# The 2020 "Value Menu" discussion thread! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 8, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504 "2020-10-08T16:45:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/1 "2020-10-08T16:45:43Z")
This year has seen many restaurants prune & restrict their menus, dropping countless beloved items … not to mention how the year has seen many people lose their jobs & livelihoods, dropping countless beloved luxuries. But, we all gotta eat, right? So, broke and hungry Dopers of the world (yes, I wanna hear about your country’s version of a dollar menu!) what’s your favorite cheap eats for when you can’t/won’t cook for yourself and don’t have three bills in your wallet. The twin “tacos” at Jack In The Box? A kid’s meal from Wendy’s? A small soup, extra crackers please, from a hole in the wall Chinese joint? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/2 "2020-10-08T20:00:27Z")
Taco Bell’s was pretty good, until a couple of weeks ago. But then they dropped the Double-Stack Taco (a soft shell wrapped around a crunchy), and raised all of the prices from $1 to $1.29. Our usual go-to is the 4-for-4 from Wendy’s, with a sandwich, fries, nuggets, and a drink, for $4. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/3 "2020-10-08T20:03:13Z")
Fifteen years ago when doing a lot of field service work, I’d wind up looking for lunch in all sorts of areas around Chicagoland. I settled into a nice routine at Wendy’s a few days a week: plain baked potato, two small chilis (with onion, no cheese) & medium drink, all off the dollar menu. That’s more than $3 but a pretty filling meal and change back from a five dollar bill. Another one was footlong Veggie Delight from Subway. I think at the time, those were $2.99 or so. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/4 "2020-10-08T20:18:44Z")
[Del Taco’s Dollar Deals](https://deltaco.com/dollardeals). The value tacos are $.79, so you can get a good lunch for under $3. The soft chicken tacos are pretty good too. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/5 "2020-10-08T20:19:10Z")
I drove through Wendy’s the other day for a Jr. Bacon CB. I was shocked when the cashier said “That’ll be $2.57”. WTH? Last time I ordered one it only cost me $1.50 (and before that, it was only a dollar) ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/6 "2020-10-08T20:30:25Z")
Aye, the dollar menu at Wendy’s is, sadly, no more. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/7 "2020-10-08T20:53:58Z")
Taco Bell up until early this year had the $5 combo deal, for $5 you usually got a chalupa, 5 layer burrito, a medium drink and either their cinnamon twist desert or a small nachos. A super deal when you consider the chalupa goes for $2.50 by itself. Now it’s $6 in my area but it’s still a good deal. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/8 "2020-10-08T21:43:47Z")
Not long ago the 7-11s had a pretty good deal for 2 large hot dogs, a bag of chips, and a Big Gulp soda for between $3 & $4 all up. Piling your dogs with enough condiments and serving your own drink with no ice made for a filling meal. Jalapenos _are_ vegetables after all. That deal seems to be another casualty of COVID. At least here locally. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/9 "2020-10-08T22:13:05Z")
McDonald’s has their buy 1/get 1 survey codes for a QP+cheese or a Egg Mc. The survey code key is: 1. A random 5 digit # 2. Followed by a 2-digit number which matches the KS # on the ticket. So if I have a receipt with a KS# of 9, I would write on the receipt a random 5-digit sequence followed by 09: 5673509 … for example. And turn that in as a submitted survey. I’ve been doing this for _years_ now, so trust me, it works. BONUS: The receipt for your b1/g1 will contain the same survey offer. Wash, rinse, repeat. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/10 "2020-10-08T22:19:03Z")
If you get the Burger King app and sign up, you’ll find many cheap offers. The most exciting one is their $3 (or $2 in some areas) snack pack. It includes a cheeseburger, 10 piece nuggets, medium fries and small drink. Can’t beat that! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/11 "2020-10-08T22:23:31Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > … for example. And turn that in as a submitted survey. > > I’ve been doing this for _years_ now, so trust me, it works. I’m unfamiliar with McD’s surveys, but based on your suggestion I Googled McDonald’s survey and this site came back. If this is the same survey you’re talking about, it seems they’ve caught on. They’re now wanting a pre-printed 26-digit number off the receipt. > **[McDonald’s Customer Satisfaction Survey on McDVoice.com - Welcome](https://www.mcdvoice.com/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1)** > > \Welcome to the McDonald’s Customer Satisfaction Survey on McDVOICE.com. We value your candid feedback and appreciate you taking the time to complete our survey.\ ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/12 "2020-10-08T22:26:20Z")
