From Lifehacker’s Slack channels to your comments here, it’s not a reach to say that society’s longing for the Meximelt is palpable. When Taco Bell revamped their menu in 2019, this long-running staple inexplicably got the axe. There are tons of copycat recipes online; in theory, it’s just a flour tortilla stuffed with beef, pico de gallo, and the same three cheese blend as a quesadilla. Still, longtime fans know the difference between a copycat and the genuine article.

“They still have plenty of guilty pleasures on the menu (Cheesy Gordita Crunch is one that became a menu fixture awhile back after years of promotional purgatory), but the Meximelt was Taco Bell distilled down to its purest form.” –ItsDeke 

“Meximelt was the only item I truly liked there.” –plan9

Year deceased: 2019

Fine dining, anyone? The Arch Deluxe of the ‘90s is known as McDonald’s most expensive flop. Where McDonald’s went wrong has been covered at length. Still, some loyal fans live amongst us to this day.

One of those brave souls is Lifehacker Deputy Editor Joel Cunningham: “McDonald’s engineered a whole marketing campaign built around the idea that kids would find the Arch Deluxe—which used ‘fancy’ ingredients like peppered bacon and identifiable tomatoes—disgusting. I, 14 years old and possessing a very refined palate, thank you, adored it and ordered one every single week, right up until they discontinued it because no one else liked it.”

This commenter from an empty account (spooky) raises a strong point about the quality of burger that would warrant such sophisticated framing: “I wouldn’t mind trying the Arch Deluxe. I wasn’t part of the targeted market when it initially released and while I know it flopped, I’m curious as to what type of burger they thought was worth putting such a big marketing push behind.”

Year deceased: 2000

This is one of the most recent blows to die-hard fans of Popeyes’ Cajun cuisine. The chain removed both cajun rice and green beans quietly, only to cause an uproar across social media. You might think of Popeyes as the place for fried chicken, but don’t underestimate the way customers feel about their sides. (If you’re trying to make a copycat version, gather up some gizzards and try your hand at this one.)

“Popeye’s cajun (aka Dirty) rice. Less gloppy and more flavorful than the red beans and rice, it was my staple (with an extra side of onion rings) of a weekly lunch when I worked in the city. Hey there’s even a song about it.” –joelfinkle

Bonus: Although their loss isn’t well-documented, here’s what Lifehacker readers had to say about Popeyes’ elusive onion rings:

“They were thinly sliced and so freakin’ great.” –Chip Skylark of Space

“They often weren’t even listed on the menu, but they were perfect: crisp, tempura-like batter with a hint of spice, tall slices of onion that somehow managed to not pull free of the breading when bitten.” –joelfinkle

“It was like a lite tempura batter coating...not too heavy and you could eat them all.” –GoonieGooGoo6

Year deceased: 2021

Taco Bell has garnered a reputation for taking its fans on a roller coaster of emotions with changes to its menu. So, as promised, Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza deserves a spot on this list just like it deserves a spot in all our heart.

Consider the words of Rima Parikh, who authored this excellent piece on how, “Taco Bell has danced its way into the hearts of many South Asian Americans.” As Parikh points out, what we all have to remember is that this two-tortilla, beef, cheese, and bean innovation is a reflection of neither Mexico nor Italy; it’s its own thing entirely. Read her full article to understand why it deserves a spot on this list, as well as why fast-food manages to become such a powerful emotional force in our lives.

Put more simply: “​​God I loved that thing.” –devilsadvocate

Year deceased: 2020

I do not endorse this entry, and honestly couldn’t get through the video above. However, I see this as a reflection of the essence of this post, which is that I’m starved for Arby’s potato cakes content in all forms.

This beloved salty side might have nothing on Arby’s curly fries, but will be missed nonetheless—another recent blow to fast-food fans everywhere. In fact, this Change.org petition has nearly reached its goal of 2,500 signatures begging (urging? threatening?) Arby’s to bring back their potato cakes, with the creator penning a passionate plea: “The recent elimination of potato cakes from the menu is seen as an unwarranted loss that we want rectified. Bring back the cakes!”

“Having those go away was deeply hurtful for me.” –sgtyukon

“Sure, they’re just McD’s hash browns, but they’re not coated in awful dust like the curly fries or mealy potatoes like the wedges.” –joelfinkle

“Agree. Most of Arby’s food is meh, but I would go there to get the Potato Cakes and something with protein. Haven’t been back since they dropped them from the menu.” –Bill

“The best reason to go to Arby’s vanished a few months ago.” –defenderguy

Year deceased: 2021

If you watch only one of the throwback videos in this post, let it be the one with Jason Alexander singing at you. McDonald’s McDLT was allegedly their response to the Whopper. With the two sides of the burger packaged separately, the McDLT’s advertising campaign was to “keep the hot side hot, and the cool side cool.”

