Fast food pricing

[Brokenhandle]

I'll still eat fast food from time to time. Mostly because of convenience... it's that or don't eat lunch some days. Our local Subway still makes good sandwiches. About once a year might eat McDonald's... just hope the fries are fresh. On occasion Taco Johns, and hope tater rounds are done but not too far done. Normally I can eat leftovers at home but if I need to go to town for parts, it's a convenience. There's also been times I've nuked 2 frozen hot dogs... 60 seconds, two slices of bread and ketchup and mustard. Is it tasty... not so much, more like filler for the belly. But hard to compare prices now days compared to back to say previous to 10 or 20 years ago.

Ryan

 

[daniels]

Subway prices got ridiculous before the pandemic. Not sure what to call them now since 'ridiculous' doesn't describe it.

Arby's prices are still almost reasonable, IMHO.

 

[Fueling Around]

...
but if I need to go to town for parts, it's a convenience.
...

Traditional FF is on the other side of town, but a truck stop with a decent deli is conveniently located by JD, CNH and NAPA.
What's the old line? "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

 

[sawhorseray]

I haven't had any fast food garbage for at least 30 years, kind of shocked to see these prices. Being a union carpenter I always brought my lunch to work, usually leftover from the previous nights dinner, only had 30 minutes for lunch. Even these days one can buy whole yardbirds on sale for 99¢lb. Half a BBQ chicken and a can of coke gets it done for under four bucks. London broil at $3.99lb, a half pound steak sandwich gets it done until dinner time. I used to refer to the footlongs from Subway as an "Airwich", I can only imagine what they charge for those things today, crazy. RAY

 

[JIMSMOKES]

After paying 12.87 for 2 dogs fry and a tea a few weeks back. That wasn't near as good as they use to be. I decided that fixin my lunches would be a whole lot cheaper than spending close to a hundred bucks weekly for lunch.
So now each sunday I fix my lunches for the week.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Traditional FF is on the other side of town, but a truck stop with a decent deli is conveniently located by JD, CNH and NAPA.
What's the old line? "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

One town I go to had a small truck stop with kitchen and eating area... daily specials and hot beef sandwiches always on special. Think half order was around $ 7, and dang good! They retired and Casey's bought it out... I don't stop anymore.

Ryan

 

[negolien]

We generally avoid FF, too.
Another thing on my $hit list is "Food Trucks". When FT started getting popular 20+ years ago, they were a definite step up from the old Roach Coach.
Food was great and CHEAP. Somewhere, somehow over the years they evolved in glorified FF of mediocre food with even higher prices.


Not even something as a small microwave or better yet a toaster oven?
Got both at the farm so I try to plan meals around them when we are around the shop.
Tractor or truck shifts is a bit more challenging. Tractor is great, because I know the hot spots on manifolds to reheat a variety of food.
Truck not so much so and sounds as maybe similar to your dilemma. I pack hot soup or chili in a 16 oz. thermos. My former boss used to do soups, spaghetti, hot dish (casserole) and even hot dogs in boiling water in a thermos.
I never tried it but often contemplated putting a couple of ribs in with the chili.

Litle ceasers is good and their prices are acceptable for now. I been eating that since the 90's too lol. I do them lot for home and my other site that has a break room. I don't mind $8 for 2 mcdoubles and a large fry. I eat the frys on the way to my breakroom site lol.

As for the bad site Nope nothing they lock their genny's up at night. I thought about getting a 1 burner coleman hiking stove but too much trouble. The only convenance I have out there are black widow infested porta potties lol. Oh and the cats lol Pepper the rescued stray says hi btw.

 

[jcam222]

I don’t think it helps that in my area you have to pay close to $20 / hour for burger flippers these days.

 

[mike243]

When I started work in the mid 70’s 3 hot dogs all the way at smokey mountain market were $1, add a coke for .50 . 3 anywhere now are $6 or more

 

[mneeley490]

I agree. FF prices have gone crazy. I often get work off late in the evening, and don't feel like cooking, so I'll pick up something on the way home.
I sometimes used to pickup Jack-in-the-Box because it was always cheaper than McDonalds, and you would get more. Not anymore, prices nearly doubled. And just a Quarter Pounder at McD's is now almost $6!
We have a Popeye's Chicken near me. It isn't exactly cheap, but it's 100x better than KFC. And the bonus is, their employees know how to count to 10 pieces. KFC doesn't; they always somehow shorted me.

Hit Subway a couple weeks ago for the first time in years, $12. No more $5 foot-longs, I guess. Jimmy John's is okay, but on the small side. I had the worst sub ever at Firehouse; will never go back.

Arby's same. Used to get 5 basic beef sandwiches for $5. Now $12 with a coupon. I did try their new garlic ribeye sandwich. It's about 1/2 the size as the ones in the commercial, of course. Okay, but not as good as their smoked brisket sandwich, imo.

Pizza? Most decent places start at $23+. You can still get a med from Domino's for $8 or so with a coupon, but quality-wise, you get what you pay for.

Even when my wife and I go out for breakfast on weekends, all the diner-type places are well over $40 now for two people. Ridiculous!

Most Teriyaki places here don't even post the prices on the menu boards anymore. Prices up, and quantities down. Except for one local place, Oishi's. You can get an order of teriyaki chicken, small salad, rice, and a couple gyoza for $11. And you could easily feed 2 people on that. The portions are huge!

