I tried McDonald’s new Extra Value menu. It saved me money on my go-to items.

McDonald’s is aiming to serve up savings with its limited-time Extra Value menu, which launched Monday.

Featuring classic menu items, from breakfast sandwiches to the Big Mac and chicken nuggets, the revamped combos give customers about 15% off, the company said.

It’s the latest in a string of wallet-friendly plays from the chain, following the return of Snack Wraps in July, which start at under $3.

And the golden arches are cashing in. In its Q2 earnings report, McDonald’s reported 3.8% global sales growth and a 2.5% bump in US same-store sales. CEO Chris Kempczinski credited the increase to “the power of compelling value, standout marketing, and menu innovation.”

I tried the new value menu for lunch and found that it did save me money on my go-to items at McDonald’s.

The new Extra Value meals are a revamp of McDonald’s classic menu combos.

When I arrived at my local McDonald’s in Brooklyn, New York, on the day of the new menu’s launch, I expected to see something similar to the chain’s value menu, with items priced at or under $5.

Instead, I found savings on many of McDonald’s most popular meal combos, from Quarter Pounders to the Big Mac and new chicken strips.

I eat at McDonald’s quite frequently, and when I looked at the Extra Value menu on this visit, I noticed a slight drop in the cost of my go-to meals.

For instance, before the deal, a large Quarter-Pound with Cheese meal at my local McDonald’s cost $14.89. Now, the same meal at the same location costs $11.89, a $3 reduction.

Each Extra Value meal comes with a medium order of fries and a drink.

The chain said the new Extra Value menu promises 15% savings compared to the previous cost of a combo.

However, if you order the $5 breakfast combo or the $8 Big Mac meal, you’ll save more than 15% compared to ordering each item individually.

I ordered a Quarter Pounder Deluxe with cheese meal.

I’m admittedly not a huge fan of the Big Mac, so I ordered one of my go-to meals instead to see if I would still save money.

The meal came with a medium order of fries and a medium soft drink for $11.19, excluding tax.

I thought this was really reasonable compared to what I’ve paid at McDonald’s for the same meal, which was typically around $15.

The burger came with thick slices of tomato, shredded lettuce, and one slice of cheese.

The burger also came with pickles, ketchup, and mayonnaise. It was a classic burger, and for the new lower price, I thought it was a good deal.

The burger was filling and tasty, and the premium toppings impressed me.

The sesame-seed bun held the burger together perfectly, and I liked the combination of flavors from the condiments to the juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and tangy cheese.

Even though I paid a little more than what I would have for the $8 Big Mac meal, I did like that I could order what I really wanted and still save a few dollars.

The order also came with fries.

The company plans to expand the menu in November with two additional Extra Value meals: a $5 sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddle meal and an $8 10-piece Chicken McNugget meal.

The new menu didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it did save me money.

If you’re looking to maximize value, the Big Mac or breakfast combo is a good way to go. However, I was impressed to find savings across the entire menu — this is a much larger cost-cutting initiative than simply lowering the price of one or two menu items.

No matter what Extra Value meal combo you choose to order from McDonald’s, you’ll likely see a slight drop in prices, depending on your location.

Many chains are leaning into value meals and deals, but this is something different. It’s a more overarching change to the prices on McDonald’s menu, which have been steadily climbing since the pandemic.

For value-conscious customers, this is a major win.

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