Before chicken sandwiches and bowls ruled the KFC menu, the chain had experiments the time left behind. We’re talking roast beef, barbecue ribs, and parfaits that vanished before most people could try them. Here are the 10 long-lost KFC menu items proving the Colonel wasn’t afraid to get creative.
10. Little Bucket Parfaits
Remember those tiny plastic dessert buckets from KFC? They looked like mini versions of chicken buckets, but filled with layers of pudding, whipped topping, and graham or cookie crumbs. Available in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, they were fun to peel open, sweetly nostalgic, and perfectly portioned for a little indulgence.
9. Country-Style Barbecue Ribs
That’s right, KFC once sold ribs! And not just any ribs, but saucy, tender “country-style.” Introduced in the 1970s, they were meant to prove KFC could do more than chicken. Fans loved the idea, but cooking ribs took too long for a fast-food kitchen, so KFC eventually dropped them. Still, the thought of pairing ribs with mashed potatoes and biscuits feels like a Southern comfort dream from another era.
8. Country Fried Steak
Speaking of Southern comfort, back in the ’80s, KFC launched the Country Fried Steak that made Southerners proud. It was a breaded beef patty, fried and smothered in white gravy, usually served with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and a biscuit. Some locations even offered it as a sandwich. Sadly, the beef didn’t stick, and by the late 1980s, the item faded quietly from the menu.
7. Kentucky Roast Beef (KRB)
Here’s a wild fact: in 1968, KFC launched a spin-off called Kentucky Roast Beef, offering roast beef sandwiches under the same “Kentucky” name that made its chicken famous. Locations popped up across the U.S., including Las Vegas, serving roast beef and ham sandwiches. But the math didn’t work. A roast beef sandwich was priced about the same as a full chicken meal, and customers stayed loyal to fried chicken.
6. Chicken Littles (Original Version)
Before sliders became a trend, KFC had Chicken Littles in the 1980s. These were tiny sandwiches with a crispy chicken patty, a pickle slice, and mayo on a soft square bun. They were cheap, snackable, and surprisingly filling. Fans adored them, and some even wrote letters begging KFC to bring them back, including Jake Gyllenhaal. Over the years, the name was revived, but the recipe is no longer the same.
5. KFC Snacker
In the early 2000s, the KFC Snacker was the go-to sandwich of those craving something quick and crispy. It featured a small breaded chicken strip on a sesame bun, topped with shredded lettuce and pepper mayo. It was easy to grab, easy to love, and priced for everyday cravings. Fans saw it as a cheap thrill, but by 2013, the Snacker quietly disappeared as KFC streamlined its menu.
4. Pickle Fried Chicken
KFC once served Pickle Fried Chicken in 2018, featuring the brand’s Extra Crispy chicken topped with a pickle-brine sauce and slices of pickles for extra tang. It was clearly inspired by Chick-fil-A’s pickle flavoring, and it divided fans completely. Some called it genius; others called it too weird. The campaign was short-lived, but for a few glorious weeks, KFC smelled like a jar of pickles.
3. Nashville Hot Chicken
In 2016, KFC hopped on the hot chicken craze with its own Nashville Hot Chicken. It was a crispy fried chicken drenched in a spicy, smoky oil, topped with pickles, and served with biscuits. Fans who couldn’t travel to Nashville loved having that fiery flavor at their local KFC. For those who tried it, Nashville Hot Chicken was a solid reminder that sometimes, KFC really can turn up the heat.
2. Finger Lickin’ Good Sauce
The Finger Lickin’ Good Sauce was tangy, creamy, and just right for dipping crispy tenders (or fries). It captured that “can’t stop eating” vibe the brand was famous for. But when the pandemic hit in 2020, anything involving “licking fingers” sounded like a bad idea, and KFC quietly pulled it from stores. It was also replaced by the tangier, sweeter and smoky “KFC Sauce.”
1. The Double Down
Nothing screams early 2010s fast food like KFC’s Double Down. It ditched the bun completely and replaced it with two fried chicken fillets, sandwiching cheese, bacon, and sauce. It was absurd and over-the-top. Late-night hosts joked about it, and fans lined up just to say they tried it. KFC brought the Double Down back a few times, but nothing beats the first shock of seeing chicken as bread.