17 Fast Food Menu Hacks That Disappeared
Several popular fast food menu hacks that once spread through word of mouth or secret ordering have since disappeared from restaurants.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Fast food chains often allowed customers to customize meals in ways that created unofficial “menu hacks.” Some became so popular that they were widely known, while others faded due to costs, complexity, or nutrition concerns. Many of these hacks are no longer available, leaving only stories and memories for fans who once ordered them.
1. McDonald’s “McGangBang”
Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons
This was a secret combination of a McChicken sandwich placed inside a McDouble. It became popular online in the late 2000s. Many stores discouraged customers from ordering it because it slowed down service. Today, most McDonald’s locations no longer allow it.
2. Burger King’s “Suicide Burger”
Beau96080 on Wikimedia Commons
Also called the “Quad Stacker,” this hack included four beef patties, bacon, cheese, and special sauce. It was not on the official menu but was sometimes made upon request. Health concerns and preparation time made it unsustainable. Most locations no longer make it on order.
3. In-N-Out’s “100x100 Burger”
Thank You on Wikimedia Commons
In-N-Out’s secret menu once allowed extreme customization, including a burger with 100 patties. A famous order in 2004 went viral but caused the company to restrict maximum orders. Today, In-N-Out limits customers to far fewer patties. The extreme version is gone.
4. Taco Bell’s “Cheesarito”
1000b on Wikimedia Commons
The Cheesarito was a simple tortilla with cheese, scallions, and taco sauce. Fans considered it one of the oldest Taco Bell hacks. It quietly disappeared from the unofficial menu over time. Many locations now refuse to make it.
5. McDonald’s “Land, Sea, and Air Burger”
Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons
This hack combined a beef patty, Filet-O-Fish, and a McChicken into one sandwich. It became a challenge meal for adventurous customers. The chain eventually discouraged it due to complicated preparation. It is no longer offered in most restaurants.
6. KFC’s “Double Down Hack”
Biswarup Ganguly on Wikimedia Commons
The Double Down sandwich itself was a limited-time menu item, but some customers hacked it with extra layers. These overstuffed versions became too costly and messy to make. Staff often refused the requests. KFC eventually retired the Double Down altogether.
7. Starbucks “Pink Drink Hack” (before it became official)
Michelle oshen Wikimedia Commons
Originally, the Pink Drink was a secret menu hack made from the Strawberry Acai Refresher mixed with coconut milk. It became so popular that Starbucks added it officially. Once it became permanent, the original “hack” status disappeared. The secret version is no longer relevant.
8. Wendy’s “Grand Slam”
Hullian111 on Wikimedia Commons
At Wendy’s, some customers ordered a burger with four beef patties. It was an off-menu request and not widely promoted. Rising beef costs and prep time led to many stores refusing it. The item disappeared as a hack.
9. Chipotle’s “Quesarito”
proshob on Wikimedia Commons
This was a burrito wrapped in a cheese quesadilla instead of a tortilla. It gained popularity online but was extremely time-consuming to prepare. Many Chipotle locations stopped making it altogether. Some only offered it briefly before removing the option.
10. Subway’s “Pizza Sub Hack”
CHICHI7YT on Wikimedia Commons
The pizza sub was once available as a menu item but later survived only as a hack. Customers asked for pepperoni, cheese, and marinara toasted like a pizza. Eventually, many locations stopped carrying the ingredients. Today, it is rare to find.
11. Jack in the Box’s “Ciabatta Bacon Cheeseburger Hack”
George on Wikimedia Commons
This sandwich was discontinued, but some fans recreated it by ordering separate ingredients. The hack required special bread that stores no longer stocked. Without the bread, the hack could not be made. It has fully disappeared.
12. McDonald’s “Apple Pie McFlurry”
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Customers once asked staff to blend a hot apple pie into a McFlurry. It became a viral hack for combining two desserts. Health and machine maintenance concerns made many locations ban it. The option is no longer available.
13. Arby’s “Meat Mountain”
Kenneth C. Zirkel on Wikimedia Commons
The Meat Mountain was an oversized sandwich with nearly every meat on the menu. It started as a hack but was briefly sold officially. Due to cost and low demand, it was removed from menus. Most locations will not make it anymore.
14. Sonic’s “Purple Sprite”
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This hack mixed Sprite with Powerade, lemonade, and cranberry juice. It became a popular secret drink among fans. Many stores later removed some of the flavor syrups needed to make it. As a result, the hack faded out.
15. Dairy Queen’s “Coffee Blizzard”
Billy Hathorn on Wikimedia Commons
Fans once ordered a Blizzard with coffee syrup mixed in. It was not an official menu item but could be made by request. Many stores stopped carrying coffee syrup, ending the hack. Today, it is rarely available.
16. Del Taco’s “Stoner Burrito”
Harrison Keely on Wikimedia Commons
This burrito was a secret menu item stuffed with beans, fries, cheese, and red sauce. It had a strong cult following among fans. Some locations eventually refused to make it due to inconsistency. It has mostly disappeared from current menus.
17. Shake Shack’s “Quad ShackBurger”
Harrison Keely on Wikimedia Commons
Fans often requested four patties stacked into one burger at Shake Shack. The hack became popular online but was discouraged in many stores. It slowed service and created portion issues. Most Shake Shack restaurants no longer allow it.