Kids (and Parents) Deserve the Best
We’re often so busy trying to find our own value meals that we don’t stop to think about the children! What places truly offer the best, quasi-healthy options that fill bellies and don’t empty wallets? Not to worry; we’ve narrowed down the best and worst spots to grab a decent kids’ meal.
1. Sonic Wacky Pack Kids’ Meal
We all want what’s best for our kids, and Sonic meals seem like a good place to start. It’s a beloved chain with plenty of tasty options—but this kids’ meal has plenty of calories, too. Their burger, milk, and fries combo can clock in at over 700 calories and more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium.
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2. McDonald’s Grilled Cheese Happy Meal
McDonald’s has so much to offer your children; don’t settle for their measly grilled cheese. First of all, grilled cheese sandwiches are easily (and better) made at home! Secondly, you aren’t getting much bang for your buck with this combo: it’s just cheddar slices slapped between a bun for about six bucks.
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3. Burger King Jr. Burger
We all love the King, and we can hardly complain about the low calorie count on their kids’ burgers, but the value just isn’t there for us. When you toss in a small fry and bottle of milk, the calories skyrocket—along with the price. Not to mention, the portions leave much to be desired.
4. Jack in the Box Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger
Even the smallest Jack’s burger clocks in around 500 calories, let alone the additional numbers from your side plates. Aside from the egregious sodium (960 mg per serving), the cost is equally outrageous. We’re sorry, but four dollars on a little burger? No, thank you.
5. Denny’s Jr. Cheeseburger and French Fries
Okay, so Denny’s isn’t your everyday fast food place, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the insane number of calories in their supposed kids’ meals! For a whopping eight dollars, you’re looking at a burger that reaches 600 calories on its own—that’s then paired with sodium-heavy sides like french fries.
6. KFC Kids’ Meal With Snack Popcorn Chicken
We’re not visiting the colonel for health. However, KFC’s kids’ menu options never offered much in terms of value or food. You’d have to spend an arm and a leg for a cold package of fries and a few strips (or popcorn chicken). Maybe it’s a good thing that they don’t really offer kids’ menu options anymore.
7. Steak ‘n Shake Steakburger With Cheese
A steakburger with cheese sounds like a dream come true for any child…but not from this place. Their patties are shockingly thin, and the side of fries can skyrocket the calorie count to nearly 600. Plus, you don’t even get a toy? Outrageous.
8. Popeyes Chicken Tender Kids Meal
We all love Popeyes—even if it doesn’t love us. But kids deserve much more than one little tender. Parents are subjected to a four-dollar price tag for one tender, a juice box, and a yogurt pouch. Don’t be surprised if your kid goes hungry.
9. Dairy Queen Kids’ Meal Combo
We’d love it if DQ figured out their hot eats, but it’s probably better for them to stick with Blizzards. In any case, the kids’ meal combo can come with a burger, cheeseburger, or two chicken strips. They don’t sound bad on the surface, but once you add in those fries for 250 calories, that kids’ meal climbs well above 600-700 calories.
Florida Keys--Public Libraries from Key West, Fla., USA on Wikimedia
10. Chipotle Kids’ Menu
Chipotle is probably the last place a kid should go for a hearty meal. Heck, it barely provides one for adults! However, if you choose to build your own meal, the rugrats will likely consume a calorie-heavy option that will cost an arm and a leg to boot.
So, where should hungry kids go for their fast food fix? Better yet, where do parents go for a decently priced meal? Don’t worry, we have you covered!
1. Culver’s Single ButterBurger
Now this is how you do a hamburger right. Culver’s doesn’t skimp on their food, and though the price tag is a little hefty, it’s more than worth it for the healthy side options and a never-frozen patty. Kids can choose between fries, broccoli, and applesauce—paired with a 390-calorie burger.
2. Subway’s Black Forest Ham
Forget grilled cheese; if you’re really jonesing for a sandwich, Subway has you and the little ones covered. Their black forest ham option comes with milk and a hearty serving of veggies, all for less than 200 calories. They have plenty of protein to stock up on, and it doesn’t cost a fortune.
3. Chick-fil-A Chick-N-Strips
Where else are we going for chicken other than Chick-fil-A? Kids, adults, it doesn’t matter—this popular chain offers two strips for 200 calories and an impressive 20g of protein. Even if your kids don’t get a side of fries, they’re bound to stay full.
Ser Amantio di Nicolao on Wikimedia
4. Wendy’s Kids’ Meal Burger
Say what you want about Wendy’s, but their burgers are some of the best around. There’s no reason the kids should miss out, and now they won’t have to! The burger meal comes with milk and apple slices, and the whole thing doesn’t even tip over 300 calories. You can also grab chicken nuggets, which have even fewer calories.
Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on Wikimedia
5. Panda Cub Meal
Adorable name aside, Panda Express has several options for any hungry kiddos. They can choose between the original orange chicken, broccoli beef, or teriyaki chicken for a personalized bowl complete with rice and veggies. They all clock in under 600 calories and won’t cost very much either.
6. A&W Kids’ Buddy Burger
The cost of a Buddy Burger value meal varies across locations, but it usually won’t run more than a few dollars. You’ll score a hearty burger (for less than 300 calories), a bottle of milk, and a healthy serving of apple slices. If hamburgers aren’t their thing, your child can also choose between corn dog bites and nuggets!
7. Harvey’s Jr. Burger Kids Meal
Harvey’s makes your hamburger a beautiful thing! Far be it from us to buy into the propaganda, but this fast food slogan actually got it right, which is why they’re worth the trip. For just a few dollars, you can score a burger, a side of fries, and a juice. Admittedly, you’ll probably want to keep track of which side you choose lest you bump up the calories, but the delicious meal is still worth it.
Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine on Wikimedia
8. Arby’s Roast Beef Slider
Alright, we’ll say it: when you go to Arby’s, there’s a 50% chance of an upset stomach afterward. Yet, time and again, we stuff our faces with roast beef sandwiches…the kids included! We can hardly complain, though; the meal comes with a slider, A&W’s famous curly fries, and a drink, all for 500 calories.
Kenneth C. Zirkel on Wikimedia
9. Popeyes 4-Piece Boneless Kids’ Meal
Alright, Popeyes, now we’re talking! Ditch that piddly one-piece tender meal for the far superior boneless option. You’ll score boneless wings, yogurt, and some juice for just a few dollars—and just a few hundred calories.
Dodo von den Bergen on Wikimedia
10. Freddy’s Steakburger With Cheese
Steak n’ Shake may have dropped the ball, but Freddy’s definitely didn’t. For about six dollars, you can grab a delicious burger, a side of either fries, applesauce, or chips, and a drink. If you’re looking for pointers, we recommend the fries; you get a great portion for such a little cost!
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