Another triumph for Fast Food diversity! We have noteworthy entries in all of our menu categories again this week. Special shout-outs to new Jif PB & Chocolate spread, Velveeta Queso Dips, and a McD’s Maple Butter Pancake Pie…
Endangerd species: Chipotle’s phenomenally popular Chicken Al Pastor.
The rundown
From the week just passed, in the fast Food Sphere…
Mains
Chipotle running out of Al Pastor
Chipotle is enjoying huge success with its current Chicken Al pastor promotion. In fact it’s so successful, they’re running out of the main ingredient. And to help conserve the bounty for its customers, the chain has asked employees to stop choosing the dish for their own lunch. It’s a simple, elegant dish, consisting of chicken chunks coated with a sauce based on seared morita peppers and ground achiote, accented with pineapple, fresh lime, and cilantro.
Subway Declares Footlong BOGO deal
Subway hasn’t been heard from much lately on the ‘deals’ front. But it’s back with a smokin’ BOGO deal on Footling subs. Order through the app or website through May 13, at participating locations, and you can get a second Footlong sandwich of equal or lesser value free. Use the promo code ‘FLBOGO’ to qualify. Check your app to find the participating location nearest you.
SONIC intros Cheesy Bacon SONIC Stack
There are actually two new Cheesy Bacon Sonic Stacks: the standard and a SuperSONIC version.
The standard delivers: a single beef patty, bacon, 2 slices of American (processed) cheese, pickles, diced onions, ketchup, and mayo, stacked on Texas Toast. The SuperSONIC version adds a second beef patty and a third slice of cheese.
Arby’s rolls out $5 Chicken Wraps
They’re actually 2-FOR-$5, and you can choose from 3 varieties: Ranch, BBQ and Honey Mustard. All are built on a crispy-fried chicken tender with lettuce, cheddar cheese, and the sauce of your choice, rolled in a soft flour tortilla. Judging by the size of them, two of these wraps will constitute a decent meal, even for a big eater.
Carl’s Jr. brings back El Diablo
The popular El Diablo Burger is coming back permanently to Carl’s Jr. And it’s riding in with two hot, new trail buddies: the El Diablo Hand-Breaded Chicken Tender Wrap and El Diablo Loaded Fries.
The wrap is pretty standard: a crispy-fried buttermilk chicken tender, lettuce and cheese, rolled up in a soft flour tortilla. The crucial difference is the Fiery Habañero sauce. The fries get the same sauce plus sauce, cheese and jalapeño slices.
Sides
Jif explores Chocolate Territory
Jif – the iconic American Peanut Butter brand, is branching out. It’s just released a revolutionary (for the PB sector) new PB & Chocolate spread. It reputedly “combines the irresistible deliciousness of Jif Peanut Butter […] with the sweet flavor of chocolate, striking the perfect balance of salty and sweet,” according to product spokesperson. Nicole Massey. Nutella take note! Hard core PB lovers may transfer their affections to this new treat?
Taco Bell asks Secret Aardvark for another dance…
Secret Aardvark is a new-ish hot sauce company that’s been attracting a lot of notice. This time, the Aardvark is dancing with the Bell’s perennial-fave Nacho Fries.
They’re back for the 11th time, for a limited time. In place of the usual hot sauce, nacho fries will be topped with the Aardvark’s Serrabanero flavour.
Beverages
Shake Shack reveals spring shakes
The three new Spring 2024 shakes flavours include: Strawberry Frosted Donut; Chocolate Salted Caramel; and Peaches and Cream. All are generously topped with whipped cream and dressed with various combinations of drizzles and sprinkles.
McDonald’s reprises OREO Frappé
McD’s is bringing back it’s unique OREO Frappé for spring and summer. (See photo, top of page.) Fans will recall it’s mocha frappé blended with ice, OREO cookie pieces, and Cookies & Creme syrup, topped with whipped cream and more cookie pieces. The official announcement says a Large one will hit you with 560 calories. That’s a quarter of your total daily Calorie allowance. Unless you’re a pro athlete or, maybe, a construction worker…
Snacks
Velveeta courts the Queso crowd
Velveeta – the un-sliced version of Kraft Singles – is catering to the Queso crowd with new Tex-Mex sauce/dips. Choose from: Queso Con Salsa, Queso Blanco and Jalapeño.
They’re also shipping two new cheese-and-shells taco kits. And, so no one is left out, there’s also a gluten-free version…
Novelties
Wendy’s new AI systems début
Wendy’s new AI technology has started to appear. The first such installation reported is at a Drive-Thru. A large video screen displays details of your order as you tell it to the system. The system responds intelligently to you in a very sophisticated machine voice. But one reporter cautions, complex orders may still require human intervention.
Krispy Kreme partners with Pokémon
At least, they’re offering a limited-time Pokémon-themed spring collection in South Korea. The set includes 5 filled doughnuts featuring…
… the faces of Includes Pikachu, Ditto, Psyduck, Jigglypuff and Diglett. They’re available in 6- and 12-packs, filled out with Original Glazed sinkers.
McDonald’s Japan rolls out Coffee shop menu
And the star of the show is a never-before-seen Maple Butter Pancake Pie. The only thing this one has in common with previous McHandPies is its size and shape. It’s an opulent 3-layer delight featuring a pancake batter-flavoured filling, Maple Sauce and Salted Butter Sauce. All wrapped up in a crispy chocolate flavoured crust. Agan, I ask: Why do they only get great McStuff like this in Japan?
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to make some of us a little more sluggish over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next calorie-laden edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.