Fast food pricing

[DemonPit]

I took my family to mc donalds a few months ago. 2x #1 big Mac meals, 1x kids chz burger happy meal, and 1x 4pc nugget, total was $38.00.

F that!!!

I can go get 2x filet mignon steaks (about 17oz total for 2), 1x lobster tail, 2x baked potatoes, 1 head of Broccoli for 1.00 cheaper!

I don't eat fast food at all. Except for the occasional subway for a quick lunch. Or a popeyes chicken sandwich.

 

[02ebz06]

You're paying for the ambiance.

 

[fxsales1959]

So I work 12 hour graves. Lunch at one of the sites I work is a challenge as there's no infrastructure. Sometimes I get fast food if I want a change from normal sandwich. Kfc us good I like my extra crispy cold. Only other options a subway type. I hadn't had subway in a couple years I guess. I went tonight was like 12 bucks. These companies are charging too much which is lowering traffic which is making them raise prices. I see it most at like burger King, Carl's Jr, roundtable... whoever is running these joints should be fired. They are delivering a self defeating buisness model inho.



/rant off

we rarely do FF. The exception is the rare occaision Jersey Mikes does a BOGO sale. 2 12ish subs for $11.50.

 

[02ebz06]

Our primary fast food is a 1/2 lb burger with green chili/onions/pickles/lettuce/tomato and side of onion rings.
It is $8.75 at the casino plus get a 50% off coupon, and wife and I just split one.
So $4 and change is not bad.
Of course if we do any gambling, the cost of that burger goes up considerably. Haha

That is our Monday FF.

 

[DemonPit]

Just got back from the grocery store.
Chuck roast is 9.99/lb for choice, 2.89 for a head of iceberg lettuce, and 1.99/lb for tomatoes.

WTF!!

I'm about to start growing my own veggies, and having a cow or 2 in my backyard. For chickens, I'll start plinking the many pigeons that fly around.

 

[Fueling Around]

...
For chickens, I'll start plinking the many pigeons that fly around.

FYI, pigeon does not taste like chicken.
Pigeon does not have the yard bird flavor of chicken or turkey.

 

[paulgeorge]

To me it is not as much of the price increase as the quality has gone to $hit.

Luckily there are a lot of options that are better where I live.

They call it fast casual. Better product, a little more money.

McDonalds - I have not set foot in for about 8 years. Better - 5 Guys, Habbit..
Carl's Jr- about 4 years. Price went up too much. Better - 5 Guys, Habbit.
Subway - Jerrod can keep it. 6 years. Better - Jersey Mikes, Firehouse, Local.
Dominos - The box taste better than the pizza. 20 years. Better - Anything, Guito's, Costco, Local.
KFC - tiny shrinking greasy chicken. 2 years. Better - Korean Fried Chicken, Mexican Fried Chicken.
Taco Bell - Just fake Mexican food. 2 years. Better - Any Local, Del Taco.
In-N-Out mcdonald's menu prices- Wheres the beef? - 6 months. Better - 5 Guys, Habbit.
Wendys - Had it one time 40 years ago, never since. Better - Trash can leftovers.

Best of all is I am now retired and usually make my own breakfast/lunch/dinner.

There are many local one off places around that have way better quality that when I am busy and don't have time or just a craving I do not have to resort to fast food.

This does not count quality restaurants. That is a different topic.

ctually curious what the prize is of McDonalds in most countries.I ordered a Double Big tasty Menu (15.95 Euros)McChicken (5.75 euro)McKroket(something like 3 euro 75 I think)Chicken Nuggets 9 pieces (% euro something)and a cheesburger is now 1.95 Euro.was for me, my mum and me dad. 31 Euro 75.in comparison, a few years back the menu would be 11:95, the cheeseburger 1 Euro, the nuggets 3.75 etc.Anywhere else where prizes skyrocketed?I do have to say that in comparison for going out for dinner, you pay 18-19 euros for a salad with 3 very small slices of steak mixed inbetween (as big as like your pinky), so value wise you get more for your money than in an average restaurant.

 

[DemonPit]

If your in California, I think you may need to get a bank load for a big Mac meal. 3-4yrs back here in michigan, 2 big Mac meals, 1 kids meal plus a 4pc nugget was 39.00 (usd). I laughed, drove across the street, bought 2x filet mignon steaks, 2 baked potatoes, 2 lobster tails, 1 head Broccoli for 38.50.

 

[Newglide]

If your in California, I think you may need to get a bank load for a big Mac meal. 3-4yrs back here in michigan, 2 big Mac meals, 1 kids meal plus a 4pc nugget was 39.00 (usd). I laughed, drove across the street, bought 2x filet mignon steaks, 2 baked potatoes, 2 lobster tails, 1 head Broccoli for 38.50.

Can't do that now, a filet will cost you close to that per lb.

 

[chef k-dude]

Wife and I seldom eat fast food. There are sit-down restaurant menu items including burgers we can get for about the same amount of money, but then there's the tip. Eating IN a fast food joint just "feels" cheap to me for some reason. I'd rather pay $25 with tip and eat in a real restaurant than pay $15 without a tip and eat in a fast food place.

