Introduction
It’s always exciting when a beloved fast-food item makes a comeback. This year, several discontinued fast-food items have been brought back to the menu, much to the delight of fans. From the classic McRib to the beloved Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme, these seven discontinued fast-food items have been welcomed back with open arms. Whether you’re a fan of McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, or KFC, there’s something for everyone. Read on to learn more about these seven discontinued fast-food items that have made a triumphant return this year.
7 Discontinued Fast-Food Items That Came Back This Year
2020 has been a year of surprises, and one of those surprises has been the return of some beloved fast-food items that had been discontinued. From the McRib to the KFC Double Down, here are seven discontinued fast-food items that have made a comeback this year.
1. McDonald’s McRib
The McRib is one of the most iconic fast-food items of all time, and it made a triumphant return to McDonald’s menus this year. The sandwich features a boneless pork patty, barbecue sauce, and onions on a hoagie-style bun.
2. KFC Double Down
The KFC Double Down is a sandwich that features two pieces of fried chicken in place of a bun, with bacon, cheese, and the Colonel’s secret sauce in between. It was first introduced in 2010 and then discontinued in 2013, but it made a comeback this year.
3. Taco Bell’s Beefy Crunch Burrito
The Beefy Crunch Burrito is a fan favorite at Taco Bell, and it made a return to the menu this year after being discontinued in 2011. The burrito features a beefy crunchy Fritos-flavored filling, nacho cheese sauce, and rice.
4. Burger King’s Chicken Fries
Chicken Fries are a popular item at Burger King, and they made a return to the menu this year after being discontinued in 2012. The fries are made with white-meat chicken and are shaped like french fries.
5. Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets were a fan favorite, and they made a return to the menu this year after being discontinued in 2017. The nuggets are made with white-meat chicken and are coated in a spicy breading.
6. Arby’s Curly Fries
Arby’s Curly Fries are a classic fast-food item, and they made a return to the menu this year after being discontinued in 2011. The fries are made with potatoes that are cut into a spiral shape and then deep-fried.
7. Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust Pizza
Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust Pizza is a classic, and it made a return to the menu this year after being discontinued in 2017. The pizza features a crust that is stuffed with cheese and topped with your favorite toppings.
These seven discontinued fast-food items have made a comeback this year, and they are sure to be a hit with fans. So if you’re looking for a blast from the past, be sure to check out these seven items.
When major fast-food chains started announcing menu cuts last year, terrible news kept coming from all sides. Taco Bell pruned its menu of more than a dozen items, McDonald’s rolled back some of its most beloved features, like All Day Breakfast, and Subway canceled two of its most popular sandwiches. Fans were understandably upset, and many voiced their complaints on social media.
It seems that the chains listened because this year has been marked by a resurrection of fast-food items that disappeared in 2020, as well as some favorites that have been off the menus for years. Here are the most noteworthy menu returns we’ve seen so far. And for more on fast-food news, check out One Of Fast-Food’s Most Iconic Burgers Is Selling for 37 Cents This Weekend.
Taco Bell’s first move of the year was to announce the return of potatoes to its menu. The ingredient was unceremoniously cut during the height of the pandemic, which prompted months of fervent customer complaints on social media (and some pretty wacky moves to get the chain’s attention). Alas, Taco Bell finally relented and reinstated the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and Spicy Potato Soft Tacos to the permanent menu on March 11.
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And once Taco Bell was on a roll of delighting customers with long-gone-but-never-forgotten favorites, the Quesalupa got its 2021 resurrection. One of the most popular limited-time offers in the chain’s history was last seen on the menu in 2016, and not only did Taco Bell decide to bring it back for another limited-time run—the chain also made the item better than ever. The Quesalupa was upgraded to include 50% more cheese, making its stuffed crispy shell heftier than before. Unfortunately, the return of this favorite was short-lived and it was cut again in May 2021.
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McDonald’s first-ever flavor innovation with Chicken McNuggets ended up being a huge success with customers. Spicy Chicken McNuggets sold out almost as soon as they debuted last fall. And the nuggets weren’t the only spicy thing in high demand—the new Mighty Hot Sauce that launched alongside them proved to be equally appealing. The condiment was the first new dipping sauce introduced by the chain in three years, as well as the spiciest offering on its menu.
Naturally, customers were less than pleased with the news of the item selling out so quickly, so McDonald’s brought the spicy duo back for another run in February. And it seems like this time, they brought a bigger bag of nuggets with them, as there have been no supply issues to report.
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Riding the wave of ’90s nostalgia trends which sparked resurrections of the decade’s pop culture, aesthetic, and love of indulgent foods and beverages, McDonald’s brought back an oft-requested fountain drink that was removed from the menu in 2017. Hi-C Orange Lavaburst is now available at select McDonald’s locations, while its nationwide rollout is planned for June.
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Thanks to the pandemic, you may not be able to find All Day Breakfast at all McDonald’s locations anymore, but you’ll still find it in some. Our recent investigation unveiled that the pandemic-era rollback did not affect all McDonald’s restaurants across the board, as some operators will still serve you a McMuffin in the afternoon.
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According to reports, Popeyes has quietly brought back its chicken nuggets and is rolling them out at select locations. The item, which was cut from the menu back in 2012, has recently been spotted at select locations around the country, including Popeyes restaurants in Arkansas, Connecticut, Ohio, and Texas.
According to Chew Boom, they look a lot like the chicken patty from the chain’s famous Classic Chicken Sandwich—made with white meat and coated with a chunky, crispy buttermilk breading.
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While this is a return planned for later this year, it’s already making waves in the world of fast food. After the rotisserie chicken and roast beef sandwiches were cut from Subway’s menu last June, many customers and even operators wondered why the chain would do away with two such popular items. And the wondering is now over, because the sandwich chain is brought the two items back this summer, according to a report by Business Insider.
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