The Malt Shop Restaurant
Items
164
Avg Price
$8.42
Rating
3/5
Unique Items
158
The Malt Shop Restaurant vs McDonald's— Menu Price Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, 6 shared items, average cost, and ratings to help you decide which restaurant is the better value. Updated July 2026.
McDonald's
Items
128
Avg Price
$3.87
Rating
2/5
Unique Items
122
The Malt Shop Restaurant vs McDonald's — Key Takeaways
At-a-glance restaurant comparison data for price-conscious diners
Better Value
McDonald's
Shared Items
6
Avg Price Gap
$4.55
Top Rated
The Malt Shop Restaurant
Price analysis:
The Malt Shop Restaurant averages $8.42 per item while
McDonald's averages $3.87, making McDonald's
approximately $4.55 cheaper per item on average.
Shared food categories:
burger
Menu Item Price Comparison
6 itemsShared menu items ranked by largest price difference between The Malt Shop Restaurant and McDonald's
| # | Menu Item | The Malt Shop Restaurant | McDonald's | Price Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheeseburger | $9.79 | $2.09 | $7.70 |
| 2 | Hamburger | $5.99 | $1.99 | $4.00 |
| 3 | Apple Pie | — | $1.59 | $-1.59 |
| 4 | Chocolate Milk | $2.89 | $1.49 | $1.40 |
| 5 | Milk | $2.69 | $1.49 | $1.20 |
| 6 | French Fries | $3.29 | $3.59 | $-0.30 |
The Malt Shop Restaurant vs McDonald's — Which Should You Choose?
When comparing The Malt Shop Restaurant and McDonald's menu prices, several factors come into play beyond just the per-item cost. Both restaurants share 1 food category (burger), making them direct alternatives for diners deciding where to eat.
McDonald's is the better value pick when looking at average menu item pricing. With The Malt Shop Restaurant averaging $8.42 per item and McDonald's at $3.87, the price difference of $4.55 per item can add up over multiple orders — especially for families or groups.
We track 164 menu items at The Malt Shop Restaurant and 128 items at McDonald's, with 6 items appearing on both menus under the same name. This overlap lets you directly compare identical items to see which restaurant charges less.
Looking at ratings, The Malt Shop Restaurant leads with The Malt Shop Restaurant scoring 3/5 versus McDonald's at 2/5. While price matters, the overall dining experience and food quality reflected in these ratings are equally important factors in choosing between these two restaurants.
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The Malt Shop Restaurant vs McDonald's — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing these two restaurants on price, menu, and value
Is The Malt Shop Restaurant or McDonald's cheaper?
Based on current menu data, McDonald's offers better average value. The Malt Shop Restaurant averages $8.42 per item while McDonald's averages $3.87 per item. For the full ranked price list, see The Malt Shop Restaurant cheapest items and McDonald's cheapest items.
Which restaurant has a bigger menu — The Malt Shop Restaurant or McDonald's?
The Malt Shop Restaurant has the larger menu with 164 items tracked compared to McDonald's's 128 items. Between them, there are 6 shared items with the same name, plus 158 items unique to The Malt Shop Restaurant and 122 exclusive to McDonald's.
How many menu items do The Malt Shop Restaurant and McDonald's share?
The Malt Shop Restaurant and McDonald's have 6 overlapping menu items that appear on both menus under the same name. The Malt Shop Restaurant has 158 exclusive items and McDonald's has 122 items not found at the other restaurant. The table above shows the biggest price gaps between identical items at each location.
Which has a better customer rating — The Malt Shop Restaurant or McDonald's?
The Malt Shop Restaurant leads on customer satisfaction with a rating of 3/5, compared to 2/5 for McDonald's. When choosing based purely on quality, The Malt Shop Restaurant has the edge — though both restaurants serve the same broad customer base.
What type of food do The Malt Shop Restaurant and McDonald's serve?
Both restaurants serve burger. They share 1 food category, which makes them genuine alternatives for the same dining cravings. If you're looking for the best value within these categories, compare average prices in the key takeaways section above.
Where can I find the cheapest items at The Malt Shop Restaurant and McDonald's?
For budget-friendly meals, check our dedicated cheap eats guides: the The Malt Shop Restaurant cheapest menu items guide lists every item ranked by price from lowest to highest (average $8.42). The McDonald's cheapest menu items guide does the same (average $3.87). Both are updated July 2026.
How much can I save by choosing McDonald's over The Malt Shop Restaurant?
Choosing McDonald's saves you approximately $4.55 per menu item on average. For a typical meal of 3–4 items, that adds up to roughly $15.92 in savings — meaningful for budget-conscious families or regular diners. Across a month of weekly visits, the cost difference can reach $64 or more.