As time marches on, fast food chains innovate and evolve their menus to cater to the changing tastes and preferences of their customers. Yet, amid the new culinary creations, there are fast food memories from yesteryear that remain iconic.
These fast food throwbacks hold a special place in the hearts of those who grew up enjoying them.
Let’s take a nostalgic journey through 11 such cherished fast food related items and ephemera.
11. Pizza Hut “Big Foot Pizza”
Pizza Hut introduced the Big Foot pizza in 1993. The pizza was huge, rectangular and had 21 slices. It was advertised to be a massive 2 sq ft of pie.
10. McDonald’s “Cookie Boxes”
Before McDonald’s sold cookies in 3-packs, they had mini cookie boxes available for purchase. These mini boxes were geared towards children but everyone got in on the fun. The animal crackers and cookies were a delight.
9. Taco Bell “Vintage Coupons”
Taco Bell’s coupons from the 90’s are a trip to behold. A Nacho Bellgrande for $1.29 and two tacos for just $.99? The same items today have increased a shocking amount and makes us long for the good ol’ days, with Taco Bell’s older more simple logo, and prices so cheap you could eat like a king for $5.
Does Taco Bell even send out coupons anymore or has the app rendered them obsolete?
8. KFC “Chicken Littles”
These dear little chicken sandwiches first came on the scene in the 80’s. Once they were discontinued, they didn’t make a comeback until 2012.
The sandwiches were about half the size of a standard Wendy’s burger and eventually came in a few different versions. The price was right, and they made an excellent snack. Maybe KFC will recognize they made a mistake taking them off the menu again, and bring them back once more.
7. Burger King “The Lost World”
In 1997, the sequel to Jurassic Park – The Lost World came out, and to promote the film, Burger King teamed up with the movie franchise offering movie-themed packaging and toys. Kid’s meals contained one watch with a Lost World theme. There were 5 versions, including the Dino Eye.
6. Taco Bell “Early 2000’s Menu”
The menu for Taco Bell back in the early 2000’s was of a much different ilk than we have today. It was set inside of a white frame with a plastic partition encapsulating it. The prices were also feverishly cheaper. If we had a time machine we might travel back to 2002 just to order the entire menu and then take it back to the future.
5. Little Caesars “Pizza By The Foot”
This snake-like pizza was brought onto the scene in 1996. It was a three foot long pizza served in a special box to accommodate it’s length and skinny width. The box had three feet of measurements on the outside of the box to showcase it’s size.
The pizza was eventually phased out, and hasn’t been back since the 90’s.
While the Pizza by The Foot is no more, Pizza By The Meter is actually still a thing in Saudi Arabia.
4. Wendy’s “Frescata Sandwiches”
Wendy’s Frescata Sandwiches were deli-style, cold sandwiches that were very different from their usual fare. They were available in the Frescata Club, Roasted Turkey & Swiss, Black Forest Ham & Swiss, Chunky Chicken Salad Frescata, and the Roasted Turkey with Basil Pesto.
They lasted on the menu just shy of two years before being phased out
3. Domino’s “Vintage Pizza Box”
The ‘vintage’ Domino’s box was a simpler version of the current design, and very recognizably 90’s. During this time the chain was also represented by having the TMNT as a mascot. Pizza Boxes went out the door with the crime-fighting superhero turtles emblazoned on them.
2. Taco Bell “Lunchables”
Lunchables came out with a Taco Bell line in 1998. It included varieties like Beef Tacos, and Nachos. If you were a kid during this time period, you remember them well. You felt like a sultan during lunchtime whipping this one out.
Sadly, they were discontinued. Along with a large part of our childhood.
1. McDonald’s “McDonald’s Bucks Gift Certificates”
These usually showed up in a stocking on Christmas or as a birthday gift. The excitement of getting these gift certificates in the form of McDonald’s bucks was just like receiving real money. They seem to be banished unfortunately…never to be used on a Happy Meal again.
These fast food throwbacks remind us of simpler times and flavors that, for many, are intertwined with cherished memories. Though some of these items have ridden off into the sunset, their legacies endure through the stories and nostalgia they’ve given us.
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