The ’80s McDonald’s Order We Wish Would Come Back Permanently

McDonald’s is one of the most iconic fast food chains on the planet with some of the most famous menu items: The Big Mac. Chicken McNuggets. A Quarter Pounder. While these are all staples at the Golden Arches, the chain is consistently coming up with new and innovative releases, too. Recent launches have included the Special Edition Gold Sauce menu and a revamped McDonaldland meal—and fans have been “lovin’ it.”

But there’s still a nostalgic longing among McDonald’s loyalists for several discontinued favorites, especially one 1980s burger that fans agree is one of best releases ever. And like other retro McDonald’s items that you have to see to believe, this ’80s order ahead of its time.

McDonald’s Discontinued McDLT Burger

The McDLT, which stands for “McDonald’s Lettuce and Tomato,” was a McDonald’s staple in the late ’80s and early ’90s. When it was realized, it was compared to the Burger King Whopper. Just like BK, the McDLT featured cheese, pickles, onions, and ketchup. But that’s not the strangest part. The real selling point was how the burger was packaged.

The McDLT featured a signature two-sided container. One side contained the “top of the burger,” including the bun, lettuce, and tomato, while the bottom bun and burger patty came in the other portion. Ideally, this packaging kept the tomato and lettuce cold and crispy, while the burger patty itself stayed hot. It was a genius gimmick. Because who wants soggy lettuce and warm tomato on their burger?

“They were wonderful,” wrote one fan of the McDLT on Reddit, adding that the burger was “like a McDonald’s Whopper but less soggy.”

“McDLT was the peak hamburger experience at McDonalds,” echoed another. And one Redditor even called it their “favorite McD burger ever.”

“Me too!” one fan commented on the thread before adding, “I would sacrifice the McRib to bring the McDLT back.”

Aside from the heaps of praise, the McDLT did receive one stand-out complaint. “They put the cheese on the ‘cold’ side of the packaging,” wrote one Redditor before begging the question, “Who wants cold unmelted cheese on their burger?”

And, truthfully, we have to agree. So, do other fans, one of whom added, “The only thing about these that was wrong is that the cheese should have been on the hot side and melted to that patty.”

Despite being a fan-favorite item, McDonald’s discontinued the McDLT and its special packaging in the ’90s. One Redditor reminisced, “Outside the styrofoam sitting in landfills, I think this was one of the best (if not the best) items McDonald’s ever came out with.”

“I still talk about this sandwich today,” added another, who also recognized the potential implications of the excessive packaging. “I loved it. I miss it. Don’t miss all the styrofoam, but I loved the McDLT.”

As of now, there’s no indication that this beloved McDonald’s item is time traveling to today’s menu. But, if the return of the once-discontinued Snack Wrap is any sign, there’s always hope that the McDLT will make a comeback.