Fast, no longer cheap, and out of control.
Every American knows the cost of a quick burger and fries has skyrocketed in recent years — depending on where you live, your next Whopper could run you a whopping 38% percent more than it did in 2020, according to the latest Consumer Price Index Report.
Sure, inflation is bad, but not that bad, experts say — price hikes on fast food have outpaced inflation by an astonishing 56% over the last five years, giving rise to a new term coined by frustrated fast food consumers: McFlation.
As a result of the wallet-wearying change, a 2025 Lending Tree study found that 78% of respondents now see the formerly everyday eats as a luxury — not the easy and affordable option they used to be.
Yes, the days of $5 meals are largely over. But even as tummy-troubling tales of $18 Big Mac combos and bizarrely overpriced Five Guys outings dominate the headlines, it’s still possible for one person to snag a combo for less than $10 — and in some cases, $8 — at a range of major restaurant chains.
You definitely won’t eat as much for the price as you would have before 2020, but it’s still possible to get a full meal — and sometimes a pretty filling one.
The Post looked at prices — before tax and tip — at five of the top fast food brands to determine just how far your $10 will take you. Prices vary by city or state for most chains; for this story, we used local spots near our Midtown Manhattan newsroom as a barometer.
McDonald’s
Dining deals still abound at the Golden Arches, even if there seems to be less and less food in the bag. Here, stick to the McValue Menu for best results.
That’s where you’ll find McDonald’s Daily Double Meal Deal, which comes with the rather petite Daily Double — made with two beef patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce, slivered onions, mayo and two slices of tomato. There’s also a four-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small soda. The cost is $7.
If you can live with a slightly smaller burger, opt for the McDouble Meal Deal for $6 — that comes with a basic McDouble, 4-Piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small soda.
If you prefer chicken over beef, your money will take you just a little further. The McChicken Meal Deal starts at $5, featuring a McChicken, four-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and small soda.
Still hungry? There are a few affordable add-ons that’ll keep your bill under $10 — apple slices for $1.69, a single cookie for 99 cents and apple pie for $1.79.
Frequent diners should always make certain to order through the McDonald’s app to access the brand’s rewards program — and, at times, significant savings not always advertised on menu boards, like 20 Chicken McNuggets for $5, or two Sausage Egg McMuffins for $4.
Burger King
Most of Burger King’s Meal Deals are over $8, with the exception of their Chicken Nuggets Meal which goes for $6.99 and comes with an 8-piece Chicken Nuggets, small fries and a small soda.
However, there are ways to make your own meal for less.
For example, grabbing a regular hamburger ($2.89), value-sized fries ($2.59) and a value-sized soda ($1.99) comes out to $7.47. If you want to swap it out with another main, you might have to forgo the fries or soda to keep things affordable.
But Burger King is constantly shaking up its offers, all of which can be found in the BK app.
At the time of reporting, the fast food company is offering free fries of any size with a minimum purchase of $3. This opens the door to replace the cost of your fries with a different entrée, bigger drink or an additional side.
They’re also offering a $3 Sweet and Salty Snack, which features one large fries and one soft serve cup or cone — again leaving more wiggle room to use the remaining $5 on a different entrée.
Other burgers available for $5 or less include the Rodeo Burger, Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger and the Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s “Biggie Deals” are the best way to stretch your $10. All Biggie Bags are $6 and come with a sandwich — Jr. Cheeseburger, Crispy Chicken, Double Stack or Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger — 4-piece chicken nuggets, fries and a drink.
The Biggie Bundle — the most expensive and biggest deal — is an even $8, and comes with a choice of two of the following: Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Double Stack, Jr. Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich, plus a drink and Jr.-sized fries.
The Everyday Value Menu also features affordable options, with burgers and chicken sandwiches all for under $6.
Wendy’s beloved Frostys can still be part of your minimal-cost purchase, too.
Depending on the size and type of Frosty, the cost can range from $1.69 to $5.49, so if you simply want a burger and a small Frosty, it’s possible to do so for $8 or less.
Chick-fil-A
All Chick-fil-A’s combo meals are well over $10 in NYC — so skip the pricey drinks and put together a satisfying meal on your own.
Here, your best bet is the classic Chick-fil-A sandwich, which costs $6.74, matched with a small, recently-improved waffle fries for $3.25 — bringing the total to $9.99. Not a lot of food, but that sandwich does include roughly 30 grams of protein, which will fill most people up until the next mealtime.
Other main course options under $8 include the Chicken Sandwich, Deluxe Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, eight-count Nuggets, eight-count Grilled Nuggets, and the three-count Chick-n-Strips.
Taco Bell
Want to feel (relatively) rich? Bring your $10 to Taco Bell, where you’ll walk out the door with change left over — even if you’re really hungry.
For real values, look to the Luxe Box lineup. The $6.99 Build Your Own Luxe Craving Box, for example, allows customers to choose one specialty item, one basic taco or burrito, a side and a drink.
Specialty items include the Crunchwrap Supreme, Chalupa Supreme, Cheesy Gordita Crunch and more.
For $7, the Supreme Luxe Box features a Chicken Chalupa Supreme, Beefy Five-Layer Burrito, Crunchy Taco, Cinnamon Twists and a medium fountain drink.
Meanwhile, the Classic Luxe Box is a delightfully retro $5 — it includes a Beefy Five-Layer Burrito, a Crunchy Taco, Cinnamon Twists and a medium drink.
Still hungry? Beef up your meal with affordable additions from the value menu — like a mini taco salad for just $2.49, or chips and nacho supreme dip for the same price.
