These Are the 7 Best ‘Dollar-Menu’ Lineups in America

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These days, rising food prices may be busting your grocery budget, but you don’t have to live off ramen or frozen chicken nuggets to save money. Instead, you can head to your nearest fast-food restaurant to satisfy your appetite for a fried chicken sandwich, cheeseburger or any type of fried potato.

Though “dollar menus” may charge slightly more than they advertise, they do still exist with just a few more asterisks. Here are seven of the best dollar menus in America.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell only has four items on its Cravings Value Menu for slightly more than $1. However, you can still get favorites like the Fiesta Veggie Burrito, Beefy Melt Burrito and Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito for only $2.

While Taco Bell is one of the few fast-food chains that still provides something close to a $1 section, the portion sizes can be smaller than you might expect. The select Cravings Menu includes items in the $1 range such as the following: 

• Cheesy Roll-Up: $1.19
• Spicy Potato Soft Taco: $1.29
• Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito: $1.49
• Double Stacked Taco: $1.99

Wendy’s

Although Wendy’s is no longer offering an actual dollar menu, a Jr. Frosty is an affordable treat at just 99 cents. Unfortunately, that’s all you’ll be able to get if you just have around a buck in your wallet. 

Yet there is still hope for just slightly more in the form of its 2 for $3 Biggie Bundle. You can mix and match several items on the breakfast menu listed below to mark them down to $1.50 apiece:

• Sausage Biscuit
• Egg & Cheese Biscuit
• Sausage & Cheese English Muffin
• Egg & Cheese English Muffin
• Small Seasoned Potatoes
• Medium Hot Coffee

Burger King

At Burger King, you might be able to find a few items for a buck, depending on where you live.  However, Burger King’s $1 Your Way Menu only runs in some locations and can be difficult to find. If you’re lucky enough to find a spot that has this value menu, you can still get items like the following for just $1:

• Bacon Cheeseburger
• Chicken Jr.
• Value Small Fries
• Value Fountain Drink

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen no longer offers a dollar menu per se, but DQ still serves up different fast food deals throughout the year, including Happy Hour specials, which may include your favorite drinks and the always popular buy-one-get-one for 99 cents Blizzard promotion.

A lonely dollar won’t buy anything at Dairy Queen, but the restaurant runs a value-priced snack menu and lunch deal if you have a little bit extra:

• 2 for $5 — Choose any two from the Original Cheeseburger, Chili Dog, Small Sundae, Pretzel Sticks with Zesty Queso, Regular Fries or any size soft drink
• $7 Meal Deal — Choose from a 3-piece Chicken Strip Meal or Original Cheeseburger Meal

McDonald’s

Dollar menu fans, rejoice — the “Golden Arches” has a $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu with items for all occasions. For example, you can get any small soft drink for $1. Prices, participation and exact menu items will vary by location, but you can get items like the McChicken or a small iced coffee for less than $2. 

In 2025, McDonald’s has the McValue menu, which is a spin-off of a BOGO deal and features the buy one, get one for $1 option. Here are some key takeaways from the menu:

• McDonald’s breakfast: The buy one, add one for $1 options include Sausage Biscuit, Sausage McMuffin, Sausage Burrito and hash browns. 
• McDonald’s lunch and dinner: The buy one, add one for $1 options include Double Cheeseburger, McChicken, 6-piece Chicken McNuggets and Small World Famous Fries.

Dunkin’ 

Head to your local Dunkin’ Donuts destination for breakfast if you’re on a tight budget. Dunkin’ (as it’s now called) doesn’t have an official dollar menu, but a lonely buck and 9 cents can still satisfy your Dunkin’ desires — even if it doesn’t quite cover a coffee:

• $1.09 Bagel
• $1.09 Donut

Sonic Drive-In

If you’re in the mood for a retro diner experience on a tight budget, pull up for drive-in service and get your fill of fast-food favorites at Sonic. While there’s no dollar menu to choose from, there is an assortment of deals for just $1.99 — so close enough. This special discount menu features savings on a whole lineup of fan favorites for just under $2 each:

• Queso Wraps
• Tots
• Jumbo Popcorn Chicken
• Grilled Cheese Burger
• 3 flavors of Cream Slushes

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