11 Outrageous Fast Food Creations That Went Way Too Far
Fast food chains have really stepped up their game by offering items that make you stop and wonder what they were thinking. The dishes in this list go beyond the usual menu options by combining surprising ingredients or bold concepts that leave a lasting impression.
The Double Down – KFC
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In 2010, KFC replaced traditional bread with two fried chicken fillets and stuffed them with bacon, cheese, and sauce. This oddball invention came out amid skepticism, but the company sold over ten million sandwiches. The Double Down returned several times, including once in 2023.
Bacon-Wrapped Deep Dish Pizza – Little Caesars
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Little Caesars took its deep-dish pizza and wrapped the crust in more than three feet of bacon. The pizza was already loaded with pepperoni and cheese, so the bacon crust made it a heavy, meat-stuffed ordeal. Those who tried it said the first few bites were interesting, but many thought it was overwhelming.
Buffalo Latte – Tim Hortons
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Customers saw a limited-time drink appear in Buffalo, New York, designed to celebrate the city’s connection to its namesake wing sauce. The Buffalo Latte aimed to combine local pride with promotional flair. It remained exclusive to that single market and was never offered nationally. After a short run, Tim Hortons removed it from stores, likely due to low demand.
Mac ‘n’ Cheetos – Burger King
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Fried mac and cheese sticks rolled in Cheetos dust made their debut at Burger King in 2016. A Flamin’ Hot version followed later. The bright orange snacks came with a side of ranch and attracted plenty of social media attention.
Cheeseburger-Stuffed Crust – Pizza Hut
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Introducing miniature cheeseburgers into a pizza crust was a courageous step in fast food experimentation. This idea came from Pizza Hut and first popped up in the Middle East before expanding to the UK. Despite its visual appeal, the product failed because the cheeseburgers lacked seasoning, felt dry, and didn’t integrate well with the rest of the pizza.
Gracoro Burger – McDonald’s
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Japan’s McDonald’s came up with the Gracoro Burger as a winter seasonal item. The patty included macaroni, shrimp, and creamy white sauce, all coated in breadcrumbs and fried. Local customers welcomed it as a rich and comforting cold-weather option. It may seem unusual elsewhere, but in Japan, it earned a regular place in the seasonal lineup.
Cap’n Crunch Delights – Taco Bell
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Taco Bell revealed Cap’n Crunch Delights in 2015, a breakfast item that doubled as a dessert. Reviews were mixed because some customers saw it as a fun, over-the-top snack, while others dismissed it as trying too hard. Like many of the chain’s breakfast inventions, it only generated awareness but failed to build momentum.
Kit Kat Chocoladilla – Taco Bell
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Taco Bell launched the Chocoladilla, essentially Kit Kat bars and melted chocolate in a flour tortilla, as another trial in its long line of unconventional ideas. The product materialized in select U.S. locations and was promoted more for its shock value than culinary appeal. The warm tortilla clashed with the crunch of the candy, which made the texture feel disjointed and unbalanced.
The Meatatarian Range – Burger King
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Burger King started a short-lived premium promotion in New Zealand that featured three meat-loaded burgers with escalating portions. The chain called it the Meatatarian Range, and it included the Full Meaty, Half Meaty, and Bacon Meaty, stacking combinations of beef, chicken, bacon, and cheese.
Most American Thickburger – Carl’s Jr. / Hardee’s
Credit: Reddit
This calorie-dense creation arrived in 2015 with over-the-top branding and a stacked ingredient list. Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s called it the Most American Thickburger, which combined a cheeseburger patty, a split hot dog, Lays potato chips, and standard toppings. The sandwich aimed to celebrate classic American food in one bite.
Triple Baconator – Wendy’s
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This limited-time burger offering from Wendy’s had three beef patties and nine strips of bacon that pushed the calorie count to 1,360. Named as the Triple Baconator, it was promoted as the ultimate option for meat lovers. Some customers took the challenge, but most found it excessive.
Oreo Dessert Pizza – Domino’s
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The foundation of this dessert experiment at Domino’s was a vanilla crust topped with Oreo crumbles and icing. Branded as the Oreo Dessert Pizza, it aimed to reimagine a classic pie with sweet ingredients. The item attracted attention but didn’t connect with customers.
Cheese Donut – KFC
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This unusual item appeared on menus in Indonesia, featuring a plain donut topped with shredded Swiss and cheddar. The Cheese Donut did not have any glaze or sweetness and was an entirely savory twist on a traditionally sweet food. The concept left numerous customers puzzled and drew inconsistent reviews.
Chicken McDo with McSpaghetti – McDonald’s
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First revealed in the 1980s, Chicken McDo with McSpaghetti was McDonald’s attempt to cater to Filipino tastes by combining two local favorites—fried chicken and sweet-style spaghetti. While the combo became a staple in the Philippines, an earlier version tested in the U.S. during the 1970s didn’t last.
Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwich – Carl’s Jr.
Credit: Reddit
By combining two strawberry Pop-Tarts with vanilla ice cream, Carl’s Jr. created a dessert that stirred plenty of interest. It expanded from test locations to over 1,000 stores. Many people said it felt like a DIY treat you could make at home, which is why it didn’t become a regular menu item.