Fast Food Talk Thread

[Busguy2010]

Cheeseburger 2.99 Remember when that was less than a buck AND bigger?

I remember when a Mcdouble was $1. Those came in clutch to fuel college shenanigans. 2-4 of them and you were good to go. And again, this was only like 10-15 years ago, not like we're talking 1980, so I don't know what changed so much in such a short time.

[nebugeater]

I didn't care to install the app cause the last time I had McDonalds was about 6 months ago. Just guessing it costs more in Omaha than Gretna, cause yeah, no way the meal would have added up to almost $11 if the burger itself is only $5.89. Just going based on my last McD's experience.

I only recently installed the app. I also rarely go to McD, but when they had the McRib back for a limited time, I had to get one. I installed the app to see if it was available before I went to McD, and that is the only time I have used it until checking these prices.

Right now the app is only showing breakfast items due to time of day. I will check the meal price later today.

[skinzfan23]

I have the app and the prices for food is getting ridiculous. I just had a friend post the other day that a medium fry was $3.99, I thought there was no way, but I pulled up the app and sure enough that is how much it was.

Obviously, I would never eat there without my kids and more importantly the app (there are always deals on there)

[Greg S]

I have the app and the prices for food is getting ridiculous. I just had a friend post the other day that a medium fry was $3.99, I thought there was no way, but I pulled up the app and sure enough that is how much it was.

Obviously, I would never eat there without my kids and more importantly the app (there are always deals on there)

Yeah obviously kids (and their activities) drives a lot of McDonald's business. McDonald's app is definitely worth it. The deals drive down the prices big time.

[Busguy2010]

The crazy part to me is for how much the prices have gone up, it's still the same old McDonald's quality and service. $3.99 isn't a risk I'd be willing to take if half the time the fries aren't even good.

Whenever someone gets the chance, a screenshot of the menu prices would be appreciated. I'd like to explore the price differences on the items I used to get often. I used to want to get McDonald's all the time, but I think I had it twice in the last year and both times I was shocked at the price. Like if I'm gonna spend $10-$15 just to feed myself for one meal, I'm gonna go to Hyvee and buy a ribeye steak and some vegetables. Just doesn't make sense to go to McDonald's anymore, unless of course, you have kids that demand it.

[skinzfan23]

I will try to screenshot it once the lunch menu comes up.

Unfortunately its like that at all fast food lately. My wife got the crispy chicken sandwich meal at McDonalds and it was $9.79 I believe. Burger King used to be cheap, but their prices are crazy as well.

On a side note, Runza only did temp tuesday for January this year, wonder if food prices had something to do with it.

[ita]

Cheeseburger 2.99 Remember when that was less than a buck AND bigger?

I remember when a Mcdouble was $1. Those came in clutch to fuel college shenanigans. 2-4 of them and you were good to go. And again, this was only like 10-15 years ago, not like we're talking 1980, so I don't know what changed so much in such a short time.

Regular inflation, post pandemic inflation, supply chain issues, starting fast food wages at $15/hr. Take your pick.

[skinzfan23]

Cheeseburger 2.99 Remember when that was less than a buck AND bigger?

I remember when a Mcdouble was $1. Those came in clutch to fuel college shenanigans. 2-4 of them and you were good to go. And again, this was only like 10-15 years ago, not like we're talking 1980, so I don't know what changed so much in such a short time.

Regular inflation, post pandemic inflation, supply chain issues, starting fast food wages at $15/hr. Take your pick.

Good call, I would assume the wages probably have the most impact on prices.

[ChadJK]

Regular inflation, post pandemic inflation, supply chain issues, starting fast food wages at $15/hr. Take your pick.

I also feel some companies have used this period of high inflation as an excuse to jack prices. They were going to raise prices anyway as a result of inflation, but some evil genius realized that with the price of everything going up they could spike prices and consumers would dismiss it as "inflation.". So, for example, prices that would have gone up 10% have instead gone up 20%. So, they're covering their increased costs of food and labor, but growing their margins too.

[Busguy2010]

Regular inflation, post pandemic inflation, supply chain issues, starting fast food wages at $15/hr. Take your pick.

The wages were my first guess. The real kicker for me was they still gave me that $9/hr attitude No thanks McD's, you can keep your limp fries, lukewarm nuggets, and yer broken ice cream machine.

[Busguy2010]

Regular inflation, post pandemic inflation, supply chain issues, starting fast food wages at $15/hr. Take your pick.

