These Vintage Tennessee Fast-Food Sandwiches Disappeared After The ’80s
For anyone who came of age in Tennessee before the ’90s, the words ‘fast food’ conjure up a very specific, almost sacred, set of memories.
It wasn’t just about convenience; it was about distinct local flavors, innovative sandwich concoctions, and establishments that felt uniquely ours. But here’s the bittersweet truth: many of those beloved, iconic sandwiches – the ones that tasted like pure Tennessee summer – quietly faded from menus as the ’80s drew to a close.
Today, we’re dusting off the archives and serving up a heaping helping of nostalgia, exploring the vintage Tennessee fast-food sandwiches that vanished into the culinary ether after their ’80s heyday.
1. The McDLT’s Hot-And-Cold Wonder
McDonald’s McDLT was a revolutionary sandwich that promised to keep ‘the hot side hot and the cool side cool’ with its innovative packaging. Tennessee customers in the 1980s went wild for this burger that came in a special two-compartment styrofoam container.
One side held the hot beef patty on the bottom bun, while the other contained the cool lettuce, tomato, and condiments on the top bun. You’d combine them yourself for that perfect first bite!
The sandwich vanished in the early 1990s when environmental concerns about styrofoam packaging grew. Its quirky “two-compartment” design made it instantly recognizable and a favorite for its novelty as much as its taste.
2. Hardee’s Big Country Breakfast Sandwich
Morning commuters across Tennessee once started their day with Hardee’s Big Country Breakfast Sandwich. This hearty morning creation featured scrambled eggs, bacon, and melted cheese stuffed between two thick slices of toasted sourdough bread.
Nashville office workers particularly loved this portable breakfast that could be eaten on the go. The sandwich was a staple throughout the early 1980s.
But it gradually disappeared as the chain shifted its breakfast focus to biscuit-based offerings. Those who remember it still talk about its perfect combination of savory flavors that made mornings a little more bearable.
3. Burger King’s Whaler Fish Sandwich
Long before the BK Big Fish swam onto menus, Tennessee Burger King locations served The Whaler. This crispy fish sandwich was a Friday favorite during Lent across Memphis and Knoxville throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
Breaded white fish came topped with tartar sauce and lettuce on a sesame seed bun. What made it special was the extra-thick fish fillet that actually extended beyond the edges of the bun!
The Whaler eventually evolved into today’s more standardized fish sandwich options, but old-timers still reminisce about that generous portion of crispy fish. It made this sandwich a true catch.
4. Taco Bell’s Mysterious Bell Beefer
Believe it or not, Taco Bell once sold a sandwich! The Bell Beefer was essentially a taco on a bun – seasoned ground beef, diced onions, lettuce and mild taco sauce piled onto a soft burger bun.
Chattanooga teens in particular flocked to this oddball menu item that bridged the gap between American and Mexican fast food. Many Tennessee locations kept it on menus through the mid-1980s.
Even as the chain began focusing more exclusively on Mexican-inspired offerings. The sandwich earned a cult following for its unique flavor profile that wasn’t quite a taco, wasn’t quite a sloppy joe.
5. The Arch Deluxe’s Short-Lived Sophistication
McDonald’s attempted to class up its image with the Arch Deluxe, marketed specifically to adults with sophisticated palates. Launched with tremendous fanfare in Tennessee locations during 1996, this ‘burger with the grown-up taste’ featured a quarter-pound beef patty on a bakery-style roll with leaf lettuce, tomato, onions, and a special mustard-mayo sauce.
The company spent an estimated $300 million promoting it nationwide – including billboards along I-40 and I-65. Despite the massive marketing push, Tennessee customers weren’t impressed by the higher price point.
By 2000, this attempt at culinary maturity had vanished from all golden arches across the state. Many fans later recalled it as ambitious but overly complicated for a typical fast-food lunch crowd.
6. Wendy’s SuperBar All-You-Can-Eat Feast
Though not technically a sandwich, Wendy’s SuperBar deserves mention because it let Tennessee diners build their own custom sandwiches! This beloved all-you-can-eat buffet featured three distinct sections: Italian pasta, Mexican fiesta, and a traditional salad bar.
