Comebacks we'd like to see: #10 -- McDonald's fried apple pie
Filed under: Food
This post is part of our series ranking the top 25 bygone products and trends we'd like to see return.
Amazingly enough for someone who grew up on Wonder Bread and Hostess products, I eventually grew into something of a whole food nut. I'd rather make food from scratch then get it out of a box or a can. I buy organic milk. I keep a bag of nuts and twigs in the car for when the kids get hungry. Indeed, the rare times I allow them near the Golden Arches is when we're on the open highway. Then a Happy Meal really shuts them up and keeps them happy.
But just the other day, driving up to see Mom for Mother's Day, we stopped at McDonald's, and I fell prey to a longing I was unprepared for. Maybe it was a whiff of the fry basket, or the aroma of fruit coming off the Chain's new, healthy fruit salad.
Wherever it came from, all I could think of was that fried apple pie.
I ate a lot more McDonald's growing up than my kids do. But even in the routine of hamburger, fries and a Coke once a week, the fried apple pie was a special treat. Even my mom, Fast Food Believer that she was (and still is), would rarely allow us one. So when we got them, my brothers and I rejoiced. (Then the bargaining would start... I'll give you a Wacky Pack for your fried apple pie... No way!)
The thing about McDonald's is, we all grew up with it. And we've come to expect that our burger and fries will taste just like we remember they did in childhood. Like it or not, it's comfort food for us. We know what we're getting. And anyone who grew up in the '70s will remember the fried apple pie with a tear in the eye. That crunchy, processed pastry crust. The super-sweet tangy fruit-like product within. Ah... bliss when you're a ten-year-old. I can still taste it now.
Alas, I have only memories. McDonald's phased these bad boys out in favor of the ostensibly more healthy "baked" apple pie sometime around 1992.
That didn't sit well with the treat's many fans, however. One fellow did his homework and found out some good news: apparently, there are still a few places where you can find the fried version, including many McDonald's outlets based in Wal-Mart Stores. Why does that not surprise me?
No matter. Apparently you can go home again. Maybe I won't mention this to my kids.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-16-2008 @ 6:23AM
paul larocque said...
yes please do bring the fried one bake the baked is gross!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 11:09AM
Beth Meador said...
I agree...I miss the fiied pie too...I did find another place that has them too...KCF..but when I go to DcD..I want a fried pie..
5-16-2008 @ 6:55AM
Marilyn said...
Yes, I agree - bring back fried pies!! YUM! Never have liked the baked ones.
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 7:27AM
rita said...
yes add the cherry pies to that list too. they were the best next thing to mom's.
5-16-2008 @ 7:09AM
dana ivory said...
Gosh!When I read this,it really did bring a tear to my eye! I am not alone in my distaste for the baked pie. It's "gummy" and lacks flavor, I actually stopped ordering them, a true let-down after my meal. Things I also miss from Mickey D's: 1)the McDonaldland chararcters(remember 'Hamburgular?!), 2) the playgrounds, 3) the Arch Deluxe and the McRib. Keep the salads and the Yogurt parfaits on the menu, but give me back my comfort food! :-)
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 7:23AM
rita said...
Apple is okay, but favorite was the cherry. It was tart and sweet, but the best thing was the crust. Please bring back that wonderful treat from the 70's and 80's!
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 7:28AM
Kat said...
The fried ones were definately the best,i dont buy them anymore because i dont like the new ones,but yes bring back the fried!!!
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 7:31AM
ROBERT NESNAY said...
YES PLEASE PLEASE BRING THOSE FRIED HOT APPLE PIES I WOULD BUY 2 OR 3 THEY JUST SEEM TO HIT THE SPOT AFTER A BIG MAC ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BORN IN 56 I AM 1 OF MANY BABY BOOMERS THAT WOULD AGREE WITH ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 7:59AM
Scott said...
Mickey D's gave upa good thing. But there's still two fast food chains in Austin Texas who have the heavenly fried version of apple pie.
