15 Discontinued Foods That Fast Food Customers Wish Would Make A Return

Despite some fast food menu items garnering a fan base, it appears they don’t always make the grade and are pulled for one reason or another. For example, Taco Bell came up with the Beefy Crunch Burrito – many thought it was a sure winner, but then it was gone. Then, you had McDonald’s McPizza or the Burger King ribs.

Millions of customers have asked the restaurants to bring back the iconic foods and, in some cases, have led to real results. For instance, Starbucks announced its S’mores Frappuccino would be coming back to its menu. After customers demanded the Cini-Minis be returned to the Burger King menu lineup, the company listened and the sweet morning food was reintroduced in 2018. Another Burger King menu item that customers demanded be returned was the chicken fries, which happened in 2015.

Despite customer demands and feedback, some fast food menus may never be resurrected. What are some of the foods you may never see again at a fast food restaurant?

Taco Bell (Beefy Crunch Burrito and Bell Beefer)

The Beefy Crunch Burrito was first seen on menus in 2011, which led to a fan following and organized movement never before seen in the fast food industry. The idea was to get the food on the menu permanently. Despite 73,000 members of the Facebook group dedicated to the item, Taco Bell still has yet to rule on the possibility of a comeback.

In the 1970s, Taco Bell came up with the Bell Beefer; its attempt at the burger world. In essence, it was a sloppy joe with taco meat, lettuce, onion and the mild Border Sauce on a burger bun. The creation lasted until the 1990s due in part to waning interest by consumers.

Wendy’s (Chicken Caesar Pita, Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty, Frescata Sandwiches and Salad Bar)

A customer favorite since the late 1990s, the Chicken Caesar Pita was Wendy’s version of the wrap craze that hit fast-food restaurants during this time. It included warm bread and low-fat Caesar dressing. It lasted three years before it was dropped from menus.

The company also ventured into offering a frosty flavor beyond its regular chocolate and vanilla version in 2009. It was known as the Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty, but it lasted a mere two years before being it fell to the wayside.

According to a 2000s commercial, the Frescata sandwich line was known as a “picnic in every bite.” The sandwiches were in response to Subway, but due to assembly and consistency issues, they didn’t last too long.

Wendy’s also had a superbar buffer in the 1980s and 1990s, where people could get all sorts of food that included Mexican food. However, this bar idea died in 1998 with the salad bar following in 2006.

McDonald’s (McSalad Shakers, Arch Deluxe, McPizza, Chicken Selects, McDLT and Onion Nuggets)

The McSalad Shakers lasted just three years, but it appears that some individuals would like to see it back.

In 1996, the company spent millions of dollars for advertising the Arch Deluxe with the hopes that it would bring in $1 billion in sales. However, it wasn’t as big of a hit as they had hoped and they stopped making it in the late 90s. But, a revamped Archburger was being tested in various locations using fresh beef in 2018.

The McPizza, as many called it in the 80s, was a pizza that the company had hoped would lure pizza lovers away from pizza chains. It was first offered as a full-size pizza before being downsized to an individual pizza. It offered various toppings including pepperoni and sausage. Only one McDonald’s still offers the pizza – in Florida – which did add pizza to its menu.

McDonald’s introduced its Chicken Selects to be a premium version to its chicken nuggets, using completely white chicken breast meat. While it lasted 11 years, the company took it off the menu in 2013. After social media took issue with McDonald’s over this, they came back in 2015 but lasted only the rest of the year.

The McDLT was served in a two-part container that ensures warm food on one side and cold foods on the other. It was a representation of improving food quality in the fast food industry.

The onion nuggets lasted a short time during the 1970s, ending shortly after it began, but no reason as to why.

KFC Double Down Sandwich

KFC introduced what many have said was the unhealthiest fast food sandwich ever. Made up of two deep-fried chicken breast fillets with cheese, bacon and special sauce, the company was only going to introduce it for six weeks. In just two months though, it sold nearly 10 million sandwiches.

Burger King Ribs

BK introduced pork ribs in summer 2010, selling nearly 10 million of them and running out a week before the offer was to end. For $8, customers could get lightly-glazed ribs using real meat (not frozen).

Sonic’s French Toaster Breakfast Sandwich

This was a two-in-one breakfast classic - eggs, bacon or sausage and cheese between two slices of French toast. Sonic discontinued this option but offers the Breakfast Toaster, eerily similar but without the French toast.