Loads of Mains, Snacks and Beverages this week. Even some nifty Sides. Alas… We have no Novelties, but we’re chock-full, nonetheless! Some unexpected offerings – not the least of which, a new Ramen bowl from Jack In The Box!
The rundown
Indulge yourself in Steakhouse Butter from A1, Cream Cheese Frosting joy from Philly, PB&J M&Ms, and new Voo-Dew from MTN Dew…
Mains
Jack In The Box dipping a toe into Ramen…
Sure. Why not? Everybody’s doing it. Sort of… Anyway, In a surprise launch, JITB is offering a Crispy Chicken Ramen Combo. It’s a nod to Fall ‘Soup Season’… While the official marketing photo also shows a pair of crunchy Egg Rolls, the news release remains silent on that angle. The radically new menu item is currently being tested in San Diego, CA.
… Splashes Honey Garlic Sriracha…
Chicken Wings, that is. They’re bone-in wings, crispy-fried and tossed in, “the perfect blend of sweet heat.” Available in 6-, 12-, and 18-piece straight-up orders, or as part of a new combo meal.
If you hadn’t guessed, it’s a Football Season special. I guess everybody has to have wings for the pigskin parade…
… Bringing back the Bonus Jack
It’s sometimes referred to as Jack’s version of McD’s Big Mac. Because it used to be a two-patty burger with three bun slices. But now it’s a single, topped with American (processed) cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and Secret Sauce, on a toasted bun. Starting at $2.99 (depending on where you live), it’s obviously another entry in the industry-wide Value War.
Panera brings back ‘personal’ bread bowls
Panera is teasing soup lovers with a re-release of its fan-fave Autumn Squash Soup. And it’s adding two more limited-time Fall slurpers: new Hearty Fireside Chili and Rustic Baked Potato Soup.
All are served in Panera’s trademark ‘personal sized’ bread bowls. The Fall menu additions also include three Kids’ sandwiches: Grilled Cheese, Turkey and Cheese and Ham and Cheese.
Sides
Taco Bell collabs on ‘homemade’ hot sauce
The Bell is partnering with Grammy-nominated artist Omar Apollo with Disha Hot Hot Sauce – a family recipe. It’s described as ‘rich and smoky’ and features, “roasted tomatillos, peppers, lime, and a secret spice mix inspired by Disha’s mother.” Available now, for a limited time…
A1 oozing Steakhouse Butter
America’s first name in steak sauce is now shipping ready-mixed Steakhouse Butter for the meat enthusiast in a hurry. The stuff is described as ‘infused with fresh herbs and tangy A1 Steak Sauce’, and ‘a perfect partner to the grill’.
“We know our fans are constantly seeking new ways to recreate the steakhouse experience at home,” says Holland Robinson, Brand Manager, A1.
Beverages
‘The original mocktail’ coming ready-made
The Shirley Temple is widely accepted to have been the original alcohol-free ‘mocktail’. Now, sources at 7-UP say it’s is readying its take on the classic for release just in tie for the year-end Holidays. It’s rumoured to be authentically redolent of lemon-lime, grenadine and cherries. And slated for release in ‘late October’.
MTN Dew brings back its Hallowe’en classic
We refer, of course, to Voo-Dew – with a new mystery flavour for 2024. Once again it’s the colour of an impenetrable fog, in keeping with the ‘mystery’ theme.
For the first time, it’s available at Circle K stores now through Hallowe’en either straight-up, or in a new Voo-Dew Froster – in a limited-edition, color-changing MTN Dew Voo-Dew Froster cup.
Starbuck’s surprises with new Latté
It’s rich, creamy, oaty, aromatized with Pecan – and crunchy! Behold The Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte, based on Starbucks Blonde Espresso and oat milk, with notes of nutty pecan, rich brown butter and holiday baking spices. And it’s finished off with Pecan Crunch Topping. It’s also available Iced. “We’ve got pumpkin, we’ve got apple, and now we’ve got pecan. It’s the [Fall] ‘pie-fecta!’,” says Patrick Penny, Starbuck’s Lead Beverage Developer.
SONIC stirs up Witch’s Brew Slush Float
Aother Hallowe’en special bev – this one a sort of mash-up involving characteristis of several different icy styles. The Granny Smith-coloured drink is officially described as a, “twist on a caramel apple” that’s “sure to become a seasonal favorite.”
I’ll admit, the special, Boba-like, salted-caramel flavour bubbles look like big, dilated eyeballs, especially those floating in the Whipped Cream topping…
Wendy’s presaging snow with Vanilla Frosty?
It’s the first ‘regular’ flavour to be sidelined whenever Wendy’s wants to feature a new limited-edition Frosty. And if you thought it’s been absent from the menu for months, you’re right. Classic Vanilla is back now, for an unspecified limited time. And who knows when we’ll see it again?
Desserts and Snacks
Philly spreads Frosting joy!
‘Philadelphia’ has been the household name in cream cheese for 150 years. Now, it’s finally launching something millions of carrot cake fans have been demanding for decades. Ready-to-spread, official-recipe Cream Cheese Frosting!
And it comes in a 16 oz. / 455 g tub – perfect for one 8 in. / 18 cm cake. Also primo for straight-out-of-the-pint snacking! Coming to all the usual Philly outlets in October.
New Bugles scream Tabasco!
We rarely hear from Bugles classic salty snacks. But when we do – they’re blowing their horn for all it’s worth! This time, it’s collab with another classic: Tabasco Hot Sauce. They’re available now at 7-Eleven stores exclusively, with a general release slated for December.
M&Ms re-imagines a classic
Your next bag of M&Ms could be full of… Nostalgia! The iconic candy is launching another new flavour – and this time it’s Peanut Butter and Jelly! Gabrielle Wesley, Chief Marketing Officer, Mars Wrigley North America, says, “Our new M&M’S Peanut Butter & Jelly taps into a cross-generational staple…”
I love the obvious tie-in: M&Ms PB&J is – finally – a version of the classic PB&J that truly ‘melts in your mouth, not in your hand’!
KitKat does classic Vanilla
KitKat Vanilla is a response to recent polling showing that 89 percent of consumers ‘like’ or ‘love’ the flavour. What could go wrong? “As the brand known for giving fans a break, we’re thrilled to deliver another exciting addition to the KitKat lineup,” enthuses Lindsay Morrow, Senior Associate Brand Manager, KitKat. There’s also a companion contest to launch the new permanent lineup member…
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be helping some of us layer-on additional insulation in preparation for the winter to come. See you back here in 7 for the next ‘fiberglass-pink’ edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.