The Best Chain Restaurants’ Meals Under $3*

Wendys-meals-under-3

As much as we try not to make the drive thru a habit, sometimes it’s unavoidable. (Or, okay, sometimes it’s just too delicious and convenient to ignore.) When you’re crunched for time and short on cash — or you just want to be social — here are a few ways to fill up without springing for the wallet-killing combo meal:

Fast food meals under $3
All images property of their respective fast food joints

Wendy’s

  • Monterey Ranch Chicken Sandwich, $1.49
  • Side Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, $1 (Bonus points if you can get them to throw in the cinnamon-toasted pecans for free.)

McDonald’s

  • Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger, $1
  • Apple Dippers, $1.25
  • OR Fruit & Yogurt Parfait, $1

Burger King

  • Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich and a small coffee, $2.99 OR
  • Rodeo Crispy Chicken Sandwich and value-size fries, $2

Arby’s

  • Jr. Cheddar Melt, $1.49
  • Value-size curly fries, $1.09

Taco Bell

  • Double Decker, Doritos and soda meal, $2.99 OR
  • Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco and Bean Burrito, $1.39 + $1.09

KFC

  • Go Cup 2-Piece Chicken Tenders and Potato Wedges, $2.49 OR
  • Macaroni & Cheese Side & 1 Chicken Little, $1.79 + $1.29

Panera

  • Cinnamon Crunch Bagel OR Asiago Bagel with cream cheese, $2.35-$2.99

Dunkin’ Donuts

  • Bacon, egg and cheese wake-up wrap with a medium coffee, $2.99 OR
  • Small iced coffee and a blueberry donut (it has 100 less calories than a blueberry muffin!), $1.99 + 95 cents

Starbucks

  • Tall coffee, $1.75
  • Asiago Everything Bagel, toasted with butter, $1.25

Checker’s

  • Chili Cheeseburger, $1.59
  • Value Fries, $1.39

 Whataburger

  • Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, $2.34 (Seriously, it’s the reason to get up before 11 on Saturdays.)

Subway

  • Veggie Flatizza flatbread pizza, $2.50-$2.99 (for a limited time)

 

*These meals are under $3 before taxes. Prices may vary, depending on where you live. (Like NYC, where the $5 Fill-Up Box at KFC costs $8. We’re not even joking.)