9 Burger King Menu Items That Were Discontinued Too Soon
Burger King has been serving the Whopper since 1957, and it has never been shy about trying new things. Over the decades, it has introduced sandwiches, snacks and sides that ranged from brilliant to bizarre. Some caught on and stayed, while others disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived.
Some of the items that vanished still have loyal fans who remember exactly what they tasted like. Many of them believe these items deserved more time on the menu, and a few have even gotten their wish when old favorites returned. Here are nine Burger King menu items that were discontinued too soon, at least according to the people who loved them.
1. Burger Buddies
Burger Buddies were two small burgers served side by side on a long, connected bun, like a pair of mini sandwiches. They came out in the late 1980s and were easy to share or eat on the go.
Kids and teens loved them, but they didn’t last long on the menu. Today, sliders are trendy at restaurants everywhere, and fans say Burger King was simply ahead of its time with Burger Buddies.
2. Chicken Fries
Chicken Fries were strips of breaded chicken shaped like French fries and served in a fry-style carton. They launched in 2005 and were made for dipping and eating with one hand, which made them perfect for the car.
Burger King dropped them a few years later, and fans immediately began asking for their return. The outcry worked. Burger King brought Chicken Fries back in 2014, and they became a regular menu item again. It’s one of the clearest cases of fans winning back a favorite.
3. Satisfries
Satisfries were crinkle-cut fries introduced in 2013 as a lower-fat, lower-calorie alternative to regular fries. Burger King said they had fewer calories because of a special batter that absorbed less oil.
They cost more than regular fries, and many customers didn’t see the point. Burger King dropped them from most restaurants within a year. While some fans liked them, they’re remembered mostly as an experiment that didn’t catch on.
4. The Enormous Omelet Sandwich
The Enormous Omelet Sandwich lived up to its name. It had sausage, bacon, two slices of cheese and a folded egg on a long bun. It came out in the mid-2000s and was marketed as a hearty breakfast for big appetites.
The sandwich drew criticism from health experts because of its high calories and fat. But it also had a devoted following. It eventually disappeared from menus, and fans still talk about it as one of the most filling fast-food breakfasts ever.
5. Cini-Minis
Cini-Minis were small, warm cinnamon rolls that came with a cup of sweet icing for dipping. They were introduced in the late 1990s and became a breakfast favorite, especially among kids and anyone with a sweet tooth.
Burger King dropped them in the early 2000s, then brought them back years later. Fans who grew up with them say they were the best thing on the breakfast menu, and they’re thrilled whenever they return.
6. Shake ’em Up Fries
Shake ’em Up Fries came with a packet of cheese-flavored seasoning. You poured it into the bag, closed it and shook it until the fries were coated. It was messy, fun and a hit with kids in the early 2000s.
The idea was simple but popular. They didn’t stay on the menu long, and fans still wonder why they were taken away.
7. The Yumbo
The Yumbo was a hot ham and cheese sandwich that Burger King first served in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was a simple sandwich, but it had a fun name and a loyal following.
Burger King dropped the Yumbo for decades and then brought it back in 2014, aiming to tap into nostalgia. It disappeared again, but its brief return showed how many people still remembered it.
8. The Angriest Whopper
The Angry Whopper had jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, crispy onions and a spicy sauce, and it was followed by spicier versions, including the Angriest Whopper with a red bun baked with hot sauce. Fans of spicy food loved them.
They came and went over the years as limited-time items. Many spicy food lovers wish Burger King would keep one on the menu for good.
9. The Big King
The Big King was Burger King’s answer to the Big Mac, with two beef patties, a middle bun, cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles and a special sauce. It first appeared in the late 1990s and has come and gone a few times since.
Fans of the Big King liked its flame-grilled patties, which they said tasted better than the competition. It’s a good example of an item that keeps returning because people still ask for it.
Burger King’s Long History of Experiments
Burger King has always tried to stand out from its biggest rival. Its flame-grilled burgers, its “Have It Your Way” slogan from the 1970s and its willingness to let customers customize orders set it apart early on. Over the years, it has tested pizza, dinner baskets, hot dogs and even a burger with a black bun, all in an effort to grab attention.
Some experiments became classics. Onion rings, the Croissan’wich and the Whopper Jr. are still with us decades later. Others were gone within months. The chain’s habit of trying new things means that almost every generation of customers has a lost favorite they remember fondly.
That history also gives Burger King plenty of material for comebacks. When the chain brings back a retired item, it often uses retro packaging and old commercials to remind people what they loved. For customers who grew up with these foods, it’s a chance to relive a small part of their childhood, even if only for a few weeks.
Why Fast-Food Favorites Disappear
Fast-food chains add and remove items for many reasons. A new item might cost too much to make, slow down the kitchen or not sell as well as hoped. Limited-time items are designed to create excitement and bring customers in, then make room for the next new thing.
Chains have also learned that bringing back an old favorite is a great way to get people talking. That’s why many discontinued items return for a few weeks or months. Which Burger King item do you miss most, and do you think it deserves to come back?
