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Which Fast Food Item Was Popular The Year You Were Born?

Go back in time—one fry at a time.

Headshot of Rheanna O'Neil BellomoBy Rheanna O'Neil Bellomo
Tire, Motor vehicle, Wheel, Vehicle, Land vehicle, Car, Classic car, Muscle car, Hardtop, Sedan,

One of these classics is bound to bring you right back to childhood.

1

1975

Ingredient, Produce, Food, Font, Natural foods, Fried food, Fruit, Junk food, Recipe, Finger food,

Forget rings—McDonald's wanted to be very, very different in the '70s and decided to turn onions into McNugget-like form. We're not sure who would order these but they must bring back memories for some of you.

2

1979

Jack in the Box came out with Frings, a combination of french fries and onion rings. 

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3

1980

Ingredient, Cuisine, Recipe, Poster, Picture frame, Comfort food, Advertising, Sweetness, Peach, Dessert,

Taco Bell's tortilla chips dusted with cinnamon and sugar garnered a cult following, leading some people to continue petitioning Taco Bell to bring them back to this day.

4

1982

Finger food, Food, Ingredient, Sandwich, Bun, Dish, Recipe, Poster, Breakfast, Baked goods,

Way before the McRib was McDonald's chopped beefsteak, which was topped with onions and piled onto a long French roll—plus a "special recipe" steak sauce on the side.

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5

1983

Food, Ingredient, Cuisine, Vegetable, Leaf vegetable, Dish, Finger food, Produce, Baked goods, Recipe,
Taco Bell

Better than a Sloppy Joe, Taco Bell's Beefer was a play at the burger market—tossing seasoned taco meat with cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a pillowy bun.

6

1984

Ingredient, Food, Logo, Strawberries, Produce, Natural foods, Fruit, Strawberry, Cuisine, Bottle,

This lettuce and tomato burger was served in a specially made styrofoam container to keep the toppings cool and the burger hot. 

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7

1987

Bread, Finger food, Ingredient, Food, Cuisine, Bun, Baked goods, Tan, Snack, Dish,

Burger King tried not once, not twice, but three times to make mini burgers a thing at its restaurants. A direct play at White Castle's famously small patties, the BK Burger Bundles came in sets of six. 

8

1988

Finger food, Food, Bun, Font, Cuisine, Recipe, Baked goods, Dish, Fast food, Snack,

The Cheddar Melt was topped with sauteed onions and cheddar cheese sauce. It must have been popular because it was offered for a few short spurts in the '90s, too. 

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9

1989

Cuisine, Ingredient, Food, Dish, Recipe, Meat, Garnish, Fast food, Meal, Comfort food,

Back in the day, after 4 p.m., McDonald's used to whip up pizzas with red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and sausage. Oh what a time to be alive.

10

1991

Rolled chicken fajitas with green peppers and onions made for a faux Mexican option at McD's.

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11

1992

Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Dish, Baked goods, Snack, Comfort food, Recipe, Box, Packaging and labeling,
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Sure, you can still get a hand-held apple pastry at McDonald's, but it's not the same as the original fried version, which was discontinued back in 1992. That extra crispy, flaky pie was definitely horrible for you but it just felt so right.

12

1995

Before Taco Bell came up with the idea to partner with Doritos, it was playing with BLTs and folding lots of bacon into tortillas. 

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13

1996

Arch Deluxe burger was marketed at adults, offering a "premium" option for grown-up and elevated palates. 

14

2000-2003

Food, Cuisine, Leaf vegetable, Ingredient, Produce, Vegetable, Recipe, Vegan nutrition, Dish, Cruciferous vegetables,

The early aughts brought us a lot of kitschy things (marabou hair ties, tattoo choker necklaces) but one of the most fun things we miss are McDonald's shake-able salads. Pour on your dressing, pop the top on, and go to town.

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