Fast food was better back then. Big macs were very good. Kentucky fried chicken was finger licking good.
Anyone else remember what fast food was like back in the 80s or 70s? Hopefully we can get some older members to answer hehe
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
I used to love McDLT's. The hot on one side the cold on the other. I figured they stopped making them because everyone got all "enviromental". Posted by Belauan (Member # 1862) on :
Not only food, but it seems that everything were better then...
Posted by Melissa24 (Member # 361) on :
I wish I was a teen back in the 80s....I think I would of loved it.
Posted by massiveretaliation (Member # 950) on :
This thread reminded me of Chi-Chi's, they were my favorite place to eat until the only one around closed down a long, long time ago. Fried ice cream, pizza, Tex Mex... Posted by Sam Hain (Member # 1552) on :
*Older member here*
I've always felt that Big Macs were highly overrated. But I agree that KFC used to be much much better then what it is now. Hardees/Roy Rogers/Carl Jr.'s used to be better also.
Anyone have any idea what ever happened to the Skipper's restaraunts?
Posted by McFly (Member # 354) on :
Oh, man, as a kid I used to think the McDLT (McDelicious, Lettuce and Tomato I believe) was this amazing format. In a two-piece styrofoam tray, you got to build the burger from one side of the tray to another! Woah!
Now I know it was basically putting the top bun on the bottom bun.
But not much else has changed from what I can see. Whoppers, Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, they're still around.
Posted by isis9968 (Member # 1780) on :
I have said it before too, that nothing is the same. I remember going to McDonalds, was something that was a real special deal. We never ate inside, we always got the food, and sat out in the car in the parking lot, and the smell of McDonalds french fries, made you crazy. I remember for my 9th birthday, my parents let me order a Big Mac, before that, I was only ever allowed a bite of my mom's. Tomorrow's my 35th b-day- and believe me-I'm not spending the day eating a Big Mac at McDonalds. I miss Chi-Chi's too, it was where I went on my first date with my husband. They have one not far from me still, but it got really dirty and gross. I miss diners- there were so many cheap places to eat a hamburger at when I was a kid, and we'd walk downtown and get a hamburger for .25 Does anyone remember Murphy Mart? There used to be a restaurant in the one we had in my town, and it was like diner food, we loved it. Of course it is gone now. I miss department stores too. We always shopped in our downtown, it had a G.C. Murphy's, and it had everything in it, and it was so cool. That's when they had elevators, in old buildings that needed a person to run them. They have messed up the taste of everything. Big Red gum used to be my favorite gum, and now I can't stand it-it's like chewing a fireball-why do they think you have to improve something, that people loved and were buying already??
Posted by RiverPhoenix4life (Member # 1719) on :
Happy Birthday Isis!
Tootles! Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
Happy Birthday Isis,
Before there was Devo, There was a guy that worked in McDonalds for 7 years that looked just like him.
I saw everything from 90-97 McDLT, styrofoam boxes, McLean, Arch Deluxe, I saw it all, when I first started working there the toys in the Happy Meal were Super Mario 3 for Nintendo.
OK, anyone with any questions feel free to ask.
We are DEVO and believe it or not we never in 7 years ate a mcdonalds hamburger. I just liked burger king more, not for any gross reasons.
Posted by isis9968 (Member # 1780) on :
Thanks for the birthday message.
I was a burger queen, I mean ... I worked at Burger King...my 1st job ever. I actually really liked it, in high school, we used to goof around, and my friends would play jokes each other, like one stuck dishwashing detergent in my milkshake.
Maybe when we were younger our taste buds were too, and that's why everything tasted better? It is the law of nature and what gears us up for pureed veggies in our old age, maybe? Just a thought- since I am old now.
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
Man, I remember I used to be taken to McD's on a Friday night, dear old mom bought me the happy meal, but it was in this plastic flying saucer, remember that? How come they stopped making McRib and McPizza? I also used to love the old A+W drive inns, the waitress came and put the tray on your window,and you were served these big glasses of Root Beer, I'm sure everything tasted better as well. Never got to experience the American side of fast food much, but someone please tell of the White Castles and other chains us Canadians didn't experience.
Posted by StevenHW (Member # 509) on :
Some of the posters on this thread has mentioned that fast-food was better-tasting back then.
So, what changed? The ingredients? Or maybe it was your own taste buds that has changed your impressions? Or the fact that fast-food companies were becoming more and more "corporate-owned" when the 80's rolled along? (Example: In the 80's, KFC was bought out by Pepsi.)
