15 Fast Food Items from the ’80s and ’90s That Disappeared
Here's a nostalgic look into the fast food favorites of the '80s and '90s that vanished from menus but not from memory.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The ’80s and ’90s were a golden era for fast food experimentation. Chains rolled out bold, quirky, and sometimes outrageous menu items that fans either loved or loathed. While some left quietly, others sparked cult followings and campaigns for comebacks — but all of them remain memorable.
1. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe
PatrickRich on Flickr
Marketed as a “burger for grown-ups,” the Arch Deluxe came with a special sauce and a more “sophisticated” taste. Unfortunately, adults didn’t bite, and kids didn’t care.
2. Burger King’s Dinner Baskets
Ismail Hadine on Unsplash
These sit-down-style meals included fries, baked potatoes, or coleslaw served in baskets. Burger King hoped to compete with casual dining chains, but fast food customers weren’t looking to linger.
3. Wendy’s Superbar
Sean Lin on Unsplash
Wendy’s went buffet-style with its Superbar, offering pasta, salad, and Mexican food all under one roof. Though customers loved the value, the logistics and hygiene concerns made it a nightmare to maintain.
4. Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer
Rob on Flickr
Basically a sloppy joe with taco seasoning, the Bell Beefer was Taco Bell’s nod to the burger craze. It had a loyal fan base but was phased out as the chain streamlined its menu.
5. McDonald’s Pizza
Roadsidepictures on Flickr
Yes, McDonald’s actually made pizza — and it wasn’t half bad. However, it took too long to cook, didn’t fit the brand image, and required specialized ovens.
6. KFC’s Twister Wrap
N509FZ on Wikimedia Commons
This chicken wrap was a big hit among late ’90s lunch crowds. It combined crispy tenders, lettuce, and pepper mayo in a soft tortilla.
7. Burger King’s Shake ‘Em Up Fries
Aashish Singh on Unsplash
Sold with a seasoning pouch to shake inside the bag, these fries added a little DIY spice. The novelty wore off quickly, and customers found the process messy.
8. Taco Bell’s Chili Cheese Burrito (aka Chilito)
Mark Fusco on Flickr
A cheesy, beefy bomb of flavor, the Chilito was a college student’s dream. It lived strong through the ’90s before quietly vanishing.
9. McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie (Deep-Fried Version)
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Before it was baked, McDonald’s apple pie was golden, crispy, and fried to perfection. Health concerns led to the switch in the early ’90s.
10. Wendy’s Frescata Sandwiches
Ceir Junior on Pexels
In the mid-2000s, Wendy’s introduced deli-style sandwiches in an attempt to compete with Subway. They were awkward to make, slow to serve, and never quite fit the Wendy’s vibe.
11. Pizza Hut’s Priazzo
Umar Andrabi on Pexels
This deep-dish, pizza-meets-casserole was a heavy, cheesy beast. It came in varieties like Roma and Milano and required more cooking time than usual.
12. McDLT (McDonald’s Lettuce & Tomato Burger)
Jim Ellwanger on Flickr
The McDLT, packaged in a split container to keep hot and cold parts separate, was a quirky engineering feat. However, environmental concerns about the Styrofoam container led to its downfall.
13. Jack in the Box’s Frings
Nyenyec on Flickr
Half fries, half onion rings—all in one box. Frings were the perfect snack for the indecisive. Despite their charm, they quietly left the menu.
14. Arby’s Submarinas
Mrmiscellanious on Wikimedia Commons
Arby’s briefly tried stepping into sub-territory with the Submarina line. While not terrible, they didn’t stand out enough to survive the fierce competition.
15. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets
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A predecessor to onion rings, these bite-sized onion chunks were briefly a thing in the early ’80s. They never gained traction and were replaced by more familiar fare.