10 Forgotten ’80s Tennessee Fast-Food Sandwiches That Locals Still Talk About
Growing up in Tennessee during the 1980s meant more than just big hair and neon colors—it meant unforgettable fast-food adventures.
I remember riding my bike to the local Burger King after school, clutching my allowance and dreaming about which sandwich I’d order.
Some of those menu items vanished without warning, leaving behind only memories and the occasional craving that hits out of nowhere.
1. The Big Country Breakfast Sandwich From Hardee’s
Before breakfast sandwiches became boring and predictable, Hardee’s dropped this absolute monster on Tennessee. Thick slices of sourdough bread held together eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese, and enough calories to fuel a lumberjack. My uncle swore by these things every Saturday morning before his bowling league.
The sourdough was what set it apart from every other breakfast sandwich cluttering the fast-food landscape. It had actual texture and flavor, not just the squishy white buns everyone else used. Eastern Tennessee Hardee’s locations couldn’t keep up with demand during the early morning rush.
I tried recreating this at home once and failed miserably—turns out, whatever Hardee’s did to that sourdough was pure magic. The sandwich disappeared quietly sometime in the mid-80s, replaced by smaller, less ambitious breakfast options that nobody remembers fondly.
2. The Whaler Fish Sandwich From Burger King
Every Friday during Lent, Tennessee Burger Kings transformed into unofficial fish fry headquarters. The Whaler was their answer to McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, and honestly, it was better. A thick breaded fish fillet, tartar sauce, lettuce, and a soft bun made this the go-to choice for anyone avoiding red meat.
My Catholic neighbors practically lived off these things during Lent season. Mrs. Henderson would pick up a dozen Whalers after church and feed half the neighborhood. The breading was crunchier than McDonald’s version, and the fillet actually looked like real fish instead of a mysterious rectangle.
Burger King eventually replaced the Whaler with the Big Fish sandwich in the late 90s, but it never captured that same nostalgic magic. Tennessee locals still argue about which fish sandwich reigned supreme, and the Whaler loyalists remain passionate decades later.
3. The Bell Beefer From Taco Bell
Taco Bell decided to put taco meat on a hamburger bun, and Chattanooga teenagers lost their minds. The Bell Beefer was basically a sloppy joe with taco seasoning, and it cost less than a dollar. My high school cafeteria couldn’t compete with that kind of value.
Friday nights after football games meant piling into someone’s car and hitting up Taco Bell for Bell Beefers. We’d order five each and still have enough money left for a movie. The seasoned beef had that signature Taco Bell flavor, and the bun somehow held everything together despite the mess.
When Taco Bell discontinued it in the mid-80s, petitions circulated around Chattanooga High School.
4. The McDLT From McDonald’s
McDonald’s really thought they were geniuses with this one. The McDLT came in special two-compartment packaging that kept the hot side hot and the cool side cool—because apparently, we couldn’t handle our lettuce touching a warm burger patty. Honestly, the styrofoam container was half the fun, even if it was terrible for the environment.
I distinctly remember my dad ordering one during a road trip through Nashville in 1985. He spent five minutes marveling at the engineering before actually eating the thing. The burger itself was pretty standard McDonald’s fare, but that packaging made it feel futuristic and special.
Tennessee locations pushed this sandwich hard, with commercials featuring Jason Alexander singing and dancing about temperature control. Kids loved the novelty, parents appreciated the crisp vegetables, and everyone eventually forgot about it when environmental concerns the foam packaging.
5. The Original Roast Beef Classic From Hardee’s
Eastern Tennessee had a love affair with Hardee’s roast beef that bordered on obsession. This wasn’t fancy prime rib or anything—just thin-sliced roast beef on a sesame bun with tangy sauce—but somehow it hit different than Arby’s. Maybe it was the sauce, or maybe we were just loyal to Hardee’s.
My first job was at a Hardee’s in Knoxville, and I made approximately eight thousand of these sandwiches. The roast beef came in these giant slabs that we’d slice thin throughout the day. The tangy sauce was stored in squeeze bottles and had a slightly sweet, slightly spicy flavor nobody could quite identify.
