6 Restaurant Chains With Breakfast Under $5

Nowadays, finding a quality breakfast for under $5 at a restaurant chain has become almost mythical, but it's not impossible. Although menu prices are climbing as a whole, some chains are bucking the trend by offering genuinely satisfying breakfast items that won't burn a hole through your wallet. Many of these chains utilize smart promo pricing and emphasize value to help bring customers through the door, proving that affordable breakfasts still exist – if you know where to look.

We compiled a list of some of the breakfast items you can find at chains for under $5, and explain exactly what makes each one worth an early-morning visit, and how to make sure you're getting the best possible deal. We didn't simply choose these seven breakfast items because they're cheap, either. Customer reviews of the foods across multiple platforms, including Reddit, YouTube, TripAdvisor, Instagram, and Facebook, had to highlight consistent quality, genuine value, and enthusiastic customer reception. Many of the items we included are also made by hand, are freshly baked, utilize distinctive seasoning blends, and boast superior ingredient quality. The selections also balance calorie intake, protein content, portion size, and flavor complexity, ensuring that "under $5" doesn't mean compromising on the morning meal that sets the tone for your entire day. The result is a list of cult favorite breakfast items that have earned a fan following and represent the best intersection of affordability and quality in today's fast food landscape. 

The McMuffin has been one of the best McDonald's breakfast sandwiches since the chain revolutionized fast-food breakfast 50 years ago, and its endurance speaks to a formula that simply works. The foundation is a toasted English muffin, which provides a slightly chewy, wholesome base with just enough texture to hold up to the fillings without being soggy. Add to it the sausage patty, and the sandwich truly shines. 

Customer reviews on Reddit consistently emphasize the sandwich's reliability and how its components work in harmony rather than competing for attention. People across the internet have raved about the McMuffins' superiority. One customer suggests getting extra butter and extra cheese on the sandwich. Plus, the Sausage McMuffin delivers 14 grams of protein, making it a genuinely filling option that will keep you satisfied until lunch.

Through McDonald's ongoing "Buy One, Add One for $1 Breakfast" McValue promotion available exclusively on its app, you can get a Sausage McMuffin plus another item from its short list of choices for an additional $1, bringing your total to about $5 for both items. Alternatively, a single Sausage McMuffin ranges from $3 to $5 at most locations.

Make sure to download the app and join its rewards program for access to promotional deals. Breakfast is served during morning hours — until 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m., depending on the location – and can be ordered through the app, drive-thru, or in-store.

Wendy's Honey Buddy Chicken Biscuit, a favorite on its breakfast menu, is priced around $2.59, though the price may vary based on location. This sandwich represents Wendy's bold entry into the Southern-inspired breakfast market, perhaps taking direct aim at Chick-fil-A's chicken biscuit dominance. The Wendy's offering features a crispy chicken filet, which is seasoned, breaded, and fried to golden perfection, sandwiched in a warm, flaky buttermilk biscuit, and drizzled with sweet maple honey butter. The combination of savory fried chicken and sweet butter creates an addictive flavor profile and earned itself cult following status among breakfast enthusiasts.

The protein-rich chicken provides genuine staying power, while the sweet honey butter delivers that morning indulgence many people crave. The entire combination offers a sustained source of energy, helping customers power through their mornings. 

Customer reviews back the claim, particularly praising the textural contrast: The patty has a crispy, fried coating with a tender interior, the flaky biscuit boasts a soft crumb, and the two layers are unified by the silky honey butter. Some reviewers recommend adding hot sauce to the sandwich as well. The portion size is generous enough to be satisfying without feeling heavy, making it suitable for those who want something substantial but not overly filling.

Del Taco's Bean and Cheese Burrito is one of the most affordable breakfast options on this list; it's priced around $2.19 at most locations, though it may cost closer to $3 in some parts of the country. This isn't a limited-time promotion or regional special; it's everyday pricing that makes this burrito a reliable, budget breakfast option year-round.

