Burgers sizzle at Sonic, Carl's Jr. and Farmer Boys

New menu launches continue to rock restaurants this summer, with burgers, chicken and wraps seeing lots of action. Hot flavors are also on the upswing, keeping pace with the sweltering temperatures outside. Here’s a closer look at what’s trending in food and drink this week.

The Sonic Smasher makes its debut at Sonic Drive-In, touted as “a premium burger without the premium price tag.” The burger features two Angus patties seasoned and seared for a crispy edge and juicy center, layered with two slices of American cheese, the chain’s signature Smasher sauce, crinkle-cut pickles and diced onions on a soft potato bun. The Sonic Smasher is available through the app starting Monday and nationwide on Aug. 5; it’s priced at $5.79.

Everything Bagel Sesaoning is the star ingredient in the Double Everything Burger and Everything Breakfast Burger from Carl’s Jr., available exclusively in the Palm Springs, California, area through Aug. 14. The Double includes two beef patties, bacon, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, whipped cream cheese and an everything bagel-seasoned bun. The breakfast version boasts a beef patty layered with whipped cream cheese, bacon, egg, hash rounds and mayo on an everything bagel-seasoned bun. Customers who want more of “everything” can also treat themselves to an Everything Shake.

Wendy’s renamed its Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit the Honey Buddy. It’s now offering the breakfast favorite for $1 with any purchase through the app until Sept. 30. The sweet-and-savory Honey Buddy starts with a fluffy buttermilk biscuit layered with all-white meat breaded chicken and creamy maple honey butter. The offer is good during breakfast hours only.

The BBQ Crunch Cheeseburger Box is a summer special at Farmer Boys. Available in a single or double, the burgers feature fresh beef patties, tangy barbecue sauce (a blend of mustard, onion, garlic and paprika), house-made crispy onion straws, American cheese and pickles on a locally baked brioche bun. On the beverage side, Farmer Boys is offering a new, more elevated cold coffee: Iced Coffee with vanilla cold foam.

On the meatless front, the Adventure Trio comes to Next Level Burger and Veggie Grill through Aug. 31. The three vegan burgers each have a different base and flavor profile. The Smoky Mountain BBQ Burger is a plant-based meat patty topped with house-made Nashville Fire seasoning, grilled jalapenos, pepperjack cheese and onion rings, served on a toasted pretzel bun with Memphis sweet barbecue sauce. The Redwood Truffle burger is built on a shiitake mushroom and white truffle patty topped with smoked gouda cheese, sauteed herbed mushrooms and house-made Forest Sauce on a whole wheat bun, while Bali Bliss starts with a tempeh patty topped with onion, relish and house-made chipotle ranch.

Spice is the summer story at Panera Bread, with the Spicy Chicken Fiesta and Kickin’ Grilled Cheese sandwiches making their debut. The chicken sandwich boasts Panera’s new creamy salsa verde spread layered with grilled chicken, white cheddar, sweet peppers, cilantro and roasted corn on artisan ciabatta bread. The salsa verde spread differentiates the grilled cheese, too, paired with American and white cheddar cheese on classic white miche bread. Also new is a line of avocado toasts on country rustic sourdough bread topped with chunky avocado spread.

Hot Orange Chicken is back at Panda Express for a limited time, through Aug. 11. The Asian quick-service chain teamed up with snowboarder Shaun White to promote the spicy twist on its iconic Original Orange Chicken. White worked as an honorary Panda Express associate in L.A. to learn how to cook the signature.

Jimmy John’s added two new Mediterranean wraps to the menu, both featuring Sabra Red Pepper Hummus. The Mediterranean Chicken Wrap is filled with red pepper hummus, roasted chicken, feta, olive tapenade, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, oregano, basil, oil and vinegar. The Mediterranean Veggie Wrap includes the same ingredients minus the chicken. And Pita Jimmy Chips are a new snack or side option on the menu.

