Discontinued Snacks and Drinks We Miss from the 80s and 90s

The Flavors We'll Never Forget

Some snacks and drinks from our childhood are gone but never forgotten. Here's a tribute to the treats that defined the 80s and 90s.

Legendary Discontinued Drinks

Surge (1996-2003)

• Coca-Cola's answer to Mountain Dew
• Extreme marketing, extreme caffeine
• Green color, citrus taste
• Made a comeback in 2014 (limited)
• Still available in some areas

Jolt Cola (1985)

• "All the sugar and twice the caffeine"
• The original energy drink before energy drinks
• Beloved by gamers and programmers
• Officially discontinued in 2019

Orbitz (1997)

• Clear drink with floating edible balls
• Lava lamp in a bottle
• Tasted... interesting
• More novelty than delicious
• Discontinued 1998

Crystal Pepsi (1992-1993)

• Clear cola, same Pepsi taste
• Massive marketing campaign
• Van Halen's "Right Now" commercial
• Consumer confusion killed it
• Brief revivals in 2016 and 2017

OK Soda (1993-1995)

• Coca-Cola's Generation X experiment
• Deliberately anti-marketing marketing
• "Things are going to be OK"
• Cult following despite failure

Snacks We'd Do Anything to Have Back

Dunkaroos (1992-2012)

• Kangaroo mascot
• Cookies + frosting dip
• Rainbow sprinkle frosting was the best
• Brought back in 2020 (limited)

3D Doritos (1998-2004)

• Hollow, puffed Doritos
• Came in a canister
• Nacho Cheese and Jalapeño Cheddar
• Perfect for filling with cheese dip

PB Crisps (1992-1995)

• Peanut-shaped, peanut butter filled
• Planters product
• Sweet and salty perfection
• Cult following demands return

Pepsi Blue (2002)

• Berry-flavored blue Pepsi
• Summer 2002 limited edition
• Polarizing taste
• Brief return in 2021

Wonder Balls (1990s)

• Hollow chocolate ball with candy inside
• Originally had small toys (safety concerns)
• Changed to candy only
• Discontinued multiple times

Cereals We'd Wake Up Early For

Oreo O's (1998-2007)

• Oreo-flavored cereal
• Marshmallow bits
• Turned milk chocolatey
• Still available in South Korea

French Toast Crunch (1995-2006)

• Mini French toast pieces
• Maple syrup flavor
• Brought back in 2015!
• One success story

Sprinkle Spangles (1993-1994)

• Star-shaped cereal with sprinkles
• Vanished after one year
• Beloved despite short life

Fast Food Items Gone Too Soon

McDonald's Pizza (1989-2000)

• Yes, McDonald's made pizza
• Family-size option
• Took too long to cook
• Still available at two locations

Taco Bell's Chilito (Chili Cheese Burrito)

• Chili, cheese, burrito
• Regional availability
• Passionate fan base
• Some locations still have it

Wendy's Superbar (1988-1998)

• All-you-can-eat salad bar
• Pasta bar, Mexican bar
• Killed by food safety concerns
• Nothing like it since

Candy We Crave

Bonkers (1985-1990s)

• Fruit-flavored chewy candy
• "Bonkers! Bonkers!" commercials
• Fruit punch was the best
• Periodically returns briefly

Gatorgum (1970s-1980s)

• Gatorade-flavored gum
• For athletes (allegedly)
• Terrible texture after 30 seconds

Hubba Bubba Bubble Jug (1990s)

• Powdered gum in a tiny jug
• You'd pour it in your mouth
• Innovation in gum delivery

Ice Cream We Scream For

Jell-O Pudding Pops (1979-2011)

• Bill Cosby commercials (awkward now)
• Perfectly creamy frozen texture
• Chocolate/vanilla swirl was elite

WWF Ice Cream Bars (1980s-2009)

• Cookie with wrestler's face
• Collectible, edible
• WWE fans still demand return

Why They Disappeared

Most discontinued products failed because:

• Sales declined after initial buzz
• Production costs weren't justified
• Ingredients became too expensive
• Health concerns changed consumer habits
• Shelf space went to better sellers

The Petition Culture

Fans fight back:

• Change.org petitions for Surge, Dunkaroos, others
• Social media campaigns
• Some actually work (French Toast Crunch)
• Companies listen when noise is loud enough

What discontinued snack do you miss most? Tell us in the guestbook!