I also feel some companies have used this period of high inflation as an excuse to jack prices. They were going to raise prices anyway as a result of inflation, but some evil genius realized that with the price of everything going up they could spike prices and consumers would dismiss it as "inflation.". So, for example, prices that would have gone up 10% have instead gone up 20%. So, they're covering their increased costs of food and labor, but growing their margins too.

I think you hit the nail on the head there. The executives pockets ain't hurting any due to any of these factors. That's why I have to choose not to be a part of it, and despite all this, there's still a line wrapped around the building at pretty much all times. I don't get it.

[nebugeater]

Regular inflation, post pandemic inflation, supply chain issues, starting fast food wages at $15/hr. Take your pick.

The wages were my first guess. The real kicker for me was they still gave me that $9/hr attitude No thanks McD's, you can keep your limp fries, lukewarm nuggets, and yer broken ice cream machine.

For another $2 a burger, they can fix that fake ice cream machine too!

[Garrett]

Regular inflation, post pandemic inflation, supply chain issues, starting fast food wages at $15/hr. Take your pick.

I also feel some companies have used this period of high inflation as an excuse to jack prices. They were going to raise prices anyway as a result of inflation, but some evil genius realized that with the price of everything going up they could spike prices and consumers would dismiss it as "inflation.". So, for example, prices that would have gone up 10% have instead gone up 20%. So, they're covering their increased costs of food and labor, but growing their margins too.

Corporate profits drove 53% of inflation last year.

https://fortune.com/2024/01/20/inflatio ... rofit/amp/

In Norway, with strong labor organizing and protection, minimum wage is around $18/hr at McDonalds, and the standard combo is around $12.41. In Omaha, where the current minimum wage is $12, I see a QPC combo for $10.29. In nyc, where the minimum wage is now $16, the QPC combo is $10.49.

Moral of the story, no, it’s not just minimum wage that is spiking prices.

[nebugeater]

I didn't care to install the app cause the last time I had McDonalds was about 6 months ago. Just guessing it costs more in Omaha than Gretna, cause yeah, no way the meal would have added up to almost $11 if the burger itself is only $5.89. Just going based on my last McD's experience.

I only recently installed the app. I also rarely go to McD, but when they had the McRib back for a limited time, I had to get one. I installed the app to see if it was available before I went to McD, and that is the only time I have used it until checking these prices.

Right now the app is only showing breakfast items due to time of day. I will check the meal price later today.

The app says the Big Mac meal is 11.19. Your memory is correct.

[Busguy2010]

Corporate profits drove 53% of inflation last year.

https://fortune.com/2024/01/20/inflatio ... rofit/amp/

In Norway, with strong labor organizing and protection, minimum wage is around $18/hr at McDonalds, and the standard combo is around $12.41. In Omaha, where the current minimum wage is $12, I see a QPC combo for $10.29. In nyc, where the minimum wage is now $16, the QPC combo is $10.49.

Moral of the story, no, it’s not just minimum wage that is spiking prices.

Right, I wasn't insinuating that I'm against those employees earning a living wage. I actually believe "living wage" is more like $18 an hour. BUT I know corporate greed is going nowhere and those executives aren't going to let operating costs cut into their bottom line, so in the end, higher staff wages DO get passed onto the consumers bottom line.

As we pointed out, it's pretty obvious why a Big Mac meal went from like $7.50 to $11.00 in just a few years. That's not natural inflation. As Chad pointed out, the corporates are basically inflating inflation, under the guise of inflation. The only way we combat it is not buy the product. But I don't see it happening because somehow, despite the high price and low quality product, there's still always a line around almost every McDonald's you see.

[ita]

Rossen Reports: What can you really get for $1 at fast-food joints?

TLDR not much.

[ChadJK]

I've noticed I'm also being nickel-and-dime'd and being charged for things I didn't use to get charged for. Sauces is a big one. Sure, cheese sauce and sour cream have always cost extra. However, now when I ask for extra enchilada sauce, for example, I'll get my bill and there's a $0.50 to $1.50 charge for it. It used to be that some of the cheaper sauces (from a food cost perspective) that weren't frequently requested were usually free if you wanted extra. Not anymore. Pretty soon we'll be like Europe and being paying for individual ketchup packets.

[nativeomahan]

Regular inflation, post pandemic inflation, supply chain issues, starting fast food wages at $15/hr. Take your pick.

