Best Under-$10 Meal Deals in August 2026: Cracker Barrel, Applebee's, Sonic, McDonald's & More
Score a full meal for less than $10 all August long! From Cracker Barrel's Crispy Homestyle Chicken and Applebee's $9.99 entrées to Taco Bell's $5 Luxe Cravings Box, here are the best under-$10 meal deals you can grab this month.
Eating out doesn't have to blow your budget this August! From Cracker Barrel's Crispy Homestyle Chicken to Taco Bell's $5 Luxe Cravings Box, your favorite chains are serving up full meals for under $10 all month long. From $5 fast-food boxes to $9.99 sit-down entrées, here's the full lineup of the best under-$10 meal deals you can grab in August 2026. Looking for more freebies and discounts running all month? Check out our full roundup of August food deals and freebies.
Best Under-$10 Meal Deals in August 2026
| Brand | Deal | Starting Price | How to Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taco Bell | Luxe Cravings Boxes ($5, $7 or $9) — full-sized menu favorites with sides and a drink | $5 | Order in the Taco Bell app or on the menu at participating locations |
| McDonald's | $6 Meal Deal — McDouble, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small drink | $6 | Order in the McDonald's app or at participating locations |
| Sonic | $7 Meal Deal — full-sized entrée, sides and a beverage | $7 | Order in the Sonic app or at participating locations |
| Arby's | Meat & 3 — one sandwich plus three finger-food sides | $7.99 | Ask for or select the Meat & 3 deal at participating Arby's |
| Applebee's | $9.99 Meal Deal — full-sized entrée with sides and a beverage | $9.99 | Select a qualifying entrée from the $9.99 meal promotion at participating locations |
| Cracker Barrel | Crispy Homestyle Chicken Meal — comfort-food entrée under $10 | $9.99 | Order at participating Cracker Barrel locations — check your local menu for pricing |
How to Claim
- Download the fast-food apps — Sonic, McDonald's and Taco Bell offer these deals through their mobile apps, and app-only pricing is often better than in-store. Load the apps before you head out.
- Check your local menu — pricing and availability vary by location for Cracker Barrel, Applebee's and Arby's. Confirm the deal is live at your specific restaurant before ordering.
- Pick your entrée style first — sit-down (Cracker Barrel, Applebee's), sandwich (Arby's), drive-thru burger/nuggets (McDonald's, Sonic) or tacos (Taco Bell) — then choose the deal that matches.
- Order the promo by name — mention "$6 Meal Deal," "Meat & 3," or "$9.99 Meal Deal" at the counter to make sure staff apply the promotional pricing.
Fine Print & Level-Up Pro Tips
- Taco Bell's Luxe Cravings Box Is the Best Value: At $5, the Luxe Cravings Box is the cheapest full meal on this list. If you want more food, size up to the $7 or $9 boxes — all three keep the total order under $10.
- McDonald's $6 Meal Deal Is Four Items in One: For $6, you get a McDouble, 4-piece McNuggets, small fries and a small drink — a burger, chicken, fries and a drink for less than most single-item combos.
- Two Sit-Down Meals for Under $10: Cracker Barrel's Crispy Homestyle Chicken and Applebee's $9.99 meal both come in at $9.99 — rare pricing for a full sit-down restaurant entrée with sides and (at Applebee's) a beverage included.
- Arby's Meat & 3 Is the Best Side Value: For $7.99, you get a sandwich plus three sides — more variety per dollar than any other deal on this list.
- App Deals Beat Counter Pricing: For Sonic, McDonald's and Taco Bell, the mobile app often unlocks even better bundled pricing or extra freebies on top of these deals — always check the app before ordering at the drive-thru.
- Confirm Pricing Locally: Every deal on this list is offered at participating locations only, and pricing can shift by market. Cracker Barrel especially notes their pricing may vary, so check your local menu before heading in.
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