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.
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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