A strange absence of ‘Value’ meal deals this week on the FFW menu. Because we’re running into a logjam of seasonal and holiday specials? Plus two newstalgia features: An Orange Cream shake and a Drumstick Peanut Butter cone!
The rundown…
My faves from this week’s select menu? The Long John Silver Coconut Shrimp Basket, the Dairy Queen Jalapeño Cheddar Bites, and for dessert, the Drumstick Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipped Cone!
Mains
Arby’s features new $6.99 Big Crispy Meal
You can choose from a Crispy Fish Sandwich, a Crispy Chicken Sandwich, or a Fish ‘n Cheddar Sandwich, plus either a large fries or a 4-pc. Potato Cakes order, plus a large drink for your $6.99. Arby’s Rewards Members can also get a free Corned Beef Reuben with a $15. regular menu purchase through this weekend, only.
Burger King offers ‘Surf or Turf’
BK is unveiling a new Steakhouse Bacon Whopper – a limited-time special version of the chain’s flagship burger. The giant is based on the big BK toasted sesame seed bun, and a quarter-pound, flame-grilled beef patty, topped with classic A.1. steak sauce, crispy-fried onions, bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy peppercorn aioli… The chain is also reprising it’s Fiery Big Fish sammy for Lent.
Long John Silver’s celebrates with Shrimp…
LJS fans will love that their seafood go-to is offering new Coconut Butterfly Shrimp this Lenten season. It’s just one of a whole netful of new and returning seasonal Shrimp specials.
After last year’s Endless Shrimp debacle that almost sunk Red Lobster, shrimps have hardly shown up at all on seasonal or special menus over the past few months. Not one to be intimidated by ‘curses’, though, LJS is taking the dare to ‘stand out’.
Chipotle débuts updated Honey Chicken
It’s apparently not enough just to have something ‘hot’ on the menu – you have to have the newest, most up-to-date version of the latest hits front and centre. Thus… Chipotle is updating it’s already popular Honey Chicken with a ‘swicy’ version. Available across the US, plus Canada and the UK, for a limited time.
Chick-Fil-A brings back Smokehouse BBQ Bacon
The beloved sammy features an original crispy chicken filet, a spicy crispy filet, or classic grilled filet, topped with brown sugar bacon, Colby Jack cheese, lettuce, and smoky BBQ sauce.
For a limited time starting this coming Monday, March 17. For those who insist, “It isn’t easy, eating green,’ even on St. Patrick’s Day…
DQ observes Lent with return of Pacific Cod
This iconic seasonal fish sandwich is considered one of the Fast Food sector’s best. it’s described as, ‘crispy-fried wild-caught Alaskan Pacific cod served with lettuce and tartar sauce on a soft bun’. The special is available for a limited time, through the Lenten season.
Sides
Dairy Queen brings back Jalapeño Cheddar Bites
These big, crispy ‘bites’ are breaded on the outside, and stuffed inside with melted cheddar, studded with chopped jalapeños.
The perfect accompaniment for any DQ main. And ideal for dipping in Ranch or any other non-spicy, creamy snack dip…
Beverages
Dairy Queen showcases Orange Cream Shake
Another homage to the legendary Creamsicle! This time it’s DQ with an Orange Cream shake. It’s a simple but elegant blend of orange cream flavor and vanilla soft serve, topped with vanilla whipped topping…
‘Just Brine’ – ‘for cocktails and hangovers’
At least that’s what one reviewer says. Pickle giant Claussen is releasing ‘Just The Brine’ for pickle juice lovers.
“After seeing the overwhelming response from fans when we teased the concept last year and all the creative ways people use our brine, we knew we had to make this product a reality,” says Caroline Sheehey, Brand Manager, Claussen.
Desserts & Snacks
Dairy Queen intros Crunchin’ Cookie Cone
This limited-time treat consists of regular vanilla soft serve dipped in an intriguing blue coating with chocolaty cookie pieces. See the DQ website or visit instore to survey all the current ‘secret’ and seasonal specials…
Drumstick updates with Peanut Butter
The classic Drumstick ice cream waffle cone treat has been around for many, many moons. And it’s changed little until now. But tomorrow is coming today with the first new flavour treatment I can remember: Peanut Butter. “We know there are so many peanut butter fans out there, but there aren’t too many peanut butter frozen novelties, and even fewer cones,” observes Brand Manager Elmer Gonzalez.
COSTCO births another dessert giant
It’s a huge 4.8 lb. Tiramisu Cheesecake, and it’s just $24. I say ‘just’, because that works out to a mere 2.40 per 8 oz. / 285 g 750 Cal slice.
Check out our in-depth look at the mammoth indulgence. And decide if it’s your sweet ‘dream’ or ‘nightmare’…
Long John Silver’s gets onboard with O-cream
The ‘dare to be different’ seafood chain is also getting aboard the Orange Cream spring cruise this spring with an Oreo Cookies & Cream Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory Bakery. It’s a limited-time dessert featuring a slice of cheesecake layered with Oreo cookie mousse. Oooh! Mooouse… Of course, they had me at Orange Cream…
Even more FunYun Flavours
FunYuns, the faux-onion rings that already come in 7 crunchy flavours, will release another new fla-vour this month… Sour Cream. There have been 7 FunYuns flavoufs available for limited times over the past few years. And more are scheduled to be revealed later in 2025.
Novelties
Pizza Hut x Hot Sauce = Buldak bliss
Maybe too hot even for many Western chili pepper lovers… But a favourite in Southeast Asia! Pizza Hut is premiering a new Buldak-inspired (perspired?) pie in Malaysia…
… Featuring a drizzle of one of the region’s most beloved, hottest sauces – from Samyang Foods. This unique pie is brought to you ‘Huat Huat’ style, shaped like a flower, on the Hut’s cheesy crust…
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little less shorts-and-t-shirts-worthy over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next Early Spring Thaw edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.