The Golden Era of Fast Food: Diners and Combos for Less Than a Dollar

The 1950s was a time when it was indeed possible to get a burger, fries, and a milkshake for less than a dollar at a diner in the United States. During this era, the average price for a hamburger was around 25 to 50 cents, fries could be around 15 to 30 cents, and a milkshake was typically priced between 25 and 50 cents. These prices allowed for a basic meal to easily fall under a dollar, especially in affordable diners or fast-food establishments. This pricing reflected the economic conditions of the time, including lower costs of living and wages compared to today.

Early 1960s in Canada

I am not sure if it was the same in the U.S., but in Canada during the late 1960s, it was indeed possible to get a burger, fries, and a milkshake for $1. In this era, a burger was priced at 45 cents, fries were 20 cents, a soft drink (pop) was 15 cents, and a milkshake was 30 cents. The Burger and Fries Combo called a Hamburger Deluxe cost 60 cents, and coffee was only 10 cents. However, portion sizes were quite different from today. Hamburgers were smaller, more akin to slider-size, and the fries were significantly larger. You could even upsize your drink and fries for very little extra. In the early 1960s, before McDonald's became widespread in Canada, there was a chain called Kavanaughs which offered dirt-cheap food, but their portions were even smaller. Burgers were typically as thick as quarter-pounders but much smaller in diameter, making them less than an eighth of a pound. These smaller burgers were only 17 cents at Kavanaughs, compared to 45 cents at a restaurant. However, nobody liked the skinny burgers, and the chain eventually went out of business.

Early 1960s in the U.S. from My Perspective

Back in the 1950s, when I was in high school, it was not uncommon to find a McDonald's with a quarter-pound burger for 14 cents, fries for 9 to 11 cents, and a milkshake for 20 or 25 cents. Often, these meals were enough to make up a full meal. The typical wages at that time are not entirely clear to me, but the affordability of fast food was a key factor. In the early 1960s, before McDonald's became widespread in the U.S., many cafes offered a "Blue Plate" special for 85 cents, which included meat, potatoes, and a vegetable. This further emphasized the affordability and portion sizes of these meals.

I hope this article provides insights into the affordability and portion sizes of fast food in the 1950s and 1960s, highlighting how it was possible to get a hearty meal for less than a dollar in these golden eras of dining.