A reporter tested eight fast-food and fast-casual chains within walking distance of the US Daily Mail's Manhattan office to find the best lunch for $10 or less, as rising prices push more Americans to hunt for cheap meals. Cava came out on top.
The challenge allowed any coupon, promotion or deal available at each location, provided the restaurant was walking distance from the office. Gratuities were excluded from the totals since not every chain accepts tips, and orders were tailored to food the reporter actually likes rather than whatever was cheapest on the menu.
McDonald's and Subway
McDonald's came in at $7.62 with its Meal Deal, which included a McDouble hamburger, a four-piece Chicken McNuggets, a small fries and a small soft drink for a menu price of $7. Upgrading to a medium fries pushed the total to $10.49. The reporter noted the same Meal Deal cost $6 a year earlier, an increase of almost 17 percent in a few months.
Subway was the cheapest option overall at $7.61. An online "buy one footlong, get one free" offer for Sub Club members didn't help since the reporter was ordering alone, so the $6.99 meal of the day was the better bet. On Fridays that deal applies to a Black Forest Ham 6-inch sub, which came with free extra toppings, a bag of chips and a small soda.
Wendy's and Cava
Wendy's Biggie Bundle cost $8.71 with tax and included a Jr Bacon Cheeseburger, a Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Jr fries and a soda. Wendy's also offers a Jr Cheeseburger Deluxe for $3.49, but the bundle gave more food for the price.
Cava, a Mediterranean-inspired chain, came to $8.98 after the reporter ordered a Cava Kids Meal to stay under budget. The kids' option still came loaded with toppings, plus pita chips and a drink, and the reporter called Cava one of their favorite lunch spots thanks to its Cucumber Mint Lime drink.
Raising Cane's and Dig Inn
A Raising Cane's Kid's Combo came to $9.57, with two chicken fingers, one Cane's sauce, fries and a drink. The reporter said it was the least filling option despite one of the higher price points, and noted it didn't include the chain's Texas toast, though the Cane's sauce was still a highlight.
Dig Inn's all-day deals mostly ran over $10, leaving the vegan favorites plate as the only option that fit. It came to $9.80 with crispy tofu, charred broccoli, cowboy caviar and a sauce, and the reporter said it was fresh, filling and provided 17 grams of protein.
Panera Bread and Chipotle
At Panera Bread, a half Turkey and Cheddar Sandwich with a side of chips cost $9.57, leaving no room in the budget for a drink. The reporter added free extra toppings to make the sandwich heartier, though it was still less substantial than the Subway order.
Chipotle proved the trickiest chain to keep under $10. A chicken bowl that once cost $7.25 now runs around $11.50 at the reporter's local store. Instead, they ordered a kids' "build your own" bowl with a protein, guacamole or queso, two toppings, tortillas and a side, which came to $6.48. Adding chips and salsa for $2.85 brought the total to $9.58.
The verdict
Several popular lunch spots didn't make the cut at all. The reporter said they were priced out of "slop bowl" chains like Sweetgreen, Naya and Chopt, and there were no Burger King or Five Guys locations easily accessible without a subway ride, which would have limited orders to fries or chicken nuggets.
Weighing price, portion size and flavor, the reporter picked Cava as the best overall deal, saying the kids' meal still delivered the same flavors and sauce options as a full-size order despite being smaller. Subway was the cheapest option at $7.61, but the reporter said Cava was worth the extra $1.37.
The reporter concluded that for consumers looking to cut costs on everyday purchases, the price of eating out has never been higher.
