Remember when grabbing a quick bite didn’t feel like a small financial decision?
Over the last decade, fast food and casual dining have gone through a major glow-up in price tags, even if the menus look pretty much the same. Burgers, burritos, subs, and “value meals” once lived up to their names, but today they’ll set you back noticeably more.
Part of it comes down to inflation, part to rising costs that we maybe don’t know much about, but for customers it’s all about sticker shock. To really see how much things have changed, we lined up old menus against today’s boards, and the differences are hard to miss.
Get ready for a tasty trip down memory lane, with a side of price reality, about delicious meals we can’t afford as often anymore.
1
Subway
A 6-inch Turkey Breast ran you just $3.75, cheap fuel for the day.
2
Subway
That same 6-inch sub? Nearly $7.49, double the price, same everything.
3
Wendy’s
Dave’s Single: $3.99. A meal for under four bucks.
4
Wendy’s
Today, the same meal will cost you $5.79, not so great.
5
In-N-Out
The iconic Double-Double? Only $3.20, fries and a drink brought it to $6.15.
6
In-N-Out
The Double-Double alone now hits $5.90, combo is over $10. Not the California dream.
7
Taco Bell
Cheap eats, college approved.
8
Taco Bell
Went from pocket-change-meals to pocket drain.
9
Burger King
A Whopper meal for $6.19. Grilled and affordable.
10
Burger King
That same Whopper meal? over $12, that's double the price.
11
Applebee’s All-You-Can-Eat
Endless riblets and tenders for just $12.99. Dinner and leftovers covered.
12
Applebee’s All-You-Can-Eat
All-you-can-eat has climbed to $15.99, still endless food, just not endless savings
13
Chipotle
A monster burrito packed with steak for $6.10.
14
Chipotle
That burrito is now $11.85, one wrap, two times the price.
15
McDonald’s
A Big Mac meal for $2.99, burger, fries, drink, all under three bucks.
16
McDonald’s
The Big Mac combo is now nearly $10, value meals don’t feel so valuable.