Taco Bell, Popeyes and Dave's Hot Chicken double down on flavor
By Patricia Cobe on Oct. 09, 2024Fall menus are all about bigger and bolder flavors, and while heat is part of the story, other flavors are coming into play, too. Look for lavender, bourbon, sesame and curry in new menu items. And restaurant chains continue to release Halloween specials as the holiday draws closer.
Taco Bell
The Double Decker Taco returns to Taco Bell Thursday for a limited time. The indulgent item boasts layers of flavor, starting with abean-filled tortilla wrapped around a taco shell, filled with seasoned beef, fresh lettuce and shredded cheddar cheese, selling at the comeback price of $2.00. There's also a Double Decker Taco Supreme with the addition of diced tomatoes and reduced-fat sour cream for $2.69.
Popeyes
Popeyes expands its chicken sandwich lineup with the new Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich. The crispy, buttermilk-battered boneless chicken breast is served on a butter-toasted brioche bun with barrel-cured pickles, and topped with chili-infused ghost pepper sauce for a fiery kick. For the chain’s Chick or Treat promotion, guests who make a purchase over $5 can score a free Chocolate Chip Biscuit. Also launching this month is new Apple Cranberry Tea or Lemonade.
Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave’s reformulated its Reaper spice blend, intensifying the heat by 50%; it’s available as both a tender and slider. To help heat-seeking fans cool down, the chain also launched a line of Slushers frozen beverages in four flavors: Hi-C Orange Lavaburst, Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch and Minute Maid Strawberry Lemonade.
Krispy Kreme
The Ghostbusters have been called to Krispy Kreme for Halloween. In honor of the movie’s 40th anniversary, the chain created four themed doughnuts: Ghostbusters Cookies N’ Creme Doughnut made with OREOs, the Slimer Doughnut with lemon-flavored green filling, a Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Doughnut Pull-Apart and an Ecto-Sprinkled Doughnut with neon sprinkles. There’s also a chilling new drink, the Slimer’s Slime-ade in ectoplasm green. Guests who wear any Halloween costume into participating shops Oct. 31 can score a free Original Glazed doughnut.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
The Spooky Pizookie returns to BJ's for the season. This Halloween twist on the signature dessert features a cookies ’n’ cream cookie topped with Oreo crumbs and sprinkles along with creamy orange vanilla bean ice cream. A crackable chocolate shell is the final flourish. Also on offer are two new savory dishes: Smothered Steak & Fries and Mandarin Orange Crispy Calamari.
McAlister’s Deli
The Witch’s Brew beverage makes a return Halloween appearance at McAlister’s Deli, joined this year by a Trick-or-Treat Cookie. The lime green Witch’s Brew blends old-fashioned lemonade made with cane sugar and lemon juice, with caramel apple syrup, while the sweet, buttery cookie is sprinkled with orange and purple Halloween colors and has a cream cheese filling.
IHOP
The October Pancake of the Month at IHOP is—you guessed it—made with Halloween candy. Reese’s Pieces Pancakes feature four buttermilk pancakes filled with Reese’s Pieces and topped with chocolate and peanut butter sauces and whipped topping. Also available this month are Scary Face Pancakes. Kids under 12 can get a special deal on them from Oct. 24-31 when an order is free with an adult entrée purchase from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cava
Garlic Ranch Pita Chips are new at Cava—the first flavor variation of the fast casual’s well-loved original pita chips. The chips are flavored with Mediterranean-inspired ranch seasoning, with notes of onion, garlic and paprika combined with Cava’s proprietary herb mix. A chef-curated Steak + Harissa Bowl launches along with the chips, and Pineapple Apple Mint juice returns to the menu.
Jimmy John’s
The Smoked Cheddar Bourbon Club is the latest limited-time addition to Jimmy John’s menu. The sandwich comes in two versions: Roast Beef & Bacon and Turkey & Bacon. Both are layered on fresh-baked French bread with crisp bacon, smoked cheddar cheese and all-new creamy Sriracha bourbon sauce, as well as lettuce, tomato and mayo.
Chester’s Chicken
Bourbon is also trending at Chester’s Chicken in the chain’s new Kentucky Bourbon Bites. Marinated breast chunks are sauced and tossed in Cattlemen's Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Sauce, a blend of oaky bourbon, sweet molasses and warm spices. The item is available on its own for $7.49 or as a Bites Combo featuring eight chicken bites, a small side and a honey butter biscuit for $10.19.
