Here we are heading into a new season (unofficially, at least), and the big burger chains are launching some major menu items to mark the occasion. See what Arby’s, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, Panera Bread, and Taco Bell have to tantalize your taste bus. Then check out the new and returning snacks…
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s new Primal Menu: Featuring plant-based protein from Beyond Meat.
Arby’s serves up a Wagyu Burger
A first for a couple of reasons: Until now, Arby’s has billed all its grab-and-go entrées as ‘sandwiches’ (see photo, top of page). And this is the first time it’s offered the elite Japanese treat, Wagyu beef. The mammoth patty – 6.4 oz. / 180 g patty is 52 percent American Wagyu and 48 percent regular ground beef. It’s topped with American (Processed) cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion and a special sauce, on a toasted brioche bun. Now until July 31, at selected U.S. Arby’s locations.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s new Primal Menu
New mega burgers, wraps and hacks that will satisfy the biggest appetites. Conmci9der the Beyond Wraptor Burger (featuring a Beyond plant-based patty) with BBQ Sauce, Swiss cheese, fried zucchini, and tomatoes, on a ‘bun’ made up of lettuce. There’s a double patty version, too. Check out the website for all the oversized details on the Primal Angus Thickburger, the Primal Burrito and the Primal Biscuit with Fried Egg.
Lobster Mac n’ Cheese is back
At Panera Bread! Tremendously popular when it first appeared almost three years ago, Lobster Mac n’ Cheese hasn’t been seen since – until now.
It’s available in a chowder bowl serving or the classic Lobster roll (on a soft New England-style bun), at 200 selected Panera locations in the U.S. Northeast now – for a limited time, again.
Taco Bell tests Grilled Cheese Biscuit
The Bell has tested a biscuit before, but this time, it’s a deluxe buttermilk biscuit featuring a topping of grilled (melted) Cheddar, Mozzarella and Pepper Jack cheeses. It’s available for a limited time at several Knoxville, TN locations, both by itself and as a Sausage Biscuit breakfast sammy.
Ritz and OREO in sweet-salty colab
Snack aficionados insist that ‘sweet-and-salty’ is the ultimate flavour mashup. Now, for a limited time, they can get it in an exotic OREO/Ritz Cracker creation featuring…
…one Ritz, one OREO chocolate wafer cookie and not one but two layers of stuff: original Vanilla and Peanut Butter. Available only at the special occasion website. While supplies last.
Lay’s Original Flamin’ Hot back by popular demand
The Flamin’ Hot collab that started it all for Lay’s spicy chips is back – in response to a petition raised by stalwart fans. Some 23,000 fans complained that the new flavour formulation of the Lay’s iconic hit was too limey, and demanded the original flavour be brought back. Ask, and ye shall be given.
General Mills intros two new Cheerios flavours…
Following in the footsteps of other GM cereals (see Cinnamon Toast Crunch, below), ancient and honourable Cheerios is trying out two new flavours:
Banana Caramel and Honey Vanilla. Great sweet snacks! But they’re around for a limited time only.
… Treats pop-and-crunch snackers
Like bite-sized goodies you can just pop in your mouth and crunch? General Mills has just released new Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rolls Cereal. It’s primarily intended for the bowl in the morning. But I’m sure it will also find a following with the screen-glued snacker population. Just the latest Cinnamon Toast Crunch variant in a long and growing line…
And that’s the skinny…
… On what will be making some of us a little fatter heading into summer next month. See you right back here in 7 for the next edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.