Fast food in the 1980s was a wild ride, especially in Illinois where chains competed fiercely for hungry customers with creative, sometimes bizarre, menu items.
From taco-burger hybrids to customizable sandwich bars, the decade brought bold experiments that left lasting memories for anyone who grew up eating at suburban drive-thrus or downtown lunch spots.
While many of these sandwiches disappeared as chains streamlined their menus, they deserve recognition, and maybe even a triumphant return, because they captured the fearless, fun spirit of ’80s fast food culture.
1. Taco Bell — Bell Beefer
Picture this: seasoned taco meat piled high on a hamburger bun, topped with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and melted cheese. That was the Bell Beefer, Taco Bell’s answer to the question nobody asked but everyone secretly wanted answered—what if a taco became a burger?…