17 Iconic Restaurant Dishes from the ’90s You Can’t Find Today
Many popular restaurant dishes from the 1990s have disappeared, leaving behind only memories for those who enjoyed them.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
The 1990s were known for bold, experimental restaurant foods that became favorites for many diners. Over time, changing tastes, health trends, and rising costs caused many of these menu items to be discontinued. These lost dishes now serve as a reminder of how much restaurant culture has shifted.
1. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe
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The Arch Deluxe was introduced in 1996 as a premium burger designed for adults. It featured a quarter-pound beef patty, a potato flour bun, lettuce, tomato, cheese, peppered bacon, and a mustard-mayonnaise sauce. McDonald’s invested over $100 million in advertising, making it one of their most expensive product launches. The burger failed to gain lasting popularity and was pulled from the menu within a few years.
2. Pizza Hut TripleDecker Pizza
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The TripleDecker Pizza had two thin crusts with a layer of cheese in between and more cheese and toppings on top. It was designed to be extra cheesy and filling. It appealed to heavy eaters but had a short life due to high calorie content and operational complexity. It was discontinued in the late 1990s and has not returned since.
3. Burger King’s Big King (Original 1997 Version)
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Burger King introduced the Big King in 1997 as a direct competitor to McDonald’s Big Mac. It had two beef patties, lettuce, onions, pickles, American cheese, and a Thousand Island-style sauce on a three-part sesame seed bun. Though it was reintroduced in later years, the 1997 version had a different build and taste. The original recipe is no longer widely available.
4. Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito
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The Chili Cheese Burrito, also known as the “Chilito,” was a soft flour tortilla filled with spiced beef chili and melted cheese. It was simple, cheap, and highly popular in the early 1990s. It was gradually removed from the national menu due to declining sales and regional performance. Some franchise locations in the Midwest and South still offer it unofficially.
5. Wendy’s Superbar
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The Superbar was an all-you-can-eat buffet offered in Wendy’s locations during the early to mid-1990s. It included three sections: a salad bar, a Mexican food station, and a pasta area. It became popular for its variety and low price but was hard to maintain and clean. The chain eliminated it by the end of the decade due to rising operational costs.
6. KFC Chicken Littles (Original 1980s–1990s Version)
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Chicken Littles were small, simple chicken sandwiches sold for under a dollar. Each one had a soft bun, a breaded chicken strip, and a small amount of mayonnaise. They were a favorite among budget-conscious customers and younger eaters. The version sold today under the same name is larger and uses a different recipe.
7. Applebee’s Riblets (Original Cut)
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Applebee’s Riblets were made from a specific cut of pork known as button ribs. They were served with fries and a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. The dish was promoted as a signature item for years but was later replaced with boneless alternatives. Today, riblets sometimes return as part of limited-time offers, but the original cut is no longer standard.
8. TGI Fridays Sizzling Chicken and Cheese
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This dish included grilled chicken breasts served on a hot skillet with melted cheese, onions, and bell peppers. It was served with mashed potatoes or rice on the side. The sizzling presentation made it stand out in the dining room. It was phased out as the company modernized and slimmed down its menu.
9. McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie (Original U.S. Recipe)
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The original fried apple pie had a thick, crunchy shell and a hot cinnamon apple filling. It was replaced in the United States in 1992 with a baked version due to health concerns. Fans have said the fried version had better texture and flavor. Some international McDonald’s locations, including in Canada and Mexico, still sell the fried version today.
10. Olive Garden Chicken Fettuccine Florentine
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This pasta dish included fettuccine noodles, spinach, grilled chicken, and Alfredo sauce. It was known for its creamy texture and balanced flavor. Olive Garden removed the item in the early 2000s during a shift toward lighter menu options. It has not returned to the menu since.
11. Red Lobster Seafood Pizza
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Red Lobster served a flatbread pizza topped with shrimp, crab, Alfredo sauce, and melted cheese. It was available during the early 1990s as part of the appetizer menu. Though it had a loyal fan base, it was not a strong seller overall. It was discontinued to focus on core seafood entrées.
12. Domino’s Oreo Dessert Pizza
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This dessert item was made with a dough base topped with crushed Oreo cookies and sweet icing. It was introduced as a limited-time offering in the 1990s. It was particularly popular with younger customers and families. Domino’s eventually removed it to streamline its dessert options.
13. Bennigan’s Monte Cristo Sandwich
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The Monte Cristo at Bennigan’s was made by layering ham, turkey, and cheese between white bread, then deep-frying the entire sandwich. It was dusted with powdered sugar and served with raspberry preserves. It was high in calories but had a cult following. Bennigan’s still exists in a limited number of locations, but the dish is not available at all of them.
14. Chi-Chi’s Fried Ice Cream
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Chi-Chi’s offered fried ice cream as a signature dessert, using a scoop of ice cream coated in a cinnamon-sugar crust. It was quickly deep-fried and topped with whipped cream and honey. It became a standout feature of the restaurant’s dessert menu. After the chain’s closure in the early 2000s, the dish became rare in mainstream dining.
15. Hardee’s Frisco Burger (Original Recipe)
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The Frisco Burger had a beef patty, bacon, tomato, Swiss cheese, and a special sauce on sourdough bread. It was introduced in the early 1990s and marketed as a premium option. Over time, regional availability changed and the recipe was altered. The original version is no longer widely available.
16. Sizzler Malibu Chicken
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Malibu Chicken was made with a breaded chicken patty topped with a slice of ham and Swiss cheese, served with honey mustard sauce. It was part of Sizzler’s popular lunch combo meals. It gained attention for its sweet and salty combination. As Sizzler downsized, the item became less common and is now hard to find.
17. Boston Market Rotisserie Turkey
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Boston Market once served sliced turkey breast as part of its daily menu alongside gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. It was a popular alternative to the rotisserie chicken. The turkey option was removed in most locations as part of a menu simplification. Some holiday meals may still include turkey, but it is no longer a regular item.