Sandwiches… Something we all love and hold close to our hearts. They are easy to prepare, they are tasty, and they vary in size, taste, and appeal.
For decades, fast food restaurants have released many interesting types of sandwiches, and some of the most innovative were during the 1980s.
Unfortunately, some of these have lost their appeal and never returned to the menus, but they still remain in the memories of those who ate them.
Here are the 8 iconic sandwiches from the ’80s that made this decade even more iconic.
1. McDonald’s McDLT
This burger was an innovative marketing experiment that kept the hot side hot and the cool side cool, that were literally served in a two-compartment Styrofoam container.
Sounds a bit complicated, doesn’t it? It featured lettuce and tomato on one side, and the beef patty on the other, and you’d have to smash them together right before eating.
Well, the eco-conscious backlash and a complicated design led to its quiet disappearance by the early ’90s.
Still, many remember this experiment with great nostalgia, as it was another way to introduce sandwich variations to the market.
2. Burger King’s Yumbo Hot Ham & Cheese
Originally launched in the ’70s (and briefly revived in the 2010s), this warm ham-and-cheese sandwich was somehow weirdly comforting in a cafeteria-lunch kind of way.
It catered to those who wanted fast food to feel more homey and natural. Its soft sesame seed bun, gooey melted cheese, and a pile of sliced deli ham made it feel more like “home kitchen” than fast food.
Despite its popularity and nostalgic love from older fans, it didn’t last long in a burger-dominated menu and vanished again. Still, it is one of the tastier varieties of a fast-food sandwich there is.
3. Wendy’s SuperBar Sandwich Combos
Imagine being able to build your own sandwich at a fast-food restaurant from all the available ingredients. While this concept exists today at several restaurants, it was an innovative way to cater to customers.
It was not a single sandwich, but the SuperBar offered a whole sandwich adventure that included cold cuts, cheeses, and a DIY vibe. It was perfect for picky eaters and those who did not like certain ingredients in their favorite sandwiches.
You could grab a plate, assemble a sandwich, and even hit the pasta bar afterward. It was nothing short of chaos in a tray, and we loved it. Today, it would be perfect for those who prefer non-gluten buns, vegan cheese, and vegetarian burgers.
However, back in the day, Wendy’s eventually realized that it was too messy, too slow, and not really a fast-food vibe.
4. Arby’s Onion Petals Steak Sandwich
If you remember this beefy, onion-loaded sandwich, then you are a true carnivore.
It was everything you needed if you wanted a juicy but crispy meal. Stacked with sliced steak, crispy onion petals, and a legendary peppery sauce, it was juicy, messy, and simply amazing.
Many thought it would stay around forever and become an all-time favorite on the menu. Sadly, it was too niche (or maybe too greasy) to last long on the menu, so it disappeared forever.
5. Hardee’s Fried Bologna Sandwich
This true Southern staple made it to the mainstream in the ’80s when Hardee’s decided to put it on their menu.
A fried bologna sandwich served on a soft bun was nothing short of legendary. It was salty, simple, and oddly satisfying, especially if you added mustard or melted cheese to it.
But when health-conscious trends started entering the mainstream, this sandwich sounded and looked too greasy and unhealthy, so they eventually forced it into early retirement.
6. McDonald’s Cheddar Melt
This sandwich was a tasty, gooey combo of beef patty, sautéed onions, and warm cheddar cheese sauce – on a rye-style bun.
It was a favorite among cheese lovers who couldn’t get enough of the rich and melty flavor that catered to their taste buds.
Despite fans petitioning to bring it back and many nostalgic pleas in between, it has remained out of rotation since its brief seasonal appearances.
Nobody knows why, but McDonald’s did not see the appeal in bringing this iconic ’80s sandwich back on the menu.
7. Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer
Wait, Taco Bell and a burger? Combined? Yes, you read it right, Taco Bell once had a taco burger, and it was weirdly good and became very popular.
The Bell Beefer featured seasoned ground beef, lettuce, and cheese on a bun. It was like turning a taco into a Sloppy Joe.
Well, Taco Bell soon shifted focus back to tortillas and left the bun experiments behind, so this sandwich became history and a nostalgic memory to its fans.
8. Jack in the Box’s Frings Sandwich
Even though no one asked for it, Jack in the Box delivered a sandwich that was stuffed with both French fries and onion rings.
If you were a carb fan, this carb-on-carb madness with a burger patty in the middle was perfect for you. Drenched in sauce and begging to be eaten with two hands, many found it too complicated to be enjoyed.
Its over-the-top taste and its short-lived popularity made it a thing of the past. However, it was the kind of ’80s excess that makes you wonder if it really happened, but it surely did. Some of the fans still mention it, but most have left it to stay in the past.
