The 80s weren’t just a time of cassette tapes and neon lights. The decade also brought us crave-worthy foods, from crazy snacks and candies to unique drinks and fast food items. Sadly, many of these have vanished for good. If you’re feeling nostalgic, here are the 10 most popular 80s foods you can no longer find—no matter how hard you try.
10. Marathon Bar
Who would have thought that eating a candy could feel like a marathon? Yup, we’re talking about Marathon Bar, an eight-inch candy bar that you can’t eat quickly. It was introduced by Mars in 1973, with a wrapper that included a ruler, so consumers can verify its length. Despite the quirky presentation, the product’s run lasted only until 1981 as it didn’t sell as much as the other Mars chocolates.
9. Space Dust
Remember Pop Rocks? Well, it had a spin-off called Space Dust, which was a powdered version of the original popping candy. The latter offered a more intense popping sensation, making it an instant hit among children. Sadly, Space Dust faced controversies due to its name and appearance, leading it to be compared with illicit substances. Sales declined and the product turned into dust by 1983.
8. Hostess Pudding Pie
Hostess Pudding Pies were a staple in the snack aisle of the 80s, and they were also the ancestors of the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Pies. The OG pies became a classic due to their grab-and-go format and satisfyingly sweet taste. However, as health consciousness grew, the pies’ high fat content contributed to their eventual discontinuation. But still, the filling and glaze were delicious!
7. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets
Before the arrival of Chicken McNuggets, we had Onion Nuggets from McDonald’s! This menu item was introduced in an effort to cater to the vegetarian customers. The bite-sized fried onion nuggets were also the alternative to onion rings but the former didn’t become as popular as the onion rings or the later-introduced chicken nuggets.
6. Slice Soda
In 1984, a competitor of Sprite entered: Slice Soda by PepsiCo. This soda was made with real fruit juice, resonating with the health conscious consumers in the 80s. The soda also had various flavors like lemon-lime, strawberry, fruit punch, and grape, to name a few. Despite its initial success, sales declined and the soda was replaced by Sierra Mist, and later on Starry.
5. Keebler Pizza Chips
Keebler was killing it in the 80s and 90s with the introduction of Pizza Chips, also called Pizzarias. This snack stood out in the crowded chip aisle, featuring chips made from actual pizza dough, with flavors like zesty pepperoni, pizza supreme, and cheesy pizza. During its first year, it reportedly made $75 million in sales! The catchy tagline also helped, and it read: “Tastes like real pizza, only louder.“
4. Bonkers Candy
One of the 80s kids’ favorite treats was Bonkers Candy. One fan from Reddit even said that it was better than Starburst and SKITTLES. Bonkers were rectangular candies with a soft, vanilla-flavored coating and a tangy, fruity center. The candy also had goofy television commercials that contributed to its popularity. Sadly, Bonkers were discontinued when they faced fierce competition in the candy market.
3. Wendy’s Superbar
Wendy’s did something ambitious back in the 80s, combining variety and affordability through an all-you-can-eat buffet called Superbar. It was more than just a salad bar as it allowed guests to access a Mexican fiesta bar (for building nachos and taco salads) and an Italian pasta bar (with dishes like fettuccine). It was an innovative concept that proved difficult to maintain in the long run.
2. Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer
Taco Bell once had its own take on hamburger called the Bell Beefer. It featured seasoned ground beef, diced onions, shredded lettuce and taco sauce, all served on a hamburger bun. So for those who were hesitant to embrace tacos, Bell Beefer was an alternative to enjoy Taco Bell’s flavors. Unfortunately, Bell Beefer was discontinued so the chain could focus on distinctly Mexican-inspired items.
1. Hi-C Ecto Cooler
Taking the number one spot is the neon-green, citrus-flavored drink that was associated with the “Ghostbusters” movie. Having the loveable ghost Slimer on the packaging also contributed to the drink’s immense popularity. The drink itself was flavored with orange and tangerine, a rebrand of the Hi-C Citrus Cooler. Ecto Cooler remained popular until it was pulled off the shelves in 2001.