ADVERTISEMENT

A lot of us like to sneak in a cheeky visit to McDonald’s every once in a while. The jury’s still out whether it’s the tasty junk food or our childhood nostalgia that keeps us coming back. Again. And again. Whether you’re a McDonald’s fan or you steer clear of it, you can’t deny that the chain’s restaurant designs had style and energy in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Bored Panda’s got a wave of nostalgia ready for you with this list of vintage photos from McDonald’s several decades ago, so scroll down, upvote your faves, and share what you remember about the fast-food restaurants from your childhoods, dear Pandas.

We hope that we won’t make you too hungry! When you’re done with this cool photo list, check out r/nostalgia who constantly update their collection of old photos that give us that bittersweet (or is that sweet and sour?) feeling of nostalgia.

#1

When Ronald Mcdonald Had His Own “Gang” Of Fast Food Fanatics

SpitFyre8513 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ajcreasey avatar
Unwelcomed Guest
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid my mum wore a purple felt tracksuit once and I said it reminded me of Grimace from McDonalds, I have never, and I suspect I never will, see such unadulterated rage in my life

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Mcdonalds Fried Apple Pies With The Bubbly, Crispy Outside

lady__jane Report

Add photo comments
POST
virgilblue avatar
nataliamorgadonardi avatar
NMN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are several countries that still have those, so should not be in this post. Actually where they don't have it besides US btw? (Truly don't know)

nbornkessel avatar
amandapoirier avatar
Lilfish_74
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss these. So effin good. Hotter than lave but worth it.

kimgreenock avatar
Kimberly Greenock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They still had these a few years ago when I lived in Malaysia. In fact certain times of the year they had Durian flavored. Ack ack ack

lefigaro-cognac avatar
max_lombardi_mi avatar
Max L.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And a bounch of tropical panorama, and the best european stable.. kobilarna lipica

Load More Replies...
gogar avatar
Ra Ki
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They have these in Germany and also in Brazil, I had them in different flavors also, PineApple, Banana, Cherry to name a few. In the Netherlands we have them in smaller, square size, they come in portions of 3 and 8 pieces per box. Schermafbe...07f537.png Schermafbeelding-2020-06-08-om-224612-5edea3b07f537.png

dezireemccullough avatar
Deziree Mccullough
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

im only 13 and i remember this but when i lived in hawii they had purle ones

dodoidinha avatar
Nadia Bakker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

??? Those are still sold around here. I eat them once in a while. Where are the McDonalds with discontinued fried apple pies?

dubie65 avatar
David Dubas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still have them in Canada and they sometimes have blueberry as well.

kerrie72rose avatar
Rosesinmyhair
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still have these in Australia. We had a limited edition raspberry and custard pie recently.

anne-karina avatar
Anne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were the most AWESOME item on the menu.. burned your tongue every time.. but sooooooo yum

nbornkessel avatar
Natalie Bohrteller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so confused right now....they're still on the menu here in Germany. I thought they were everywhere else, too. 😱

Load More Replies...
funnybunnyfunny avatar
Ria Louise
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They still are fried and crispy on the outside, boiling in the centre, here in the uk.

theman34567890 avatar
🧈Beanie the Dog🧈
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never will I forget the story of my mother and my father going on their first date... they went to Macdonald’s and my dad ordered one of these. His mouth was burning lol.

jlleaver avatar
Jennifer Leaver
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish they would bring these back; they are so much better than the baked ones!

john_tucker avatar
John Tucker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can still find in some places. I preferred the cherry ones though.

tc-holzner avatar
Thomas Holzner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That must be an American thing, you can them still get them in a lot of countries around the globe! ;-) for example in Germany!

mrzap0 avatar
Chris Adams
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone remember the apricot ones? They must have been a limited thing in the mid 80's. Better than the apple IMHO :-p

helenglevy avatar
Bunzilla
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this somehow seems like most un-Mcdonald's thing there could be