Word to Sam Hain: I agree with you; McDonald's is overrated. And I have always loved KFC before, but their chicken taste quite different now for some reason. Maybe they have experimented with their menu too much.
Posted by isis9968 (Member # 1780) on :
Everything is different, even the packaging-which I think really can effect the taste. They changed their cooking oil around, and all that. A Big Mac, the bun is always stale any more, and any kind of sandwich that has lettuce, the lettuce is brown and gross-I just had a McDonalds salad, and it was horrible. I can't even stand to walk in to a fast food place any more, cause the people are so nasty cooking your food, that you can't think about it-or you'll loose your appetite. I have become a really good cook, because we were tired of eating out- spending a ton of money-to eat crap. But, every once and awhile you long for the taste of things from your past, to connect you to that time period.
Did anyone else ever have Sloppy Joe Day in elementary school?? We always got to walk home for lunch every day at school, but on special occassions the PTA moms, would do sloppy joe day, and everyone stayed at school, and they were the best sloppy joes ever, and I would kill to have that recipe. That was a great school memory for me.
Posted by AdventuresInGooniesitting (Member # 1882) on :
I remember being really freaked out, yet intrigued by Mac Tonight, a short-lived McDonald's character from 1987. He had a crescent-shaped moon head, wore Blues Brothers shades, and played the piano atop a city skyscraper while singing about McDonald's.
I miss the old-skool fast food packaging from places like McDonald's and Burger King. (this can been seen is several 80s movies)
I miss the days when Domino's still had a "30 minutes or less" policy for their deliveries. NOW, it usually takes us almost an hour to receive our food from that place...
Anyone remember those records McDonald's gave out in the 80s? If your record played the entire McDonald's Menu Song, you won a million bucks. I wonder if anyone ever actually won that...
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
pizza was definitely a lot better back in the day. pizza hut and domino's. i never order from them anymore. kfc was also wayyy better back then too. they're menu has changed so much. mcdonalds had better toys before. and speaking of mcd's i remember the record they gave out that had that song where a guy sang really fast, and they wanted customers to learn it and sing it.
BIG MAC MCDLT..QUARTER POUNDER WITH CHEESE... lalalalallaa
Posted by isis9968 (Member # 1780) on :
I remember the 30 minute or less thing at Dominos, and I think it caused alot of major traffic accidents that resulted in people dying in car wrecks because of that deal, I think it was a one good thing that they did stop.
I remember the Burger King outfit I wore, was the exact same outfit, the older brother wore in the 1st Back to the future, it was brown courdory-sp?
There are some fast food places I never liked-like Long John Silvers.
I remember Bonanza was like our favorite restaurant, because of the cool salad bar. I loved their texas toast. They stink now too.
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
Scary Devo knowledge returns, I had that square record and memorized the whole thing.
Big mac, mc dlt, a quarter pounder with some cheese, filet of fish, a hamburger, cheeseburger, happy meal, mc nuggets, shakes, and tasty french fries, regular or large in size,or a salad chef, or chicken salad oriental, big big breakfast, egg mc muffins, hot hot cakes, hash browns, and for dessert hot apple pies or sundaes 3 varieties.
It goes on.
Scary
We are DEVO
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
haha way to go devo Posted by RiverPhoenix4life (Member # 1719) on :
DEVO, no comment...lol! Actually, you never know when mass amounts of useless information will come in handy. This is very true!
Tootles! Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
Guys, I try not to let my peoples down
We are DEVO
Posted by Jones4Rio (Member # 1848) on :
I think KFC was better because the quality of the chicken was better. Nowadays, there is more fat on a piece of chicken then meat. It's absolutely revolting. If I have to eat at KFC it's chicken tenders all the way which is NOT really truly KFC, is it?
I remember Taco Bell back in the day. Before it fell out of favor and then back in (kinda). The restaurants always had one of those huge bells smack dab on the top. Also, I think it was the enchirito? The one that used to have three black olives on top. They brought it back but without those precious three black olives, it will never be the same! Posted by shaz (Member # 1886) on :
Maccy D's always seemed great in the 80's but I think the reason it seemed like that to me was because it was a treat. Being a kid, my mum wouldn't let me live off take-away food so if we had it, it was like "wow", a once every 6 month occurance. I'm a bit put off now after going there for breakfast just before driving to the docks to catch a ferry and all the staff were completely 'hanging'. All in a right state and not with it. I rather cook for myself.
shaz x
Posted by EnglishRose (Member # 175) on :
I always get really jealous when I see kids getting all excited in McDonalds. Our town didn't get a McDonalds until around the mid 90s. We had a Wimpy but the was knives and forks and more 'proper' meals anyway.
