12 McDonald’s Menu Items We Still Miss Today
These 12 McDonald's menu items were once customer favorites but were removed over the years and never brought back for good.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
McDonald’s has launched hundreds of menu items since opening in 1955, but not all of them stuck around. Some were limited-time experiments, while others were taken off despite strong fan demand. These 12 discontinued items are still remembered and missed by longtime customers.
1. McPizza
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McDonald’s tried to enter the pizza game in the late 1980s and 1990s. Compared to other items, the McPizza took a long time to cook, which didn’t fit the fast-food model. It also required special kitchen equipment that many locations couldn’t support. It was eventually phased out in most places by the early 2000s.
2. Snack Wraps
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Snack Wraps were launched in 2006 and quickly became a hit for people looking for a lighter option. They came with grilled or crispy chicken, lettuce, cheese, and sauce, all rolled in a tortilla. Despite their popularity, they were pulled in the U.S. in 2016 due to preparation issues and low profitability. Many customers still ask for their return.
3. Arch Deluxe
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Marketed in the 1990s as a burger for adults, the Arch Deluxe featured a special mustard-mayo sauce, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a potato bun. McDonald’s spent millions promoting it, but it never sold well. Critics said the flavor didn’t justify the higher price. It was discontinued just a few years after launch.
4. McDLT
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The McDLT aimed to separate the hot and cold ingredients using a special two-sided container. It was launched in the 1980s with the slogan “Keep the hot side hot and the cool side cool.” While the idea was creative, the packaging created too much waste. Environmental concerns contributed to its removal in the early 1990s.
5. Fried Apple Pie
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McDonald’s switched from deep-fried to baked apple pies in the early 1990s to appear healthier. Many customers missed the original’s crispy texture and stronger flavor. While some international locations still serve the fried version, it’s no longer available in most of the U.S.
6. McSalad Shakers
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Introduced in the early 2000s, these were portable salads served in clear plastic cups. You added dressing and shook the cup to mix it. Though convenient, they didn’t sell well and were soon replaced with traditional salads. Some customers remember them for their unique design.
7. Cheddar Melt
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The Cheddar Melt featured a beef patty topped with grilled onions and a cheddar cheese sauce on a rye bun. It first appeared in the late 1980s and made brief returns as a limited-time offer. Fans appreciated its bold flavor but never stayed on the menu for long.
8. Hula Burger
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The Hula Burger was created in the 1960s as a meatless option for Catholics during Lent. It had a slice of grilled pineapple and cheese on a bun. It lost out in sales to the Filet-O-Fish, which ended up becoming the permanent option. The Hula Burger was quietly pulled from the menu.
9. McHotDog
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McDonald’s tested hot dogs at several locations, including as part of the early 2000s McDonald’s Express format. While convenient, the item didn’t align well with the brand’s focus on burgers and chicken. There were also concerns about food safety and preparation. The McHotDog never made it to the national menu.
10. Onion Nuggets
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Before Chicken McNuggets, McDonald’s introduced Onion Nuggets — battered and fried chunks of onion. They were tested in the late 1970s and early 1980s. While some liked them, they didn’t sell enough to justify keeping them. They were eventually replaced by more popular items.
11. Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich
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This was a larger sandwich meant to resemble a diner-style beefsteak meal. It featured onions and steak sauce on a long bun. It appeared briefly in the 1970s and returned as a limited offer in the 1980s. It never gained lasting popularity and was removed from the menu.
12. Big N’ Tasty
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The Big N’ Tasty was McDonald’s answer to the Whopper, with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and a seasoned beef patty. It launched nationally in 2000 but struggled to stand out. Although it had a loyal following, it was quietly removed in most locations by the early 2010s.