43s avatar
43 S
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like the whole world but the US got them. And gosh yes they're deep-fried.

ldelcham avatar
Lynn Delchambre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They tried to make them "healthy" here by baking them. Who goes to Mc'D's if they're trying to be healthy??

thalia13lovering avatar
Thalia Lovering
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still get those in Greece. I like to take them home and eat them with ice cream.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss when they used to fry in beef tallow and lard

sexybluebox avatar
Rachael Brewer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are actually still fried here in Hawaii we don't have baked pies, but we have fried apple, coconut, ube, and other seasonal flavors.

leoni_fast avatar
Leoni Fast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany, they are still there, too. Standard. Here they are called Apfeltaschen. Literally translated Apple bags.

marknahrgang avatar
Mark Nahrgang
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s back when these were actually good. What they’ve got now aren’t worth a c**p.

emelierosberg avatar
1337
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have they stopped those? When I was working at McD in 2006 we still had them.

lettersfrommyid avatar
Brenda Owens
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought them because they were fried. They were a treat every once in a while. Then they had to go and ruin everything by listening to those damn health nuts. It's not for everyday you stupid people.

stormeh avatar
Stormeh
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure where you guys are at, it's still like that in Hong Kong

kmikulovsky avatar
Kristián Mikulovský
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still have them in Slovakia tho, and there are monthly different flavour options but apple stays every month.

karinajo avatar
Kwj
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They still have these in Sweden (I'm from Denmark) when we go to Sweden we always find a Mc Donalds so we Can buy some of these.

monique_deckers avatar
Monique Deckers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still have those in Germany! Usually in Winter and we also got new flavours like cherry or baked apple.

vanvranken7 avatar
Stacy Van Vranken
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they don't makem like that anymore but if you are dying for something similar try Taco Bells Carmel apple empiniata(?spellin?)

no_8 avatar
N O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was still served a few years back in my country McDonalds.

reptilegirl30 avatar
Candice Ravel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lava level heat was even worse in the cherry pies, lol! But damn was it worth burning my tongue every time ;)

ericmacfadden avatar
Eric Mac Fadden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, there are places where you can't buy it anymore? Heresy!!!111

shellymariebean avatar
Shelly Gullett Das
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US still has the apple pies, though they are baked and not fried. The fried ones were Heaven.

elida_lechuga avatar
Elida Lechuga
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss these apple pies. They were sooo good. The ones they have now are gross.

niala2irm avatar
Zelda Blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were so freaking good!!! Why did they get rid of them to save us from ourselves!!!

marieke_3 avatar
Llewella
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once bet the manager that I could sell a 100 in my shift. After an hour he begged me to stop selling them, the kitchen couldn't keep up

sanchafung avatar
SanchaTheSeeker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still have them in Australia, not sure if it's fried though

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Who Remembers When McDonald's Playland Looked Like This? Memories...

sugarcain Report

Add photo comments
POST
fredericeeckman avatar
frederic eeckman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The worst part was when it was raining then the sun was shining right after, we insisted on going to play anyway, bathing in puddles :D

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

You wouldn’t mix up a photo of an old-timey McDonald’s interior with any other fast food restaurant. Nobody else had the same combination of cheeseburger seats, chunky plastic toys, and a loveable colorful cast of characters: from Ronald McDonald and Grimace to the Hamburgler and Mayor McCheese.

McDonald’s has changed a whole bunch over the years. Some might like the modern look, but a bunch of us would love it if the chain went back to its old playful aesthetic. Even if that’s not possible, we’d settle for a time machine so that we can grab one last old-school Happy Meal.

#5

I See Your McDonald's Ashtray And Raise You My McDonald's Coke Spoons, Er, Coffee Stirrers

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
seletagarcia avatar
Seleta Garcia
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: They did away with these because they were being used to sniff cocaine. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/stirring-response

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

It’s not just the interior and exterior of McDonald’s that’s changed. The food’s way different, too. If you think that McDonald’s fries tasted better when you were young, it’s not just your nostalgia talking. In 1992, the chain changed how they made them. They switched from beef tallow to vegetable oil.

