Part of eating fast food is getting a good value for your money. So I want to find out if anyone has discovered any hidden values.
One I discovered today was at Jack in the Box. I like their Ultimate Cheeseburger with lots of meat and layers of cheese but at over $3 it is hardly a good value.
In the past I enjoyed the Jumbo Jack but did not really care for the tomato or the overpowering unions and they wanted to slap on an additional 50 cents for cheese taking it to nearly $2.
Well today I tried the "Big Cheeseburger" and was pleasantly surprised at $1.29. Large juicy quarterpound patty of meat smothered with plenty of cheese in a sesame bun and plenty of sauce (sometimes their Jumbo Jack can be a bit dry). There is probably better burgers but at $1.29 I thought it was an excellent value.

Here is what we have so far:
Best Bargain Fast Food Deals
Del Taco – Taco Tuesday - 3 Tacos for $1, Spicy Jack Quesadillas, Chicken Tacos - $.79
Taco Bell – Bean Burritos - $.89, Taquitos - $1.89

Jack in the Box – Big Cheeseburger - $1.29, Two Tacos - $.99
Wendy’s - JBC - Junior Bacon Cheeseburger - $1 or SBC - Senior Bacon Cheeseburger (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=SBC+(Senior+Bacon+Cheeseburger)) - $2, Spicy Chicken, Double Stack - $1.29 & other dollar menu items, Large Frosty - $1.69
McDonald’s – Double Cheeseburger - $1
Burger King – Whopper Jr. - $1 (Cheese is $.40 extra so order $1 double cheese and add lettuce, tomato, onion to it!)
Subway – Six inch sub of the day - $3
Wienerschnitzel – Latest Hot Dog Deal
Rally's - 2 Big Buffords (double cheeseburgers with all the toppings)- $4

Costco – Whole chicken - $4.99, Pizza - $9.99, Hot Dog with unlimited soda - $1.50, Frozen yogurt with topping - $1.25, Free samples around the store – makes a great Saturday afternoon lunch!
Pizza Hut – Large one topping pizza - $9.99 ($11.99 anyway you want it) (May require coupon)
Domino's Pizza - Large Brooklyn or Philly Cheese Steak Pizza - $9.99 (add a 2nd medium for $5 more) (May require coupon)
AM/PM – Pizza $1.50 (Be sure to get it early in the day)

Grocery Store:
Safeway/Vons Deli Soup (medium size)
fried chicken
whole chicken - $5.99 (Be sure to ask to have it drawn and quartered)
1 apple, small bunch of grapes, 1 roll from bakery - $1.50
Expensive TV dinners but only when they are having a super sales $2.00-$2.50 (Marie Callender’s, Hungry Man, Boston Market, Claim Jumper, etc.)

NYC Chinatown Stand – Fried Rice/Noodle - $1 (enough for two meals)
NYC Gray Papaya - Single frank - $.75

White Castle –
Vega$ – Shrimp Cocktail - $1

London’s Department Store Food Halls
London’s Pubs – Fish and Chips
London McDonald's - "Value" Meal 5£ or $10! Oh Wait! That does not count!!!

Vietnamese Beef Pho – If you can find it for less than $5
Vietnamese Sandwiches - $2 or less (years ago these things use to be $1 each along with buy 5 get one free until the general public discovered them)

I used to feed my whole family of six at JIB for less than $20.

I love two tacos for $0.99 at JIB. Great snack. ^

There was a Weinerschnitzel nearby that had all you can eat hot dog Tuesdays. They later changed it to $0.25 mustard dog Tuesdays. :p

overpowering unions

I thought that's what took place in prison showers.

There was a Weinerschnitzel nearby that had all you can eat hot dog Tuesdays. They later changed it to $0.25 mustard dog Tuesdays. :p

Did you have a hand in that?

The all time fast food bargain....although the product wasn't always that good....were the dollar shrimp cocktails in Vegas.

Yeah the Big Cheeseburger is the best value at JITB in my opinion too. I always gets TWO :cool:

Sadly fast food isn't really cheap anymore. Prices has consistently been rising the past few years to where a burger/fries/shake that used to be had for under $5 now pushes $7 at most places. :mad:

If we want to include "drink", I'd give my vote to the 50-cent pints of MGD and Miller Lite at Chauncey's pub in Iowa City during Monday Night Football.
Unfortunately (and inevitably), I think that was discontinued a few years ago.

All time bargain however was right after I got out of college in the early 70s. A club called the Varsity in La Crosse WI, Monday nights had all the draft beer you could drink (PBR)...and a live band....for a buck!

Yeah the Big Cheeseburger is the best value at JITB in my opinion too. I always gets TWO :cool:

Sadly fast food isn't really cheap anymore. Prices has consistently been rising the past few years to where a burger/fries/shake that used to be had for under $5 now pushes $7 at most places. :mad:OK I am starting to get crazy now that I have had the Big Cheeseburger three days in a row. It is really that good and a never eat fast food 3 days in a row. Tried to add other items to my order like the $1 taco, french fries, etc. but nothing beats just the "Big Cheeseburger" by itself. I don't know if this is a temp thing but it is pretty darn good.

