McDonald’s has given us some wild, downright unforgettable menu items. But for this list, we’re going to going to focus on those that disappeared way to soon. All of them left a mark on us fans who still wish they’d make a comeback. Here are 12 McDonald’s items we seriously miss.
12. The Original French Fries (Pre-1990)
The McDonald’s fries you know today are different from the original recipe that captivated a generation. Before 1990, the secret to their unparalleled flavor was beef tallow. This rendered beef fat gave the fries a more savory taste that was hard to replicate. The switch to vegetable oil was a response to public health concerns about saturated fat.
11. McDonaldland Cookies
Remember the whimsical McDonaldland Cookies? These small cookies came in a box designed with the familiar faces of Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and the Hamburglar, and the cookies themselves were shaped like the characters. For many, they were an essential part of Happy Meals, and the memory of trading a Grimace for a Hamburglar is a sweet piece of nostalgia.
10. Fish McBites
What do you get when you shrink the iconic Filet-O-Fish into a bite-sized snack? That’s right, Fish McBites! These poppable pieces of flaky Alaskan Pollock came in 2013, served with a tartar sauce for dipping. While they were a fun way to enjoy a fishy fix, they didn’t have the staying power of Filet-O-Fish. The Fish McBites disappeared from the menu after their limited run.
9. Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait
The Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait was a go-to for a lighter, fresher breakfast option amid a sea of savory sandwiches. It featured a layer of vanilla yogurt with strawberries and blueberries, all topped with a crunchy granola. When McDonald’s decided to simplify its menu in 2020, the parfait had to go, along with the salads and grilled chicken.
8. Onion Nuggets
Before the Chicken McNugget, McDonald’s had a different kind of nugget. They offered Onion Nuggets in the 1970s, a savory snack that was a hybrid of an onion ring and a McNugget. These bite-sized morsels of chopped onion were battered and fried, offering a vegetarian-friendly alternative to burgers. The Onion Nuggets were quietly phased out, when its poultry-based counterpart became too popular.
7. McJordan Special
In 1992, Michael Jordan teamed up with McDonald’s for a signature meal called The McJordan Special. It featured a Quarter Pounder with smoked bacon, pickles, onions, American cheese, mustard, and a specially created barbecue sauce (a sweeter, tangier version). A gallon jug of the McJordan BBQ sauce was once sold on eBay for almost $10,000!
6. Fried Apple Pie
If you’re old enough to remember the original McDonald’s apple pie, then you know that it had a crispy, deep-fried pocket, bursting with molten-hot apple filling. Yes, fried. However, in 1992, in a nod to health concerns, McDonald’s switched to a baked version of the pie. While the baked pie is still an acceptable dessert, it lacks the satisfying crunch of its fried predecessor.
5. All Salads (Especially the Southwest Salad)
The McDonald’s salad lineup was surprisingly a hit, and the one we miss the most is the Southwest Salad. It offered a welcome break from the usual fast food fare, featuring a vibrant mix of greens, corn, black beans, tortilla strips, and a cilantro-lime dressing. In 2020, as part of the chain’s major menu simplification, all salads were sadly dropped.
4. Big N’ Tasty
In the late 90s, this is how McDonald’s answered Burger King’s iconic Whopper: with Big N’ Tasty. This featured a quarter-pound beef patty on a sesame seed bun, loaded with ketchup, mayonnaise, onions, dill pickle slices, lettuce, and a tomato slice. The burger was featured on the Dollar Menu, but the cost of producing such a burger for a low price became unsustainable.
3. Cinnamon Melts
Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey cinnamon roll? Well, McDonald’s offered its own unique take on this classic treat called the Cinnamon Melts. They were a deconstructed cinnamon roll served in a tray, with the pieces of dough drenched in a cream cheese icing with a cinnamon-brown sugar glaze. The Cinnamon Melts were removed from the menu around 2013, as part of the chain’s effort to streamline the menu.
2. McRib
The McRib has a cult-like following that eagerly awaits for its limited-time appearances on the McDonald’s menu. Its unpredictable return always generates a level of excitement that most permanent menu items can only dream of. The most recent “farewell tour” in 2022 was, of course, not the end, as the item made a return in December 2024. Until we meet again, McRib!
1. Szechuan Sauce
Among the popular discontinued items from McDonald’s item, the Szechuan Sauce stands out for achieving a mythical status. Originally released in 1998, the sauce was a limited-time promotion for Disney’s Mulan. It was sweet and savory, with hints of soy, ginger, and garlic. When the chain brought it back, it led to riots and outrage. The sauce made brief returns since then, with packets selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars on eBay.