9 vintage fast-food commercials you have to watch

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TV is packed with fast food commercials featuring beloved mascots, catchy jingles, and a lot of high-touch shots of burgers, pizzas, and tacos.

But some vintage fast-food chain ads from the 1960s through the 2000s rise above the rest to become advertising icons. Sites like Foodbeast and Eat This, Not That have gathered a few favorites from over the years.

Here are a few of the best, classic fast-food commercials to hit TV over the last 50 years.

McDonald’s: Ronald McDonald’s first appearance

Ronald McDonald might be the most recognizable character in fast food lore, but his appearance morphed over the years. Thankfully, he no longer looks like this early version from 1963, where he appears with a “magic tray” of infinite burgers and a hat stacked with other assorted items.

Wendy’s: Where’s the beef?

If some of the other chains have more iconic characters, Wendy’s lays claim to one of the more famous taglines from fast food history: “Where’s the beef?” First exclaimed by three grouchy old ladies in this 1984 ad in response to a pitiful burger from a competitor, the phrase spread across ‘80s culture.

Taco Bell: Yo quiero Taco Bell

Whereas Ronald stumbled out of the gate in the ‘60s, the Taco Bell chihuahua hit the ground running, literally, in this 1997 debut for the canine star. The advertisement came as a shot across the bows of several other chains engaged in the 1990s “burger wars” at the time.

Dunkin’ Donuts: Time to make the donuts

Dunkin’s lovable, exhausted “Fred the baker” was the star of several commercials in the 1980s, repeating ad nauseum his catchphrase “time to make the donuts.” In this version, he encounters another version of himself, a feeling familiar to any TV watcher in the ‘80s who caught the ads again and again.

Burger King: Have it your way

Another fast food commercial, another jingle. This 1974 ad featured Burger King’s flexible service, customized to every customer’s liking, all wrapped up in a catchy tune, only somewhat oversung by a belting cashier.