11 foods we used to love—where did they all go?
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Some foods bring us back in the best way—homemade pie, roast chicken, or a freshly picked tomato.
But others? They’ve quietly disappeared from our dinner tables, replaced by modern meals with less mystery (and less gelatin).
At The GrayVine, we enjoy a little nostalgia now and then—especially when it comes to the quirky dishes that once filled our lunchboxes, TV trays, and family potlucks.
As food trends, health habits, and convenience evolved, some former favorites faded into the background.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit 11 foods that once defined the American menu—but are now mostly remembered with raised eyebrows and a smile.
1. Franks and beans
A budget-friendly staple in the ’60s and ’70s, this combo of hot dogs and baked beans was quick, filling, and kid-approved.
It was a go-to for busy weeknights and camping trips alike.
But as we learned more about sodium, nitrates, and ultra-processed meats, franks and beans became less of a comfort food and more of a culinary throwback.
2. TV dinners
Before microwaves and food delivery apps, there was the Swanson TV dinner—turkey, mashed potatoes, and a brownie all in one tin tray.
Born in the 1950s and made for eating in front of the television, these frozen meals were once the height of convenience.
Today, they’re more of a novelty item or nostalgic joke than a regular menu item.
3. Savory aspic (gelatin molds)
These colorful gelatin “salads” were all the rage from the 1940s through the ’60s, suspending everything from olives and ham to shrimp and peas in wobbly rings of Jell-O.
Equal parts science experiment and dinner centerpiece, savory aspic eventually fell out of favor as palates shifted—and the jiggle factor lost its charm.
Also read: 15 nostalgic comfort foods you can find at ALDI for less
4. Olive loaf
Part lunch meat, part mystery, olive loaf was a spiced deli meat dotted with pimento-stuffed green olives.
Once a familiar face in cold-cut displays, it disappeared as consumers began scrutinizing ingredients and opting for fresher options.
Today, it’s more often used as the punchline to a sandwich joke than as a real order.
5. Chicken à la King
This creamy dish of chicken, mushrooms, and green peppers in white sauce was a fixture of mid-century buffets and banquets.
Made with canned soup and often served over toast or rice, it felt fancy for the time.
But as tastes moved toward lighter fare and fresh ingredients, Chicken à la King was quietly dethroned.
6. Sloppy Joes
Equal parts fun and messy, these saucy loose-meat sandwiches were a weeknight dinner favorite for decades.
First introduced in the 1930s and made famous by Manwich in the ’60s, Sloppy Joes were filling, cheap, and kid-friendly.
But today, they’ve largely been replaced by tidier, leaner meals.
Also read: This nostalgic soft drink is back on shelves—with a twist
7. Tang
NASA helped make it famous, but Tang—an orange drink mix launched in 1957—was a sugar-packed pantry staple long before kids had juice boxes.
Bright orange, full of vitamin C, and easy to mix, Tang was futuristic at the time.
Now, it’s mostly a memory—except in countries where it still quietly thrives.
8. Watergate Salad
A green, fluffy mix of pistachio pudding, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped topping, this retro dessert-salad was a hit at potlucks.
Despite its mysterious name (no one really knows why it’s called Watergate), it was beloved through the ’70s and ’80s.
Today, it lives on mostly in Midwest church picnics and vintage recipe books.
9. Canned spaghetti and pasta
Chef Boyardee and SpaghettiOs were the saving grace of many busy parents in the postwar era.
Quick to heat and easy to store, these canned pasta meals were everywhere.
But as Americans got more comfortable cooking at home—and reading food labels—these childhood classics lost their shine.
Also read: Bring it back now! The beloved nostalgic item everyone’s yearning for
10. Chicken Kiev
Stuffed with garlic herb butter and wrapped in breaded chicken, Chicken Kiev once felt exotic and elegant.
A frozen favorite for decades, it was a dinner party standby and grocery store staple.