Three Fire-Grilled Chicken Burritos are making news at El Pollo Loco. The Guacamole Chicken Burrito features fire-grilled chopped chicken, house-made guacamole, shredded Jack cheese, pinto beans, cabbage, salsa fresca and creamy cilantro dressing wrapped in a flour tortilla and grilled to go. The Chipotle Guacamole Chicken Burrito is layered with the same ingredients, but creamy chipotle sauce is swapped in for the cilantro dressing, while the Queso Guacamole Chicken Burrito combines shredded chicken, roasted tomato salsa, guacamole, pinto beans, onions, seasoned rice, queso sauce and salsa fresca, both grilled to go for easy portability.

The new Del’s Real Deal$ menu at Del Taco offers 15 items for $2 and under. Among the items are Crispy Chicken Tacos, Crunchtada Tostada, Chicken Cheddar Rollers and a Bean & Cheese Burrito with red or green sauce. New to this value menu are Snack-Sized Chips and Fresh House-made Guac for $2.

Clean Eatz rolled out an overhauled menu earlier this month, adding more protein and vegetable options to bowls, different sauces, traditional burger styles and updated wraps. Included in the revamp are a Bunless Burger topped with grilled mushrooms, mozzarella and tomatoes; a Turkey Burnt End Cuban bowl; and a Southwest Bison Wrap with chipotle ranch sauce, low-sodium queso, corn and black bean blend, tomato and lettuce in a whole wheat wrapper. Three beverages—Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie, Mango Peach Lemonade Smoothie and Green Tea Lemonade—complete the overhaul.

Mike’s Hot Honey & Burrata Pizza feeds the swicy trend at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza. The pie features Italian plum tomato sauce, red onions, fresh burrata and prosciutto, all topped with fresh basil, then drizzled with hot honey and balsamic glaze. There’s also a Burrata & Prosciutto Sandwich and Burrata & Prosciutto Spaghetti. For more swicy action, guests can sip Mike’s Hot Honey Margarita, a mix of tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice and hot honey, garnished with a lime.

“Taste of Tropics” is the theme for summer LTOs at Black Bear Diner. Island Breakfast Tacos are filled with eggs, beef, onions and cheddar, then topped with chipotle aioli, avocado and cilantro and served with sweet-and-spicy pineapple-jalapeno salsa. Luau Crispy Chicken is topped with the same salsa and served with pineapple-jalapeno slaw and sweet potato fries. There’s also Blazin BBQ Beef, Pina Colada Pancakes, Tropical Cream Pie and Tropical Cheesecake, along with a tropical-flavored Arnold Palmer, Lemonade and Mimosa.

A quartet of pancakes puts a seasonal twist on the breakfast menu at Sunny Street Cafe. On offer are Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes, PBJ Time Pancakes, Bananas Foster Pancakes and Chocolate Lava Pancakes, all with indulgent ingredients such as crème anglaise, peanut butter mousse, homemade vanilla cream, candied walnuts and chocolate ganache.

Trending Korean cuisine is influencing the new Kimchi Cheesesteak at Charleys Cheesesteaks. Thelimited-time sandwich is made with steak, kimchi, Korean-style gochujang barbecue sauce, onions, green peppers and melted provolone cheese on a toasted roll. It’s available all summer, along with Mango Lemonade, another LTO on the current menu.

Mangoes are in season from May-August, and Pancheros is putting them in the spotlight with the launch of Mango Habanero Salsa. The combo of fresh mangoes, tomatoes, jalapenos and onions is available as a side with chips and an option to add to bowls, burritos and other items. Mango Habanero Salsa runs through Aug. 26 on Pancheros’ menu.

Grande Grillers rolled out at Taco John’s—grilled burritos selling for under $5. The selection includes the Fried Chicken Grande Griller with crispy white-meat chicken and chipotle lime sauce with Potato Olés, nacho cheese and red rice. The Spicy Beef Grande Griller is filled with beef, and a four-cheese blend, fired up with jalapeno ranch and a super-hot sauce.

Strawberry Funnel Cake Bitz at Wetzel’s Pretzels evoke memories of summer carnivals and county fairs. The bite-size buttered pretzels are drizzled with a sweet-tart strawberry sauce and dusted with powdered sugar. The sweet treats are available nationwide for $7.99.