McDonald’s is known for its iconic menu items—Big Macs, McNuggets, and those irresistible fries. But over the years, the fast-food giant has also introduced (and later removed) some fan-favorite menu items.
Whether due to cost issues, changing trends, or low sales, these items disappeared—but not before securing a cult following.
If you’ve ever craved one of these discontinued items, you’re not alone. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with 20 McDonald’s items customers still want back.
1. McPizza
Yes, McDonald’s really did try their hand at pizza in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. While it wasn’t quite like your favorite pizzeria’s pie, it was a fast-food take on a classic, featuring a slightly crispy, chewy crust with a cheesy, saucy goodness that people still remember fondly.
The downfall of the McPizza? Time. Unlike burgers that could be assembled in seconds, a McPizza took about 11 minutes to cook—way too long for a fast-food drive-thru experience. Eventually, McDonald’s phased it out in most locations, though a few held onto it until 2017.
Even though it’s been gone for years, fans continue to petition for its return, believing that with modern technology, McDonald’s could bring back the McPizza faster and better than before.
2. Snack Wraps
This one still stings. McDonald’s Snack Wraps were introduced in the 2000s as a lighter, grab-and-go alternative to their burgers. They featured crispy or grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, cheese, and a flavorful sauce (usually ranch, honey mustard, or chipotle) wrapped in a soft tortilla.
So why did they get discontinued? The official reason was that they were too difficult and time-consuming to make, especially compared to McNuggets and burgers. But that hasn’t stopped angry customers from begging for their return.
In fact, McDonald’s has repeatedly shut down rumors of a Snack Wrap comeback, but that hasn’t stopped people from hoping.
Some other fast-food chains, like Wendy’s and Jack in the Box, have launched their own versions of the Snack Wrap, proving just how much people loved them.
3. Arch Deluxe
The Arch Deluxe was McDonald’s ambitious attempt to appeal to adults by creating a more sophisticated, high-end burger. Launched in 1996, it featured a quarter-pound beef patty, crisp lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions, and a special mustard-mayo sauce on a potato bun.
The marketing campaign focused on mature flavors, positioning the Arch Deluxe as a premium burger for an older audience. But despite its unique taste, the burger failed spectacularly. Why? Because people don’t go to McDonald’s for “sophisticated” food—they go for comfort food and nostalgia.
Although the Arch Deluxe flopped, its sauce and flavor profile are still fondly remembered. Some fans believe if McDonald’s tried again, it could be a massive success in today’s era of gourmet fast food.
4. McDLT
McDonald’s created one of the most innovative burger containers ever for the McDLT. It came in a two-compartment styrofoam box, keeping the hot ingredients (the beef patty and bottom bun) separate from the cold ingredients (lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, and the top bun).
The idea? Customers would assemble the burger themselves, ensuring that the fresh toppings didn’t get soggy before eating. While the idea was brilliant, the use of styrofoam packaging was seen as environmentally unfriendly, and the burger was discontinued in the early ‘90s.
Even though the McDLT is gone, many believe McDonald’s could bring it back—this time with eco-friendly packaging.
5. Mighty Wings
McDonald’s Mighty Wings were their attempt to compete with KFC and Buffalo Wild Wings. These bone-in chicken wings were introduced in 1990 and brought back in 2013 for a limited time. They were crispy, well-seasoned, and had a bold spicy kick.
So why did they fail? The price. They were more expensive than expected, costing more than McNuggets, which turned off customers.
But many people loved the flavor and spice of Mighty Wings, and fans still hope McDonald’s will find a way to bring them back at a more affordable price.
6. Cheddar Melt
Few burgers have reached cult status quite like the Cheddar Melt. This limited-time menu item featured a juicy quarter-pound beef patty, topped with grilled onions and creamy cheddar cheese sauce, all on a rye bun.
McDonald’s brought it back a few times, but it never stayed for long, leaving fans craving its rich, cheesy goodness. Many believe it was one of the most underrated burgers McDonald’s ever made, and a revival would be a massive success.
7. McSalad Shakers
McDonald’s reinvented salads in the early 2000s with McSalad Shakers—salads served in a plastic cup. You’d add your dressing, put the lid back on, and shake it up for a perfectly mixed salad.
They were fun, easy to eat on the go, and popular among customers looking for healthier options. So why were they discontinued? McDonald’s eventually switched back to traditional salad bowls, but customers found them way less exciting.
Given today’s focus on quick, healthy meals, many people still ask for McSalad Shakers to make a comeback.
8. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets
Before McDonald’s gave us Chicken McNuggets, they actually had Onion Nuggets! These bite-sized, deep-fried chunks of onion were similar to onion rings, but shaped like nuggets.
While they were discontinued in the ‘70s, they had a small but dedicated fanbase who still talk about them today. Considering how much people love onion rings, some wonder why McDonald’s hasn’t brought them back as an alternative to fries.
9. McHotDog
McDonald’s has experimented with hot dogs multiple times, most notably in the ‘90s and early 2000s. The McHotDog was available in select locations but never caught on.
Why? Founder Ray Kroc personally hated the idea, believing hot dogs couldn’t meet McDonald’s cleanliness standards. Even so, fans in places where McHotDogs were sold remember them fondly and believe McDonald’s should try again.
