Restaurant menus continue to go through a seasonal switch this week, with flavor and color both playing a part in freshening the lineup. Spicy, fruity and lighter flavor profiles are trending, and green is popping out all over for St. Patrick’s Day.
Panera Bread turns its signature bread bowl green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, filling it with its best-selling mac & cheese and prompting the fast casual to rename the menu item the Pot of Gold Bread Bowl. It’s available for a limited time in select markets, including Chicago, New York City, Boston and St. Louis. The chain is also holding a Panera Pot of Gold Sweepstakes from Sunday through March 21. Fans just have to text LUCKY to #31261.
Beverages are wearing the green at Dutch Bros. The Emerald Rebel is an energizing mix of blue raspberry, kiwi, sweet cream and the chain’s Rebel energy, while the Lucky Mint Shake sweetens the palate with brownie pieces and a soft top crown. Over at Biggby Coffee, the Chocolate Covered Leprechaun and Sweet Foam Irish Cream Cold Brew celebrate St. Patrick. All four drinks are available for a limited time.
Biggby Coffee's St. Patrick's Day drinks. | Photo courtesy of Biggby Coffee.
And Scooter’s Coffee locations are offering The Leprechaun, a blended emerald green drink with an ice cream base, white mocha and cool mint, topped with whipped cream and chocolate mint pieces. Kids can order a Lil’ Leprechaun in a smaller size. There’s also a Lucky Charms Latte, a marshmallow and vanilla latte with a topping of colored marshmallow shapes.
In a fiery twist on surf ‘n turf, Panda Express launched Firecracker Steak and Shrimp, on the menu through May 27. The colorful new item features sirloin steak and succulent shrimp, wok-tossed with red and yellow bell peppers, onions, string beans and whole dry chili peppers for a shot of heat. Panda’s signature firecracker sauce, a combo of fermented black beans and additional dry chili peppers, adds more spice. Each serving also boasts 18 grams of protein.
Elote fits with Lime Fresh's street food slant. | Photo courtesy of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill.
Street food specialist Lime Fresh Mexican Grill introduced four new appetizers, three quesadillas and Mahi Mahi Tacos to the menu. Starters include Chicken Empanadas, Portobello Empanadas, Elote Street Corn and loaded Nachos with lime-seasoned tortilla chips, black beans, queso, lime crema, pickled jalapeños, pico de gallo, guacamole and cilantro. The quesadilla additions are a Vegetarian version with grilled portobellos, a Carne Asada Quesadilla featuring grilled skirt steak and smoky kimchi aioli, and a Classic Quesadilla with grilled chicken or ground beef, all topped with cotija cheese.
Wayback Burgers is getting wrapped up in wraps, debuting a new Wayback Wraps category with three snack-sized entries, starting at $2.99. Chicken Bacon Ranch is filled with a crispy breaded chicken tender, bacon lettuce, tomato and ranch dressing, while Zesty Chipotle Chicken seasons the chicken tender with Cajun spice and uses chipotle mayo as a condiment. The Loaded Burger Wrap features a half-patty topped with cheese, pickles, fries and ketchup.
Two spicier sandwiches join the lineup at Firehouse Subs. | Photo courtesy of Firehouse Subs.
The Spicy Dill Hook & Ladder and Zesty Garlic Hook & Ladder are two hot new LTOs from Firehouse Subs. The sandwich chain partnered with Hot Ones, the hot wing celebrity interview series, to fire up the menu. The Spicy Dill sub features smoked turkey, honey ham, melted pepperjack cheese, Firehouse Hero Sauce and the Last Dab Dill Pickle—a pickle plank marinated in Hot Ones’ Last Dab Reaper Edition hot sauce. For the tamer customer, the Zesty Garlic Hook & Ladder has the same meats and cheeses layered with garlic chips, mayo and Hot Ones’ Garlic Fresno Hot Sauce.
A collection of limited-time items is on offer at McAlister’s Deli, starting with the Turkey French Dip. It features roast turkey and Swiss on a toasted baguette, served au jus. For soup fans, there’s Kickin’ Crab Chowder, a blend of diced crab and roasted corn with bell peppers, potatoes and a garnish of green onions. Cajun Spice Potato Chips and Godiva Double Chocolate Cheesecake baked with chunks of milk chocolate topped with chocolate mousse, ganache and chocolate whipped cream complete the lineup.
The Dill-icious Diva is back at Chicken Salad Chick through the end of May. The spring chicken salad flavor combines chopped fresh dill and crisp cucumbers with the chain’s signature chicken salad. It was first introduced 10 years ago as part of the brand's Pick a New Chick Contest, originally created by customer Jennifer Kirkland of Tallahassee, Florida.
Tilapia Southern-style at Cotton Patch Cafe. | Photo courtesy of Cotton Patch Cafe.
From chicken to seafood, Cotton Patch Cafe launched its limited-time Herb-Crusted Pecan Tilapia. The tilapia filets are herb-breaded, pan-seared and topped with a crunchy pecan and maple glaze. For $16.29, guests can choose two sides with the entree, including Southern vegetables like black-eyed peas and fried okra. And Lion’s Choice returned its Crispy Cod Sandwich, available every Friday through the Lenten season. The cod is fried golden brown and topped with Swiss cheese and tartar sauce on a buttery sesame bun.
The March Pancake of the Month at IHOP is Bananas Foster. Each order comes with four buttermilk pancakes filled with sliced fresh bananas and topped with banana slices and rich, brown sugar-enhanced Foster sauce. The Ulti-Mint Milkshake is also available this month, made with vanilla ice cream, mint syrup and chocolate chips.
March is also National Nutrition Month and Bibibop Asian Grill is spotlighting protein and its preservative-free, gluten-free menu. Recent additions include Lemon Turmeric Rice, Honey Citrus Kale and Miso Glazed Salmon. The dishes are called out for their nutritional benefits, which include antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B-12 and immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill has introduced a couple of cocktails, three entrees and a dessert for spring. On the drinks list are Springtime Sangria hand shaken with white wine, liqueurs, pineapple juice, mint and Sprite, and a Strawberry Limoncello Martini. Entrees include Lemon Cream Asparagus Linguine, Shrimp Scampi and Tuscan-Grilled Lamb Chops. For dessert, there’s Limoncello Bread Pudding.
Dippers are on order at California Tortilla, specifically Taquito Dippers. The new item features a pair of 6-inch rolled flour tortillas stuffed with shredded grilled chicken, jack cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, green chilies and spices, then fried and served with two sauces. During the NCAA basketball tournament from March 25-April 7, guests can test their hoop skills for a chance to win free taquitos, chips and queso or burritos.
Sneakers inspired by Milk Bar desserts. | Photo courtesy of Dr. Scholl's.
Bakery concept Milk Bar is also mounting a spring promotion, tying in with Dr. Scholl’s shoes. The Dr. Scholl’s Shoes x Milk Bar collaboration brings together fun and flavor with five sneakers inspired by a signature Milk Bar dessert, including Birthday Cake, Cereal Milk, Cornflake Crunch, Pretzel-y Choco Chip and Red Velvet Cheesecake. The sneaker colors put a spring in each step.
And the Human Bean is also sporting spring colors and a relaxing vibe, this time in the cup. Lavender Breve blends espresso and lavender into a creamy, steamed drink, while Lavender Cold Foam Matcha combines earthy matcha with an airy topping of lavender cold foam. And Little Beans Lucky Cloud is flavored with blue raspberry and watermelon topped with a cloud of cream for a colorful
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