The 13 Weirdest Things Fast Food Chains Tried Selling
Humans constantly push the limits on what they’re willing to eat, and fast food chains are always two steps ahead. Occasionally, they throw caution to the wind and offer menu items that make you stop, stare, and wonder, “Who thought this was a good idea?”
Some fast-food creations have left customers laughing, cringing, and sometimes questioning their life choices. And others turned people’s you-know-what green. They may not have been around long, but they hold a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of those who dared to try them.
These 13 creations were ahead of their time; others were just misunderstood masterpieces. But a few were so bizarre you wondered if the marketing team got too creative with the snacks in the breakroom. One thing’s for sure: fast-food chains are never afraid to get weird with it.
1. Burger King’s Halloween Whopper
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In 2015, Burger King decided Halloween needed more than costumes and candy: a burger. But not just any burger. This spooky special came with a sinister black bun dyed with A1 steak sauce just before Halloween. Now, a black burger certainly gets attention, and while it tasted like a regular Whopper, the aftermath was anything but.
2. McDonald’s McLobster
Let’s be real for a second. When you think lobster, you feel fine dining or maybe a lovely seaside restaurant you treat yourself to once in a blue moon. Enter the McLobster. It was lobster meat (or something close to it), lettuce, and a light mayo dressing on a bun. While it made sense in coastal areas, particularly New England, where lobster is relatively common, people weren’t biting elsewhere.
It wasn’t terrible, but it was also not exactly fresh-off-the-boat quality. Think. Did people really want to order lobster from the same place where they get $1 fries? No, they didn’t. Freshness and fast food don’t always go hand in hand, and the McLobster proved it.
3. Subway’s Seafood Sensation
Subway has always been well-regarded among people who want healthier fast food options, such as fresh veggies, lean meats, and whole-grain bread. But then they threw that reputation out the window when they introduced the Seafood Sensation.
As a mysterious blend of crab and other seafood-ish ingredients mixed with mayo, it aimed to be a light, refreshing sandwich for seafood lovers. But for many, it was more of a seafood mystery. It’s still available in some locations, though it’s not exactly a top seller (DUH!).
4. Burger King’s Bacon Sundae
In the summer of 2012, Burger King combined two worlds: dessert and bacon. The Bacon Sundae featured vanilla soft-serve ice cream drizzled with caramel and chocolate syrup, then topped with a couple of crispy bacon strips. It was the ultimate treat that some people swore by and others couldn’t stomach.
There was just something very weird about mixing cold, creamy ice cream with warm, salty bacon, but if there’s one thing Burger King isn’t afraid of, it’s taking risks. This dessert was a dream come true for bacon fanatics everywhere, but for the rest of us, it was just another example of bacon going too far.
5. Jack in the Box’s Bacon Shake
Bacon is loved for its crispy, savory goodness, but like Burger King, Jack in the Box decided it could work in a dessert item: a milkshake. Yes, you read that right—a bacon-flavored milkshake. But here’s the fun part: the shake had no bacon.
Instead, they used artificial bacon syrup to give it that smoky flavor. The result? A thick, creamy vanilla milkshake with the taste of breakfast pork swirling around. For some, it was a revelation; for others, it was an abomination. One thing’s for sure, though: it was yet another bold reminder that not everything needs bacon.
6. Sonic’s Pickle Juice Slush
Sonic has always been known for its “creative” slush flavors, but in 2018, the Pickle Juice Slush took things to a whole new level. It was tangy, salty, and exactly what you’d expect if you poured a jar of pickle juice into a slushie machine. Fans of pickles were thrilled, but normal people who liked pickles in their sandwiches? Confused.
Don’t get me wrong. Pickle juice is great for bringing or adding a little zest to a meal, but sipping it like a summer refreshment? That’s just weird. Still, it had its fans, and Sonic proved once again that they’re not afraid to get weird with their drinks.
7. Pizza Hut’s Hot Dog Stuffed Crust Pizza
Pizza Hut is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of what a pizza can (and should) be. Why stop at cheese when you can stuff pizza crust with hot dogs? That was Pizza Hut’s thought when they introduced their Hot Dog Stuffed Crust Pizza.
Unlike the regular cheese-stuffed crust, this was filled with little hot dogs. Each slice of pizza came with its own mini hot dog surprise baked into the crust. If that wasn’t weird enough, they even provided a side of mustard for dipping. Because, you know, pizza crusts just weren’t doing enough heavy lifting on their own.
8. Taco Bell’s Naked Chicken Chalupa
Taco Bell has never been afraid to play with the taco formula, and the Naked Chicken Chalupa was another piece of evidence. In 2017, they unleashed the Naked Chicken Chalupa, which replaced the traditional taco shell with a piece of crispy, fried chicken. Yep, instead of wrapping your taco fillings in a soft tortilla or crunchy corn shell, you were biting into fried chicken encasing lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado ranch sauce.
It definitely wasn’t a low-calorie option, but it had fewer carbs, more protein, and even more fried action. Taco Bell even brought it back due to popular demand, proving that sometimes weirdness is what people want.
9. Taco Bell’s Waffle
When Taco Bell wanted to expand into breakfast, they figured, “Why not use a waffle as a taco shell?” And so the Waffle Taco was born: a soft waffle folded around scrambled eggs and sausage served with a side of syrup.
It was a messy and curious breakfast item that combined sweet and savory in a way only Taco Bell could then. While it was fun while it lasted, the Waffle Taco soon left the menu, proving that not all food mashups are built for this world. Still, it was a great excuse to eat waffles with your hands.
10. KFC’s Double Down
Ah, the Double Down. In 2010, KFC decided to ditch the bread entirely and use two fried chicken fillets as the “buns” for a sandwich stuffed with bacon, cheese, and a special sauce. It was as indulgent as it sounds: meat on meat on meat. Who needs buns?
It was a meat lover’s dream and a cardiologist’s nightmare. However, people were fascinated by the sheer audacity of it. While it gained a cult-like following and sold surprisingly well during its limited run, it left diners wondering if they’d need to “double down” on their next gym session.
11. Pizza Hut’s Crown Crust Pizza
When you think of pizza, you probably think of cheesy goodness and maybe a side of mozzarella sticks or garlic bread (if you’re feeling adventurous). Pizza Hut, however, wanted you to think of cheeseburgers and unleashed the Crown Crust Pizza.
Around the edges of this pizza were crown-like pockets, each filled with a mini cheeseburger, so you could enjoy pizza and burgers in one insane, calorific meal. The sheer volume of food left most people full after one slice, not in a good way. Was it innovative? Yes. Was it good? That’s debatable.
12. McDonald’s McSpaghetti
Fast food spaghetti might sound like a weird fever dream, but McDonald’s made it happen. In the 1970s, they introduced McSpaghetti, pasta with marinara sauce and a side of weird for most customers. It didn’t last long in the U.S. because, honestly, when people call or visit McDonald’s, they just want burgers and fries.
But McSpaghetti became a permanent and beloved item in places like the Philippines. So, while it didn’t resonate in the States, McSpaghetti lives on across the globe for those who want their pasta with a side of those McDonald’s fries that we all love dearly.
13. Taco Bell’s Firecracker Burrito
Taco Bell’s Firecracker Burrito didn’t just pack a punch; it packed a pop. This burrito came with spicy beef, rice, cheese, and, for some reason, popping crystals (think Pop Rocks candy).
The burrito crackled and popped into your mouth when you bit into it. It was an odd sensation, mixing the familiar burrito flavors with a fizzy, candy-like surprise. Some found it fun, while others thought it was a step too far. Either way, it certainly left an impression.
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