Carl's Jr., Dunkin' and Sonic catch the Halloween spirit

Halloween is still 30 days away, but restaurant chains are getting an early jump on spooky season. There are holiday-themed beverages, sweets, burgers and more filling menus. In other food and drink news, meaty sandwiches are on the move, tailgate fare continues to trend and snacking-on-the-go is a easier than ever. See what’s happening on menus this week. 

The Potion Macchiato headlines Dunkin’s Halloween lineup, rounded out with a scary Spider Specialty Donut and a Halloween Munchkins Bucket filled with donut holes covered in chocolate and orange sprinkles. The Macchiato, available hot or iced, is layered with espresso, milk and a purple marshmallow ube flavor. All the items are launching Oct. 16 for a limited time, but three DunKings track suits, appropriate for Halloween costume parties and trick-or-treating, went on sale at ShopDunkin.com Tuesday.

Carl’s Jr. is turning up the heat for Halloween with The Ghost, an extra-spicy burger topped with ghost pepper cheese, bacon, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles and “soul-scorching” sauce on a seeded bun. There’s also a Big Angus Ghost version and the Ghost Breakfast Burger—an all-beef patty, bacon, folded egg, ghost pepper cheese, hash rounds and the same fiery sauce on a seeded bun. For a chance to win a free Ghost Burger and Carl's Jr. swag, the chain is encouraging people to share a story about being ghosted on its social media channels with the hashtag #GhostMode.

The new Witch’s Brew Slush Float comes to Sonic, available through Nov. 3. The Halloween-inspired cold beverage is a twist on a classic caramel apple, combining a green-apple flavored slush with salted caramel bubbles, topped with creamy soft serve. It’s the latest seasonal addition to Sonic’s Flavorista Favorites drink lineup.

Timbits Trick-or-Treat Buckets are back at Tim Horton’s in two new glow-in-the-dark designs, both filled with 31 mini donuts. Also on offer are two candy-inspired treats for a sweet Halloween. Chocolate Peanut Butter Iced Capp is a frozen coffee drink packed with peanut butter and chocolate flavors and topped with crushed Reese’s peanut butter cups, while Dream Cookies come in two variations: one baked with Reese’s and pecans, the other with mini M&Ms.

Four Halloween baked goods are available for the month of October at Paris Baguette. The celebration begins with the return of the Chocolate Chiffon Jack-O-Lantern Cake, layered with soft cream and a surprise candy corn-filled center. New this year is the Vanilla Scream Ghost Cake with layers of vanilla sponge, custard cream, soft cream and chocolate crisp pearls. Two donuts join the cakes: a Halloween “Scream” Donut filled with cookies-and-cream custard and the Spider Mochi Donut.

In celebration of International Coffee Day on Tuesday, Starbucks introduced a new coffee blend: Starbucks Milano Duetto. Customers can choose from two roasts. Starbucks Milano Sole (light roast) pays homage to Milanese coffee culture, featuring medium to high acidity and a medium body, with notes of vanilla custard, pomegranate and nutmeg. Starbucks Milano Luna (dark roast) has medium to low acidity and a medium to full body with notes of dark chocolate truffle and roasted black walnut. The two will be Starbucks’ featured light and dark brewed coffees throughout October.

Meat lovers can score an extra helping with two of Arby’s sandwiches, thanks to the chain’s current Double the Meats Meal deal. The Double Roast Beef features two times the amount of slowly roasted, thinly sliced-to-order, signature roast beef piled on a toasted sesame seed bun, while Arby’s Beef ‘N Cheddar layers a double portion of roast beef, topped with cheddar sauce and zesty red ranch, served on a toasted onion roll. Both are priced at $7.

Whataburger is also doubling up on beef with its new Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double. The burger is built with two beef patties on a toasted 5-inch bun, layered with Whataburger’s Creamy Jalapeño Ranch and topped with crisp bacon, aged cheddar and jalapeño slices. The limited-time burger is also available in a Whataburger Jr. size.

The Dip 'n Sip from Auntie Anne’s is a convenient, one-handed solution for snackers on the go. The creative packaging allows the eater to carry Pretzel Nuggets or Mini Dogs, any drink and a favorite dip—all with one hand. Guests can choose from a dip assortment including cheese, caramel, mustard, marinara and more. 

Pimento Cheese is now available as a standalone side at Chick-fil-A. Originally created for the limited-time Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, customers can now order a cup of the cheese as a dip for fries or nuggets, a spread on biscuits or sandwiches or a takeaway to enjoy with crackers or chips at home. A cup goes for $3.99, while a larger catering order starts at $6.50.

Hot Honey Cheese Curds arrive at Culver’s on Oct. 15, National Cheese Curd Day, for a limited run through the end of October. The chain’s well-loved cheese curds get a touch of sweet heat from a hot honey breading. Culver’s also kicks off the month with the return of the CurderBurger—a fan favorite that started as an April Fool’s joke. It’s a signature ButterBurger topped with golden-fried cheese, made of a blend of yellow and white cheddar cheese curds, surrounded by crispy seasoned breadcrumbs.

Comfort foods stake a claim on Claim Jumper’s fall menu, led by a Hearty Pot Roast Dinner. It’s described as slow-roasted pot roast and roasted vegetables, served over mashed potatoes and topped with herb gravy. The same pot roast goes into the Pot Roast Melt, layered on Parmesan sourdough bread and topped with cheddar cheese, sautéed onions, tomatoes and herb gravy. For dessert, there’s Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie, and to sip, a Pumpkin Martini.

Game-day Happy Hour specials are on offer at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. On the food side are $7 Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas and select appetizers, including Deep-Fried Chicken Pot Stickers, Avocado Egg Rolls, Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Sliders. Drink specials include $6 margaritas, $5 handcrafted signature beers and $4 domestic bottles.

Football fare is also on the menu at Zaxby’s, where 9-count Chicken Finger Taco Tailgate Variety Packs are available for $20 for a limited time. Two flavors are on offer: Chipotle Ranch with Pico and Avocado Ranch BLT. The tacos have been a hit since their debut in July, but this is the first time they are bundled into a group order.

Pollo Campero released a trio of limited-time sauces—the brand’s first-ever sauce launch in its 50-plus year history. Sweet & Tangy, Spicy & Smoky and Creamy Jalapeno join the original  Campero Sauce, of which the chain serves over 42,000 gallons per year. The three new sauce flavors are available through Nov. 15. 

Spicy Himalayan Pizza is the latest addition to Mountain Mike’s Taste for Adventure menu series, which celebrates global cuisines and bold flavors. This LTO infuses Indian-inspired tikka masala flavors into pizza for a spice-forward eating experience. The new pizza is on the menu through Nov. 30.

The October Flavor of the Month at Baskin-Robbins is Twix Caramel Crunch. The ice cream is a combo of salted caramel and malted chocolate ice creams paired with Twix candy bar pieces, blonde cookie pieces and salted caramel swirls. For Halloween fans, the same flavor stars in the Spooktacular Polar Pizza. It features a chocolate chip cookie crust topped with Twix Caramel Crunch, M&M’s, Halloween sprinkles and drizzles of fudge topping.

For the month of October, customers at Rush Bowls can order the limited-time I Love Chamoy Mangonada Bowl. It’s a vibrant blend of mango, pineapple and mango juice paired with sweet-hot chamoy sauce and Chilito seasoning. Chamoy is a sweet, tangy and spicy Mexican sauce traditionally drizzled over fruits and vegetables.