McDonald’s has been offering up beloved favorites for decades the Big Mac, golden fries, crispy Chicken McNuggets meals that almost feel hardwired into our desires. But under the long-running hits is a lengthy list of menu tests that never gained a permanent place.
Some were pioneering innovations for their time. Others were offbeat side trips that left customers bewildered. A handful became authentic fan favorites before disappearing for reasons other than taste. Whatever reason they were yanked, for operational issues, shifts in trends, or simply not selling, these products all made their mark in McDonald’s history.
Here’s a retro review of 12 old McDonald’s menu items the quirky, the innovative, and the much-missed.
1. Onion Nuggets (1975–1984)
During the early ’70s, McDonald’s tested Onion Nuggets bite-sized pieces of fried onion that were designed to provide a veggie alternative in a burger-heavy menu. Though the concept was ambitious, the onion-to-breading ratio was off-putting to customers, and the name did not exactly make lips water.
Although they were phased out by 1979, Onion Nuggets indirectly contributed to McDonald’s destiny. Their inventor, Chef René Arend, was talking with Chairman Fred Turner when Turner suddenly asked, “Why not chicken?” That simple question prompted the creation of Chicken McNuggets, one of McDonald’s best launches in history.
2. Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich (1979–1980)
This experiment menu went more upscale dinner fare. It consisted of a long beef patty on a French roll with slivers of onion and tangy steak sauce, only served after 4 PM. Although people loved the flavor, at $1.29 it was much too expensive compared to McDonald’s regular burgers, and it was an uphill battle to sell it to the chain’s value-conscious customer base. It existed quietly for a year before vanishing.
3. McDLT (1984–1991)
Designed to keep hot ingredients hot and cold ingredients cold, the McDLT came in a split styrofoam container one side for the patty and bottom bun, the other for lettuce, tomato, cheese, and top bun. Customers assembled it themselves, avoiding soggy toppings.
The packaging, however, became its downfall. As environmental concerns about single-use styrofoam grew, McDonald’s discontinued the McDLT in 1991 despite its fan following.
4. McLean Deluxe (1991–1996)
Riding the health wave of the early ’90s, the McLean Deluxe was billed as “91% fat-free.” It substituted some of the beef fat with red seaweed carrageenan to lower calories. Although sold with a healthy image, the burger couldn’t convert customers who thought it tasted dry and flavorless. It was discontinued in 1996.
5. Arch Deluxe (1996–2000)
Positioned as “The burger with the grown-up taste,” the Arch Deluxe was developed by a high-end chef and came with Dijonnaise, peppered bacon, and a quarter pound beef patty on a potato bun. McDonald’s spent a lot of money promoting, but the upscale positioning drove away families McDonald’s core demographic. The premium price and lackluster acceptance prompted its removal from the market in 2000, a costly failure one of McDonald’s priciest.
6. McSalad Shakers (2000–2003)
Even before grab-and-go salads became mainstream, McDonald’s introduced McSalad Shakers tall cups that could be used in car cup holders. Customers poured in dressing, shook the cup, and had a completely mixed salad in transit. They came in Garden, Chef, and Grilled Chicken Caesar flavors and provided convenience and uniqueness.
Though well-received, McSalad Shakers only remained on the menu for three years before they were replaced with regular salads in 2003.
From Experiments to Fan Favorites
Whereas some foods never gained traction with consumers, some gained a cult following before vanishing through circumstances that had little to do with flavor. The following six menu items won real hearts and are still remembered today.
7. Chicken Selects (2004–2013)
Chicken Selects provided premium chicken strips with breading flavored with herbs and spices and meat full of juice an upscale option to McNuggets. They gained a loyal following and even came back for a brief time under a different name, Buttermilk Crispy Tenders.
Though popular, they were phased out in 2013. Spotty returns never lasted long enough to quench devoted fans’ thirst.
8. Snack Wraps (2006–2016)
Snack Wraps tortilla-wrapped chicken strips with honey mustard or ranch became overnight sensations for their convenience and taste. Consumers adored them as a less-filling alternative to burgers.
However, they were time-consuming to prepare during peak hours, and McDonald’s ultimately chose speed over keeping them on the menu. They were removed in 2016, though rumors suggest they may return as part of the McCrispy line.
9. Cinnamon Melts (2007–2017)
Cinnamon Melts were a gooey, warm dessert that had cream cheese icing on top and was really just a deconstructed cinnamon roll in a cup. A breakfast and dessert staple for 10 years, they were discontinued in 2017. People still demand their return.
10. Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait (2000–2022)
This lighter menu item had layers of yogurt, berries, and granola in a clear cup. A 22-year breakfast staple, it vanished under COVID-related menu streamlining to hasten service. Several regulars still lament its absence.
11. McPizza (1980s–1990s)
McDonald’s attempted to compete with pizza chains through family-sized and individual-sized pizzas in multiple flavors. But its 11-minute cook time did not mesh with the chain’s fast-service model.
It was discontinued from most menus during the early ’90s, although a handful of international locations and one Orlando location continue to serve it, perpetuating the myth.
12. Hula Burger (1963)
Ray Kroc rolled out the Hula Burger as a meatless alternative during Lent, with grilled pineapple and cheese on a bun. It competed with franchisee Lou Groen’s Filet-O-Fish in a one-day test of sales. The outcome: 350 Filet-O-Fish versus a mere 6 Hula Burgers. The pineapple burger was yanked right away, and the fish sandwich became a McDonald’s favorite.
A Legacy of Hits, Misses, and What-Ifs
These 12 discontinued menu items each have a story to tell about McDonald’s eagerness to experiment sometimes ahead of the times, sometimes out of sync with its customers. From the eco-lethal McDLT to the popular but labor-intensive Snack Wraps, they all show shifting tastes, operational considerations, and daring gambles that didn’t always pay dividends.
Some were unequivocal mistakes. Others were merely casualties of changing business requirements. But all of them serve as reminders that even in the most successful fast food chain in the world, not every concept turns into a classic although a few still remain close to customers’ hearts. And who knows? With McDonald’s track record of bringing back fans’ favorites, we may see one or two make an unexpected comeback.
