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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

Red Lobster, Burgerville and CPK make a subtle nod to the holidays

 By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 30, 2023

Taste Tracker: Krispy Kreme rushes into Christmas; cocktails make a splash at Bonefish and Ted’s Montana Grill; comfort foods rule at Tender Greens; and wings take flight at Pei Wei.

Food

Golden Corral, Cracker Barrel, Maggiano's and more trot out Turkey Day specials

 By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 16, 2023

Taste Tracker: Restaurants bring it on for Thanksgiving, offering family meals and large feasts for carrying out or dining in.

Food

Chicken drives R&D at Black Bear Diner, Velvet Taco and Piada

By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 02, 2023

Taste Tracker: Marco’s Pizza pushes portability; California Fish Grill and Slim Chickens innovate bowls; Thanksgiving flavors trend at Dog Haus and Baskin Robbins; and more menu news of the week.

Food

Popeyes, Cicis and Elevation Burger riff on flavor

By Patricia Cobe on Oct. 26, 2023

Taste Tracker: Ruth’s Chris pairs up favorites; Newk’s menu gets meatier; bundles for football fans at Bar Louie; and more menu news of the week.

Food

Burger King, Sonic and Nekter scare up specials for Halloween

By Patricia Cobe on Oct. 19, 2023

Taste Tracker: Black Tap does a spooky shake; Wayback gets ghoulish with burgers; Jack-O-Lanterns glow at Paris Baguette and Papa Murphy’s; and lots more frightening menu news.

Food

Dog Haus, Jimmy John's and Firehouse Subs innovate between the bread

By Patricia Cobe on Oct. 12, 2023

Taste Tracker: Lou Malnati’s and Portillo’s tag team a pizza; drive-thru steaks to go at Aussie Grill; Legal Sea Foods hosts an oyster fest; and Shake Shack tests sundaes.

Food

Bowls take the spotlight at KFC, Ruby Slipper, Honeygrow and Freebirds

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 28, 2023

Taste Tracker: The Melting Pot celebrates Oktoberfest; Auntie Anne’s sweetens pretzel nuggets; IHOP goes all in on waffles; and Zaxby’s does a chicken Philly.

Food

What comes after pumpkin spice? All the other fall flavors

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 21, 2023

Taste Tracker: A Pop Tart cookie for Crumbl; Hardee’s heats up chicken; Just Salad and Mendocino Farms harvest fall; it’s apple time for Krispy Kreme; and we’re not done with pumpkin quite yet.

Food

Burgerville, Shake Shack, the Habit and Cowboy Chicken beef it up for fall

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 14, 2023

Taste Tracker: New spins on bowls at Playa Bowls; Fazoli’s bakes pizza into pasta; mushroom mania hits Blaze; Rubio’s new fish taco won a contest; and more menu news of the week.

Food

El Pollo Loco and Tacos 4 Life go bold with quesadillas

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 05, 2023

Taste Tracker: Apples star at Wayback but pumpkin endures at Dutch Bros, Ziggi’s, Hungry Howie's and Denny’s; Bojangles and Jinya wing it for football season; and Fogo de Chao goes all in on veggies.

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