They’re McMissing it.
A new study revealed the top five discontinued menu items McDonald’s customers are desperate to get back at the Golden Arches.
The team of researchers at Infinity Calculator analyzed internet searches for over 70 items once sold at Mickey D’s in the US.
“In 1940, McDonald’s opened its first-ever US restaurant in San Bernardino, California. The store had a menu packed with classics, such as the brand’s beloved hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Since then, McDonald’s has expanded its menu to include hundreds of items,” Jehan Wadia, CEO of Infinity Calculator, said in a statement.
“While some have stood the test of time, like the brand’s iconic Big Mac, others have not been so lucky.”
Yet, despite some of these non-popular bites not having a permanent spot on the chain’s menu — they’ve kept a spot in customers’ hearts.
“This study highlights which discontinued menu items continue to be favorites among hungry customers. By examining search volumes, it’s easy to see that Americans have an emotional connection to these nostalgic foods.”
Here are some of the fan-favorite menu items McDonald’s no longer makes.
1. McRib
According to the data, the McRib is the most missed McDonald’s menu item.
With an average of 94,425 monthly searches, fast-food fans are drooling for the saucy sandwich.
The McRib debuted in Kansas City in 1981 and was released nationwide in 1982. Despite being permanently removed from the menu in 2005, it has made several limited-time returns and will likely be served again in the future.
However, some McDonald’s fans are ribbing the restaurant chain after learning what a McRib is actually made of.
The sandwich features a seasoned slab of pork, for sure — but uses a patty of ground, boneless pork shoulder, according to Taste.
The patty is emulsified with water, spices, dextrose sugar and preservatives to create its signature flavor and texture and then molded to look like a rack of ribs.
It’s also not properly barbecued.
The smoldering flavor is made from liquid smoke and BBQ sauce.
2 . Snack Wraps
Snack Wraps — tasty treats featuring a crispy or grilled chicken strip, lettuce, and cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla — are the second most craved menu item.
The nibble racks up 41,950 monthly searches as hungry people scour the internet for their beloved item.
Fortunately, for fans, the fast-food chain recently announced plans to bring Snack Wraps back to the menu. After years of begging and waiting, McDonald’s has confirmed to The Post that the Snack Wrap will return to restaurants nationwide permanently beginning Thursday, July 10.
Snack Wraps will also be available as a combo meal, which will include two Snack Wraps, medium fries and a drink of your choice.
Eager customers will have the option of two different Snack Wrap flavors:
- Spicy: Bold, zesty and unapologetically fiery. The Spicy Snack Wrap has a habanero kick that fans know and love from the Spicy McCrispy sandwich.
- Ranch: Smooth, rich and irresistibly savory. The Ranch Snack Wrap offers a burst of cool ranch goodness, with hints of garlic and onion.
3. Spicy Chicken McNuggets
The third most sought-after discontinued McDonald’s menu item is the Spicy Chicken McNuggets.
People search for the fiery bites about 10,093 times a month.
Spicy Chicken Nuggets are a twist on the classic Chicken Nuggets, breaded in a crispy tempura coating and spiced with a blend of cayenne and chili pepper.
The nuggets come in four size options: six, 10, 20 and 40 pieces.
The Spicy Chicken McNuggets were first added to menus for a limited time in 2020 and have since reappeared on several occasions.
They were most recently served up last November at participating locations in “local markets, including Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New York and more and will likely make another return.
4. McDLT
The McDLT — a $1.95 cheeseburger, packed with lettuce, tomato, and mayo — is the fourth most missed menu item at the fast-food chain.
With an average of 8,748 monthly searches, fast-food fans are yearning for a juicy bite of this burger.
The burger was released in the mid-80s, intended to compete with Burger King’s Whopper.
The item was discontinued due to its Styrofoam two-part container, which separated the hot ingredients from the cold ones.
5. Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait
Rounding out the top five beloved menu items that no longer exist is the Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait.
The sweet treat has an average of 8,300 monthly searches.
The Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait is a delicious combination of low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola, all served in a clear plastic cup.
It first launched in 2000 and was discontinued two decades later, yet fast food fiends are still trying to get a taste.
Here are the 10 discontinued McDonald’s menu items fans wish would come back:
1.McRib, 94,425 (monthly search volume)
2. Snack Wraps, 41,950
3. Spicy Chicken McNuggets, 10,093
4. McDLT, 8,748
5. Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait, 8,300
6. Szechuan Sauce, 7,842
7. Grilled Chicken Sandwich, 5,767
8. Cinnamon Melts, 5,533
9. Hot Mustard, 5,317
10. McPizza, 4,033
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