Small microcontroller with USB host peripheral
If your only goal is retrieving serial data from the uP, any micro with a EUSART module will output serial data, then just hook up a "ttl-232r-5V" type cable.

No need for any usb host modules. I regularly use the PIC12f1572 for this type of thing. An 8 pin micro with adc, dac and eusart as well as a few other bits and pieces is more than enough for most of my projects. I buy them in bulk for around 0.30 gpb each.