15 Retro Lunch Menus from the ’80s That Are Long Gone
These 15 discontinued lunch items from the 1980s reflect how food trends, health policies, and business changes shaped what people no longer eat today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Lunch in the 1980s included a mix of fast food, school meals, and packaged products that were widely popular at the time. Many of these items were removed due to health concerns, cost, or shifts in public demand. This list explores 15 specific menu items that are no longer available.
1. McDonald’s McDLT
McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons
The McDLT was a hamburger served in a divided container to separate the hot and cold parts. The bottom bun and beef patty were on one side, while the lettuce, tomato, and top bun were on the other. It was designed to keep ingredients fresh until the customer assembled it. It was discontinued due to packaging waste and production costs.
2. Pizza Hut Priazzo
Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons
The Priazzo was a multi-layered deep-dish pizza introduced in the mid-1980s. It came in several varieties, filled with cheese, meat, and sauce. The preparation time was longer than other menu items. Pizza Hut removed it in the early 1990s due to low efficiency and changing preferences.
3. Taco Bell Bell Beefer
Len Rizzi on Wikimedia Commons
The Bell Beefer was a loose-meat sandwich using seasoned taco beef on a hamburger bun. It was Taco Bell’s attempt to enter the sandwich market. It did not align with the brand’s core offerings and was removed in the 1990s. The item has not returned in any form.
4. Wendy’s Superbar
Hullian111 on Wikimedia Commons
The Superbar was a self-serve buffet station inside Wendy’s locations that offered pasta, salad, and taco fixings. It was popular with families for its variety and low price. However, it required frequent maintenance and occupied significant floor space. Wendy’s phased it out by the late 1990s.
5. School Rectangle Pizza
BeŻet on Wikimedia Commons
This was a standard school lunch item in many public schools during the 1980s. The pizza was rectangular with a soft crust and processed cheese. It was widely served because it was easy to prepare in bulk. Many schools have replaced it with healthier and more regulated options.
6. TV Dinner Salisbury Steak
Robert Loescher on Wikimedia Commons
Frozen Salisbury steak meals were commonly served for lunch at home in the 1980s. They included meat, mashed potatoes, and a dessert in a sectioned tray. These meals were designed for convenience and were heated in microwaves or ovens. Their popularity declined as healthier frozen options became available.
7. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets
Andy Li on Wikimedia Commons
Onion Nuggets were bite-sized pieces of chopped onions battered and fried. They were introduced before Chicken McNuggets became popular. The item did not sell well and was quickly removed. It is not available in any markets today.
8. Lunchables Dessert Pizza
Christoffre on Wikimedia Commons
Some early Lunchables kits included a dessert pizza, made with a soft crust, sweet frosting, and candy toppings. These versions were marketed to children and were high in sugar. Over time, health concerns led to the removal of these dessert-focused items. Today’s Lunchables contain simpler combinations with fewer sweets.
9. Domino’s Breadtwists
Nilox7 on Wikimedia Commons
Breadtwists were soft breadsticks twisted and brushed with garlic butter. They were introduced as a side item in the 1980s. Domino’s eventually removed them and introduced new versions like Parmesan Bread Bites. The original style is no longer offered.
10. Burger King Yumbo
theimpulsivebuy on Wikimedia Commons
The Yumbo was a hot ham and cheese sandwich served on a toasted bun. It was part of Burger King’s menu in the 1970s and returned briefly in 2014. It was discontinued due to limited demand. The sandwich is no longer available.
11. Chef Boyardee Pizza Kit
Valerio Capello on Wikimedia Commons
The pizza kit included a can of dough mix, pizza sauce, and grated cheese for making pizza at home. It was sold in grocery stores as a lunch option for families. While not widely advertised today, similar kits still exist in limited supply. The original version has mostly disappeared from shelves.
12. Taco Bell Enchirito
Thomson200 on Wikimedia Commons
The Enchirito was a soft flour tortilla filled with beef, beans, and cheese, covered in red sauce. It was served in a small black tray. Taco Bell removed it in the early 1990s but brought it back for a limited time. It is not part of the current regular menu.
13. School Tater Tots
Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons
Tater Tots were a frequent side item in school lunches throughout the 1980s. They were deep-fried and served alongside main meals like chicken nuggets or burgers. Due to new nutritional standards, many schools now serve baked versions or replace them with vegetables. The original fried version is no longer common in public schools.
14. McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie
N509FZ on Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s apple pies were once deep-fried, giving them a crisp, golden crust. They were changed to a baked version in 1992 to reduce fat content. The fried version is still sold in a few international markets. In the United States, only the baked version is offered.
15. Original Uncrustables Recipe
Austin Kirk on Wikimedia Commons
Uncrustables were first sold in the late 1980s with a simple recipe of white bread, peanut butter, and sugary jelly. They were designed to be frozen and eaten once thawed. Since then, the recipe has changed to include lower sugar and more whole grains. The original version is no longer produced.