So you’ve come to take a nostalgic trip back in time to remember some of the most memorable discontinued Burger King menu items.
When it comes to fast-food menus, change is inevitable. Restaurants like Burger King regularly rotate, test, and sometimes remove items in response to customer tastes, seasonal trends, and shifting market conditions. Over the years, numerous burgers, sandwiches, snacks, and sides have been added to and then removed from the Burger King menu. For those who recall these short-lived treats, the memory of certain flavors can linger long after the items themselves have disappeared.
So, let’s take a look at 20 discontinued Burger King menu items that fans desperately want back.
Related: Burger King’s Lost ‘Burger Buddies’: Tiny Sliders, Big Nostalgia
1. Chicken Tenders
- Years Available: 1990s to 2012
- Description: Simple, juicy chicken tenders served with a variety of dipping sauces.
- Nostalgia Factor: They were a staple of the ’90s Burger King menu.
Editor’s note: It’s being reported that the OG Burger King Chicken Tenders are still available in Puerto Rico. Time for a visit!
2. Burger King Chicken Whopper
- Years Available: 2002-2003
- Description: A chicken twist on the classic Whopper.
- Nostalgia Factor: It gave fans the option for a “healthier” Whopper.
3. Burger King Yumbo Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwich
- Years Available: 1970s, briefly returned in 2014
- Description: Hot ham and melted cheese sandwich
- Nostalgia Factor: Who doesn’t want to try a deli-style sandwich from Burger King?
4. Burger King Burger Shots
- Years Available: 2008-2009
- Description: Miniature sliders inspired by White Castle’s famous small burgers.
- Nostalgia Factor: Perfect for snacking, but they didn’t last long.
5. The Burger King “Whopperito”
- Years Available: 2016 (brief run)
- Description: A burrito-Whopper hybrid that packed all the Whopper ingredients into a tortilla.
- Nostalgia Factor: Polarizing but unforgettable.
6. Cini-Minis
- Years Available: 1998-2012
- Description: Mini cinnamon rolls with icing, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.
- Nostalgia Factor: These had a cult following, and fans still clamor for their return.
Editor’s note: The Burger King Cini Minis returned in November of 2024 in Miami and Fort Lauderdale as a $2.49 test; nationwide rollout hinges on sales. Come on, Florida, don’t let us down.
7. Shake ‘Em Up Fries
- Years Available: Early 2000s
- Description: Fries in a bag with seasoning you “shook” to coat them.
- Nostalgia Factor: The interactive element was unforgettable for kids and teens.
8. Mac N’ Cheetos
- Years Available: 2016-2017
- Description: Fried sticks of mac and cheese coated in a Cheetos-flavored crust.
- Nostalgia Factor: A wild, cheesy innovation.
9. Spicy Ch’King
- Years Available: 2021-2022
- Description: A spicy, hand-breaded chicken sandwich that rivaled Popeyes and Chick-fil-A.
- Nostalgia Factor: It gained a strong following, and its removal disappointed many.
Editor’s note: The Spicy Ch’King was axed in 2022 and fully replaced by the Royal Crispy Chicken Line.
10. Cheesy Tots
- Years Available: 2016 (limited-time), 2023 (test markets), 2024 (test markets), March 2025 (limited-time)
- Description: Tater tots filled with gooey cheese, a fan-favorite breakfast or snack item.
- Nostalgia Factor: Fans unsuccessfully petitioned for its return multiple times.
11. Tendercrisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch
- Years Available: Early 2000s
- Description: A deluxe chicken sandwich topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing.
- Nostalgia Factor: One of the most requested discontinued Burger King menu items.
12. Ghost Pepper Chicken Nuggets
- Years Available: Summer/Fall 2022 (Limited-Time Offer)
- Description: Extra spicy chicken nuggets featuring the intense heat of ghost pepper.
- Nostalgia Factor: Fans loved the extra kick of spice.
13. The Italian Original Chicken Sandwich
- Years Available: 1988 – 2014, Nov. 2021 (limited-time), Summer 2023 (limited-time)
- Description: Breaded chicken with marinara sauce and mozzarella on a hoagie-style bun.
- Nostalgia Factor: A fan-favorite return for a limited time. Probably the closest thing Burger King had to the McRib in that respect.
14. Apple Pie
- Years Available: 1968-2020
- Description: A fast-food classic dessert that was phased out in favor of other sweets.
- Nostalgia Factor: A beloved dessert option, similar to McDonald’s iconic pie.
15. BK Tacos
- Years Available: 2002-2003, 2010, 2019
- Description: Crispy tacos filled with beef and sauce, similar to Jack in the Box’s famous tacos.
- Nostalgia Factor: Fans were divided on these tacos, but those who liked them loved them.
16. Burger King Crown-Shaped Chicken Nuggets
- Years Available: Early 2000s
- Description: Chicken nuggets shaped like crowns for a royal touch.
- Nostalgia Factor: Kids loved them for the shape alone.
17. BK Ribs
- Years Available: 2010
- Description: Bone-in ribs that were marketed as a premium menu item.
- Nostalgia Factor: A bold offering for a fast-food chain, but fans loved the taste despite the premium price.
18. The Enormous Omelet Sandwich
- Years Available: Mid-2000s
- Description: A massive breakfast sandwich featuring eggs, sausage, bacon, and cheese on a hoagie bun.
- Nostalgia Factor: Fans loved the size and indulgence of this breakfast beast.
19. Cheesy Bacon BK Wrapper
- Years Available: 2008-2009
- Description: A breakfast wrap with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, and hash browns.
- Nostalgia Factor: A beloved grab-and-go breakfast option.
20. Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
- Years Available: 2017, 2019
- Description: Breaded chicken with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella on a bun.
- Nostalgia Factor: The fan-favorite returned for a limited time in 2021 as the Italian Original Chicken Sandiwch.
Hungry for more fast food nostalgia?
Check out more of our Discontinued Flavors lists:
