Nostalgic cravings hit hard at National Restaurant Show with these 6 blast-from-the-past menu items and snacks

We couldn't help but wonder: Is this an after-school special or what? Old-school menu items and snacks were front and center at the National Restaurant Association Show, giving diners a chance to go back in time to their childhood as they walked the show floor. Edible time machines took us back to after-school snacks, breakfast with cartoons and other early memories shared by many different age groups in America. How many chefs probably got their start as kids microwaving Hot Pockets or being in charge of the Bagel Bites for a homework date? 

Here are six nostalgic bites we spotted at the show which runs from May 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Nostalgic childhood favorites Bagel Bites were spotted alongside more modern grab-and-go snacks like protein packs and chef-crafted salads in a jar.

The nostalgia trend is paired up with the “food items as flavors” trend with this bowl of fruity cereal in the form of a refreshing iced coffee.

It’s boba time! The fun beverage add-in was raging this year, with popping boba added to the mix.

This example of automated food is perfect for delivering that comforting nostalgia trend. Hot Pockets materialize from a vending machine that also offers classic frozen Stouffer’s TV dinners.

Spotted at a Kellanova event at Chicago’s Museum of Ice Cream, these sparkle shots, available in vodka and tequila, stole the show.

The morning glass of OJ gets a modern twist with flavors such as blood orange.