production: If demand continues to grow, we could see commercial production using injection molding, which would lower costs and increase consistency, though this would likely raise the price point.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Will The Buck Fifty fit on all Costco shopping carts?

Yes, the design is based on standard Costco shopping cart dimensions, which are remarkably consistent across locations. Minor variations may exist, but the clip mechanism is designed to accommodate normal manufacturing tolerances. If you encounter a cart that doesn’t fit, it’s likely an older or non-standard model, which should be rare at most Costco locations.

2. How long does it take to 3D print a Buck Fifty tray?

Using a Bambu Lab P1S or similar printer, a single tray takes approximately 4-5 hours to print. The exact time depends on the print quality settings, layer height, and whether you’re using any support structures. Budget 3D printers like the Ender 3 V2 may take slightly longer due to slower print speeds, but the difference is typically marginal.

3. Is PLA filament safe for food contact?

PLA (Polylactic Acid) is generally considered food-safe when printed correctly and properly finished. It’s made from cornstarch or sugarcane and doesn’t release toxic chemicals under normal printing conditions. However, for maximum safety, especially if you plan to use the tray frequently, consider applying a food-grade sealant or coating to the printed surface. This smooths out any microscopic roughness that could harbor bacteria.

4. Can I print my own Buck Fifty instead of buying one?

Yes, if you have access to a 3D printer, you can print your own version. While the official design files haven’t been publicly released (to protect the creator’s intellectual property), the concept is straightforward enough that you could create a similar design using CAD software. Alternatively, you may be able to find community-created designs on platforms like Thingiverse or Printables that offer similar functionality.

5. What should I do if a Costco employee asks me to remove the tray?

If a Costco employee asks you to remove The Buck Fifty, comply with their request politely and without argument. Store policies can vary by location, and individual managers may have different perspectives on third-party accessories. Remember that Costco carts are store property, and the store has the final say on what can and cannot be attached to them. The tray is designed to be easily removable, so you can take it off quickly if requested.

6. How much weight can The Buck Fifty hold?

The tray is designed to hold a standard 20oz soda can (approximately 1.2 pounds when full) and a hot dog in a wrapper. While PLA is strong enough to support significantly more weight than this, the clip mechanism is the limiting factor. Testing suggests the tray can safely hold 2-3 pounds of distributed weight, but it’s not designed for heavier items. Attempting to carry heavier items could cause the clip to fail or the tray to tip.

7. Will the tray work with different cup sizes?

The cupholder is designed to fit standard 20oz soda cups from the Costco food court, but it’s sized to accommodate a range of similar cups. Most standard fast-food soda cups (16oz-24oz) should fit securely. However, unusually shaped cups or those with very wide bases may not fit properly. The cupholder includes a slight taper to help keep cups stable, but very narrow cups (like standard water bottles) may be less secure.

8. Can I wash The Buck Fifty in a dishwasher?

While PLA can technically survive a dishwasher cycle, it’s not recommended. PLA has a relatively low glass transition temperature (around 60°C or 140°F), and the hot water and drying cycle in a dishwasher could cause warping or deformation. Instead, hand wash the tray with mild soap and warm water. If you need a more thorough cleaning, you can sanitize it with a solution of water and food-safe sanitizer or by wiping it with isopropyl alcohol.

Conclusion

The Buck Fifty represents a perfect intersection of everyday problem-solving and modern technology. What started as a personal frustration has evolved into a product that could improve the shopping experience for millions of Costco shoppers. Juleon Cotillon’s ingenuity demonstrates how 3D printing can turn simple ideas into practical solutions.

Whether you purchase a pre-made tray for $19.69 or print your own version, The Buck Fifty offers a clever solution to a relatable problem. It transforms the unused space on Costco shopping carts into a functional food holder, allowing shoppers to enjoy the iconic $1.50 hot dog combo hands-free while browsing the warehouse.

As 3D printing technology becomes more accessible, we can expect to see more innovations like this—everyday solutions to everyday problems, created by regular people with the tools to bring their ideas to life. The Buck Fifty is more than just a hot dog holder; it’s a testament to the democratization of manufacturing and the power of creative problem-solving.

Sources

I’m obsessed with this 3D-printed tray for Costco hot dogs by PCWorld, published February 6, 2026.

‘A silly idea’: How a Bay Area man’s hack is saving Costco customers by SFGate, published February 5, 2026.

Costco Shopper’s $15 3D-Printed Tray for $1.50 Hot Dog Combo Goes Viral by Vision Times, published February 15, 2026.

Costco hot dog – Wikipedia (accessed March 2026).

Costco says it will keep its hot dog combos $1.50. Here’s how by NPR, published June 3, 2024.

After 12 years, Costco makes big change to $1.50 hot dog combo meal by SFGate, published January 29, 2025.

Bambu Lab P1S Review: A New Standard for 3D Printing by Tom’s Hardware, published July 23, 2023.

Bambu Lab P1 Series | Reliable Out-of-the-Box Performance by Bambu Lab (accessed March 2026).