Still, for us, the one splurge the wife picks up for lunch for us every time she does the grocery shopping is the Popeye's spicy crispy chicken sandwich. As of last time, it still traveled well and was only $5 a sandwich and just the sandwich is enough for me for lunch with no side. It's a great sandwich for the money. A solid whole piece of chicken breast and the spicy sauce is great, we asked for extra sauce on the sandwich and they always accommodate.

And I have my wife trained now on how to handle take out and fast food...open the packages and let the steam out. This is why I never get stuff like fast food delivered, even if they were smart enough to know to open the packages and let the steam out, most people dont want their packages messed with and since COVID I think most have a piece of tape on them to make them "tamper proof". There's a place locally that does some pretty good wings, but anytime I pick some up, I have to rush to the vehicle and open the Styrofoam containers that steam the wings, killing any crunch and chew they had. The restaurant isn't even smart enough to poke holes in the Styrofoam.

 

[DemonPit]

Can't do that now, a filet will cost you close to that per lb.

Filets are 21.99/lb here. Bigmac meals are now 16.00+ each. It's still cheaper to eat steak and lobster vs horse meat at mcdonalds.

 

[Hijack73]

Filets are 21.99/lb here. Bigmac meals are now 16.00+ each. It's still cheaper to eat steak and lobster vs horse meat at mcdonalds.

What part of Michigan? I had to look and the one in some little town of Grayling MI has Big Mac meals for $9.29, cheaper than my local by .20

Ann Arbor location runs $8.69 for a Big Mac meal.


4011 South Central location in LA CA is only $10.19 for a Big Mac meal.

 

[Hijack73]

This is a local place that kills me. Back before the acoughalypse, a whole double meat/double cheese cheesesteak here was under $20 - with double meat/cheese now it's 34$

I've had 2 while my kitchen is being rebuilt. If I wasn't getting partially reimbursed I would never have gone back as I make them much cheaper.... but I must admit that these are killer good if you pick Cheeze whiz for one of the cheeses and provolone for the other cheese if you double meat/cheese one.

 

[Chris_in_SoCal]

If your in California, I think you may need to get a bank load for a big Mac meal. 3-4yrs back here in michigan, 2 big Mac meals, 1 kids meal plus a 4pc nugget was 39.00 (usd). I laughed, drove across the street, bought 2x filet mignon steaks, 2 baked potatoes, 2 lobster tails, 1 head Broccoli for 38.50.

CA changed the min wage to $20/hr for any restaurant with over 50 locations nation wide. Even more of a reason to not get fast food.

 

[chieffan]

Better reason would be to stay out of Ca. all together.

 

[mneeley490]

CA changed the min wage to $20/hr for any restaurant with over 50 locations nation wide. Even more of a reason to not get fast food.

Unfortunately, Washington has so many California transplants, that we soon emulate whatever ridiculous ideas they come up with.

 

[mneeley490]

Just checked. Big Mac meal in Seattle is $11.19. Still more than I'd pay for it.
Jack-in-the-Box used to be a cheaper alternative. Not any longer, their meals are even more expensive. A smashed Jack combo is $14.38 near me.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Running around for work yesterday and wasn't going to make it back to the house in time for lunch so swung into Chick Fil A and got a spicy sandwich meal which included a small fry and a small unsweet tea and it was $12.79. East TN. I don't know how some of these folks afford to eat out for lunch everyday. I bought a two pack of pork tenderloins for $8.00 on sale at Krogers a couple weeks ago. Bought several packs actually while they were BOGO. Smoke or grill them up to 145. I am eating so much better at a fraction of the cost.

 

[chef k-dude]

Just had the Popeye's spicy chicken sandwich yesterday...again. Still $5+tax here in Central VA.

I never get the meal, I had just the sandwich for lunch and was barely hungry for dinner. I dont work a very physical job though. I dont drink fountain drinks and tea is hit or miss out there so I never waste that money.

Restaurants make their coin on the sides and especially the drinks. They pay 20¢ for that large soda they charge nearly $3 for. That's basically how they stack their "meals". You get the drink for $1.25...what a deal! I love the red beans and rice side at Popeye's, but it's almost as much money as the chicken sandwich for a tiny little 6 bite cup of the stuff...so I dont get it, out of just instinct and recoil of bieng insulted by the price.

The same area where the fast food places are here, I can go to the Mexican restaurant (some of the best food in the area) and pay $9.25 for the lunch carnitas that comes with beans, guac salad, pico and tortillas. I love a margarita, but if I'm thinking on a budget, I drink water with meals even IF I'm having a cocktail; so assuming I can resist the cocktail and dont drink the overpriced fountain soda or tea (at any restaurant) I can have a lunch, usually bringing some of the carnitas home for leftovers for about $12.25 INCLUDING the 20% tip...and that includes all the chips and salsa I can eat. I can get the same meal, takeout, they still give you a portion of chips and salsa, and save the money on the tip...although I have read lately that people are tipping carryout orders too these days...good grief.

 

[RickNessly]

We almost never go for fast food...especially since it's just me and the wife now and I've been smoking, grilling, sous vide and pizza oven. Meals have become way more about making them than eating them...and I can buy top notch food for less vs. shelling out $15/per at Culver's or some other ff joint. And what you make at home...is probably much healthier.

Buy a sleeve of hb patties @Costco, buns and some frozen fries for the air fryer...better and 1/10 the price. And...no access to a shake...which is a good thing.