Revenge of The Snacks: Rare & Discontinued Items That Made a Comeback
There’s nothing like that gut-punch feeling of finding out that your go-to snack or sip has disappeared off the shelves—often without warning or a solid explanation! But let’s be real, there’s also nothing sweeter than the rush of seeing that same snack make a glorious comeback, even if it’s just for a limited time. At Dank Mart, we’re all about hunting down those rare, nostalgic treats that have left a hole in our hearts (and in our snack stashes) when they vanished. With discontinued favourites making their triumphant returns every year, we’ve put together a roundup of some of the best items that have come back to satisfy our cravings once again. This is a history lesson you don’t want to miss!
The nineties: the decade that brought us Tamagotchis, Blockbuster, and of course, Crystal Pepsi. While not everything from 1990 to 1999 has stood the test of time (RIP, Blockbuster), Crystal Pepsi has defied the odds, making not one, but two epic comebacks thanks to fans who just couldn’t let it go! First launched by Pepsi in 1992 as a “clear alternative to soda,” it made waves across the industry, even grabbing 1% of the soft drink market in its first year. Sadly, the hype didn’t last long, and by 1994, Crystal Pepsi was pulled from shelves. But its legacy didn’t fade—it became an iconic part of ‘90s nostalgia. Fast forward to 2016, when Crystal Pepsi made a limited-time comeback, all thanks to diehard Pepsi fans who even staged protests demanding its return. After whispers of another re-release began circulating in 2020, it became official in 2022 when Canadian stores saw the return of this classic. Will we ever see Crystal Pepsi again? Who knows, but if it does make another appearance, you can bet that Dank Mart will be ready to bring it straight to you!
First hitting the market in 2007, Oreo Cakesters were the perfect hybrid of soft snack cake and Oreo flavour in one dank treat. It wasn’t long before they found their way into lunchboxes, onto playgrounds, and into the hands of anyone who couldn’t get enough of that sweet, Oreo goodness. That was until 2012, when they were suddenly discontinued, leaving cakester fans heartbroken and confused. After a decade-long hiatus, many wondered if they'd ever get to sink their teeth into this nostalgic snack again—until 2022, when Oreo Cakesters made an epic comeback. And not just in the original flavour! These days, you can even find them in Golden and Peanut Butter variations! So go ahead, relive the glory days and grab one of these comeback kids while you can!
If you grew up in the late ‘80s or ‘90s, there’s a good chance Clearly Canadian was your drink of choice. It was vibrant, refreshing, and came in that signature glass bottle that made you feel fancy while you were sipping on the fruit-flavoured sparkling water inside. And it was perfect for those with strict parents, because even though it tasted like soda, they were convinced it was a better alternative to the Cokes and Pepsis stocked next to it in the cooler aisles. Discontinued in 2009, Clearly Canadian made its comeback in 2015, and has stuck around ever since! Available now in several different flavours, it's a classic reimagined, and we’re here for it!
Debuting in 1990, Dunkaroos became the iconic cookie-and-frosting packs craved by kids and kids-at-heart during their initial 22-year run in the U.S. (and 28 years in Canada!). An iconic snack that refused to be forgotten, serious snackers took to Twitter, Facebook, and online petitions to make their voices heard after news broke of the discontinuation—the people wanted their Dunkaroos back! The demand was so strong that in 2016, four years after they were discontinued in the U.S., a website aptly named “The Smuglaroos” was created to connect Americans with Canadians willing to bring Dunkaroos across the border… because what’s a little snack-sharing between neighbors? In 2020, Dunkaroos finally listened to the people and made their long-awaited return to both America and Canada! So whether you’re a ‘90s kid missing that frosting-dunking joy or a newbie discovering the magic for the first time, we’re here to officially tell you: Dunkaroos are back—and better than ever! We don’t usually pick favorites, but if we had to… Dunkaroos with Cinnamon Toast Crunch Vanilla Cookies & Cinnadust Frosting would definitely get our vote!
It’s not just snacks from the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s that are at risk of being pulled off shelves… Ruffles Double Crunch Hot Wing chips are proof of that! First appearing in 2019, these iconic ridged chips delivered a zesty hot wing flavour that was a spice-lover’s dream come true. But just as quickly as they arrived, they vanished—seemingly without a trace. Fans started to wonder if they’d imagined such a tasty snack, with Reddit threads popping up to share their last chip sightings and theories about where they had gone. In 2024, the elusive snack made its return, but because nothing this dank can last forever, it was made official that this would be a limited edition run. So if you want to grab a bag before they disappear again (possibly for good), you'd better act fast and stock up!
There’s nothing wrong with a little nostalgia—especially when it tastes this good! But it’s also important to appreciate the present. After all, Tamagotchis became iPads, Blockbuster turned into Netflix, and now we’re packing the snacks we loved as kids into our own children’s lunchboxes. So go ahead and relive the good old days with these tasty treats that take you back in time, and then remember to savour today, because there are plenty of dank moments still to come!
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