Fast-food chains serve up '90s nostalgia with returning menu favorites at McDonald's, Burger King - ABC News

Food

From the return of decade-defining fashion trends and toys to restaurants dishing out deeply nostalgic foods, '90s culture has seen a sweeping resurgence in 2026.

This summer, fast food brands in particular are capitalizing on the throwback trend, no time machine required.

On Tuesday, McDonald's announced the return of its Fried Apple Pie, which vanished from menus 34 years ago and will be back starting June 23 for a limited time.

In a press release, the Golden Arches called its handheld dessert, which originated in the '60s from a family recipe, a "national treasure," with its American-grown apples wrapped in a golden, flaky, fried crust.

It's not just the all-day sweet treat that's giving people a taste of the past either: Dairy Queen announced last week that it would be offering "classic lemonade stand prices," with 50-cent drinks available to rewards members.

Timed to the start of summer, members can get a Medium DQ Sparkler or DQ Cooler in classic lemonade or the new hibiscus flavor for 50 cents each in the DQ app from June 15-21.

Earlier this month Burger King brought back its crown-shaped chicken nuggets for the first time in 15 years.

2 college students found dead after going missing while hiking, police say

13 hours ago

Escaped murderer's stolen truck found, location remains unknown: Authorities

2 days ago

Britt McHenry resigns from State Department after basketball game altercation

Oct 23

The dippable Crown Nuggets are available alone or in meal form with sides and a drink, while supplies last.

Pizza Hut is also taking a page out of the nostalgia playbook and pushing it a step further, reviving elements of its classic dine-in experience at select restaurant locations to evoke '80s and '90s design, as first reported by People, complete with red booths, a salad bar setup, red plastic cups and checkered tablecloths.

A list of Pizza Hut Classic locations can be found on the Pizza Hut website.

An iconic customer favorite is also making a return to the menu at Taco Bell starting Thursday, June 18 with the "Enchirito" for $3.99, the fast food restaurant confirmed to ABC News.

The part burrito, part enchilada is made with a warm flour tortilla filled with seasoned beef, refried beans and diced onions, smothered in Taco Bell's signature red sauce and topped with melted shredded cheddar cheese.

Related Topics

Food

McDonalds

Sponsored Content by Taboola

2 college students found dead after going missing while hiking, police say

13 hours ago

Britt McHenry resigns from State Department after basketball game altercation

Oct 23

Escaped murderer's stolen truck found, location remains unknown: Authorities

2 days ago

'Inexplicable' order probed as cause of train crash that killed at least 69: Official

2 hours ago

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events