Fast Food Dipping Sauces That Were Sadly Discontinued
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There's no denying that a well-crafted sauce can take a meal to the next level, while a poorly chosen one can ruin it. And fast food is no exception. Whether you're using a sauce to dip your fries or slather a burger, the right sauce is key to creating a satisfying and enjoyable dining experience. Realizing the importance of condiments, many fast food chains have incorporated dipping sauces into their menu offerings, introducing a variety of options to cater to different tastes and preferences.
As a rule of thumb, fast food restaurants offer two types of dipping sauces: ones that are here to stay (think ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard) and ones that are either promotional or released for a limited amount of time. Over the years, even condiments with a cult-like following have been taken off the market. Nevertheless, sometimes it's tricky not to get attached to certain flavors, particularly since some chains may feature the same condiments for years, or even decades, before giving them the ax.
Ready to find out about discontinued fast food sauces that have made a lasting impact on fans? Keep reading!
Taco Bell Fire-Roasted and Verde Sauces
Making their debut at Taco Bell in 2010, the Fire-Roasted and Verde Sauces were both phased out sometime around 2015 to make way for the chain's most fiery condiment offering called Diablo. In response to the move, one TripAdvisor reviewer pleaded with the chain to stop discontinuing the beloved sauces, adding, "First fire roasted [and] now the Verde. Why? Some people actually enjoy the taste of food and not the taste of their sinuses running. Why replace the mild sauces with satan's saliva?"
So what were the flavor profiles of Taco Bell's Fire-Roasted and Verde Sauces and why were the condiments such a hit with fast food enthusiasts? According to Taco Bell, the chain's Fire-Roasted Sauce blended tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro. The Verde Sauce, meanwhile, was composed of tomatillos, onions, garlic, lime, and cilantro. Brand Editing reviewed the complimentary packets of salsa, highlighting that both introduced fresh "flavors" to the chain's menu, as opposed to relying on the same old combinations of ingredients that patrons had grown accustomed to. The platform goes on to describe the sauces as tangy but not overly spicy.
Taco Bell Lava Sauce
Launched with Taco Bell's Volcano Taco, the Lava Sauce was a permanent fixture on the chain's menu from 2008 until 2013. The fiery cheese sauce quickly became a favorite with Taco Bell enthusiasts, so you can only imagine their uproar when it was taken off the chain's menu. One Reddit user said, "Taco Bell randomly discontinued heaven on earth, or in other words, the volcano menu" Describing one theory behind the move, the user wrote, "They built up hype when they discontinued it so fans are desperate for some lava sauce and then ... they bring it back as a seasonal menu item ... many fans will stampede into stores getting them so much money they could fill an Olympic swimming pool full of hundreds."
Perhaps the Reddit reviewer was right because the condiment was resurrected for a limited time in 2015 to celebrate the release of the Volcano Quesarito and Steak Burrito. "You asked for it. Lava Sauce is back," the chain tweeted. This is also the time the sauce became available in small dipping containers. Fans of the hot sauce will be pleased to know that Taco Bell tweeted on March 16, 2023, that the chain will resurrect its Volcano Menu — and Lava Sauce — at some stores for a limited time. More specifically, the menu items will become available on June 27 for Taco Bell Rewards members and on June 29 to the general public (via Today).
Taco Bell Baja Sauce
Although the precise date when Taco Bell removed its Baja Sauce from the menu may not be clear, it's evident that the choice left many devotees of the fast food restaurant feeling let down. The condiment, believed to have been discontinued in 2014, had been lauded for its "creamy, tangy, and multidimensional" flavor that perfectly complements chips, tacos, and salads.
Many weren't happy about the chain's decision to suspend the production of the dipping sauce, taking to social media to vent their frustration. One very angry Reddit user says that the Baja Sauce defined their Taco Bell experience for two decades, adding, "My favorite menu item since high school is now gone ... It isn't just sauce, it's the carpet that brings the room together or the straw that stirs the drink. The manager told me to try the Spicy Ranch, he says it's similar. I am guessing by similar he meant that they are both liquids used to top tacos and quesadillas."
