15 Restaurant Menu Items from the Past That Will Never Return

These 15 restaurant items were once available but have been permanently removed from menus and are unlikely to make a comeback.

Sophia Zapanta
May 6, 2025
4 min read

15 Restaurant Menu Items from the Past That Will Never Return — William Murphy on Wikimedia Commons

Restaurants regularly test new menu items, but not all of them work. Some gain a cult following before being pulled, while others quietly disappear without notice. These discontinued items reflect a mix of changing tastes, poor sales, and operational challenges.

1. McDonald’s McDLT

McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons

The McDLT was introduced in the 1980s. It came in a special two-compartment package that kept the lettuce and tomato separate from the burger patty. Customers had to put the sandwich together themselves. It was discontinued in the early 1990s and replaced by simpler items.

2. Taco Bell Bell Beefer

Pascal Shirley on Wikimedia Commons

The Bell Beefer was Taco Bell’s attempt at a taco-style sloppy joe. It used seasoned ground beef, lettuce, and cheese on a hamburger bun. It was available mainly in the 1970s and 1980s. It was removed due to low popularity and a menu shift to traditional Mexican-inspired items.

3. Pizza Hut Priazzo

Mike Mozart on Wikimedia Commons

Pizza Hut introduced the Priazzo in the mid-1980s. It was a thick, layered, deep-dish pizza with lots of cheese and meat. It took longer to cook than other pizzas and required more kitchen time. It was discontinued by the early 1990s.

4. Wendy’s Superbar

Nheyob on Wikimedia Commons

Wendy’s offered a self-serve buffet called the Superbar in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It included pasta, tacos, salads, and other items. However, it was difficult to maintain in terms of cleanliness and consistency, so it was removed to refocus on standard fast food service.

5. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets

Fumikas Sagisavas on Wikimedia Commons

McDonald’s introduced onion nuggets, small, breaded cubes of chopped onion, as a side item in the late 1970s before it began selling Chicken nuggets. They were not very popular and were discontinued shortly after launch.

6. Burger King Yumbo

theimpulsivebuy on Wikimedia Commons

The Yumbo was a hot ham and cheese sandwich introduced in 1968. Due to low sales, it was removed from the menu in the mid-1970s. Burger King brought it back briefly in 2014 but was not a long-term success. It was discontinued again in 2015.

7. KFC Potato Wedges

Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons

KFC served thick-cut potato wedges for decades. In 2020, it replaced them with Secret Recipe Fries as part of a menu update focused on consistency and customer preference. Some customers were disappointed, but KFC did not reverse the change.

8. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe

Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons

The Arch Deluxe was launched in 1996 as part of a premium burger line targeted at adults. It did not match expectations and failed to attract enough customers. Despite a large marketing campaign, it was removed after a short run.

9. Applebee’s Riblets (original recipe)

Jim.henderson on Wikimedia Commons

Applebee’s riblets were a long-standing menu item and became closely associated with the brand. The original version used a specific cut of meat called pork button ribs. Over time, Applebee’s changed the preparation and sauce. Many customers said the taste was different and missed the original version.

10. Burger King Shake ‘Em Up Fries

Andy Li on Wikimedia Commons

These were introduced in 2002. Customers received fries in a bag with a packet of cheese powder. They would add the seasoning and shake the bag to mix. The product was short-lived and was discontinued due to a lack of interest.

11. McSalad Shakers

Geoff Peters on Wikimedia Commons

McDonald’s released McSalad Shakers in 2000. They were salads served in tall plastic cups that customers shook to mix. The design was meant to be convenient and portable. They were eventually replaced by premium salads in bowls.

12. Chili’s Monterey Chicken

TylerMascola on Wikimedia Commons

Monterey Chicken was a grilled chicken breast topped with bacon, cheese, and barbecue sauce. It was a popular entrée for years. Chili’s removed it during a menu overhaul to simplify offerings. Despite customer requests, it has not returned.

13. Friendly’s Cone Head Sundae

Ragesoss on Wikimedia Commons

The Cone Head Sundae was a children’s dessert served at Friendly’s. It featured a scoop of ice cream with a sugar cone hat and candy decorations. It was part of Friendly’s Kids’ Menu for many years. The item was quietly discontinued during corporate changes.

14. Subway Pizza Sub

Crisco 1492 on Wikimedia Commons

The Pizza Sub included pepperoni, marinara sauce, and cheese on a sub roll. It was available nationally in the 1990s and early 2000s. It returned occasionally in limited markets, but it was never a permanent menu item. It is not currently offered.

15. Sizzler Malibu Chicken

RegionalQueenslander on Wikimedia Commons

Malibu Chicken was a breaded chicken filet topped with ham and melted Swiss cheese, served with honey mustard sauce. It was a well-known item during Sizzler’s peak years. However, many Sizzler locations have closed, and the item is no longer a regular part of the menu.