I Tasted My Way Through The Entire McDonald's Dollar Menu
Here are the only items worth ordering.
Remember when the McDonald's dollar menu was actually $1? Well, now it's officially called the $1, $2, $3 Dollar Menu*, with of course an asterisk because prices and participation vary. Gotta love inflation.
The Dollar Menu is a weird thing. What's actually included on it varies by location, website, and app. And while everything on it hovers in the $2 to $3 range, there are plenty of other products in this price range that aren't on the dollar menu—like the cheeseburger, hamburger (only $1.89!), several bakery items, sundaes, and coffee drinks.
So what makes a product worthy of earning its place on the McDonald's $1, $2, $3 Dollar Menu? My guess is that they are the standout items, many of which aren't available as a combo meal—the McDouble earns a place, while the plain 'ol hamburger is left out.
In a quest for value in a world of increasing prices, I tasted my way through the entire McDonald's dollar menu, ranking the best things worth getting—and noting when you're better off with a meal deal.
A few notes on these ratings: I am a burger connoisseur. I should get my cholesterol checked I eat so much red meat. But McDonald's burgers are just not my favorite. Maybe its the American cheese (ew) or the sad, dry patties. Taste is completely personal and these are my rankings given value and my own preferences. I also included only items and their subsequent prices listed on the official McDonald's $1, $2, $3 Dollar Menu at my local Brooklyn, New York, Mickey D's.
Fries
Taking the number one spot is, of course, the holy grail of all fast food fries. They're salty, they're greasy—what more could you ask for.
Priced about the same as 4-Piece McNuggets, McChicken, or Double Hamburger, they're a little hefty for, you know, potatoes. But totally worth it.
Price: small is $2.59, medium is $3.49
4-Piece McNuggets
There's something about these McNuggets that just works whether you're sober or starving after a night out. You can also personalize your McNuggets experience with your choice of dipping sauce. Take your pick from a variety of sauces like Sweet N Sour, Tangy BBQ, Hot Mustard, Spicy Buffalo, and even Big Mac Sauce.
Only the 10-Piece McNuggets are available as a meal, which will put you at about $10. Two 4-Piece McNuggets and a small fry will cost you about $8.
Price: $2.89
McChicken
It's so much better than their burger. The chicken is juicy and not overpowered by too many toppings, just lettuce and mayonnaise.
Pair it with a small fry and medium drink for under $7 or a medium fry for just shy of $8. A McCrispy medium combo meal will cost you close to $10.
Price: $2.89
Fountain Beverages
We can probably all agree that McDonald's Coke products just taste superior, but Mickey D's also serves up some unique fountain drinks you can't just get anywhere. A trip is worth it just for a Hi-C or Hawaiian Punch, but you also can't forget the Sweet Iced Tea or, for a bit more, a small Sweet Tea Lemonade for $2.39.
It's worth noting that many other drinks are in the $2 to $3 range.
Price: most medium drinks are $1.49
Frozen Drinks
I didn't even know McDonald's had frozen drinks. Choose from Frozen Coca-Cola, Fanta Blue Raspberry, and Fanta Wild Cherry. Who needs a gas station slurpee? I tried the Coke-flavored drink, which is a great thirst-quenching option for the summer. Or honestly any month.
The only qualm I have here is the paper straw. After awhile the straw gets soggy and you can't slurp the drink. And you really do need a straw for frozen drinks. Ever try to drink a frozen margarita without a straw? It ends up in your face.
Price: a medium is $2
Hash Browns
Like one big French fry, McDonald's Hash Browns can't be beat. They're greasy, crunchy and exactly what you need if you had a few drinks the night before.
Price: $2.29
Sausage McGriddle
The perfect thing to pair with a Hash Brown would be the Sausage McGriddle, which is a sausage patty slapped between two maple-flavored pancakes. It's so flavorful (and much more...moist) than the Sausage McMuffin and Sausage Biscuit.
Sausage McGriddles, Sausage McMuffins, and Sausage Biscuits (basically anything without an egg), aren't available as combo meals, so you'll have to order a la carte. A Sausage McGriddle and a Hash Brown will set you back about $5. But if you want a beverage and an egg on your sandwich, you might be better off with a Bacon Egg Cheese or Sausage Egg Cheese McGriddle meal which will cost you a bit less than ordering each individually.
Price: $2.69
McDouble
Okay, so I eat a lot of burgers, but I've never been a fan of the ones at McDonald's. We all know fast food IRL is vastly different than promotional photos, but this one just looks sad. And it tasted a bit sad, too. But if you're a fan of McDonald's burgers, this isn't a bad deal.
It's comparable to the Double Cheeseburger, but with only one slice of cheese and comes in a few cents cheaper.
Price: $3.39
Sausage McMuffin
For just over $2, the Sausage McMuffin is a wallet-friendly breakfast option. But I really think it needs the egg, which would be $4.19.
Price: $2.19
Sausage Biscuit
As a fan of biscuits and gravy, the Sausage Biscuit surprisingly wasn't my favorite. Yes the biscuits are good, but this sandwich really needs the added egg (at $4.19), and maybe some gravy because it's super dry. Between a greasy biscuit and sausage, you wouldn't think this would be the case, but sadly, it is. An Egg Biscuit is also available for $2.39 or an Egg Cheese Biscuit for $3.19.
Price: $2.29
Other Items To Consider
Like I said, there are other items not on the $1, $2, $3 Dollar Menu that are in that price range. Here are just a few others to keep in mind:
- Cheeseburger, $2.99
- Hamburger, $2.59
- Small shakes, $3.89
- Small smoothies, $2.69
- Medium Iced Coffee, $2.89
- Vanilla Cone, $2.99
- H0t Fudge Sundae, $3.79
- Small Frappés, $2.79
- Cookie, $1.49
- Apple Pie, $1.59
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