Courtney Omell | 

The McDonald's McValue Meal Drops on Jan. 7 — Here's Why We're Not Impressed

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Finally, the fast food restaurants are getting the hint — grabbing a burger and fries has become too expensive. McDonald's announced their upcoming McValue Menu where you can grab one item from the list and get a second for just $1. No, this isn't as great as the McDonald's deals we used to see on the $1 Value Menu, but I'll take any relief I can from $10 fast food meals that cost $10 or more.

Back in June, they launched a limited-time McDonald's $5 Value Meal to compete with the Wendy's $5 Biggie Bag. This deal was extended once in September and again for a second time through summer 2025. But it turns out the $5 Meal is actually a better deal than the McValue Menu.

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The McDonald's McValue Menu is a mix-and-match menu with four buy one, get one for $1 options.

The McValue Menu is a group of four items that you can mix and match to buy one and get the second for just $1. There are two different menus — one for breakfast and one for the afternoon.

Prices vary by location.

Breakfast McValue Menu

Choose any of the following and get a second item from this list for $1 before 10:30 a.m.

  • Sausage McMuffin (reg. $2.49)

  • Sausage Biscuit (reg. $2.49)

  • Sausage Burrito (reg. $2.89)

  • Hash Browns (reg. $2.39)

KCL Tip: The best value would be two Sausage Burritos — a 33% savings.

Afternoon McValue Menu

Choose any of the following and get a second item from this list for $1 after 10:30 a.m.

  • 6-piece Chicken McNuggets (reg. $3.79)

  • Double Cheeseburger (reg. $3.99)

  • McChicken (reg. $2.49)

  • Small Fries (reg. $2.39)

KCL Tip: The best value would be two Double Cheeseburgers — a 38% savings.

The McDonald's McValue Menu isn't that great of a deal.

No matter how you choose, the McValue Menu will save you some money. Since everything on the McDonald's menu is now regularly priced over $1, you'll see some savings, so in that sense, yeah, it's a good deal. But the max discount you'll see is around 38% (if you order two Double Cheeseburgers).

And a Double Cheeseburger and small fries drops from $6.38 to $4.99, which is only 22% off.

Is it as good as grabbing a burger for a buck from the McDonald's $1 $2 $3 Menu back in 2018? Nah. But it'll get you a burger and fries for $4.99.

We think you should check out the McDonald's $5 Meal Deal instead — here's why:

The McDonald's $5 Meal is a better deal than the McDonald's McValue Menu.

If you really want to score a deal at McDonald's, opt for their $5 Meal, which is now available across the U.S. through next summer.

You'll get your choice of a McDouble or McChicken sandwich, small fries, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, and a small soft drink (regularly $9.86), all for $5. This is a 49% savings and much better, IMHO, than the new McDonald's McValue Menu.

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