McDonald’s has served millions of customers with iconic menu items. Some became legends, while others vanished despite their popularity. Let’s see what made them unique and why they disappeared. You might just want to sign petitions to bring these back.
Mighty Wings
In 1990, McDonald’s challenged traditional wing restaurants by introducing Mighty Wings. These bone-in, spicy chicken wings had a crispy coating and a punch of heat. While the taste won over many customers, the high price compared to competitors like KFC and Wingstop hurt sales.
McPizza
In the late 1980s, McDonald’s entered the pizza market with the McPizza. It was available in several varieties and aimed to offer families more dinner options. However, the biggest drawback was the wait time. Unlike burgers and fries, the McPizza took around 10 minutes to prepare. It frustrated customers who expected a fast meal.
Arch Deluxe
McDonald’s invested millions in marketing the Arch Deluxe in the mid-1990s, branding it as a sophisticated adult burger. It featured a quarter-pound patty, fancy Dijon mustard sauce, and a bakery-style bun. The problem? McDonald’s core audience wasn’t interested in a premium, upscale burger. Most customers preferred their usual Big Macs and Quarter Pounders.
McSalad Shakers
The McSalad Shakers debuted in the early 2000s as a new way to enjoy salads on the go. Served in a tall plastic cup, customers would pour in the dressing and shake it up to eat. Some found the cup awkward when using a fork, but the bigger issue was low sales. McDonald’s eventually moved to premium salads in bowls.
Cinnamon Melts
McDonald’s Cinnamon Melts were the fast-food equivalent of a cinnamon roll, featuring gooey dough covered in warm cinnamon sugar and icing. They became a breakfast favorite for many, offering a sweet alternative to McMuffins and hash browns. Despite their popularity, they quietly (but tragically) disappeared in the late 2010s.
McDLT
The McDLT was McDonald’s attempt to keep the hot and cool ingredients cool. It featured a two-compartment styrofoam container that separated the hot beef patty from the fresh lettuce and tomato until the customer combined them. While fans appreciated the freshness, excessive styrofoam packaging led to environmental concerns.
McRib
The McRib is McDonald’s greatest disappearing act. Introduced in 1981, this boneless pork sandwich coated in tangy barbecue sauce has been an on-again, off-again menu item for decades. While it has a passionate fanbase, McDonald’s uses its limited availability to create hype. The reality is that its irregular appearances keep it profitable.
Cheddar Melt
The Cheddar Melt was a dream come true for cheese lovers. It featured a beef patty smothered in a rich cheddar cheese sauce with sauteed onions on a rye bun. It was first introduced in the 1980s and had a unique flavor compared to the usual McDonald’s fare. Unfortunately, it never gained widespread popularity.
McHotDog
McDonald’s experimented with hot dogs in several markets. However, the idea never indeed caught on. One reason was founder Ray Kroc’s belief that hot dogs were too risky due to quality control concerns. Another issue was brand identity. Customers associate McDonald’s with burgers, not hot dogs, so the item feels out of place.
Hula Burger
The Hula Burger was McDonald’s early attempt to offer a meatless option for Catholic customers abstaining from meat on Fridays. Instead of a beef patty, it featured grilled pineapple with cheese on a bun. However, it struggled when compared to the Filet-O-Fish, which was introduced around the same time.
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