Let’s talk about 12 fast food items we need back on the menu. Think about the special snacks and meals that made our taste buds happy. We’ll look back at why we loved them so much. Maybe it’s a burger that was perfectly crispy or a shake that was just the right kind of sweet. We dream about enjoying them once more. It’s like a fun food adventure that brings back the best memories. Are you ready to dive in and explore these lost treasures with me? Let’s get started!
12. Pizza Hut – Big New Yorker
Pizza Hut’s Big New Yorker, a 16-inch pizza with foldable New York-style slices, first hit the scene in 1999. Despite its early close-down, it saw brief returns in 2023 and 2024. Pizza Hut’s Big New Yorker pizza starts at $13.99 at most locations. Its big size and unique thin crust, topped with sweet marinara, pepperoni (classic or crispy), and Parmesan-oregano seasoning, might have been tough for Pizza Hut’s usual operations and not everyone’s favorite across the US.
11. Pizza Hut – Bigfoot
Let’s go back in time to 1993, the year Pizza Hut unveiled the famous Bigfoot. This was no ordinary pizza, either—it was a gigantic two-foot-long rectangle that you could decorate however you pleased. Pizza Hut made $5.7 billion that year. Bigfoot said goodbye in the late 1990s, despite its popularity, probably because it was difficult to fit into ovens and boxes and because creating a pizza this size required special skills.
Why should we bring back this giant? It is the ultimate sharable feast designed for any party, game day or family meeting. The Bigfoot would attract everyone’s attention once again relating to its sheer size and the possibility of being customized. Consider all the fun marketing: and not forgetting – everyone who grew up with it gets a nostalgia trip. Pizza Hut, bringing back Bigfoot could be a slice of genius. Let’s make pizza night great again!
10. McDonald’s – McDLT
McDonald’s McDLT debuted in 1985, With price of $3.00 in 1986 which is worth $8.15 today! It had a unique way of serving: a burger in special Styrofoam packaging. The hot beef patty stayed separate from the cool lettuce and tomato. This creative idea made sure the burger tasted fresh. Its catchy slogan: “Keep the hot side hot, and the cool side cool.”
But in 1998, the McDLT stopped selling. People worry about the environment. Bringing it back with eco-friendly packaging could make fans happy again. It would show McDonald’s cares about new ideas and the environment.
9. Burger King – Cini-Minis
Remember 1998, when Burger King had cini-minis? For those who don’t know, those were tiny warm cinnamon rolls that you can dip in delicious sweet sauce. They even cost a dollar or less. They were so tasty! But then, they disappeared in the 2000s. They probably stopped making them because it was difficult to make the sauce and people stopped eating unhealthy food for breakfast.
I think that times have changed now and it is time to ask Burger King to return Cini-minis. We should, not just because they were delicious, but because they remind us of good times. No other breakfast was so simple and sweet; we could all afford one or two easily. Let Burger King know that we miss Cini-minis and that we need them as a perfect way to start our days once again.
8. KFC – Potato Wedges
KFC launched their potato wedges way back in the early ’90s with a price range from $0.99 to $1.50 for regular or individual size portions. Those crispy and seasoned wedges very soon won over many hearts. But KFC stopped selling them in 2020.
A petition website was set up by potato wedges lovers, proving how much they loved the wedges. Bringing back the wedges now could make KFC look like they value customers. It would restore old memories of wedge lovers.
7. Taco Bell – Fresh Stuffed Pitas
Taco Bell gave people healthier food choices in 1997. They introduced Fresh Stuffed Pitas with options like Chicken Caesar, Garden Ranch, Veggie, and Classic Greek. These lighter options were a new idea for the fast-food business. With a price range likely to cost somewhere between $1.49 – $2.49. It showed Taco Bell trying new things on their menu. However, by 2000, the health food trend was over. So, Taco Bell stopped selling the Fresh Stuffed Pitas. Even though they are gone now, people who love fresh stuffed pitas still miss them.
