Menu news of the week

Chefs and R&D teams are launching new menu items at a fast clip. Here’s a roundup of the most recent introductions and menu news.

New seasonal menu items at Quaker Steak & Lube highlight flavors of the Southwest. On offer are Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with cream cheese, topped with housemade pico de gallo and served with white queso for dipping; Southwest Chicken Salad with a garnish of spicy habanero-dusted tortilla strips; Tequila Lime Chicken; Southwest Chicken Sandwich; and a Queso Jack Burger. Several new beverage options were also introduced, created to pair well with the Southwest-themed food. The Pineapple Jalapeno ‘Rita and the Ginger Lime ‘Rita are spicy variations on the classic margarita, while the Paloma is a mix of tequila and Mexican grapefruit soda.

Spice is also the star at Buffalo Wings & Rings this fall. New on the menu is Spicy Korean Shrimp sauced with gochujang and served over Korean barbecue slaw with jalapenos and cilantro. For guests who want their shrimp a little less hot, there’s an Old Bay Shrimp Basket served with Buffalo garlic medium sauce.

Sixteen new food and drink items were introduced by Rosa Mexicano, several reflecting  ingredients that Technomic has been tracking as trending on menus. Filete Con Hongos, for example, is a pan-seared fillet mignon with wild mushroom tequila crema and nopales. Nopales are edible cactus leaves that are thought to be a natural enhancement to physical, mental and emotional health. Also on the roster are Quesadillas de Huitlacoche, the latter a corn fungus with a mushroomy flavor; Panza Tacos made with braised pork belly over plum chipotle sauce topped with jicama gooseberry salsa and Pescado Yucatan, a white fish marinated in annatto and steamed in banana leaves are two other additions with on-trend flavors.

The quick-service burger chain is testing plant-based items at select locations in Raleigh, N.C. and Kansas City, Mo. Appearing on the breakfast menu is a Beyond Breakfast Sausage Biscuit, and for later in the day, there’s the Original Beyond Thickburger, featuring a charbroiled plant-based patty topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles and condiments on a toasted bun. Meanwhile, sister concept Carl’s Jr. is focusing on beef burgers. The chain debuted The Really Big Carl, an LTO featuring three charbroiled beef patties, classic sauce, three slices of American cheese and lettuce on a sesame seed bun.