Pret a Manger
Fall brings two new menu categories to Pret a Manger: Melts and Quiches. The former includes a BBQ Pulled Pork Melt, Buffalo Chicken Melt, and Roasted Mushroom & Swiss Melt, while the two quiches are Broccoli, Cheddar & Chive and Spinach & Fontina, both vegetarian. Also launching is an Italian Chicken Salad with pesto chicken, crispy soppressata, creamy burrata, cucumber, grape tomatoes, red onions, red peppers and mesclun, as well as a Lemon Arugula Side Salad. The lineup is finished off with BBQ Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese and a Power Breakfast Frittata on the food side, and Pumpkin Pie Latte and Churro Latte on the beverage front.
Tropical Smoothie Café
The Lavender Shimmer Smoothie brings an on-trend flavor to the menu at Tropical Smoothie Café. It is a blend of blackberry and lavender with pineapple and coconut, accented by a touch of silver shimmer sugar to add sparkle. On Oct. 18, roller skaters at the Miami Gardens café location will be handing out free samples ahead of a concert weekend at nearby Hard Rock Stadium. There will also be live music, free hair tinsel and braid bar, temporary tattoos, giveaways and more.
Melting Pot
Oktoberfest is going strong at Melting Pot with a German-inspired Oktober FondueFest menu. The LTO includes Bavarian Beer Cheese Fondue paired with premium dippers such as soft pretzels, grilled bratwurst, braised short rib, summer sausage and more, along with a choice of fresh salad and a sweet ending of Black Forest Chocolate Fondue.
Del Taco
Del’s Mucho Meal$ made their debut at Del Taco. Four value-driven items are on offer: the $4.49 Snack Taco Mucho Meal with two snack tacos, a mini cinnamon churro, small crinkle-cut fries and 16-ounce fountain drink; the $5.49 B&C Burrito Mucho Meal combining a Bean & Cheese Burrito with choice of red or green sauce, a Grilled Chicken Taco, a mini cinnamon churro, small crinkle-cut fries and 16-ounce fountain drink; $6.49 Double Taco Mucho Meal with The Del Taco, a Grilled Chicken Taco, a mini cinnamon churro, small crinkle-cut fries and 16-ounce fountain drink; and the $7.49 Chicken Lover’s Mucho Meal, complete with a Grilled Chicken Taco, Chicken Cheddar Roller with choice of green sauce, ranch or chipotle, and a Snack Queso Quesadilla, rounded out with the same mini cinnamon churro, small crinkle-cut fries and fountain drink.
Taco John’s
Taco John’s introduces Fiesta Softshell Tacos. Guests get their choice of grilled white meat chicken or hand-cut sirloin steak wrapped in a soft flour tortilla and topped with creamy, tangy, slightly hot fiesta sauce, plus house-made pico de gallo, a four-cheese blend, and shredded lettuce. As a limited-time offer, Fiesta Softshell Tacos are priced two for $5.
Zaxby’s
The fan-favorite Asian Zensation Zalad returns to Zaxby’s. The salad is a toss of freshly chopped mixed greens, red cabbage, carrots and crispy wonton strips, topped with either hand-breaded chicken fingers or marinated grilled chicken strips, Asian slaw and a drizzle of honey sesame teriyaki sauce. It’s served with citrus vinaigrette and a hand-rolled Veggie Egg Roll on the side.
Round Table Pizza
Round Table Pizza teamed up with Idaho Potatoes to launch Parmesan Idaho Potato Wedges, an appetizer served with a side of ranch for dipping. The potato wedges can be ordered on their own or along with Mozzarella Sticks and Jalapeno Poppers in a Dragon’s Bounty Shareable Platter.
Sixty Vines
To celebrate Halloween, Sixty Vines is hosting a four-week wine and Halloween candy tasting. Each week in October guests can discover a new varietal paired with candy classics, such as Pinot Noir with Twizzlers, Rosé with Starburst and Cabernet Sauvignon with Almond Joy. The eco-friendly concept serves all its wine on tap.
Wings & Rings
Curry Garlic and Pumpkin Chile join the sauce selection at Wings & Rings for fall. Both sauces are accompanied by specialty toppings—freshly sliced jalapenos with the Curry Garlic and crunchy pepitas with the Pumpkin Chile. In addition, the sports bar chain is introducing an LTO of Chorizo Loaded Fries and Nachos as a shareable geared to game- day eating.
Graeter’s
Small batch, limited-edition holiday flavors are being released by Graeter’s, the Cincinnati-based craft ice cream brand. Available now are Pumpkin and Cinnamon, and coming Nov. 1 are Eggnog and Peppermint Stick. All are sold at Graeter’s scoop shops and online for nationwide shipping. On National Dessert Day Monday, Graeter’s is giving away 100 free “Festive Flavors” ice cream pint packs, no purchase necessary.