McDonald’s eagerly anticipated $5 Meal Deal is now on sale in Southern California.
The deal appeared on McDonald’s app after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the time restaurants switch over from their breakfast menu.
“The rumors = true,” says McDonald’s website.
Sort of, a spot check of prices throughout Southern California revealed.
The deal includes four items from the fast food giant’s existing $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu.
The items are a sandwich, either a McDouble or a McChicken, four-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small soft drink.
The spot check showed several restaurants are charging $6 for the combo with the burger and $5 for the chicken sandwich.
On its app, McDonald’s describes the meal as “starting at $5” and says in fine print that prices could be higher at some locations.
A McDouble features two beef patties, one slice of American cheese, pickle slices, chopped onion, ketchup and mustard on a regular bun. It is almost the same as a Double Cheeseburger, the chain’s website acknowleges. The difference is that it has one less slice of cheese.
A McChicken is the most basic chicken sandwich on the menu. it features a chicken patty, mayonaise and shredded lettuce on a regular bun.
Several items on the Dollar Menu are on the higher end — some higher than $3, actually — and a spot check of franchises suggested that buying the sandwich, McNuggets, fries and drink individually could cost $10.06-$10.66.
On a test run to a McDonald’s in Redlands, only the McChicken meal was available, but it cost $5. With tax the total was $5.44. Ordered at a kiosk, the food took 16 minutes to arrive.
News of the $5 deal came out in early May, at a time when McDonald’s was plagued by rumors and complaints of high prices, but the chain didn’t confirm it until last week.
Several of McDonald’s competitors announced their own deals in the walkup to McDonald’s $5 meal.
Burger King: A $5 Your Way Meal was added to the menu a couple of weeks ago. it also includes a sandwich, nuggets, fries and drink. bk.com
Carl’s Jr.: The chain launched a new 2 for $6 Double Take value meal on Monday, June 24. Choices include a small cheeseburger, Spicy Lil’ Cheeseburger, a Spicy Chicken Sandwich, six-piece Chicken Stars, French Toast Dips, small hash browns and fries. It also brought back its limited-time Teriyaki Burger and Teriyaki Char Chicken Sandwich. Both offers run through Aug. 13. carlsjr.com
Miguel’s Jr.: The Corona-based chain is offering two soft or hard-shelled tacos for $5 on Tuesday, June 25 only. miguelsjr.com
Wendy’s: App users can get a free small Frosty with the purchase of a $5 Biggie Bag through June 30, according to a news release. Again reading the fine print, the price may be more than $5 in California. wendys.com
