Something you really miss

[Phishfan]

What is that something you really enjoyed that has gone away and likely won't be back? That thing for me that just ran through my mind was Jello Pudding Pops. I really liked them as a kid and I just had a craving for one.
What is your thing?

[Spider-Dan]

MANY different types of candy that have been discontinued: Jolly Rancher Rocks, Wonka bars, Tart N Tangy Skittles, Jolly Rancher Sour Surge, Double Dipped Nerds, Sour Starburst, etc.

Setting food aside, the other thing I miss that is gone today is arcade machines all over the place.  In the early/mid '90s, every convenience store or laundromat would have a Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat arcade machine, and you could play against people anywhere.

[Sibster]

Coffee Nut M&M's, Sweet Tomatoes soup and salad buffet, and Stetson Sierra cologne.

[Fau Teixeira]

there's a sweet tomatoes open in arizona, go get you some

[Fau Teixeira]

for me it's not something that's gone so much, but i miss kicking it with my friends and hitting the 2 am steak and shake at the end of the night.

[Pappy13]

Hostess snacks. We had a Hostess bakery in our home town when I was a kid and the snacks were to die for. My wife buys them in the store now and they pale in comparison. I didn't realize it but the orginal Hostess went out of business and the brand name was acquired by a new company. Their snacks are just ok, nothing like the originals.

[Spider-Dan]

Keep in mind that your taste buds change as you age and food from your youth may taste different, even if it's literally the same recipe.

[Sibster]

Keep in mind that your taste buds change as you age and food from your youth may taste different, even if it's literally the same recipe.

Food brands are constantly changing their recipes.   Go look at brands like WonderBread and Breyers Ice cream and compare the labels from the 80s to now.   They are not the same.

[Pappy13]

Keep in mind that your taste buds change as you age and food from your youth may taste different, even if it's literally the same recipe.

That's fair, but it's not just taste that has changed, it's size, texture etc and while I'm certainly not a junk food junkie today, I never really was even when I was young. It's certainly possible that things just tasted better to my younger self then they do now, but it's also very possible that these foods just aren't the same as they were when I was a kid and I highly suspect that is the case especially considering it's not even the same company making the treats. I doubt they are making them with exactly the same ingredients or in exactly the same way.

For comparison, I asked Copilot if the Hostess treats are made with the same recipe as in the 70's (When I was growing up) and I got the following response. You be the judge.

No, Hostess treats today are not made with the exact same recipes as in the 1970s. Several changes have occurred over the decades, including ingredient adjustments, manufacturing processes, and even ownership of the brand.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s changed:

Recipe and Ingredient Changes
Twinkies and other Hostess snacks have undergone reformulations over the years. While the core concept remains—a sponge cake with creamy filling—the ingredients have shifted to accommodate shelf life, cost, and regulatory standards.

Preservatives and stabilizers have increased to extend shelf life, which can affect taste and texture compared to the fresher versions from the 1970s.

Sugar and fat content have been adjusted over time, often to meet changing nutritional guidelines or reduce costs.

Ownership and Manufacturing Differences
The original Hostess Brands filed for bankruptcy in 2012. The brand was later acquired by new owners, and production resumed under different management and facilities.

This transition likely led to changes in recipes, equipment, and sourcing, even if the branding and product names remained the same.

Taste and Texture Perception
Many consumers report that modern Hostess snacks taste different—less rich, smaller in size, and with a different texture.

While some of this may be due to changes in personal taste over time, ingredient labels from past decades show clear differences in composition.

Nostalgia vs Reality
Vintage ads and packaging from the 1970s highlight a more indulgent, less processed version of these treats.

Today’s versions are optimized for mass production and long shelf life, which inevitably alters the sensory experience.

[Sibster]

That's fair, but it's not just taste that has changed, it's size, texture etc and while I'm certainly not a junk food junkie today, I never really was even when I was young. It's certainly possible that things just tasted better to my younger self then they do now, but it's also very possible that these foods just aren't the same as they were when I was a kid and I highly suspect that is the case especially considering it's not even the same company making the treats. I doubt they are making them with exactly the same ingredients or in exactly the same way.

For comparison, I asked Copilot if the Hostess treats are made with the same recipe as in the 70's (When I was growing up) and I got the following response. You be the judge.

This right here.   Not to mention that at some point in the late 80s/early 90s, they started making sodas with that nasty high fructose corn syrup as opposed to real cane sugar.

[Fau Teixeira]

Keep in mind that your taste buds change as you age and food from your youth may taste different, even if it's literally the same recipe.

I used to hate V8, now i like it, people change

[CF DolFan]

Fireflies or lightning bugs. When I was young they were everywhere in Florida but they have disappeared. Have to travel north to see them now. My kids first saw them in Cleveland and then Pensylvania when they were about 12. They thought we were kidding about them.

[Sunstroke]

Drive-in movies

[masterfins]

Drive-in movies

Oh the high school memories of hiding in the car trunk so you didn't have to pay.

[Sunstroke]

Oh the high school memories of hiding in the car trunk so you didn't have to pay.

We could fit 2 kids and a case of Bud in the trunk...