Taco Bell has by far the best $1 menu. Beefy fritos burrito, cheesy bean and rice, double stack taco, shredded chicken quesadilla melt, any two of those is a good meal for $2. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/13 "2020-10-08T22:27:17Z")
Worked Saturday. 🤷‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/14 "2020-10-08T22:51:29Z")
I think I understand. In my last post I thought you meant you were entering your homemade random number into their website. Which seemed to me wouldn’t work. I now think you meant that you write your homemade random number on your receipt from this visit as the “proof” that you did the survey. Then you redeem this survey result for your next meal. They don’t actually check the number beyond those last 2 digits before giving you credit on this new visit. Lather rinse repeat. Which reminds me of this post of mine from a few years ago: > [@I just discovered a major loophole!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-a-major-loophole/732475/9): > > Years ago I had something similar that I and my cohorts (ab)used the heck out of. Near our work was a Pizza Hut. Which was staffed entirely by uncaring incompetent stoners. Who could never hustle; even at the height of the lunch rush they’d be moseying serenely along. Whenever somebody suggested that place for lunch we all groaned about the long wait but went anyhow because … PIZZA!!! And we were all 20-something and stupid. So World HQ comes up with this great promo to increase sales at lu… Which, funny enough was started by an OP about McD’s lax coupon validation. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/15 "2020-10-09T00:55:45Z")
Del Taco also prints a survey url on their receipts, so if you go to the site and take the survey, they give you a validation number that turns your receipt into a “$1 dollar off” coupon if you spend at least $3. Which makes the Dollar Deals even more of a bargain. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/16 "2020-10-09T02:55:24Z")
Breakfast: Mickey D Sausage Mcmuffin and hash browns Lunch/dinner: Two Wendy’s Crispy Chicken sandwiches. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/17 "2020-10-09T19:36:51Z")
Sadly, no more. See my earlier post: The double-stack tacos are gone now, and the beefy Fritos burrito was replaces by a regular beef burrito months ago, and the price has gone up. Even still, though, ordering individual items off the value menu will still get you a better deal than any of the combos, even the “specials”. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/18 "2020-10-10T21:14:08Z")
Burger King and Jack in the Box have excellent apps that almost always have a “Buy one get one free” deals going on. Wendy’s and Del Taco have good app deals too but the deals change every day and sometimes you’ll get a day where almost all the deals are of the time limited breakfast type. Taco Bell has a horrible app almost no deals. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/19 "2020-10-10T21:34:50Z")
A Story in 3 Parts, With an Epilogue By The Author: Introduction: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FQ6_AxtyIL7tbBhqBhAN_0MJSF0fKDh_zI4TV-OzclCHfBeVnh3TRgEGh-KNPiQHjqQtVdkn2M_j4Gx89SMv1s2Y3-9SnDJqAq2RqbQu2vvtkeNxcpeuHxzO00Oc6252KzKq5nQvrg=w600-h315-p-k "New item by John Thornton") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/qPrskqmmyWPuBBvz8) Development: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5elV5BLUOjQYYFgHnZY0gOTmYKq-yGuLf4qaKxopRh5KQLo53JyLXwpJJmkJYQ6JW-Z9lNKIe3-dqy0Po7YXygv5ttnGycMpNg36PjzK8SMmLMuB1ypYZKL3zpObRUYEGshBaQLafg=w600-h315-p-k "New item by John Thornton") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/6gEuxurxJzn6bkYQ9) Conclusion: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cTUW69x8y6hxxxIzgRvfu0KV1kEutH8DAxcEFFkXXSAExWf8YDTPmQ6VUtENMPOBddUD1N-xd6_gaztYXGvyP_6FuRVwKlW0-5OThUuyYrubRxjciZL23gos4BgNT2QsoXeZbodDZg=w600-h315-p-k "New item by John Thornton") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/MWSL4Q63i8qzaRik6) Epilogue: ¯\_(ツ)\_/¯ ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504/20 "2020-10-11T00:04:04Z")
With a minimalist cast of characters but rich visual detail, the triptych of “A Story in 3 Parts, With an Epilogue By The Author” presents a modern mystery told in the style of a straightforward vignette. (published by the _Doper Literary Critique Quarterly_) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-value-menu-discussion-thread/922504.md?page=2)