Back in the 1970s, marijuana enthusiasts designated 4/20 as a day to celebrate pot smoking and drum up support for legalization. It has since evolved from a counterculture holiday into a commercial event, and restaurants have joined other businesses with promotional tie-ins—a practice that endures even though weed is now legal in many states.
As potheads roll up joints this Thursday, these concepts are rolling out specials to satisfy customers’ munchies.
Jack in the Box ties into the 2008 movie Pineapple Express, featuring a marijuana dealer as a central character. On 4/20, the fast-food chain is bringing back its Pineapple Express Shake for $4.20 and introducing the Pineapple Express Red Bull Infusion, a blend of pineapple and passion fruit. On the food side, there’s a Pineapple Express Chicken Sandwich in test at select locations; it’s layered with smokey pineapple barbecue sauce, fire-roasted pineapple and bacon on a pineapple Hawaiian bun.
Jack in the Box is also parking its Pineapple Express truck at a few California spots where guests can score a free Edible Assortment on Thursday. But those who can’t make it can snag a $2 Pineapple Express air freshener at more than 2,000 Jack in the Box stores.
Fuku and Dough Doughnuts, two “munchies-friendly” concepts, have teamed up to create the Wake + Bacon Sando. From 4/20-4/30, fans, stoned or not, can try the all-day breakfast LTO at two New York City Fuku locations. It’s a combo of habanero-brined fried chicken, egg, bacon, waffle hash browns and Fuku mayo, all sandwiched inside a Sichuan-chili-glazed doughnut from Dough Doughnuts.
Fuku and Dough Doughnuts partnered for the Wake + Bacon Sando , a pothead's dream. /Photo courtesy of Fuku.
Fatburger is partnering with Kiva Confections, a producer of cannabis edibles, to roll out a limited-edition cannabis-infused ketchup. The condiment contains 10 mg of THC and is available for purchase at participating Artist Tree and Sweet Flower cannabis dispensaries in Los Angeles. On Thursday, Fatburger is offering its own smokin’ deal to online customers—a classic burger for $4.20.
Velvet Taco's 4/20 WTF is the 420 Blazin' Taco, a mash-up of spicy, sweet and crunchy. /Photo courtesy of Velvet Taco.
Velvet Taco is returning its 420 Blazin’ Taco as the WTF (Weekly Taco Feature). On the menu from 4/19 through 4/25, the 420 taco is stacked with mac and cheese, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos chicken tenders, red chili aioli and fruity pebbles—a mash-up of spicy, sweet and crunchy ingredients in a flour tortilla.
Zalat Pizza is celebrating the day with its annual 4/20 pizza, The Drunken Masterclass. The combo of a crispy-chewy crust topped with mozzarella, beef pepperoni, salami, Italian sausage, jalapenos, a load of red onions, cracked black pepper and two sides of Sriracha. The pizza was conceived by Zalat’s team after several rounds of mezcal and “it’s absolutely amazing after you’ve had a few,” said founder and CEO Khanh Nguyen in a statement. Chances are it also hits the spot when you’re stoned.
Wings Over is offering CBD-Infused Garlic Parm on tots, wings, tenders and tender sandwiches on April 20 only. The Garlic Parm dry rub is crafted to deliver a burst of flavor, with a touch of CBD oil for a special twist.
Smoothie King launched a lineup of six bowls that the chain claims will cure the munchies. Three of the new bowls have an acai base and three, a pitaya base, both of which can be topped with fresh fruit, drizzly peanut butter, honey and granola. On 4/20, consumers can get 420 points when ordering through the Smoothie King app at all 1,100 locations.
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