When did Big Macs, quarterpounders etc. become over $3 each? What a terrible value.

OK I am starting to get crazy now that I have had the Big Cheeseburger three days in a row. It is really that good and a never eat fast food 3 days in a row. Tried to add other items to my order like the $1 taco, french fries, etc. but nothing beats just the "Big Cheeseburger" by itself. I don't know if this is a temp thing but it is pretty darn good.

When did Big Macs, quarterpounders etc. become over $3 each? What a terrible value.

I'd like to know when a large shake become $3+. Used to be $1.79 before everyone started switching to the new "ice cream shakes" instead of the classic fast food style shake. They don't taste better, actually have more calories, and are twice the cost. :td: A few years ago you could get a real LARGE shake at Carl's Jr for $1.69 I think now it's $3 at least.

The dollar double cheeseburgers from McD's are a pretty good value. Two of those, and I'm good until the next meal.

It's pretty tough to beat 18 slyders with fries for nine bucks.

I'd like to know when a large shake become $3+. Used to be $1.79 before everyone started switching to the new "ice cream shakes" instead of the classic fast food style shake. They don't taste better, actually have more calories, and are twice the cost. :td: A few years ago you could get a real LARGE shake at Carl's Jr for $1.69 I think now it's $3 at least.

I hate all these new shakes :( The other day I stopped by JitB to get a medium chocolate shake and it came with whipped cream in a fancy see-through cup.

Probably it's the only way they could think of to "revitalize" the shake market. Now I probably won't get one again from anywhere but In'n'Out (fast food-wise, anyway).

Did you have a hand in that?They were certainly losing money under the other pricing model. :cool:



Side story. The same Weinerschnitzel would have $0.59 chili dog Sundays, and it was right near our church. We drove through and asked for 8 chili dogs and 12 ketchup dogs. They charged us the full price for the ketchup dogs. The Einstein at the window said, "Only Chili dogs are on special." I then ordered 20 chili dogs, 12 with no chili and a bunch of ketchup packets. :rolleyes:

The dollar double cheeseburgers from McD's are a pretty good value. Two of those, and I'm good until the next meal.

Just one of 'em holds me....and hold the cheese, please. Amazing how when you strip away all the crud (fat, sodium, etc.) that gets loaded on, the McD burger itself isn't half bad. And for a buck, its a bargain as well.

Chinatown in NYC. Food stand sells a carton of fried rice / noodle for $1. You can split that into 2 meals.

They were certainly losing money under the other pricing model. :cool:



Side story. The same Weinerschnitzel would have $0.59 chili dog Sundays, and it was right near our church. We drove through and asked for 8 chili dogs and 12 ketchup dogs. They charged us the full price for the ketchup dogs. The Einstein at the window said, "Only Chili dogs are on special." I then ordered 20 chili dogs, 12 with no chili and a bunch of ketchup packets. :rolleyes:

Clever. What movie was I watching where Nicholson used the same tactic to get toast?

Two words : Del taco

Sure, its not much food, and you dont know exactly what you are eating, but its beyond cheap.

Clever. What movie was I watching where Nicholson used the same tactic to get toast?

I believe that was the classic 'Five Easy Pieces' ;)

They were certainly losing money under the other pricing model. :cool:

Side story. The same Weinerschnitzel would have $0.59 chili dog Sundays, and it was right near our church. We drove through and asked for 8 chili dogs and 12 ketchup dogs. They charged us the full price for the ketchup dogs. The Einstein at the window said, "Only Chili dogs are on special." I then ordered 20 chili dogs, 12 with no chili and a bunch of ketchup packets. :rolleyes:

RB: They should have divided each hot dog into FIVE EASY PIECES for you!;)

I worked at the Jack in the Box on the corner of Voltaire and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in Ocean Beach (San Diego) when I was in high school. I haven't had one of their burgers or tacos in many many years.

cheap meal on the road, just stop at a major grocery store, most serve hot soup and grilled chicken in the deli's.

Duplicate. Sorry.

I used to feed my whole family of six at JIB for less than $20.



So I take it you had good health insurance?

I believe that was the classic 'Five Easy Pieces' ;)

Ah yes. Also featured: a chance to see Sally Struthers' (Gloria Stivek on All in the Family) big fat breastesses before the rest of her caught up and she was forced to shill for Close-cover-before-striking University on late night tv.

cheap meal on the road, just stop at a major grocery store, most serve hot soup and grilled chicken in the deli's.

Variation on the same theme...

When visiting my daughter in London, I like to hit the food halls at the major department stores and order for "take away". Perhaps the best fast food in the city....except, of course, for fish & chips in the pubs!

Ah yes. Also featured: a chance to see Sally Struthers' (Gloria Stivek on All in the Family) big fat breastesses before the rest of her caught up and she was forced to shill for Close-cover-before-striking University on late night tv.

