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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

From pickle juice to peanut butter, flavor tops the news

 By Patricia Cobe on Aug. 08, 2022

Taste Tracker: Pickles to eat and drink at Sonic; BJs gets peanutty; Hatch chilies heat up Taco Cabana; Taco Bell does a corny strawberry dessert; Mooyah’s, Baskin-Robbins and Dolly Llama shake up cookies; and watermelon continues to trend.

Food

Menu launches take on a slower summer pace

 By Patricia Cobe on Jul. 26, 2022

Taste Tracker: Cool drinks debut at Applebee’s, Sonic and Caribou Coffee; Velvet Taco and Baja Fresh change up tacos; KFC tests nuggets; it’s a wrap for Arby’s; and more menu news of the week.

Food

Restaurants bring on favorites for summer eating

By Patricia Cobe on Jul. 18, 2022

Tacos and fajitas take on new flavors at TGIFridays, Fuzzy’s and bartaco; CPK does seafood and BWW a chicken sandwich; bowls trend at Native Foods, Pokeworks and Flat Top Grill; and more food and drink news of the week.

Food

Change is in the summer air as chains take menus in new directions

By Patricia Cobe on Jul. 11, 2022

Taste Tracker: Boston Market roasts nuggets; Zaxby’s tosses up salads; Chili’s and Bonefish get busy at the bar; new shakes and scoops at Culver’s, Main Event, Baskin-Robbins and Marble Slab; and icy coffees, tropical tastes and more come to menus.

Food

Menu launches continue to sizzle along with rising temperatures

By Patricia Cobe on Jul. 04, 2022

Taste Tracker: Outback tosses up a salad; Cinnabon does chocolate; chill out with cool drinks at Joe & the Juice, Scooter’s and Mellow Mushroom; burgers, fish and pizza heat up menus.

Food

A wealth of new menu items entices diners over the Fourth of July holiday weekend

By Patricia Cobe on Jun. 27, 2022

Taste Tracker: Chicken in new guises at BWW, Slim Chickens and Toppers; Mooyah, Auntie Anne’s and Smashburger shake it up; refreshing thirst-quenchers for Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Charleys; and everything from cocktails to concretes to cookies make their debut.

Food

There's no lull in menu launches during the ‘lazy’ days of summer

By Patricia Cobe on Jun. 20, 2022

Taste Tracker: Just Salad and Chicken Salad Chick refresh the salad bowl; cool sipping at Potbelly, Corner Bakery and PJ’s; IHOP has a Minions menu; Newk’s and Taco John’s celebrate barbecue; and more menu news of the week.

Food

Seafood tacos, summer bowls and icy drinks trend on menus

By Patricia Cobe on Jun. 13, 2022

Taste Tracker: Taco del Mar, Hurricane Grill and Tacos 4 Life boast a beach vibe; bowled over by peaches at Sweetgreen and BBQ at Sonny’s; a sweet tea-ice cream mashup for McAlister’s; Bad Ass Coffee and Ziggi’s launch summery LTOs to sip; and more menu news of the week.

Food

Summer officially kicks off on restaurant menus

By Patricia Cobe on May 30, 2022

Taste Tracker: Cool off with cocktails at BJ’s and Fridays; Burgerville and Chopt spec new salads; Church’s takes to smoke; Carrabba’s celebrates Father’s Day; and more menu news of the week.

Food

Sips, sandwiches and salads take off on menus

By Patricia Cobe on May 17, 2022

Taste Tracker: Chocolate is for drinking at Starbucks and Shake Shack; Bennigan’s and Lazy Dog craft cocktails; Subway’s latest sandwich refresh; Modern Market embraces summer; and more menu news of the week.

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