We have all had a few fast food menu items we wish that would come back. Here are 10 fast food items that are gone forever. Some of these items have been discontinued for a long time, some have been discontinued very recently. See if your one of your old favorite menu items has made this list.
McDonald’s Hot Apple Pie – Fried Edition
Image by Mouthful of Sunshine
Why back in 1992 McDonald’s removed the delicious fried pie and substituted it for the far less superior baked pie. While the baked pie may be a slightly healthier choice than its former pie, but if you are eating dessert anyway, why not go for the one that tastes better. I personally was a fan of the cherry pie.
McDonald’s Arch Delux
They tried to upgrade the burger, and we weren’t interested. They spend 100 million dollars on trying to tempt us with this upgraded burger and it’s own secret sauce, but we were still reaching for the Big Mac’s and the Quarter Pounders. No fancy stuff for us.
McDonald’s Hot Mustard
They pulled this sauce along with two others, and people have revolted, this addition may need to be yanked, I have heard reports that this sauce is making its come back out on the street, and if not, I have a copykat McDonald’s Hot Mustard for you.
McDonald’s McD.L.T.
Long before we cared a great deal about the environment excess packaging was in abundance. Here a clever concept was born, keeping the hot food hot, and the cold food, well cold. Here no veggies were in endanger of becoming cooked before their time. Ah, those were the days when food was made to sit under the heat lamp. Modern advances in technology, or assembling the burgers after they are ordered help with this ordeal.
McDonald’s Salad Shakers
It’s hard to find healthier options when dining out at McDonald’s. They used to offer fresh salad in a clear cup. So many folks drove away in bewilderment when this menu item was scrapped.
Taco Bell Bell Beefer
So it was around in the 1980s. It didn’t last long, but it is a tasty take on the burger. This sandwich is filled with seasoned taco meat and cheese. For a bonus you can add some fresh tomatoes and some shredded lettuce. Add a little Taco Bell sauce, and you are in business.
Taco Bell Frito Burrito
Oh yes they did. Fritos made it into a wonderful burrito at Taco Bell. Red Sauce, cheese, seasoned ground beef, Frito corn chips, and sour cream. Why in the world they took this one away we don’t know. You can even join the Facebook Fan Page to help bring this one back.
Wendy’s Salad Bar
Wendy’s had it all, a Mexican bar, an Italian Bar, and a regular salad bar. And for just 2.99 after 4 p.m. you could have it all.
Denny’s Fried Cheese Melt
Oh yes friends, they put fried cheese sticks inside of a grilled cheese sandwich. One can only hope only those who are lactose tolerant enjoy this sandwich. Oh and if you want a recipe for this one, check out this copycat Denny’s Fried Cheese Melt, just in case you want to make one for yourself.
Burger King Chicken Fries
– Note these are back.
Yes, chicken strips for adults. You could munch on these dainty chicken strips. These were introduced in 2005 and discontinued in 2012.
Burger King Satisfries
We will remove the Chicken Fries, and put the Satisfries in their place. It seems like these failed it satisfy even though they were 40% less in fat, and 30% lower in calories than the standard French Fries that have been served everywhere. These are in the process of being removed from the stores during the fall of 2014.
So here are 10 fast food items gone forever that I wished they would bring back, or maybe not. What menu items do you wished would come back, drop me a comment down below and let me know which item you would like to see again.
SRoss says
Anyone remember Rally’s RallyQ it was a sloppy joe style sandwich, but it was slightly different taste that made it so good
Lana creed says
Popeye’s used to sell a chicken taco ! It was so awsome ! And they would fill it full and put lots of cheese ! Does anyone remember ?
Lana creed says
Does anyone remember Sonics Frito chili pie in the 1970s ? They taste nothing like that now ! I would do anything for the chili recipe and to know what kind of cheese they used !
Sharon says
Still looking for a CopyKat for Fried Chicken that I only so far can find in Aruba. Has anyone every had it back here in the states.
Stephanie says
Sharon, I am sorry, I don’t have any plans to go to Aruba to work out this recipe. I develop all of my recipes by tasting the food, and then recreating it at home.
Amy says
Remember the Chicken Littles at KFC? Loved those. And the Valencia Orange Refresher from Starbucks. Oh, and the original chicken tenders from BK.
