Bet You’ve Never Had Pop-Tarts Like These

When it comes to childhood lunch-box nostalgia, there are few items we remember more fondly than Pop-Tarts. But, these days, you'd hardly recognize the dessert staple. Local restaurants have been offering up inventive takes on the toasted bits of heaven, and the results are too good not to share. Never known to pass up an inventive food trend when we see one, SoCal is taking the desert staple to new culinary heights — and weights.

Take, for instance, Donut Bar's Big Poppa-Tart, a 1-pound donut stuffed with crushed Pop-Tarts in the center. (We couldn't make this stuff up.) But, the sugary iterations aren't the only versions you'll find on menus. The pastry square has also gone savory, with gourmet fillings like smoked port confit, and lobster and gruyere. Click through for eight reasons you'll never settle for a store-bought Pop-Tart again.