Introduction
Fast food has been a staple of American culture for decades, and while some of the most popular items have remained the same, there have been some sides that have come and gone over the years. From french fries to onion rings, some of these sides have been discontinued due to changing tastes or simply because they weren’t popular enough. In this article, we’ll take a look at 8 discontinued fast-food sides you’ll never see again. We’ll also provide some healthier alternatives that you can enjoy instead. So, if you’re looking for a way to satisfy your fast-food cravings without the guilt, read on to find out what you can eat instead!
8 Discontinued Fast-Food Sides You’ll Never See Again
Fast-food restaurants are constantly changing their menus, and some of the most beloved sides have been discontinued over the years. Here are 8 fast-food sides you’ll never see again.
1. McDonald’s McDLT
The McDLT was a burger that was served in two separate halves. The bottom half of the bun contained the patty and the lettuce, while the top half of the bun contained the tomato and the cheese. The idea was that the lettuce and tomato would stay cool and crisp, while the patty and cheese would stay warm and melty. The McDLT was discontinued in 1991.
2. Burger King’s Onion Rings
Burger King’s onion rings were a fan favorite for many years, but they were discontinued in the early 2000s. The onion rings were made with a thick batter and were served with a side of ketchup.
3. Wendy’s SuperBar
The SuperBar was a buffet-style side that was offered at Wendy’s in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The SuperBar included a variety of items such as chili, nachos, tacos, and more. The SuperBar was discontinued in the early 1990s.
4. Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza
The Mexican Pizza was a popular item at Taco Bell for many years. The pizza was made with a crispy tortilla shell, refried beans, beef, tomatoes, and cheese. The Mexican Pizza was discontinued in 2020.
5. KFC’s Potato Wedges
KFC’s Potato Wedges were a popular side item for many years. The wedges were made with a crispy coating and were served with a side of ranch dressing. The Potato Wedges were discontinued in the early 2000s.
6. Arby’s Curly Fries
Arby’s Curly Fries were a popular side item for many years. The fries were made with a crispy coating and were served with a side of Arby’s sauce. The Curly Fries were discontinued in the early 2000s.
7. Burger King’s Fries with Cheese
Burger King’s Fries with Cheese were a popular side item for many years. The fries were topped with melted cheese and served with a side of ranch dressing. The Fries with Cheese were discontinued in the early 2000s.
8. McDonald’s McPizza
The McPizza was a popular item at McDonald’s for many years. The pizza was made with a crispy crust and was topped with cheese, pepperoni, and other toppings. The McPizza was discontinued in the early 2000s.
These are just a few of the fast-food sides that have been discontinued over the years. While you may never get to enjoy these sides again, you can still enjoy the many other delicious sides that fast-food restaurants have to offer.
Pop quiz time! What’s the best-selling item from McDonald’s? It’s not the Big Mac, the McNuggets, or the Quarter Pounder with Cheese. It is, of course, the fries. Fries have been McD’s biggest hit for generations and there’s no sign of that changing any time soon. The Big Mac is #2, by the way, according to Reader’s Digest. And funny enough, fries are #2 at Burger King, where the Whopper rules supreme.
There are many sides to choose from when you’re ordering off of a fast-food menu, and many are as much of a staple as the burgers, burritos, or sandwiches that anchor the meal. After all, “anchor” food notwithstanding, it’s the sides that make it a meal. Just not any of the sides featured here—not anymore, anyway—because these once-popular discontinued fast-food sides are gone for good.
Want to make your breakfast meal that much more amazing and not too concerned about excess fat and calories? Then Burger King’s Cini-Minis were your jam. We say were because these little rolls of tasty pastry that came with an icing dip are gone. But that’s probably for the better, as a four-piece serving had 410 calories and 14 grams of fat, including six grams of saturated fat, via Brand Eating.
Sign up for our newsletter!
A mini-meal unto themselves or a perfect lighter alternative to fries when you got that Big Mac or Chicken Sandwich, McDonald’s McShakers salads were only around for a glimmer in the early 2000s, according to Business Insider. They were replaced by larger “Premium Salads” in 2003. These were later dropped as well, and not replaced.
Taco Bell’s Cinnamon Crisps were delicious in and of themselves, but they were a bit hard to square up with the rest of the meal you’d get. The Cinnamon Crisps were sweet and, as the name suggests, spiced and crunchy, more like a cookie than a side. So they just didn’t quite work beside a beefy burrito or cheesy gordita. Or a taco.
Maybe it makes sense KFC got rid of their Potato Wedges: after all, they were essentially steak fries, and KFC is a chicken chain. Besides, according to FOX Business, the chain replaced their potato wedges with their “Secret Recipe Fries” which have proven to be a hit, so it’s not like they left customers high and dry.
Rice is not a fast food, in the technical sense of things. It takes a while to cook it properly, in other words. Which is all the more reason it was impressive that Popeyes’ Cajun Rice was consistently good. But what of it, for now it’s gone, according to Thrillist. The chain did away with this delectably spiced starchy side last year, right at about the same time they also did away with their Green Beans as a side option as well.
McD’s Onion Nuggets came and went back in the 1970s, so your chance to try them is a good four decades in the rearview and then some, according to BuzzFeed. And it’s really not surprising they didn’t make it, not with a name like “Onion Nuggets.” We’re willing to guess that with better branding this side might still be around because we all know deep-fried onions are a delight.
According to a Jack in the Box Fandom page, the chain’s Cheesy Macaroni Bites were a “short lived” menu item that, as you can guess, “consisted of battered, deep-fried triangles filled with macaroni and cheese.” Which sounds equal parts amazing and unhealthy. They made a splash in 2008 but were gone by 2009, lamented by some who shouted out on Twitter, but forgotten by most today.
The Pickle-O’s from Sonic Drive-In is yet another menu item that probably could have survived with better naming and marketing. (Looking at you, Onion Nuggets.) And in fact, according to Hack the Menu, you can still request these deep-fried pickles at some Sonic locations, you just need to have employees willing to go off-menu and prepare them from scratch. But as an official side, Pickle-Os have rolled up to their last window.
Steven John