Let’s face it: eating out has become a guilty pleasure with a side of anxiety. Prices are up, portion sizes are down, and even your go-to fast food order somehow feels less “fast” and way less “food.” But guess what? McDonald’s just gave us a reason to breathe easy again, the Extra Value Meals are officially back.
After months of consumer complaints and declining foot traffic, the golden arches are bringing affordability back to the drive-thru. And honestly? It’s about time.
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What’s the Deal with These Deals?
Starting this week, McDonald’s is reintroducing a range of bundled meals that aim to save you real money – we’re talking up to 15% cheaper compared to ordering items individually. These aren’t limited-time hacks or app-only offers. These are full-on, old-school Extra Value Meals designed for budget-conscious customers who still crave their fast food favorites.
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner – McDonald’s has you covered. And yes, the McMuffin is back in the spotlight where it belongs.
The Meals You’ll Want to Get Your Hands On
Here’s what you’ll find on the revamped Extra Value Meals menu:
🥓 Breakfast Combos:
- Sausage McMuffin with Egg
- Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle
- Egg McMuffin
- Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit
Each served with hash browns and a small coffee – and priced as low as $5. Yes, you read that right.
🍔 Lunch & Dinner Combos:
- Big Mac Meal
- 10-Piece Chicken McNuggets
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese (regular, Bacon, or Deluxe)
- McCrispy Sandwiches (Original, Deluxe, or Spicy Deluxe)
These come with medium fries and a soft drink, and most combos start at around $8. Compare that to the usual à la carte prices, and you’re saving more than just pocket change.
Why This Matters (and Why Now)
Let’s be honest, McDonald’s hasn’t exactly been the cheapest game in town lately. With rising ingredient costs and shrinking promotions, many longtime fans have turned elsewhere (or stayed home altogether). But this comeback seems timed to address that.
Fast food was never supposed to feel like a luxury. It was meant to be quick, satisfying, and – crucially – affordable. The Extra Value Meals bring us back to that baseline.
And in case you’re wondering, yes – other chains are watching closely. Burger King, Wendy’s, and even Taco Bell are likely already in the boardroom figuring out how to respond.
FoodsWild Take: What We’d Pair with These Meals at Home
The best part of this comeback? It gives us the perfect excuse to dive into our McDonald’s-inspired recipes at home.
- Craving that McMuffin flavor on a Sunday? Try our Homemade Egg McMuffin recipe.
- Want the satisfaction of crispy nuggets without the drive? Our DIY McNuggets with special edition gold sauce hit the spot.
- And for that classic Big Mac sauce, you’ll love our secret-copycat burger sauce.
Final Bite
It’s been a while since fast food felt genuinely “worth it”, but the return of McDonald’s Extra Value Meals is a reminder that good food at fair prices still matters. Will this change the game? Maybe not overnight. But it does make us more likely to hit the drive-thru with a little less guilt.
Your move, Burger King.
