1. Taco Bell Enchirito
The Enchirito, a unique mashup of an enchilada and a burrito, was a staple on the Taco Bell menu for decades, first introduced in 1970 and running until its initial discontinuation in 2013. The dish consisted of seasoned beef, beans, and onions rolled in a soft flour tortilla, which was then smothered in a savory red enchilada sauce and topped with melted shredded cheese. Its status as a long-running favorite led to a dedicated fan base that successfully petitioned for its return. Taco Bell has since honored this loyalty by periodically bringing the Enchirito back for limited-time engagements, often through fan-voted campaigns, underscoring its historical significance and ongoing popularity.
2. Burger King Cini Minis
These bite-sized cinnamon rolls were a beloved sweet treat that first joined the Burger King menu in 1998 and were a popular item throughout the late 90s and early 2000s. The Cini Minis offered a warm, gooey dessert perfect for breakfast or any time of day, served with a side of sweet icing for dipping. Their discontinuation in 2012 sparked years of petitioning by loyal fans who cherished the nostalgic comfort of the tiny, sugary rolls. Following a long hiatus, Burger King listened to the overwhelming demand, bringing them back for limited-time runs, cementing their status as a fan-favorite treat worth fighting for.
3. McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce
The Szechuan Sauce was originally a limited-time dipping sauce released by McDonald’s in 1998 to promote the Disney film Mulan. It was largely forgotten until 2017 when a mention in an episode of the animated show Rick and Morty reignited a massive, fan-driven demand for its return. This cult-favorite sauce, featuring flavors of soy, garlic, ginger, and vinegar, quickly became a social media phenomenon, with some original 1998 packets selling for exorbitant amounts online. McDonald’s has responded to the fervor with several limited-time re-releases, often making the sauce available exclusively through their mobile app, a testament to its current-day pop culture status and desirability.
4. Arby’s Potato Cakes
First introduced on the original Arby’s menu in 1964, the Potato Cake was a classic side dish that pre-dated the chain’s famous Curly Fries. These shredded potatoes were formed into a triangular patty and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown, offering a unique alternative to traditional fries. Despite their multi-decade run and loyal following, the Potato Cakes were phased out in 2021 due to the overwhelming popularity and prioritization of the Curly Fries. Their disappearance prompted an immediate outcry from fans, leading Arby’s to occasionally reintroduce them for brief periods, underscoring the strong nostalgic connection many customers have to this classic, rectangular side.
5. Wendy’s Superbar
Wendy’s expanded their salad bar in 1988 into the “Superbar,” a full-blown buffet concept that was unlike anything else offered in major fast food at the time. For a single price, customers could choose from three themed areas: the Salad Sensations section, a “Pasta Pasta” bar with various hot dishes and sauces, and a “Mexican Fiesta” area featuring taco and nacho fixings. Although the Superbar was a popular attraction, the logistical difficulties and operational costs associated with maintaining a fresh, comprehensive fast-food buffet ultimately led to its discontinuation in 1998. It remains a legendary item that offered an unprecedented level of choice and value.
6. Taco Bell Volcano Menu
Taco Bell’s Volcano Menu, featuring the iconic Lava Sauce, was a short-lived but fiercely beloved collection of items launched in the late 2000s. The Lava Sauce, a creamy, spicy blend of nacho cheese, red bell peppers, and chili powder, was famous for being one of the spiciest sauces the chain ever offered. The menu was anchored by the Volcano Taco and Volcano Burrito, which featured the sauce and red tortilla shells in some iterations. The menu was discontinued, but due to years of relentless demand, including numerous fan petitions and social media campaigns, Taco Bell brought it back for a limited time in 2023, thrilling those who missed the fiery flavor profile.
7. McDonald’s McDLT
The McDLT, which stood for McDonald’s Lettuce and Tomato, debuted in 1984 as the chain’s attempt to compete directly with rival burger offerings. Its unique selling point was the packaging: a two-part styrofoam container designed to “Keep the hot side hot and the cool side cool.” One side held the hot beef patty and the bottom bun, while the other contained the cold fixings, lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, and the top bun. The customer would assemble the burger right before eating. While the temperature separation was initially a hit, the sandwich was ultimately discontinued in the early 1990s, largely due to public pressure to switch away from the environmentally unfriendly polystyrene container.
8. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe
Launched in 1996, the Arch Deluxe was part of a major initiative by McDonald’s to appeal to a more “adult” palate. Marketed as a premium burger, it featured a quarter-pound of beef, circular slices of peppered bacon, leafy lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions, and a distinct mustard-mayonnaise sauce, all on a potato-flour sesame seed bun. Despite having the largest advertising and promotional budget in fast food history at the time, the item failed to catch on with the wider public, who often associated McDonald’s with simpler, less expensive fare. It was quietly discontinued shortly after its debut, becoming a famous example of a major fast-food failure despite massive investment.
9. Pizza Hut P’Zone
The Pizza Hut P’Zone, essentially a giant calzone, was first introduced in 2002 and became a popular, hand-held alternative to a traditional pizza. It was a baked dough pocket filled with various pizza toppings, like pepperoni or ham, and ample amounts of melted cheese, served with a marinara dipping sauce on the side. This menu item became closely associated with the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, often returning for limited-time offers during that season. Its compact, foldable nature made it an ideal food for eating while watching sports, which contributed to its status as a highly requested and nostalgic item that fans eagerly anticipate during its sporadic comebacks.
10. Taco Bell Caramel Apple Empanada
These flaky, dessert turnovers were a popular item on the Taco Bell menu for several years, offering a sweet ending to a meal. The Caramel Apple Empanada featured a golden, crispy pastry shell filled with a warm blend of sweet diced apples and a rich caramel sauce. It was a simple, comforting, and affordable dessert that achieved a substantial fan following. The item’s discontinuation resulted in disappointment among those who appreciated its balance of warm fruit, gooey caramel, and flaky crust, leading to ongoing calls for its permanent return, especially since Taco Bell has introduced various other limited-edition desserts over the years.
11. KFC Double Down
KFC caused a sensation when they launched the bun-less Double Down in 2010. This revolutionary “sandwich” replaced the traditional bread with two pieces of fried chicken fillet, enclosing two slices of bacon, Monterey Jack and pepper jack cheese, and the Colonel’s sauce. The dish became an instant fast food icon, stirring up significant media buzz and influencing a decade of “stunt food” by challenging the traditional sandwich structure. Though originally intended as a limited-time offering, its immense popularity prompted multiple revivals in various international markets, proving its enduring appeal. The Double Down remains a symbol of decadent fast-food innovation that fans would gladly welcome back to menus worldwide.
12. Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Wendy’s originally released a spicy twist on its classic Chicken Nuggets in 2009, and they quickly developed a loyal, dedicated following due to their distinctly seasoned breading that offered a noticeable kick of heat. Despite their popularity, the Spicy Chicken Nuggets were removed from the menu in 2017 as part of a move to simplify the menu. The widespread outcry, including a massive social media campaign fueled by celebrities and regular customers, convinced the chain to bring the item back permanently in 2019. The successful fan petition demonstrated the power of customer demand in fast food, proving that a truly beloved item can, in fact, make a permanent comeback.
13. McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie
Before 1992, McDonald’s famously served its Apple Pies deep-fried, not baked, in most US markets. This cooking method resulted in a distinctively blistered, super-crispy crust and a scalding hot, gooey apple filling. The shift to a baked recipe was part of an overall effort to offer ostensibly healthier menu options. However, the deep-fried version is often cited as a pinnacle of nostalgic fast-food desserts, celebrated for its unique texture and richer flavor. Although the baked version is the standard today, the original fried pie still retains a dedicated following, with a few international markets maintaining the classic, deep-fried preparation.
It’s fascinating to see how certain dishes hold a special, almost sacred place in our collective memory, tied as much to nostalgia as to flavor. Whether it’s a spicy sauce, a crispy side, or a revolutionary sandwich, these menu items prove that sometimes, the simplest things are the ones we miss the most.
Which legendary treat from this list is at the top of your petition? Add your thoughts in the comments, thank you.
This story 13 Fast-Food Menu Items We’d Start a Petition to Bring Back was first published on Daily FETCH