6. McDonald’s – Mighty Wings
McDonald’s carried Mighty Wings from 1990 until 2004. They came back again in 2013. Mighty Wings were juicy, bone-in chicken, wings in bold and spicy breading. You could buy them in packs of three, five, or ten wings of price three for $3.69, five for $5.59, and 10 for $9.69. They came with different dipping sauces, like Chicken McNuggets.
Even though McDonald’s stopped selling Mighty Wings for a while because not many people bought them, they lowered the price to get rid of extras. Mighty Wings tasted different from McWings sold in other countries. Their unique flavor showed McDonald’s likes to create new foods. Bringing back Mighty Wings would make customers happy who want the unique flavor of bone-in chicken and spicy breading on menu items. It would prove McDonald’s can offer many tastes.
5. McDonald’s – Onion Nuggets
A unique vegetarian alternative that combined the concept of onion rings with the traditional McNugget, Onion Nuggets were first offered by McDonald’s in 1975. They ranged in price from $0.50 to $1.00. The bulk of McDonald’s customers still favored the classic onion rings, therefore even though these nuggets were exciting to them, they were only on the menu for a brief period of time before the Chicken McNuggets replaced them in 1984.
The fact that people still find them interesting implies that the snacks may be reintroduced, thus emphasizing how McDonald’s has always been creative and listened to their loyal consumer.
4. Taco Bell – Enchirito
A cross between an enchilada and a burrito with beef, beans, onions, red sauce, and melted cheese, the Taco Bell Enchirito has gained some popularity. There have been requests for its permanent comeback due to its loyal fan base and unique flavor profile. The Enchirito was removed from the menu multiple times since it first appeared in the 1970s, the most recent being in 2013, yet whenever it reappears, it always leads to excitement.
We should give the Enchirito another chance because of its popularity and the continued demand that has been shown through online petitions and social media. To get Taco Bell to notice, fans should continue to press for the dish’s comeback by posting about how much they adore it on social media and by raising particular hashtags. Because of its unique blend of flavors and textures, this well-liked meal stands out from the others on the menu.
3. Arby’s – Pizza Slider
Do you remember the 2017 Arby’s Pizza Slider? This was no typical snack—for just $1, you could get a tiny pizza with a bun as the crust, piled high with melted cheese, sauce, and pepperoni. Arby’s removed it from their menu in 2021.
Why should it come back? Its unique bun crust was a playful take on the traditional pizza, to start. It was the ideal portion size for a quick snack or to mix things up a bit during dinner. Even though Pizza Slider was discontinued, it’s still a popular topic on the internet sharing nostalgic feelings by pizza slider lovers.
2. Wendy’s – Frescata Sandwiches
Wendy’s launched Frescata Sandwiches in 2006 with a price of $3.49 and $4.99 for a combo meal , aiming to rival sub shops like Subway with a variety of deli-style sandwiches. Options included the Frescata Club, Roasted Turkey & Swiss, and more, all featuring meats, cheeses, and veggies on artisan bread. Despite their fresh approach, Wendy’s discontinued the line in 2007. The reasons included longer prep times, tough competition, and possibly higher prices.
Wendy’s attempt to experiment at menus and the difficulties of entering a new market are shown with the Frescata Sandwiches. Though inventive, they also show how difficult it is to strike a balance between providing fresh food and living up to fast-food standards, which serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the market and customer choice.
1. Taco Bell – Bacon Club Chalupa
Taco Bell‘s Bacon Club Chalupa, a different combination of grilled chicken, bacon, avocado ranch sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese appears on the menu as a special occasion. It is a premium alternative because of its fine blend of savory, creamy, and potentially spicy flavors. Its advertising shows these as highly pleasing, one of best courses of larger Taco Bell campaigns. Due to its success, this chalupa is expected to make a reappearance, demonstrating Taco Bell’s skill at creating unique fast food items.V