That innovative packaging, however, was part of its downfall: The company discontinued it to appear more environmentally friendly as it moved away from polystyrene containers, which many called integral to the full McDLT experience. Lifehacker reader CoolHandTim points that fact out as well: “It was the climate-killing double styrofoam container that did it in, too. The McDLT was simply a good burger that perished from unfortunate packaging.”

“I loves me some McDLT... the hot-side-hot, cold-side-cold concoction. So long as the folks behind the counter don’t confuse which side is which.” –Nick

“Like many Americans, my first job was flipping burgers at the local McDonalds. This was 1987, so the McDLT was the bad boy in town. And it. Was. AWESOME. Especially when you pulled a sneaky and added a second quarter-pounder patty and more cheese for your break-time meal (I only did it once, honest). But the idea of keeping the meat separate from the lettuce and tomato until you ate it, so things didn’t get soggy, was pretty brilliant for its time.” –Bacon Tentacles

“I totally miss the McDLT too — I’m sure they could have solved the wonky packaging issue with a little effort. Loved the taste and the whole concept of it.” –andrewb812

Year(s) deceased: 1990-1991

Burger King still has chicken products on offer, but many Lifehacker readers agree that they simply aren’t the same as the original tenders. The current nuggets are closer to those of McDonald’s, and although the franchise has yet to address any official differences, Burger King fans online yearn for the tenders of yore.

“Burger King Chicken Tenders were the best in the game and they were fools to get rid of them.” –Dean Sailey

“The crown shape made them perfect for dipping and the pepper in the breading really separated it from other fast food’s nuggets. Plus they had the chicken tender sandwich as an option. Yeah, they still have the Chicken Jr, but the thickness of the tenders made it seem more substantial than the paper-patty they use today.” –spybloom

Fact check: “Nah, the OG nuggets were oblong, quite a bit denser, and had a lot of black pepper in the breading. The crowns came later, though it might have been the same formula.” –Alcoholic Synonymous

Year deceased: Unknown. Seriously. This article even claims that BK denied ever serving tenders prior to 2018.

This is a sore subject for me. One time I dropped my friend’s McDonald’s apple pie, and things have never really been the same between us. I bring this up as a testament to how strongly people feel about this MVP of fast-food dessert options. And yes, apple is still on the menu at McDonalds, but after a 2018 recipe change, it’s never been the same. I’m sorry for dropping your pre-2018 deep-fried apple pie, Hannah. Please forgive me. It’s been seven years.

“Those used to be the best desert for any fast food place and I think they changed from fresh baked to just frozen and heated up? Either way whatever the change was they also are terrible now.” –steve_zissou

“No matter how long it sat in the warmer the inside was still the temperature of lava.” –jstimson

Year deceased: 2018

This is a more obscure pick, since Jack in the Box primarily serves the West Coast and the ham and turkey melt has been gone for over 20 years. Back in 2010, this menu item received a lot of love and reminiscing on this forum. “I write JITB every few months requesting they bring this sandwich back,” writes one user; “PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring the hot ham and cheese back, it’s healthy, low fat, and delicious. It would fit right in now days” urges another.

Here’s one Lifehacker reader’s bold claim about the power of this melt: “This was discontinued in the mid-’90s and is certain never to return, but the Ham & Turkey Melt from Jack in the Box remains my all-time favorite fast food sandwich. WHY did they discontinue it when I, alone, could have kept that income rolling in?” –Noisy Pip

Year deceased: mid-’90s

First off, I’m starting to think Taco Bell warrants a separate article lamenting all of its gone-too-soon menu items. Secondly, this is your official warning about the sound quality of the commercial above.

Our friends at The Takeout memorialize this item with all the respect it deserves: “While every Chalupa is beautiful in its own special way, the Queen of All Chalupas is right there at the beginning of the timeline: the Baja Chalupa. The Baja Chalupa (and its sister, the Baja Gordita) was the greatest thing that ever was and ever will be on the Taco Bell menu, and yet, it was discontinued without warning.”

The tragedy of the Baja Chalupa is the loss of the distinct and beloved baja sauce. But is it really gone? This Reddit user, who claims to be a Taco Bell employee, posits that the famous Baja sauce is still available under the rebrand of “spicy ranch” (the name supposedly makes it easier for new customers to understand what flavors to expect). Therefore, any Baja-inspired item is popular as a “secret-menu” item to order on your own. Then again, many Taco Bell fanatics argue that the spicy ranch is nowhere near the same as the magic of their beloved baja.

“I know there is a way to sort of concoct one via a custom order, but I’d like to just order one without explaining myself. It’s so much better than the supreme. That said, I haven’t had Taco Bell in about a year due to lifestyle changes.” –panthercougar

“Baja Chalupa (and the other one with the corn salsa, maybe Santa Fe?) was amazing. It was my first time I can remember ever eating cilantro. you can technically still make it on the app (sub avocado ranch for sour cream, but it ain’t no baja sauce!)” –trapperjakk

“Keep the cilantro away from me, but you’re right about the baja sauce. There is no substitute.” –Donut Resuscitate

Year deceased: c. 2014

This vegetarian fan-favorite had a limited return in 2018. Did I say vegetarian? My mistake, since this mushroom melt did in fact come with bacon. And a burger patty. Which means that some of you are not vegetarians, but would still opt for a mushroom patty over a beef one. [Edited: I got this wrong the first time; upon reflection, ofcourse Wendy’s never sold an actual mushroom “burger.”] Which means that I have nothing more to say to you at this time.

