The 1980s were a great time for fast food. Chains were experimenting more, portions were larger, and menus were packed with bolder (and often stranger) ideas. Some menu items became legends. And when they were eventually discontinued, fans never really recovered. Check out these fast-food fan favorites that still get us nostalgic.
McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie
It was crispy and bubbly on the outside and searingly hot in the middle. McDonald’s deep fried their apple pies instead of baking them. The result was deliciously fatty and indulgent. If you bit into one too quickly, it was almost guaranteed to leave a burned hole in your tongue. People loved it.
Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer
This one is deceiving because the Bell Beefer looks like a hamburger but is really a taco in disguise. Taco meat, lettuce, and cheese were piled onto a hamburger bun. It was so filling and messy that some customers were confused by it. But plenty of fans welcomed a change of pace.
McDonald’s McDLT
The McDLT was legendary for one reason: it kept the hot part of the burger hot and the cold part of the burger cold. The beef patty sat in one side of the two-compartment container, while lettuce and tomato remained chilled in the other. The customer had to assemble it. It gave the sandwich a crafty, high-tech edge, even though its oversized, single-use plastic package would be the downfall of the McDLT in later years.
Burger King’s Yumbo Hot Ham & Cheese
The Yumbo was a simple sandwich, but for some reason, it was extremely comforting. Warm sliced ham, melted cheese, and a pillowy soft bun. Nothing more, nothing less. BK quietly retired it but fan requests to bring it back lingered for years.
Pizza Hut’s Priazzo
A Priazzo is thick, piled high, and heavy. Pizza Hut developed the dish as a more “mature” pizza that was closer to a traditional Italian-style pizza. It took a long time to cook, so families would gather around to eat it together as a meal.
Wendy’s Superbar
The Superbar was a meal builder that allowed kids to make their own meals. Customers ordered pasta, tacos, salads, and the fixings on top. The kids loved the options, and the adults enjoyed the cost savings. It was eventually retired due to its difficulty in upkeep and maintenance, but the fond memories still remain for those who enjoyed it.
McDonald’s Onion Nuggets
Before chicken nuggets took the fast food world by storm, they actually tested the market with onion nuggets. They were tiny bites of battered onion with a crunchy exterior and a soft interior. They didn’t last long, but fans say they never got the chance they deserved.
Burger King’s Original Chicken Tenders
Original chicken tenders were smaller and skinnier than modern offerings and had a light, crispy coating. They were simply seasoned and didn’t feel overly processed. When Burger King altered the recipe, diners took notice and still complain to this day.
Taco Bell’s Meximelt
The Meximelt was tiny but flavorful. Taco Bell stuffed seasoned meat, melty cheese, and fresh pico de gallo inside a steamed soft tortilla. It had a fresh, warm, comforting feeling and was great for a little midday snack.
McDonald’s Fresh-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies
Some McDonald’s locations used to bake their cookies in the kitchen. The smell of freshly-baked cookies wafting throughout the restaurant was mouthwatering. They would come out of the oven, gooey and warm. It all felt a little less like fast food and a little more like stopping at the bakery.
The following sources were consulted in the preparation of this article:
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
