McDonalds Drive Thru Menu Prices, 2001 vs. 2020

Look at all of these burger options. They have a few chicken choices on here too, including the 20 piece chicken nuggets for $4.99.

2001 Burger Prices

1. Big Mac: $2.29
2. Quarter Pounder: $2.29
3. Cheeseburger: $0.99
4. Hamburger: $0.79
5. Big 'n Tasty: $1.49
6. Chicken Nuggets 6: $2.29
7. Chicken Nuggets 9 or 10: $2.79
8. Chicken Nuggets 20: $4.99
9. Filet of Fish: $2.09
10. Crispy Chicken: $2.69
11. Chicken McGrill: $2.79

The video board lets the restaurant put a lot more information onto this screen, and they don't let it go to waste. There are like 1,000 words on this screen. There are four kinds of Quarter Pounders now. The burger prices have doubled, except for the 20 piece chicken nuggets, which are still $5.

2020 Burger Prices

1. Big Mac: $4.59 +$2.30 (+100%)
2. Quarter Pounder: $4.99 +$2.70 (+118%)
3. Cheeseburger: $1.59 +$0.60 (+61%)
4. Hamburger: $1.59 +0.80 (+101%)
5. Filet of Fish: $4.39 +$2.30 (+110%)
6. Crispy Chicken: $5.29 +$2.60 (+97%)

The combos in 2001. My favorite is that Filet-o-fish combo for $3.64! You know the filet o fish is more than that now, just by itself!

2001 Combo Prices

1. Big Mac Combo: $3.84
2. Two Cheeseburger Combo: $3.64
3. Quarter Pounder Combo: $3.94
4. Double Quarter Pounder Combo: $4.84
5. Big Xtra! combo: $2.99 / $3.19
6. 6 Piece McNuggets combo: $3.89
7. Cajun McChicken combo: $3.59
8. Filet-o-fish combo: $3.64

I believe McDonalds was far ahead of every other fast food restaurant with their Extra Value meals. By 2020 they have been renamed to the "combo meals", and the menu has a disclaimer that the combo meals might not be the best value. The most expensive combo at McDonalds 2020 is $9.19. Compare this to $11.69 for expensive combos at Carl's Jr.

2020 Combo Prices

1. Big Mac Combo: $7.89 +$4.05 (+105%)
2. Two Cheeseburger Combo: $6.59 +$3.01 (+82%)
3. Quarter Pounder Combo: $7.89 +$3.95 (+100%)
4. Double Quarter Pounder Combo: $9.19 +$4.35 (+90%)
5. Filet of Fish Combo: $6.59 +$3.85 (+106%)
6. Chicken Nugget Combo: $8.29 +$4.40 (+113%)
7. Crispy Chicken Combo: $8.29 +$4.25 (+105%)

Look at all of these crazy drink prices. This category used to be quite complicated at McDonalds, with four shake sizes and prices and three sizes of orange juice.

2001 Drink Prices

1. Shakes $1.49. $1.69, $1.89, $2.29
2. small drink: $1.19
3. medium drink: $1.29
4. large drink: $1.49
5. extra large drink: $1.59
6. milk .80

Here's the craziest thing on all of these fast food menus. McDonalds struck their soft drink price at $1 per drink. Small? $1. Medium? $1. Extra Large? $1. All of their drinks are $1, which means that these prices are lower than they were 20 years ago. Also, the shake machine is broken.

2020 Drink Prices

1. Shake (medium) $2.99 +$1.30 (+77%)
2. small drink: $1.00 -$0.19 (-16%)
3. medium drink: 1.00 -$0.29 (-22%)
4. large drink: $1.00 -$0.49 (-33%)
5. extra large drink: $1.00 -$0.59 (-37%)

French Fries are the only side dish available at McDonalds, unless you count chicken nuggets. There are no salads or onion rings, apple slices, carrots or any other side dishes on their menu.

2001 Fries and Sides Prices

1. sm fries: $0.99
2. med fries: $1.39
3. lg fries: 1.59
4. super fries: 1.69

Did you know that McDonalds has adopted the In N Out model for french fry sales? They only have one size: medium.

2020 Fries Price

1. Fries $2.89 +$1.50 (+108%)

This looks like a million options for breakfast. Much like the burger menu, there have been a lot of changes between 2001 and 2020.

2001 Breakfast Prices

1. Egg McMuffin: $1.89
2. Breakfast Burrito: $1.39
3. Big Breakfast: 2.89
4. hash browns: 0.79

Breakfast at McDonalds 2020 also has a $1, $2 and two for $3.50 bargain menu. They dropped the breakfast bagels and began offering McGriddles, oatmeal and a range of McCafe drinks.

2020 Breakfast Prices

1. Egg McMuffin: $4.29 +$2.40 (+127%)
2. Breakfast Burrito $2.39 +$1.00 (+72%)
3. Big Breakfast Platter $6.39 +$3.40 (+118%)
4. Hash Browns: $2.09 +$1.30 (+164%)