Remember These? 14 Fast-Food Sandwiches Ohioans Loved
Ohio has always been a testing ground for fast-food innovation, and some of the wildest sandwich experiments happened right in our backyards. Many chains rolled out limited-time creations that became instant favorites before vanishing without warning.
If you grew up scarfing down drive-thru meals in the Buckeye State, these sandwiches probably haunt your taste buds to this day.
1. McDonald’s McLean Deluxe
This burger tried to convince us that fast food could be healthy, and honestly, we wanted to believe it. The McLean Deluxe arrived with fanfare in 1991, promising a guilt-free indulgence with its seaweed-enhanced patty.
Yes, you read that right. Seaweed. McDonald’s swapped out fat for carrageenan, a seaweed extract, to keep the patty moist while slashing calories.
The whole wheat bun and garden-fresh toppings made it look virtuous on paper. But taste-wise, it felt like eating cardboard with good intentions. Ohioans gave it a shot, but by 1996, the McLean quietly disappeared, proving that health food and Golden Arches don’t always mix.
2. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe
When McDonald’s decided to go fancy, they bet a quarter-billion dollars on this sophisticated sandwich. The Arch Deluxe launched in 1996 with commercials showing kids turning up their noses, because apparently grown-ups needed their own burger.
Peppered bacon, circular leaf lettuce, and a bakery-style bun made it feel upscale. The secret sauce had a tangy kick that set it apart from every other McDonald’s offering.
But Ohioans weren’t ready to pay premium prices for a Mickey D’s sandwich, no matter how adult it pretended to be. The campaign flopped spectacularly, and by 2000, the Arch Deluxe became a cautionary tale in marketing textbooks everywhere.
3. McDonald’s McDLT
Are you old enough to remember when your burger came in a spaceship-looking container? The McDLT ruled the mid-1980s with its genius two-chamber packaging that kept hot ingredients hot and cool ingredients cool.
You assembled it yourself, which made every meal feel like a tiny culinary adventure. The crisp lettuce and juicy tomato never got soggy because they lived in their own temperature-controlled compartment until go-time.
Jason Alexander even starred in commercials singing its praises. But environmental concerns about all that styrofoam packaging killed the McDLT in 1990, and we lost one of the most innovative burger delivery systems ever created.
4. Wendy’s SuperBar Taco Sandwich
Did anyone else spend their childhood building weird food combinations at the SuperBar? Wendy’s all-you-can-eat buffet ran from 1988 to 1998, and the taco sandwich was an underrated star of the show.
You could pile seasoned beef, shredded cheese, crisp lettuce, and cool sour cream onto a soft shell however you wanted. The freedom to customize every single bite made it addictive, and going back for seconds was basically mandatory.
Kids treated it like a culinary playground, while parents appreciated the value. When Wendy’s axed the SuperBar to focus on speed and efficiency, Ohio lost a whole era of buffet-style fast food that’ll never return.
5. Arby’s Big Montana
When Arby’s wanted to prove they had the meats, they unleashed this absolute beast in the mid-1990s. The Big Montana packed a quarter-pound of roast beef that literally spilled over the edges of its oversized bun.
Cheddar sauce cascaded down the meat mountain, while fresh veggies tried their best to balance the carnivorous chaos. This sandwich required two hands, three napkins, and zero shame to consume properly.
Ohioans who ordered it knew they were signing up for a full-contact eating experience. Though it eventually rode off into the sunset, the Big Montana remains legendary among roast beef enthusiasts who remember when Arby’s went truly massive.
6. Arby’s Five For Five Deal
Though technically a promotion rather than a single sandwich, this deal defined an entire generation of budget lunches. Arby’s offered five classic roast beef sandwiches for just five dollars, making it the ultimate value meal for hungry Ohioans.
College students, large families, and anyone watching their wallet flocked to Arby’s during this era. You could feed a crew or meal-prep for days without breaking the bank.
The sandwiches themselves were simple but satisfying: thinly sliced roast beef on soft sesame buns with Arby’s signature sauce available on request. When inflation finally killed the deal, it felt like losing an old friend who always had your back.
7. Arby’s Loaded Italian
However much you love roast beef, sometimes you need a break from the usual Arby’s routine. The Loaded Italian delivered a deli-style experience with layers of ham, salami, and pepperoni stacked high on a toasted sub roll.
Melted cheese and tangy banana peppers added a zesty kick that woke up your taste buds. The red wine vinaigrette tied everything together with a sophisticated touch that felt almost too fancy for fast food.