Queen says
What happened to del taco small cup taco salad and sauce does anyone know how to make that dressing from the 80’s
Ira Wharry says
Fried Apple pie were the best at McDonald’s I have to find my fried pie and another fast food restaurants churches chicken
Julie Bock says
Rally’s or Checkers depending on what part of the country you live in has a fried apple pie that’s tastes almost exactly like McDonald’s used to. It is absolutely wonderful.
Bill Hibbett says
As a Child,I ate at the original McDonalds, before Croc was ever in the picture. I think Burgers were $0.10 and a cheese burger was $0.15. Mc Donlads used to cut the fries fresh in the store at least through the late 60s. they had the best fries ever because they were fried in beef tallow.
While trying to make them more healthy, they have made them inedible.
also. When Taco bell first appeared, they had 5 items, taco, red burrito, green burrito tostada and refried beans, made inhouse. All items were $0.25..
Ah, memories.
Bill Hibbett says
sorry, burgers were .10 cheeseburgers were.12. after Croc started the chain burgers were .15
Cat burchett says
I used to LOVE Taco Bells vegetable fajitas…..omg my mouth still salivates when I think of those!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steven says
In the late 80s, Burger King had cherry pies. They discontinued them in the early 90s and that caused me to go ballistic. I think i wrecked Grandmas cadillac😆😆😆 no no no just kidding. But it was a really bad feeling.
Stephanie says
I miss the old school fried fruit pies. They just tasted better than the baked ones.
Bill says
Hot mustard is definitely back! My McDonalds started serving it last year and friends have had luck at theirs as well!
MHM says
This is an old discussion but I had to mention back when I was like 12ish Jack in the Box had a fried burrito and then introduced a pizza pocket that had black olives, cheese, pepperoni…..yummy! When I was 26 (I know the exact age because I had just had my daughter) Hardees came out with a steak, egg and cheese on sourdough that was also awesome….places always seem to get rid of stuff that I really like 🙁
Amanda says
Taco Bell’s chili cheese burrito and boarder fries!!
They do have the chili cheese burritos as specials once in a blue moon..
ChasArbo says
I am not sure if the bell beefer is the same as the bellburger that taco bell used to have but I loved it so much
Stephanie Manley says
I remember having these in high school.
Chuck says
I worked at a McDonald’s in 1975. The pies at that time were fried in their own fryer alongside the fryer for the Filet-O-Fish. The french fries were done in fryers near the front of the store. The pies went into the fryer as a solid, white, frozen brick that had a white paste on them (confectioner’s sugar?) and when the timer went off the crust was like broken, blistered and bubbled as nicely shown by your photo above. The one big “secret” is that all of their fried foods were cooked in beef shortening that came in about 1 cubic foot,blue plastic wrapped in a cardboard box. I don’t really care for much of their food now that they’re trying to be “healthy” by using what ever they call their grease now. Give me good taste and let me worry about how healthy it is.
Stephanie Manley says
These pies were such a favorite for me when I was going up. Sure, the molten hot center was a bit much at times, but you are right, the tasted amazing.
So you worked at McDonald’s when most of their food was tasty.
LYB says
I miss these too:
• BK Broiler
• BK Burger Buddies
• KFC Apple Minis
• KFC Snacker
• McD’s (dark meat) McNuggets
• Taco Bell Zesty Nachos
Fox Doucette says
From what I’ve heard, Wendy’s discontinued the salad and hot bars because (surprise!) people’s little monkey kids were putting their diseased mitts all over the food, and it was a legal liability nightmare for the company. Other people’s children: Why Americans Can’t Have Nice Things.
Jess says
Del Taco’s rice…used to be Spanish rice, now its white rice.
Ron Kohn says
I remember the Yumbo of the late 70s, a burger with cheese, ham, lettuce and you could get bacon on it. The commercial would say, “Have you had a Yumbo yet and thus we named it the “Yumbo Yet”
annomsy says
long john silvers the old chicken wraps the used to have i love them need to bring them back
Krista says
The Frito burrito from taco bell is back you should update this!!!!!
Stephanie Manley says
Let me verify this 😉 I loved those.
Stephanie Manley says
The new introduction has rice in it, the old one did not have rice. While similar, I stand by that the Frito Burrito isn’t on their menu as it was a few years back.
Michael Fish Powell says
BRING BACK THE ANGRY WHOPPER!
Laura D says
I went to Penn State from 1978 to 1982. While I was there, I loved Roy Rogers’ thousand island dressing in the salad bar… it was my all time favorite. I’ve tried to recreate it (from that distant memory), but haven’t succeeded yet. Does anyone have any ideas, or maybe even a recipe that comes close?