I also feel some companies have used this period of high inflation as an excuse to jack prices. They were going to raise prices anyway as a result of inflation, but some evil genius realized that with the price of everything going up they could spike prices and consumers would dismiss it as "inflation.". So, for example, prices that would have gone up 10% have instead gone up 20%. So, they're covering their increased costs of food and labor, but growing their margins too.

I think you hit the nail on the head there. The executives pockets ain't hurting any due to any of these factors. That's why I have to choose not to be a part of it, and despite all this, there's still a line wrapped around the building at pretty much all times. I don't get it.

Lemmings.
Why not charge those prices if customers will wait in long lines to pay them?

[Busguy2010]

Lemmings.
Why not charge those prices if customers will wait in long lines to pay them?

I understand that part of it.

What I don't get is how/why McDonalds is always so busy despite these prices. Listen, I've always loved McDonald's, and I'll never understand what makes it so tasty when it's actually garbage, but I'm finding it fairly easy to forgo when their prices are comparable, or higher than an actual decent quality meal elsewhere.

[Busguy2010]

First heard about it this morning, apparently BK has come out with the "Candied Bacon Whopper" and it piqued my interest:

Heck, I might even get that today if I find out they have em.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I had it today and it was really good. I'd get it again and again as long as they have it. It has a nice smoky flavor, black pepper on the bacon, and a nice subtle sweetness.

I get where you're going with that comment, but this burger works. Not a gimmick. Candied bacon and bacon jam have been on the scene for a while. I've seen it in fast food a couple times. It's basically bacon and brown sugar and it is very tasty. I highly recommend baking a pack of bacon with some brown sugar at home.

I will definitely get it again. I'd call it a hit.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I had it today and it was really good.
I will definitely get it again. I'd call it a hit.

I Haven’t eaten at Burger King for about 7 years now because their food basically nauseates me.. But I do appreciate your review..

I’m surprised you haven't sampled the peanut butter, bacon cheeseburger at Sonic yet-

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featu ... eseburger/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I had it today and it was really good.
I will definitely get it again. I'd call it a hit.

I Haven’t eaten at Burger King for about 7 years now because their food basically nauseates me.. But I do appreciate your review..

I’m surprised you haven't sampled the peanut butter, bacon cheeseburger at Sonic yet-

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featu ... eseburger/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I saw the Review Brah for it and it's just peanut butter slapped on a bacon cheeseburger. I would probably have been inspired if it had some sort of peanut butter bacon jam sauce.

But then again I'm surprised I haven't had sonic in general for probably on 7 or 8 years. They come out with a lot of unique stuff. Lately the peanut butter bacon shake piqued my interest, but still haven't gotten it. I drive by sonic ALL the time and they're literally always too busy for me. Ever since they got rid of the one at 76th & Dodge, I haven't been.

[nebugeater]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I had it today and it was really good.
I will definitely get it again. I'd call it a hit.

I Haven’t eaten at Burger King for about 7 years now because their food basically nauseates me.. But I do appreciate your review..

I’m surprised you haven't sampled the peanut butter, bacon cheeseburger at Sonic yet-

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featu ... eseburger/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If you think BK food nauseated you, how can you even look at anything that comes out of Sonic and consider eating it?

[ChadJK]

how can you even look at anything that comes out of Sonic and consider eating it?

Back in the late 1990s before Sonic came to Nebraska, I was in Oklahoma for a time and they were very present there. I used to get two things at Sonic. A Hickory Burger and a soft-serve cone. The Hickory Burger is gone from the menu and their soft-serve ice cream now tastes more like frozen Cool Whip than it does ice cream. So, now the only thing I get a Sonic is a Route 44 Unsweetened Iced Tea.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I had it today and it was really good.
I will definitely get it again. I'd call it a hit.

I Haven’t eaten at Burger King for about 7 years now because their food basically nauseates me.. But I do appreciate your review..

I’m surprised you haven't sampled the peanut butter, bacon cheeseburger at Sonic yet-

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featu ... eseburger/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If you think BK food nauseated you, how can you even look at anything that comes out of Sonic and consider eating it?

I never eat at Sonic either. Can’t remember if I ever have honestly..

But I did buy a bag of ice from there last week…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebugeater]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I had it today and it was really good.
I will definitely get it again. I'd call it a hit.

I Haven’t eaten at Burger King for about 7 years now because their food basically nauseates me.. But I do appreciate your review..

I’m surprised you haven't sampled the peanut butter, bacon cheeseburger at Sonic yet-

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featu ... eseburger/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If you think BK food nauseated you, how can you even look at anything that comes out of Sonic and consider eating it?

