(Newser) – Taco Bell is debuting its new shrimp tacos, a decision that seems destined to go down in the annals of fast food failures. But it won’t be alone. Marcus Leshock recalls the 15 biggest fast food product disasters at Chicago Now. Here's a sampling:

McLobster: For some reason, McDonald’s—at least in select northeastern cities—sees itself as the kind of classy place that should serve lobster, on a bun.

Burger King table service: BK also tried to make itself classier in the early ‘90s when the chain introduced table service—“you know, like a real restaurant!”

Wendy’s Superbar: Instead of going for the “fancy” vibe, Wendy’s introduced a buffet—and it had everything from salad to Mexican food to pizza.


McSpaghetti: Though it’s supposedly bland and not popular, McDonald’s still serves it in certain places.

McLean Deluxe: In an effort to be healthier, McDonald’s added seaweed to its burgers. Enough said.

Bell Beefer: Taco Bell tried its hand at burgers—sort of—with this sloppy-joe-like creation.

Hula Burger: Another inspired McDonald’s alterna-burger featured a pineapple slice instead of meat.

Arch Deluxe: “The crown jewel of McFailure,” this burger for sophisticated adults even used “grown-up mustard.” The only problem? “It just didn’t taste very good.”



Can You think of any other things that failed related to a fast food chain? Whether it be food , mascots, jingles etc?
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/leshock-value/2010/03/the-15-worst-fast-food-fails.html

How about McPizza? Burger joints should probably stick to making burgers and leave the pizza to pizza parlours. McDonald's proved this point very well with their McPizza. :rolleyes:

How about McPizza? Burger joints should probably stick to making burgers and leave the pizza to pizza parlours. McDonald's proved this point very well with their McPizza. :rolleyes:

:lol:

It seems Mc Donald's is filled with PLENTY of misfires!

I actually liked Wendys Superbar. They even had soft serve Ice Cream on
there at one point. I would always get a big plate of Nachos and a big
plate of Rotini with Tomato Sauce.

McEpic McFail

I miss the Wendy's Superbar. Really.

I don't remember any of the others, but the Arch Deluxe certainly wasn't horrible. I also recall selling a lot of those when I worked there in '98.

Does anyone else remember when Taco Bell served french fries? They weren't Nathan's but their own brand, served in a long box. They were thin fries topped with melted cheese and scallions and were sooooo freakin' good. I wish they'd bring THOSE back :drool:

I actually liked the Arch Deluxe fifteen years ago. I didn't notice "adult-style mustard" like Grey Poupon or whatever in it. I remember there were several variations of it.


I think I remember the Wendy's Superbar. Kind of nice to have a wide variety of things with it. Or I might be thinking of a chain called Rax back in the 80's that had that kind of food service. :liplick: I think I had the nachos. Yummmm. :eat:

Does anyone remember when Hardee's sold chicken? It didn't last that long, but damn, was it good!

Kentucky Fried Chicken (yes, I said the word "fried", Colonel!) used to sell barbecued ribs, though that's not my cup of tea.

One thing I remember liking as a kid was McDonald's Mc Rib sandwich.

I remember years ago the Mcdonalds I worked sold brats. It was only for a little while. They were really good. I used to get them alot for lunch.

Mcdonalds also used to have what was known as the McDLT, with the two-sided packaging where the "hot side stays hot and the cool side stays cool" according to advertising. I don't think customers wanted to finish preparing a sandwich they had already paid for hence its failure.

How about McPizza? Burger joints should probably stick to making burgers and leave the pizza to pizza parlours. McDonald's proved this point very well with their McPizza. :rolleyes:



I agree with you.

Shrimp and tacos - two things that should never be put together. puke:

I remember years ago the Mcdonalds I worked sold brats. It was only for a little while. They were really good. I used to get them alot for lunch.

Yes, they sold Johnsonville brats. I remember having them in 2001 and 2002. (I think I read that while they stopped selling them in Ohio in the early 2000s, they kept them on the menu in Wisconsin, where Johnsonville brats originated.)

A friend from work tried the Shrimp Tacos and said he liked it and the shrimp was bigger than you would think. I am allergic to shellfish so I dont have to worry about eating it :crazy:

Shrimp and tacos - two things that should never be put together. puke:

Shrimp and tacos - two things that should never be put together. puke:

Actually, even separately for this poster... :barf:

:lol:

How about McPizza? Burger joints should probably stick to making burgers and leave the pizza to pizza parlours. McDonald's proved this point very well with their McPizza. :rolleyes:

I also remember McD's tried hot dogs as well.

I remember years ago the Mcdonalds I worked sold brats. It was only for a little while. They were really good. I used to get them alot for lunch.

Those poor kids...

Actually, even separately for this poster... :barf:

:lol:
Me, too - but together just makes them even more disgusting. puke:

I remember not too long ago, KFC actually had commercials advertising their chicken as a diet product. This is when Jason Alexander was the spokesperson for KFC. I think this is when the all meat diet fad was big.