Told ya so says
Chicken fries are back… So…
stephaniemanley says
Let me update this. I will remove the chicken fingers and add their Satisfries. I appreciate you keeping me on my toes.
Elba says
Know what else is gone? “Good” Del Taco food. They *used* to use skirt steak- it was marinated all day for their steak items. Now it’s this weird, very hard tasteless square shaped meat things. They also would never use that fake orange liquid cheese product- now its on everything. I used to work there as a teenager years ago, I hand grated cheeses for the quesadillas and nachos. Now they use this crappy liquid neon orange garbage. Too bad- I guess its when “YUM” brands bought them they cheaped out. Their food is disgusting now- all cheap crummy ingredients.
Stephanie Manley says
I liked Del Taco a lot. It’s a shame when they radically change their food.
Candace says
The spicy chicken burrito at Taco Bell! OMG! It was good and if I could ever find a good copycat recipe, I would make them all the freaking time!
stephaniemanley says
Oh, I never tried that one. They have had a lot of good menu items over the years.
Gale says
I used to prefer Gino’s over McDonalds. The Gino Giant was MUCH better than the Big Mac. Since I like hamburgers rare, I usually avoid the fast food burgers, but Gino’s was tasty 🙂 We also used to have Cap’n Crab – fast food buckets of Garlic crabs that came with a wooden hammer.
Snow Shen says
I m from china about three years ago, so far i know mc in china still serve pie that fried, but no longer apple pie, i have no idea why, but they do have great taste pies, like pineapple, redbean paste, cherry… i think american want to go heathy so no more fried pies, and no crispy jucie thigh meat sandwich in kfc( best seller in chinese kfc)… that’s sad…
stephaniemanley says
I have read that in other countries the pies are still fried. I don’t understand why we have the baked ones here. The others were much, much better. I bet the red bean one is wonderful.
Brenda says
The fried apple pies are available in Hawaii. I would actually eat something from McDonald’s if they were to bring fried apple pies back to the mainland. Otherwise, I won’t be heading to McDonald’s, ever.
Stephanie Manley says
I am a big fan of those fried pies too!
ginabissmeyer says
I miss the Carl’s Jr. California Roast Beef Sandwich. It was Roast Beef, swiss chees, and an ortega chili on a bun. to awesome for words. Their original fries were the best too, but only if they were fresh…after five minutes, you have to throw them out.
stephaniemanley says
Oh wow on the fries, seriously just five minutes and they were awful? I personally love cripsy hot fries too!
fantasy01 says
Years ago when I lived in Arlington, Texas every Friday I would stop by Sonic’s for their hamburger and onion rings. However, now that I live in Michigan the Sonic’s here have disappointe me by no longer serving their hamburger and onion rings. Do you by chance have a recipe of these 2 items as they were absolutely delisious.
stephaniemanley says
I do have the onion rings. https://www.copykat.com/2009/05/03/sonic-onion-rings/ I’ll have to see what I can do about the burger. Thank you for your suggestion.
fantasy01 says
In your ingredients you wrote, “Slice onions 12 inch thick.” Ya think maybe that was a typo as it would take a pretty large onion.
marie72 says
If you try Sonic again now you will be disappointing there meat is not as good.I always end up taking a few bites and that’s it-if someone happens to go there.
stephaniemanley says
They don’t have my favorite burger.
flower_petals says
The “fried” apple pie at Mc Donald’s been gone that long? Oh how I loved those, and the cherry. Those Burger King chicken fries we awesome as well.
Mc Donalds pizza was good too when we were coming home after the bar. lol
stephaniemanley says
Thank you for your comments. It is amazing how long some of these have been gone. I was a big fan of the McDonald’s cherry pie. I thought those were simply amazing!
Gonzo says
Hah, they still have it here in New Zealand… now “another” reason to visit our wonderful country… ; p
Guytheus says
I miss the steak sandwich that McDonald’s used to serve. Yummy!
stephaniemanley says
They have had a lot of really good sandwiches over the years.
Flavia says
Arthur’s treature’s Fish and Chips!!!
stephaniemanley says
I never had the pleasure of eating there, I wished that I did. I am a major fan of Captain D’s though. Love the whole fish and chips.
