Remember those bygone McDonald's treats that vanished from menus across Britain? The ones you'd daydream about whilst queuing for your regular Big Mac? Well, you're not alone in your fast-food nostalgia.
From quirky sandwiches to revolutionary packaging concepts, these discontinued Maccy D's offerings left quite the impression on our collective taste buds.
1. Arch Deluxe
Marketed as the 'burger for grown-ups,' this sophisticated sandwich was McDonald's attempt at posh nosh back in 1996. The secret pepper bacon sauce and bakery-style roll were absolutely smashing.
Despite costing McDonald's a whopping £200 million in advertising, it flopped spectacularly. Sometimes brilliance isn't appreciated in its time!
2. McDLT
Revolutionary packaging brilliance, this was! The McDLT came in a styrofoam container with two separate compartments - one kept the bottom bun and patty hot, while the other kept lettuce and tomato properly chilled.
You'd assemble it yourself for the perfect temperature balance. Environmental concerns eventually did away with the packaging, but the concept was pure genius.
3. Chicken Selects
Not your ordinary chicken strips, these premium breast meat beauties put regular nuggets to shame. The crispy, seasoned coating had a proper crunch that modern offerings simply can't match.
While they've made brief reappearances, the original recipe Selects deserve permanent residency on British menus. They were the perfect accompaniment to a night out!
4. Snack Wraps
Perfect for those 'not-quite-starving-but-definitely-peckish' moments, these handheld wonders wrapped crispy or grilled chicken with cheese, lettuce and sauce in a soft tortilla.
Small enough to eat one-handed while driving (not that we'd recommend it), but substantial enough to tide you over. The sweet chilli version was particularly lush after a night down the pub.
5. McPizza
Before Domino's dominated every high street, McDonald's had a proper go at pizza. These individual-sized offerings came with proper toppings and a surprisingly decent crust.
The problem? They took a whole 11 minutes to cook - practically an eternity in fast food time. Still, for those who remember them, they were a proper teatime treat worth waiting for.
6. Onion Nuggets
Before chicken nuggets ruled the roost, these crispy little onion bites were all the rage. Imagine bite-sized onion rings but in nugget form - absolute flavour bombs, they were!
Served with the same dipping sauces as their chicken counterparts, these disappeared in the early 80s. Proper shame, as they'd be brilliant with today's craft beer culture.
7. Big N' Tasty
Whopper-whacker is what this beefy beauty was! Created specifically to compete with Burger King's signature sandwich, it featured a quarter-pound patty with all the fresh trimmings.
The secret was in the sauce - tangy, slightly smoky, and nothing like the Big Mac's special sauce. For a brief, glorious moment, it gave McDonald's proper gourmet credentials.
8. Cheddar Melt
Cheese lovers still dream about this beauty! A quarter-pound beef patty smothered in proper gooey cheddar cheese sauce and grilled onions, all on a rye bun - pure indulgence.
The rye bread was a surprisingly sophisticated touch for Maccy D's. This limited-time offering from the late 80s and early 90s deserves another chance to steal our hearts (and possibly clog our arteries).
9. Super Size Fries
Before that documentary sent everyone into a tizzy, these massive portions of golden potato perfection were the ultimate sharing side. The sheer joy of opening that massive red box was unparalleled!
A proper mountain of chips that could feed a small family - or one properly hungry teenager. Health concerns may have killed them off, but our hearts still yearn for that excessive potato goodness.
10. Hula Burger
One of McDonald's most bizarre creations, this was literally a slice of grilled pineapple instead of meat, with cheese on a bun. Created for Catholic customers who couldn't eat meat on Fridays, it was McDonald's first veggie option.
Unsurprisingly, it failed spectacularly against the Filet-O-Fish. Still, in today's plant-based revolution, this quirky sandwich might find its audience!
11. McHotDog
The founder himself, Ray Kroc, once forbade hot dogs in his restaurants, claiming nobody knew what was inside them. McDonald's eventually broke this rule with their surprisingly decent offering.
Served on a proper soft roll with ketchup and mustard, they were particularly popular at McD's inside Walmart in America. British festivals and football matches would be the perfect venue for their return!
12. Mighty Wings
These weren't your average chicken wings - they were proper spicy, crispy little beauties that packed a serious punch. Far superior to the bland offerings at most fast food joints.
The breading had actual personality with a cayenne kick that would make even Nando's regulars take notice. They've made several limited appearances, but they deserve permanent status on British menus.
13. Fried Apple Pie (Original Recipe)
The current baked version is fine, but it's a pale imitation of the original fried masterpiece. That crackling, bubbled crust gave way to molten apple filling that could singe your taste buds - and we loved it!
Health concerns led to the switch to baked pies in the 90s. Some countries still serve the fried version, making British pie enthusiasts properly jealous.
14. McStuffins
Imagine a Hot Pocket but made by McDonald's - that's exactly what these pocket sandwiches were. Toasted French bread exterior with various fillings like pepperoni pizza or teriyaki chicken tucked inside.
Perfect for one-handed eating on the go. They vanished after a brief test run in the 90s, but with today's snacking culture, these portable pockets would surely find their audience!
