Fast food exploded in popularity in the 1960s and 70s. There were a ton of restaurants competing to offer the most unique and satisfying items to a growing audience of diners on the go – all at a good price point. Many of the chains that started in the middle of the 20th century fell away in the face of major competitors, but even the big boys ditched some of their most iconic menu items. Take a look at these forgotten fast food items and tells which ones you’d like to make a retun.
In an attempt to offer a meatless option for Catholic customers during Lent, McDonald’s introduced the Hula Burger in the early ’60s. The sandwich consisted of a grilled pineapple slice topped with cheese, served on a bun. It didn’t go over well, and the much more successful Filet-O-Fish which replaced it is still going strong today.
The Yumbo was a hot ham and cheese sandwich that debuted at Burger King in 1968. It was simple yet satisfying, featuring slices of ham topped with melted cheese on a sesame seed bun. Despite the popularity of this high concept ham and cheese the sandwich was discontinued in the mid-70s. In 2014, the Yumbo was brought back for a short run.
Before Taco Bell became known for its tacos and burritos, the chain experimented with a sandwich called the Bell Beefer. It featured seasoned ground beef, lettuce, and cheese on a bun, resembling a sloppy joe. The Beefer was a thing because some of their patrons still had their brains scrambled by items like tacos and burritos. Though popular in the ’70s, it was phased out as Taco Bell shifted its focus to Mexican-inspired fare.
KFC introduced the Chicken Little in the 1970s, a small sandwich that featured a chicken patty, pickles, and mayo. It was a popular option for kids or anyone looking for a light snack. While the Chicken Little made a brief return in the 2010s, it’s never been quite the same as the original.
Though introduced in the early ’80s, the McDLT has its roots in the fast food innovation of the ’70s. The McDLT was packaged in a special two-part container that kept the hot side hot and the cold side cold. While the packaging was innovative, environmental concerns led to its discontinuation in the late ’80s.
Frings were a magical mix of french fries and onion rings, introduced by Jack in the Box in the 1970s. Not only was this a clever way to give customers the best of both worlds in one order, it was amazing for anyone suffering from the late-night munches. These were clearly a fan favorite so we’re not sure why Frings disappeared from the menu, but it’s time to bring back this culinary mix up.
The Wendy’s SuperBar was a self-serve buffet introduced in the late 1970s, offering pasta, salad, and taco fixings for a low price. It was a hit with families, but managing the bar proved too labor-intensive, leading to its eventual demise in the late ’90s.
Burger Chef, once a major fast food chain, introduced the Works Bar in the ’70s, allowing customers to add their own toppings to burgers and sandwiches. The idea was ahead of its time, but the Works Bar had to be a drain on profits. Oh well, Burger Chef’s loss was our win.
Before focusing on burgers, Hardee’s was a go-to fried chicken spot. The chicken was so good that they were actually rivals of KFC in the 1960s and 70s. Their pressure-cooked chicken was juicy and flavorful, but by the 1980s, Hardee’s shifted its focus, and their fried chicken disappeared from menus. However, because Hardee’s is a franchise there are still some locations where you get friend chicken, you just have to do a little research.
Burger Chef’s signature sandwich, The Big Shef, was a double-decker burger that featured two patties with lettuce, pickles, onions, and special sauce. Burger Chef’s answer to the Big Mac, it was an all-timer of a hamburger sandwich but after the chain’s decline, The Big Shef disappeared, too.