I don’t know about you, but I seem to have an eclectic taste in things. And for some reason whatever I like keeps getting discontinued . I don’t like that.
However, I recently stumbled upon this Reddit thread that asked , “What discontinued thing do you really want brought back?” and I’m happy to see there are more people like me out there, haha. So let’s take a look at some of the stuff other folks would like to see back.
No Software Subscriptions
“Paying once for work software, like Microsoft word or Adobe PDF, and actually owning it thereafter without having to pay a monthly subscription fee.”
Oh, yeah! I definitely agree with that. I find all that subscription business so irritating, and it costs you more in the end. Let’s get rid of it. Do you hear us, Adobe?
This Cereal Surprise
“Surprises in the cereal boxes! Not the ‘enter two codes inside on our website’ bull. Actual, physical THINGS in a package floating somewhere in that box of Cheerios!”
That was always so fun, no? I bet the kids really miss it, too, huh?
These Cheesecake Bars
“The Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars. I loved the strawberry ones, I can’t remember if there were other flavors.”
Oh, I’ve never had that. I bet it was delicious, though. Honestly, there are so many sweets from my childhood I really miss.
This YouTube Option
“The dislike option on YouTube.”
“They really do need to bring the dislike counter back. It’s good for viewers to know a video is unpopular. It was primarily removed to appease large media corporations whose content was constantly downvoted for being tools of manufactured consent.”
What do you think of that?
Old Cartoon Network
“Does anyone remember the Cartoon Network website that had all the games on it related to the various cartoons? I can’t remember any of the games but I spent HOURS playing and I’d like that back please, without any adult responsibility. Basically, I’d like a time machine.”
Haha!
Old School Pizza Hut
“RIP the salad bar with that amazing creamy Italian dressing and being able to get pitchers of beer or Pepsi.”
“It’s been in slow decline. First, they got rid of the dessert pizzas, then the salad bar, then the stained glass lights above the tables, and then they killed Galaga. But because of the pandemic, my local Pizza Hut fared even worse and shows no sign of recovery. Half the restaurant is blocked off with tables and stuff moved around haphazardly. Only a few tables are left that you can sit at, but they won’t serve you anymore, you have to order at the counter and take your food to the table, eating in an empty, dank restaurant like a rat person.”
That’s so sad!
The ‘Real’ Dollar Menu At Mickey D’s
“Hash browns are $2.49 where I live. I love those things but that is highway robbery for a few bites of food.”
“Also 29cent/39 cent hamburger/cheeseburger.”
“Or the all-day breakfast.”
Those were the days, huh?
Borders Bookstores
“Used to hang out with a chai and browse/read. Found a lot of books I never would have bought otherwise. There’s no way to replace that with online. At least Barnes and Noble are still here for the time being.”
I used to like to do that too.
RELATED STORIES
MTV
“MTV, the one with the music videos. I started high school when MTV was launched. I, like a lot of us, grew up with it. We LOVED it. Remember, this is 1981, so adjust your understanding of tech at the time. MTV was HUGE.”
I definitely remember that. Whatever happened to MTV playing actual music videos, huh?
Adless Internet
“An almost adless internet.”
“We spent so long getting rid of pop-up ads, I don’t know why they became acceptable web design again.”
“Also, one that isn’t more and more AI optimized SEO crap. It’s a problem that Google is now so big it is starting to shape the internet rather than just index it.”
I hear you loud and clear.
Winning Stuff
“When you would win a free coke from the plastic bottle cap. Those were the best. Or the McDonald’s monopoly game when you could win free fries or something.”
“Now they want you to enter a code on their website or scan a QR code and get ‘points’ for whatever.”
I think they still have Monopoly at McDonald’s, but it’s not as easy to win. At least, I don’t think so.
Double Decker Tacos
“I have no idea why they discontinued it. It was the only thing I would get. Nothing else comes close.”
Oh, I remember those. They sure were good, huh? I think there’s a reason they got discontinued, though. They call that being cheap, haha.
Altoid Sours
“Loved those so much and still use the little tins to store random things.”
“I would do unspeakable things for a fresh tin of those tangerine pieces of heaven.”
Oh, my gosh. This last comment made me laugh out loud.
Taco Bell Apple Empanadas
“Those were so good! I made a knockoff apple fry pie at home and it just didn’t quite turn out the same. I miss the volcano menu as well, and the quesarito (I know you can still get it via the app, but I never plan ahead like that if I end up at Taco Bell).
I basically stopped eating at Taco Bell.
This Flying Experience
“Getting on an airplane without taking my shoes off.”
“Seeing people off at the actual gate.”
“I just wear flip flops and drawstring britches and my ‘Ask me about my butthole’ t-shirt when I fly. Pretty painless experience.”
OMG, haha! I just about died reading this last one.
Long Lasting Products
“Products that were meant to last and not broken or obsolete in 1-2 years.”
I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who missed this. Now, everything is made in China, and you’re supposed to get rid of it in a year or two. What happened to quality? That’s what I would like to know.
This McDonald’s Favorite
“Deep fried McDonald’s apple pie. The one from the 1980s to 1990s. The one that was crispy and the temperature of molten plutonium inside. That [expletive] was the best.”
Haha! Do you remember that, or were you too young? I think I recall the crispiness of this goodness.
Affordable Housing
“I like the idea of affording to live in the same town you work in or at least living within 3 miles/5 kilometers of where you work.”
I second that. The house prices are out of control, especially if you need to work downtown. Who can afford that? Something needs to be done about this, no?
So, what’s your take on these?
Do you agree with your fellow posters here? Is there one item from your childhood or not-so-distant past that you would love to see back? Hmm, there are many for me — the flying thing for sure and the housing issue.
But for the fun stuff, 2-for-1 pizza. What a great deal, huh? Or the fact that you got free food if they didn’t deliver it on time. Now, you can end up waiting for it forever, and there are no consequences for it, haha.