1. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets
If you ever wished McDonald’s chicken nuggets had a savory cousin, the Onion Nuggets from 1978 were exactly that. They were deep-fried clusters of chopped onions, giving them a crispy, slightly sweet flavor that felt oddly sophisticated for a fast-food menu. People who remember them still talk about their texture, a little rough around the edges but totally addictive. They came with simple dipping sauces, but most fans loved them as-is. McDonald’s replaced them with Chicken McNuggets in 1983, which instantly overshadowed them. It feels like the timing just worked against them. Still, they left a mark on anyone who tried them. They’d absolutely sell out if they ever came back.
They also fit perfectly into that era when fast-food chains experimented with quirky side items. You didn’t just order fries, you explored a rotating cast of deep-fried ideas that sometimes disappeared as quickly as they arrived. Onion Nuggets were one of those “blink and you miss it” creations that people still reminisce about. They weren’t polished, but that was exactly why they worked. The crunch, the flavor, and the novelty all mixed together. Today they’d be a nostalgic sensation. It’s wild how something so simple still has so much love attached to it. Some items just hit the right memory button, and this was one of them.
2. Taco Bell Enchirito
The Enchirito debuted in the early ’70s as a saucy hybrid between an enchilada and a burrito. It was soft, smothered in red enchilada sauce, and impossible to eat neatly, which was part of its charm. Fans immediately embraced it because it felt warm, comforting, and a little indulgent. The foil tray it came in only added to the experience. It survived decades of menu changes before being discontinued and revived more than once. But the original ’70s version had its own flavor profile people still try to recreate. It wasn’t fancy, but it hit every craveable note. Taco Bell never quite replaced it with anything that feels the same.
Part of what made the Enchirito so memorable was its emotional connection for longtime fans. It felt like a homemade dish you could grab on your lunch break. People still post pictures of their recreations, trying to get that melted cheese and soft tortilla just right. When Taco Bell discontinued it again, the backlash was instant. Even people who didn’t grow up with it got curious after hearing the hype. If Taco Bell ever brought it back in its original retro form, it would be an instant success. Some foods are comfort-food legends, and this is one of them.
3. Taco Bell Bell Beefer
The Bell Beefer arrived around 1975 and quickly became a cult favorite. It was essentially Taco Bell’s sloppy-joe-style sandwich, using their signature spiced beef on a hamburger bun. It wasn’t fancy, but it was flavorful, saucy, and incredibly satisfying. It hit the spot for customers who wanted taco-seasoned beef without the taco shell. People still talk about its nostalgic comfort-food vibe. Taco Bell kept it into the early ’80s before phasing it out. Its fans have never forgiven them for letting it go. It remains one of the most requested comeback items.
Part of its charm was how different it felt from everything else at Taco Bell. It had this messy, cozy quality that made it perfect for quick lunches. Even though it seems simple, nothing on today’s menu tastes quite like it. That’s why copycat recipes float around the internet with surprising devotion. It just had this homey, unmistakable flavor. If Taco Bell ever brought it back, the retro-food crowd would go wild. It’s one of those items that never should have left in the first place.
4. Burger King Yumbo
The Yumbo launched in 1974 as Burger King’s warm, melty ham-and-cheese sandwich. It was unexpectedly comforting for a chain known for burgers. The sandwich featured layers of deli-style ham and melted cheese on a soft bun. People loved it because it felt simple and familiar. For a while, it became one of Burger King’s most popular non-burger items. It disappeared for decades before returning briefly in the 2010s. Fans were thrilled, but it vanished again. The original continues to hold a nostalgic place in fast-food history.
There’s something delightful about how basic the Yumbo was. Nothing complicated, just warm ham, gooey cheese, and a perfectly soft bun. It felt like the kind of thing you’d pack in a lunchbox, which made it comforting in a different way from typical fast food. People still talk about how the cheese would melt into the bun just enough to make every bite satisfying. When it returned, it proved nostalgia alone could bring customers in. If Burger King ever gave it another comeback, it would absolutely find its audience again. Some classics deserve a permanent home.
5. Burger Chef Funmeal
Burger Chef introduced the Funmeal in 1973, beating the Happy Meal to the punch. It included a kid-sized burger or sandwich, fries, a drink, a dessert, and a toy. Kids loved the colorful packaging and the sense that it was designed just for them. The toys often tied into popular shows or characters of the moment. Families flocked to Burger Chef because it felt like they were ahead of the curve. The Funmeal became a defining feature of the chain’s identity. Even after Burger Chef faded out, people never forgot it.
What made the Funmeal special was how personal it felt. Kids genuinely looked forward to the surprise inside the box. It also changed how fast-food chains approached family dining forever. McDonald’s Happy Meal arrived later and took the idea mainstream, but the Funmeal laid the foundation. Nostalgia groups still share memories of their favorite toys and promotions. It’s one of those items that feels like it belongs in a museum display about ’70s childhood. If it ever returned in some retro form, adults would probably buy it just for the memories.
6. Wendy’s Salad Bar
Wendy’s launched its salad bar in 1979, offering a surprisingly wide range of toppings, pasta salads, dressings, and even tiny desserts. It felt innovative and a little upscale compared to the typical fast-food experience. People loved customizing their plates and piling on as much as they wanted. It became especially popular at lunchtime. The variety made it stand out in a decade dominated by fried foods. Wendy’s kept it around for many years before retiring it. But fans never stopped wishing it would return.
