$5 Dinner Deals: Where to Get a Whole Meal for a Few Bucks

September 10, 2024

BLOG

In today’s world of rising costs, it’s rare to find a filling dinner for less than $5. However, whether you’re pinching pennies or just trying to stick to a budget, there are still some hidden gems offering quality meals at wallet-friendly prices. From fast food chains to lesser-known local spots, here’s a breakdown of where you can get a whole meal for just a few bucks.

Taco Bell: Combo Menu

Taco Bell has long been known for affordable eats, but with rising food prices, even some of their menu items have crept into the $6 to $8 range. Thankfully, the brand hasn’t abandoned its roots and still offers several $5 combo deals including enough to fill up on plus a drink.

One fan-favorite is the $5 Cravings Box, which gives you one of their iconic beefy burritos or a taco, plus extras like nachos or cinnamon twists. This combo even comes with a medium drink. For just a $5 bill, you’re walking away with a full stomach. Note: prices vary by location with some cravings boxes over $5 so choose where you visit carefully.

Plus, right now, you can click here for a chance to claim a Taco Bell gift card!

Best pick for $5: Beefy 5-Layer Burrito + chips + drink + cinnamon twists.

Kentucky Fried Chicken: $5 Tenders Box

KFC recently got into the $5 meal deal game with their tenders box. It includes three original recipe chicken tenders plus a side of fries and your choice of two dipping sauces.

Sauces include:

Comeback Sauce: A zesty, creamy companion for your crispy chicken.
Sticky Chicky Sweet ‘N Sour Sauce: Sweet and tangy like the sauce at your local Chinese food spot.

KFC Sauce: Smoky, tangy, and sweet in harmony.
Classic Ranch: Need we say more?
Buffalo Ranch: Made with buttermilk and a blend of peppers, herbs, and spices for a kick.

Honey BBQ: Sweet and smoky – another classic dipping sauce.
Honey Mustard: Tangy mustard with a little sweetness.

And you can click here for a chance to claim a KFC gift card.

Best pick for $5: Tenders box + fries + KFC Sauce + Buffalo Ranch.

Jack in the Box: Munchies Under $4

Jack in the Box offers several options on the Munchies Under $4 menu which can be combined to make yourself a meal for $5 or less. Sandwich options include the Sourdough Grilled Cheese, Jr. Jumbo Jack, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Jr. Cheeseburger, and Jr. Chicken Sandwich. Other munchable menu items include four-piece chicken nuggets, three-piece french toast sticks, value curly fries, value french fries, value tiny tacos, and everyone’s favorite – two tacos for 99¢. There are also value drinks including sodas, lemonade, and iced tea.

If JITB is already one of your favorite spots, click here for a chance to claim a $5 gift card!

Best pick for $5: Sourdough grilled cheese + two tacos + value french fries. (Depending on location, you may need a few extra cents.)

Krispy Krunchy Chicken: $4 Value Meals & More

One of the cheapest options in the bunch, Krispy Krunchy Chicken has introduced $4 value meals. Choose from two pieces of hand-breaded dark meat chicken or two chicken tenders and a side of wedges are included. The deal is good Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you want to spend a couple more bucks, KKC also has $5.99 combos with your choice of their new cajun chicken sandwich, three pieces of chicken, or three cajun tenders with a side of wedges.

Best pick for $5: Two tenders + wedges.

McDonald’s: $5 Meal Deal

McDonald’s is a staple for budget-friendly fast food, and their $5 Meal Deal is a great way to get a hearty meal for just a few bucks. This deal includes a McDouble or a McChicken, a four-piece McNuggets, small fries, and a soft drink. Note: some locations charge $6 for the McDouble Meal Deal.

McDonald’s also offers rotating deals and exclusive app-only promotions that allow you to access even more savings. Be sure to check their deals page or use the app for additional offers that can help stretch your dollar even further. Their $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu is also a great option for anyone seeking to fill up on the cheap.

Best pick for $5: The classic McDouble featuring two patties and all the fixings + nuggets + fries + soft drink.

Taco Cabana: $4.99 Meal Deals

Taco Cabana recently announced the return of their Meal Deals starting at $4.99. There are two options at the under $5 price point. If you need a deal to start the day, there’s the Rise and Grind which includes two breakfast tacos of your choice (we recommend the chorizo and egg), a hashbrown, and your choice of coffee or a 20-ounce drink. For lunch or dinner dining, they have the Crunch and Quench featuring a double crunch pizza with your choice of shredded chicken or ground beef combined with refried beans, cheese, and chipotle ranch all put together between two crunchy shells plus a 20-ounce drink. If you’ve got a couple more dollars to spend, they also have meal deals for $6.49 – the Street Fighter with three street tacos, rice or beans and a drink; and $8.49 – the O.G. a taco plate with rice or beans and a drink.

