McDonald’s thought they could quietly bury their menu mistakes.
But hungry Americans just delivered a brutal message that corporate bosses can’t ignore.
And McDonald’s fans are pleading with executives to make this big menu change.
The Golden Arches got caught red-handed ignoring their customers
A bombshell new study just ripped the mask off McDonald’s biggest blunder – ditching menu items that customers are still desperately craving years later.¹
Researchers at Infinity Calculator analyzed internet searches for more than 70 former McDonald’s menu items and discovered something that should have corporate executives fuming.
The data reveals just how badly McDonald’s has misjudged what their customers actually want.
"This study highlights which discontinued menu items continue to be favorites among hungry customers. By examining search volumes, it’s easy to see that Americans have an emotional connection to these nostalgic foods," CEO Jehan Wadia stated.¹
Translation: McDonald’s has been sitting on a goldmine while customers beg for their favorites to return.
The McRib obsession that left corporate shell-shocked
Here’s the number that should have McDonald’s boardroom in complete chaos: 94,425 monthly searches for the McRib alone.¹
That’s nearly 100,000 people every single month desperately hunting for a sandwich that McDonald’s keeps playing games with.
The McRib debuted in Kansas City in 1981, went nationwide in 1982, and then McDonald’s made the bone-headed decision to permanently remove it from the menu in 2005.¹
They’ve teased customers with occasional limited returns – but only after people practically beg for it.
And here’s what’s got health-conscious folks totally blindsided: that supposed "slab of pork" isn’t even real ribs.
The sandwich uses ground, boneless pork shoulder that gets processed with water, spices, dextrose sugar, and preservatives, then shaped to look like ribs and flavored with liquid smoke and BBQ sauce.¹
Snack Wraps comeback that caught everyone off-guard
The second most craved item proves McDonald’s finally learned to listen – sometimes.
Snack Wraps are pulling in 41,950 monthly searches, and McDonald’s has confirmed to The Post that Snack Wraps will return to restaurants nationwide permanently beginning Thursday, July 10.¹
Finally listening to customer demands after years of complaints.
The returning Snack Wraps will come in two flavors that should have competitors worried:
Spicy: Described as "bold, zesty and unapologetically fiery" with a habanero kick that fans know from the Spicy McCrispy sandwich.
Ranch: Called "smooth, rich and irresistibly savory" with cool ranch goodness and hints of garlic and onion.¹
The spicy situation that has McDonald’s sweating
Spicy Chicken McNuggets are generating 10,093 monthly searches – and McDonald’s keeps teasing customers with limited-time appearances.¹
These aren’t your kid’s regular nuggets.
They’re breaded in crispy tempura coating and loaded with cayenne and chili pepper that’ll make you forget all about the boring original version.
The Spicy Chicken McNuggets were first added to menus for a limited time in 2020 and have made several returns since then, most recently appearing last November at participating locations in markets including Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, and New York.¹
But customers in other cities are getting left out in the cold – and they’re not happy about it.
The environmental disaster that customers still miss
The fourth most-searched discontinued item tells a story that’ll make you shake your head at corporate short-sightedness.
The McDLT – searched 8,748 times monthly – was McDonald’s answer to Burger King’s Whopper, released in the mid-80s.¹
This $1.95 burger featured lettuce, tomato, and mayo, served in a unique two-part container that kept hot ingredients separate from cold ones.
Innovative concept, but the Styrofoam packaging created environmental concerns that ultimately killed the product.¹
The healthy option that left everyone stunned
Rounding out the top five is something that proves Americans actually do want healthier fast food options.
The Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait is getting 8,300 monthly searches – two decades after McDonald’s discontinued it.¹
This combination of low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola launched in 2000 and was discontinued in 2020.
Customers are still hunting online for this healthier option that’s nowhere to be found.
The complete list that has McDonald’s scrambling
Here’s the full breakdown of what Americans are desperately searching for:¹
- McRib: 94,425 monthly searches
- Snack Wraps: 41,950
- Spicy Chicken McNuggets: 10,093
- McDLT: 8,748
- Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait: 8,300
- Szechuan Sauce: 7,842
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich: 5,767
- Cinnamon Melts: 5,533
- Hot Mustard: 5,317
- McPizza: 4,033
That’s over 185,000 monthly searches for just these ten discontinued items.
McDonald’s has built a massive following around menu items they don’t even serve anymore.
The message from customers couldn’t be clearer: bring back what we actually want, or watch us take our business somewhere else.
Smart companies listen to their customers.
McDonald’s better start paying attention before these search numbers turn into lost sales at their competitors.
¹ Adriana Diaz, "McDonald’s fans desperately want to see these 10 discontinued items back on the menu: study," New York Post, June 30, 2025.