Today, Taco Bell's Baja Sauce can be purchased in 11-ounce bottles for about $9 a pop on Amazon, however, with just 3.7 out of 5 stars, it doesn't seem that the product is doing all that well. One Amazon shopper calls the sauce "gross," adding, "It's not even close in taste [to Taco Bell's Baja Sauce]; it's super oily and sour. ... it felt like my heart breaking again when Taco Bell took the sauce away."
McDonald's Szechuan Sauce
The story of McDonald's Szechuan Sauce is a fascinating one. Even though it was first offered for a limited time in 1998 to mark the release of the Disney film "Mulan," the sauce didn't strike a note with fast food enthusiasts until some 20 years later after it was mentioned in the animated adult series "Rick and Morty."
Following the airing of the episode, devotees of the show started shelling out big bucks on the condiment, with one of the packets of sauce from the late 1990s selling for nearly $15,000. McDonald's was quick to react, putting the sauce back on the shelves for a limited time in 2017 and again in 2018. Unfortunately, the chain didn't anticipate the huge demand for the condiment, with supply issues prompting public meltdowns and protests. In 2020, Szechuan Sauce enthusiasts even initiated a petition on Change.org to rally support for the reintroduction of the beloved condiment in conjunction with the release of the "Mulan" remake.
McDonald's Szechuan Sauce made a brief return on March 31, 2022. This time around, however, the condiment could only be obtained as a dipping addition to Chicken McNuggets on the McDonald's app. McDonald's customers were also permitted to buy the condiment individually, provided that the order did not surpass five containers.
McDonald's Sweet Chili Sauce
Also referred to as Thai sauce, McDonald's Sweet Chili Sauce was discontinued in 2019 when the fast food giant posted the following tweet: " We're sorry to disappoint you with this change. The Thai sauce was part of our Sweet Chili McWrap which has been replaced with our new Cajun McWrap and we don't have plans to bring it back to the menu at this time." Standing testament to the sauce's loyal following, one McDonald's enthusiast promptly tweeted back, "Any supply left? I'll buy everything you have." Today, packets of the chain's Sweet Chili Sauce can be found for sale on both eBay and Amazon, with one hopeful online vendor listing a sauce packet for a cool $25,000.
McDonald's Sweet Chili sauce was introduced in 2010 as a dipper for the McNuggets. And its tangy flavor quickly gained approval among lovers of Asian flavors. One self-proclaimed addict even asked Reddit users where they could purchase bottles of the stuff, saying, "I cannot go to McDonald's every time I have a craving for it (I'll probably die). What brand of sweet chili sauce tastes most like the McDonald's one? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!." Notably, some of the substitute suggestions included Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce and Encona Thai Sweet Chili Sauce.
Wendy's Hot Honey Sauce
One of the most short-lived condiment offerings from Wendy's, the Hot Honey Sauce was available only for a brief period from February to September 2022, when the chain's spokesperson revealed to Thrillist that it was being "phased out." Introduced alongside the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich and the Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich, the fiery dipping sauce combined honey and habanero peppers.
Come August 2022, one devastated Reddit user was already on alert, posting that they had just been told by a server at their local Wendy's that the Hot Honey Sauce had been axed. Another Reddit user, who claimed to be working for the chain, responded, "In my store, yes. We have a few more packs of the sauce, but we don't have any more boxes getting delivered. We still have the [Hot Honey Chicken] Sandwich though." As of March 28, 2023, the Hot Honey Sauce still appears on the fast food chain's website, although you're unlikely to find it at your local Wendy's.
