Local/regional chains seem to stay more reasonable, but honestly, local restaurants in my area are almost cheaper than fast food. A typical combo meal seems to run around $10-15, and you can find lunch specials and weekly specials for $8-12.
The food is way better as well.
I could go to Arby’s for a combo (roast beef sandwich, soda, and fries) and spend around $14. Or I can go to the sushi place half a mile away and pay $11 for their made-to-order bento box: teriyaki salmon filet, small salad, 3 gyoza, 4-piece Cali roll, and tasty rice. I haven’t been to Arby’s in years.
The Costco Hot Dog is a 1/4lb hot dog sold at the international warehouse club Costco’s food courts. It is notable for its price, which has remained steady at $1.50 in a combo deal including a soda at United States locations since its introduction in 1984. That price has become increasingly low relative to inflation and spawned a cult following
From the wiki
And as an added bonus, you get about three days worth of salt in that one hot dog.
It’s how I retain that resting heart rate of 112. I don’t even have to go to the gym anymore; I’m getting my cardio in just sitting here.
I used to be able to get a sausage at the one in Hackensack. Haven’t been there in ages though so who knows now.
A lot of America centric answers, so I’ll give a more global one: Ikea or any comparable store which uses cheap meal deals as a loss leader to get you to shop in their store. AFAIK the costco hot dog is the most famous US example.
This being said: eat/cook at home. Rice based meals can be made for as little as a dollar per serving, if you buy in bulk. (Get a cheap rice cooker, it can do more than cook rice, save on energy costs, and takes out most of the hassle.) Potato based meals are also very cheap. Baked potato with a bit of butter contains much of the nutrients you need to survive in the short to medium term.
Sex.
Serious answer: In the past I’ve made apple sauce/compote, reheated meals, boiled eggs, steamed vegetables and dimsum, reheated/cooked stuff like soup, etc. etc.
Also useful as a bain marie. Apparently you can also make bread and cakes in them. Also hot chocolate.
Honestly, if I ever move to an appartment, I think a rice cooker, air fryer, and microwave would allow me to do almost all of my cooking.
Costco hot dog.
Little Caesars.
Rally’s (though it’s gotten worse).
Whenever I try to order Wendy’s, I need to buy 2 pounds of food to get over the 12 dollar mark for free delivery.
Jack in the box tacos are still 2 bucks and filling af.
McDonald’s is still cheap but only if you use the app for deals and points. They want to drive people to the app to eventually hire one less employee at each store, which will save them more money. They keep the app cheaper to drive this change.
I think it may be targeted though. My friend who is on the road alot and eating fast food always has 30%+ off McDonalds coupons in the app and never any Uber Eats coupons in his app. I order more delivery and always have Uber+McDonalds coupons but my app only ever shows $1 Hash Browns and $5 Chicken nuggets box which I always thought was normal price.