The salad bar also gave Wendy’s a social, almost diner-like atmosphere. Groups would gather around it, chatting while they built their salads. Everything about it felt more personal than a standard counter order. Today’s obsession with customization means it would fit in perfectly. It had charm, variety, and a relaxed vibe that people still remember. A revival would definitely spark excitement. It’s a ’70s idea that arrived too early for its own good.
7. Jack in the Box Frings
Frings arrived in the late ’70s as the perfect compromise for anyone who couldn’t choose between fries and onion rings. Instead of forcing customers to pick one, Jack in the Box combined them into a single order. It was clever, satisfying, and surprisingly fun to eat. Every scoop gave you a different mix, which somehow made the whole meal feel more exciting. Fans absolutely loved the concept. It popped on and off the menu over the years before disappearing again. But it left a devoted fan base behind.
The genius of Frings was their simplicity. Nothing new had to be invented, just a perfect mix of two existing favorites. People loved the unpredictability in every bite. Today, when hybrid foods trend constantly online, Frings would be a natural fit. It feels almost strange that they haven’t returned yet. Jack in the Box has the ingredients ready to go, they just need to put them back together. Nostalgia alone would make them a hit.
8. McDonald’s Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich
Debuting in 1979, the Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich was McDonald’s attempt to offer something more substantial than a standard burger. It came on a long roll with sautéed onions and a richer beef flavor. It was surprisingly hearty and felt almost diner-inspired. Customers appreciated having an option that tasted a little more grown-up. It didn’t stay on the menu for long, but it definitely made an impression. People who tried it still remember it vividly. It became a quiet cult favorite over the years.
What made it stand out was how different it felt from typical McDonald’s sandwiches. The oblong roll alone made it unique, and the flavor had a comforting, home-style quality. Fans say it tasted like something you’d order at a local lunch counter. With the current revival of retro comfort foods, it would fit perfectly on a modern menu. McDonald’s could easily bring it back as a limited-time throwback. It’s one of those items that makes people say, “I forgot about that, but I loved it.”
9. Arby’s Roast Ham & Swiss
Arby’s offered a Roast Ham & Swiss sandwich in the ’70s that gave customers a lighter, milder option than the signature roast beef. It was simple: thin-sliced ham, Swiss cheese, and a soft bun. Fans appreciated the balance of salty ham and mellow cheese. It became a reliable go-to for people who wanted something comforting but not heavy. Over time, Arby’s shifted toward bigger, bolder sandwiches and phased it out. But people who grew up with it still remember it fondly. It was the kind of item you could order anytime without feeling overwhelmed.
The Roast Ham & Swiss had an easygoing charm that fast food doesn’t always capture. It was mild, nostalgic, and satisfying in a very everyday kind of way. It also made Arby’s feel more versatile, offering more than just roast beef-focused meals. Today, it would slide right into the trend toward simpler, old-school sandwiches. Fans would absolutely welcome it back. Some items don’t need bells and whistles, they just need to taste good, and this one did.
10. Pizza Hut Submarine Sandwich
In the early ’70s, Pizza Hut offered a Submarine Sandwich on its dine-in menu, giving customers a warm, baked alternative to pizza. The sandwich featured meats and melted cheese layered inside a toasted roll. It paired perfectly with a bag of chips, which made it a hit at lunchtime. It felt like a hidden gem among pizza and pasta dishes. People liked having a choice that didn’t involve a slice. Eventually, the chain streamlined the menu and the sub disappeared. But it’s still remembered fondly by longtime customers.
The Submarine Sandwich captured the cozy, red-roof Pizza Hut experience of the era. It felt hearty and homemade, and the oven-baked cheese gave it that unmistakable Pizza Hut flavor. Fans especially loved it as a quick option when they didn’t want a full pizza. It made the dine-in experience feel more relaxed and flexible. With how popular retro Pizza Hut nostalgia has become, the sandwich would be a perfect throwback. It has all the makings of a modern revival. It just needs its moment again.
11. McDonaldland Cookies
McDonaldland Cookies delighted kids throughout the ’70s with their buttery, animal-cracker-like sweetness. Each cookie was shaped like a character from the McDonaldland lineup, including Grimace, Ronald, and the Hamburglar. They often came in Happy Meals or as a small additional treat. Kids loved the collectible feel of the character shapes. Many people remember them as the best part of the meal. McDonald’s eventually phased them out as the mascot lineup changed. But the nostalgia around them has only grown stronger.
Part of their charm was how whimsical they made the meal feel. Kids would study each cookie before eating it, deciding which character to save for last. The flavor was simple but comforting, and the packaging always felt a little special. Today, they’d fit perfectly into a retro-themed promotion. Social media would go wild for them. Sometimes the smallest items linger the longest in memory, and these cookies are a perfect example of that. They were tiny, but unforgettable.
12. KFC Country Fried Steak
In the 1970s, some KFC locations offered Country Fried Steak as a comforting, hearty alternative to chicken. It was a breaded, peppery steak patty topped with gravy, fitting perfectly into KFC’s Southern-style roots. Customers loved its cozy, home-cooked flavor. It gave the menu a bit more variety without straying from the brand’s comfort-food feel. Over the years, KFC phased out most non-chicken entrées. But for people who grew up with it, this dish became a nostalgic favorite. It’s still talked about as one of the chain’s most missed regional items.
Country Fried Steak added warmth and variety to the menu in a way that felt truly homey. It was the kind of meal you ordered when you wanted something filling but familiar. Fans say it paired perfectly with mashed potatoes and gravy. Today, when retro comfort foods dominate food trends, it would be a natural fit for a comeback. Even people who never tried it get curious once they hear it existed. It’s a forgotten slice of KFC history that absolutely deserves another chance.