Wendy's Creamy Sriracha Sauce
Wendy's enthusiasts didn't take long to vent their frustration and disappointment after the chain discontinued its Creamy Sriracha Sauce in 2021. One disenchanted devotee of the condiment took to Twitter to say, "I can't express to you the HEARTBREAK I had when an associate at one of your locations explained [that] the creamy sriracha sauce has been discontinued! I used it on everything! What am I supposed to do?!" Another person took this sentiment a step further, tweeting, "We know world peace is no longer attainable when Wendy's discontinues the creamy sriracha sauce."
According to Insider, Wendy's replaced its Creamy Sriracha Sauce with the Ghost Pepper Ranch Sauce, which the chain described on its website as "so good — and hot — it'll make you cry." And many of the chain's enthusiasts indeed cried but for an altogether different reason, with some saying that the new sauce didn't live up to the high bar set by the Creamy Sriracha Sauce. Perhaps one disappointed fast food enthusiast sums this sentiment up best, saying, "Y'all got rid of sriracha for this ghost pepper ranch for what? It's nothing in comparison. Y'all went from the best to the worst with one false move." Fans of the sauce have even launched a petition on Change.org to convince the chain to bring back the beloved condiment.
KFC Bacon Ranch, Orange Ginger, and Creamy Buffalo Sauces
Released in 2012 to accompany KFC's Extra Crispy Chicken Tenders, the Bacon Ranch, Orange Ginger, and Creamy Buffalo Sauces were a part of the chain's Dip'ems lineup. The other three sauces already in the mix were Honey BBQ, Honey Mustard, and Creamy Ranch. Despite amassing a loyal following, all three sauces were retired relatively quickly.
Due to popular demand, the sauces made a comeback in 2014 only to be discontinued again. It's not all bad news, however. Fans of KFC's Creamy Buffalo Sauce will be happy to know that the chain has recently released a condiment called Buffalo Ranch, which blends buttermilk and peppers. Unfortunately, we are unable to tell you whether it's the same condiment as its creamy predecessor. And if you're curious about the other two condiments, Brand Eating reviewed both back in 2014. According to the platform, the Bacon Ranch Sauce tasted like a buttermilk ranch sauce with just a touch of smoky bacon while the Orange Ginger offering commenced with a sweet orange flavor followed by a ginger kick and a subtle touch of heat.
KFC Finger Lickin' Good Sauce
Who could ever forget KFC's signature Finger Lickin' Good Sauce. The savory and slightly sweet condiment that played such a prominent part in the chain's advertising was replaced by the KFC Sauce amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We are guessing that the move was a huge blow to the franchise, which used the "Finger Lickin' Good" slogan for 64 years. "We find ourselves in a unique situation — having an iconic slogan that doesn't quite fit in the current environment," KFC's global chief marketing officer, Catherine Tan-Gillespie, said at the time (via Reuters).
Some KFC customers took the news hard. One Reddit user was disheartened by the loss, saying, "I just went to pick up my usual from KFC for lunch ... As I told the drive-through attendant my sauce order, I was told Finger Licking is gone. I slowly pulled [to] the window to pay and asked the attendant if I misheard. Unfortunately, I did not. ... I will miss you."
KFC's replacement for its Finger Lickin' Good Sauce has been described as a combination of sweet and tangy notes, with a hint of smokiness. "When we set out to create a new signature dipping sauce, we went right to the experts — our customers — to find out what made a sauce best-in-class for dipping," KFC chief marketing officer Andrea Zahumensky said in a 2020 press release. She also highlighted that the chain tried out 50 different variations of the sauce before settling on the final recipe.
Burger King Chicken Fry Sauce
Since it wasn't widely advertised on television, Burger King's Chicken Fry Sauce was a little bit of a mystery when it was first rolled out in 2015. Designed to accompany the chain's chicken fries, the condiment didn't appear on the fast food restaurant's menu. Instead, patrons had to ask for the condiment, as per Burger King's hashtag #AskForTheSauce. And with the social media slogan "the sauce of all sauces," the expectations were high.
