12 Beloved ’80s Colorado Fast-Food Sandwiches We Wish Would Return

Growing up in Colorado during the ’80s meant more than just big hair and neon windbreakers—it meant fast-food sandwiches that tasted like pure magic.

I remember begging my parents to hit the drive-thru just to get my hands on some of these legendary creations.

Sadly, many of these iconic menu items vanished without warning, leaving us with nothing but memories and cravings that refuse to die.

1. McDLT (McDonald’s)

Remember when keeping your lettuce cold and your burger hot required NASA-level engineering? McDonald’s thought they’d cracked the code with this beauty. The divided container became legendary, even if it was an environmental nightmare by today’s standards.

Each bite delivered exactly what it promised: a piping-hot quarter-pound patty meeting crisp, cool veggies at the perfect moment. My friends and I would race to assemble ours before the fries got cold. The commercial jingle still haunts me in the best way possible.

Sure, the packaging was excessive, but that theatrical assembly process made you feel like a gourmet chef in the McDonald’s parking lot. Nothing beat the satisfaction of snapping that clamshell together and taking that first perfectly balanced bite.

2. Bell Beefer (Taco Bell)

What happens when a taco has an identity crisis and decides to become a burger? Pure genius, that’s what. Taco Bell took everything we loved about their tacos and slapped it onto a regular hamburger bun, creating the most deliciously confused sandwich ever.

The seasoned beef oozed out with every bite, creating a gloriously messy situation that required at least ten napkins. I’d order mine with extra sauce because I apparently enjoyed living dangerously. Your lap never stood a chance, but your taste buds threw a victory parade.

This hybrid hero bridged two worlds beautifully, proving that sometimes the best innovations come from thinking outside the shell—or in this case, putting the shell’s contents somewhere completely different.

3. Italian Chicken Sandwich (Burger King)

Burger King went full Italian restaurant with this masterpiece, and honestly, they should’ve never stopped. That oblong bun made it feel fancy, like you were eating at a real trattoria instead of a fast-food joint off I-25. The breaded chicken patty stretched from end to end, leaving no bite without protein.

Marinara sauce and melted mozzarella created a flavor combination that made you question why anyone would order a regular chicken sandwich ever again. I’d burn my mouth every single time because patience wasn’t my strong suit at age twelve. The cheese pull alone deserved its own fan club.

Colorado locations served these piping hot, and they became my go-to order whenever Mom let me pick dinner.

4. Original Chicken Littles (KFC)

Before sliders became trendy, KFC was serving up these bite-sized champions that packed more flavor than items twice their size. Tiny but mighty, these little guys featured crispy fried chicken, a dollop of mayo, and pickles that added just the right tang. My dad could demolish six in one sitting without breaking a sweat.

The beauty was in their simplicity—no fancy sauces or complicated toppings, just pure fried chicken perfection in miniature form. You could order a bunch and share them, or you could be like me and guard them like a dragon hoarding treasure. They disappeared from most menus, but fans still launch online petitions begging for their return.

Honestly, KFC, what were you thinking getting rid of these?

5. Cheddar Melt (McDonald’s)

McDonald’s served this on rye bread, and that alone made it feel sophisticated compared to everything else on the menu. The quarter-pound beef patty came smothered in warm, gooey cheddar sauce that probably contained zero actual cheese but tasted like heaven anyway. Caramelized onions added a sweet, savory kick that elevated the whole experience.

I felt like such a grown-up ordering this instead of a Happy Meal, even though I was definitely still a kid. The rye bread gave it a deli-style vibe that set it apart from typical fast-food fare. Every bite was a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and ridiculously satisfying.

Why McDonald’s discontinued this masterpiece remains one of life’s great mysteries, right up there with why they keep breaking the ice cream machine.

6. Super Submarine (Arby’s)

Arby’s wasn’t messing around when they named this beast—it truly was super in every sense of the word. Packed with ham, salami, cheese, and a mountain of fresh veggies, this sub could easily feed two people, though I never shared mine. Colorado Arby’s locations were packed with families ordering these on Friday nights.

The combination of cold cuts and crisp vegetables created a texture party in your mouth that regular roast beef sandwiches couldn’t match. You needed both hands and serious jaw strength to tackle this monster. The oil and vinegar dressing soaked into the bread just enough to add flavor without turning it into a soggy mess.

