Forget the candlelit dinner: A new survey suggests tacos and bean burritos might just win over hearts this Valentine’s Day. But will your wife or girlfriend agree that a fast-food feast is the sweetest gesture of all?

Fast food combos may promise a better deal, but they could be costing you more in the long run. Through a psychological trick known as the “decoy effect,” chains nudge customers toward pricier meals that might not offer real value.

McDonald’s prices have surged since 2019, and many customers are calling these increases “brutal.” If you ever grab a quick bite at fast-food restaurants, you’ve likely noticed your total creeping higher.

McDonald’s is reducing the cost of some of its combo meals to entice budget-minded customers who may have been feeling the pinch of rising fast-food prices. The fast-food giant hopes these lower prices will bring cost-conscious patrons back to its counters and drive-thrus.