What-A-Burger has 'em and so does Short Stop.
I think short Stop's fires are even better then the ones at the Golden Arches!
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 8:10AM
Bonnie... said...
I agree! The fried ones are always piping hot and crispy. The baked ones tend to be soft doughy. However, I did discover a McDonald's in the Florida Keys that still serve the fried ones...yum (The McDonalds on Marathon Island)! Wish all McDonalds would bring back the great memories...Maybe they should try this in addition to trying to compete with Chick-Fil-a's chicken...
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 8:37AM
Tonianne said...
MCDONALD'S HAS TO BRING BACK THE OLD APPLE PIE, IT WAS THE BEST AND THERE IS NO COMPARISON TO THE ONE THEY HAVE NOW. I NEVER EAT THEM. I WAS IN BEDFORD PARK IL ABOUT 8/9 YEARS AGO AND STOPPED AT A MCDONALDS AND THEY ACTUALLY HAD THE OLD STYLE ONE AND I WAS IN HEAVEN! SO PASS THE WORD, MCDONALDS WE WANT THE OLD APPLE PIE! I WILL BE WAITING FOR THEM TO COME BACK OUT. IT'S THE ONLY FRIED THINK I WOULD EAT!!!!!!! I WOULD BE YOUR BIGGEST CUSTOMER.
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 8:55AM
JoAnn said...
The Caramel Apple Empanada from Taco Bell tastes almost like the fried apple pies from McDonalds! I had one last week and I had a flashback to the old school McDonald days. Try one if you can.
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 12:06PM
jane dough said...
I agree with "Jo-ann"- that Taco Bell has a similar apple pie, called "Carmel Empanada." It RULES!
All these freakin' health-fanatics are probably the ruin of the classic McD's ORIGINAL Apple Pies!!! >:
5-16-2008 @ 9:00AM
Scott Kinsella said...
In Mooresville NC about two years ago after many people Hollering for the Fried Cherry, they did bring in the Apple for about two weeks. I was disappointed it was not the CHERRY but all the same happy it was a fried apple. They stayed sold out for the day when they had them. You think they'd take the hint!!
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 9:14AM
christy said...
i think mcdonalds should bringthe old apple pies back go mcdonalds!
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 9:49AM
Cat said...
I worked at good ole McD's in the early 80s. I remember a short stint of a fried pumpkin pie during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Wow! That was just as good as the apple and the cherry. It'd be nice to see that one again.
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 10:17AM
cindy said...
what about thy custard pies mickie DS HAD ON THE HOLIDAYS YOU DONT SEE THAT ANY MORE EATHER I WISH THAT THEY WOULD BRING THEM BACK TO.
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 10:01AM
Bob said...
I guess I'm in the minority since I prefer the baked apple (and cherry) pies. They're not greasy, not as hot (didja ever burn your mouth on one of the fried ones?) and at two for $1.00 are a great deal.
Also the relatively new McDonalds (Newmans) coffee is really good...goes great with the baked pies.
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 10:01AM
jan said...
omg
i grew up in the 70's and i saw the first Mcdonalds erected in Brooklyn, NY and i loved those apple pies they sizzled and burnt your tongue in anticipation to eat them. Now iam one for health and all that but gosh thye still got the big mac with the lil burger that cant fit the bun PPPPPPPPPlease bring back the fried pie or better yet SOMEBODY OUT THERE MAKE THEM...
PEACE YALL
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 10:16AM
CINDY said...
YES I MISS THOSE CHERRY PIES THEY WERE SO GOOD I WOULD ORDER THREE OR FOUR AT A TIME BUT WHAT ABOUT THY CUSTARD PIES THEY HAD AROUND THE HOLIDAYS THEY WERE SO GOOD I WOULD ORDER THREE OR FOUR OF THEM AT A TIME ALONG WITH THE CHERRY PIES I DONT LIKE THE BAKED APPLE PIES BRING BACK THY FRIED ONES.
Reply