Knoxville college students would create wild sandwich combinations using taco meat and pasta on burger buns. For just $2.99 in the early 1980s, hungry customers could make unlimited trips to this incredible food station.
The SuperBar disappeared nationwide by 1998, victim of its own generous economics. It simply wasn’t profitable to let customers eat unlimited food for such a low price.
7. Hardee’s Original Roast Beef Classic
Before Arby’s dominated the roast beef market, Hardee’s Original Roast Beef sandwich was the go-to choice for Tennessee meat lovers. Thinly-sliced, tender roast beef was piled high on a toasted sesame seed bun and topped with a tangy sauce that had just the right kick.
The sandwich came wrapped in foil to keep it warm and juicy. Johnson City and Bristol locations were particularly known for their generous portions that satisfied hungry coal miners and factory workers.
When Hardee’s began its transformation into a burger-focused chain in the 1990s, this beloved sandwich gradually disappeared from Tennessee menus. It made occasional limited-time appearances that never quite captured the original magic.
8. The McLean Deluxe’s Diet-Friendly Disaster
Health-conscious Tennesseans briefly embraced McDonald’s McLean Deluxe when it debuted in 1991. This reduced-fat burger promised guilt-free fast food with 91% fat-free beef patties. The secret?
Seaweed extract (carrageenan) that replaced some of the fat while maintaining moisture. Nashville fitness enthusiasts were early adopters of this healthier option.
Unfortunately, the unusual ingredient list and slightly different taste couldn’t compete with the classic McDonald’s flavor profile that customers craved. By 1996, this noble experiment in fast-food nutrition had vanished from Tennessee menus.
9. Burger King’s Enormous Yumbo Sandwich
The Yumbo was Burger King’s answer to the hot ham and cheese craving that swept through Tennessee in the 1970s. This simple yet satisfying sandwich featured heated ham and melted American cheese on a hoagie-style bun.
What made it special was the sheer amount of ham – significantly more generous than competitors’ offerings. Memphis blues musicians would grab these before late-night gigs, appreciating the substantial portion that could fuel an evening of performing.
After disappearing in the mid-1980s, BK briefly revived the Yumbo for a limited run in 2014. The comeback couldn’t recapture the magic of the original that Tennessee residents remembered so fondly.
10. McDonald’s Cheddar Melt’s Gooey Goodness
The Cheddar Melt briefly graced McDonald’s Tennessee locations in the mid-1980s, offering a unique twist on the traditional cheeseburger. A quarter-pound beef patty came smothered in gooey cheddar cheese sauce and grilled onions on a light rye bun.
A combination that created devoted fans across the state. The sandwich’s special appeal came from that distinctive rye bun, which was unlike anything else on the McDonald’s menu.
Oak Ridge nuclear plant workers would line up during lunch breaks when this limited-time offering appeared. Despite occasional revivals in the 1990s, this cheese lover’s dream sandwich eventually disappeared from the permanent menu.
11. Dairy Queen’s Super Brazier BBQ Beef
Before DQ focused primarily on ice cream treats, their Brazier locations across Tennessee served up a Southern-inspired BBQ beef sandwich that locals couldn’t get enough of. Slow-cooked, shredded beef was mixed with a sweet-tangy barbecue sauce.
It had just a hint of Tennessee whiskey flavor, then piled on a soft sesame seed bun. Gatlinburg tourists would often grab these sandwiches before heading into the Smoky Mountains.
The Super Brazier version added extra meat and a slice of melted American cheese that perfectly complemented the barbecue flavor. As Dairy Queen streamlined its menu nationwide in the late 1980s, this regional favorite gradually disappeared.
12. KFC’s Double Down’s Breadless Revolution
Though technically from 2010 (slightly outside our timeframe), the Double Down deserves honorary mention as it disappeared so quickly and completely. This revolutionary “sandwich” replaced bread with two fried chicken fillets.
They held bacon, cheese, and special sauce between them. Tennessee was one of the test markets where this protein-packed creation first appeared. The Double Down became an instant sensation in Nashville and Memphis.
Adventurous eaters lined up to try this carb-free wonder. Health concerns and changing consumer preferences led to its quick disappearance, though it occasionally returns for limited promotions, always creating a buzz.