Ohio locations saw serious love for this sandwich because it proved Arby’s could compete beyond beef. Though it appears occasionally as a limited-time offering, dedicated fans still mourn its absence from the permanent menu.
8. Burger King Ch’King
Where were you during the Great Chicken Sandwich Wars of 2021? Burger King entered the battle with the Ch’King, a hand-breaded chicken fillet that actually rivaled Popeyes and Chick-fil-A.
The breading had a satisfying crunch that didn’t turn soggy halfway through eating. Pickles and a creamy sauce kept things simple but effective, letting the quality chicken shine as the star.
Ohioans who tried it were genuinely impressed, with many calling it the best thing Burger King had done in years. Tragically, the Ch’King vanished in 2022 when BK decided to streamline their menu, and the chicken sandwich crown remains up for grabs.
9. Taco Bell Bell Beefer
Did Taco Bell really try to make a burger? Sort of. The Bell Beefer took everything you loved about a taco and stuffed it into a hamburger bun during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cheese created a Mexican-American hybrid that confused and delighted in equal measure. It was basically a sloppy joe with a Tex-Mex attitude.
Ohio Taco Bell fans appreciated having a non-tortilla option that still delivered those signature flavors. When it disappeared in the mid-1980s, the Bell Beefer became a cult favorite that old-school fans still request on secret menus, usually without success.
10. KFC Snackers
Hence the name, these mini sandwiches were designed for light snacking rather than full meals. KFC introduced Snackers in 2005 as an affordable, handheld option that cost just a dollar at launch.
A crispy chicken strip nestled in a soft bun with lettuce and your choice of sauce made it simple but satisfying. The small size meant you could grab two or three without feeling overstuffed or breaking your budget.
Ohioans loved them as after-school snacks, side items, or quick bites between errands. Though KFC occasionally brings them back for limited runs, they never regained their permanent menu status, leaving fans craving those perfectly portioned chicken sandwiches.
11. Druther’s Diner Deluxe
Though Druther’s started as a fried chicken joint, their burgers earned serious respect across Ohio. The Diner Deluxe combined classic burger elements with a homestyle touch that felt more like a local diner than a chain.
Fresh toppings and a special sauce recipe gave it a signature flavor that regulars could spot blindfolded. The sesame seed bun had just enough substance to hold everything together without overwhelming the fillings.
When Druther’s locations started closing in the 1990s, Ohio lost more than a restaurant chain. We lost a piece of regional fast-food history that never got the national recognition it deserved, and the Diner Deluxe became a delicious memory.
12. Damon’s Clubhouse Sandwich
Are you surprised to find a rib joint on this list? Damon’s was famous for barbecue, but their Clubhouse sandwich held its own against any sports bar in Ohio.
Triple-stacked with turkey, ham, crispy bacon, and all the classic fixings, it arrived on your table looking like an edible skyscraper. The toasted bread provided structural integrity that kept everything from sliding into chaos.
When you needed a break from sticky BBQ sauce, the Clubhouse offered a lighter but equally satisfying option. As Damon’s locations dwindled in the 2000s, Ohio lost this underrated sandwich along with the legendary onion loaf and those addictive barbecue ribs.
13. Rax BBC (Beef, Bacon & Cheddar)
When Rax wanted to compete with Arby’s, they created this triple-threat masterpiece that became an instant Ohio classic. The BBC layered tender roast beef with crispy bacon and a generous pour of warm cheddar sauce.
Each bite delivered a perfect balance of savory meat, smoky bacon, and creamy cheese that made you forget Arby’s even existed. The toasted bun added a textural contrast that elevated the whole experience.
Rax locations were everywhere in Ohio during the 1980s and early 1990s, making the BBC a lunchtime staple. As the chain shrank to just a handful of locations, the BBC became a nostalgic legend that only a lucky few can still enjoy today.
14. Arthur Treacher’s Fish Sandwich
Did you know Arthur Treacher’s once had more locations than KFC? This British-style fish and chips chain dominated Ohio in the 1970s, and their fish sandwich brought that same quality to handheld form.
The battered fish fillet had a light, crispy coating that stayed crunchy even after being tucked into a bun. Tartar sauce and shredded lettuce kept things simple, letting the perfectly fried fish be the undisputed star.
As tastes shifted and the chain collapsed in the 1980s, Ohio lost its best fast-food fish option. Only one Arthur Treacher’s remains open today, making that iconic fish sandwich a rare treasure for those lucky enough to live nearby.