Several of you mentioned this item under my original post, but here’s the only comment that expands on their love: “The biggest thing I miss is the Bacon Mushroom Melt at Wendy’s.” –skurtis.1

Year deceased: 2018

If you remember McDonald’s fries tasting better before the ‘90s, you’re not alone. Faced with growing public concerns about health, McDonald’s eliminated beef tallow from the famous french fry formula and replaced it with 100% vegetable oil in 1990. A lot of us have never known any different, but anyone who remembers the OG fries (beef tallow’s version) swears they just don’t taste as satisfying anymore.

“McDonald’s fries using the beef tallow. To this day I’m 100% certain if they leaned into this “classic” version and sold it along side the current “vegetarian” option, they’d make bank. I understand the PR crisis back in the day, but the nostalgia factor alone would make these sell like... hotcakes.” –Nitpicking

“The OLD McDonald’s fries. I know why they changed them, but they used to rule and now they are pretty boring.” –@MidPointMaven

Excellent point: “The thing is, the current version isn’t even vegetarian! It’s got beef extract in it to try to mimic the old school fries, which it pretty much fails at. They could totally bring back the beef tallow version and then create an actual vegetarian version without weird animal extracts and make everyone happy!” –fancypantsftw

Year deceased: 1990

When you search for this obscure menu item, the results are largely recipes for how to replicate it. However, any more information about this dessert is nearly impossible to find online, forcing me to assume it contains a scandalous history that Roy Rogers himself wiped from the internet. (Oh, and despite the way many commenters speak about Roy Rogers, there are still 44 locations in existence).

“In the mid 70s there was a roast beef chain called Roy Rogers that was big in the northeast (the current chain is mostly related in name only) that had this awesome dessert called Apple Cheese Crisp. I’d never think to put cheddar on an apple pie or apple crisp, but I guess it’s a thing. You can find recipes for the apple cheese crisp online, but it’ll never be the same as what I remember as a 10 year old.” –Spaceman3k

“You’re not from Vermont, I see (or likely, from any other part of New England).” –Dead Elvis, Inc. 

Year deceased: I can’t even prove this item ever existed, guys.

Healthy and fun? Fast-food is already famous for being on-the-go, but these salads-stuffed-in-a-cup took that appeal a step further. You can still order premium salads at McDonald’s, but if you try shaking them like a pair of maracas, it’s at your own risk.

On Twitter, CeeDub (@ChuckWoske) commented that they thought they’d be “the only one to remember” these funky salads. Don’t worry @ChuckWoske, because Nameless (@philippineDR3AM) remembers it fondly as well, calling it “one of the few healthy choices” at McDonald’s–a claim to unpack at another time.

Year deceased: 2003

The Cheddar Melt was a Quarter Pounder topped with grilled onions, teriyaki sauce and cheddar cheese sauce on a rye bun–usually sold as a Supersize meal, according to the McDonald’s Wiki.

“It came back in at least some areas around 2015 or so, I missed the boat on it back in the day on account of being a small Happy Meal-eating child, so it was the first time I got to try it. Definitely agree it needs to come back, that shiz was gooooood [sic].” –Executor32

“Was that the one with sauteed onions and cheese sauce on a rye bun? I remember it coming back for a bit in the late 90's when I was a McPloyee. That was some good shit, even if was a pain to have to keep frying up the onions.” –cycoivan

From my research, the Cheddar Melt’s history is that it was originally introduced in 1988 and removed in the same year, then revived in 2002 and subsequently shut down in the same year, and hasn’t returned since.

Years deceased: 1988 and 2002

I know this isn’t strictly the guidelines of this post, but I appreciated the journey and camaraderie on this post. Local flavor.

Commenter Mr. Feeney’s Blazer told us that they “miss a whole franchise,” called Corn Dog Heaven. From a rudimentary search, this appears to be the name of a now closed restaurant in Texas. It could also be referring to a more abstract concept outlined on Urban Dictionary as “a place where the skies are blue and the grass is green...corndogs are as plentiful as the generous sun’s infinite rays that pour down on this glorious heavenly land.”

Here’s what else Mr. Feeney’s Blazer had to say: “There used to be these corn dog stands that carried Cheese on a Stick. It was probably the only thing I would eat as a kid besides PBJ.”

Then, another user chimed in with the happy ending that we’ve all been desperate to see for at least one of these menu items. According to The Red Queen, these corn dog and cheese items still exist in the form of Hot Dog on a Stick. User Sam423 sums up the allure of the corn dog nicely: “Holy hell that looks amazing. I’m missing out on something great here.” Aren’t we all, Sam423. Aren’t we all.