Over the years, McDonald’s has delighted customers with a wide range of menu items, some of which have become beloved classics. However, there are also items that, despite being discontinued, continue to hold a special place in the hearts of McDonald’s fans. Here are ten discontinued McDonald’s items that customers are clamoring to see make a comeback:
1. McPizza: A Slice of Nostalgia
- McDonald’s McPizza was an ambitious attempt by the fast-food giant to enter the pizza market in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite its eventual discontinuation due to operational challenges and lengthy wait times, McPizza holds a special place in the hearts of many McDonald’s enthusiasts.
- Fans reminisce about the unique taste of McDonald’s pizza, with its signature crust, savory sauce, and gooey cheese. The nostalgia associated with McPizza drives customers to reminisce about the times they enjoyed this beloved menu item and eagerly anticipate its potential return to McDonald’s menus.
2. McRib: The Iconic Limited-Time Offer
- The McRib is a legendary McDonald’s offering that periodically resurfaces on the menu for limited-time promotions, much to the delight of its devoted fan base. With its tangy barbecue sauce, tender pork patty, and iconic rib-shaped appearance, the McRib has become synonymous with anticipation and excitement among McDonald’s customers.
- Its cult-like following eagerly awaits its return, often driving long distances or monitoring social media for announcements of its availability at their local McDonald’s restaurants.
3. Arch Deluxe: A Sophisticated Burger
- The Arch Deluxe was introduced by McDonald’s in the mid-1990s as a more upscale burger option aimed at adults. Marketed as a sophisticated choice with a quarter-pound beef patty, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions, and a secret mustard and mayonnaise sauce, the Arch Deluxe failed to resonate with consumers and was eventually discontinued. However, its unique flavor profile and premium ingredients still linger in the memories of those who tried it, leading to nostalgic cravings for its return among McDonald’s fans.
4. Onion Nuggets: A Crispy Side
- Onion Nuggets were a popular side item at McDonald’s in the 1970s and 1980s, offering a crispy coating and flavorful onion filling. Similar in concept to chicken nuggets but with a distinctive onion flavor, Onion Nuggets provided a satisfying crunch and savory taste that many customers fondly remember.
- Despite their discontinuation, fans of Onion Nuggets continue to reminisce about the simple pleasure of enjoying these bite-sized snacks alongside their favorite McDonald’s meals.
5. McSalad Shakers: Salad On-the-Go
- McSalad Shakers were a convenient and portable option for customers looking to enjoy a fresh salad on the go. Served in a plastic cup with a domed lid, McSalad Shakers allowed customers to shake the salad and dressing together, ensuring even flavor distribution. With various salad options and dressings, McSalad Shakers appealed to health-conscious consumers seeking a lighter alternative to traditional fast food fare.
- Despite their popularity, McSalad Shakers were eventually removed from the menu, leaving fans longing for their return and reminiscing about their convenience and freshness.
6. Chicken Selects: Premium Chicken Strips
- Chicken Selects were introduced by McDonald’s as a premium chicken offering, featuring larger, higher-quality chicken strips compared to the chain’s other chicken menu items. Made with all-white meat chicken and served with a choice of dipping sauces, Chicken Selects quickly gained a loyal following among McDonald’s customers.
- Despite their popularity, Chicken Selects were discontinued in some regions, leaving fans craving their juicy and tender texture and their satisfying crunch. The absence of Chicken Selects from McDonald’s menus has sparked calls for their return among those who fondly remember their delicious flavor and satisfying bite.
7. McDLT: Keep It Hot, Keep It Cool
- The McDLT was a unique McDonald’s offering featuring a burger with hot ingredients (such as the beef patty and bottom bun) on one side of a divided container and cold ingredients (like lettuce, tomato, and mayo) on the other. This innovative packaging kept the hot and cold components separate until the customer was ready to assemble the burger, ensuring maximum freshness and crispness. Despite its popularity and appeal, the McDLT was discontinued, leaving fans nostalgic for its fresh taste and innovative packaging.
- Many customers fondly recall the excitement of assembling their McDLT burgers and savoring hot and cold ingredients in each bite.
8. Cheddar Melt: A Cheesy Delight
- The Cheddar Melt was a savory and indulgent McDonald’s menu item that featured a beef patty topped with grilled onions and a generous amount of melted cheddar cheese, all sandwiched between a toasted rye bun. The Cheddar Melt quickly became a favorite among cheeseburger enthusiasts with its rich flavor profile and satisfying texture.
- However, despite its popularity, the Cheddar Melt was eventually discontinued, much to the disappointment of its loyal fans. Many customers still reminisce about the mouthwatering combination of flavors in the Cheddar Melt and eagerly await its potential return to McDonald’s menus.
9. McHotDog: A Classic Fast Food Staple
- The McHotDog was a classic fast food staple once a fixture on many international McDonald’s menus. The McHotDog offered a simple and satisfying meal option for customers of all ages, featuring a grilled beef hot dog served in a warm bun. Despite its popularity in markets outside the United States, the McHotDog was eventually discontinued in the U.S., leaving fans nostalgic for its familiar taste and convenient appeal. Many customers fondly remember enjoying McHotDogs as a quick and satisfying meal option and hope to see them return on McDonald’s menus.
10. McDonaldland Cookies: Childhood Memories
- McDonaldland Cookies was a beloved childhood favorite for many McDonald’s customers, featuring cookies shaped like characters from McDonald’s advertising, such as Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and the Hamburglar. With their colorful designs and sweet flavor, McDonaldland Cookies were a popular treat for kids and adults, often served as part of McDonald’s Happy Meals or sold separately as a snack.
- Despite their discontinuation, McDonald’s Cookies hold a special place in the hearts of those who fondly remember the joy of collecting and eating these whimsical treats. Many customers look back on their childhood memories of enjoying McDonald’s Cookies with nostalgia and hope to see them return to McDonald’s menus for a new generation to want.
These discontinued McDonald’s items evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing among customers who fondly remember their unique flavors, innovative concepts, and childhood memories. Whether it’s the taste of a classic McPizza, the convenience of McSalad Shakers, or the notion of McDonaldland Cookies, these items hold a special place in the hearts of McDonald’s enthusiasts.
While McDonald’s continues to introduce new menu items and innovate its offerings, the enduring popularity of these discontinued classics is a testament to their lasting impact on the fast-food landscape and the fond memories they evoke among customers of all ages.