20 Forgotten Fast Food Items From the 80’s That Need to Come Back
Before focus groups and market research dominated menu development, fast food chains weren’t afraid to get creative. The 1980s saw some of the most innovative and memorable menu items ever created – many of which disappeared far too soon.
Here are twenty forgotten fast food treasures that deserve another chance to shine.
McDLT – McDonald’s
The “hot side hot, cool side cool” burger was revolutionary. A special dual-compartment container kept the lettuce and tomatoes chilled while the burger stayed warm. Every bite was the perfect combination of crisp and hot until environmental concerns about the packaging ended its run.
Taco Bell’s Bellringer
A loose-meat taco filling served on a burger bun with lettuce, tomato, and mild sauce. Think sloppy joe meets taco – it was Taco Bell’s way of competing with traditional burger joints while keeping their signature flavors.
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Pizza Hut’s Priazzo
This Italian-inspired deep dish creation featured two crusts stuffed with meats, vegetables, and layers of cheese. More like a pie than a pizza, it rewarded patient customers with a unique combination of textures and flavors.
Wendy’s Superbar
An all-you-can-eat paradise featuring Mexican food, Italian pasta, and a traditional salad bar. For under $3, customers could sample everything from pudding to pasta salad. It was like having three restaurants in one.
The Original Burger King Chicken Sandwich
Before chicken sandwiches were everywhere, Burger King offered this simple masterpiece: a lightly breaded chicken fillet with lettuce and mayo on a toasted sesame seed bun. No frills, just perfectly executed.
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McDonald’s Fried Apple Pies
Today’s baked version can’t compare to the original fried pies with their shatteringly crisp crust and molten apple filling. They were like little handheld apple-filled chimichangas.
Roy Rogers’ Double-R-Bar Burger
A cheeseburger topped with thinly sliced roast beef and ham, served on an onion roll. It was like getting a burger and a deli sandwich in one glorious package.
Dairy Queen’s Cherry Brown Betty
Hot cherry filling topped with brown sugar streusel and vanilla soft serve. It was a perfect blend of hot and cold, crispy and creamy – like having your grandma’s best dessert at a fast food joint.
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Pizza Hut’s Big Topper
A rectangular pizza cut into strips, designed for sharing. The unique shape allowed for more edge pieces – perfect for crust lovers – and the family-style presentation made every meal feel special.
Hardee’s Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits
Fresh-baked breakfast treats that combined the flakiness of their famous biscuits with sweet cinnamon and plump raisins. They were like having homemade pastries without the work.
Arby’s Potato Cakes
Shredded potatoes formed into oval patties and fried until golden. They were like hash browns that went to finishing school – crispy outside, tender inside, and perfectly seasoned.
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KFC’s Chicken Little
A miniature chicken sandwich featuring a tender piece of crispy chicken with mayo on a soft dinner roll. At just 39 cents, they were the perfect snack or light meal.
Taco Bell’s Chili Cheese Burrito
Simple but perfect: seasoned beef chili and melted cheese wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. No lettuce, no tomatoes, no distractions – just pure comfort food.
McDonald’s Arch Deluxe
Marketed as a “sophisticated” burger for adults, it featured a quarter-pound patty with peppered bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion, and a mustard-mayo sauce on a bakery-style roll.
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Burger King’s International Chicken Sandwiches
A lineup featuring French, Italian, and American varieties, each with its own unique sauce and toppings. They brought global flavors to fast food before it was common.
Wendy’s Fresh Stuffed Pitas
Offered in varieties like Classic Greek and Garden Ranch, these were Wendy’s answer to the health food craze. They proved fast food could be both wholesome and satisfying.
Pizza Hut’s Mexican Pizza
A fusion creation featuring refried beans, taco-seasoned beef, and cheese between two crispy pizza crusts, topped with diced tomatoes and more cheese. It was like a crunchy enchilada in pizza form.
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Roy Rogers’ Gold Rush Chicken Sandwich
A breaded chicken fillet topped with ham, melted cheese, and honey mustard sauce. The combination of sweet, salty, and savory was ahead of its time.
Hardee’s Hot Ham ‘N’ Cheese
Thinly sliced ham and melted Swiss cheese on a toasted sesame seed bun. Simple ingredients executed perfectly made this sandwich a lunchtime favorite.
The Original McDonald’s Fries
Before changing their cooking oil, these fries had a distinct flavor from being cooked in beef tallow. The crispy exterior and fluffy interior created french fry perfection.
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The Spirit of Innovation
These menu items remind us of a time when fast food chains were willing to take bold risks and experiment with unique flavors and concepts. While today’s menus might offer more choices, they rarely capture the innovative spirit that made 80s fast food so memorable.
Perhaps it’s time for these chains to bring back not just these beloved items, but also the creative courage that inspired them.
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