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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

Health continues to power menus into February

 By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 31, 2022

Taste Tracker: Panda Express swaps meat for plants in two classics; healthy sipping at Bluestone and Nekter; calories count at Fazoli’s; and fruits and vegetables fill up bowls.

Food

Menus turn more comforting to chase winter chills

 By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 18, 2022

Breakfast warms up at Toasted Yolk and Dunkin’; Zaxby’s and Slim Chickens riff on chicken; new bowls star at Sweetgreen; BJ’s and Cinnaholic sweeten the menu.

Food

As the year winds down, easy-to-execute, easy-to-eat items steer menus

By Patricia Cobe on Dec. 20, 2021

Taste Tracker: Grimaldi’s and Papa Johns riff on pizza; new takes on Mexican icons at Taco Cabana and Dickey’s; Jack in the Box and Wings Over spin chicken sandwiches; and winter flavors stand out across the board.

Food

Restaurants ease holiday stress with meals to-go and festive drinks

Dec. 06, 2021

Taste Tracker: IHOP does breakfast to go; celebrate the Mexican way at Fuzzy’s, Torchy’s and Miguel’s Jr.; Chili’s mixes up seasonal sips and more menu news of the week.

Food

Restaurant menus warm up with winter specials

By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 30, 2021

Taste Tracker: Carrabba’s Italian spin on comfort; hearty Mexican fare at Abuelo’s and Taco John’s; Smashburger partners with Rick Bayless; and holiday-ready sweet treats.

Food

Festive drinks, holiday foods and global flavors fill post-Thanksgiving menus

By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 22, 2021

Taste Tracker: TGI Fridays’ seasonal cocktails; Chopt goes to Mexico and Del Taco does tamales; Smashburger and Main Event shake things up; plants, burgers, chicken and pizza continue to trend.

Food

Bowls and sandwiches continue to dominate menus

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 21, 2021

Mendocino Farms and Rush Bowls launch new items; chicken sandwiches keep on coming at Jollibee and Jack in the Box; Panera layers carbs on carbs; and comfort foods take on fall flavors.

Food

Asian concepts take a detour with chicken sandwiches, nuggets and guac

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 13, 2021

Taste tracker: Panda Express has a chicken sandwich and nuggets rule at Pokemoto; guac goes Japanese at Jinya; chains celebrate cheeseburgers; queso at Einstein Bros. and more.

Food

As summer wraps up, fall menu launches gain ground

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 07, 2021

Taste tracker: Shake Shack partners with famous chefs for LTOs; bacon and cheddar team up at Wendy’s and Schlotzsky’s; nachos and tacos trend at El Pollo Loco, Torchy’s and Taco Cabana; Dutch Bros. and Bennigan’s tout new drinks; and sweet treats get seasonal.

Food

As summer wraps up, fall menu launches speed up

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 07, 2021

Taste tracker: Shake Shack partners with restaurateur Dominique Crenn for an LTO; bacon and cheddar team up at Wendy’s and Schlotzsky’s; nachos and tacos trend at El Pollo Loco, Torchy’s and Taco Cabana; Dutch Bros. and Bennigan’s tout new drinks; and sweet treats get seasonal.

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