8 discontinued fast food menu items that need to come back

Would you take a bite of Onion Nuggets, Peg-Legs and the Bell Beefer again?

Fast food is as American as McDonald's fried Apple Pies. We are constantly innovating, finding ways to turn chicken fingers into Chicken Fries and Chicken Rings.

Yet for every smash success like the McRib, the menu board is littered with fast food failures like McSpaghetti, McLobster and the Hula Burger, a pineapple ring covered in cheese. (Really! McDonald's once tried to sell this sandwich.)

Some items just come and go with the times. The following are sandwiches and snacks that fell out of fashion. We would probably eat all of them right now, against our better judgement. What do you do miss most?

Top image: Thinkstock

1. The Bell Beefer at Taco Bell

The Bell got into the sandwich game in the mid-'70s with this, essentially a Sloppy Joe made from taco meat. The chain has always been clever with finding new ways to rearrange it's five core ingredients. Perhaps they just wanted to stop buying buns?

Image: The Daily Meal

2. Burger Bundles at Burger King

Awww, little tiny baby hamburgers! Sure, this 1987 launch was not the most original idea — just ask White Castle and Krystal — but we feel less guiltly eating one than a Whopper. Until we eat three of them.


Image: YouTube

3. McDLT at McDonald's

The hot stayed hot, and the cool stayed cool. Just ask Jason Alexander, who sings and dances down the street in this vintage 1980s commercial. This was more a packaging invention than a new item, honestly, with a two-chambers styrofoam box separating hamburger halves.


Image: Demagaga

4. Onion Nuggets at McDonald's

In the mid-'70s, McD's experimented with a new way of slicing the onion — chunks instead of rings. At least we know what's in them.

Image: Grist

5. Peg-Legs at Long John Silver's

Why get a chicken drumstick from a seafood joint? Because they fried the legs in the fluffier fish batter.

Image: Flickr / Waffle Whiffer

6. The Superbar at Wendy's

The redhead offered up a sprawling salad and hot bar with taco-building tools, a pasta station, fruit and more. All you can eat. For $2.99. The 1980s nirvana did not last, perhaps because people ate into profits.


Image: YouTube

7. The Whaler at Burger King

Burger King took to the seas in 1975 with the Whaler, its first fish sandwich. They still have a fish sandwich, of course, but we miss this logo, much like the beloved Hartford Whalers of the NHL. Same color scheme, too! The Whaler made a return in 1983.


Image: eBay

8. The Yumbo at Burger King

Bk brought back this ham and cheese sandwich a year ago, though it was doubled in size (naturally). All brown, pink and yellow, he Yumbo was the early-'70s on a sesame seed bun.

Image: eBay

9. Bonus: McDonald's Fries fried in beef tallow

They will never taste the same. Alas. Stupid health.

Image: Giphy

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11 Comments

JDnHuntsvilleAL 31 months ago
I'm not a McDonald's fan, but I would go there for Onion Nuggets. I love all forms of fried onions.
RedSamRackham 36 months ago
* Popeye's needs to bring back Cajun Rice and Corn On The Cob, my 2 favorite sides! ♣
Dan 36 months ago
I about lived on Bellbeefers, Whalers and Yumbos back in the late 70's. They were all delicious!
NickOtoole 45 months ago
If you take Interstate 75 from Detroit, MI USA to the Ambassador Bridge which leads into Canada. All the McDonald's there sell whole pizzas there. I just wish the USA restaurants came out with them!
NickOtoole 45 months ago
BURGER KING - SECRET SANDWICH - IT'S BACK EVERY DAY!! - The Ham & Cheese Sandwich comes with mayo, lettuce, 2 sliced tomatoes, 4 slices of ham, 2 slices of american cheese on a cooked hamburger bun. Then microwave the meat & cheese only on the cooked bun. but be careful contents can burn your lips & gums if hot, let it cool down. Additional toppings is available for additional cost. This item is available every day after breakfast at any USA Burger King, But its not listed on the menu boards. - Former Burger King Employee. Posted June 27, 2020.
NickOtoole 45 months ago
BURGER KING - SECRET SANDWICH - IT'S BACK !! - "The Fish Sandwich" aka "The Whaler" comes with tartar sauce on top and bottom buns, lettuce on top bun. Additional toppings is available for an additional charge. Ask for it hot and they'll microwave the fish on the cooked bun. but be careful contents can burn your gums if hot, let it cool down. This item is available every day at any USA Burger King after breakfast hours, But its not listed on their menu boards. Ask the cashier that you want one made "FRESH" trust me on this, unless you want to become sick. The wait time is appx 5-10 minutes for a fresh version. Regular Version - As the fish is usually frozen, cooked in 375 degree Farnheight vegetable oil and put into a covered metal container that could litterly sit there in room temperature forever until someone orders one (not under heat lamp) and then when an order comes up, they would refry that same fish for a few minutes before making it a sandwich and serving it to you. - Former Burger King Employee
Joe 47 months ago
In the early 90's, I had it once…… but, I thought the “McPizza” was good AND convenient! While researching to fact check my comment here, I JUST discovered, that as of less than three years ago, there was one location, here in the U.S., that was still selling 'em! https://tinyurl.com/yb6a5kvk
NickOtoole Joe 45 months ago
If you take Interstate 75 from Detroit, MI USA to the Ambassador Bridge which leads into Canada. All the McDonald's there sell whole pizzas there. I just wish the USA restaurants came out with them!
JDnHuntsvilleAL 48 months ago
The BK Whaler was my mom's favorite.
JDnHuntsvilleAL 45 months ago
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