BamaVol - 2 posts in rapid succession on Sally Struthers big fat breastesses ! That has to be a FT record !
(Although I shudder to think what those things must be like at this point in time !!!)
Regarding a fast food bargain....2 words. White Castle.
Nothing better at 2 in the morning. Nothing better 8 hours later when you are still tasting them...

Variation on the same theme...

Perhaps the best fast food in the city....except, of course, for fish & chips in the pubs!

Correction!

Food halls/Fish & Chips in London definitely a great idea... But the BEST fast food in town would be buying direct from the farmers at Borough Market on Friday or Saturday mornings! My vote goes to the English, French, & Italian cheesemakers, the cooked sausages/meat pies (from Devon & Cornwall), and the German guys selling char-broiled Bratwursts.

cheap meal on the road, just stop at a major grocery store, most serve hot soup and grilled chicken in the deli's.Not any more.
1) A medium soup at Safeway use to be the best deal in town at well under $3. Some decent gourmet varieties too - Italian Wedding, Jambalaya, Hearty Meat Chili. The price kept going up and up and in less than a few months it is now around $5 for a medium soup!!!
2) Sometime in the mid-90's grocery stores abruptly did away with the half-off-everything in the deli after like 7 pm and to this day my life is not been the same. They NOW take the leftover rancid chicken at the end of the day, wrap it up in saran wrap, stick it in the cooler until the grease solidifies and skin gets leather tough, and charge regular price! Should be illegal.

Not any more.
1) A medium soup at Safeway use to be the best deal in town at well under $3. Some decent gourmet varieties too - Italian Wedding, Jambalaya, Hearty Meat Chili. The price kept going up and up and in less than a few months it is now around $5 for a medium soup!!!

Really? Vons (our Safeway) still has the medium soup for $3.79. Jambalaya is great... I also like mixing the Italian Wedding with the Tomato Bisque.

JIB big cheeseburger is a great value, as is the $1/2 tacos (though some locations don't "participate" :td: ) At McD's, I also get the $1 double cheeseburger and the $1 McChicken.... and switch the top buns so there's some lettuce, mayo, and onions on both. BK occasionally has $1 whoppers.

Up until recently, Togo's had a 6" hot pastrami sandwich for $1.99 on Tuesdays.

JIB big cheeseburger is a great value, as is the $1/2 tacos (though some locations don't "participate" :td: ) At McD's, I also get the $1 double cheeseburger and the $1 McChicken.... and switch the top buns so there's some lettuce, mayo, and onions on both. BK occasionally has $1 whoppers.

Up until recently, Togo's had a 6" hot pastrami sandwich for $1.99 on Tuesdays.

Back in the late 90's, our local McDonalds (Tracy, CA at the time) featured hamburgers for some outrageously low price every Wednesday night. I may not remember clearly, but I think they were $0.29. The limit was 10, but I would send in 4 kids each with a three bucks while I went to the drive-through. Whatever they didn't eat that night went in the freezer to be nuked and consumed later.

Really? Vons (our Safeway) still has the medium soup for $3.79. Jambalaya is great... I also like mixing the Italian Wedding with the Tomato Bisque.We also saw that price briefly until eventually went up. Still a decent value but truly amazing at less than $2.50 mere months ago.

Roasted Chickens at the grocery store and Costco are usually really good deals at $5.

Del Taco and JITB... man how I miss California at times :(

Del Taco's Spicy jack Quesadillas were awesome.

Taco Bell's Taquitos are a fair deal at $1.89, but that place as far as "deals" go has been eroding since they day I arrived in California and seeing my first Taco Bell.

I hate all these new shakes :( The other day I stopped by JitB to get a medium chocolate shake and it came with whipped cream in a fancy see-through cup.

Probably it's the only way they could think of to "revitalize" the shake market. Now I probably won't get one again from anywhere but In'n'Out (fast food-wise, anyway).

What makes them think prettying up a shake with whipped cream and a stupid cherry in a translucent cup will replace an actual good, large shake? Who are they fooling?

In'N'Out has good shakes (and food too) but the portions are just too small for me. If I'm spending $5 at a fast food place I need to leave full, and I can't do that at In'N'Out.

Only place with a decent shake left is Wendy's with the large Frosty for $1.69 - I usually get one of those with two $1 spicy chickens and that fills me up.

Surprised nobody has mentioned Taco Bell. I can leave happy with two $.89 bean burritos and a water to drink.

Roasted Chickens at the grocery store and Costco are usually really good deals at $5.



Hard to beat the $9.95 fully cooked pizza from Costco. Easily feeds four people and IMO it's a great tasting pizza. Add a chocolate yogurt cup for $1.25 for an excellent meal.

The Costco pizzas are nasty after they get cold, though. For 10 bucks with a coupon you can get something from Pizza Hut or one of the other chains.

The Costco pizzas are nasty after they get cold, though. For 10 bucks with a coupon you can get something from Pizza Hut or one of the other chains.

Matter of opinion I guess. I think the Costco pizza tastes far better than a Pizza Hut or equivalent not to mention it's twice the volume.