Hardee’s eventually shifted focus to their Thickburgers and phased out the roast beef line. Eastern Tennessee locations held onto it longer than most, but eventually, even we had to say goodbye to this simple, satisfying sandwich.
6. The Cheddar Melt From McDonald’s
McDonald’s got weird in the mid-80s, and the Cheddar Melt was proof. They took a quarter-pound patty, smothered it in cheddar cheese sauce, added grilled onions, and slapped it on a rye bun. Rye bread at McDonald’s! It was like they were having an identity crisis and we all benefited.
I ordered one on a dare from my older brother in 1988. He said it looked disgusting, and honestly, he wasn’t wrong—the cheese sauce was aggressively orange and goopy. But that first bite changed everything. The grilled onions added sweetness, the rye bread had actual flavor, and the cheese sauce was gloriously indulgent.
Unfortunately, most people weren’t ready for McDonald’s to get fancy with their bread choices. The Cheddar Melt lasted only a couple years before disappearing, leaving behind a small but devoted group of Tennessee fans who still mourn its loss.
7. The Yumbo From Burger King
Memphis late-night crowds knew the truth: the Yumbo was criminally underrated. Hot ham and melted cheese on a hoagie-style bun doesn’t sound revolutionary, but at 2 AM after a Beale Street show, it was exactly what you needed. Burger King positioned it as their answer to deli sandwiches, and it actually worked.
My cousin worked third shift at a Memphis hospital and swore the Yumbo was the only thing keeping her sane. She’d hit the Burger King drive-thru on her break and order two—one for then, one for later. The ham was steamed until it was tender and the cheese melted perfectly into every crevice.
Burger King discontinued the Yumbo in the 70s, brought it back briefly in the 80s for Tennessee test markets, then do it again. Memphis residents still talk about those glorious few years when you could get a decent hot ham sandwich at 3 AM.
8. The Big Classic From Wendy’s
Wendy’s threw down the gauntlet in 1986 with the Big Classic, and Tennessee burger lovers paid attention. That Kaiser roll alone made it feel upscale compared to regular fast-food burgers. Quarter-pound patty, full toppings, and a bun that didn’t disintegrate halfway through eating—what more could you want?
I remember my mom being genuinely impressed by the Big Classic, which was rare for fast food. She appreciated that it looked like the picture on the menu board, and the Kaiser roll reminded her of actual bakery bread. We’d stop at the Wendy’s in Murfreesboro specifically for these on road trips.
The Big Classic stuck around longer than most nostalgic sandwiches, lasting into the early 90s before Wendy’s replaced it with other premium burger options. Tennessee locations embraced it wholeheartedly, and finding someone who remembers it fondly isn’t difficult around here.
9. The McRib From McDonald’s
Before the McRib became a cult phenomenon with its own Twitter following, it was just another new sandwich in 1982. That weird rib-shaped pork patty covered in tangy barbecue sauce confused some people and delighted others. Tennessee, with our deep love of barbecue, had strong opinions about McDonald’s attempting to muscle in on our territory.
My dad was offended by the McRib on principle—how dare McDonald’s pretend this was real barbecue! But I thought it was delicious in its own artificial, fast-food way. The pickles and onions cut through the sweetness of the sauce, and that strange boneless patty had a texture unlike anything else.
McDonald’s pulled the McRib from regular menus pretty quickly, then spent decades bringing it back for limited runs. Those early Tennessee McRib experiences created a generation of fans who eagerly await its sporadic returns, even if it’ll never match actual Tennessee barbecue.
10. The Chicken Little From KFC
KFC launched the Chicken Little in 1986, and Tennessee kids immediately claimed it as their own. These tiny chicken sliders cost about 39 cents each, which meant your allowance could actually buy a satisfying meal. The small fried chicken patty with mayonnaise on a tiny bun was simple but effective.
My elementary school best friend and I would pool our money and buy eight Chicken Littles to split after school. We’d sit in the KFC parking lot, eating them one by one and feeling like we’d discovered the secret to happiness. They were perfectly sized for small hands and big appetites.
KFC discontinued them in the 90s, then brought them back in 2012 to much fanfare from nostalgic Tennesseans. The new version tastes slightly different, but that might just be our memories playing tricks. Either way, those original 1986 Chicken Littles hold a special place in Tennessee fast-food history.