Sweetgreen’s winter bowls pop with color and flavor. | Photo courtesy of Sweetgreen
Chain restaurants are helping customers beat the winter doldrums with menu items sporting bold flavors and bright colors. Some of these are tinted red and pink to lure last-minute Valentine’s Day fans. And seafood specials are starting to trickle in as Lent approaches. Here’s what’s trending on menus this week.
The Winter Harvest Bowl debuted at Sweetgreen for a limited time. Charred Balsamic Cabbage is front and center, joined by Maple Glazed Squash, roasted chicken, shredded kale, wild rice, goat cheese, almonds and apple vinaigrette. The bowl combines charred, caramelized and tangy-sweet flavors in a seasonal mix. Also on offer is the Chicken + Squash Plate, a grain-forward dish featuring quinoa, as well as feta cheese, an ingredient debuting on the fast-casual’s core menu by popular demand to add to a bowl or salad.
Chocolate Pistachio Loaf at Starbucks. | Photo courtesy of Starbucks
A new brewed coffee option, 1971 Roast, launched at Starbucks. The dark, bold roast was inspired by Starbucks’ original cafe in Seattle’s Pike Place. Throughout February, tall, grande and venti hot beverage orders will be served in a limited-edition green paper cup with the chain’s original logo. Also new on the menu are six globally inspired bakery items. These include the Dubai Chocolate Bite, Cookie Croissant Swirl, Berry Blondie, Strawberry Matcha Loaf, Yuzu Citrus Blossom and Chocolate Pistachio Loaf.
Mango Habanero Chicken is back at El Pollo Loco. The fan favorite features the brand’s signature citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken glazed with a sauce that blends sweet mango puree with a fiery habanero kick. A two-piece order starts at $9.29, with an eight-piece family meal starting at $26.49.
Moe’s Southwest Grill launched Shredded Beef Barbacoa. | Photo courtesy of Moe’s.
Shredded Beef Barbacoa has arrived on the menu at Moe’s Southwest Grill. The new protein is slow-braised with signature spices and hand-pulled to add to burritos, bowls, tacos and stacks. The Shredded Beef Barbacoa Homewrecker Bowl delivers up to 50 grams of protein.
At sister GoTo Foods brand, McAlister’s Deli, dill pickles are flavoring the latest menu launches. The Dill Pickle Grilled Cheese Sandwich layers melted cheddar, provolone, Parmesan and Swiss cheese with pickle chips on toasted country white bread; it’s finished with dill pickle ranch. To drink, there’s Dill Pickle Lemonade, a mix of dill pickle juice and lemonade.
Bubble tea concept Gong Cha has teamed up with Neopets, a virtual pet game, to create four themed beverages based on four different characters. Shoyru is the inspiration for Cotton Candy Dream, a sweet, cloud-like drink; Aisha is the name of a Classic Pearl Milk Tea; Kacheek is connected to Mango Green Tea Glow; and Bruce inspires Strawberry Milk Tea. During the run of the promotion, there will be giveaways of Neopets stickers and collectible merchandise at U.S. locations.
Wayback Burgers’ Sweet & Spicy Melt. | Photo courtesy of Wayback Burgers
As Wayback Burgers marks its 35th birthday, the Cheshire, Connecticut-based chain is releasing a new lineup of hand-dipped featured shakes and a limited-time food menu. The latter includes the Sweet & Spicy Melt composed of two beef patties topped with pepperjack cheese, crispy fried onions and pineapple jalapeño jam sandwiched between an inverted grilled bun. It’s joined by Signature Seasoned Fries tossed in a blend of savory spices. And the celebratory Birthday Cake Shake combines vanilla ice cream, Oreo golden cookie pieces and rainbow sprinkles, topped with whipped cream and extra sprinkles.
The Bacon Brussel pie is the latest pizza drop from &pizza. Although Brussels sprouts can be polarizing, the kitchen roasts them until they’re charred and combines the vegetable with bacon and grilled onion on the crust. Toppings of shredded mozzarella, Parm-Romano sauce and a fig balsamic drizzle complete the pizza. The LTO goes for $12.
