As everyone knows, fast food prices have gone wayyyy up in the past few years. Like, I shed a little tear every time I pay at the drive-thru.
![A woman driving a car with serious expression, text overlay reads, "I'M NOT RICH"](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-06/20/21/asset/b1a0ed84cd5b/sub-buzz-7561-1718917569-1.png?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
In response to customers struggling with rising prices, McDonald's is offering a $5 meal for a limited time starting June 25. The meal includes a 4-piece McNuggets, small fries, small drink, and choice of a McDouble or McChicken sandwich.
![$5 Meal Deal: Choose one - a chicken sandwich with lettuce or a burger with cheese and pickles, served with fries, chicken nuggets, and a Coca-Cola](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-06/20/21/asset/92c15a80e478/sub-buzz-6654-1718917710-8.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
At first glance, that's a pretty good amount of food for $5. And since McDonald's is saying that this is a limited-time offer, that's also a signal that we're getting a good deal. But is it worth going out of your way for it?
![Seeun from Stayc with complicated math symbols superimposed over her](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-06/20/21/asset/92c15a80e478/sub-buzz-6680-1718917772-1.png)
Well, here's the math, compared to prices quoted in the McDonald's app in Los Angeles (of course, prices may vary regionally):
McDouble: $3.19 OR McChicken: $2.99
Small fries: $2.89 (with the app, you can get free fries on Fridays)
4-piece McNuggets: $2.99
Small drink: $1.49 (the location near me was doing $1.50 any size drinks)
Total: $10.56 ($10.36 with McChicken, $7.67 with free fries)
So, even if you were getting your food on a Friday and using the app to get a free medium fries, you would still be paying $2.67 more than the $5 deal — but, of course, you would be getting a medium fries instead of a small, and you could get a larger drink for the same price as well. If it's not Friday, you're paying as much as $5.56 more.
![Image shows a promotion for free medium fries with a $1 minimum purchase on the McDonald's app](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-06/20/21/asset/0a5759481ed3/sub-buzz-6978-1718917473-1.jpg)