Don't let the low price fool you, though; this burrito is a legitimate, satisfying breakfast option. Beans are a breakfast powerhouse; they provide both protein and fiber and are a more filling alternative to other carb-heavy breakfast items. Reddit users on r/DelTaco swear by the green sauce, claiming that it isn't just a condiment, but the element that elevates the burrito from basic to "the best." The addition of Del Taco's signature green sauce (a tangy green chile and jalapeño-based salsa) elevates the flavor profile without adding cost, and many customers consistently vote for team green sauce in the red-versus-green sauce war. The sauce has moderate heat that tingles rather than burns, and its texture adds interest to every bite. Some even suggested making it "bold" for added fries and secret sauce for an extra $1. The Tasting Table team confirms this breakfast item's quality and ranked it No. 1 on our list of popular items from Del Taco. 

The burrito contains approximately 500 calories, making it filling enough to serve as a complete breakfast. At around $2.19, you could order two burritos and make it a more filling meal. This makes Del Taco an exceptional value choice for budget-conscious breakfast eaters or anyone looking to maximize their breakfast dollar. 

Chick-fil-A's signature Chicken Biscuit ranges between $3 and $5, depending on location. This isn't promotional pricing; it's the regular menu price, which means you can count on this option being available and affordable every single morning (except Sundays, of course).

This is the breakfast item that launched Chick-fil-A's morning reputation. The hand-breaded chicken breast fillet is pressure-cooked in peanut oil using Chick-fil-A's proprietary method, then served hot on a freshly baked buttermilk biscuit.

Reddit users on r/ChickFilA regularly cite the Chicken Biscuit as being the best breakfast item on the menu. Others note that the hand-breaded chicken breast is sizable, the biscuits are buttery, and the ingredients are fresh. The biscuit's made-from-scratch quality is evident; it's soft, flaky, and has a distinct buttery flavor that mass-produced frozen biscuits can't replicate. 

At 460 calories with 19 grams of protein, it's a filling option that provides sustained energy without feeling heavy. Many customers even recommend upgrading to the spicy biscuit for additional flavor dimension, though the original is beloved for its straightforward, perfectly executed simplicity.

When asked what the best Whataburger breakfast item is, many folks on Reddit pointed to the bacon, egg, and cheese taquito. Others chime in, calling it the best fast-food breakfast of all time. Priced between $3 and $4, depending on location, this Whataburger favorite is one of the most affordable breakfast options from a full-service burger chain.

The Texas must-try features scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and melted American cheese or Monterey Jack, all wrapped in a soft tortilla. Reddit users on r/Whataburger consistently praise the tortillas, noting that their quality makes all the difference. The eggs are fluffy and seasoned simply, while the bacon is crispy, and the cheese melts throughout the warm interior, creating a cohesive bite. Some reviewers recommend getting the grilled jalapeños added to the wrap. Another customer even noted that these taquitos are excellent for satisfying late-night cravings.

The taquito is substantial enough to serve as a complete breakfast, though many customers pair it with Whataburger's famous hash brown sticks for a more filling meal — though it does push it above the $5 threshold. The 12-hour breakfast availability, 11 p.m. to 11 a.m., makes these taquitos a popular choice for both early risers and those who have late-night cravings.

Bojangles' legendary Cajun Filet Biscuit is priced around $4.99, though the chain frequently runs a promotional "Cajun Filet and Bo-Rounds for $5" deal that includes its signature potato rounds. This is the breakfast biscuit sandwich that defines Bojangles and has earned the chain its cult following throughout the Southeastern U.S. The hand-breaded chicken breast fillet is seasoned with Bojangles' iconic Cajun spice blend and served on a fresh buttermilk biscuit. The chain even bakes its biscuits fresh every 20 minutes throughout the morning rush. The biscuit's texture is both sturdy enough to hold the juicy chicken without dissolving and tender enough to bite through easily.

Reddit users on r/Raleigh consistently rate the Cajun Filet Biscuit as the best breakfast item on the menu. Others have praised the sandwich, claiming it to be their childhood go-to. At 570 calories, this is a filling breakfast with a classic Southern flavor. The Cajun seasoning is bold but not overwhelmingly spicy; it adds depth and complexity rather than just heat.