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Taste Tracker

Pat Cobe

Every week, Senior Menu Editor Pat Cobe takes a look at the latest new menu news from major chains and menu trends. The column features extensive work from RB Art Director Nico Heins on a visual presentation.

Food

Fresh flavors arrive on chain restaurant menus

 By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 17, 2025

Taste Tracker: Firehouse Subs, Panera, Panda Express, McAlister’s Deli, Wayback Burgers, Milk Bar and more headline restaurant menu trends of the week.

Food

Spring rushes in on restaurant menus

 By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 07, 2025

Taste Tracker: Wendy’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Bojangles, Denny’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and more headline restaurant menu trends this week.

Food

Restaurants lean into Lent with seafood specials

By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 26, 2025

Taste Tracker: Einstein Bros. does bagels Southern-style; a Mediterranean collab for Velvet Taco; Scooter’s, Krak Boba and Sonic pick strawberries for sipping; toasted sandwiches arrive at Jimmy John’s; and more restaurant menu trends news.

Food

Flavor mashups give winter menus a boost

By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 20, 2025

Taste Tracker: Burgerville and Jersey Mike’s bring on the spice; Handel’s gets sticky; Hungry Howie’s and Potbelly celebrate chili; and fruit and ice brighten Jamba’s beverage line.

Food

Convenience stores keep pace with chain restaurants with menu launches

By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 12, 2025

Taste Tracker: Cracker Barrel releases spring menu; Lobsterfest is back at Red Lobster; Arby’s hooks surf ‘n turf deal; and more menu news of the week.

Food

Restaurant chains share the love with Valentine specials

By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 03, 2025

Taste Tracker: Maggiano's, MOD Pizza, Playa Bowls, Black Tap, Dutch Bros and Starbucks celebrate V-Day, but other brands make headlines with Super Bowl snacks and new flavors.

Food

January menus offer a mixed bag of limited-time items

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 27, 2025

Taste Tracker: Blaze Pizza, Popeyes, Portillo’s, Fuzzy’s, Sonic and Graeter’s make menu news with LTOs.

Beverage

Newk's, Burgerville and Norm's heat up winter

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 21, 2025

Taste Tracker: Taco Bell takes a dip; protein has more play at Peet’s, Oakberry and Juice It Up; Value gets a reboot at Subway and Farmer Boys; and more menu news of the week.

Food

It's all about bowls at Cava, KFC, Rubio's and Bojangles

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 13, 2025

Taste Tracker: Poppers as toppers at &pizza and Your Pie; Krispy Kreme loves Pop Tarts; things get saucy for Cracker Barrel, Jimmy John’s and Walk-Ons; bagel time at Panera; and beverage news from Sonic, HTeaO and Ziggi’s.

Food

Menu favorites return to Chick-fil-A, White Castle and El Pollo Loco in January

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 03, 2025

Taste tracker: Dunkin’ shakes up espresso while Dutch Bros spoons up cereal milk; IHOP’s Pancake of the Month continues; dragon fruit comes to Del Taco; and more menu news of the week.

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