I Tried 9 Things Kids Loved In The '90s To See If They're Still Good — Here Are The Results
Was it that good or were we just 7 years old?
My name is Christopher and I'm a nostalgic guy. I tend to remember stuff from my childhood fondly, so much so that I often recall things in a more favorable light than they deserve. So, I'm going to revisit beloved '90s things to see if they've survived the test of time, or if they were only good because I was a youth.
1. DunkAroos
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: Were DunkAroos the GOAT of discontinued '90s snacks? They were certainly among the very top tier of treats back then. Even after two decades, I've randomly had cravings for these things, and when I saw that they were back, it was a big personal moment.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: FOLKS. DUNKAROOS ARE STILL ELITE. I am blown away. They aren't just "still pretty good," they're flawless. Also, they come in a small package, so it isn't an overwhelming amount of sugar and the frosting-to-cookie ratio is perfect. I've only seen them at a Ralph's and in 7-Eleven, so they're not the easiest to find, but I promise they're worth tracking down. God bless you DunkAroos.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 90/90
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: Were DunkAroos the GOAT of discontinued '90s snacks? They were certainly among the very top tier of treats back then. Even after two decades, I've randomly had cravings for these things, and when I saw that they were back, it was a big personal moment.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: FOLKS. DUNKAROOS ARE STILL ELITE. I am blown away. They aren't just "still pretty good," they're flawless. Also, they come in a small package, so it isn't an overwhelming amount of sugar and the frosting-to-cookie ratio is perfect. I've only seen them at a Ralph's and in 7-Eleven, so they're not the easiest to find, but I promise they're worth tracking down. God bless you DunkAroos.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 90/90
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: Were DunkAroos the GOAT of discontinued '90s snacks? They were certainly among the very top tier of treats back then. Even after two decades, I've randomly had cravings for these things, and when I saw that they were back, it was a big personal moment.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: FOLKS. DUNKAROOS ARE STILL ELITE. I am blown away. They aren't just "still pretty good," they're flawless. Also, they come in a small package, so it isn't an overwhelming amount of sugar and the frosting-to-cookie ratio is perfect. I've only seen them at a Ralph's and in 7-Eleven, so they're not the easiest to find, but I promise they're worth tracking down. God bless you DunkAroos.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 90/90
2. SoBe Elixir (Strawberry Banana)
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: Anyone else remember these coming in glass bottles? Well, they're in plastic now, but whatever, I remember loving SoBe, particularly the fruit punch and green tea flavors. I also recall SoBe's options having unique looks, so I decided to try the bright pink one.
HOW IS IT NOW?: Yikes. From my first (and only) sip, I picked up notes of stale tea, banana-flavored medicine, and a melted strawberry smoothie. It's evident that at some point, my taste buds outgrew this liquid. It happens, just usually not so drastically! It is with great sadness that I sever ties between my mouth and SoBe.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 5/90 (five points for looking pretty).
3. Fruit Gushers
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: These were another top-level treat. The way they latched to your teeth like the Venom costume wasn't the greatest, but taste-wise they were incredible. My only other complaint was that they made me fear my head might turn into fruit.
HOW IS IT NOW?: My memory had set the bar pretty high, but these still delivered. For some reason, this pack only had strawberry, but the lack of flavors did not stop me from enjoying my experience. I will undoubtedly be having these again. I wish there were a version that felt a little bit healthier, but I guess that would just be like, y'know, actual berries.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 80
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: These were another top-level treat. The way they latched to your teeth like the Venom costume wasn't the greatest, but taste-wise they were incredible. My only other complaint was that they made me fear my head might turn into fruit.
HOW IS IT NOW?: My memory had set the bar pretty high, but these still delivered. For some reason, this pack only had strawberry, but the lack of flavors did not stop me from enjoying my experience. I will undoubtedly be having these again. I wish there were a version that felt a little bit healthier, but I guess that would just be like, y'know, actual berries.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 80
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: These were another top-level treat. The way they latched to your teeth like the Venom costume wasn't the greatest, but taste-wise they were incredible. My only other complaint was that they made me fear my head might turn into fruit.
HOW IS IT NOW?: My memory had set the bar pretty high, but these still delivered. For some reason, this pack only had strawberry, but the lack of flavors did not stop me from enjoying my experience. I will undoubtedly be having these again. I wish there were a version that felt a little bit healthier, but I guess that would just be like, y'know, actual berries.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 80
4. Nutri-Grain Bars
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: Nutri-Grain bars taste like road trips and rushed mornings. Aside from Pop-Tarts, I don't think there was an on-the-go snack I liked more.
HOW WAS IT NOW?: I had flashbacks from the first bite. It was like running into someone you hadn't seen in forever and having a nice interaction, then wondering why you let so much time pass without connecting. They're a little dryer and more crumbly than I remember, but the filling holds up.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 70/90
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: Nutri-Grain bars taste like road trips and rushed mornings. Aside from Pop-Tarts, I don't think there was an on-the-go snack I liked more.
