Some foods just disappeared like they were wiped off the face of the earth. One day, they were everywhere—on restaurant menus, on grocery store shelves, and spread on dinner tables at homes. And then gone. So what happened? Did people just stop having them? Were they too weird for modern tastes? Here are 15 foods that you rarely see anymore.
Aspic – The Fancy Yet Unsettling Jello Mold
Believe it or not, there was a time when people thought meat suspended in jelly was the height of sophistication. Aspic was a go-to dish with lots of meats, seafood, or vegetables inside a see-through gelatin to keep everything moist and flavorful. Chefs in the early 1900s swore by it, but let’s be real—most modern eaters take one look at that shimmering, jiggly creation and immediately lose their appetite.
Baked Alaska – A Fire and Ice Dessert
A true showstopper, Baked Alaska combined the impossible: ice cream that somehow survived being set on fire. The trick was that a thick layer of meringue that acted as insulation. It was the kind of dish you’d see at high-end restaurants where servers dramatically lit it tableside. While it still exists in some old-school steakhouses, its theatrical nature made it too much trouble for modern kitchens.
Liver and Onions – A Nutrient-Packed but Polarizing Dish
For decades, liver was praised because it had iron, vitamin A, and protein, and it was a go-to meal, especially for parents trying to feed their kids something “healthy.” But the intense flavor, chewy texture, and strong smell made it a love-it-or-hate-it dish. As more and more people are leaning toward plant-based meals or light meats, liver and onions have pretty much disappeared.
Jell-O Salad – When Desserts and Vegetables Collided
Picture this: a wobbly green Jell-O ring filled with shredded carrots, marshmallows, and sometimes even olives (gross, we know). In the mid-20th century, Jell-O salads were more about being creative with food as brands encouraged people to mix in just about anything. These gelatin molds graced many a holiday table, but modern eaters prefer their salads fresh and their desserts less…bouncy.
TV Dinners in Aluminum Trays – A Meal and a Show
Before microwaves came into existence, frozen dinners came in foil trays that were neatly divided into sections. A meatloaf patty in one, mashed potatoes in another, and—if you were lucky—a small dessert in another section. The trays disappeared when microwave-safe plastic became the standard, making heating dinner even faster.
Cheese Balls – The Life of the Party (Once Upon a Time)
Not the crunchy snack, but the soft, creamy cheese ball coated in nuts, served with crackers at every holiday gathering in the ‘70s and ‘80s. These cheesy orbs came in flavors like cheddar and bacon or blue cheese and chives. While still found in some grocery stores, their popularity has dipped as party appetizers have become more upscale. You’re now more likely to see a trendy charcuterie board instead.
Chipped Beef on Toast – The Ultimate War-Time Meal
Also known as SOS (a nickname with a slightly cruder meaning), chipped beef on toast was a staple in military kitchens. It had thinly sliced dried beef in a creamy white sauce poured over toast or biscuits. While cheap and filling, it never won any awards for taste. Once common in diners and home kitchens, it’s now a thing of the past—unless you know someone who still makes it for old time’s sake.
Viennetta Ice Cream Cake – The Frozen Elegance That Disappeared
If you grew up in the 1990s, you may remember all the layers of crisp chocolate and creamy ice cream stuffed in a cake. It was advertised as a dessert made exclusively for royalty, and it somehow looked much fancier than your next-door store-bought ice cream tub. While it’s made occasional comebacks in certain countries, it’s not the grocery store staple it once was.
Waldorf Salad – A Hotel Classic That Lost Its Spark
Invented at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in the 1890s, this salad mixed apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts with a super creamy dressing. It had an old-school charm and was a symbol of fine dining. But with fresh salads and lighter vinaigrettes available today, its mayo-heavy dressing feels outdated to some people. You might still find it at a retro-themed dinner party, but it’s not exactly in high demand.
SpaghettiOs with Franks – The Kid-Friendly Classic That Faded
SpaghettiOs—those tiny, ring-shaped pasta in sweet tomato sauce—are still around, but the version with sliced hot dogs inside is much harder to find. Maybe kids today just aren’t as excited about soft, canned hot dogs swimming in sauce. Or maybe parents want fresher, healthier options for quick meals. Either way, this childhood favorite isn’t as common as it used to be.
Pudding Pops – A Frozen Treat That Melted Away
Jell-O Pudding Pops were another favorite snack in the ‘80s as they combined that creamy taste of pudding with the chill of a popsicle. Despite being so popular at that time, they disappeared from all stores. You can find some knockoff versions, but the OG formula is gone. Some say it was a victim of corporate changes, while others think frozen yogurt and newer ice cream novelties simply pushed it aside.
Fruitcake – The Holiday Gift Nobody Wants
Once a Christmas tradition, fruitcake was known for its dense, brick-like texture and long shelf life (thanks to all that alcohol it had). Some families even joked about re-gifting the same fruitcake year after year. Despite the rich history, it has mostly become a holiday punchline and only a few devoted bakers are still making it.
Crystal Pepsi – The Soda Experiment That Didn’t Stick
Back in the early ‘90s, Pepsi decided to drop a completely clear version of its classic cola (black version). The idea was to make it look pure and refreshing while still keeping the regular taste. It was futuristic, it was bold… and it was also weird. People were not at all ready for a soda that looked like Sprite but tasted like Pepsi.
Tuna Noodle Casserole – The Budget Meal That Faded Away
Back in the day, tuna noodle casserole was the ultimate cheap and easy dinner. If you had a can of tuna, creamy mushroom soup, some egg noodles, and a handful of breadcrumbs—dinner was ready and served. But nowadays, people are more into fresh seafood, so you’re way more likely to see grilled salmon or fancy seared ahi tuna instead of this old-school, throw-it-together classic.
Deviled Ham – The Canned Meat That Lost Its Place
There was a time when Deviled Ham was a lunchbox hero. This spicy, spreadable canned meat was an easy fix for sandwiches, crackers, or even a quick snack straight from the can (if you were feeling adventurous). But as fresher, less mysterious meats took over, deviled ham slowly got pushed to the back of the shelf—literally and figuratively.
Leave a comment