This was the sandwich equivalent of a rock concert—loud, exciting, and absolutely unforgettable.

7. Fool’s Gold Loaf (Colorado Mine Company, Denver)

Only in Colorado could someone dream up a sandwich containing an entire pound of bacon, peanut butter, and grape jelly stuffed into a hollowed-out loaf of bread. The Colorado Mine Company in Denver created this legendary monster that supposedly Elvis himself once flew in to eat. Whether that story’s true or not, the sandwich was real, and it was spectacular.

This wasn’t just food—it was a dare, a challenge, a commitment to absolute excess in the best way possible. Each slice delivered sweet, salty, and savory flavors that somehow worked together despite sounding completely insane. You couldn’t finish one alone unless you possessed superhuman appetite powers.

This Denver original deserves a spot in the Fast-Food Hall of Fame, if such a thing exists.

8. Big Classic (Wendy’s)

Launched in 1986, Wendy’s Big Classic arrived on a Kaiser roll like it owned the place, and honestly, it kind of did. The combination of mayo, ketchup, onions, and pickles sounds basic, but the execution was flawless. That Kaiser roll made all the difference, giving it a bakery-fresh quality that regular burger buns couldn’t touch.

I’d order this whenever my family stopped at Wendy’s on road trips through the Rockies, and it never disappointed. The beef patty was thick and juicy, and the toppings stayed put instead of sliding everywhere like some sandwiches we could name. Everything just worked together in perfect harmony.

Wendy’s eventually phased it out, but true ’80s kids remember the Big Classic as the gold standard of fast-food burgers.

9. Beef Steak Sandwich (McDonald’s)

McDonald’s tried to get fancy with actual steak, and for one brief, shining moment, they succeeded. This short-lived beauty featured a chopped beef steak patty that tasted way better than it had any right to at a fast-food price point. Colorado fans fell hard for this sandwich, and many still bring it up at family gatherings decades later.

The steak came topped with grilled onions that added a touch of sweetness to complement the savory meat. It disappeared faster than it arrived, leaving behind a legion of disappointed fans who never got to say a proper goodbye. Some menu items stick around forever; this one barely got a chance to shine.

If McDonald’s ever brings this back, I’m camping out in the parking lot overnight like it’s a concert.

10. Handwich (McDonald’s)

McDonald’s tried to reinvent the wheel—or in this case, the sandwich—by making it cone-shaped for ultimate one-handed eating convenience. The Handwich looked like something from a sci-fi movie, and eating one felt like participating in a weird food experiment. But you know what? It was actually kind of fun.

The cone design kept all the ingredients from falling out, which was genuinely innovative even if it looked bizarre. My friends and I thought it was the coolest thing ever, probably because we were easily impressed twelve-year-olds. It didn’t last long, but it left a lasting impression on everyone who tried it.

Sometimes the weirdest ideas become the most memorable, and the Handwich definitely earned its place in fast-food history for sheer audacity alone.

11. Yumbo (Burger King)

Simplicity at its finest, the Yumbo was just hot ham and melted cheese on a bun, yet it somehow became a beloved classic. Burger King quietly discontinued it, and suddenly everyone realized what they’d been taking for granted. The warm ham paired with melted cheese created comfort food magic that didn’t need fancy sauces or complicated toppings.

My mom would order this when she wanted something lighter than a burger but still satisfying. The name alone makes me smile—Yumbo sounds like something a cartoon character would shout before devouring their lunch. It briefly returned in 2014 for a limited time, proving that nostalgia is a powerful force.

Sometimes the simplest sandwiches leave the biggest holes in our hearts when they disappear from menus forever.

12. Bonus Jack (Jack In The Box)

Jack in the Box knew how to deliver vintage fast-food comfort with this double-patty beauty that featured special sauce, lettuce, and pickles. The Bonus Jack was essentially their answer to the Big Mac, but it had its own personality that set it apart. Those two beef patties meant you were getting serious protein and serious flavor in every bite.

The special sauce had a tangy kick that made you want to lick the wrapper clean, though I never actually did that in public. Colorado Jack in the Box locations served these hot and fresh, making them a reliable choice for satisfying those late-night munchies. The pickles added just enough crunch to keep things interesting texture-wise.

This burger represented everything great about ’80s fast food—no pretense, just delicious, satisfying comfort.