National Cookie Day celebrations, a Subway Cookie Pop-up, a Burger King birthday, a flood of seasonal beverages and specials, a new Quarter Pounder for Canada, a Wagyu Beef vending machine… All this and more in today’s Fast Food Week roundup!
Burger King celebrates a birthday
It’s the 37th birthday of the Whopper, and BK Rewards members can get a classic Whopper for just (US)$0.37 today at participating locations in the U.S. (except Alaska and Hawaii).
That’s a pretty good deal, considering the Whopper is usually priced at over $7 wherever you dine. The deal can be accessed by Rewards members via the app or at bk.com.
McD’s Canada Rolls out new Quarter Pounder
Crispy Onion sticks aren’t just for holiday feast Green Bean Casseroles anymore! McDonald’s Canada is blessing Canadian fans with a new limited-time gem: The Bacon ‘N Crispy Onion Quarter Pounder (see photo, top of page). Love those Crispy Onions! The usual patty is topped with hickory-smoked bacon, the aforementioned crispy onions, a creamy grilled onion sauce, two slices of cheese, ketchup, mustard and pickles on McD’s signature sesame seed bun. For high school football linebackers and construction workers (and anyone else with a big appetite) there’s also a Double.
Wingstop flys a new flavour
WingStop is introducing an Asian-inspired flavour: Orange Szechuan. The zippy sauce incorporates mandarin oranges, soy sauce and Szechuan peppers.
It’s available for a limited time on classic wings, boneless wings, bone-in thighs and Thigh Bites. Given the popularity of similar sauces at Panda Express, it’s a pretty sure bet.
Ferrero blasts out seasonal specials
The folks who introduced themselves to North America a few decades ago with their signature Rocher hazelnut & Nutella chocolates – have unveiled their 2021 holiday specialties menu. Brands involved run the gamut from Nutella and Ferrero to Kinder, Butterfinger, Crunch and TicTac. Look for them in the seasonal sweets section at your favourite supermarket, department store or drug store.
Tim Horton’s reprises seasonal bevs
‘Canada’s Coffee Shop’ has announced its 2021 premium Yuletide beverage lineup. U.S. Horton’s outlets will offer up a Holiday Tree Donut, a Peppermint Hot Chocolate, a Peppermint Mocha Latte and a Peppermint Mocha Iced Capp.
They’ve also commenced dispensing their wares in their new holiday beverage cups and doughnut boxes. Let the party begin! At participating Horton’s in the U.S.
McCafé dusts off Peppermint Mocha…
McDonald’s premium McCafé menu has a new limited-time member: the seasonal favourite Peppermint Mocha. To refresh your memory: it’s a blend of espresso, milk, and chocolate peppermint syrup, topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. At participating McDonald’s outlets.
…Brings back Holiday Pie
McD’s is also bringing back its classic Holiday Pie for the Yule season. It’s a special Sugar Cookie crust filled with pastry cream (Vanilla Custard) and topped with white icing and multi-coloured sprinkles.
It’s been a perennial favourite for years. The filling makes the treat! Bet you can’t eat just one… At participating McD’s outlets.
Reese’s breaks a new-product sweat…
Reese’s is cupping a other new flavour for the holidays. It’s a natural marriage of classic flavours: Peanut Butter and Potato Chips! Finally! It’s been staring us all in the face for years and nobody noticed – until now.
There’s been no big announcement from Reese’s, but it’s expected the new PB Cups will be available at all the usual outlets.
… Pillsbury cooks up Reese’s Cookie Dough
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, to be precise. It’s made to be baked, but can also be eaten raw. Because they knew you would be tempted beyond your the limits of your willpower.
I know a couple of households where they’ll go through half a dozen dough ‘sausages’ a week as long as the product is available!
Novelty Alert! Subway celebrates Cookies
Subway is celebrating National Cookie Day and their own cookies in a big way with a pop-up ‘Cookieway’ store in New York City. Today is the big day, and those who visit the shop at 91 Allen St. on the Lower East Side between 1 and 5 p.m. today or tomorrow will be gifted with a free 6-pack of cookies and have a chance to try some new flavours including Double Chocolate and M&Ms. A full line of Subway merchandise will also be available. The official Cookieway menu features 9 flavours that have already been showcased in Subway shops.
Novelty Alert! Lobster & Butter Candle
Just in time for Christmas on the coast: A scented candle that makes your home smell like freshly steamed Lobster with drawn butter. It’s ‘Hand poured in Maine by Seawicks’, and is available from Get Maine Lobster for $24.99.
Thew thing has an amazing 65-hour burn time and has a special QR code on the back you can scan to access a collection of authentic Maine lobster recipes.
International Novelty Alert! Wagyu Beef Vending Machine
You’d expect new vending machines to be selling yet another inexpensive snack item. But there’s at least one such machine in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, which doles out genui9ne Wagyu Beef cuts, vacuum packed and frozen, and restocked every day for freshness.
According to SoraNews24 TV, the machine offers options such as, “hamburger steaks (1,500 yen [US$13.04]), shoulder roast (1,800 yen), thinly sliced shoulder roast for yakiniku (1,700 yen), as well as sirloin steak (1,600 yen).” It’s either a secret test marketing exercise or a stunt by the Yutaka Beef Brand Promotion Council.
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little fatter and jollier this holiday season. See you right back here in 7 for the next edition of Fast Food Week!
Maggie J.