Citrus Lime Shrimp returned to the menu at Qdoba. The shrimp is sauteed over an open flame and tossed in a sauce made with lime juice and spices; it’s an option with any entrée. Guests can upgrade to Surf & Turf, in which the shrimp is paired with flame-grilled steak and adds up to a protein count of 30 grams per serving. On Valentine’s Day, Rewards Members who purchase an entrée and drink receive a free entrée to give to their sweetheart or pal.
Piada swaps in heart-shaped pasta this weekend. | Photo courtesy of Piada
There are heart-shaped pizzas and cakes galore to celebrate V-Day, but Piada is offering heart-shaped pasta all weekend long. The heart-shaped noodles debuted last year and became an instant hit; they will replace rigatoni in all Piada pasta dishes from Friday through Sunday. A three-day Valentine’s Day Meal Bundle provides two regular-size pasta entrées with protein plus two regular-size beverages and a bag of cannoli chips for $25.
The True Love Shake is available for one day only on Valentine’s Day at Shake Shack. It’s made with vanilla frozen custard blended with strawberry puree and served in a crackable dark chocolate shell inspired by the chain’s earlier Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake, then finished with whipped cream and strawberry curls. The shake sells for $8.99 and a BOGO deal is in play if purchased on Saturday.
The True Love Shake at Shake Shack. | Photo courtesy of Shake Shack
Smoothie King is luring celebrants with the Berry Smooth Smoothie, an item created through a collaboration with Tyler Cameron—the TV personality, entrepreneur and “embodiment of effortless smooth,” according to the chain. The smoothie combines strawberries, cocoa and a proprietary protein blend to mimic the flavors of a chocolate-covered strawberry. It’s available exclusively through the Smoothie King app.
Wetzel’s Pretzels’ nod to Valentine’s Day is the Berry Sweet Blitz made with Nutella. The warm, bite-size pretzels are drizzled with the branded hazelnut spread and strawberry sauce. On the beverage side is a Watermelon Strawberry Lemonade with Mango Boba. Both are available through May 31.
The Sweetheart Pack is Graeter’s way of treating an ice cream lover with love. It includes an assortment of the brand’s most decadent flavors: Cherry Chip (February’s limited-edition ice cream), Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Madagascar Vanilla Bean, Oregon Strawberry, Mint Cookies & Cream and Double Chocolate Chip. The six pints are priced at $84.95 plus shipping and handling.
White Castle returned Buttermilk Shrimp Nibblers to the menu through Apr. 5. The butterfly shrimp, which are coated in a seasoned buttermilk batter and fried, are targeted to those observing Lent. The fast-food chain also offers Panko Fish Sliders made with Alaskan pollock, and in select markets, Fish Nibblers and Clam Strips. In test right now are Seafood Crab Cake Nibblers and Jalapeño Hush Puppies.
The Mimosa Mocktail Roll is on offer at Cinnaholic as a limited-time winter item. The brunch-inspired treat starts with a gourmet cinnamon roll that’s topped with mimosa frosting, a garnish of fresh strawberries and a citrusy mimosa drizzle. Customers can sample it now through March.
A mimosa-inspired cinnamon roll at Cinnaholic. | Photo courtesy of Cinnaholic
A partnership between Frank’s RedHot and Jeff’s Bagel Run has resulted in a new permanent menu item: Buffalo Cream Cheese. Made in-house daily, the spread is a blend of whipped cream cheese and the branded hot sauce. The launch reflects the chain’s broader strategy of pairing recognizable flavors and products with its scratch-made cream cheese.
The value-centric Happy Ending Menu at Friendly’s has expanded by two new entrees. The Turkey Stack layers toasted sourdough bread with stuffing, red-skin garlic mashed potatoes and grilled turkey breast, finished with turkey gravy ($15.49), while Friendly’s Stir Fry is a toss of seasonal vegetables in teriyaki sauce over rice, with optional grilled chicken or beef ($13.29). Guests ordering from the Happy Ending Menu can select from six entrees and receive a free Happy Ending Sundae.
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