KFC is Bringing Back These Fan-Fave Menu Items (Plus Other Foods We Wish Would Return)

What if you could eat your favorite discontinued fast food menu item just one more time? Fast food has always played a role in shaping American culture, with certain limited-time and discontinued menu items becoming pop culture phenomena in their own right. These faves don't always return to menus, but what happens when they do?

Fast food fans got a double dose of nostalgia this week when KFC announced the return of not one, but two beloved menu items. Will it pave the way for other fast food comebacks? The resurgence of retro menu items reflects a larger trend in 2025: brands leveraging nostalgia to re-engage old customers while also attracting a new generation. With this in mind, what menu items do fans still long for, items that may indeed have their time on menus once more?

247 Tempo brings you some of the beloved fast food items that fans want back or have already rallied to bring back. You'll learn what fans love about these items, why they disappeared, and whether there's hope of seeing them again. Keep that hope alive; many of these delicious dishes have made a triumphant return this year alone!

This post was updated on August 12th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

These inventive chicken bites from KFC came with a cup and seasoning packet you’d shake yourself. Kids especially loved the interactive element, as this was a popular way to package chicken bites for the time. It disappeared in the mid-2000s but has now been revived; KFC's recent announcement has the Chicken Shaker coming back to a restaurant near you!

First launched in 2010, the Double Down was KFC’s unapologetically over-the-top sandwich. It's exactly what it looks like: a sandwich with fried chicken as the buns. Likely because of its over-indulgence, the Double Down disappeared from U.S. menus multiple times over the years, but now it's back. Don't miss your chance to try this cult classic whenever it arrives at your local KFC this year.

Introduced in 2006, the Snack Wrap offered fans a tortilla filled with crispy or grilled chicken, lettuce, cheese, and sauces. It became popular as a lighter, more portable alternative to burgers. After being discontinued in 2016, fans launched countless online campaigns to bring it back. McDonald's announced its official U.S. return in July 2025 with McCrispy Strips and new sauce options, and the wrap has since become a favorite again.

You likely haven't heard of this one, but it was a fave. Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer was their take on a sloppy joe, using seasoned beef on a hamburger bun. Popular in the 1970s and 80s, it appealed to burger lovers who wanted Taco Bell flavor. It quietly vanished in the 90s and has not returned. Some fans replicate it at home to satisfy cravings, but it simply isn't the same.

Debuting in 1988, Wendy’s Superbar was an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring salad, pasta, and Mexican dishes. It was praised for variety and value, especially by families. Operational issues and labor costs led to its discontinuation by 1998. Fans to this very day still clamor for its return, but Wendy’s has shown no signs of reviving it; the pandemic likely made it a thing of the past forever.

The Arch Deluxe launched in 1996 as an adults-only burger, with a quarter-pound patty and mustard-mayo sauce. Despite heavy advertising, it failed commercially but has since earned a nostalgic fan base. It’s frequently listed in wishful fan discussions online, as the thick patty and upscale sauce still appeals to those who had the chance to try it. McDonald's has not hinted at bringing it back.

The McDLT was released in 1984 and came in special packaging to keep lettuce and tomato cool and separate from the hot beef patty. Its two-compartment packaging was innovative for its time, but environmental concerns led to its untimely demise by 1991.

Introduced in 2006, Wendy's deli-style sandwiches were a healthier fast food option, bringing back some of the freshness of their unlimited salad bar days. They included artisan bread and fresh meats, competing with fast food mecca, Subway. The sandwiches were discontinued within a year due to menu complexity and low sales. Fans of fast food variety still recall them fondly.

Launched in 1985, these Burger King cult classics were crispy breaded chicken strips that became a kids' menu favorite. They were phased out in favor of Chicken Fries, but many fans still prefer their taste and texture to the current nuggets. They have unfortunately not returned to national menus, even after the fast food chicken sandwich wars.

Introduced in 1990 and reintroduced briefly in 2013, McDonald's once had spicy, bone-in chicken wings. The flavor was praised, but pricing was often a sticking point. They didn’t sell well enough to justify staying on the menu and McDonald's hasn’t brought them back since.

A mashup of enchilada and burrito, the Enchirito included beef, beans, onions, and Taco Bell's innovative sauce. It was a fan favorite for decades before it was axed in 2013. Though it returned briefly via app in 2022, it has not been a permanent menu item since. Fans routinely vote for it in Taco Bell’s item-revival contests so perhaps hope remains for this item.

This Pizza Hut item stacked a thin crust between two pizzas, creating a cheesy, layered indulgence fans couldn't get enough of. It debuted in the late 1990s to great fanfare, but it proved too complex to make. It has yet to make a comeback after its short-lived life.

Deep-fried macaroni and cheese triangles were introduced by Jack in the Box, and what more could you ask for from a side? Fans loved the gooey interior and crispy exterior, but these bites vanished from menus after a limited run. Many hope for their return in future seasonal rotations, especially as part of the Munchies Menu.

This twist on a BLT arrived from Taco Bell in the 90s, featuring bacon, lettuce, tomato, and sauce in a soft tortilla. It was unique for a taco chain, but many suspect this was why it had a short lifespan. Bacon fans have long requested its return, but it has not been seen in this fast food chain since its removal.

Bite-sized chunks of battered and fried onion, McDonald's once offered these innovative sides back in the day. A predecessor to the McNugget (yep, before McNuggets were born!), they debuted in the 70s. They were discontinued before the Chicken McNugget took center stage, but onion lovers still talk about them online.

In 2010, Burger King offered actual pork ribs with their smoky barbecue sauce. Customers were shocked that they tasted like real BBQ; Burger King sold out of the limited-time offer quickly, only to never bring them back, likely due to cost. They remain one of Burger King’s most surprising successes.

Nothing beats a classic Frosty, but a Frosty blended with coffee syrup and toffee bits is even better. It was introduced in the mid-2000s and was a hit with dessert lovers. It remains one of the most requested Frosty flavors not currently offered, but there are no signs of a return yet.

Introduced in 1997, this McDonald's burger was a play on Burger King's Whopper with lettuce, tomato, and sauce. It never gained traction in the U.S. and was quietly removed by the time 2011 rolled around. Fans often compare it to the Arch Deluxe, requesting a return of this larger burger made for adults.

This short-lived item appeared at Taco Bell in the 80s as a healthier option. Featuring shrimp and crab-style seafood, it was served in a taco shell bowl. It disappeared quickly and has not returned; its rarity makes it a legendary oddity.

A breakfast sandwich with eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheese between two thick slices of French toast became a Sonic standout overnight. Though popular, it was removed from many locations in the early 2020s. Fans continue to ask for it back, and Sonic may answer their prayers in time.

These fries came smothered in hot chili and melted cheese, elevating Carl's Jr.'s plain fries (though chili cheese waffle fries were a common request). A late-night favorite for years, they were discontinued in many markets and replaced by newer, less interesting side items. Malaysia still has these fries, prompting fans to request they get brought back to the States.