After a flurry of menu launches to start the new year, chains are refocusing on items to chase the chill, rev up energy levels and promote well-being. Several new foods and drinks are boosted with protein, while others have been spiked with spice. Plus, consumers are still searching for value, and restaurants are responding with fresh deals.
Shot with spice
It’s officially “spicy season” at Newk’s Eatery, where four limited-time items bring on the heat. The lineup includes Spicy Jalapeño Ranch Salad filled with chicken, cheddar and veggies tossed with spicy jalapeño ranch dressing, then garnished with tortilla strips; a Spicy Chicken Bacon Wrap flavored with the same dressing; Newk’s “Q” Pizza made with chicken, bacon, mozzarella and white barbecue sauce topped with chili oil and jalapeños; and The Italian Sandwich with hot cherry pepper relish and Creole mustard.
Burgervillie's chili. | Photo courtesy of Burgerville.
Burgerville is turning up the heat with its new Spicy Beef Chili, topped with creamy avocado mash, chive sour cream and a blend of shredded Tillamook Cheddar and Jack cheeses. Also on offer is the returning Big Sassy Cheeseburger topped with aged white cheddar, bacon, locally produced Mama Lil’s Peppers and garlic aioli. Three other fan favorites—Truffle Parmesan Waffley Fries, Strawberry Cheesecake Shake and Strawberry Jam Bliss Shake—are making a comeback, t
Breakfast and brunch are the hotspots at Norm’s. Starting Jan. 29 and running through April, guests can order a Chile Verde Carnitas Omelette and Red Chile Carnitas Chilaquiles. Also on hand is Steak Adobada & Eggs, the beef basted with garlic chile and citrus before grilling, and Carnitas Fries topped with pork carnitas, salsa verde, cheese, chipotle aioli, guac, onion and cilantro. Moving into lunch, Crispy Fried Fish Tacos and Sizzling Fajitas are round out the LTOs.
Menu introductions are frequent at Taco Bell, and the latest features lots of melted cheese. Cheesy Dipping Burritos, now available nationally, are mini-sized for easy dipping into a choice of Creamy Chipotle, Nacho Cheese Sauce or Reduced-Fat Sour Cream. They come filled with either grilled, marinated steak or Cantina chicken in addition to the gooey cheese, and when fans take a bite, it results in the ultimate cheese pull. The baby burritos come two for $4.50.
Taco Bell's baby burritos have a serious cheese pull. | Photo courtesy of Taco Bell.
Packing in the protein
Protein is in demand and it’s showing up in some unexpected places. Peet’s Coffee is promoting limited-time “proffees” on its Vitality Menu—three lattes packed with protein. The Vanilla Latte, Golden Latte and Matcha Latte are all crafted with Bob’s Red Mill whey protein powder and contain 20 grams or more of protein. For those seeking Vitamins C and D, Peet’s has two cold beverages that fit the bill. Golden Immunity Sparkling Lemonade is flavored with elderberry and cascara extract, while Sparkling Citrus Immunity Black Tea blends black tea and citrus. On the food side, there’s an Everything Plant-Based Breakfast Sandwich.
Peet's launched a line of protein-enhanced coffees of "profees." | Photo courtesy of Peets Coffee.
Oakberry has pumped up overnight oats with protein and added a new menu category: Oakmeal. Made with a blend of whole-grain rolled oats, whey protein, chia seeds and flax seeds, Oakmeal is available in two varieties: Classic, served hot, and OvernightOAKS served cold. Guests can customize their bowl of oats with over 20 toppings.
Two additional smoothies get a protein boost at Juice It Up with the launch of The Strawberry Zone and The Berry Zone. The original Zone combines banana, peanut butter, nonfat yogurt, protein powder and peanuts; the Strawberry Zone adds strawberries and a strawberry-apple juice blend, while the Berry Zone blends in blueberries and blackberry flavor. Both boast 32 grams of protein in a medium-size smoothie. The chain is also expanding its snack menu with a customized Build-Your-Own-Waffle.
Value not going out of style
January is a month of meal deals at Subway, with every day of the week (including weekends) offering a different sub along with a fountain drink and a bag of chips or two cookies. On Tuesday, customers can score Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki, Wednesday, Meatball Marinara, and Thursday, All-New Baja Chipotle Chicken. Two sizes are available in each combo meal, with a six-inch sub priced at $6.99 and a footlong at $9.99.
Limited-time box meals start at $9.99 at Farmer Boys. The Big Cheese Box Meal includes a quarter-pound cheeseburger on a brioche bun, fries and a soft drink. Those with larger appetites can get a Double Big Cheese Box Meal for $11.99. For breakfast fans, the Cinna-Roll French Toast Platter makes a comeback, and a Salted Caramel Coffee joins the beverage lineup.
Pulled pork and brisket sold in family-size packages at City Barbeque. | Photo courtesy of City Barbeque.
Bulk packages are new at City Barbeque. Smoked meats, including turkey, brisket, pulled pork and chicken, are available by the pound. The meats are a convenient way for households and families to make sandwiches, bowls and salads for several meals, or they can be ordered for larger group gatherings.
And more menu news…
Carrabba’s Italian Grill has added new seasonal items to every section of the menu, with Bruschette Caprese spotlighted in the appetizer category and Champagne Chicken with tarragon cream sauce and crab meat an upscale entrée. For dessert, there’s Limoncello Bread Pudding.
Flavor-of-the-Month Shrimp Bowls are making their debut at Mahana Fresh, on offer through the end of April. The chain partnered with Prime Shrimp to develop flavor variations including Cajun, Honey BBQ, Lemon Pepper and Spicy Creole. Running concurrently is a Shrimply Paradise contest, with the chance to win a vacation in Hawaii.
And Bad Daddy’sBurger Bar rolled out a winter menu that’s available through March 3. Meatball Sliders, Loaded Potato Tot Soup and a Winter Salad with greens, radishes, dried cranberries, brie and blue cheese are food highlights, while a Red Velvet Shake, Cherry Bomb Mocktail and Coffee Elixir stand out on the drink menu.
Mahana Fresh offers shrimp bowls in monthly rotating flavors. | Photo courtesy of Mahana Fresh.
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