Denny's vs Taco Bell (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 171 items at Denny's vs 115 items at Taco Bell.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Denny's averages $6.39 per item across 171 menu items, while Taco Bell averages $5.72 across 115 items. Taco Bell is $0.67 cheaper per item (10% difference). Taco Bell has lower average calories (405 vs 544 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Denny's | Taco Bell | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.39 | $5.72 | Taco Bell |
| Menu Items | 171 | 115 | Denny's |
| Avg Calories | 544 | 405 | Taco Bell |
| US Locations | 1,350 | 7,589 | Taco Bell |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 14 | Taco Bell |
Taco Bell is 10% cheaper on average than Denny's ($0.67 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Denny's
Taco Bell
Deep Comparison: Denny's vs Taco Bell
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Denny's delivers 1.49¢/cal on average, while Taco Bell delivers 3.00¢/cal. Denny's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Denny's and Taco Bell share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Denny's fits 1 item (270 cal), Taco Bell fits 1 item (1430 cal)
- $15 budget: Denny's fits 0 items, Taco Bell fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Denny's fits 3 items (961 cal), Taco Bell fits 3 items (1370 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Denny's ranks #168 of 414 on price (cheaper than 60% of tracked chains). Taco Bell ranks #143 of 414 (cheaper than 66% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Denny's, 56% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Taco Bell, 64% are under 500 calories. Taco Bell offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Taco Bell ($5.72 avg vs $6.39)
- More variety: Denny's (171 items)
- More locations: Taco Bell (7,589 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Denny's (1.49¢/cal)