Back in the late 90's, our local McDonalds (Tracy, CA at the time) featured hamburgers for some outrageously low price every Wednesday night. I may not remember clearly, but I think they were $0.29. The limit was 10, but I would send in 4 kids each with a three bucks while I went to the drive-through. Whatever they didn't eat that night went in the freezer to be nuked and consumed later.

When I worked at McD's (my very first job! and I lasted the 4-month average, too) we had a $.20 promotion a couple of times and it was a zoo!

One thing that we got to do is take home any food at the closing shift without having to charge it against our paychecks, so I'd take home cheeseburgers or apple pies and do just what you did: freeze and nuke later.

Although now that I'm an adult, I wonder about the responsibility of a restaurant that lets a 15-year-old work closing on school nights. We often weren't out of there till midnight.

I have always wondered if McD's only qualifies as food if you are really hungry. I used to take my kids, but just found I got indigestion every time.

In NY, where things can be very expensive, Gray's Papaya sells great hot dogs and juices. The special is one juicy hot dog with a fruit drink for $1.45, or a single frank for 75 cents for budget diners.

Going a little more upscale, the Pho Bang restaurants in NY serve Pho (a huge bowl of beef soup) with beef in it (or you can go for delicacies like, ummm, eyes) for $4.50 or $5.50. The food is very good, though I never tried the eyes. When we lived in NY, we were likely the first regular Caucasian customers and became friendly with the owner who used to go out and buy beers to share with us. Pho Bang is now a chain of restaurants and he also has a number of properties.

Taco Del Mar has a "Taco Tuesday" special where you get two tacos, rice and beans and a drink for $4.99.

Back in the late 90's, our local McDonalds (Tracy, CA at the time) featured hamburgers for some outrageously low price every Wednesday night. I may not remember clearly, but I think they were $0.29. The limit was 10, but I would send in 4 kids each with a three bucks while I went to the drive-through. Whatever they didn't eat that night went in the freezer to be nuked and consumed later.

I think this was a nationwide deal - at least they had the same promo in the midwest.

IIRC the options were $0.29 hamburgers and $0.39 cheeseburgers. I didn't go to quite the effort that BamaVol did though... :D

Also around the same time, Taco Bell had a similar promo, but I want to say the prices were different - like $0.59, $0.79, and $0.99 - $0.99 was for a mexican pizza (yum). Tacos and burritos were $0.59.

What a wonderful time it was to be young and free of parental influence... :p I'm sure I'll be putting some cardiovascular surgeon's kids through college sooner or later courtesy of McDonalds Wednesdays... :eek:

Taco Del Mar has a "Taco Tuesday" special where you get two tacos, rice and beans and a drink for $4.99.

Del Taco has a Taco Tuesday promo too - 3 tacos for $1, I believe. It being Tuesday, I might have to investigate... :cool:

Here is what we have so far:
Best Bargain Fast Food Deals
Del Taco – Spicy Jack Quesadillas
Taco Bell – Bean Burritos - $.89, Taquitos - $1.89

Jack in the Box – Big Cheeseburger - $1.29, Two Tacos - $.99
Wendy’s - Spicy Chicken, Double Stack - $1 & other dollar menu items, - $1.69 Large Frosty
McDonald’s – Double Cheeseburger - $1

Costco – Pizza - $9.99, Hot Dog with unlimited soda - $1.50, Frozen yogurt with topping - $1.25, Free samples around the store – makes a great Saturday afternoon lunch!
Pizza Hut – Use a coupon good for a pizza - under $10
Grocery Store – Safeway/Vons Deli Soup (medium size), fried chicken
Wienerschnitzel – Latest Hot Dog Deal
NYC Chinatown Stand – Fried Rice/Noodle - $1 (enough for two meals)
White Castle –
Vega$ – Shrimp Cocktail - $1

London’s Department Store Food Halls
London’s Pubs – Fish and Chips

Fast food is getting very expensive. 2 mustard dogs and fries is about $5 bucks now at WS. Almost cheaper to go to regular restaurant.

Costco Hot Dog and Soda $1.59
Any taco shop: Bean tostada $1.90
Grocery store: 1 apple, small bunch of grapes, 1 roll from bakery $1.50

does AM/PM still have 2 dogs for a dollar?

When buying a whole roast chicken, ask the counterperson to quarter it. Makes for much for convenient serving and eating. Tried this at Whole Foods recently and it worked out very well.

Back in the late 90's, our local McDonalds (Tracy, CA at the time) featured hamburgers for some outrageously low price every Wednesday night. I may not remember clearly, but I think they were $0.29. The limit was 10, but I would send in 4 kids each with a three bucks while I went to the drive-through. Whatever they didn't eat that night went in the freezer to be nuked and consumed later.

Ah yes, Wednesday nights became McD's nights for us in college... my roommates and I even hosted a Cheeseburgers and Adult Beverages party one time :D

Burger King has Whopper Juniors for a buck. Also, save your receipt and call the survey number. It allows you to buy a small drink and fry and get a free Whopper. Works out to be about a $1.25 discount.