 

[jcam222]

I agree. FF prices have gone crazy. I often get work off late in the evening, and don't feel like cooking, so I'll pick up something on the way home.
I sometimes used to pickup Jack-in-the-Box because it was always cheaper than McDonalds, and you would get more. Not anymore, prices nearly doubled. And just a Quarter Pounder at McD's is now almost $6!
We have a Popeye's Chicken near me. It isn't exactly cheap, but it's 100x better than KFC. And the bonus is, their employees know how to count to 10 pieces. KFC doesn't; they always somehow shorted me.

Hit Subway a couple weeks ago for the first time in years, $12. No more $5 foot-longs, I guess. Jimmy John's is okay, but on the small side. I had the worst sub ever at Firehouse; will never go back.

Arby's same. Used to get 5 basic beef sandwiches for $5. Now $12 with a coupon. I did try their new garlic ribeye sandwich. It's about 1/2 the size as the ones in the commercial, of course. Okay, but not as good as their smoked brisket sandwich, imo.

Pizza? Most decent places start at $23+. You can still get a med from Domino's for $8 or so with a coupon, but quality-wise, you get what you pay for.

Even when my wife and I go out for breakfast on weekends, all the diner-type places are well over $40 now for two people. Ridiculous!

Most Teriyaki places here don't even post the prices on the menu boards anymore. Prices up, and quantities down. Except for one local place, Oishi's. You can get an order of teriyaki chicken, small salad, rice, and a couple gyoza for $11. And you could easily feed 2 people on that. The portions are huge!

Coupons and apps help for sure. I don’t do FF but my brother does often. He’s all about apps and coupons. Our local schools sell Dominoes pizza cards a couple times a year too. $10 for a card that is good nor BOGO on large pizzas once a week for one year. I buy those and give as gifts often.

 

[Retired Spook]

It is so sad what has happened to this Country...

I went to Whattaburger a few weeks ago ordered a tripple (always cut in half and eat the second half later) with grilled jalapenos, cheese and 3-slices of bacon - it was $18 fricken dollars...

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

It is so sad what has happened to this Country...

I went to Whattaburger a few weeks ago ordered a tripple (always cut in half and eat the second half later) with grilled jalapenos, cheese and 3-slices of bacon - it was $18 fricken dollars...

I always called that place Whatsinthatburger. $18 is a ripoff.

 

[Retired Spook]

I always called that place Whatsinthatburger. $18 is a ripoff.

The person taking my order was a complete moron - I asked for grilled jalapenos and the ticket said grilled onions, and he spelled my name incorrectly and my name is not that difficult to spell correctly.

I have no doubt that the charges for the bacon, cheese and jalapenos was wrong but after the name spelling debate I just gave up and grabbed the burger and left. The place used to be great but like so many things today, it aint what it used to be... The family that owned Whattaburger sold out to a corporation...

The stock market does nothing for society except suck every penny it can out of it.

 

[Jonok]

Well I agree with the majority of the outrage here, but the current Arby’s 2 for $7 French dip deal is pretty good.
That all being said, absolutely nobody can hold a candle to Lion’s Choice. They make medium rare thin sliced beef sandwiches on quality buns with great sauces and sides at McDonalds prices, and with better than Culver’s service. Unfortunately, they only seem to exist in St. Louis and Alaska.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

We rarely ever eat fast food anymore. Or sit down restaurant food for that matter. Everything is over priced and the quality is garbage. Take out chain pizza is unaffordable. Was at the office the other day and forgot to bring something with me so ran to the chick fil an across the street. Got two spicy chicken sandwiches. No fries or a drink. $12.50. No thanks. I cook nightly and make sure we have enough leftovers for lunch the next day.

Thanks Brandon!

 

[clifish]

I haven't had any fast food garbage for at least 30 years, kind of shocked to see these prices. Being a union carpenter I always brought my lunch to work, usually leftover from the previous nights dinner, only had 30 minutes for lunch. Even these days one can buy whole yardbirds on sale for 99¢lb. Half a BBQ chicken and a can of coke gets it done for under four bucks. London broil at $3.99lb, a half pound steak sandwich gets it done until dinner time. I used to refer to the footlongs from Subway as an "Airwich", I can only imagine what they charge for those things today, crazy. RAY

Last time my wife and I hit Subway a few months ago it was $27 for the two of us... I almost hurled when I saw the bill. Then again Jersey Mikes was $19 for their huge cheese steak but at least it was good. I really hate to eat out any more.

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

I will have to admit there is a local Chinese take out place at the end of my neighborhood that is pretty good. For about $13 I can get two pretty solid meals out of it. Yea, I know rice is a helluva filler, and I assume the MSG is off the charts, but it's still pretty good. Their chicken with mushrooms is awesome.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Was looking through the fast food fliers and coupons that came in the mail the other day for the hell of it. Coupon for Hardee’s bacon egg and cheese biscuits 2 for $6.50. Things used to be 2 for $3. Just insane!

 

[clifish]

I will have to admit there is a local Chinese take out place at the end of my neighborhood that is pretty good. For about $13 I can get two pretty solid meals out of it. Yea, I know rice is a helluva filler, and I assume the MSG is off the charts, but it's still pretty good. Their chicken with mushrooms is awesome.

Yes, I will admit with the Chinese places around here my wife and I could get 2-3 meals out of their portions ( about $32 with 2 quarts of soup). I do toss their rice and make my own fried cauliflower rice to lessen the carbs.