What can you buy for a buck (fast food)?

In the past couple weeks, I've performed an experiment: I've gone to the drive through of major chain burger fast food, ordered two $1 burgers, just ketchup and onions (my preference) to see what they're like.

McDonald's $1 McDouble:
A small double cheeseburger. Tasteless beef of the same texture as bun. Cheese has a notable american-cheesiness. Bun has a bit of a sweetness. Onions are finely chopped. My least favorite, about a 5 out of 10.

Wendy's $1 Double Stack:
Again, a small double cheeseburger. Better beef texture, but little flavor. Onions cut larger, bun has some toastiness. 6 out of 10.

Burger King $1 Double: A much larger sandwich than the other two, but no cheese ($1.29 for the double cheeseburger). Aside from the eau d'flame broil that you'll burp back the next couple hours, a really tasty burger. I think I could taste salt and pepper, as well as beef here. The bun has sesame seeds which add flavor and texture. My fave of the three, 8 out of 10.

Maxwell Street Market has one and maybe two locations where a hot dog is a dollar (one sure location is just north of Roosevelt on Des Plaines, west side of street -- white van, big hand written sign advertising this incredible offer; place also has ices, as I recall, and maybe tamales).

Spinach, potato, or cheese pie at Taza Bakery on Devon. All natural, all fresh, all delicious, all scented with the heady aroma of decades of violent conflict in The Land of the Two Rivers.

JoelF wrote:In the past couple weeks, I've performed an experiment: I've gone to the drive through of major chain burger fast food, ordered two $1 burgers, just ketchup and onions (my preference) to see what they're like.

Greasefreak's similar comparison, with photos.

LAZ wrote:Greasefreak's similar comparison, with photos.

That's one fine comprehensive Beef Roundup
on the site as well!

SCUBAchef wrote:

LAZ wrote:Greasefreak's similar comparison, with photos.

That's one fine comprehensive Beef Roundup
on the site as well!

4 star (for taste) beef places mapped

Another data point, from the recently opened Hardee's inn Prospect Heights.
Unlike the increases at the king and the clown, Hardee's still has a one dollar hamburger and cheeseburger, and unlike the king, doesn't charge extra for onions.

Appearance is very good: a bigger sandwich than some of the others, but the patty is somewhat smaller than the bun. Cheese was not melted (a cardinal sin). Onions were obviously hand sliced, not machine minced and rehydrated. Bun has sesame seeds

Taste: nearly as good as the Burger King. Overall I'd give it a 7.5.

The best $1 sandwich I had recently is Carl Jr.'s Spicy Chicken Sandwich. The chicken patty has a very good flavor and the mayo and lettuce finishes it off pretty good.

Their hamburger reminds you of the ground beef - tvp mix served in the school lunch program.

on the non-chain front, Shan's wonderful samosas are still just a buck tax included

I abhor Burger King. That faux smoke taste on their burgers is horrendous. My favorite $1 bites are McDonald's grilled onion cheddar burger and Wendy's monterey ranch chicken sandwich.