Meats and treats trend on menus
By Patricia Cobe on Jul. 20, 2021There’s action on the sandwich and burger front this week, with several meaty additions to menus. Brisket, smoked pork, lamb and chicken are all showing up in new sandwiches, but veggie fans also have new options. Plant-based crab cakes, fish and chicken are expanding into more chains. And operators are feeding sweet cravings with variations on doughnuts, cheesecake and frosty beverages.
Freebirds World Burrito
Hickory-smoked brisket is a limited-time option in any burrito, bowl or salad at Freebirds World Burrito. The slow-cooked, tender brisket, a Texas signature, is a natural addition for the fast casual, which is headquartered in the state. The protein will be available as a meat choice all summer long.
Quiznos
The Smilin’ Pig is the latest sandwich creation from Quiznos. It’s layered with smoked pork loin, bacon and ham, topped with red onion, melted cheddar, pickles and a tangy barbecue sauce, all toasted to enhance the flavors. To celebrate its 40th year in business, the chain also launched Birthday Cake Donut Holes for a limited time. The mini donuts feature a creamy filling blended with colorful confetti and a coating of cinnamon sugar.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Chicken, beef and pork dominate chain menus, with lamb trailing behind. But Taziki’s Mediterranean Café is currently testing a lamb burger in select markets in Tennessee, Florida, Alabama and Arkansas. The burger is composed of two patties of seasoned ground lamb topped with grilled peppers and onions, feta cheese and Taziki sauce served on a grilled Kaiser bun. The American Lamb Board teamed up with Taziki’s for the LTO, to promote accessible menu items that incorporate lamb.
Buffalo Wild Wings
A new Classic Chicken Sandwich is making its debut at Buffalo Wild Wings. It features a battered chicken breast topped with pickles and mayo on a challah bun. For $9, guests can order the sandwich, fries and a tall house beer. BWW guests can score another deal at the chain after 9 p.m. until closing. Select appetizers, including Chile Con Queso, Buffalo Chicken Tots and Chips and Salsa, are selling for 50% off.
Wings Over
Also updating its chicken sandwich lineup this week is Wings Over, with its All-New Original Tender Sandwich that comes in a multitude of flavor combinations. The crispy tender, available in a choice of 25 flavors, is layered on a top-split butter-toasted bun with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese on top. To promote the launch, customers can order two tender sandwiches for $5.
Long John Silver’s
Starting Monday, seafood chain Long John Silver’s is offering two plant-based options in five locations. The Breaded Fish-Free Fillets and Breaded Crab-Free Cakes, both produced by Good Catch, are available in three items. These include a Plant-Based Platter with both the fillets and crab cakes, meal options spotlighting each and served with two sides, and a la carte additions to any meal.
Epic Burger
Beyond Chicken Tenders, which are now available nationwide for foodservice, just landed on the menu at Epic Burger. The breaded plant-based tenders are menued as a three-piece order, in a new Beyond Wrap with lettuce, tomato, pickle and Epic Sauce. The Chicago-based chain also offers plant-based burgers and dairy-free shakes.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
The Hatch Green Chile Taco debuts at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on Wednesday. The new creation combines shredded spicy pork or shredded chicken, Fuzzy’s garlic sauce, avocado slices, feta, cilantro and a house-made Hatch green chile sauce on a warm flour tortilla. The limited-time taco runs through Aug. 29.
Fazoli’s
In a departure from all the sandwiches this week, Fazoli’s is touting a new selection of stuffed pastas. Included in the lineup are Four Meat Manicotti and Shrimp Alfredo Manicotti. Also debuting are Fried Mozzarella Cheese Skewers made up of crispy mozzarella cubes seasoned with garlic butter and Parmesan and served with Alfredo or marinara sauce for dipping. On the sweet side, there’s a peanut butter cheesecake for dessert.
Black Bear Diner
Red, White & Blue Cheesecake is the dessert of the month at Black Bear Diner. The California-style cheesecake is topped with house-made blueberry topping, strawberry dessert topping and whipped cream. Carrying out the same color theme are Red, White & Blue Cakes—two sweet cream pancakes topped with fresh sliced strawberries, the same blueberry topping and whipped cream.
Krispy Kreme
Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros is offering two icy coffee drinks as its farewell to summer. The Iced Campout Cold Brew is a combination of the coffee concept’s cold brew, chocolate milk and toasted mallow flavor crowned with creamy, sweet topping and chocolate drizzle. It can be served with regular or nitro-infused cold brew. Also boasting the flavors of s’mores is the Campout Mocha Freeze, a blended coffee drink. Both will be on the menu through the end of August.