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Prices seem to be rising in every aspect of life, from streaming services to groceries. But fast-food restaurants are trying to counter rising costs by raising prices on value menus, meal deals and other ways hungry consumers can save money.
USA TODAY examined the menus of multiple fast food restaurants, including McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Taco Bell, to see what items you can get for $5 plus some change. This is what we found.
Note: Prices below are based on restaurant locations in Chicago. Prices may vary across the United States.
mcdonalds
McDonald’s, the popular fast food chain, offers a wide range of menu items from breakfast to burgers. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are served at different times each day and can be mixed and matched to create a meal.
Starting with breakfast, you can purchase on-hand items such as Sausage McMuffins, English Muffins, Sausage Biscuits, Hot and Spicy McChicken Biscuits, Egg and Cheese Biscuits, McChicken Biscuits, Sausage McGriddles, Chicken McGriddles, Hot and Spicy Chicken McGriddles, and Sausage Burritos for less than $5.
Lunch and dinner options are also extensive, including Lunch Snack Wraps ($3.79). Spicy Snack Wrap $3.79. Chicken McNuggets 4 pieces $3.39. Six pieces of Chicken McNuggets are $4.99. For sandwich fans, some of the chain’s classic items are also on the list.
- Cheeseburger, $3.69
- Double cheeseburger, $4.89
- Bacon cheeseburger, $4.49
- Hamburger, $3.49
- Double hamburger, $3.99
- McDouble, $4.59
- Daily Double Burger, $4.89
- Matchkin, $4.29
- Hot and Spicy McChicken, $4.79
These on-hand individual items can be paired with sides such as fries ($3.09) or soft drinks ($1-2), which can cost $5 or more. If you want free milk with your meal, the Hamburger Happy Meal costs $4.99 and comes with a sandwich, child-sized fries, apple slices, your choice of drink, and, of course, a toy.
wendy’s
Wendy’s has a menu similar to McDonald’s, including an Everyday Value Menu and lower-priced portable items. The Everyday Value menu includes eight items under $5.
- Junior Cheeseburger, $0.99
- Junior Cheeseburger Deluxe, $1.19
- Junior Bacon Cheeseburger, $1.60
- Double stack burger, $1.79
- Bacon double stack burger, $2.99
- Crispy chicken sandwich, $0.99
- Crispy chicken BLT, $1.69
- Junior Hamburger, $0.99
Most individual sandwiches are also available for under $5, including Dave’s Single, Dave’s Double, Son of Baconator, Big Bacon Classic, Bacon Double Stack, Classic Chicken Sandwich and Crispy Chicken BLT.
For those who don’t like sandwiches, the chain’s chicken nuggets can also be ordered for less than $5, but the most expensive item is a 10-piece nugget for $4.69. Chili, fries, and baked potatoes are also less than $5.
The chain has also established deals for meals that don’t cost a fortune.
- $4 Biggie Bites: Choose from 4 Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, Junior Cheeseburgers, or Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers. Nuggets, or junior fries, and the second item in the 4-piece. Nuggets, junior fries or soft drinks (small quantity)
- $5 Junior Cheeseburger Biggie Bag: Includes Junior Cheeseburger, 4 chicken nuggets, small fries, and small soft drink
taco bell
Many of Taco Bell’s menu items range from $2 to $5 and include a variety of food options to create a meal, including tacos, crunchwraps, burritos, grillers and more.
Most tacos cost between $1 and $4, with Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos costing $2.89. Burritos like the Cheesy Double Beef Burrito and Beefy 5-Layer Burrito are also typically under $5.
Taco Bell also has a Luxury Value Menu with items under $3. The chain also offers the Classic Luxe Box, which includes a beef-filled five-layer burrito, crunchy taco, cinnamon twist and medium fountain drink, for $5.
Chick-fil-A
Fast food restaurant Chick-fil-A has a large menu, most of which cost just over $10. Some individual items cost less than $5, but the portions may be too small for a complete meal for some customers.
- 5 ct Chick-fil-A Nuggets, $3.75
- 5 carat grilled nuggets, $4.20
- 2ct Chick-fil-A Chick and Strips, $4.19
- Medium mac & cheese, $4.59
- Side salad, $4.59
For those looking for a quick meal in the morning, Chick-fil-A’s breakfast menu offers multiple unique items for less than $5 before tax. For example, Sausage, Egg & Cheese Muffins, Bacon, Egg & Cheese Muffins are $4.75, Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuits, Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuits are $4.55.
Breakfast meals, like entrees and other meals, tend to cost $5 or more.
starbucks
Coffee chain Starbucks’ food menu is smaller than other fast food chains, but it still has affordable options. Many of Starbucks’ sandwiches are in the $7 range, but some snacks are under $5.
- Jalapeno chicken pockets, $3.95
- Spicy Falafel Pocket, $3.95
- Sausage, cheddar and egg sandwich, $4.95
- Turkey bacon, cheddar cheese and egg white sandwich, $4.95
- Spinach, feta and egg white wrap, $4.95
dunkin
Similar to Starbucks, coffee chain Dunkin’ sells all of its sandwiches and wraps in the Chicago area for less than $5, except for one signature breakfast sandwich.
Due to the nature of the restaurant, most sandwiches and wraps cater to the breakfast crowd. Still, the chain’s wake-up wraps and bagel, croissant, and English muffin breakfast sandwiches all cost between $2 and $5.
In addition to breakfast sandwiches, Dunkin’ also has grilled cheese sandwiches. The price is $4.39. Avocado toast $3.89. or Bacon Avocado Toast for $4.89.
subway
Subway options are also slightly limited. However, the sandwich chain has new wraps on the menu called Protein Pockets, which feature different types of meat inside a tortilla and cost $3.99 each.
Protein pocket options include Turkey & Ham, Italian Trio, Peppercorn Ranch Chicken, and Baja Chicken. However, Subway’s website states that the Protein Pocket is a limited time offer, so this option may not be around for long.
The longer-lasting deal gives customers the chance to get a 6-inch subwoofer for $4.99 in Subway’s Meal of the Day option. For an additional $2, you can make it a formal meal with a drink, chips, and cookies.
A different sub will be displayed for each day of the week.
- Sunday: Spicy Italian
- Monday: Meatball Marinara
- Tuesday: Classic tuna
- Wednesday: Sweet onion chicken teriyaki
- Thursday: Oven roasted turkey
- Friday: Black Forest Ham
- Saturday: Italian BMT
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or X @katecperez_.