But changing trends toward lighter cooking and fewer frozen entrees sent this dish into obscurity.
11. Canned soup as a main course
Tomato soup, split pea, beef barley—if it came in a can, it was dinner.
Canned soups were pantry staples for generations and the backbone of countless casseroles.
But today, with more people turning to fresh ingredients, frozen meals, or delivery, canned soup has become a backup option rather than the star of the plate.
Also read: What could a dollar buy you in the 1950s? These 15 nostalgic bargains might surprise you
Why did these foods disappear?
Some fell out of fashion, others were replaced by lighter, healthier options, and many simply lost their appeal in a world where fresh ingredients and fast delivery are a tap away.
Tastes change, labels matter, and convenience has evolved beyond the can opener.
Still, there’s something oddly comforting about remembering the foods that once defined an era.
Whether we loved them or just tolerated them, they were part of the soundtrack—and the supper—of our lives.
Read next: 5 nostalgic items from the ’80s that are surprisingly valuable today
Did you grow up eating any of these forgotten foods? Is there one you wish would make a comeback—or one you hope stays gone for good? Maybe you still keep a can of SpaghettiOs in the pantry just in case. We’d love to hear your stories, memories, and retro recipes in the comments below!
But others? They’ve quietly disappeared from our dinner tables, replaced by modern meals with less mystery (and less gelatin).
At The GrayVine, we enjoy a little nostalgia now and then—especially when it comes to the quirky dishes that once filled our lunchboxes, TV trays, and family potlucks.
As food trends, health habits, and convenience evolved, some former favorites faded into the background.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit 11 foods that once defined the American menu—but are now mostly remembered with raised eyebrows and a smile.
Once beloved by families across America, many of these retro dishes have quietly vanished from our plates—but not from our memories. Image Source: Pexels / Kampus Production.
1. Franks and beans
A budget-friendly staple in the ’60s and ’70s, this combo of hot dogs and baked beans was quick, filling, and kid-approved.
It was a go-to for busy weeknights and camping trips alike.
But as we learned more about sodium, nitrates, and ultra-processed meats, franks and beans became less of a comfort food and more of a culinary throwback.
A budget-friendly staple of the ’60s and ’70s, franks and beans were once a dinnertime go-to. Image Source: YouTube / Food Wishes.
2. TV dinners
Before microwaves and food delivery apps, there was the Swanson TV dinner—turkey, mashed potatoes, and a brownie all in one tin tray.
Born in the 1950s and made for eating in front of the television, these frozen meals were once the height of convenience.
Today, they’re more of a novelty item or nostalgic joke than a regular menu item.
Swanson’s classic TV dinners brought convenience—and a touch of novelty—to mid-century American homes. Image Source: YouTube / Weird History Food.
3. Savory aspic (gelatin molds)
These colorful gelatin “salads” were all the rage from the 1940s through the ’60s, suspending everything from olives and ham to shrimp and peas in wobbly rings of Jell-O.
Equal parts science experiment and dinner centerpiece, savory aspic eventually fell out of favor as palates shifted—and the jiggle factor lost its charm.
Colorful and jiggly, savory gelatin molds were once the centerpiece of many holiday tables. Image Source: Facebook / Allen Eagles.
Also read: 15 nostalgic comfort foods you can find at ALDI for less
4. Olive loaf
Part lunch meat, part mystery, olive loaf was a spiced deli meat dotted with pimento-stuffed green olives.
Once a familiar face in cold-cut displays, it disappeared as consumers began scrutinizing ingredients and opting for fresher options.
Today, it’s more often used as the punchline to a sandwich joke than as a real order.
This deli counter oddity mixed bologna with green olives for a sandwich filling like no other. Image Source: YouTube / Backyard Chef.
5. Chicken à la King
This creamy dish of chicken, mushrooms, and green peppers in white sauce was a fixture of mid-century buffets and banquets.
Made with canned soup and often served over toast or rice, it felt fancy for the time.
