10 New York And California Snacks That Only ’90s Kids Remember
Remember those special treats that fueled our adventures through the 1990s? If you grew up on either coast during this golden era of snacking, you probably have fond memories of these regional delights.
From bodega treasures to lunchbox staples, these forgotten goodies defined childhood for kids in New York and California before the new millennium arrived.
1. Planter’s PB Crisps
Peanut-shaped cookie shells with creamy peanut butter filling inside – pure magic in every bite! These addictive little morsels launched in 1992 and quickly became the holy grail of school lunch trades.
I still remember hoarding these in my desk during fourth grade, carefully rationing them throughout the week.
Despite passionate fan petitions and dedicated Facebook groups demanding their return, these beloved treats remain frustratingly discontinued.
2. Cheez Doodles (the Bronx Original)
Not to be confused with their national competitors, these authentic NYC cheese puffs boasted a distinct crunch and more intense flavor. The Bronx-made Wise brand version had that perfect neon orange dust that left evidence on your fingertips for hours.
Local bodegas sold them in small bags perfect for after-school snacking. While still available in some areas today, ’90s kids know the original recipe had something special that modern versions just can’t replicate.
3. Bodega Bacon-Egg-and-Cheese Bagels
While technically not packaged, no New York ’90s kid could forget these foil-wrapped masterpieces. Delis and corner stores throughout the city perfected this iconic breakfast sandwich – with just the right amount of grease soaking through the paper bag.
My dad would grab two every Saturday morning from our local spot on 86th Street. The combination of melty American cheese, crispy bacon, and a perfectly toasted bagel represented New York in its purest form – especially when delivered with that signature “Here ya go, kid” from behind the counter.
4. Dunkaroos
These cookie-and-frosting combos weren’t just snacks – they were interactive experiences! The tiny kangaroo mascot bounced across commercials while California kids went wild for the rainbow sprinkle frosting variety.
Each plastic tray contained crisp cookies perfect for dunking into sweet, colorful frosting. The vanilla cookies with chocolate frosting reigned supreme in West Coast schoolyards, creating intense playground trading economies.
Though discontinued in 2012, they’ve made a comeback that sadly doesn’t capture the original ’90s magic.
5. New York Soft Street-Cart Pretzels
Long before artisanal pretzels became trendy, NYC street vendors sold these giant salted twisted pretzels wrapped in wax paper. The perfect blend of crunchy exterior and soft interior made them impossible to resist.
I’d save my allowance just to buy these after school, carefully breaking off pieces to make them last longer. The distinctive snap when you first bit into one and that perfect salt-to-dough ratio became the unofficial flavor of Manhattan afternoons.
Street cart vendors would sometimes dip the ends in mustard if you asked nicely – a secret menu item only locals knew about.
6. Wonder Ball
These chocolate spheres contained tiny candies inside – a revolutionary concept that had California kids absolutely obsessed! The commercials featured the earworm jingle “Oh I wonder, wonder, what’s in the Wonder Ball?”
Each hollow chocolate shell held different surprises depending on which character was featured on the packaging. Disney-themed versions were particularly coveted in school lunchrooms.
Safety concerns eventually led to their discontinuation, though modern versions have returned without the original toy surprises that made them truly special.
7. Squeezit Color Changers
These plastic bottle drinks were already cool, but the color-changing versions blew young California minds! Adding special pellets transformed your beverage from blue to purple or red to orange like magic science experiments.
The twisted bottles featured character faces on the caps that seemed to talk when you squeezed them. My friends and I would collect all the different characters, trading them during lunch breaks.
The slightly artificial taste somehow made them even more appealing to ’90s palates raised on neon-colored everything.
8. Manhattan Special Coffee Soda
This fizzy coffee-flavored soda in glass bottles was the ultimate New York insider treat. Long before Starbucks Frappuccinos, Brooklyn and Manhattan kids were getting their caffeine fix from these sweet, bubbly concoctions.
Found primarily in Italian neighborhoods and local delis, these drinks made ’90s kids feel sophisticated and grown-up.
The vintage-looking labels added to their mystique. While technically still available today, nothing compares to discovering them as a kid in 1990s New York when they felt like a secret city treasure.
9. Fruit-Shaped Trix Cereal
Before they became boring spheres, Trix cereal pieces were shaped like actual fruits! The watermelon wedges and grape bunches made breakfast infinitely more exciting for ’90s kids on both coasts.
The commercial catchphrase “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!” became playground slang whenever someone tried to take something that wasn’t theirs.
I distinctly remember fishing out all the raspberry shapes first because they tasted slightly different (despite what adults claimed).
General Mills eventually switched to round shapes, crushing childhood imagination everywhere.
10. Viennetta Ice Cream Cake
This rippled ice cream dessert made every California family gathering feel fancy! The TV commercials showed it being sliced with elegant precision, though our attempts always resulted in collapsed dairy avalanches.
The thin chocolate layers between vanilla ice cream created a satisfying crack with each bite. Serving Viennetta at a ’90s birthday party instantly elevated your family’s social status among impressed classmates.
Though briefly discontinued in America, this frozen delicacy has recently returned, sparking nostalgic tears from coast to coast.