Fast Food Week: Quick Service Restaurant And Snacks News!

A fairly diverse selection of Mains, Bevs and Snacks this week. Some Valentine’s specials linger. More St. Paddy’s Day menu items arrive… Popeye’s brings back its iconic Flounder Sandwich for Lent. And the BK Whopper Gets a $1 Million makeover!

Firecracker Shrimp - © 2024 - Panda ExpressPanda Express’ fan fave Firecracker Shrimp

Herewith, find your Weekly Fast Food ‘Fun’-down…

Mains

Panda Express brings back Firecracker Shrimp

They came ‘Back with a Bang’ earlier this week. In fact, they were spotlighted as a Valentine’s Day special. But  they’ll remain available, across the chain, for a further, unspecified limited time. In case you weren’t familiar… The official product description reads: “Seared wok-fired shrimp, fresh vegetables and the bold flavors of Sichuan cuisine.” My kind of ‘Asian’…

Taco Bell unveils 2024 menu updates

There’s a whole passle of them, from Baja Blast cream Pie to a Chocolate Ice Cream waffle Taco, to a new multi-item Cantina Chicken Menu. One of my faves is the new Avocado Verde Sauce. And perhaps the highlight of the new crop: the Cheesy Street Chalupas: Twin flatbreads stuffed with a blend of mozzarella and pepper jack cheeses; folded, fried and filled with slow-roasted chicken or grilled steak, sauce, onions and cilantro…

Popeye’s reprises Flounder Sandwich

It’s a flounder filet marinated in Popeye’s signature Louisiana herbs and spices, battered and deep-fried…

Flounder Sandwich - © 2024 - Popeye's

Topped with pickles and Classic Tartar sauce on a toasted brioche bun. The spicy version subs out the tartar sauce in favour of a ‘Spicy Spread’. It’s here through Lent.

Wing Stop brings back Hot Honey Rub

The stuff rings in at ‘3’ on the 5-flame Wing Stop spicy scale. That’s about my speed. You can get it on Wing Stop’s chicken sandwiches, classic wings, boneless wings, or tenders. At participating locations nationwide, for a limited time, while supplies last.

Beverages

Del Taco floats Double Strawberry Poppers

Get them in a new Strawberry Lemonade an a new Strawberry Sprite. Also in two new Strawberry Shakes.

Double Strawberry Bevs - © 2024 - Del Taco

… AND don’t overlook the new New Birthday Cake Shake, a feature of Del Taco’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Sonic whips up Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake

It starts with plain vanilla soft serve, then gets a handful of strawberries, chocolate flakes and a good whizz in the blender. Then it’s topped with chocolate whipped topping, more chocolate flakes, and a maraschino cherry. Pure indulgence. For a limited time only.

Arby’s revisits its classic Mint Chocolate Shake

It’s back for St. Patrick’s Day. With: Mint-chocolate-flavored syrup; topped with whipped topping, chocolate drizzle and chopped Andes candy pieces. At participating locations across the US.

Snacks

Dunkin’s pemieres new Dunkings Menu

Check out the new bevs and munchies menu, featuring the Dunking’s Munchkins Skewer. It’s a wooden skewer with three assorted Munchkins. You can get it à la carte or as a decoration in any bev. Like a cocktail pick full of olives in a martini.

DunKings Menu - © 2024 - Dunkin'

And don’t miss: DunKing’s Iced Coffee; Hazelnut Heartthrob Iced Coffee; the Everything Encore Breakfast Sandwich; and the Mixed Berry Beats Dunkin’ Refresher. At Dunkin’s locations across the US, for a limited time.

Novelties

Million Dollar Makeover for the BK Whopper!

Burger King is holding a very special contest to find a new look and flavour experience for its iconic Whopper. That’s right! An all-new Whopper…

Whopper Makeover - © 2024 - Burger King

Now through March 17, fans can create their own version of the ‘perfect’ Whopper using AI, at the contest website. And grab a chance to win $1 million! Alas, the contest is open only to US residents.

And that’s the skinny…

… On what’s going to be making some of us a little more sluggish over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next pre-spring edition of Fast Food Week!

~ Maggie J.