New menu items ring in the new year at Burger King, Dave's Hot Chicken and Wayback

It’s the end of December, and while some chains continue to tout holiday specials, others are planning for the long winter ahead. Melts, loaded fries, mac and cheese and other warm and cozy foods are making their debut. Sweets are also in abundance, with cookies and pastries ready to satisfy cravings. Take a look at what’s trending on menus this week.

BK Melts are back at Burger King, toasty and oozing with gooey cheese. Three varieties are available, starting with the Classic Melt—two slices of toasted bread layered with two Whopper Jr. patties, American cheese, caramelized onions and Stacker Sauce. The Shroom n’ Swiss features the two Whopper Jr. patties, Swiss cheese, roasted mushrooms and Royal Sauce, while the Bacon Melt changes up Swiss for American and swaps in crispy bacon, caramelized onions and Stacker Sauce. On the sweet side, cinnamon-sugar-dusted BK Churro Fries return to the menu.

Melts are also on the menu at Wayback Burgers, running through the end of February. The Spicy Melt ($8.99) is composed of two grilled beef patties topped with pepperjack cheese, crispy fried onions and a green chili aioli, sandwiched between an inverted, grilled, buttered bun. Garlic Romano Fries ($3.99) are a new side choice; the fries are tossed in garlic and Romano cheese seasoning. The seasonal shake is Mint Chocolate Chip ($6.49), a blend of vanilla ice cream infused with mint flavoring and chocolate chips, then topped with whipped cream. 

Top-Loaded Fries have arrived at Dave’s Hot Chicken. Hot and crispy fries are piled high with cheese sauce, pickles, kale slaw and Dave’s Bites (small pieces of breaded tenders), then drizzled with Dave’s sauce, a creamy blend of chipotle and mayo. The new loaded fries are available in small, medium and large sizes.

Two Christmas-themed limited-time burgers are on offer at Pincho Burgers + Kebabs. The Naughty Burger features Havarti cheese, watercress, chipotle aioli and Pincho’s signature maduro bacon jam, while the Nice Burger is layered with American cheese, crispy onions, aji aioli and sweet onion bacon jam. Both sell for $11.99.

Buffalo chicken stars in a stir-fry and salad at Honeygrow. The Buffalo Chicken Stir-fry ($13.40) combines whole wheat noodles, roasted chicken, cauliflower, carrots, celery and crispy jalapeños with Honeygrow’s Buffalo sauce, all topped with crumbled blue cheese and a drizzle of ranch dressing. Buffalo Chicken Salad ($13.97) is a toss of chopped romaine, roasted chicken tossed in Buffalo sauce, roasted cauliflower, carrots, celery, crispy jalapeños and crumbled blue cheese, topped with ranch dressing.

Also innovating in the bowl category is Pokeworks, where the OG Poke Bowl launched as an LTO. It features ahi tuna marinated in Pokeworks’ signature umami-rich OG shoyu sauce, a blend of oyster sauce and garlic with a touch of sweetness. Slightly peppery watercress, a nod to Hawaiian cuisine, is another key ingredient, along with sliced white and green onions, sesame seeds and garlic crisps, adding up to multiple layers of texture and flavor.

Taco Cabana is embracing the “swicy” trend with its limited-time Tajin Mango Fried Pie. The filling combines the tropical sweetness of mango with a shot of heat from Tajin seasoning. Coming down the pike in 2025, the chain is leaning into nostalgic favorites with a twist, including white queso nachos and a Philly-style brisket.

The ready-to-eat Holiday Turkey & Dressing Dinner Bundle at Denny’s is geared to family holiday gatherings in the days ahead. The package features carved roasted turkey breast, savory bread stuffing, red-skinned mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce and a choice of a second side: herb-glazed corn, fresh broccoli or creamy mac and cheese. Extra sides, pumpkin, and pecan pie can be purchased a la carte. The bundle starts at $54.99 and feeds four.

Festive dine-in and takeout dishes are on offer at Black Angus Steakhouse. There’s a Grilled 22-ounce Porterhouse ($34.99) served with a choice of two classic sides, with the option to make it surf ‘n turf by adding four wild shrimp for $9 extra. A Crab Cake made with blue crab and served with house-made tartar sauce ($14.99) is available as a starter, and for dessert, there’s Red Velvet Cheesecake ($9.99). Wrapping up the seasonal specials is Supreme Lobster Mac & Cheese, Lobster Truffle Mac and Lobster Bleu Mac, all with a base of the chain’s signature macaroni and cheese.

Mexican Christmas traditions are playing out at Tacodeli where Chile en Nogada Tacos are on the menu. The tacos are made with roasted poblano peppers filled with a blend of Texas Wagyu Akaushi beef picadillo and walnut goat cheese crema, topped with a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds and wrapped in fresh tortillas. Margarita Cookies with a sweet-salty flavor profile and Churro Blondies featuring a layer of dulce de leche are on hand for dessert.

Vegan bakery Cinnaholic has two limited-edition holiday rolls on offer. The Nutcracker Sweet Roll is topped with crème brulee frosting, a trio of Bavarian candied almonds, walnuts and pecans, then dusted with powdered sugar, while the Oh Fudge Roll is topped with chocolate frosting, fudgy cookie dough, chocolate bark, homemade chocolate sauce and holiday sprinkles. Also on the holiday menu are CinnaBites (bite-size cinnamon rolls) with a side of frosting for dipping and Hot Cocoa made with plant-based milk. A Wreath Cake and Dessert Board are also available to feed larger crowds.

Pecan Pie Cookies are available at all Freebirds locations to sweeten the holiday season and beyond. The cookies boast a gooey filling, golden buttery dough, roasted pecans and a hint of sweet caramel, baked until just crispy on the outside with a soft, warm center. 

Through Dec. 31 customers at Vicious Biscuit can score a hot or cold White Peppermint Mocha Latte made with white chocolate, espresso, and peppermint flavor. For those who want a little buzz with their beverage, there’s The Angry Elf, a combo of Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua and Irish whiskey, spiked with peppermint and served over ice with a cinnamon-sugar rim. Either can be paired with a Sweet Potato Biscuit, a warm baked treat with the earthy flavor of sweet potatoes enhanced with cinnamon and brown sugar.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado-based Yampa Sandwich Company introduced two new sandwiches for winter: Chicken Caprese and Philly Roast Pork. The former pairs lightly breaded chicken with fresh mozzarella, pesto, oven-roasted tomatoes and arugula, all on a crisp French baguette, while the latter features thinly sliced herb-roasted pork loin topped with melted provolone, a hint of caper aioli and peppery arugula on a French baguette.