Subway has a six inch sub of the day for 3 bucks.

Arbys has four Arby sandwiches for ten bucks - usually weekends only.

...

Arbys has four Arby sandwiches for ten bucks - usually weekends only.

This is the issue. It seems only weeks ago Arby's had 5 for $5! (Andif you onlly wanted one it cost you $2.50!)

duplicate, sorry

delete - very slow connection tonight

do NOT forget the JBC's

Oh another one... Rally's has 2 Big Buffords (double cheeseburgers with all the toppings) for $4. It's not listed anywhere, but is definitely in the system.

You should only see what I pay out here in London... £5 for a McDonalds meal... thats $10!

The dollar double cheeseburgers from McD's are a pretty good value. Two of those, and I'm good until the next meal.

Just one of 'em holds me....and hold the cheese, please. Amazing how when you strip away all the crud (fat, sodium, etc.) that gets loaded on, the McD burger itself isn't half bad. And for a buck, its a bargain as well.

Exactly what I do, order a pair of double cheeseburgers minus the cheese... two double burgers and a small fry = $3.18 including tax in MI. I bring my own coffee or can of soda (pop) and get a very inexpensive lunch out of it. I avoid the beverages when eating out as that seems to be one of their largest profit centers.

Sounds like a $1 Whopper Jr. at BK would do the same thing - change it up a little. I agree that it seems fast food deals like this are getting fewer each day, but I look anyway as I'm cheap when not on per diem. ;)

Del Taco has a Taco Tuesday promo too - 3 tacos for $1, I believe. It being Tuesday, I might have to investigate... :cool:

I love there 79 cent chicken tacos. I'm sure to get them when I visit the west.

My combo of choice was the tacos and quesadilla combo. Upsize it to get a bigger drink and a 3rd taco. Throw in 2 or 3 chicken tacos and I'm good all day. :cool:

Burger King has Whopper Juniors for a buck. Also, save your receipt and call the survey number. It allows you to buy a small drink and fry and get a free Whopper. Works out to be about a $1.25 discount.

Subway has a six inch sub of the day for 3 bucks.

Arbys has four Arby sandwiches for ten bucks - usually weekends only.

Here's a little trick for getting a Whopper Jr. with cheese for the price of a cheeseburger.

Burger king charges up to 40 cents for cheese. However, as my friend Frans found out (hence calling it the "Frans burger"), if you order a cheeseburger and tell them to add lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo, you still pay only $1. As the guy at BK told us, veggie toppings are free, cheese isn't. End result - Whopper Jr. with cheese. It'll have mustard, but you can tell them to hold it if you don't want it.

Yeah you don't save much, but it's still a nice little way not to have to pay more if you don't have to.

Exactly what I do, order a pair of double cheeseburgers minus the cheese... two double burgers and a small fry = $3.18 including tax in MI.

Sounds like a $1 Whopper Jr. at BK would do the same thing - change it up a little. I agree that it seems fast food deals like this are getting fewer each day, but I look anyway as I'm cheap when not on per diem.

Sure, that works. I've done it. You get a less burger, but you can get the other toppings instead.

do NOT forget the JBC'sOr the SBC http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=SBC+%28Senior+Bacon+Cheeseburger%2 9

Or the SBC http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=SBC+%28Senior+Bacon+Cheeseburger%2 9

JBC's went up quite a bit over the last few months. Used to be 99 cents now they're $1.39 :eek:

Fascinating reading. Any vegetarians/vegans out there? Aside from the produce aisle at the grocery store, I haven't found any bargains.

McDonalds still offer the McVeggie in some markets (NYC), but it's no bargain at around $4. There's the Wendy's baked potatoes (usually $1 - $1.50). And some side salads at McDonalds and Wendy's (sans dressing). The BK Veggie is vegetarian, if you get it without mayo, but it's usually no bargain.

No vegan offering at Subway, any day of the week. (Perhaps the wraps are vegetarian?)

I know food snobs will turn their noses up, but I think the McDonald's dollar double-cheeseburger is the best national food bargain in America. I've had worse burgers for 4 times the price!

It often works overseas, too. In Japan (at least last year), you could get it for 100 yen -- about 80 cents. Amazing.

The best deal at McDonald's though, which nobody seems to have mentioned, is the fruit and yogurt parfait for a buck. It doesn't seem that EVERY McDonald's offers it, but most do. What's nice about it is that it's a relatively healthy snack, with fresh fruit and granola. What otherwise annoys me at McDonalds is that their healthier foods -- like salads -- are significantly more expensive than their unhealthy foods, like double cheeseburgers and $1 fries.

Many McDonalds also offer good $1 deals for breakfast. In Hawaii, I just had a sausage mcmuffin for a buck. When you think of what food costs in Hawaii, that's astonishingly cheap.

Burger King seems to have rolled out a new dollar menu, at least in most areas, but I haven't had a chance to try it.

