A Blast from the Past: McDonald’s Menu in 2009
Fast food fans have been reminiscing about the good old days when a meal at McDonald’s could cost half as much as it does today. A menu from 2009 has surfaced, showcasing the affordable prices that have left many feeling nostalgic.
The Golden Age of Golden Arches
The menu, which was shared on social media, reveals the entire selection of items, from the dollar menu to the Big Mac menu. A standard Happy Meal with six chicken nuggets cost customers just $4.39, including a drink, a side dish, and a toy. Today, the same meal costs $5.99 in midtown Manhattan.
The Effects of Inflation
Other items that have been hit hard by inflation include the Small Fry, whose price has risen from $1 to $3.49, and the Big Mac, whose price has risen from $3.89 to around $5.79. The McFlurry has seen the largest increase, with its price more than doubling from $2.39 to about $5.69.
A Look at the Price Discrepancies
Perhaps the biggest discrepancy is with apple pies, which cost $1 for two in 2009. Now, the price in Midtown Manhattan is $3.39 for two. The Dollar Menu has also been replaced with the McValue Menu, which features deals like $5 combos and “buy one, add one for $1.”
Fan Reactions
Fans of the Golden Arches have been expressing their disappointment and nostalgia on social media. One fan wrote, “When life was worth living,” while another said, “Does anyone else have something like this engraved on their gravestone?” Another fan lamented, “Never forget what they took from us.”
The Changing Times
A Golden Arches diehard pointed out another perk that is no longer available. “Adding an additional hash brown to a breakfast cost $0.39,” they wrote. "We called it ‘Hash Up.’ Now a single hash brown costs about $2.89." Another critic accused the chain of shrink-flation, saying, “Today the prices are twice as high and the items are smaller.”
The Rise in Menu Prices
In 2024, a report found that McDonald’s had increased its menu prices by more than 100% over the previous decade – more than three times the rate of inflation in the United States. The most inflated items included $18 for a Big Mac meal in Connecticut, as well as $7.29 for an Egg McMuffin and $5.69 for a side of hash browns.