We did have KFC but all you got was chicken in varying quantaties - never any chicken burgers. But the chicken did taste much better than it does now.
On special occasions we would go up to London and go to Wendy's who were the only ones who did the kids meal in a box with a toy.
Posted by Samurai Sweetie (Member # 1529) on :
Fast Food has always been disgusting, it was nasty then, and it's still nasty now.
I don't care for it, I like to cook my own food, at least I know what ever is in it, I put there. Posted by StevenHW (Member # 509) on :
Speaking of fast food, I remember a TV ad campaign which involved a nationwide search for someone to "Find Herb".
This "Herb" was a heavy-set, nerdy-looking guy with short dark hair, and glasses. The TV commercials were shown sometime around 1983-85.
I don't remember what the prize was, but the object was to spot "Herb" at a randomly-picked location of the restaurant chain.
Does anyone know which fast-food chain did the "Herb" contest? (I know that it WASN'T McDonalds!)
And was there a winner who found "Herb"?
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
Bring on the useless crap!!!
Here we go, in 1985 Herb came about from burger king, to combat Wendy's and the "Where's the beef" lady. For a long time the commercials only would show his very big feet walking down the street. In 1986, they finally would show who Herb is!!
If you want to see Herb the only footage that I know of is on -get ready for this- Wrestlemania 2, that was 4/7/86 yeah I was a wrestling nut for a long time when I was younger.
Anyway, Herb was the timekeeper in the Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper match, you see his slender self as Joan River introduces him. I have it on tape. FYI the Where's the beef lady is in Wrestlemania 2 also.
SCARY
We are DEVO
Posted by isis9968 (Member # 1780) on :
Well, did who found Herb?? Hulk Hogan??
Oh, also when I was a vegetarian for years, I use to order a Big Mac with no meat and extra everything else. They tasted better that way. Now I just avoid the place alltogether, except on a few occassions, when I have to have a Large Fry.
I remember having a McDonalds playground set thing when I was a kid-I loved it, it was a cool toy.
Posted by isis9968 (Member # 1780) on :
I meant who did, not did who, geez my brain is working in total rewind mode now.
Posted by isis9968 (Member # 1780) on :
Devo, I am ahead, by a little, for now, do you think I can do 40 posts in 1 day to get to 400-without anyone wanting to kill me?? (Just Kidding)
Posted by Eri (Member # 1974) on :
I have to say .. MacD's apple pie bars were the most delicious thing on this earth .. now i never get them ... dont know what heppened to they, but they kinda shrunk, got cold and generally are not the same ... might be that i was a kid then tho .. lol
Posted by Mikie_CA (Member # 369) on :
Back then the food seemed better. Hamburgers used to be larger. KFC used to taste much better and before Colonel Sanders died, they served those soft buns instead of these hard biscuits that i just throw away. I don't even eat at KFC anymore. Anybody who has grown up in So. Cal knows how In n Out has changed. Anybody remember the A&W restaurants?
Posted by RiverPhoenix4life (Member # 1719) on :
Mikie,
I too live in SoCal and there is an A&W stipp open here I think. It wa sthere last time I checked, but then again I'm not very perceptive. tehe.
Tootles! Posted by Mikie_CA (Member # 369) on :
quote:Originally posted by RiverPhoenix4life: Mikie,
I too live in SoCal and there is an A&W stipp open here I think. It wa sthere last time I checked, but then again I'm not very perceptive. tehe.
Tootles!
Really? I thought A&W restaurants had disappeared. Could you tell me where it is located? I want to go check it out.
Posted by RiverPhoenix4life (Member # 1719) on :
It's in Mission Viejo in Orange County...just off the 5 freeway if I remember correctly. Almost right next to In and Out. Just remember, i don't have the best memory either. I remember seeing it when I used to live on that side of the city a couple years ago. Hope this helped!
Tootles! Posted by Mikie_CA (Member # 369) on :
Alright thanks. I'll look for the exact location online.
Posted by eightiesdude (Member # 752) on :
Well after reading some of your comments. I notice that it seems I am not alone in the feeling that fast food has changed.
I do think that my taste buds might of changed a bit. I hated pickles for example as a boy, and now I love them! But I agree with some here that say, it is better to cook at home. The quality of the food and the food additives they are adding is scary and the hormones in the beef and chicken.
