A ‘Big Mac’ for just £1.49, Bacon Double Cheeseburger for £1,89 and more ways to pimp up fast food
After we showed this week how to super size a McDonald's burger by customising it, here are six fast food hacks which will save you cash too
TAKEAWAY food always tastes better when you pay less.
Wise fast-food fans know there is usually some way to beef up whatever is on offer.
And there are plenty of tricks to create your own “off-menu” items that save you money.
Here, NICK PRITCHARD, reveals the secrets for getting more bang for your buck at some of our most popular chains.
McDonald's
Big Mac vs Double Cheeseburger with special sauce and shredded lettuce
BUILD a budget Big Mac for a fraction of the cost of the signature sandwich.
Order a double cheeseburger but ask to substitute ketchup and mustard for the special sauce and add shredded lettuce.
It might look a bit sub-par but it tastes like the real deal.
To guarantee fresh fries straight from the fryer, ask for them unsalted.
Then add salt from a sachet.
Original: £3.49, Hack: £1.49
Pret A Manger
Americano coffee, ordered with a smile
A LITTLE charm goes a long way when you are trying to save money.
Staff at Pret A Manger are given free rein to hand out food or drinks at no cost to customers who are particularly jovial.
Flash them a smile, try paying them a compliment and see if you get lucky.
Original: £1.99, Hack: Free
Burger King
Bacon Double Cheeseburger vs Double Cheeseburger, plus bacon
THE Bacon Double Cheeseburger is a highlight of the BK menu.
But did you know you can create the exact same burger much cheaper?
Order a £1.49 Double Cheeseburger off the King Savers menu then ask to add bacon for an additional 40p.
Have it your way . . . with a tasty saving of more than £2.
Original: £3.99, Hack: £1.89
Five Guys
Cheeseburger with bacon and cheese vs Cheeseburger with bacon and cheese, extra bacon, extra bacon, extra cheese and extra cheese
THE burgers at Five Guys are filthy, dripping in cheese, bacon . . . and grease.
But the enjoyment outweighs the guilt.
To add even more gut-busting calories to your burger, you can triple the amount of bacon and cheese at NO extra cost.
Simply ask for extra-extra bacon and extra-extra-cheese.
Original: £9.75, Hack £9.75
Starbucks
Tall latte, and short latte, Bottle of water, £1.50, tap water, free
THE short latte and the tall latte contain the same amount of caffeine.
The larger option just has more milk.
Go for the smaller size.
But you have to be extra-sneaky with this one, as the short latte is not advertised in branches.
You have to ask for it.
Also, the coffee chain charges £1.50 for a bottle of water.
Ask for a venti cup filled with tap water.
Original: £2.60, Hack: £2.30
Domino's
Pepperoni Passion vs Custom pizza with cheese, tomato and pepperoni
DOMINO’S Pepperoni Passion is almost the same as a custom Domino’s with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
The only real difference is that on the Passion, they put the meat underneath the cheese.
They taste the same.
Bigger is usually better value with pizza.
A 16in pizza is FOUR times larger than an 8in pizza.
Original: £18.99, Hack: £15.49
