11 Forgotten ’80s Kansas Fast-Food Sandwiches That Should Be Back By Now
Growing up in Kansas during the 1980s meant something special: fast food that actually surprised you. Every drive-thru felt like an adventure, with chains constantly testing bold new sandwich creations that pushed the limits of what a quick meal could be.
Some had sauces so addictive you’d dream about them, others came stacked with toppings no one had ever thought to combine.
For a few glorious years, grabbing dinner felt like striking gold. And then—just as suddenly as they arrived—those culinary experiments disappeared, leaving behind only hazy memories, faded commercials, and a lingering craving that never quite goes away.
1. Cheddar Melt — McDonald’s (1988)
My uncle swears he ate three of these in one sitting back in ’88, and honestly, I believe him.
McDonald’s Cheddar Melt arrived with swagger: a beef patty smothered in real cheddar, grilled onions that caramelized just right, and a mysterious teriyaki glaze that nobody saw coming. All of this sat on a toasted rye bun, which felt downright fancy for a McDonald’s run.
The sandwich lasted only about a year, disappearing faster than a Kansas thunderstorm. People still talk about that teriyaki twist like it was some kind of culinary wizardry. Bringing it back would be pure nostalgia gold, especially for those of us who remember when McDonald’s took risks that actually paid off in flavor.
2. McDLT — McDonald’s (mid-1980s to early ’90s)
Picture this: a burger that kept hot stuff hot and cold stuff cold, all in one genius Styrofoam clamshell. That was the McDLT, and it felt like science fiction every time you opened it.
One side held the steaming beef patty and bottom bun, while the other cradled crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, and the top bun.
You assembled it yourself, which made every bite feel like a personal achievement. Environmental concerns eventually ended the packaging, and the sandwich went with it. But the concept was brilliant, and plenty of us would gladly trade a little eco-guilt for that perfect crunch-to-heat ratio one more time.
3. Bell Beefer — Taco Bell (1960s/’70s origins, gone by ’90s)
Taco Bell once dared to ask: what if we put taco filling on a regular burger bun? The Bell Beefer was born, and for a while, it actually worked.
Seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, crisp lettuce, and that iconic Taco Bell sauce all piled onto a soft hamburger bun created a crossover nobody knew they needed.
It bridged the gap between burger joints and taco shops, making Taco Bell feel like a true fast-food chameleon. By the ’90s, it was gone, probably because the brand wanted to focus on tortillas. Still, that beefy, saucy mess on bread deserves a comeback tour, especially in Kansas where we appreciate a good food mashup.
4. Burger Bundles / Burger Buddies — Burger King (1987–1990)
Sliders before sliders were cool, Burger King’s Burger Bundles were tiny burgers sold in packs that made you feel like a giant.
Each little patty came with pickles and ketchup on a soft mini bun, and you could demolish a whole bag without feeling too guilty. They were perfect for road trips, late-night cravings, or when you just wanted variety without commitment.
Burger King dropped them in 1990, right when America was starting to fall in love with miniature everything. Bringing these back would tap straight into our nostalgia and our love for bite-sized indulgence. Plus, they were just plain fun to eat.
5. Sirloin Steak Sandwich — Burger King (late ’70s/’80s)
Burger King went upscale for a hot minute with the Sirloin Steak Sandwich, and it felt like ordering something fancy without leaving your car.
A flame-broiled sirloin patty, grilled onions, and tangy steak sauce came together on a hoagie-style bun that meant business. This was not your average fast-food fare; it had weight, flavor, and a certain swagger.
The sandwich quietly disappeared as Burger King streamlined its menu. But plenty of us remember that sirloin punch and the way it made a Tuesday night feel like a celebration. Reviving it would remind people that fast food can aim higher without losing its soul.
6. Yumbo Hot Ham & Cheese — Burger King (’70s item, remembered through the ’80s)
Sometimes simplicity wins, and the Yumbo was proof. Hot ham, melted cheese, and a soft hoagie bun made this Burger King offering feel like a deli sandwich that happened to come through a drive-thru window.
It was warm, comforting, and refreshingly straightforward in an era when everything else was trying too hard.
Burger King brought it back briefly in 2014, which tells you people still cared. But it vanished again, leaving fans like me wondering why something so easy and delicious keeps getting the boot. Kansas loved this sandwich because it felt honest, and honestly, we could use more of that right now.
7. Original Chicken Littles — KFC (1980s mini chicken sandwiches)
KFC’s Chicken Littles were tiny fried chicken sandwiches that packed a big crunch into a small package.
Each one featured a crispy chicken patty, a dab of mayo, and a mini bun that fit perfectly in your hand. They were cheap, tasty, and dangerously easy to eat by the half dozen.
KFC eventually discontinued them, then brought back a different version that just wasn’t the same. The original had a certain magic: that perfect ratio of breading to chicken, that satisfying crunch, that nostalgic simplicity. Plenty of us would line up tomorrow if KFC decided to resurrect the real deal, because some things just shouldn’t be messed with.
8. Fish Fish Sandwich — Long John Silver’s (mid-1980s)
Long John Silver’s went double or nothing with the Fish Fish Sandwich, stacking two crispy fish filets on a hoagie-style bun with tartar sauce and a prayer.
It was messy, indulgent, and exactly what you wanted after a long day of pretending to care about anything else. The batter was crunchy, the fish was flaky, and the whole thing felt like a guilty pleasure wrapped in wax paper.
This sandwich disappeared sometime in the late ’80s, probably because it was too ambitious for its own good. But those of us who remember it still crave that double-filet decadence, especially when regular fish sandwiches just don’t cut it anymore.
9. Taco Burger — Taco Tico (Kansas-born chain, ’80s staple)
Taco Tico was born right here in Kansas, and the Taco Burger was its love letter to fusion food.
Imagine a seasoned beef patty topped with all the taco fixings: shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, and zesty salsa, all on a classic burger bun. It was bold, a little messy, and totally Kansas.
While Taco Tico still exists in a few spots, the Taco Burger has faded from most menus. But it represents a time when local chains weren’t afraid to experiment and when Kansas had its own fast-food identity. Bringing this back would honor our roots and remind everyone that great ideas can start right here in the heartland.
10. Hickory Burger — Sonic (’80s regional menu standard)
Sonic’s Hickory Burger brought that smoky BBQ flavor to the drive-in scene, and it was a staple on regional menus throughout the ’80s.
A juicy beef patty slathered in hickory BBQ sauce, topped with pickles and onions, all on a toasted bun made this sandwich a Kansas favorite. It tasted like summer cookouts and Friday nights under the neon lights.
Menus varied by market, and eventually, the Hickory Burger faded into obscurity. But plenty of us remember that tangy, smoky bite and the way it made every Sonic stop feel like a mini celebration. Bringing it back would be a nod to simpler times and better burgers.
11. Big Twin — Hardee’s (late ’70s into ’80s)
Hardee’s Big Twin was the chain’s answer to the Big Mac, and for a while, it held its own.
Two beef patties, lettuce, pickles, and a tangy special sauce came together on a sesame seed bun that felt both familiar and fresh. It was straightforward, satisfying, and proof that Hardee’s could compete with the big dogs.
By the late ’80s, it was gone, replaced by other menu experiments that never quite captured the same magic. The Big Twin wasn’t flashy, but it was reliable, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. Reviving it would give Hardee’s a nostalgic edge and remind us all why we loved it in the first place.