10 Old-School ’80s Illinois Fast-Food Sandwiches Locals Wish They Could Still Order
Remember the ’80s? Before organic kale was a household word and every meal was Instagrammable, a different kind of culinary magic unfolded in Illinois fast-food joints.
Forget gourmet, we’re talking about the greasy, glorious, utterly unforgettable sandwiches that fueled our arcade adventures, mall trips, and late-night study sessions. These were rites of passage, often encased in wax paper or a flimsy cardboard box.
If you grew up in the Land of Lincoln during that neon-soaked decade, prepare for a delicious trip down memory lane. We’re unearthing 10 iconic sandwiches that Illinois locals still secretly (or not-so-secretly) pine for.
1. The McDLT
The McDLT wasn’t just a burger-it was a marvel of 1980s fast-food engineering. McDonald’s packaged this beauty in a two-compartment styrofoam container that truly kept “the hot side hot and the cool side cool.”
Crisp lettuce and tomato waited in one chamber while the hot beef patty sizzled in the other. You’d assemble it yourself for that fresh-made feeling. The burger vanished in the early ’90s when environmental concerns about styrofoam packaging grew.
The McDLT’s unique serving method made it a drive-thru favorite throughout Chicagoland, where customers still talk about that satisfying moment of combining the two halves.
2. The Original McRib
Before it became a limited-time phenomenon, the McRib debuted in 1981 as just another sandwich on McDonald’s Illinois menus. The boneless pork patty shaped like a miniature rack of ribs, slathered in tangy barbecue sauce, topped with onions and pickles on a hoagie-style bun created instant fans.
McDonald’s pulled it nationwide in the mid-80s, not expecting the outcry that followed. Illinois residents who tasted those original McRibs still claim they were different-somehow better-than today’s limited versions.
While the sandwich makes occasional comebacks, locals wish for the permanent return of this saucy sensation rather than playing the “McRib lottery” every year.
3. McPizza
McPizza represents one of McDonald’s boldest menu experiments from the late 1980s. Personal-sized pizzas with surprisingly decent crust and toppings that could rival budget pizza chains appeared at Golden Arches throughout Illinois.
I remember biking to our local McDonald’s in Naperville with friends after school, pooling our allowance money for this exotic non-burger treat. The cashiers would always warn us about the wait time-McPizzas took nearly 11 minutes to prepare while regular orders took seconds.
This timing issue ultimately doomed the product, as drive-thru efficiency suffered. By the mid-90s, most Illinois locations had removed it, leaving behind only fond, cheesy memories.
4. Burger Chef’s Big Shef
Before fast-food consolidation took hold, Burger Chef restaurants dotted Illinois landscapes with their signature Big Shef sandwich. This double-decker beauty featured two flame-broiled patties, melted cheese, shredded lettuce, and special sauce on a triple-layer bun.
The Big Shef stood as a direct competitor to McDonald’s Big Mac, but loyalists insisted its flame-broiled taste gave it the edge. When Hardee’s bought out Burger Chef in the early 1980s, the beloved sandwich began disappearing.
Midwest food historians note that some Hardee’s locations temporarily revived the Big Shef in limited runs through the 1990s, but Illinois fans of the original never felt these comebacks captured the authentic taste.
5. The Bell Beefer
Strange but true-Taco Bell once sold a burger-adjacent sandwich called the Bell Beefer. This unusual offering featured the same seasoned ground beef used in their tacos but served sloppy joe-style on a bun with diced onions, lettuce, and mild sauce.
The Bell Beefer gained a devoted following in Illinois Taco Bell locations throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Kids especially loved the less-messy alternative to hard-shell tacos that still delivered that distinctive Taco Bell flavor profile.
The company phased it out by the late 1980s to focus on their Mexican-inspired core menu. Fan petitions have circulated for decades begging for its return, but so far, Taco Bell has resisted the beefy call.
6. Jack’s Chicken Supreme
Jack in the Box elevated fast-food chicken with their Chicken Supreme sandwich in the 1980s. Part of their ambitious “Dinner in the Box” concept, this premium handheld featured a substantial chicken fillet with lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a hearty artisan-style bun.
The sandwich came in a special box with upgraded sides, positioning it as a legitimate dinner option rather than just a quick bite. Chicago-area locations promoted these boxes heavily, particularly targeting families looking for a drive-thru dinner solution.
I still remember my dad bringing home Chicken Supremes as a special Friday night treat-the sandwich seemed massive to my child-sized hands. As Jack in the Box streamlined operations in the 1990s, these labor-intensive premium options gradually disappeared.
7. The Original Whaler
Long before the BK Big Fish, Burger King’s original seafood sandwich bore the nautical name “The Whaler.” This 1980s creation featured a crispy fish patty, tangy tartar sauce, and fresh lettuce on a sesame seed bun.
What made the original Whaler special was its distinctively different breading-crunchier and more seasoned than later iterations. Illinois Burger King locations saw Whaler sales spike during Lent, when Catholic families sought meatless Friday options.
Through the years, BK rebranded and reformulated their fish sandwich multiple times (Ocean Catch, BK Fish, Big Fish), but Illinois old-timers maintain none matched the original Whaler’s perfect balance of crisp exterior and flaky interior.
8. Arby’s Turkey Deluxe
Before every fast food chain offered “premium” sandwiches, Arby’s pioneered deli-style fast food with creations like the Turkey Deluxe. This 1980s standout featured thinly-sliced roast turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a special herb mayo on a toasted onion roll.
The sandwich represented Arby’s attempt to elevate quick-service dining beyond basic burgers. Illinois locations marketed these higher-end options to working professionals seeking a step up from typical drive-thru fare.
Menu streamlining in the 1990s saw many of these specialty sandwiches discontinued or dramatically reformulated. Today’s Arby’s turkey offerings might share the same basic concept, but fans insist they lack that special herb mayo and quality that made the original truly deluxe.
9. Wimpy’s Special Platter Burger
Wimpy restaurants-inspired by the Popeye character who loved hamburgers-once had a significant Illinois presence, especially around Chicago. Their Special Platter Burger wasn’t just another sandwich but a knife-and-fork affair served open-faced on a platter with special sauce cascading over the patty.
The burgers featured hand-formed beef patties cooked to order, a rarity in fast food even back then. Wimpy’s drive-in locations became weekend destinations for families treating themselves to these special burgers.
When Wimpy’s U.S. presence dwindled in the late 1980s, this distinctive burger style largely disappeared from the Illinois landscape. Only a handful of independent diners still serve anything remotely similar to this beloved open-faced creation.
10. Mr. Hero’s Original Chicago Cheesesteak
The Chicago suburbs once boasted numerous Mr. Hero locations, particularly in shopping mall food courts. Their signature Chicago Cheesesteak-not to be confused with a Philadelphia version-featured thinly-sliced steak, melted white American cheese, grilled onions, and a proprietary seasoning blend on a soft Italian roll.
Mall rats of the 1980s planned shopping trips around these sandwiches. The preparation was theatrical, with cooks slicing the meat directly on the grill and building the sandwich to order right before your eyes.
As mall culture transformed and food courts consolidated to national chains in the 1990s, most Illinois Mr. Hero locations closed. While the chain still exists in other states, that specific Chicago-style cheesesteak recipe with its unique seasoning blend has become a fond memory for Illinois sandwich enthusiasts.