Fast food prices are on the rise, and it’s becoming harder to justify spending money on lackluster meals. With many fast-food chains overcharging for mediocre food, it’s essential to know which ones to avoid when you’re watching your budget. Here is advice from drive-thru enthusiasts on Reddit regarding the most overpriced fast-food options:
1. Panera: Once known for fresh and tasty food, Panera has now become notorious for its high prices. Customers are paying exorbitant amounts for subpar meals like a cold chicken Caesar salad, leading to disappointment and a feeling of being ripped off.
2. Chick-fil-A: Despite its popularity, some customers find Chick-fil-A’s prices unreasonable for what is essentially chicken and sauce. Criticisms range from subpar fries to the chain’s perceived overrating due to its association with Christian values.
3. Burger King: Customers have noticed a decline in both the quality of food and the cleanliness of Burger King locations over the years. Many feel let down by the chain’s offerings and service, prompting them to seek alternatives.
4. Subway: The days of the five-dollar footlong are gone, leaving customers feeling the pinch of higher prices for smaller portions. Some have opted for grocery store subs as a more affordable and satisfying option.
5. Chipotle: While once a favorite, Chipotle’s rising prices and shrinking portion sizes have left customers feeling shortchanged. Some are turning to other options like Qdoba for better value and more generous servings.
Next time you’re considering a fast-food meal, keep these insights in mind to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
The days of a small baby seem to be a thing of the past. Nowadays, you’re more likely to find a teeny, tiny burrito — especially if you order online.
Five Guys
Even if they fill your bag up with those greasy fries, many people feel Five Guys is a total ripoff. “5 Guys cost me like $18 for a burger, fries, and a drink recently. All regular/small size,” says u/Nomad942. “Never again.”
“The prices are just getting silly and now their POS terminal ask you to include a tip for the staff,” says u/Expat111. “For the $$ I just paid you for a burger and some fries, you can damn well pay your own staff a decent salary without asking customers to subsidize your payroll.”
McDonald’s
The golden arches don’t impress most people anymore. “The price to tastiness ratio is wildly off,” says u/ApatheticMuckraker. “You can get a better burger for the same price at most other fast food restaurants.”
“Egg McMuffin was about 2.39 – 2.69 just a year or two ago … it’s up in the 4.39 range now,” according to u/angmaranduin.
Thanks to the price increases, people have started going elsewhere. “In the past year or two, it has literally become cheaper for me to take the family to Red Robin than to go to McDonald’s,” says u/BumpyMcBumpers. Unlimited steak fries beat McDonald’s any day.
Taco Bell
Even if people still love the food at Taco Bell, the steady price increases have people rethinking their commitment to the chain. “The local Taco Bell prices have almost doubled in the last 5 years but the food quality seems to have declined since,” says u/howtoeatfriedpizza. “It’s not our too tired to cook meal of choice anymore.”
“I remember being a kid and tacos were like 0.49 it was dirt cheap,” says u/Cloud_Strife83. “It would take effort to break $10. Now the combos are just as bad as anywhere else.”
KFC
“Since the Colonel died, it has gone steadily downhill. He had his way of doing things and maintained standards,” says u/Doozer1970. “After his death, whoever runs it now, is maximizing profits, at the cost of quality. The portions are smaller, the cost has more than doubled, and the taste is not the same. I think that they cut some of the herbs and spices to cut costs.”
Others have much less nuanced takes on why KFC is a ripoff now: “KFC chicken just tastes like grease.”
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This article was originally published on Cheapism.