The sauce, which was described as a BBQ sauce and honey mustard combo, was later discontinued to the chagrin of many netizens. One Reddit user said the Chicken Fry Sauce was the best condiment they had ever tasted, elaborating, "All recipes I've found online taste nothing like it." One fan of the sauce even started a petition on Change.org to bring the condiment back, saying, "I've been enjoying the Chicken Fry Sauce every day. ... Now that it's gone, it saddens me. ... It was the best thing they've ever brought out onto the market."
Burger King Kung Pao Sauce and Jalapeño BBQ Sauce
Introduced to complement Burger King's new chicken strips, the Kung Pao Sauce and Jalapeño BBQ Sauce hit the chain's outlets in 2012. And while the chicken strips didn't make much of an impression on some of the chain's diners, Brand Eating describes the sauces as both interesting and non-traditional.
Inspired by a spicy Chinese chicken dish of the same name, the Asian-style Kung Pao Sauce blended soy sauce, red bell peppers, sesame oil, garlic, and rice vinegar. And it seems that the condiment hit the right spot, with Feast referring to it as "among the best of the best." There's even a petition out there to bring the condiment back, although with just 20 signatures it doesn't seem to have generated a huge following.
The Jalapeño BBQ Sauce has been described as both sweeter and spicier than its sister condiment. And if nothing else, the salsa does sound pretty unusual. As per Feast, the condiment combines jalapeños with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onions, and paprika to create a unique flavor profile.
Chick-fil-A Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette, Buttermilk Ranch, and Spicy Dressing Sauces
Even though Chick-fil-A's Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette, Buttermilk Ranch, and Spicy Dressing aren't classified as dipping sauces, they still had a dedicated following among fast food fans. And there's little doubt that many diners used the condiments for a variety of purposes, including dipping the odd fry or two. All three were discontinued by the chain in 2016. Referring to the sauces as "three condiment legends," the Chick-fil-A website states only that it was the right time for "a new line of dressings to take your place in our salad bowls ... and our hearts." Pretty vague, if you ask us.
While the three dressings were retired simultaneously, they were introduced by the chain at different times. The chain's Berry Balsamic Dressing first made an appearance in 2008, its Spicy Dressing in 2001, and the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing first entered the scene way back in 1989, making it 27 years old at the time of its demise. And some patrons didn't take the decision lightly, with one saying that they stopped eating the chain's salads after the spicy dressing disappeared from its outlets. Another Chick-fil-A fan bemoaned the axing of the chain's Buttermilk Ranch, saying, "R.I.P buttermilk ranch you will be missed."
Domino's Kicker Hot Sauce
Introduced as a condiment for its chicken wings, Domino's Kicker Hot Sauce quickly became a favorite with fast food enthusiasts. Some diners even used the sauce on the chain's pizza. As such, when Domino's discontinued its Kicker Hot Sauce around 2000, fans of the condiment were fast to voice their displeasure.
One Domino's enthusiast asked on Reddit how they could lodge a complaint with the chain about the "travesty," adding, "I have been an avid purchaser of the Kicker Hot Sauce and would order it with every pizza. ... Just yesterday I ... noticed that Kicker Hot Sauce is no longer an option and it has seemingly been replaced by some sort of hot buffalo sauce." One Redditor promptly responded, "I've tried it and it's a completely different sauce. The taste is way off, the texture is much thicker, and it's even lighter in color." Zachary P, who started a petition on Change.org to bring the sauce back, said that he won't be ordering chicken wings from Domino's without the sauce.
Those looking to replicate Domino's Kicker Hot Sauce experience may wish to try Frank's RedHot Original Hot Sauce. One satisfied Amazon reviewer shared, "I loved Domino's kicker hot sauce with BBQ wings and I'm always wondering where I can get the sauce ... I googled and everyone says this is the one and yes it does taste like the sauce from Domino's!"