My kids would probably vote for the 99 cent chicken nuggets at Wendys as their favorite cheap fast food. Indeed, I sometimes get annoyed at McDonalds which often seems to want to charge $2.50 for an order of (inferior) nuggets.

IMHO, the best value by far is the Costco choice of either a Polish Sausage or Hot Dog (both are quarter pounders), and include sauerkraut along with a refillable 20 oz drink. The meat products are kosher, which sort of guarantees a safe meat product. The cost...$1.59 and no tipping.

IMHO, the best value by far is the Costco choice of either a Polish Sausage or Hot Dog (both are quarter pounders), and include sauerkraut along with a refillable 20 oz drink. The meat products are kosher, which sort of guarantees a safe meat product. The cost...$1.59 and no tipping.

Good call! And you don't even need a membership... either the food window is outside, or you just say "I'm going to customer service..." (or even just say "I'm just getting food").

I just wish they had mayo.

The local KFC has a country fried steak meal for $1.99 on Tuesdays, including biscuit, mashed potatoes, and cole slaw.

Arby's "Pick 5" combo can also be a good deal, but prices seem to vary by location.

In the Southwest, nothing beats
In-n-Out burgers for taste and value.
Burgers made fresh while you wait
and fries cut right in the restaurant.
$5.00 combo price. You'll never eat a
Mickey D's rubber burger again.

I know some of you will start heaving at the mention of McDonald's....but....

I grew up on the Fish-O-Filet sandwiches and still kinda like them. On Friday's they're $1.29 each. A few months ago, they used to be $1 Fish-O-Filet Fridays. That's the only thing I like at McD these days.


Steve:D

We also saw that price briefly until eventually went up. Still a decent value but truly amazing at less than $2.50 mere months ago.

Crap! Just had soup today (jambalaya), and it's now $3.99 for the medium. Stupid upward soup creep:eek:

The local KFC has a country fried steak meal for $1.99 on Tuesdays, including biscuit, mashed potatoes, and cole slaw.

Arby's "Pick 5" combo can also be a good deal, but prices seem to vary by location.wow a country fried steak meal? That sounds eerily delicious. That's gotta be a local promo.. I've never seen that promo before.

The Arby's pick 5 is all over CA. I got a ton of arby's near me (no idea why) and they do like 3 for $5's.

Problem I have with mcdonalds is that their burgers taste like horsemeat. It's this nasty spicy thing I can't stand.. must be MSG, gives me huge headaches.

Their chicken nuggets however ^ ^ I can eat those for days.

Their chicken nuggets however ^ ^ I can eat those for days.

But it hasn't been the same since they went to "all-white meat"... they were so righteously good before then.

Who remembers 6 pieces for 99c?

Popeye's Fried Chicken in the Houston area.....on Tuesdays, two pieces dark meat for 89 cents.

I used to go get three orders to go - pay 2.67 plus tax, and then bring it home, open a can of something for a side, and have dinner for 3. (We all happen to prefer dark meat to white meat so no problem here!)

The best bargains in fast food (for the most part) are to get takeout and avoid the combination meals. You can almost always do better just getting the items you want.

Like instead of 3 burger combo meals (anywhere) - get takeout and order 3 burgers, 1 large order of fries (to share), and open a can of soda from the house. You'll usually save about half.^

IMHO, the best value by far is the Costco choice of either a Polish Sausage or Hot Dog (both are quarter pounders), and include sauerkraut along with a refillable 20 oz drink. The meat products are kosher, which sort of guarantees a safe meat product. The cost...$1.59 and no tipping.

Reminds me of the deal IKEA used to have on Swedish meatballs in their cafeterias. Its been a while since I've been so the price has undoubtedly gone up, but you used to be able to get an excellent...and bountiful...lunch for around five bucks.

Reminds me of the deal IKEA used to have on Swedish meatballs in their cafeterias. Its been a while since I've been so the price has undoubtedly gone up, but you used to be able to get an excellent...and bountiful...lunch for around five bucks.

That could be correct... I stopped by about 1 1/2 years ago for their $1.99/10 meatball snack. The 10 meatball snack is no more :(

And really, how hard is it to make it at home? Roll ground meat into balls, add some seasoning, brown, and add mushroom sauce.

I don't know if this is regional or nationwide (I'm assuming it's regional), but the McDonald's here in TX have "$2 Tuesdays" (Hot & Spicy McChicken combo) and "$2.49 Wednesdays" (Big Mac combo).

instead of 3 burger combo meals (anywhere) - get takeout and order 3 burgers, 1 large order of fries (to share), and open a can of soda from the house. You'll usually save about half.^

I'm with you on that one. The beverages are a huge mark-up item. If I'm somewhere on the road for a week, I'll typically pick up a 12 pack of sodas on my first day. It then lasts me all week. During warm weather months, even if I have to buy a cheap styrofoam cooler for a couple of bucks, I still come out ahead on price and convenience.

Fountain tastes better than bottled/canned, IMO.

Fountain tastes better than bottled/canned, IMO.

