We Asked Food Editors for the Best Fast Food Deal—These Are the Ones They’re Ordering – Latest Food News Update

After a few years of “dollar menu” controversy with fast food chains chains deciding to axe their value offerings, meal deals are officially back, and as popular as ever. Nowadays, it seems like every fast food chain is either reinstating its value menus or offering new combos that give you the most bang for your buck.

And while we appreciate any small break on our wallets, it’s clear that some value meals are a little more worth it than others. Plus, in the ever-changing world of app-exclusive deals and limited-time offerings, it can be hard to know which value meals are available and when. So, I asked Allrecipes’ food editors to share their favorite fast food meal deal. These are the three that are worth heading to the drive-thru for.

The Best Fast Food Meal Deals, According to Food Editors

McDonald’s Mix-and-Match Menu

Before the $5 Meal Deal at McDonald’s, there was its Mix-and-Match menu, which News Editor Annie Campbell’s dad swears by. The meal includes two full-sized entrées, with your choice of the McChicken, the McDouble with Cheese, a 6-piece McNugget, and the Filet-O-Fish, for just about $4. 

Unlike the new value meal, which features your choice of a McDouble or McChicken, small fries, 4-count chicken nuggets, and a small soft drink, the Mix-and-Match deal doesn’t get you fries and a drink. However, with two entrées for a few bucks, you may not need a side of fries to satiate your hunger.

The Mix-and-Match deal may vary in availability depending on your location. If your McDonald’s doesn’t offer the $4 Mix-and-Match menu, you can always opt for the $5 Meal Deal or Mickey D’s new “buy one, add one for $1” McValue menu, which is available for both breakfast and lunch/dinner. That menu lets you buy one entrée at full price, including the Sausage Biscuit, Sausage McMuffin, Sausage Burrito, Hashbrown, Double Cheeseburger, McChicken, six-piece McNugget, and fries, and get the second for just $1. 

Typically, the “buy one, add one for $1” combo will total to about $5 for two items, as well, so there are plenty of ways to save some money at McDonald’s. 

Taco Bell’s Luxe Cravings Box

The Luxe Box is “the best deal at Taco Bell,” according to SEO Writer Keaton Larson. Taco Bell introduced its take on a meal deal in June 2024 and it’s available in four different tiers that start at just $5.

For $5, you can get the Classic Luxe Box, which includes a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Crunchy Taco, Cinnamon Twists, and a medium fountain drink. For $7, you can try the Supreme Lux Box, featuring a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Crunchy Taco, Chips and Nacho Cheese Sauce, and a medium fountain drink. And, for $9, you can opt for the Discovery Luxe Box, which features the new Steak & Queso Crunchwrap Sliders with Green Chile Queso, Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos, Crunchy Taco, Cinnamon Twists, and a medium fountain drink. 

If those three options don’t tempt you, Taco Bell also offers a Build Your Own Luxe Cravings Box for about $7, which allows you to choose your own specialty item, taco or burrito, side, and drink.

Wendy’s 444

Before the value meals took off last year, there was the Wendy’s 444. And, I can only assume that long after these fast food chains bid adieu to their limited-time value offerings, there will be the Wendy’s 444.

Wendy’s “444” deal gets you four menu items, including a Jr. Cheeseburger, 4-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink, for $4. Get it? Four for $4. 

This $4 meal is my favorite fast food meal deal because it’s one of the cheapest and gives me the perfect amount of food to feel satisfied. While the $4 version is my go-to, for just $1 more you can upgrade your 444 to a Biggie Bag, which includes your choice of a Crispy Chicken Sandwich or Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger. Wendy’s also sells a $6 Crispy Chicken BLT and Double Stack Biggie Bag, as well as a $7 Bacon Double Stack Biggie Bag. Even though those meals provide a large amount of food for a few bucks, I would consider the $4 to $5 deals the best on the menu. 

Personally, I don’t ever feel the need to upgrade my 444 sides, but, I recently learned that you can turn your fries and drink into a medium or large for just a few extra cents. The medium upgrade costs 30 cents and the large upgrade costs 80 cents, according to a Wendy’s employee.

Honorable Mention: Jersey Mike’s Birthday Sub

While it’s not a meal deal per say, it is a free meal once per year. If you’re a Jersey Mike’s My Mike’s rewards program member, you can get a free regular sub on your birthday every year. But, the reason it’s Editorial Director Devon O’Brien’s favorite deal is because you don’t even have to redeem the sandwich on your actual birthday.

“I love that Jersey Mike’s gives you a free birthday sub that you can redeem ANYTIME,” she says. 

On your birthday, the chain deposits enough Shore Points into your account to redeem a free regular sub. And, because Shore Points never expire, you can use them anytime to redeem your free sub—or bank them to save up for a larger Giant sub, on the house.

Whether you opt for one of these meal deals, or peruse your fast food app to find the latest offers and freebies, one thing’s for sure: you should never be paying full price at the drive-thru.