Let’s not forget how darn awesome McDonald’s Happy Meal toys used to be. I’ve still got my collection proudly displayed on my shelf. Now, whenever I go grab a burger at McD’s and glance at their toy display, I feel a bit disappointed. Either the toys aren’t as cool as before or I grew up.

#7

Check Out This Awesome McDonald's High Chair I Got At The Flea Market Today

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
katieandjaredcoates avatar
Katie and Jared Coates
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am JEALOUS beyond words. I have it saved as a search on eBay because if I have another kid I want one safety be damned

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

These Cookies From McDonald's!!!

Costner_Facts Report

Add photo comments
POST
sanchafung avatar
SanchaTheSeeker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still have cookies https://mcdonalds.com.au/menu/mcdonaldland-cookies

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Finally, let’s remember just how amazing birthday parties at McDonald’s used to be. They were all the rage when I was growing up and they had a bit of everything. We’re pretty sure that kids have a lot of fun celebrating their birthdays at McDonald’s even now, but there’s just something missing. Or that could be the nostalgia talking.

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Ronald Mcdonald Bench That Was Popular Around McDonald's Establishments Until Sometime Around The Early 2000s

endlesswaveofwhat Report

Add photo comments
POST
marieke_3 avatar
Llewella
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The one we had at the McD I worked at was stolen. Returned after a week. Judging from the photo's in an envelop around his neck, someone took him on a roadtrip. We framed the photo's

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

McDonald's Birthday Parties... Complete With Ash Trays On The Tables For A Good Smoke After A Happy Meal

MikeTScott Report

Add photo comments
POST
iajdini avatar
Ilir Ajdini
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son had his birthday party cople of times in McD in Skopje, some 17-18 years ago

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Sometimes You'd Get It At School Events Or Sports Games, Delivered In This Big Yellow Cooler

worthpoint Report

#19

These Mcdonalds Halloween Chicken Nugget Toys

PeaceFrog229 Report

Add photo comments
POST
mollycule avatar
Molly Cule
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were kind of squashy and had a little hole with a valve at the bottom. I used to use them as water pistols.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

McDonald's Teenie Beanie Babies

angelsgirl2002 Report

Add photo comments
POST
justforfacebook avatar
ƒιѕн
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad to say but I was one of the collectors of these. I also still have all of them. This just reminded me I have them stored in huge totes in the closet.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

90s Mcdonalds Plates

Closetbigfoot Report

Add photo comments
POST
iajdini avatar
Ilir Ajdini
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have spent so much money on Hercules toys, including McDonald's happy meals, because that animated movie was my than 6-7 yo son's favorite and he watched it on vhs almost every day for some 10 or 12 months

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

Mcdonalds Gift Certificates. They Were The Golden Tickets Of Trick Or Treating

WorstNameEver242 Report

Add photo comments
POST
jnmaresca avatar
Justine Nicole
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's say "or one regular Coca Cola" so it feels like there is options...

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Does Anybody Remember When Walmart Had Mcdonald’s And The Ronald Mcdonald Bench?

monster_bear Report

Add photo comments
POST
charlotte_18 avatar
Charlotte
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have an ancient, highly suggestive photo of me and Ronald on one of these benches. Let's just say there's a reason he looks so happy! ;)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Fisher Price Mcdonald’s Play Toys

Jaimass Report

Add photo comments
POST
xavierwescott avatar
Xavier Wescott
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SO THAT"S WHAT THEY WERE??!? My grandma had these as toys for us (born in 2002) but the darn things were so worn away I just thought they were generic toys. Oh the memories are flooding back now

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#40

Super Mario Bros. 3 McDonald's Happy Meal

CJK610 Report

Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.