I remember not too long ago, KFC actually had commercials advertising their chicken as a diet product. This is when Jason Alexander was the spokesperson for KFC. I think this is when the all meat diet fad was big.


Yep, because when you think "diet", you automatically conjure Jason Alexander's image. :lol:

Yep, because when you think "diet", you automatically conjure Jason Alexander's image. :lol:


:lol:


I guess that is one reason why it flopped! LMAO

Yep, because when you think "diet", you automatically conjure Jason Alexander's image. :lol:

Or Garfield's (the cat) perspective of it.."A diet? it's 'die' with a 't' at the end".

:lol:

One thing I remember liking as a kid was McDonald's Mc Rib sandwich.

Those are good, I wish McDonalds offered them year round instead of just occasionally.

Does anyone remember when Hardee's sold chicken? It didn't last that long, but damn, was it good!


I thought it was good also, Do you remember when they sold roast beef? There's put Arbys to shame.

Those are good, I wish McDonalds offered them year round instead of just occasionally.


agreed

I thought it was good also, Do you remember when they sold roast beef? There's put Arbys to shame.

Yes, I do. My mother loved their roast beef sandwiches.

I remember years ago the Mcdonalds I worked sold brats. It was only for a little while. They were really good. I used to get them alot for lunch.

Those poor kids...

"Sara" meant brats (pronounced "brahts", not "bratts") as in the brown-colored hot dogs that are spicy.

Does anybody remember the failed fast food chain "Roy Rogers?" They had the most delicious roast beef sandwiches.

Yep, because when you think "diet", you automatically conjure Jason Alexander's image. :lol:
:rofl: I remember those ads. :lol: Now ironically, Jason Alexander is doing commercials for Jenny Craig.

:rofl: I remember those ads. :lol: Now ironically, Jason Alexander is doing commercials for Jenny Craig.
I haven't seen those yet. :rofl:

I haven't seen those yet. :rofl:
Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq1WC-9uh_c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK5MRwNfDVs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPixrfWk0eo&feature=related

Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq1WC-9uh_c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK5MRwNfDVs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPixrfWk0eo&feature=related
Thanks Monika. That is so funny. :lol:

Does anybody remember the failed fast food chain "Roy Rogers?" They had the most delicious roast beef sandwiches.

They're still around but not in a lot of places.

The one that was near me closed in the early 2000s and became a Wendy's.

They're still around but not in a lot of places.

The one that was near me closed in the early 2000s and became a Wendy's.
There is actually a Roy Rogers not far from where I live. I've never been in it though.

Does anybody remember the failed fast food chain "Roy Rogers?" They had the most delicious roast beef sandwiches.

I do; there's still one east of Cincinnati off of I-275. I think the second closest to me is in Pennsylvania along the Turnpike. The last one I ate at was the Manassas, Virginia, location one year ago, but I thought it left quite a bit to be desired. (The Cincinnati location is clean, on the other hand.)

Thanks Monika. That is so funny. :lol:
No problem!! :D

Most of the Roy Rogers restaurants were bought out by Hardees, who later
appropriated their Fried Chicken and Roast Beef Sandwiches.

Most of the Roy Rogers restaurants were bought out by Hardees, who later
appropriated their Fried Chicken and Roast Beef Sandwiches.


Hardees was selling roast beef long before they bought out Roy Rogers. I think you're right about the fried chicken though.

"Sara" meant brats (pronounced "brahts", not "bratts") as in the brown-colored hot dogs that are spicy.

Yes, I was quite aware of what she meant.

Does anybody remember the failed fast food chain "Roy Rogers?" They had the most delicious roast beef sandwiches.
I don't - or at least I don't remember any of them being in my area,

Taco Bell failed in Australia when it opened here years ago... Also, Burger King is called Hungry Jack's here... I would rather eat at Taco Bell, than Hungry Jack's/Burger King...

Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq1WC-9uh_c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK5MRwNfDVs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPixrfWk0eo&feature=related
I don't care how much weight Jason Alexander loses I don't want to see him in a bikini!!! :eek: :lol:

I don't care how much weight Jason Alexander loses I don't want to see him in a bikini!!! :eek: :lol:

I think this was enough for everyone.

^ :rofl: Now he'll be modeling THIS:

^ :rofl: Now he'll be modeling THIS:
LOLOLOL that looks like something I would find and post all over the place


Where'd ya find it?

^ :rofl: Now he'll be modeling THIS:
Well if I don't want to see in a bikini I for sure don't want to see him in a thong ! :eek: :lol:

LOLOLOL that looks like something I would find and post all over the place


Where'd ya find it?
Check it out!!

http://shop.cafepress.com/george-costanza

Plus, if Jason loses enough weight, he can wear this instead:

How about McPizza? Burger joints should probably stick to making burgers and leave the pizza to pizza parlours. McDonald's proved this point very well with their McPizza. :rolleyes:


Ah yes.....like McFrozen McCardboard.....

A friend from work tried the Shrimp Tacos and said he liked it and the shrimp was bigger than you would think. :crazy:


Probably because it was sourced from some area near a nuclear power plant a la Three Mile Island....;)

Probably because it was sourced from some area near a nuclear power plant a la Three Mile Island....;)
Gross!!! puke:

Ah yes.....like McFrozen McCardboard.....
Great description Cathie!!