Fountain tastes bater than canned, but not better than bottled if you don't drink it out of a bottle. I also like Coke in glass bottles, which is hard to get here in the states.

McDonalds in my area have McChicken for $1, in addition to the aforementioned double cheeseburger.
They also frequently have t-fers for breakfast, as in two sausage mcmuffins, two mcgriddles, or two bacon-egg-cheese biscuits for $2.

Regarding the BK Whopper Jr for $1: pair that with a $1 salad. It's a darned good salad for a buck.

Fountain tastes better than bottled/canned, IMO.

Oh my fountain drinks are so variable in quality (IMHO) that canned is fine with me...in fact I like my soft drinks undiluted so actually prefer canned sodas to fountain drinks over ice.....that's just me! ;)

I vote the 1 dollar double cheeseburger.

Also how about the Culvers snack pack for anyone in the midwest? a Real cooked to order cheeseburger, fries and soda for 2.99..and their cheeseburgers are awesome.

For some reason we don't see sauerkraut in our local Costco for a few years now. Only onions and relish. But is still a delicious meal. Mrs. gets one for me if I she goes shopping alone. IMHO, the best value by far is the Costco choice of either a Polish Sausage or Hot Dog (both are quarter pounders), and include sauerkraut along with a refillable 20 oz drink. The meat products are kosher, which sort of guarantees a safe meat product. The cost...$1.59 and no tipping.

For some reason we don't see sauerkraut in our local Costco for a few years now. Only onions and relish. But is still a delicious meal. Mrs. gets one for me if I she goes shopping alone.You have to ask at the counter. They should give it to you on request unless your Costco is really hard core but that is how they do it at store #1 in Seattle so I would imagine the same thing for the Bay Area. Too many people were using it as a side salad item when it is a condiment. We put it on the hot dog and the pizza.

You have to ask at the counter. They should give it to you on request unless your Costco is really hard core but that is how they do it at store #1 in Seattle so I would imagine the same thing for the Bay Area. Too many people were using it as a side salad item when it is a condiment. We put it on the hot dog and the pizza.

Different strokes for different folks, but .... sauerkraut is a strong flavor - doesn't that overwhelm the taste of a pizza?

store #1 in Seattle Actually, Costco was purchased by Price Club, but kept the Costco name. Store #1 for the chain is in San Diego. ;)

Carry on...

Oh my fountain drinks are so variable in quality (IMHO) that canned is fine with me...in fact I like my soft drinks undiluted so actually prefer canned sodas to fountain drinks over ice.....that's just me! ;)

Absolutely. Too many things can go wrong with the fountain. You name it...pressure, carbonation, syrup ratio, dirty hoses or other equipment.

I only use the fountain option when there's a huge price advantage and/or I know for a fact that the equipment is being properly maintained.

does AM/PM still have 2 dogs for a dollar?Those are the NASTIEST hot dogs on the planet. :td: I thought you had better standards than that. ;)

Reminds me of the deal IKEA used to have on Swedish meatballs in their cafeterias. Its been a while since I've been so the price has undoubtedly gone up, but you used to be able to get an excellent...and bountiful...lunch for around five bucks.When we lived in Shanghai, we would go to IKEA just for lunch, taking a cab from Pudong to Hongqiao. Yummy. ^

When I worked there, I used to walk across the street to Ken-Jo Market (BP station) in Oak Ridge TN for a pair of chili slaw dogs for $1. Since that was 10 years ago, I imagine they're gone up, but still a tremendous bargain at twice the price today. If you put enough chili and slaw on a dog, it doesn't matter that your eating an intestine full of fat and hawg anus. It tastes good.

Sometimes I'll go through the drive thru at Arby's and get a KIDS MEAL for $3.69 (plus tax). It comes with a regular roast beef sandwich, curly fries (or 2 potato cakes---if you ask for them) and a regular size soda (not the dinky kids sized sodas like McDonald's). I find that a bargain compared to the $4.99 and over prices for the other 'value meals'.

Actually, Costco was purchased by Price Club, but kept the Costco name. Store #1 for the chain is in San Diego. ;)

Carry on...Both companies were similar sizes so they merged. Just pulled my reciept from a few days ago and it says: "Seattle #01"

"Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST) is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the world based on sales volume, headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, United States, with its flagship warehouse in nearby Seattle. Costco's Canadian operations are based near Ottawa, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia.

"The very first Price Club location was an old airplane hangar, and is still in operation today (Warehouse #401 San Diego)."

"The price of a kosher hot dog and a soft drink at the food court is still $1.50, the same as it was when (pre-merger) Costco first opened in 1983."

Carry on...

Different strokes for different folks, but .... sauerkraut is a strong flavor - doesn't that overwhelm the taste of a pizza?

In Sweden, almost any pizza place serves "pizza salad" as a side dish when dining (a huge bowl near the counter, help yourself to as much as you want). I liken it to a very mild sauerkraut. It's very tasty as a salad itself, and quite tasty when put on pizza.

My complaint with Costco's sauerkraut is that it's served warmed. I like mine chilled.

