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Ready to indulge in the world of fast food extravagance? Join us as we embark on a culinary journey beyond the value menus, uncovering the hidden gems that come with a premium price tag.
Just like anywhere else, companies like McDonald’s have premium menu items that cost more than the average burger. From towering burgers with gourmet twists to deluxe sides that redefine the fry game, get ready to explore the lavish side of your favorite fast food joints.
Restaurant: Dairy Queen
Price: $6
There was a time when Dairy Queen was known primarily for its iconic dairy offerings, such as the Blizzard. That’s changed slightly over time to include wider menu options, including the $6 Crispy Chicken Strip Salad. It looks as delicious as it tastes, and considering it’s on the pricier end of the spectrum you actually get a decent bang for your buck.
DAQO likes to keep the menu cheap and affordable, which makes sense considering just how much competition is out there. Some other items on the menu, such as a large Blizzard, aren’t that far off $6, but at the time of writing in 2021, it’s this salad that reigns supreme.
Restaurant: Arby’s
Price: $6.69
Arby’s is known far and wide for being the king of beef, so it makes sense that their most expensive menu item is essentially a ton of beef in a bun. The Half-Pound Beef ‘n Cheddar is delicious by all accounts, but if it still doesn’t look enough for you, you can add in extras.
Optional add-ons including bacon will bump up the $6.69 price tag even further. Still, that’s a whole lot of meat for just a few dollars. Other chains like McDonald’s can’t really compete with that.
Restaurant: White Castle
Price: $7.59
Why get a chicken nugget that’s a regular shape when you can get chicken rings, instead? White Castle might be better known for its cheap burgers, but they still make a decent amount of money from their premium side dishes.
A 20-piece order of Chicken Rings costs $7.59. It might be the most expensive thing on the menu at the family-owned eatery, but it’s still pretty cheap. The chicken rings also seem to be a firm customer favorite, popping up on sites like Instagram pretty frequently as part of an order.
Restaurant: Burger King
Price: $8.79
There’s a reason why Burger King is called Burger King. The titan of all patties has been going for decades now, and it has a reputation to uphold. Although there are plenty of gargantuan options on the menu, the most expensive item is the Triple Whopper with Cheese.
That’s three quarter-pound beef patties shoved into a bun, garnished with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and of course, a good helping of ketchup and cheese. Say what you like about BKC, but this is one fast-food chain that knows its niche.
Restaurant: Zaxby’s
Price: $16.99*
Zaxby’s is another fast-food chain that is beloved, even though it is slightly more expensive than McDonald’s or Burger King. One of the fan favorites at Zaxby’s is its Fingerz®, which are chicken tenders that come in ten- or twenty-piece packs.
The 20-piece Buffalo Fingerz® comes with buffalo sauce and two large Crinkle Fries. The Family Pack, which comes with 20 Fingerz® or 30 boneless wings, as well as Texas toast, crinkle fries, and a selection of dipping sauces, is a little more expensive, costing $24.99. If customers want drinks or desserts, they’ll have to order them separately.
Restaurant: Chipotle
Price: $11.80
Keto and low carb diets have been around for a while now, but it’s only in recent years that it seems to be catching on and becoming a worldwide craze. As such, restaurants are trying to be more keto-friendly by introducing dishes that won’t throw off the diet.
Chipotle has a beast of a salad bowl called the Whole30, but it’s not as cheap as other grab-and-go dishes on the menu. One of these bad boys will cost you $11.80. It might be cheaper than going out to a restaurant, but not by much.
Restaurant: KFC
Price: $5.79
KFC is famous for Colonel Sanders’ finger-lickin’ chicken, but did you know that the chain offers up a pot pie? Instead of slaving away in front of the oven and messing around with pastry, just order one from KFC. Pot Pies are a popular choice in America, but they can’t be found on the menu in all countries.
Plus, there’s a handy way you can turn this $5.79 dish into a $5 dish with extras. Choose it for the $5 Fill-Up and you can get yourself a cookie and a drink while saving precious cents. There’s a reason why Yum really prizes KFC.
Restaurant: McDonald’s
Price: $7.59
As much as we love McDonald’s, the portion sizes aren’t always as big as those you’ll see at other fast-food chains. Ronald does his best though, especially with the Double Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
One of these will set you back $7.59 at McDonald’s, but if you want bacon, that’ll cost you extra. If you decide to turn it into a meal option, then you’ll be paying closer to $10. It’s worth every cent according to long-term lovers, though, who wouldn’t buy anything else from the menu.
Restaurant: Jack in the Box
Price: $7
Fast-food chains have a bad reputation for serving unhealthy food. It’s not entirely unwarranted, so in recent years a lot of brands have been introducing healthier options for their customers. Jack in the Box’s Grilled Chicken Salad is a thing of beauty, according to customers.
At $7 a pop, the salad bowl comes with croutons, mixed greens, tomatoes, a big dollop of cheese, and of course, grilled chicken. According to the fast-food chain, the standard version is around 350 calories, which isn’t bad if you’re trying to keep an eye on what you eat.
Restaurant: Chick-Fil-A
Price: $8.69
Chick-Fil-A has plenty of mouthwatering options on the menu, including its highly-lauded chicken sandwich. Despite the sandwiches being fairly reasonable, the salads will cost you a darn sight more. The Spicy Southwest Salad takes the crown at $8.69.
There’s plenty of veggies, almonds, and even blue cheese in it, which might explain the price tag. Other salads on the menu are comparable in price, but maybe they’re just that good. Plenty of Instagram users take to the app to share photos of the salad, so it’s clearly popular.
Restaurant: Hardee’s
Price: $5.89
There’s nothing worse than ordering a burger, only for it to arrive and look like it’s a child’s portion. Hardee’s knows what customers want, which is why it always strives to make huge burgers, but not all of them are on the menu permanently. The Bacon Cheese Thickburger is a staple though, and the priciest thing on the menu.
The $5.89 titan weighs a third of a pound, but you can add additional patties for extra, making it even more of a luxury treat. Not many could tackle this and come out the other side unsatisfied. Watch out BKC Hardee’s is after that crown!
Restaurant: Wendy’s
Price: $8.09
Everyone loves a pretzel, so when Wendy’s decided to merge a burger and a pretzel together, it seemed like the best thing since sliced bread. Unfortunately, it was taken off the menu, before coming back and becoming a staple…but it’s not cheap.
This is a commodity that Wendy’s knows is worth the extra couple of bucks. Not only is it a decent size, but there’s also the option to upgrade. The standard choice costs $8.09, but you can double it or even triple it, which will bump the cost up further.
Restaurant: Taco Bell
Price: $6.19
A visit to Taco Bell often means buying a few of your favorite items off the menu as just one item doesn’t really make a full meal. The Power Menu Bowl is enough to satisfy most in one fell swoop, though. It might cost $6.19, but at least you won’t have to buy multiple items.
The bowl is a healthy choice as it’s packed full of veggies and chicken, making it good for you, even if it’s not so good for your wallet. Taco Bell is one of Yum’s biggest brands, so they’re always innovating and trying out things on the menu.
Restaurant: Jimmy John’s
Price: $9.59
As much as we love Subway, there are other sandwich places out there that can deliver a mean sub. Jimmy John’s is one of them. The majority of the subs on the menu don’t deviate too much in price, but if you go for The J.J. Gargantuan, you’ll be shelling out a little more.
As you might have guessed from its name, the sub is totally enormous, with salami, capicola, turkey, and tons of other meat shoved into one fluffy sandwich roll. It might cost you $9.59, but realistically, it’s worth every single dime.