I never eat at Sonic either. Can’t remember if I ever have honestly..

But I did buy a bag of ice from there last week…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I hope they cleaned their ice machine. For a little more, I will buy ice from somewhere that is in the business of making and bagging ice, not from an Ice machine that is an afterthought with some kid filling a bag.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I had it today and it was really good.
I will definitely get it again. I'd call it a hit.

I Haven’t eaten at Burger King for about 7 years now because their food basically nauseates me.. But I do appreciate your review..

I’m surprised you haven't sampled the peanut butter, bacon cheeseburger at Sonic yet-

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featu ... eseburger/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If you think BK food nauseated you, how can you even look at anything that comes out of Sonic and consider eating it?

I never eat at Sonic either. Can’t remember if I ever have honestly..

But I did buy a bag of ice from there last week…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I hope they cleaned their ice machine. For a little more, I will buy ice from somewhere that is in the business of making and bagging ice, not from an Ice machine that is an afterthought with some kid filling a bag.

The ice was for a post surgery ice pack for a family member. Not for consumption in any way. So we were safe in that regard…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebugeater]

I’d imagine at some point we’ll see the “Snicker/Twix bar, candied sugar bacon, sour gummy double Whopper with cheese”..

These fast food slop shops like Burger King will stop at nothing, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I had it today and it was really good.
I will definitely get it again. I'd call it a hit.

I Haven’t eaten at Burger King for about 7 years now because their food basically nauseates me.. But I do appreciate your review..

I’m surprised you haven't sampled the peanut butter, bacon cheeseburger at Sonic yet-

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featu ... eseburger/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If you think BK food nauseated you, how can you even look at anything that comes out of Sonic and consider eating it?

I never eat at Sonic either. Can’t remember if I ever have honestly..

But I did buy a bag of ice from there last week…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I hope they cleaned their ice machine. For a little more, I will buy ice from somewhere that is in the business of making and bagging ice, not from an Ice machine that is an afterthought with some kid filling a bag.

The ice was for a post surgery ice pack for a family member. Not for consumption in any way. So we were safe in that regard…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Good to know!!!! There is enough risk with ice in a drink from many. FF places

[nativeomahan]

Sonic typically is our only dining option when we fly into Omaha after 11 pm. Actually their cheeseburgers taste pretty good when you are starving. The tater tots are decent.

[Padre]

Sonic typically is our only dining option when we fly into Omaha after 11 pm. Actually their cheeseburgers taste pretty good when you are starving. The tater tots are decent.

The Sonic burgers are ok, but I like that they do all day breakfast.

[Busguy2010]

I just realized I only had fast food twice this month. Last thing I got was a pork tenderloin sandwich meal plus a hickory burger from Bronco’s and that was over two weeks ago. It was slightly on the not as good side for Bronco’s. Then before that was the candied bacon Whopper from BK, which I LOVED, but haven't found my way back to BK for it... Probably due to the burger, fries, and drink being almost $13. I probably should just suck it up and get that one more time because it's my favorite limited edition fast food item in a while.

So my question for everyone is what was your last fast food meal and how was it? What is fast food to you? Is it a treat or a regular incorporation to your diet?

More often lately for me, it's a treat. It used to be I'd get something just because I was hungry and nearby. For instance I'd often get something that didn't necessarily even sound all that good to me like maybe a quarter pounder or a Chick-fil-A sandwich, merely for convenience sake. That led to me eating fast food several times per week and I wasn't even really enjoying it! So more often than not, I've limited my fast food to limited time, "special" items. That has helped me limit my fast food intake and enjoy it more overall.

Any new items anybody heard of and have wanted to try? I've been meaning to get to Dave's Hot Chicken to try their "Not Chicken" I hear it's actually pretty good and they're surprisingly very pleasantly crisp. I just haven't heard a lot of noise from the fast food industry as of late.

[ChadJK]

So my question for everyone is what was your last fast food meal and how was it? What is fast food to you? Is it a treat or a regular incorporation to your diet?

Fast food is quite literally something I get when I need food fast. Outside of that, probably 80% of my meals out are at full service restaurants.

