November 19th 2024.
It's been quite a while since McDonald's has sold this particular product, almost four decades to be exact. As a fast-food chain, McDonald's is always changing things up for its customers, introducing new items and bringing back old favorites. Recently, they brought back the Big Tasty and the McRib, both of which have been highly anticipated by fans. However, there's one particular item that many people have been craving for, even though it hasn't been available in the UK for over 40 years.
Before the famous Chicken McNuggets came along in 1984, there was another nugget option on the menu that caused quite a stir. These were known as Onion Nuggets, and they were first introduced in 1976 in the US and later in the UK. These were essentially chunks of onions dipped in a crispy batter and fried to perfection. They were meant to be a vegetarian option for those who didn't want to order a burger, but they didn't quite take off as expected. Ultimately, they were taken off the menu a few years later due to their lack of popularity.
Interestingly, the famous Chicken McNuggets that we all know and love today were actually inspired by the now-forgotten Onion Nuggets. McDonald's former development chef, René Arend, joined the chain in the late 1970s and started working on chicken nuggets in 1979, after Chairman Fred Turner suggested the idea. However, it wasn't until the 80s that these nuggets made their way to the restaurants for customers to enjoy.
Despite being labeled as "unsuccessful," the Onion Nuggets still have a strong following online, with many people on Reddit demanding for their return. Some even suggest that they would "destroy" a 20 piece of these nuggets and that they're just "onion rings in nugget form." However, not everyone is as enthusiastic about the idea, with some describing the Onion Nuggets as "cursed," "disgusting," and even making them "gag."
In light of McDonald's 50th anniversary in the UK, the chain shared a timeline of its changes over the years. The very first McDonald's in the UK opened in Woolwich on November 13, 1974, with a Big Mac costing 45p and a cheeseburger for just 21p. As a way to reminisce, McDonald's also reminded people of another forgotten menu item from the 90s: McPizza.
Yes, you read that right. McDonald's once offered personal pizzas in the UK in the mid-1990s, which were 8-inch pizzas split into four slices. These came in three different flavors and were available as part of the power/breakfast/working lunch options for city workers. According to McDonald's website, these pizzas were only available for a limited time in some restaurants as part of a sales and product test.
It's always interesting to look back at the changes and innovations that have taken place in a company over the years. Who knows, maybe one day McDonald's will bring back the Onion Nuggets or the McPizza. Until then, we can only hope and reminisce about the good old days. This article was originally published on November 15, 2024. Do you have a story to share? Feel free to get in touch by emailing us.
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