But as tastes moved toward lighter fare and fresh ingredients, Chicken à la King was quietly dethroned.
Rich and creamy, Chicken à la King was a buffet favorite in the ’50s and ’60s. Image Source: YouTube / The Stay At Home Chef.
6. Sloppy Joes
Equal parts fun and messy, these saucy loose-meat sandwiches were a weeknight dinner favorite for decades.
First introduced in the 1930s and made famous by Manwich in the ’60s, Sloppy Joes were filling, cheap, and kid-friendly.
But today, they’ve largely been replaced by tidier, leaner meals.
Messy and beloved, Sloppy Joes were a weeknight classic in American kitchens for decades. Image Source: YouTube / The Simple Way with Delilah.
Also read: This nostalgic soft drink is back on shelves—with a twist
7. Tang
NASA helped make it famous, but Tang—an orange drink mix launched in 1957—was a sugar-packed pantry staple long before kids had juice boxes.
Bright orange, full of vitamin C, and easy to mix, Tang was futuristic at the time.
Now, it’s mostly a memory—except in countries where it still quietly thrives.
Marketed as the drink of astronauts, Tang was a pantry staple with a futuristic twist. Image Source: YouTube / Creative Ideas.
8. Watergate Salad
A green, fluffy mix of pistachio pudding, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped topping, this retro dessert-salad was a hit at potlucks.
Despite its mysterious name (no one really knows why it’s called Watergate), it was beloved through the ’70s and ’80s.
Today, it lives on mostly in Midwest church picnics and vintage recipe books.
Sweet, green, and topped with marshmallows—Watergate Salad was a potluck must-have. Image Source: YouTube / @SharedFood.
9. Canned spaghetti and pasta
Chef Boyardee and SpaghettiOs were the saving grace of many busy parents in the postwar era.
Quick to heat and easy to store, these canned pasta meals were everywhere.
But as Americans got more comfortable cooking at home—and reading food labels—these childhood classics lost their shine.
From Chef Boyardee to SpaghettiOs, canned pasta fueled many childhood lunches. Image Source: YouTube / Dansoy Cook.
Also read: Bring it back now! The beloved nostalgic item everyone’s yearning for
10. Chicken Kiev
Stuffed with garlic herb butter and wrapped in breaded chicken, Chicken Kiev once felt exotic and elegant.
A frozen favorite for decades, it was a dinner party standby and grocery store staple.
But changing trends toward lighter cooking and fewer frozen entrees sent this dish into obscurity.
Stuffed with garlic butter and fried to a crisp, Chicken Kiev was once a dinner party star. Image Source: YouTube / Babish Culinary Universe.
11. Canned soup as a main course
Tomato soup, split pea, beef barley—if it came in a can, it was dinner.
Canned soups were pantry staples for generations and the backbone of countless casseroles.
But today, with more people turning to fresh ingredients, frozen meals, or delivery, canned soup has become a backup option rather than the star of the plate.
Once a full meal in a can, canned soups like tomato and split pea were weeknight staples. Image Source: YouTube / Casual Cooking.
Also read: What could a dollar buy you in the 1950s? These 15 nostalgic bargains might surprise you
Why did these foods disappear?
Some fell out of fashion, others were replaced by lighter, healthier options, and many simply lost their appeal in a world where fresh ingredients and fast delivery are a tap away.
Tastes change, labels matter, and convenience has evolved beyond the can opener.
Still, there’s something oddly comforting about remembering the foods that once defined an era.
Whether we loved them or just tolerated them, they were part of the soundtrack—and the supper—of our lives.
Read next: 5 nostalgic items from the ’80s that are surprisingly valuable today
Did you grow up eating any of these forgotten foods? Is there one you wish would make a comeback—or one you hope stays gone for good? Maybe you still keep a can of SpaghettiOs in the pantry just in case. We’d love to hear your stories, memories, and retro recipes in the comments below!