Tammy Knight says
I used to work at Burger King and Wendy’s. I remember when BK came out with the BK Broiler, which was a charbroiled chicken sandwich with it’s own special sauce. I HATED the Wendy’s Salad Bar………….. The only reason why I hated it was because I had to Break it down !!!! LOL My husband says he misses Arby’s 5 for $ 5.00!! and he misses Arthur’s treature’s Fish and Chips!!!
stephaniemanley says
Tammy, I too have had more fast food experience than I care to 😉 I worked at DQ, to this day, I really dislike soft serve ice cream. The sticky sensation you always went home with was too much.
deb says
denny’s peanut butter pie. it was to die for.
stephaniemanley says
Oo, peanut butter pie, this sounds great. Does anyone else have a similar peanut butter pie?
GeriGreene says
Not “fast food” but a dish I fell in love with ten years ago at Olive Garden. Fortunately they have discontinued recipes on their website ~ Chicken Castellini – http://www.olivegarden.com/recipe/chicken-castellina/man-imp-reci-prd-29
stephaniemanley says
Good to know 😉 I appreciate you sharing the link. We all have favorite dishes that are pulled from menus.
Gonzo says
Ha ha, read that as they no longer had recipes on their website rather than the have “discontinued recipes” on their website. Had to go and have a look to verify… LOL
stephaniemanley says
I will say one thing about Olive Garden I think the recipes they post online are close to what they serve, but I don’t think they are exactly what they serve.
Sherry says
This goes waaay back too but I used to love the Yumbo and Whaler sandwich at Burger king.
stephaniemanley says
I don’t remember the Yumbo, but I do remember the Whaler. I really like fish sandwiches.
Sherry says
The Yumbo was hot ham and cheese sandwich with gooey,drippy cheese. Very good! I feel so old.lol!
stephaniemanley says
When I was a kid my Dad and I would go on Saturdays to Burger King. Can’t say I go much any more. I remember their international delight chicken sandwiches. I remember that they used to taste a bit better than they do now.
GeriGreene says
Arby’s has a ham and cheese that is fairly good.
stephaniemanley says
I will have to check it out. Thank you for the suggestion Geri!
Mark says
The Yumbo was the best ever. Please make them again and I will go back to BK!
Jeff says
I worked at Burger King in 1979. They had a hot ham and cheese then that came with 3 onion rings on the sandwich. I would love to be able to replicate that !
kalynskitchen says
I really miss the salad bar at Wendy’s. That was probably my top fast food choice when they still had it.
stephaniemanley says
I liked it too, it gave you some options.
Sushi Cue says
That was a good salad bar! Do you remember the “garlic bread” was their hamburger buns run through a toaster with just butter and garlic powder on them? So simple, yet so good for some reason.
stephaniemanley says
I do remember that garlic bread. This just goes to show you, good food doesn’t need to be complicated.
GeriGreene says
I remember when it had pasta too ~ a nice combo
Elba says
The “ham” that they had was turkey ham, by the way- and the grated cheese “wasn’t”- it was fake! Ask to see my collection of fast food name badges from the ’80s… sighs…
Kimberley Rodgers Lynam says
McDonalds just brought back the hot mustard sauce, they have a sticker in the drive thru window to let you know
stephaniemanley says
I thought they had started to bring it back, I was getting random comments from people saying they could find it, while others it wasn’t there yet.
Andrew McCormack says
Well not really a named item but Burger King hasn’t had a decent french fry since they introduced the King fry’s about 25 or 30 years ago. Thats a long time to not buy a combo meal and drive across the street to get your fries from McCdonald’s
stephaniemanley says
Wow that is a long time. I personally love Culver’s french fries. Theirs are a crinkle cut that crisp up very well I sometimes think the food court is the best place to go for dinner, as you can get anything you want from any place you want.
stephaniemanley says
Which item did I miss of yours?
GeriGreene says
Someone mentioned “all beef patty, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion on a sesame seed bun” ~ had not had one in years. They are now smaller and fairly awful…….
stephaniemanley says
I don’t like the burgers at McDonald’s the meat has a weird texture that I can’t get past. Now, I will admit I did some traveling in the last 10 days, and I went to McDonald’s most every day. They have free internet, and iced tea that costs a dollar.
GeriGreene says
And Taco Bell used to have a sauce packet they no longer have – mesquite perhaps? It was really good but it’s no more. Also a verde packet. Also gone
stephaniemanley says
I don’t recall that packet, but I generally only have gotten the mild and the fire. I should venture out of my comfort zone while there.