Several of the major burger/sandwich players are trotting out new menu items. And ‘the rest’ of the usual suspects are reloading trad Lenten faves on their limited-time lists. Lots of action, too, on the Snacks front. But only token entries elsewhere…
Mains
Arby’s brings back Brown Sugar Bacon
Folks loved Arby’s Brown Sugar Bacon sammys when they made their first limited-time appearance back in 2020. Now the unbeatable flavour combo is back in three varieties: Brown Sugar BLT; Roast Beef & Brown Sugar Bacon; and Turkey & Brown Sugar Bacon.
‘Decadent’ is one word that comes to mind. And how could Arby’s go wrong with a perfect storm of Salt, Sugar, Fat and Bacon umami?
KFC brings Chizza home
KFC is bringing its overseas hit, the Chizza, home to North America. They insist “It’s not a Pizza!” But it has many of the hallmarks of the iconic Italian pie… The big difference is, Fried Chicken forms the ‘crust’. But it’s topped with traditional pizza staples: marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Of course, it’s here for a limited time only. They expect is to stampede to the store and demand it. We probably will!
Papa John’s gets back to Pizza Basics
Papa John’s is making a neck-wrenching 180 following its major Super Bowl promo. The new headline deal at PJ’s is 1 large, 1-topping, Original or Thin Crust Pizza at the retro price of $8.99. Which is, nevertheless, a great deal. The usual menu price for Papa John’s 1-topping pie is up around twice that $8.99, depending on your region.The discounted price applies to carry-out orders only, for a limited time.
A&W reels in Quarter Pound Cod sammy
A Lenten favourite is back at the Dubbs in the pre-Easter slot. It’s built on a tasted bun, topped with tartar sauce, shredded lettuce, and pickles.
Simple and classy. Get it as part of a combo meal with fries and a frosted mug of A&W’s signature Root Beer.
Jack In The Box brings back Fish Specialties
The traditional JITB Lenten offerings are back: the classic Fish Wrap and Fish Sandwich. The wrap spotlights a breaded, deep-fried wild-caught Alaskan Pollock strip, shredded cheddar, lettuce, tartar sauce, and pickles rolled in a warm flour tortilla. The new Spicy version adds pickled jalapeños. The sammy is based on an Alaskan Pollock ‘filet’, topped with with tartar sauce and shredded lettuce on a toasted bun.
Checkers and Rally’s stacks Sourdough Melts
There are three new beef-patty sandwiches, all built on thick slices of signature round sourdough bread. Choose from: the Bacon Sourdough Mother Crunch Melt; the Bacon Buford Sourdough Melt; and the Sourdough Double Melt.
Each sammy features its own roster of complementary condiments. Available for a limited time, at participating locations.
Papa John’s gets back to Pizza Basics
Papa John’s is making a neck-wrenching 180 following its major Super Bowl promo. The new headline deal at PJ’s is 1 large, 1-topping, Original or Thin Crust Pizza at the retro price of $8.99. Which is, nevertheless, a great deal. The usual menu price for Papa John’s 1-topping pie is up around twice that $8.99, depending on your region.The discounted price applies to carry-out orders only, for a limited time.
El Pollo Loco brings Shrimp Baskets for Lent
EPL’s Double Baja Shrimp Tostada features a double portion of Baja Shrimp in a tostada shell, topped with with sliced avocado, pinto beans, rice, Monterey Jack cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa fresca, and creamy cilantro dressing.
The Chicken & Shrimp Tostada is mostly the same as the Double Baja Shrimp version but includes one portion of chicken and one of shrimp. You can also get the same tostada with a double portion of chicken and no shrimp.
Sides
McDonald’s saucy collab with Animé world
McD’s is introducing what it calls Savory Chili WcDonald’s Sauce. It’s tribute to, and a collab with Japanese Animé producers Studio Pierrot, who recently featured ‘WcDonald’s’ restos in their cartoons. WcDonald’s Sauce is described as, “a combination of ginger, garlic, and soy sauce with a slight heat from chili flakes.” Available for a limited time, we assume…
Snacks
Krispy Kreme intros Chocomania Collection
There are 4 utterly choc-o-lated versions; 2 rings and 2 filled. Featuring 4 different, elaborate chocolate-themed top decorations.
They’re collabs with Hershey’s – billed as the “chocolatiest” doughnuts KK has ever made. In fact they’re SO good, they’re here for a limited time only. But there’s nothing new about that…
Hostess launches HoneyBun Donettes
They’re described as possessing, “the ‘soft, fluffy texture’ of Donettes mini donuts, covered with the ‘warm cinnamon and sweet vanilla glaze flavor’ of Hostess HoneyBuns.” Coming in early March, in ‘sharable’ bags or single-wraps, at all the usual Hostess outlets.
Jack In The Box mashes-up desserts
JITB dares to cross a french specialty with a Spanish classic! It’s a Churro French Toast Stick, tossed in cinnamon-sugar.
They’re available solo in 3- or 6-piece orders. Or you can get them as part of a breakfast Platter or Combo meal. Now, through April 7, at participating locations.
Smartfood frosts Corn with Chocolate
Smartfood – the brand that made popcorn a headline snack again – has released a new chocolate-coated snack that will remind you, in some ways of Caramel Corn. It’s ‘kettle-coated’ in the same manner. It’s claimed to offer, “…everything there is to love about a chocolate glazed donut, in the ultimate sweet, salty, and crunchy bite.” Looks good. And it features that sure-fire flavour combo of salt, sweet and chocolate…
Novelties
Pizza Hut rolls out Giant Nutella Cookie down-under
Aussies have a real sweet deal coming: A giant, (9 in. / 22.5 cm ?) Nutella cookie. It’s a big, thick vanilla cookie topped with a lattice of Nutella ‘drizzle’.
The Giant Nutella Cookie comes cut into 8 wedges, like a pizza, and is delivered in a pizza-style box. No word about what they’re charging for it…
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little more ‘enriched’ over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next dead-of-winter edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.