Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh… To McDonald’s, Shake Shack, Popeye’s, Taco Bell, Checkers & Rally’s, or maybe even Starbuck’s? All these big names in Fast Food have something special for fans to drool over this week.
Taco Bell’s new Cravings Menu: To kick off 2024…
MAINS
McDonald’s reprises the Double Big Mac
It’s been 5 years since they last served the DBM. Starting January 24, you’ll be able to get the 4-patty Big Mac again (see photo, top of page). The too-tall burger benefits from McD’s much touted ‘Better Burger’ drive, with a softer bun, new grill settings for a better sear, and a more gooey-fying cheese melt. “We think we’re going to be able to deliver a great tasting large burger at a superior value to what [customers] can get anywhere else,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski told CNN.
Popeye’s offering free wings for Super Bowl
They’re at it again this year! the Louisiana Kitchen is cooking up a ton of free wings at participating outlets in USA and Canada. If a football team that has wings in its name, logo, or on its mascot wins the big game in February. That would be Baltimore, Philadelphia or Buffalo. Oh, yeah: You have to order online or via the app, on that day. The freebie is a nice 6-piece order…
Shake Shack goes ‘Swicy’ Korean
That’s not the same as ‘goes top Korea’. They’re just adding Korean style sweet-and-spicy items to the menu. There’s a Korean Style Fried Chicken sandwich, a Korean BBQ Burger, Spicy Korean BBQ Fries, and Spicy Korean BBQ Cheese Fries.
Sweet, spicy – and umami. Between the buns, you’ll find authentic Korean ingredients including Kimchi and swicy Gochujang glaze. At all Shacks across the chain, for a limited time only.
Taco Bell unveils new Cravings Menu
The Bell has taken the wraps off a whole new ‘Under $3’ Cravings menu as its big kickoff to 2024. And it’s a big menu in all respects. The list includes: a Double Stacked Taco; a Stacker; a Cheesy Double Beef Burrito; Loaded Beef Nachos; a 3-Cheese Chicken Flatbread Melt and a Chicken Enchilada Burrito. And there are 4 additional Vegetarian options!
Starbuck’s strives to be different for Winter 2024
The premium coffee (and snacks) guys have hatched a select 2024 Winter special menu featuring 3 new munchies and 2 new coffees.
Bite into the Potato, Cheddar & Chive Bake, the Vanilla Bean Custard Danish or the Chicken, Maple Butter & Egg Sandwich. And wash it down with a Pistachio Cream Cold Brew or a Pistachio Latté.
Checkers and Rally’s Rolls out new Bacon Pepper Jack Buford…
What a mouthful! The New Boo features two beef patties, two slices of pepper jack cheese, two slices of bacon…
…chopped bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, mayo, and Sweet & Smoky BBQ sauce. Available across both chains, for a limited time.
… Adds new Wild West, Sweet Onion burgers
Check out the new Wild West Burger and Sweet Onion Burger. The WW is built on a toasted Sesame Seed bun starting with a beef patty and topped with smoky BBQ sauce, American (Processed) cheese, and crispy onions. The SO starts with the same bun and patty, but tops off with sweet onion sauce, diced red onions, and crispy onions. Available now, for a limited time, at participating locations.
SNACKS
COSTCO comes through on Mega-Cookie
It was not rumour. COSTCO has officially announced it’s ditching its food court Churro in favour of a new, 750-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookie. The Double Chocolate Chunk cookie is priced at $2.49. Making it a great dessert to follow the legendary $1.50 Hot Dog!
NOVELTIES
McDonald’s fries up Pineapple Fritters down under
That’s right… Pineapple Fritters! What a concept! One first glance, you might think you’re getting a classic doughnut (complete with hole). Or maybe a giant Onion Ring. …
… But it’s a pineapple ring, thickly breaded and deep fried. Reading the word ‘Fritter’, I expected something like an Apple Fritter, but with pineapple flavour and pineapple chunks. Ah, well… Just proves there are still new pineapple horizons for the Fast Food sector to explore!
KFC cooks up ‘Molten Cheese’ Pie in Japan
It looks like a regular American Fast Food Hand Pie. But it’s stuffed with melty cheese sauce made with cheddar, cream cheese, and Camembert. It stars in a tag-team appearance with the returning Cheese Drenched Chicken Sandwich. It’s showered with five types of cheese, including Cheddar, cream cheese, Gouda, Emmental, and Parmesan, plus a black pepper cheese sauce. Again… Why do they only get great stuff like this in Japan???
And that’s the Skinny…
… On what’s going to be providing added Calories, salt, sugar and fat for some of us over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next over-indulgent edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.