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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

New menu items provide a preview of summer

 By Patricia Cobe on May 10, 2022

Mendocino Farms celebrates summer cookouts; peaches, spritzes and lemonade infuse Firebirds’ cocktails; PJ’s Coffee marks wedding cake season; and early sightings of berries and watermelon.

Food

Restaurants gear up for Cinco de Mayo and launch more spring specials

 By Patricia Cobe on Apr. 25, 2022

Taste Tracker: Cinco de Mayo hits menus at Del Taco, Baja Fresh, Taco John’s and more; new cocktails on hand for P.F. Chang’s, CPK and Taco Cabana; Sonic celebrates pickles; and smoothies, sweets and sips trend on menus.

Food

Bowls, pizza and 4/20 specials take menus to new heights

By Patricia Cobe on Apr. 18, 2022

Cheba Hut, Velvet Taco, TGI Fridays feed the munchies; bowls trend at Dos Toros, Ghenghis Grill, Sweetfin; Papa John’s riffs on pizza; beverages rule at Corner Bakery and Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

Food

Easter shares the menu spotlight with hot dogs, tacos, ice cream and more

By Patricia Cobe on Apr. 11, 2022

Black Bear Diner does Easter brunch and dinner; a dozen new dishes for Friendly’s; Mellow Mushroom takes a detour from pizza; and donuts, hot dogs and ice cream get dressed for the holiday.

Food

Menus make a seasonal shift, take on bolder flavors

By Patricia Cobe on Apr. 05, 2022

Taste Tracker: Chimichurri at Sweetgreen and Cubanos at Potbelly; chicken gets a jolt of spice at Moe’s; Dairy Queen rolls out Stackburgers; Sonic’s slush ring, Dog Haus' cocktails and more menu newsmakers of the week.

Food

Spring menus are blooming with new flavors and ingredients

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 29, 2022

Taste Tracker: Tacos make news at Freshii and bowls at Taco Cabana; Firebirds does brunch; seafood heats up at Smokey Bones while Red Robin plays with smoke; drinks take on spring flavors.

Food

Asian and Mexican cuisines flavor new menu items

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 21, 2022

Taste Tracker: El Pollo Loco adds birria; Szechuan accents Starbird Chicken; breakfast gets heartier at Taco John’s and Bob Evans while Noodles & Co. tries plant-based chicken; sweet news at Cinnaholic.

Food

March Madness and spring specials drive menus

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 14, 2022

Auntie Anne’s and Buffalo’s Café go mad for basketball; BWW ties merch with food; Black Bear and Velvet Taco celebrate St. Patrick all week; and Newk’s and Miller’s turn up the heat.

Food

Plant-forward, burgers, sweets and sips all get play on menus

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 08, 2022

Wow Bao, Rapid Fired Pizza, Corner Bakery and Dog Haus turn to plants; March events inspire Bennigan’s and Toasted Yolk; burgers rock at Hard Rock and Wayback; and Applebee’s goes sweet.

Food

Lent and basketball mark menu launches as we move into March

By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 28, 2022

Taste Tracker: Lenten LTOs at Dickey’s, Popeyes, Del Taco and Red Lobster; Wendy’s into March Madness; a turkey sandwich for Jimmy John’s; Chopt travels to Asia; and more menu news of the week.

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