Why McDonald's Discontinued The Steak, Egg, and Cheese Bagel

Norah Clark
McDonald's famous steak, egg and cheese bagel.

Norah Clark

Norah Clark, Editor of Boyd Hampers! Norah is a seasoned food writer with over a decade of experience in hospitality as a former pastry chef, sous chef, and barista; former chef at the Savoy Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Plaza Hotel.

The menu item was a fan favorite, so why did McDonald’s decide to discontinue it? McDonald’s discontinued the Steak, Egg, and Cheese Bagel primarily to simplify their menu and improve service speed. Limited sales may have also influenced the decision, as items with lower demand often get removed to optimize operational efficiency.

As a chef, I know all too well how important menu items are for a brand. They’re not just food items; they define a brand’s identity.

But what happens when a brand takes a popular menu item away? That’s what happened with McDonald’s and their Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel.

History of the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel

The McDonald’s Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel first appeared on the menu in 2002 as part of their breakfast menu.

It was a hearty breakfast option that quickly became a fan favorite, especially among those who were looking for a protein-heavy breakfast.

The sandwich featured a steak patty, grilled onions, American cheese, folded egg, and breakfast sauce, all nestled between a toasted bagel.

Reasons for McDonald’s Discontinuing the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel

Low Sales

One of the most common reasons for the discontinuation was low sales. McDonald’s is a business, and every menu item needs to make a profit.

If a menu item consistently underperforms, it’s not worth keeping on the menu.

Other Breakfast Options

Another possible reason was the addition of other breakfast options.

McDonald’s added items like the Egg McMuffin and the Sausage McMuffin to their menu, which were more popular.

This could have contributed to the decrease in sales for the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel.

Making Room For New Menu Items

McDonald’s is always experimenting with new menu items, and they need space to do that.

By discontinuing the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel, they could make room for other potential menu items.

Simplifying The Menu

Another possible reason for discontinuing the menu item was to simplify the menu.

McDonald’s has a large menu, and having too many options can be overwhelming for customers.

By trimming down the menu, customers may be more likely to make a decision and order.

The Future of the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel

Despite the discontinuation of the menu item, there is still hope for its return.

McDonald’s has a long history of bringing back old menu favorites, and the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel could be one of them.

Fans of the sandwich have started online petitions, and there are rumors that it may return to the menu.

FAQs

What was in the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel?

The McDonald’s Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel featured a steak patty, grilled onions, American cheese, folded egg, and breakfast sauce, all in a toasted bagel.

Was the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel popular?

Yes, the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel was a fan favorite and a popular breakfast option at McDonald’s.

Will the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel ever return to the menu?

While the discontinuation of the menu item was disappointing to fans, there are rumors that it may return to the menu in the future. McDonald’s has a history of bringing back old menu favorites, so there is hope for the Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel’s return.

Summary

The discontinuation of the McDonald’s Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel was a disappointment for many fans.

While the exact reasons for its removal from the menu are unknown, sales and the addition of other breakfast options were the main factors.

However, there is still hope for the sandwich’s return in the future.

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13 comments

Please bring it back-steak, egg and cheese bagel 🥯! We miss it a lot! That was the best! Please 🙏

Mary

BRING IT BACK!! And hot mustard too. I don’t even order the McNuggets anymore. Not the same without it. I’m not going to be a customer anymore if you don’t do these 2 things.

Elizabeth Carnahan

I’m from Chicago and the area and was getting the steak, egg, and cheese bagel. Stopped being able to get it for a bit, but now it’s back. I don’t remember them ever (then or now) having any sauce on them, let alone one containing mustard, which I generally don’t care for. Also, the most apparent change is with the “steak” itself. It was always a piece of meat that would overhang the bagel all around. Now it is a preformed patty that is at most ⅔ of the size of the bagel and comes nowhere near the borders of the bagel! And it costs more! At least it pretty much tastes the same.

Ann

The steak egg and cheese bagel was the only thing I liked on there menu I don’t even go to McDonald’s anymore because it was the only thing they had that tasted good to me i hope they bring it back

James C Price

Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel is the best Breakfast Sandwich Ever! Definitely need to get it back on the Menu in Shelbyville IL

Henry Gatton III

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