Fast-food restaurants used to be a place where you could spend very little money and get a great deal of food in return. These chains get more expensive by the day now, but there are still dishes on most fast-food menus that pack a punch. If you’re going to get something that actually fills you up for less than $10, what should it be? Here are 12 affordable and filling fast-food items.
Prices may vary by location.
McDonald’s Big Mac
Cost: $5.79
Calories: 563
There are bigger and thicker burgers to get at McDonald’s, but this is about that beautiful intersection of cheap and filling. The decades-famous Big Mac has not only two patties, but three buns. Trust me, that middle bun goes a long way when it comes to filling your stomach, so if you’re going to nab a burger for under $5 at McDonald’s, make it this one.
Taco Bell’s Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito
Cost: $1.49
Calories: 420
Rice and beans are doing the lord’s work here, and for only a buck and a half? That’s just charity, you know? Grab two or three of these guys and you’ll be absolutely fine.
Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Famous Bowl
Cost: $5.59
Calories: 740 Calories
KFC really pioneered this idea in a lot of ways. In the past, the chain even had menu items called “Fill-ups.” That said, the colonel’s biggest and best hit in the fill-up department still lives on. The Famous Bowl (for $6!) has mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, nuggets, and cheese. Really, really hard to beat.
Cinnabon’s MiniBon
Cost: $3.99
Calories: 350
You don’t need a whole Cinnabon, of course, because that’s probably the equivalent of three meals. But a mini? For a measly $4? How cheeky.
Popeyes’ Bacon and Cheese Chicken Sandwich
Cost: $6.99
Calories: 830
The bun is major for helping you to fill your belly at Pop’s, but why stop there? Drop a little bit of bacon and cheese on there, and you’re still only spending seven big ones.
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Burger King’s Wrap Flow Trio
Cost: $7.49
Calories: 990
A digital exclusive, you’ll have to place an online order for this one. It’s worth the app download, though, because you can snag three of BK’s snack wraps (with options like spicy and honey mustard) for under $8.
Del Taco’s Bean and Cheese Burrito
Cost: $2.29
Calories: 280
These are pricier than Taco Bell’s, but that’s because they are heftier. With cheese, a ton of superior beans, and your choice of red or green salsa, the choice is clear: Get one of each for less than $5.
Panda Express’ Bowl
Cost: $8.30
Calories: 300-1000
The ability to get a big bowl, split with rice and chow mein, and topped with the best orange chicken on the planet Earth for under nine bucks is a mega-steal. I love you, Panda.
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Long John Silver’s Rice Cup
Cost: $3.09
Calories: 180-720
Most of Long John Silver’s sides cost the exact same amount, but none will fill you up the way a cup of rice will. Rice is amazing when it comes to filling you up for cheap, so make sure to tack that on to your order at Long John’s if you’re feeling hungry.
Starbucks’ Bacon, Sausage, and Egg Wrap
Cost: $6.75
Calories: 640
Hear me when I say: This thing is big. It’s pricier than the other Starby breakfast sandwiches, but that’s fair, because it’s a missile. At only $6.75, this is still a steal for a huge tortilla stuffed with bacon, sausage, eggs, and potatoes. You’ll be full when this thing is through.
Jersey Mike’s Mini Italian Sub
Cost: $7.75
Calories: 430-590
J-Mike’s Italiano is one of the best you can get, particularly because it’s piled high with a whopping five meats (ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni) and cheese. Top a mini sandwich, which runs under $8, with as many toppings as you like, and you’ve got a hefty lunch for cheap.
Five Guys’ Little Bacon Cheeseburger
Cost: $11.99
Calories: 630-690
The great thing about Five Guys’ “little” burgers is that they’re not little. They’re just regular burgers, except with a single patty instead of two. You can get away with a whole burger with bacon and cheese for a tenner at Five Guys, all because they think the standard burger size is a double.
