Menu developers and chefs have been busy in the kitchen, with many new items flowing out of the pipeline. Summer flavors are out in full force, showing up in barbecue specials, fruity shakes, cool desserts and refreshing drinks. And crispy chicken strips are definitely having a moment. Here’s what’s happening on menus.
Taco Bell is the latest fast-food brand to debut Crispy Chicken Strips, coming to the menu Tuesday. The chain uses the same recipe it did for its successful Nuggets, marinating all-white meat chicken strips in a jalapeño-buttermilk blend and coating them with crunchy tortilla chips and breadcrumbs. The strips are available in a taco topped with purple cabbage, lettuce, shredded cheddar, pico de gallo and a choice of Spicy Ranchero or Avocado Ranch Sauce. Guests can also order them in a burrito or on their own.
Taco Bell debuts chicken strips in a taco, burrito and in their own with two sauces.
Beverages are in the spotlight at Einstein Bros. Bagels with the launch of Morning Mocktails on Wednesday. Created to pair with a bagel and a smear, the four non-alcoholic juice-based drinks include Bros. Bay Breeze (cranberry, lemonade and passion fruit); Passion Fruit Sunrise (OJ, lemonade and passion fruit); Dragon Fruit Lemon Drop (lemonade and dragon fruit); and the Energy Spritz (dragon fruit and Monster Energy.) As part of the launch, Einstein Bros. will offer an All-Day Happy Hour Special of a Bagel & Shmear with choice of a Morning Mocktail for $5.99.
Peach is the flavor of the season at Peet’s Coffee with the debut of Sparkling Peach Chill Brew and Sparkling Peach Matcha. The chain is also into mocktails, introducing a Mocktail Bar Menu with three tropical-inspired options: the Baridi Mule (cold brew, ginger beer, mint and lime); fruity Peet’s on the Beach (black tea, pineapple juice and peach); and bold Hula Brew (pineapple juice and orgeat syrup topped with cold brew.) On the food side. Peet’s is rolling out a Bacon Cheddar Brioche and Grilled Cheese Croissant.
Peachy summer drinks at Peet's Coffee.
Customizable dirty sodas are making news at Ziggi’s Coffee. The chain is offering over 22 recipes, incorporating add-ins like candy toppings, fruit purees and popping boba. Customers can order the sodas in three prep styles: Floated, Frozen and Cold Foam. Those ordering online can score a free 20-ounce dirty soda.
Limited-time summer offers at Biggby Coffee blend nostalgia and newness. Campfire Latte and Campfire Crème Freeze are flavored with mocha-toasted marshmallow-hazelnut sauce and topped with graham cracker crumbs reminiscent of s’mores, while Runnin’ Wild Berry Mocktail combines Red Bull Pink Edition, lemonade, blackberry and dragon fruit and is also available in a frozen version. On the food side, there are Pretzel Minis—warm sliders filled with ham or turkey and cheddar with honey mustard—and Chocolate Brownie and Marshmallow Treat bars
Pistachio keeps gaining traction on menus. Paris Baguette introduced the Pistachio Supreme Croissant and Pistachio Sweet Cream Cold Brew, then pairs the trendy ingredient with fresh strawberries in desserts including the Strawberry Pistachio Fraisier Cake and Bombolone. Savory cravers can enjoy barbecue flavors with the BBQ Chicken Pizzetta and BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese,
Nick the Greek's Pistachio Cream “Dubai Chocolate” Froyo.
Nick the Greek is inspired by the viral sensation, the pistachio cream-filled Dubai chocolate bar, for its new Pistachio Cream “Dubai Chocolate” Froyo. The frozen Greek yogurt is layered with rich pistachio butter, crisp kataifi or filo shreds, a chocolate shell and a pistachio cream drizzle. The flavor joins the fast casual’s line of frozen Greek yogurts, offering a different option for dessert or snacking.
A summertime alternative to a steaming bowl of ramen is on offer at Jinya Ramen Bar. Chilled Tan Tan Men features thick noodles in a chilled, savory chicken soy broth infused with sesame, topped with pork crisps, baby bok choy, shredded leek, sesame seeds and a hint of chili oil. For a spicy snack or side, Jinya is also adding Buffalo Cauliflower to the menu through Aug. 31. Cauliflower florets are coated in signature Buffalo sauce and served with creamy ranch.
With Late Night Zax, chicken chain Zaxby’s is extending its hours and introducing a new menu item to attract the post-dinner crowd. The Zappetizer Trio offers a selection of three sides or shareables and three sauces for $9.99. It’s designed to be a personalized mix-and-match snack sampler with choices such as Fried Pickles, Boneless Wings, White Cheddar Bites and Veggie Egg Rolls. Available at participating locations.
Barbecue flavors are in the spotlight at Logan’s Roadhouse with a new Backyard BBQ Menu. It includes a Fried Ribs Appetizer, Cedar Plank Quarter BBQ Chicken, Smokehouse BBQ Strip grilled on mesquite and the Roadhouse Smokehouse Platter, a trio of BBQ chicken, mesquite-grilled sausage and fried ribs. All come with house-made barbecue sauce. Logan’s also launched some summer sides: a Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad, Wedge Salad and Potato Salad, along with spirited and spirit-free seasonal drinks.
The Bones Big Duo is a new LTO deal from Smokey Bones, a customizable combo featuring one appetizer and one entree for $14.99. Guests can mix and match fan-favorite apps like Fried Pickles, Mini Mag-Nachos and Pretzel Bones with hearty main dishes including a quarter BBQ Chicken, Pulled Pork Sammies, and more.
Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay added a new burger and shake to the menu. The Greektown Burger starts with a Certified Angus Beef patty or grilled chicken that is layered with Greek yogurt sauce, tomato, cucumber and feta, while the Blueberry Cheesecake Milkshake combines frozen custard, blueberries, whipped cream and graham cracker crumble.
A burger with a Latin twist is now on the menu at fast-casual Pincho through July 6. The Cuban Frita Smash Burger features a smashed Angus beef patty marinated in the brand’s proprietary Frita sauce, topped with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, potato sticks and seasoned crema on a butter-toasted brioche bun. A single goes for $8.99 and a double for $12.99.
The Cuban Frita Smash Burger at Pincho.
Three new wraps have joined the menu at Hawaiian Bros, all with an island twist. The Molokai Mac Wrap is filled with sweet and spicy Molokai Chicken, creamy macaroni salad and white rice, while the Huli Huli Wrap features teriyaki-glazed Huli Huli chicken, fresh pineapple, romaine lettuce, crunchy noodles and white rice. Rounding out the trio is the Pacific Island Wrap with romaine, mandarin oranges, Huli Huli chicken, island vinaigrette, crunchy noodles, green onions, cilantro and white rice. Each sells for $7.99.
The first new cookie flavor of 2025 has arrived at Jimmy John’s—the Lemon Sunshine Cookie. The soft, chewy cookie has bright lemon flavor and is studded with white chocolate chips.
Summer’s cookie theme continues at IHOP, where June’s Pancake of the Month is Cookie Butter. Each stack is composed of buttermilk pancakes filled with cookie pieces and covered with Biscoff Cookie Butter, whipped topping and more cookie crumbles. Customers can order it as a combo with two pancakes, two bacon strips or pork sausage links, two eggs and hash browns.
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