I tried two places in the last few days that I haven't been to in awhile:

Wendy's: I just can't get excited about this place. I have nothing against them, but even when considering fast food options this one doesn't even occur to me. It's like I forget it exists until I drive past one. I had the Spicy Chicken sandwich, Dave's Single hamburger, and some fries. The chicken sandwich was good, but I do find their breading a bit hard. Dave's Single was okay. I'm the weirdo that prefers hamburgers over cheeseburgers in fast food restaurants (something about the cheese on fast food cheeseburgers scares me). I only had a couple of the fries. They were just okay too. I think they're perhaps too thick, I need more golden exterior and salt to inner potato ratio in my fries. Overall, mostly ho-hum.

Little King: I haven't eaten at a Little King in about 30 years. So, I gave it a try. I had the Ham & Swiss. The ingredients seemed to be of decent quality (they slice them in front of you) and the bread was pretty good too, but the meat and cheese portion was just sort of skimpy. A few very thin slices of ham and a couple very thin slices of swiss cheese. Perhaps it's less noticeable if you're one of the people that piles on the toppings on their sandwich, but I like mine fairly plain and the lack of meat and cheese was painfully obvious. I don't seek out sandwiches often, so this was a very rare excursion for me.

I was shocked to get friendly and competent customer service at both places, so kudos to them for that.

[Busguy2010]

So my question for everyone is what was your last fast food meal and how was it? What is fast food to you? Is it a treat or a regular incorporation to your diet?

Wendy's: I just can't get excited about this place. I have nothing against them, but even when considering fast food options this one doesn't even occur to me. It's like I forget it exists until I drive past one. I had the Spicy Chicken sandwich, Dave's Single hamburger, and some fries. The chicken sandwich was good, but I do find their breading a bit hard. Dave's Single was okay. I'm the weirdo that prefers hamburgers over cheeseburgers in fast food restaurants (something about the cheese on fast food cheeseburgers scares me). I only had a couple of the fries. They were just okay too. I think they're perhaps too thick, I need more golden exterior and salt to inner potato ratio in my fries. Overall, mostly ho-hum.

I haven't been to Wendy's in some time. I agree, it's hard to get excited about Wendy's. Years ago they came out with something along the lines of ghost pepper loaded fries and a ghost pepper chicken sandwich or burger. I remember that being pretty good. But their regular menu items are pretty blah. There was a time I got the 4 for $4 junior bacon cheeseburger meal deal pretty dang often. Now that was classic fast food you bought for the price. It was a killer deal, I don't know if they still have it.

[Brad]

Speaking of Wendy's.....

Wendy’s to start testing Uber-style surge pricing

https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/ ... rcna140601

By 2025, the fast food restaurant chain will begin testing dynamic pricing, which is a time-based pricing strategy that companies use to increase or decrease prices for their services or items depending on the time and demand. It is similar to “surge prices” on the Uber app when there are few drivers or the demand for a driver is higher, depending on the location or time of day.

[Padre]

Speaking of Wendy's.....

Wendy’s to start testing Uber-style surge pricing

https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/ ... rcna140601

By 2025, the fast food restaurant chain will begin testing dynamic pricing, which is a time-based pricing strategy that companies use to increase or decrease prices for their services or items depending on the time and demand. It is similar to “surge prices” on the Uber app when there are few drivers or the demand for a driver is higher, depending on the location or time of day.

I don’t usually go to Wendy’s anyway, as their customer service is usually a disaster, but if this becomes the norm, I will never go there. If I’m going to pick up the food myself, and the AI wants to tell me the price is higher based on when I happened to make it to the drive thru, you can forget it!

[NEDodger]

Speaking of Wendy's.....

Wendy’s to start testing Uber-style surge pricing

https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/ ... rcna140601

By 2025, the fast food restaurant chain will begin testing dynamic pricing, which is a time-based pricing strategy that companies use to increase or decrease prices for their services or items depending on the time and demand. It is similar to “surge prices” on the Uber app when there are few drivers or the demand for a driver is higher, depending on the location or time of day.

I don’t usually go to Wendy’s anyway, as their customer service is usually a disaster, but if this becomes the norm, I will never go there. If I’m going to pick up the food myself, and the AI wants to tell me the price is higher based on when I happened to make it to the drive thru, you can forget it!

Same. This is a terrible idea. And I’m sure they won’t be pricing things LOWER than current pricing during “dead” times with this. What a joke. I’m sure McDonalds and Burger King are cracking up about this.

[skinzfan23]

Yeah this probably won't last long. No one wants to worry about changing prices daily on fast food.

[djc311]

Yeah this probably won't last long. No one wants to worry about changing prices daily on fast food.

Basically if you want the "best" pricing you'd want to NOT eat during lunch or dinner time. LOL