12 Fast-Food Sandwiches Arizona Loved In The ’80s That Are Gone For Good
Arizona in the 1980s was a totally rad time for fast food, with drive-thrus packed and families cruising for their favorite sandwiches after school and on weekends.
Some of the most delicious creations from that decade have vanished completely, leaving behind only memories and cravings.
Remember when you could order something wild and different at your local burger joint?
These sandwiches captured the hearts and taste buds of Arizonans everywhere, but sadly, they’re now just tasty ghosts from the past.
1. McDonald’s McDLT
Back when keeping your lettuce crispy was revolutionary, McDonald’s invented the McDLT with its genius two-sided container.
Hot stayed hot, and cool stayed cool in this engineering marvel that made every bite perfectly balanced.
Arizona locations like the McDonald’s at 4730 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018, served thousands of these beauties daily.
The special packaging became iconic, even though it wasn’t exactly eco-friendly by today’s standards.
Kids loved opening both sides like a treasure chest, revealing the perfectly separated ingredients waiting to unite.
Pure sandwich magic lived in that foam box!
2. Burger King’s Veal Parm Sandwich
Fancy Italian dining met fast-food convenience when Burger King dropped this breaded veal masterpiece covered in marinara and gooey mozzarella.
Arizona customers felt absolutely sophisticated ordering something with “parmesan” in the name at a drive-thru window!
The Burger King at 7th St & Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014, served this upscale creation alongside regular burgers.
Crispy breading gave way to tender veal while tangy tomato sauce and cheese created flavor explosions.
It brought restaurant-quality Italian flavors to people who didn’t have time for sit-down meals.
Fast food got classy real quick!
3. Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer
Imagine all your favorite taco fixings piled high on a regular hamburger bun instead of a crunchy shell—that’s the Bell Beefer magic!
Taco Bell’s seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cheese created a Mexican-American hybrid that Arizonans couldn’t resist.
The location at 4050 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018, witnessed countless Bell Beefer orders throughout the decade.
It offered taco flavors without the mess of shells cracking everywhere, making car eating actually possible.
Plus, that signature Taco Bell seasoning tasted incredible soaked into soft bread.
Tacos evolved into something extraordinary!
4. Taco Bell’s Bell Burger
Before Taco Bell fully committed to Mexican food, they experimented with the Bell Burger, combining classic burger elements with south-of-the-border flair.
A beef patty got dressed up with salsa, cheese, and special seasonings that set it apart from ordinary fast-food burgers.
Arizona’s Taco Bell at 2334 W Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85015, attracted burger lovers curious about this fusion creation.
The experiment didn’t last long, but it showed Taco Bell’s willingness to think outside the taco shell.
Those brave enough to try it discovered surprisingly delicious flavor combinations.
Innovation sometimes creates legends!
5. Jack In The Box’s Chicken Supreme Sandwich
Long before chicken sandwiches sparked national debates, Jack in the Box perfected the Chicken Supreme with its crispy coating and creamy sauce.
A thick chicken breast got breaded to golden perfection, then topped with fresh vegetables and tangy dressing.
The Jack in the Box at 3702 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85051, sold these by the truckload to chicken-loving Arizonans.
It proved that chicken could absolutely compete with beef in the fast-food sandwich wars.
That crunch when you bit through the coating made every meal feel like a celebration.
Chicken got seriously upgraded!
6. Hardee’s Cinnamon Raisin Bun Sandwich
Breakfast got wildly creative when Hardee’s decided to put savory eggs and meat on a sweet cinnamon raisin bun instead of regular bread.
The combination sounds bizarre, but that sweet-and-savory mix created flavor fireworks that morning commuters craved desperately.
Arizona’s Hardee’s locations, like the one at 1515 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281, made these breakfast sandwiches daily favorites.
Plump raisins and cinnamon sweetness balanced perfectly against salty breakfast meats and fluffy eggs.
It challenged everything people thought they knew about proper sandwich construction.
Breakfast rules got deliciously broken!
7. Wendy’s Superbar Sandwiches
Wendy’s Superbar transformed fast food into a build-your-own adventure where customers created custom sandwiches from dozens of fresh ingredients.
The all-you-can-eat buffet featured breads, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and sauces that let everyone become their own sandwich artist.
Wendy’s at 4849 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712, saw families spending entire afternoons experimenting with wild combinations.
Kids piled ingredients sky-high while adults appreciated the fresh salad bar options mixed with hot items.
It felt revolutionary having that much control over your fast-food experience.
Freedom tasted absolutely incredible!
8. Arby’s Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich
Arby’s took fancy French cuisine and made it drive-thru accessible with their Chicken Cordon Bleu, stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese.
Breaded chicken wrapped around savory ham and melty cheese created layers of flavor that seemed too sophisticated for fast food.
The Arby’s at 1855 E Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282, attracted customers wanting something fancier than regular roast beef.
Golden breading crunched satisfyingly while the cheese oozed out with each bite, creating textural perfection.
It proved Arby’s could do way more than just their famous roast beef sandwiches.
Elegance met convenience perfectly!
9. Arby’s Junior Deluxe Roast Beef (’80s Style)
The Junior Deluxe represented Arby’s answer to traditional burgers, piling their famous roast beef with garden-fresh vegetables and creamy mayo.
Thinly sliced roast beef got topped with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and tangy sauce on a perfectly toasted bun.
Arby’s at 4635 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712, made these smaller sandwiches ideal for kids or lighter appetites.
It offered all the roast beef goodness without overwhelming your stomach or your wallet.
That classic Arby’s meat quality shined through even in this more petite package.
Small size delivered big satisfaction!
10. KFC’s Little Bucket Sandwich
KFC wondered what would happen if they took their crispy fried chicken pieces and turned them into a handheld sandwich situation.
The Little Bucket Sandwich featured chunks of chicken with gravy on a soft bun, creating comfort food you could eat while driving.
Arizona’s KFC at 3320 W Peoria Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029, served these to customers craving chicken in sandwich form.
That signature blend of eleven herbs and spices translated perfectly to sandwich format with added convenience.
Gravy-soaked chicken on bread felt like Thanksgiving dinner reimagined for busy weekdays.
Bucket chicken went portable!
11. Subway’s Seafood & Crab Sandwich (Original Recipe)
Before Subway became synonymous with turkey and ham, their Seafood & Crab sandwich brought ocean flavors to landlocked Arizona in surprising style.
A creamy seafood mixture featuring imitation crab got piled onto fresh-baked bread with vegetables and special seasonings.
Subway at 1919 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85015, attracted adventurous eaters willing to try something completely different from typical deli meats.
The original recipe tasted richer and more flavorful than later versions, with better texture and seasoning.
It proved submarine sandwiches could venture far beyond traditional cold cuts.
Seafood sailed into sandwich shops!
12. Long John Silver’s Roast Beef Sandwich
In perhaps the most unexpected menu addition ever, Long John Silver’s briefly served roast beef sandwiches alongside their fish and hush puppies.
Thinly sliced roast beef appeared at a seafood restaurant, confusing and delighting customers who wanted options beyond fried fish.
The Long John Silver’s at 4902 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712, offered this landlocked alternative to oceanic fare.
It acknowledged that not everyone in your group might want seafood, providing beef-loving friends a satisfying option.
The experiment didn’t last long, making it one of the rarest fast-food sandwiches ever.
Seafood joints served beef briefly!