I don’t eat fast food often, but I would if it were actually healthy. Twist my arm… lol. Why do the foods that taste fabulous end up being horrible for our bodies?!
Even back in the 1970s, we rarely ate at quick-serve restaurants. They certainly weren’t Dad’s favorite. Mom occasionally took us out for a quick lunch or a special treat. It got me thinking about some of my favorite fast-food menu items that I ate growing up that have been discontinued.
Who remembers McDonaldland Cookies and Chocolaty Chip Cookies? The McDonaldland tasted like animal crackers. The two flavors came in a little rectangular box. I love the McDonald’s one with all the characters’ pictures, as you can see above. I remember carrying it by the “M”.
If you have a craving for the McDonaldland Cookies, never fear! You can get a box from Aldi’s that tastes just like them! Message me, and I’ll send you the picture of the packaging. Personally, I enjoyed the Chocolaty Chip Cookies, but I’ll take them both!
We used to have an A&W near where we lived. It was legendary. It was built in 1973 and demolished in early 2012. There are still some A&W restaurants in business, but none in our area. Obviously, since the restaurant closed, we don’t have access to any of the menu items. I have lots of memories of that restaurant for another post, but I sure do miss their root beer floats! I remember that a kids’ meal came with that signature root beer, smooth, creamy vanilla soft-serve in that mini frosted mug. I thought I was so cool drinking out of that glass mug instead of a cup with a straw. I know you can find their root beer in stores, but there’s something about drinking it out of that authentic frosty mug that I miss.
I remember when Taco Bell first opened near us. It had to have been in the mid to late 70s? It was such a unique concept and may have been the first Mexican restaurant I ever went to. I probably chose to eat a simple taco back then, but what I remember and miss are the Cinnamon Crispas. You got a cardboard boat-like container overflowing with crisp cinnamon-sugared fried tortilla chips. Because my Mom liked sweets, she always got 1 or 2 orders to finish out our meals. Bring them back, Taco Bell!
As part of the GenX generation, we grew up with fast food. It’s part of our culture, and it’s obviously here to stay. It’s greasy. It’s unhealthy. It’s delicious..lol..and if one of your favorite items is retiring, grab it while you can!
Melanie R
I certainly do remember the McDonalds “animal cracker” cookies! They were so good. I don’t remember the chocolate chip ones though. We rarely ate out when I was a kid, but the rare times we even ate at McDonalds, I remember sometimes having their hot apple pie, which I loved.
Can you believe I never ate at Taco Bell as a kid/teenager? I think I was in my 20’s before I ever discovered Taco Hell, as I call it now. Probably because we had legit Mexican restaurants near us. And as a teen who would sometimes grab fast food, we always stuck with Arbys or the local hotdog stand where we could grab a deep fried pizza puff.
myheartinpen
Ohh, I love your story, Melanie! The apple pie..yes! The filling was always burning hot..lol That’s so funny because my friends and I called it Taco Hell too, but we ate there often. Do you know the original Arby’s restaurant stared in Youngstown, Ohio? Fun fact! After football and basketball games we would go to Burger Chief, but I never ate there. The whole school would just go there to hang out. I loved reading your memories. Thank you!
Nicole MacPherson
I do remember the McDonaldland cookies! We didn’t have fast food much when I was a kid – no money – but we would sometimes go to Dairy Queen for a treat after a Sunday afternoon drive (remember those?). I loved Dilly Bars and ice cream sandwiches, or a dipped cone. All of those are still there I believe!
Anna Kerensky
The Sunday Drive..let’s bring that back! Dairy Queen is located in our small downtown. As kids, this was our destination! We biked there , at least, once a week during the summer. Good choices! I like all of those treats too!..especially a dipped cone!
Suz
I’d forgotten about those cookies—yes, they tasted just like animal crackers!
My mom would occasionally take me to Arby’s; they had a long counter where you were served. I remember getting an Arby Junior and sitting on the swivel seats, thinking THIS IS THE LIFE!
I don’t remember eating at Taco Bell, but we had Taco Viva in our town. My Aunt, who was only 8 years older than I would take my brother and I there. For me, getting Mexican food seemed too exotic, so I would order the kids meal that was a Hot Dog!
myheartinpen
Oh, I love your memories! Arby’s originated in Youngstown, Ohio, were I live. The original sign is STILL there! I remember watching that big roast beef turning on the spit and cooking. I literally laughed out loud when you ordered a hot dog! Hilarious!