Fall flavors in full force at Panera, Ruby Slipper and Smoothie King

Fall officially began on Sunday, and while pumpkin and apple debuted on menus back in August, we’re now seeing more seasonal flavors and preparations.  It’s soup weather at Panera, spicy season at Red Robin and Qdoba, and time for cozier food at many other chains. Take a look at what’s trending on menus this week. 

Two new soups join Panera Bread’s menu: Hearty Fireside Chili and Rustic Baked Potato Soup. The chili is packed with beef, kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes and green chili peppers, simmered in a chili-flavored broth, while the potato soup is creamy and cheesy with the classic flavors of baked potato, bacon and chives. The fast casual is also bringing back Autumn Squash Soup and introducing a kids’ menu with more satisfying portions.  Turkey, Grilled Cheese and Ham Sandwiches now come in a whole sandwich size.

The limited-time Cozy Autumn menu launched at brunch destination Ruby Slipper, with seasonal flavors shining through on both the food and beverage sides. Highlights include Sweet Heat Chicken & Brussels (fried chicken breasts tossed in Mike’s Hot Honey glaze with crispy brussels sprouts, bacon-onion jam and smoked gouda grits); Pumpkin Praline French Toast stuffed with pumpkin cheesecake and topped with praline sauce and whipped cream; and the Autumn Fizz Mocktail, a mix of candied apples, pomegranate juice and sparkling Limonata with a cinnamon sugar rim.

Five limited-time pumpkin smoothies have arrived on Smoothie King’s menu. The fall lineup includes Pumpkin Power Meal, a protein-packed smoothie made with organic pumpkin, almonds, dates, protein blend, multivitamins and a seasonal spice blend. There’s also a 250-calorie Pumpkin Slim-N-Trim with 13g of protein; Pumpkin Vegan made with Califia Farms Oat Milk, bananas, dates, organic plant-based protein, stevia and a seasonal spice blend; Pumpkin Coffee High Protein with a caffeine kick from espresso or cold brew; and Pumpkin D-Lite–a better-for-you pumpkin indulgence.

Friday was National Queso Day and Qdoba took the opportunity to unveil its spiciest queso ever: Queso Apocalypto. It features a new combination of hot ingredients, based on the brand’s Queso Diablo but with the addition of Fiery Hot Crunchies on top, Salsa Roja, Habanero Salsa and Pickled Jalapeños. The new limited-time queso is available for $5.95 with chips while supplies last. 

Red Robin turns up the heat with its hottest offerings yet. The Jalapeño Heatwave Burger features grilled jalapeño, pepperjack cheese, caramelized onion, green chili aioli and smashed avocado with red pepper flakes, topped with crispy fried jalapeño coins, while Scorpion Wings are spiced with wet Scorpion sauce or smothered in a sweet-and-spicy Scorpion dry rub. On the milder side are new Garlic Parmesan and Sea Salt & Pepper wings. The fall menu also offers shareable desserts such as Shortbread Chocolate Soufflé Cake and Lemon Cream Layer Cake, as well as new cocktails like Passion Fruit Mojitos and Sangria Roja.

Michelin-starred Chef Anthony Amoroso has joined Maggiano’s as the chain’s first-ever VP of innovation and growth, and he’s refreshing the menu with his take on Italian-American cuisine. Riserva Veal Parmesan is the star of the menu—a 14-oz. bone-in free-range veal chop, responsibly sourced from a farm known for its commitment to animal welfare and sustainability, then hand-breaded and topped with fresh marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cut tableside. There’s also an Antipasto Board, Chef’s Signature Caesar, Rigatoni alla Vodka and Fettucine Bolognese.

The popular 3 for $10.99 lunch offer at Chili’s has been expanded to 11 selections, all served with bottomless chips, salsa and a non-alcoholic drink.  Entrée options include the Big Smasher Burger, Chicken Crispers (original, Nashville Hot or Honey Chipotle), and the Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowl with grilled chicken, pico de gallo, Mexican rice and guacamole (at no extra charge). To highlight the abundance of the new lunch options, Chili’s is challenging professional eating champion Joey Chestnut to finish a 3 For Lunch Combo for a chance to win a 3 For Lunch Golden Basket Belt.

Oysters and lobster share the fall spotlight at Legal Sea Foods. Kicking off on Wednesday, in honor of National Lobster Day, restaurants will offer a special one-day-only promotion of a 1.25 lb. steamed Maine lobster dinner, served with corn and potatoes, for $25. Then through the month of October, Legal Sea Foods' Annual Oyster Festival takes place with an expanded raw bar selection and dishes like Cajun Oyster Po’ Boy, Buffalo Fried Oysters and the classic Oysters Rockefeller on special.

Pumpkin Cream Pancakes, Boston Cream Donuts, a Melty Cristo, Oatmeal Cookie Cold Brews and a Patty Melt make up the fall “Flavorites” lineup at Eggs Up Grill. The oatmeal cookie crumble pancakes are layered with rich pumpkin cream custard and sweet pralines, topped with powdered sugar and a caramel drizzle, while The Boston Cream Donuts are warm and fluffy, croissant-style donuts, filled with creamy whipped custard, dusted with powdered sugar and finished off with a chocolate drizzle. Those sweet indulgences are balanced with a savory items like the Monte (Melty) Cristo and Patty Melt.

A new V.I.P. menu launches at O’Charley’s with With 15 budget-friendly items all priced at $12.99 and under. Appetizers include Sausage Biscuit Bites and Chips & Queso for $4.99, and entrees including Shrimp & Grits and Classic Cheeseburger for $9.99. For $12.99, guests can order Baby Back Ribs and Chicken Parmesan. There’s also an upscale Prime Rib Dinner for $29.99 and an expanded core menu with a new Steak Quesadilla and Steak Nachos. 

Value is also the theme at Papa Murphy’s. A limited-time Everyday Value menu, which runs through Nov. 12, offers several large pizzas priced at $7.99. The chain is also introducing a new Shredded Pepperoni Pizza, a variation that offers a more robust, evenly distributed flavor profile that covers every inch of the pizza.

Pumpkin arrives at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice in a new Pumpkin Pie Flavorite. The limited-time treat combines sweet pumpkin pie Italian ice and vanilla ice cream with a cookie butter crumble. Guests can order a Pumpkin Pie Flavorite in any size, including the new kid- and budget-friendly Tadpole Mini.

Pumpkin Cold Brew Frozen Coffee and Pumpkin Pie Concrete return to Rita’s Italian Ice through the end of September. The cold brew joins original, mocha and caramel flavors while the concrete blends creamy frozen custard with pumpkin crème and pie pieces for an indulgent seasonal treat.

Krispy Kreme is helping fans savor the season with its Golden Harvest Collection of three all-new doughnuts: Maple Buttercream, Oatmeal Kreme and Salted Caramel Cheesecake. In addition, the Spiced Apple Filled doughnut returns for the season. And pumpkin fans were able to have their fix, too.  The Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed made a comeback over the weekend.