Menus got a ruthless glow-up in 2025—and some iconic dishes vanished without a trace.
From the shocking demise of a brunch staple to the mysterious exile of that one appetizer everyone pretended to like, these 10 ex-menu items left diners whispering, ‘Wait… where’d it go?!’* Gone.
But not forgotten. (Okay, maybe a little forgotten.)
1. Farewell French Fries (At Certain Chains)
Potato shortages combined with skyrocketing transportation costs forced several major chains to axe their iconic french fries! McDonald’s temporarily replaced them with root vegetable medleys, while Burger King introduced “air-fried nothing” as a zero-calorie alternative.
Remember when fries were the non-negotiable side? Those days are gone! Share your fry-less meal photos with #WhereAreMyFries.
2. Chicken Wings Flew The Coop
What?! Buffalo Wild Wings without… wings? The nationwide avian flu crisis of late 2024 created such severe shortages that even wing-focused restaurants had to pivot. Many introduced “wingless wings” – cleverly disguised plant-based alternatives with the same sauces.
Though some diners revolted, others couldn’t tell the difference! Have you been fooled by fake wings yet?
3. Bacon Banished From Breakfast
Gasp! The breakfast staple that adorned everything from sandwiches to donuts mysteriously vanished from morning menus nationwide. Climate regulations targeting methane emissions from pork production led to the Great Bacon Blackout of 2025.
IHOP’s bacon-free menu sparked protests outside several locations! Would you join the bacon revolution or embrace the mushroom-based substitutes?
4. Avocado Toast’s Shocking Demise
Millennials everywhere wept when persistent droughts in California combined with import restrictions caused the Great Avocado Shortage. Brunch spots nationwide pulled their Instagram-famous avocado toast practically overnight!
Clever chefs substituted green pea spreads, but customers weren’t fooled. How many brunchers have you seen sadly staring at pea toast while fighting back tears?
5. Ketchup Packets Kicked To The Curb
Ever wondered why drive-thru bags suddenly felt lighter? Single-use condiment packets faced new environmental regulations, forcing restaurants to ditch those little ketchup companions we took for granted!
Instead, QR codes now direct customers to “virtual condiment experiences” or suggest BYO sauce options. Has anyone actually downloaded a ketchup app yet? The condiment revolution is upon us!
6. The Great Fountain Soda Drought
Unlimited refills? Not anymore! Self-serve soda fountains disappeared faster than ice cream in summer after new health department guidelines classified them as “high-touch contamination zones.”
If your favorite burger joint now offers pre-filled, sealed beverages at triple the price, you’re not alone! How much would you pay for that sweet carbonated freedom we once took for granted?
7. Mysterious Mozzarella Stick Shortage
Holy cheese crisis! The beloved appetizer vanished from menus after a bizarre combination of dairy supply chain issues and a worldwide shortage of the specific breading used in most commercial recipes.
Applebee’s attempt to substitute with “cheese-adjacent sticks” led to a viral TikTok rebellion. Have you signed the petition demanding the return of proper mozzarella sticks? Already 2 million signatures and counting!
8. All-Day Breakfast Becomes Half-Day History
Remember when breakfast all day revolutionized fast food? In 2025, major chains quietly reversed course, citing “operational streamlining” as they restricted morning menus to before 10:30 AM again.
The real reason? Egg prices quadrupled overnight! Late risers everywhere now set alarms just for McMuffins. When was the last time you sprinted to make the breakfast cutoff?
9. Bottomless Bread Baskets Run Dry
The free pre-meal bread basket – that warm, crusty symbol of hospitality – has crumbled into restaurant history. Rising wheat costs and food waste initiatives led chains like Olive Garden to implement “bread surcharges” of $4.99 per basket!
Though some loyal customers smuggle in their own baguettes, restaurant staff have been trained to spot “outside carbs.” Would you risk bread-smuggling penalties for that garlic knot fix?
10. Kids’ Menu Coloring Sheets Colored Out
The beloved children’s activity sheets and crayons vanished from family restaurants nationwide after a surprising combination of paper shortages and new digital-first initiatives.
Applebee’s now offers “BYO Entertainment” policy while Chili’s replaced crayons with QR codes linking to ad-filled games. Parents everywhere now frantically download apps before dinner! Has your family dinner devolved into screen-time chaos too?