15 Limited-Time Fast Food Items People Still Talk About

Fast food chains often test new ideas with special menu items that do not stay around for long. Some of these creations became so memorable that people continue to talk about them years later. This list looks back at 15 discontinued fast food items that remain part of food culture and nostalgia.

1. 1. McDonald’s McPizza

McDonald’s introduced the McPizza in the late 1980s as part of an effort to expand its menu. The preparation took longer than standard McDonald’s items, which made it difficult to serve quickly. While it was discontinued in most places by the mid-1990s, some locations in Canada sold it until the 2010s. People still remember it as one of McDonald’s most unusual menu tests.

2. 2. Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer

The Bell Beefer was a sandwich made with taco-seasoned ground beef, lettuce, and sauce on a bun. It was sold from the 1970s through the 1990s. Customers liked that it gave them Taco Bell’s flavors in a different form. Even though it is gone, it is still one of Taco Bell’s most talked-about discontinued items.

3. 3. Burger King’s Halloween Whopper

The Halloween Whopper was released in 2015 and featured a black bun made with A1 steak sauce. Its striking appearance gained attention and made it one of the chain’s most memorable seasonal items. The taste was similar to a regular Whopper but with added flavor from the sauce. It has not returned since, but many still recall the release.

4. 4. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe

The Arch Deluxe came out in 1996 and was marketed as a premium burger for adults. It had a quarter pound of beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a special sauce. Despite heavy advertising, sales were lower than expected, and it was removed from menus by the early 2000s. People who tried it often describe it as one of McDonald’s better-quality burgers.

5. 5. Taco Bell’s Volcano Taco

The Volcano Taco was released in 2008 with a red shell and spicy lava sauce. It quickly developed a following among customers who liked spicier foods. Taco Bell removed it in 2012, brought it back briefly in 2015, and then discontinued it again. Fans continue to request its return.

6. 6. McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce

Szechuan Sauce was first released in 1998 as a promotion for Disney’s Mulan. It was a sweet and tangy dipping sauce for chicken nuggets. Interest in it grew again in 2017 after it was referenced in the TV show Rick and Morty. McDonald’s has brought it back in small batches several times since then.

7. 7. Burger King’s Yumbo Sandwich

The Yumbo was a hot ham and cheese sandwich first sold in 1968. It was a simple menu item compared to burgers and fries. Burger King removed it in the mid-1970s but brought it back for a limited time in 2014. Many customers remember it as one of the chain’s earliest non-burger items.

8. 8. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets

Onion Nuggets were sold in the 1970s and were essentially battered and fried onion chunks. They were one of the chain’s experiments before chicken nuggets became popular. The item was eventually discontinued and replaced with onion rings in some international markets. Fans of McDonald’s history still bring them up as a unique product.

9. 9. Taco Bell’s Chili Cheese Burrito

Also called the Chilito, this burrito contained chili and melted cheese wrapped in a tortilla. It was inexpensive and filling, which made it popular with many customers. The item was dropped from most locations in the 1990s but never completely disappeared. A few Taco Bell restaurants in certain regions still serve it.

10. 10. McDonald’s Shamrock Sundae

The Shamrock Shake is still sold each March, but the Shamrock Sundae is not. The sundae was introduced in 1980 and featured vanilla ice cream topped with mint syrup. It was available for a short period and then discontinued. It remains part of the brand’s seasonal history.

11. 11. Burger King’s Angry Whopper

The Angry Whopper was released in 2008 with jalapeños, spicy sauce, pepper jack cheese, and crispy onions. It stood out for its extra heat compared to the regular Whopper. The sandwich was offered several times in the United States and remains available in some international markets. Customers often call it one of Burger King’s best limited-time burgers.

12. 12. McDonald’s McDLT

The McDLT came out in 1984 and featured packaging that separated hot ingredients from cold ones. The goal was to keep the lettuce and tomato fresh until customers combined them. Although customers liked the taste, the packaging was criticized for using too much foam. It was discontinued in the early 1990s.

13. 13. Taco Bell’s Double Decker Taco

The Double Decker Taco was first introduced in 1995 and later became a permanent item in 2006. It had a crunchy taco shell wrapped in a soft tortilla with refried beans in between. Customers liked the combination of textures. Taco Bell discontinued it in 2019, and fans still want it back.

14. 14. McDonald’s Snack Wraps

Snack Wraps were introduced in 2006 as a smaller option with chicken, cheese, lettuce, and sauce wrapped in a tortilla. They were popular with customers looking for something lighter than a burger. Despite their popularity, McDonald’s discontinued them in the United States in 2016 to simplify the menu. They remain available in some other countries.

15. 15. Burger King’s Italian Chicken Sandwich

The Italian Chicken Sandwich was first introduced in the 1970s as part of the International Chicken Sandwich line. It was made with breaded chicken, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese. The sandwich has been brought back several times, including most recently in 2021. Many customers still ask for it whenever it disappears.

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• fast food
• limited menu
• discontinued items
• fast food items