McDonald’s Strawberry and Creme Pie is a beloved dessert that was discontinued in the early 2000s, much to the dismay of fans. In recent years, there has been chatter on social media and online forums about whether the iconic pie will make a comeback on the McDonald’s menu. Here is a comprehensive look at the history of the McDonald’s Strawberry and Creme Pie and an investigation into if it is really returning to restaurants.
The History of McDonald’s Strawberry and Creme Pie
The McDonald’s Strawberry and Creme Pie first appeared on menus in the 1970s. The dessert consisted of a flaky pie crust filled with strawberry filling and topped with a creamy custard. It became popular for its sweet strawberry flavor and creamy texture.
By the 1990s, the Strawberry and Creme Pie was a staple on McDonald’s dessert menus across the United States. Customers frequented McDonald’s restaurants for lunch or dinner and treated themselves to the fruit pie for a sweet finish. Its popularity endured for decades until the early 2000s.
In the early 2000s, McDonald’s began simplifying its menu and removing some underperforming items, including the Strawberry and Creme Pie. Despite its nostalgic fan base, the pie was discontinued from menus by 2003. McDonald’s stated that the removal was part of a larger effort to streamline operations and allow restaurants to focus on core menu offerings.
Since its discontinuation, fans have clamored for the return of the Strawberry and Creme Pie. Social media posts, online petitions, and discussions on Reddit have called for McDonald’s to bring back the pie. Customers who grew up eating the dessert are feeling nostalgic and wish to enjoy it once again.
The Return of McDonald’s Strawberry Pie in China
In 2020, McDonald’s China locations brought back the Strawberry and Creme Pie to menus for a limited time. This excited fans and led to speculation that the pie could return in the US as well.
McDonald’s China advertised the return of the pie and sold it for six weeks in February and March. According to reports, it was just as popular as ever among customers. The temporary comeback demonstrated that there is still strong demand for the Strawberry and Creme Pie.
The news of the pie’s short-lived return in China gave hope to fans in America that it could once again be added to US menus. However, McDonald’s has not yet indicated any plans to bring the pie back nationwide.
Rumors of the Pie’s Return in 2022
In April 2022, rumors began circulating on social media that McDonald’s would add the Strawberry and Creme Pie back to their menu before summer. The rumors started when posters in Reddit groups stated that some franchise location managers had hinted at the return.
Food blogs and social media users picked up on these rumors and began sharing the news. For several weeks, excitement spread about the prospect of the Strawberry and Creme Pie coming back. Many shared their fond childhood memories of enjoying the dessert.
However, McDonald’s did not make any formal announcement about the Strawberry and Creme Pie returning. As summer arrived, it became clear that the pie would not be returning nationwide, at least not in the immediate future.
Why Fans Want the Strawberry and Creme Pie Back
There are several reasons why McDonald’s customers have been vocal about wanting the Strawberry and Creme Pie back on menus:
- Nostalgia – For those who grew up visiting McDonald’s in the 80s and 90s, the pie is a nostalgic reminder of childhood trips to the restaurant. The flavor brings back fond memories for many adults now.
- No Replacement – McDonald’s has not offered any pie flavor to directly replace the strawberry and creme. Fans miss having a fruit and creme pie option.
- Versatility – The pie could be enjoyed warm or cold. It made for a filling dessert but could also be purchased as a light snack.
- Simple Joy – For many, the pie was a simple, affordable treat. It was a reminder of the basic pleasures of fruit, flaky crust, and sweet cream.
The #BringBackTheStrawberryCremePie hashtag started trending, showing the widespread demand. McDonald’s customers are clearly still attached to the dessert.
Will McDonald’s Ever Bring It Back?
There is no definitive answer yet on whether McDonald’s will add the Strawberry and Creme Pie back to their permanent menu. The company has not officially commented on the possibility.
Some speculate that the increased chatter on social media about the pie over the past two years may motivate McDonald’s to consider reviving it as a retro menu item. However, others argue that since McDonald’s streamlined their dessert menu, they are unlikely to add back an item they previously discontinued.
McDonald’s focuses heavily on data and profit margins when designing their menu. Customer sentiment helps guide decisions but is not the only factor. If sales projections for the pie are not favorable enough, McDonald’s may opt not to bring it back.
The company has not ruled out the possibility though. The temporary return in China shows McDonald’s is willing to tap into demand for nostalgic items on a small scale. Fans remain hopeful a nationwide comeback could happen someday.
Other Discontinued McDonald’s Menu Items
The Strawberry and Creme Pie is not the only McDonald’s menu item to be discontinued despite having a cult following. Here are some other foods that are no longer available:
- McPizza – This pizza topped with McDonald’s ingredients was served in the 80s and 90s. Production took too long so it was removed.
- McDLT – This burger came in a unique two-sided container to keep hot and cold ingredients separate. It lasted from 1984 to 1990.
- McStuffins – These mini sliders with cheese and filling were sold in the late 90s but phased out by 2000.
- Onion Nuggets – These popular fried onion bites were removed in the late 90s to make room for Chicken McNuggets.
Fans hope some of these food items will also make a comeback someday. McDonald’s occasionally brings back limited-time retro menu offerings based on customer response.
How to Get Your Retro McDonald’s Favorites
If you are craving a retired McDonald’s menu item, here are some tips:
- Ask locally – There is a small chance your local McDonald’s still has the old equipment and ingredients to make certain discontinued items. It can’t hurt to nicely ask the manager.
- Check limited menus – Temporary throwback menus sometimes include items like McRibs or old shakes. Look out for special offerings.
- Visit McD’s abroad – Menus vary globally. You may find old US favorites still being served in foreign McDonald’s locations.
- Petition online – Start or sign petitions asking for the return of beloved menu items.Generating buzz on social media helps.
- Make it yourself – Find recipes online that imitate retired McDonald’s foods so you can recreate them at home.
Trying these methods may allow you to get your hands on old menu offerings like the Strawberry and Creme Pie even if McDonald’s has not brought them back officially yet.
The Future of McDonald’s Menu
While McDonald’s frequently adds new limited-time food options, they remain conservative about permanently expanding their core menu. Drive-thru wait times, kitchen complexity, and profitability have to be considered.
The most likely scenario is that we may occasionally see the Strawberry and Creme Pie and similar items return for short stints or in select regions. McDonald’s likes capitalizing on nostalgia marketing. But a full-time nationwide comeback may not be in the cards.
That said, fan passion has previously inspired some surprise menu decisions at McDonald’s. If demand stays strong, McDonald’s could potentially re-add the iconic pie to nationwide menus. Customers will have to wait and see.
Conclusion
The McDonald’s Strawberry and Creme Pie retains a loyal fanbase decades after being discontinued. While rumors of its return consistently circulate and generate excitement online, there is no solid indication yet that McDonald’s will bring the pie back full-time. Customers feeling nostalgic for the sweet dessert may have to satisfy their cravings through special local offerings, limited menus, or homemade recipes. If demand remains high, a comeback can’t completely be ruled out. Fans will have to hope this fruit and creme treat finds its way back onto McDonald’s menus sometime in the future.