Summertime specials heat up as the temperature rises

After a scorcher of a weekend in many parts of the country, cravings for ice cream, frosty drinks and lighter fare rose along with the temperature. New items on restaurant menus are helping to feed these cravings. Some deliver a refreshing way to beat the heat, while others evoke the flavors and memories of summertime fun. Here’s a roundup of the latest additions and seasonal promotions.

The Campfire Burger and S’mores Shake are returning to the menu at Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes to promote “Camp MOOYAH,” a 10-week summer celebration that runs through Aug. 1. The burger features a one-quarter pound Certified Angus Beef patty piled with applewood-smoked bacon, grilled onions, melted cheddar and a drizzle of housemade hickory-smoked sauce, all topped with crunchy potato chips. The shake contains all the components that go in s’mores—marshmallows, chocolate and graham cracker pieces—blended with vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate flakes. Customers can also score Camp Mooyah coloring sheets for a family activity.

Strawberries are synonymous with summer, and Wendy’s is playing off their seasonality in a new Summer Strawberry Chicken Salad. The salad starts with a bed of chopped lettuce and spring mix, topped with hand-picked strawberries, crisp applewood-smoked bacon, Tuscan cheese blend, grilled chicken, praline almonds and Champagne vinaigrette. From this Wednesday through Sunday, guests can get the new salad for free through Grubhub with an order of $15 or more.

Peet’s Coffee is also picking strawberries to star in its “Summer of Strawberries” beverage lineup. The selections include a Mocha Strawberry Frappe made with cold brew, chocolate sauce, milk and ice, then layered with strawberry puree; a Matcha Strawberry Frappe with matcha green tea as a base; and a Strawberry Creme Frappe whipped up with milk, ice and strawberry puree. Also on the menu are a Strawberry Lemon Fruit Tea Shaker and a Berry Hibiscus Fruit Tea Shaker, both featuring strawberry puree and fresh strawberry slices.

The Lemonade Glaze Collection at Krispy Kreme takes an iconic summer refresher and transforms the flavors into a doughnut glaze. The collection includes four choices: a Lemonade Glazed Doughnut (the classic glazed with the citrusy flavor); a Lemonade Glazed Lemon Kreme Doughnut; a Strawberry Lemonade Doughnut (dipped in strawberry topping and finished with lemon icing); and a Pink Lemonade Cake Doughnut, covered with lemonade glaze and topped with lemon buttercream and pink sugar.

Tuesday is National Best Friends Day and Red Lobster is encouraging BFFs to order up its “Two for Tuesday” deal to commemorate the occasion. The promotion entitles purchasers to two Lobster, Shrimp and Salmon entrees, each served with two sides. It’s available for dine-in or to-go, with free DoorDash delivery from Monday through Sunday.

Lobster rolls are a summertime favorite along the New England coast, and Friendly’s is offering its version through Sept. 19. It features mayo-based lobster salad mixed with celery on a classic grilled hot dog roll with fries and coleslaw on the side. Along with the lobster roll are several other seafood options. There's a Cape Cod SuperMelt, a build of crispy fried cod and tartar sauce layered between American cheese slices on sourdough and griddled, as well as a new Lobster & Shrimp Quesadilla and Buffalo Shrimp Quesadilla. Wonton Shrimp Salad and Wonton Shrimp Wrap round out the seafood selection for summer, but the ice cream side of the menu also has two additions: a Superman Sundae and Summer Breeze Sundae, which highlights lemonade flavors.

June’s Taco of the Month at Torchy’s Tacos layers on the heat. The Texas Hottie is filled with a spicy chicken tender, cayenne sauce, cabbage slaw, chow chow pickled relish, honey and fresh cotija cheese, all doused with a splash of chipotle sauce on a flour tortilla. To wash it down, guests can opt for June’s promotional drink —the Ranch Party. It’s a mix of tequila, house-made sweet and sour and sparkling water with a Tajin salt rim.

The Falafel Quest campaign kicks off summer at Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh with the introduction of four LTOs. Each month through Aug. 31, a different falafel will be featured. First up is Roasted Red Pepper Falafel, available in June and inspired by the flavors of Spain. July’s selection is Jalapeno Cilantro Falafel reflecting Middle Eastern flavors, followed by Italian-accented Tomato Basil Falafel in August. Throughout the three summer months, a limited-time Citrus Beet Hummus is also available.

Clean Juice is increasing the frequency of its seasonal debuts, starting with its summer launches. New on the menu is The Hydrating One, a fresh juice made with organic watermelon, pineapple and mint. Accompanying the drink is the Incredi Bowl, an antioxidant-rich acai bowl that’s a combo of bananas, spinach, blueberries, blue spirulina, vanilla, almond butter, honey, hemp protein and almond milk topped with granola, strawberries, chia seeds and coconut chips.

Ice cream-themed cookies are tempting fans of Insomnia Cookies until the end of June. The recipes blend ice cream flavors into cookie dough with variations including Rocky Road, Cookies ’N’ Cream and Orange Creamsicle. Customers can also opt for ice cream sandwiches (vanilla ice cream pressed between two Rocky Road or Orange Creamsicle cookies. Plus, there’s a Vegan Cookies ’N’ Cream for those who avoid dairy.