Anyone remember when McDonald's sold VHS movies in the early 1990s? It must not have lasted long because I don't remember it.

I watched my VHS copy of the movie Ghost and on the box it had the McDonald's logo saying "McDonald's Release".



<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lKVzCrQlYbA&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lKVzCrQlYbA&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>

Anyone remember when McDonald's sold VHS movies in the early 1990s? It must not have lasted long because I don't remember it.

I watched my VHS copy of the movie Ghost and on the box it had the McDonald's logo saying "McDonald's Release".



<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lKVzCrQlYbA&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lKVzCrQlYbA&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>

I actually got a few movies from McDonald's back then: 'Wayne's World' and
'Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade'.

McEpic McFail
Still waiting for McSoylentGreen.

kfc had a buffet,that's gone now. I also remember Ponderosa had the Worlds,Biggest,Best,Breakfast Buffet,and Salad Buffet.those are both gone.

Anyone remember when McDonald's sold VHS movies in the early 1990s? It must not have lasted long because I don't remember it.

I watched my VHS copy of the movie Ghost and on the box it had the McDonald's logo saying "McDonald's Release".



<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lKVzCrQlYbA&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lKVzCrQlYbA&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>
Those were the days!! Burger King did, too. :D

kfc had a buffet,that's gone now. (...)
Are you referring to the KFC's restaurant or "do-it-yourself" buffet?

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LiG_Srvw_ks&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LiG_Srvw_ks&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

I remember this commercial as the ultimate Kentucky pig out.

(...) I also remember Ponderosa had the Worlds,Biggest,Best,Breakfast Buffet,and Salad Buffet.those are both gone.
Fun fact: I heard "sneeze guard" for the first time at the Ponderosa salad buffet. :p

KFC had a "do it yourself" buffet? I can just imagine why that wouldn't catch on. :lol: I miss Ponderosa. The last surviving one in my area closed a few months ago - I drove past it every day on my way to work.

Something else I remember about McDonald's that I haven't seen a while... has anyone seen any McDonald's that had an ice cream parlor inside?

I remember only one McDonald's in my area had one and it closed in the late 90s. This McDonald's was two floors; the fast-food section on ground floor and the basement was the ice cream parlor.

The place had 1950s decor, jukebox, and a huge counter with stools.


I've never seen any other McDonald's have anything like it since so I was wondering if they still exist.

The place had 1950s decor, jukebox, and a huge counter with stools.


I've never seen any other McDonald's have anything like it since so I was wondering if they still exist.

I wonder if it's the Rock and Roll McDonald's, which they have in Chicago! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_N_Roll_McDonald%27s

I remember having gone to it back in high school on a trip with the National Honor Society in early March 1990, but my memories are rather fuzzy aside of some device you squeeze to test your strength.

I ate the Arch Deluxe 14 years ago and it was actually good.

Too bad grown-up turned their noses on it as well.

I wonder if it's the Rock and Roll McDonald's, which they have in Chicago! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_N_Roll_McDonald%27s

I remember having gone to it back in high school on a trip with the National Honor Society in early March 1990, but my memories are rather fuzzy aside of some device you squeeze to test your strength.

Doesn't look like it.

I believe at one time Wendy's served breakfast. It obviously didn't do very well.

How about whole chains that have failed? Remember Wild Bill's? Gino's? No? Exactly.

How about whole chains that have failed?

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nOLBWo6aP0g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nOLBWo6aP0g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Has anyone ever ordered the Red Barn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Barn_%28restaurant%29) fish fillet?

I go with the Arch Deluxe as the biggest fast food failure.

Unlike the other ones mentioned, this one was supposed to be big. This one absolutely bombed because it didn't match the hype and expectatons, IMO.

How about whole chains that have failed? Remember Wild Bill's? Gino's? No? Exactly.

There has been some recent talk of a revival of the Gino's franchise:

http://www.philly2philly.com/politics_community/politics_community_articles/2010/3/27/43582/ginos_burgers_and_chicken_returns_fra

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nOLBWo6aP0g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nOLBWo6aP0g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Has anyone ever ordered the Red Barn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Barn_%28restaurant%29) fish fillet?
I seem to remember we had a Red Barn about an hour south of us here in Ohio - but that was years ago.

There has been some recent talk of a revival of the Gino's franchise:

http://www.philly2philly.com/politics_community/politics_community_articles/2010/3/27/43582/ginos_burgers_and_chicken_returns_fra

Thanks for the link, I grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania and I remember Gino's well. I went there for my seventh birthday and thought it was high living! :D

There was a Gino's in my current hometown of West Caldwell, N.J. It houses a clinic now, I believe, and it was a bank before that.

I ate the Arch Deluxe 14 years ago and it was actually good.

Too bad grown-up turned their noses on it as well.
I don't think I ever had an Arch Deluxe. My sister did and she liked it.

http://i47.tinypic.com/i77wxu.jpg