10 Once-Popular Foods That Aren't Cool Anymore

Trends come and go, even in the culinary world. Some foods that were once all the rage have seen their popularity wane as tastes evolve and new flavors take the spotlight. This list dives into 10 foods that, while once staples at every dining table, now rarely make an appearance, having lost their charm over the years.

AUTHOR: Stephanie Allen

Table of Contents

1. Coleslaw
2. Meatloaf
3. Fresh Tomatoes
4. Olives
5. Ranch
6. Mushrooms
7. Goat Cheese
8. Cilantro
9. Caviar
10. Lamb
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1. Coleslaw

The raw lettuce side dish is a cookout staple for many Americans, but more people are turning away from it. One commenter in the forum called it disgusting, and another says they can only tolerate the raw cabbage and can't stomach the dressing in the slaw, which they describe as nasty and stinky.

2. Meatloaf

Meatloaf is one of those dishes that instantly reminds you of home as soon as you hear the word. Those should be happy memories, but for somebody in the group, it's a plate full of disappointment. They claim to have tried many meatloaves from many sources, and somehow, they taste almost the same each time. They insist each meatloaf is drier or greasier than the previous one. They've never had the right person cooking for them because meatloaf is fantastic when done correctly.

3. Fresh Tomatoes

Raw Tomatoes — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Another person in the discussion says that while they're not a fan of fresh tomatoes, and they have to admit that there's a massive difference in the quality of tomatoes depending on where they're from. They feel that tomatoes from the grocery store are far inferior to those picked right off the vine. They make an excellent point.

4. Olives

Olives are technically a condiment and not an entire dish. Still, they deserve to be included on this list because they're not good. At all. Black olives. Green olives. Purple olives. Stuffed olives. Olives on a pizza. Olives on a salad. They're too salty and have a terrible flavor. Olives are the anchovies of vegetables, and that's nothing to aspire to.

5. Ranch

Americans are in two groups regarding ranch dressing: they love or hate it. Ranch is an average dressing, but for some reason, people become passionate in their defense of their love for ranch or in defending their distaste for it. Ranch is an okay condiment on salads, but it's like an imitation blue cheese, which is much better.

6. Mushrooms

Some people can tolerate mushrooms if they're finely diced or mixed in with other foods that mask their flavor, and others refuse to eat any mushrooms at all. Often, it's the texture of the plant that people find off-putting. The flavor, which is sometimes compared to the taste of dirt, is another reason why mushrooms aren't a popular plant.

7. Goat Cheese

Diehard cheese lovers frequently extol the uniquely tart flavor of goat cheese, which distinguishes itself from cheese made from cow's milk. Sadly, not everyone likes or appreciates the flavor of goat cheese, which someone describes as tasting "what you'd expect an old goat to taste like if you licked it." Wow.

8. Cilantro

The polarizing plant has its fans and a large community of detractors. There was a time when cilantro was a trendy addition to various dishes. Still, it has fallen out of favor with many people because of its taste. For some, cilantro tastes like dish soap. But several online group members swear it has the same odor as stinkbugs. That's not exactly appetizing.

9. Caviar

Ikura (salmon roe, red caviar, salmon caviar) — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Generally speaking, caviar is the eggs or roe from certain kinds of fish, like salmon, trout, carp, and whitefish. Salmon roe is used in certain types of sushi dishes. The most expensive caviar comes from sturgeon eggs. A foodie in the chat admits that caviar confuses them, and they don't understand its appeal. They describe the delicacy as tasting "exactly like gooey salt." Who in the world wants to eat gooey salt?

10. Lamb

Old goat meat dish Chanfana — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Lamb is another food that causes a degree of confusion among diners. One of them remarks how it has the look and feel of tender red meat, but it has almost no flavor. They wonder why they're spending more money to eat food without taste. A second person in the thread insists that lamb "has flavor, the flavor of burnt hair." That's a no-thank you from me.

Source: Reddit.