I do miss going to Kentukey Fried Chicken with my parents and loading up in the late 70s and early 80s. I do remember the original reciepe and when they would roll out the bbq buckets at my aunts house it was great.
But now it fast food is not good at all. Dominoes pizza was actually tasty at one time. Pizza hut too. We had pizza inns, and the my favorite burger place was burger chef. I wonder how many of you remember that place??
Some mention some chains unfortunately I didnt try or didnt know about because being in florida. But man things sure have changed. It has become a scary thing to eat fast food now. It just isnt that good to me anymore and some of you are right the people working there now. I dont know...
If you guys are interested about the history and other reality facts about fast food. Pick up the book FAST FOOD NATION on half.com But i warn you guys and gals if you want to eat more fast food dont read this book. It is about how the industry is run and it isnt pretty.
I still miss my big mac that was so big though and my burger chef fun meals, and eating Kentukey Fried Chicken and my pepsi free but thats another story....
Posted by Rose (Member # 2033) on :
quote:Anyone have any idea what ever happened to the Skipper's restaraunts?
We have them here in Washington..can I send you a couple????? Fast food will always be just what it is, fast food. I remember when I was in california back in the 70's and they had Shakey's Pizza Parlor, it was the greatest thing ever to me as a kid, and I could not believe it when I came here and they had one in Washington too, then they shut them down and moved them out of the state. I miss having a nice family atmosphere place to take my kids besides fast food restaurants. I saw a commercial recently where they were promoting Hooters 20th anniversary and their were kids in the commercial in the restaurant..I thought Okay, am I missing something? since when did Hooters become a family restaurant??. Call me prudish, but some things are just better left to imagination, I dont care how great the chicken wings are.
I also remember White Castle, but that was a mid west thing and if I am not mistaken they are still around..you could get a bag of burgers for a buck..okay they were the size of a postage stamp (j/k) but still after your bag, im sure it was satifying..lol. Best part about that whole thing, when I went home to chicago in 1985 after having not been there for almost 20 years..those burgers still tasted the same..maybe it was because I wanted them to, I dont know..
Posted by Jaymi (Member # 1434) on :
Ya know Rose, I am from Chicago originally and have not been back since 1997. I worked at McD's when I was in high school and....(senseless babbling)...anyway I remember White Castles as being about the same, it was Portillos' that was MUCH better....
Thoughts Rosie???
Posted by Rose (Member # 2033) on :
Well I tell you what..
I left Chicago in 1967 when I was 7 years old and didnt go back until 1985 for a visit, I dont even remember Portillos, sorry , but I did remember Popeye's, but I think that was new, cause I didnt remember seeing that before. They have them here where I am now too..dont worry I will do some research on the subject and get back to you. it could be on a different side of town than i grew up on.
Posted by jlp937 (Member # 1877) on :
I thought that Taco Bell's Bean Buritto's with extra cheese were a lot better back then. I think that the variety of food is a lot better today.
Posted by StevenHW (Member # 509) on :
I enjoy fried chicken. KFC is alright, though not as good as it once was (just my humble opinion).
But to me, the best tasting chicken outlet I ever had was Pioneer Fried Chicken! They prepared it in sort of a brandy-fried (and deep red) batter. Their coating was more spicier and crunchier than KFC's was.
There were Pioneer Chicken outlets all throughout the West Coast U.S. during the 70's and 80's, although not quite as many as KFC.
Unfortunately, there are hardly any outlets today. I read somewhere that there might be five independently-owned franchise locations around, mostly scattered throughout Southern California, but I'm not sure exactly where they are.
Anyway, Popeye's Fried Chicken purchased many of the remaining Pioneer outlets in 1993. Popeye's and Church's Fried Chicken are actually owned by the same company, AFC (America's Favorite Chicken company). This is according to Popeye's website.
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Fast food will always be just what it is, fast food. I remember when I was in california back in the 70's and they had Shakey's Pizza Parlor, it was the greatest thing ever to me as a kid, and I could not believe it when I came here and they had one in Washington too, then they shut them down and moved them out of the state. I miss having a nice family atmosphere place to take my kids besides fast food restaurants. I saw a commercial recently where they were promoting Hooters 20th anniversary and their were kids in the commercial in the restaurant..I thought Okay, am I missing something? since when did Hooters become a family restaurant??. Call me prudish, but some things are just better left to imagination, I dont care how great the chicken wings are.