10. McRib (Full-Time)
Let’s be honest—the McRib is technically not discontinued, but it only comes back for a limited time, driving fans crazy.
This BBQ-sauce-slathered boneless pork sandwich has a massive following, and every time McDonald’s brings it back, customers rush to get it before it disappears again.
Many fans argue that the McRib deserves a permanent spot on the menu, instead of coming and going like a fast-food mirage.
11. Chicken Selects
McDonald’s Chicken Selects were premium chicken tenders that were larger, crispier, and had a more flavorful seasoning than McNuggets. Introduced in the early 2000s, these white meat tenders had a loyal following and were often seen as a step up in quality compared to standard McDonald’s chicken options.
But in 2013, McDonald’s quietly removed them from the menu, citing low sales and high production costs. While they briefly returned in 2015, they never became a permanent staple again.
Many customers argue that Chicken Selects were one of the best chicken items McDonald’s ever had and should make a comeback—especially now that crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders are more popular than ever.
12. Big N’ Tasty
The Big N’ Tasty was McDonald’s answer to the Whopper from Burger King. This juicy burger featured a quarter-pound beef patty, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mayo—all on a soft sesame seed bun.
It first appeared in 1997 as part of a dollar menu deal, but it was discontinued in most locations by 2011. While McDonald’s shifted focus to Quarter Pounders, many fans still miss the slightly different flavor profile of the Big N’ Tasty, arguing that it was a better fast-food alternative to the Whopper.
13. McLobster
A lobster roll… from McDonald’s? Sounds surprising, but McLobster was actually a regional summer specialty in select locations, particularly in New England and Canada.
Made with real lobster meat, mixed with light mayo and served in a buttery, toasted roll, the McLobster was McDonald’s attempt at adding a seafood option. However, it was expensive to produce and never became a widespread success.
McLobster still pops up in Canada occasionally, but many American customers wish for its return—especially in coastal states where seafood is a big deal.
14. Hula Burger
The Hula Burger was one of McDonald’s strangest experiments. Created in the 1960s as an alternative for Catholic customers who avoided meat on Fridays, it swapped out the beef patty for a thick slice of grilled pineapple topped with cheese.
It lost out to the Filet-O-Fish (which was much more popular), but some nostalgic foodies wish they could give it another try. Could a modern version work today? Maybe, given the popularity of Hawaiian-style burgers with pineapple toppings.
15. Fried Apple Pie (Original Recipe)
McDonald’s Apple Pies are still around, but they’re just not the same. In the past, these pies were deep-fried to golden, crispy perfection, creating a flakier, crunchier crust that paired perfectly with the warm cinnamon apple filling.
In the early 1990s, McDonald’s switched to a baked version, citing health concerns and a push for lighter menu options. While the baked apple pie still has fans, many customers miss the original fried version, which had a richer, buttery flavor and more crunch.
The good news? Some international McDonald’s locations, like in the Philippines, still offer the fried version. But U.S. fans still hope for its grand return.
16. McStuffins
McDonald’s McStuffins were Hot Pocket-style sandwiches, introduced in the early 1990s. They came in different flavors, including pepperoni pizza, barbecue chicken, and Philly cheesesteak.
Designed as a hand-held, portable meal, McStuffins were a unique take on fast-food sandwiches. But they never gained the same popularity as burgers or McNuggets, leading to their quiet disappearance.
Given the popularity of handheld snacks and stuffed sandwiches today, some fans think McStuffins would thrive in the modern market if given a second chance.
17. McSpaghetti
Yes, McDonald’s once served spaghetti! Introduced in the 1980s, McSpaghetti featured pasta topped with a sweet tomato sauce and shredded cheese.
It wasn’t a huge hit in the U.S., but it still exists in McDonald’s locations in the Philippines, where it remains a beloved menu item. The idea of fast-food pasta may seem strange, but many people who tried McSpaghetti remember it as comfort food with a nostalgic twist.
Could it work in the U.S. again? Maybe—especially with the rise of quick Italian food spots like Fazoli’s and Sbarro.
18. Angus Third Pounder
McDonald’s Angus Third Pounder was introduced in 2009 as a more premium burger option. Made with thicker, juicier Angus beef patties, these burgers were larger than the Quarter Pounder and had higher-quality ingredients, including crisp lettuce, tomato, and fancier buns.
Despite their great taste, the Angus burgers were discontinued in 2013, mostly due to high costs and slow sales. However, with the rise of premium burger chains like Shake Shack and Five Guys, many believe that McDonald’s should bring them back to compete in the gourmet fast-food market.
19. Shamrock Shake (Year-Round)
The Shamrock Shake is an annual favorite, but fans hate that it’s only available for a short time. This minty green milkshake debuts every year around St. Patrick’s Day, but once it’s gone, customers have to wait an entire year to enjoy it again.
So why not make it a permanent menu item? Some fans argue that its seasonal availability is what makes it special, while others believe McDonald’s could offer it year-round like their vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry shakes.
Either way, demand for the Shamrock Shake is stronger than ever, and some locations even sell out before the promotion ends.
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