Best pick for $5: A shredded chicken Crunch and Quench + your favorite soda.

Wendy’s: $5 Biggie Bag

Wendy’s is another fast food joint that has embraced the $5 meal deal with its $5 Biggie Bag. Start this combo by choosing a sandwich from the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, or Double Stack. The Biggie Bag also includes a four-piece order of nuggets and you can choose from regular or spicy nuggs plus fries and a small drink. You can also choose to substitute the small drink for a junior frosty.

With four items for just $5, you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck here. Wendy’s nuggets are a fan-favorite, and the Junior Bacon Cheeseburger is well-loved for its tasty combination of crispy bacon and fresh vegetables. (Note: Some locations charge $6 for the Biggie Bag)

Plus, you can click here for a chance to claim a $5 Wendy’s gift card!

Best pick for $5: Junior Bacon Cheeseburger + fries + drink + 4-piece nugget.

7-Eleven: Quick and Cheap Meals

While convenience stores aren’t usually the first place people think of when it comes to getting dinner, 7-Eleven has upped its game in recent years, offering several affordable meal deals. From their Big Bite hot dogs to their pizza slices, you can easily piece together a meal for under $5. Hot food items at 7-Eleven start at under $1.

One of the best deals is their $5 combo, which includes a Big Gulp and a choice of a slice of pizza or a hot dog. If you’re looking for a cheap, convenient, and filling meal that you can grab on the go, 7-Eleven delivers.

Best pick for $5: Big Bite Hot Dog + Big Gulp.

Cookout: Huge Portions for Less

A regional favorite across the Southeast, Cookout is famous for its affordable meals and generous portions. For just about $5, you can score a Cookout Tray, which allows you to pick a main entrée (such as a burger, chicken sandwich, or BBQ) and two sides, plus a drink.

Their side options range from hush puppies to fries to quesadillas to onion rings, giving you plenty of choices to customize your meal. If you’re craving a milkshake, Cookout also has an impressive selection of flavors, although that will push your total a bit over $5.

Best pick for $5: BBQ Sandwich Tray with hush puppies and fries.

Del Taco: Del’s Real Deal$

Del Taco offers some of the best value for your money with its extensive Del’s Real Deal$ menu, where you can mix and match items to build a satisfying meal for under $5. With options starting as low as $1, you can enjoy a variety of tacos, burritos, and snacks without breaking the bank.

Some standout items include the Snack Taco, featuring seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese in a crunchy shell for around $1.19, and the Bean & Cheese Burrito, a filling option packed with slow-cooked beans, green or red sauce, and cheese. Pair these with a small fries or a snack-sized quesadilla, and you’ve got a solid meal under $5.

Right now, you can click here for a chance to claim a Del Taco gift card!

Best picks for $5: 2 Value Tacos + a Chicken Cheddar Roller.

Sonic: $1.99 Menu

Sonic’s drive-in experience is fun and nostalgic, but the food is the real star. Their $1.99 Menu is perfect for those looking to grab a quick, affordable meal. While smaller in portion size, you can mix and match several items from the menu to create a satisfying combo for under $5. The menu features favorites like the quarter-pound double cheeseburger, the chili cheese coney hot dog, and tots, each priced at just $1.99.

Pair any of these items with the classic shakes on the $1.99 menu and you can easily put together a meal that’s filling and tasty without spending much.

In addition to their standard offerings, Sonic also has rotating deals and promotions that can make certain menu items even cheaper. Keep an eye on their app or website for exclusive discounts.

If Sonic happens to be one of your favorite fast food stops, click here for a chance to claim a $5 gift card!

Best picks for $5: Quarter-Pound Double Cheeseburger + Strawberry Classic Shake.

Local Diners and Dollar Stores

While fast-food chains are often the easiest way to grab a $5 meal, don’t overlook local diners and dollar stores in your area. Some smaller, independent restaurants offer daily specials, where you can score a burger, sandwich, or full breakfast for under $5.

Dollar stores have also become a surprising source of cheap meals. With frozen dinners, microwaveable soups, and canned goods, you can put together a dinner for one at home, even if you’re shopping on a tight budget.

Plus, you can click here for a chance to claim a $5 Dollar Tree gift card!

Best pick for $5: Frozen meal + drink + snack at Dollar Tree.

Final Thoughts

Finding a good meal for under $5 might seem like a thing of the past, but there are still plenty of options available if you know where to look. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite from a fast-food chain or piecing together a meal from your local store, there’s no reason to spend more than a few bucks to eat well. Keep an eye on value menus, local deals, and combo specials to stretch your dollars even further!

Happy eating, and enjoy your budget-friendly meals!