HOW WAS IT NOW?: I had flashbacks from the first bite. It was like running into someone you hadn't seen in forever and having a nice interaction, then wondering why you let so much time pass without connecting. They're a little dryer and more crumbly than I remember, but the filling holds up.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 70/90
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: Nutri-Grain bars taste like road trips and rushed mornings. Aside from Pop-Tarts, I don't think there was an on-the-go snack I liked more.
HOW WAS IT NOW?: I had flashbacks from the first bite. It was like running into someone you hadn't seen in forever and having a nice interaction, then wondering why you let so much time pass without connecting. They're a little dryer and more crumbly than I remember, but the filling holds up.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 70/90
5. That Rugrats episode where Chuckie swallows a watermelon seed
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: "The Inside Story" has always been a highly praised episode of Rugrats, and I remember watching it countless times and finding it brilliant and entertaining. However, at the time, I'd only seen like nine TV shows, so I'm a tad tougher to impress all these years later.
HOW IS IT NOW?: IT'S STILL VERY GOOD. This is like The Magic School Bus as an episode of Rugrats. I hated that I found myself questioning how some moments in the episode could possibly be happening and it turned out Chuckie was dreaming most of it. So, I wasted a solid 10 minutes thinking logically instead of enjoying a freakin' cartoon. It was actually a great reminder to occasionally suspend disbelief and do something I haven't done since I was a kid — relax.
Also, Angelica truly was a vicious monster, even in Chuckie's dream, and it's still hilarious when the little ones mispronounce words (like calling a laser beam a "lazy beam").
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 81/90
6. Fruit Roll-Ups
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: These were a sweet, chewy delight. I was team crumple-it-into-a-ball-and-throw-it-in-your-mouth.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: They're like a sugary sheet of toilet paper and I mean that in a complimentary way — the taste holds up. It probably won't blow your mind anymore like it did as a kid, but it might pleasantly remind you of lunchtime trade negotiations.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 71/90
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: These were a sweet, chewy delight. I was team crumple-it-into-a-ball-and-throw-it-in-your-mouth.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: They're like a sugary sheet of toilet paper and I mean that in a complimentary way — the taste holds up. It probably won't blow your mind anymore like it did as a kid, but it might pleasantly remind you of lunchtime trade negotiations.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 71/90
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: These were a sweet, chewy delight. I was team crumple-it-into-a-ball-and-throw-it-in-your-mouth.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: They're like a sugary sheet of toilet paper and I mean that in a complimentary way — the taste holds up. It probably won't blow your mind anymore like it did as a kid, but it might pleasantly remind you of lunchtime trade negotiations.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 71/90
7. Oreo O's
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: These were really popular at one point because people LOVE Oreos and the thought of them in cereal form is undeniably appealing. I remember dabbling once in a while, but I was a Froot Loops and Trix kid.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: So, I'm not a huge chocolate cereal person, but they're definitely not bad. Personally, I like it better dry, like a snack by the handful, but the most important thing you must know is IT IS NOT INTERCHANGEABLE WITH OREOS. If you're craving the classic cookies, get 'em, because this won't fill that void.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 61/90
8. Capri Sun
HOW WAS IT IN THE '90s: 'Twas a tasty beverage that I couldn't get enough of — literally, there was never enough juice in these tiny packets.
HOW IS IT NOW?: Getting that yellow straw in the hole still takes steady hands and precision, but your boy has experience. Anyway, the first sip yanked me back to a first grade cafeteria bench. It tastes EXACTLY like it used to, a juice that isn't overwhelmingly sweet and left me wanting more than the two sips it had to offer.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 75/90
9. Kid Cuisine
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: I remember these being fine dining. Even if the home-cooked food you got was better, these frozen meals were held in high regard. You got a main course, a couple sides, and a brownie that would undoubtedly have mac and cheese or corn in it, or vice versa.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: I quickly ate all three (allegedly) chicken nuggets, one flavorless, forgettable spoonful of corn, one small bite of mac and brownie and cheese, and then I put a piece of brownie in my mouth but felt there would be dire consequences for swallowing it, so now it's balled up in a napkin, in the garbage.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 20/90
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: I remember these being fine dining. Even if the home-cooked food you got was better, these frozen meals were held in high regard. You got a main course, a couple sides, and a brownie that would undoubtedly have mac and cheese or corn in it, or vice versa.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: I quickly ate all three (allegedly) chicken nuggets, one flavorless, forgettable spoonful of corn, one small bite of mac and brownie and cheese, and then I put a piece of brownie in my mouth but felt there would be dire consequences for swallowing it, so now it's balled up in a napkin, in the garbage.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 20/90
HOW WERE THEY IN THE '90s: I remember these being fine dining. Even if the home-cooked food you got was better, these frozen meals were held in high regard. You got a main course, a couple sides, and a brownie that would undoubtedly have mac and cheese or corn in it, or vice versa.
HOW ARE THEY NOW?: I quickly ate all three (allegedly) chicken nuggets, one flavorless, forgettable spoonful of corn, one small bite of mac and brownie and cheese, and then I put a piece of brownie in my mouth but felt there would be dire consequences for swallowing it, so now it's balled up in a napkin, in the garbage.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-90: 20/90