How could I forget BW3 (Buffalo Wild Wings). It seems like most of the restaurants have 50-cent drumsticks on Wednesdays. These are larger than your typical drumsticks, prepared in any of their sauces. 2-3 of those, and it's a full meal. ^^^

Yeah the Big Cheeseburger is the best value at JITB in my opinion too. I always gets TWO :cool:

Sadly fast food isn't really cheap anymore. Prices has consistently been rising the past few years to where a burger/fries/shake that used to be had for under $5 now pushes $7 at most places. :mad:


No kidding. Go to Wendy's and you'll pay almost $7 for a double combo. (This is assuming you up size it.) I have a hearty appetite so it's uncommon for me to eat fast food for under $6-8. This is especially true in airport food joints like McDonalds.

When I worked there, I used to walk across the street to Ken-Jo Market (BP station) in Oak Ridge TN for a pair of chili slaw dogs for $1. Since that was 10 years ago, I imagine they're gone up, but still a tremendous bargain at twice the price today. If you put enough chili and slaw on a dog, it doesn't matter that your eating an intestine full of fat and hawg anus. It tastes good.


Wow! Are we speaking of the Ken-Jo near ORHS??? I lived about a block from that store when I was in college. It was around that time, about 94-97.

Those Ken-Jo "dawgs" are still a bargain. I think most stores are now selling them for $.89 or 2 for $1.50. I now live in NE TN where there is an abundance of Ken-Jo Markets. I sometimes stop and grab a pair of dawgs, for nostalgic reasons if nothing else. They go great with any of the fine beers featured in the K-Jo cooler. :p

The local KFC has a country fried steak meal for $1.99 on Tuesdays, including biscuit, mashed potatoes, and cole slaw.


I just did this this past Tuesday, two CFS meals for like $4.30 including tax. I brought my own can of diet Pepsi and left stuffed - dinner at mid-day and I certainly ate light that evening.

Very good deal for a traditional, blue-plate, meat-n-potatoes, stick-to-your-ribs sort of dinner. You can't live on fast food hamburgers alone, you know. ;)

I nominate the Golden Gate Casino/Hotel, Fremont St., Las Vegas, as King of the fast food shrimp cocktail: $0.99 cents, 24/7/365!!!

Gotta be Popeye's Chicken 99 cent Tuesday special. Some, not all, Popeye's offer this. And, many have it only on request, not advertised.

Regular or Spicy leg and thigh. But, you gotta spend 55 cents extra for the biscuit and honey!

Plus, Popeye's unlike most FF is actually tasty!

Ken-Jo Market (BP station) in Oak Ridge TN for a pair of chili slaw dogs for $1.

Brings back memories of about 6-8 years ago in Montreal when there were 50-cent dogs to be had at just about every greasy spoon in town. That's 50-cent CDN...which at the time meant about 35-cents U.S. Of course, if you didn't want a dog, there was always the "McHomard" at Mickey-Ds (That would be a McLobster...chunks of lobster meat/sauce on a bun. Don't remember exactly what those cost, but it was under five bucks.)

Another bargain North of the Border was "10-cent wing night" at the Moviola...a pub in Belleville, ON. This came to a screeching halt when the cops closed the place for serving alcohol to minors. (In Canada, this meant kids under 19).

Here is what we have so far:
Subway – Six inch sub of the day - $3


Ughh - even that's too much!! :td:

Chicken bakes at Costco. Mmmm... only $2.69. Add soda for $.50 and it's a big tasty lunch for just over $3.

Fascinating reading. Any vegetarians/vegans out there? Aside from the produce aisle at the grocery store, I haven't found any bargains.

McDonalds still offer the McVeggie in some markets (NYC), but it's no bargain at around $4. There's the Wendy's baked potatoes (usually $1 - $1.50). And some side salads at McDonalds and Wendy's (sans dressing). The BK Veggie is vegetarian, if you get it without mayo, but it's usually no bargain.

No vegan offering at Subway, any day of the week. (Perhaps the wraps are vegetarian?)

vegetarian + vegan + road warrior = cur wishing you good luck

vegetarian + vegan + road warrior = cur wishing you good luck

Thanks. 20 years an counting. And so far, I haven't gained a pound on 1096 restaurant meals a year!

back in 2001 taco bell had a deal for a few months- tacos for 49 cents. I used to eat lunch every day for $2.50 ( 5 tacos). thats 12.50 for the week.

back in 2001 taco bell had a deal for a few months- tacos for 49 cents. I used to eat lunch every day for $2.50 ( 5 tacos). thats 12.50 for the week.

Going back a little further to the mid 90's, Taco Bell had breakfast. The Vons there had a coupon on the checkout receipt for 2 for 1 breakfast burritos. Get a double egg and bacon burrito and a breakfast combo burrito (had eggs, sausage, cheese and potatoes in it) for $1. These were the full size burritos too. Couldn't beat it.

Now that you mention it, tonight is 3/99 cents taco night at Del Taco. Obviously not for me (vegetarian), but perhaps for you.