I took the kids to McDonalds and I was surprised to be greeted with a big sign at the door as I entered the restaurant which read, “Manager’s Specials.”   The specials were listed in calendar format for June.   On each particular day of the month, something was on sale for example, Monday’s is Big Mac Combo Day and sells for $2.99.   On Tuesday the special is Quarter Pounder Combo for $2.99.    I don’t remember all the specials but the last one I saw was two fish fillets for $3.00 on Friday’s.

I’ve been inundated with specials and sales at fast food restaurants for a couple of months now in my neighborhood.   Burger King sends me buy one get one free coupons all the time on various sandwiches & burgers.   KFC and Popeye’s have 10 pieces of chicken for $4.99 or $5.99 fairly frequently and you’ve probably seen commercial on TV advertising 2 for 1 or $20 dinners for two at most restaurant chains by now.

Almost every fast food restaurant is highlighting their dollar or value menu too.   From Sonic to Wendy’s there’s a ton of food to be had for a buck and I really don’t know how these chains do it.    I was having dinner with a few friends the other day and we started talking about Jack In The Box’s $0.99 tacos special.  None of us could figure out how Jack In The Box has been able to maintain their two for $0.99 taco special for over ten years now.  This was a major staple of food for many college students and the gift of tacos keeps on giving well into 2009 from 1999!

The only notable difference that I can think of is McDonald’s changing their $0.99 double cheeseburger to a $0.99 McDouble but that’s about it.   Unfortunately, I’ve stopped eating out altogether until I feel more confident about this economy and that doesn’t appear to be happening anytime soon…