Still ‘in the eye of the storm’, so to speak… The week between Christmas and New Year’s is notori-ously slow. But we did catch the preview of COSTCO’s new Chinese Burgers, and the launch of Chipotle’s new High Protein Menu….
The rundown…
It’s largely about ‘What’s back?” this week. Taco Bell is reprising its ultra-dippable Quesarito. What-aburger is bringing back its Big Ranch Wrap. And Wendy’s is pouring its Sweet and Sour Sauce again. All for a limited time…
MAINS
Chipotle launches new High Protein Menu
That’s right. Chipotle, which has always boasted it’s healthier than other Fast Food Joints, has a new High protein menu for the nutrient conscious set. The whole flock of new menu items is based on Chipotle’s fan fave Adobo Chicken. There are 6 new High Protein entrées plus three celebrity-themed mains named for Josh Hart, Samantha Milton and Kylie Sakaida. “This curated menu brings that fan behavior to the forefront with clean ingredients and flexible portions, making protein and other dietary goals easier to reach,” said Chris Brandt, President and Chief Brand Officer.
Whataburger revisits its Big Ranch Wrap
WB isn’t just bringing it back! They’re bring in a whole gang of nibbles… The BRW is described as a crispy chicken strip, topped with lettuce, tomato, buttermilk ranch, and American (Processed) cheese, wrapped up in a flour tortilla. The BRW’s returning wingmen include both: the Monterey Melt and the Chicken Fajita Taco. As in their original appearances, all three menu items are back for a limited time only…
Taco Bell reprises Quesarito
Is TB’s Quesarito ‘legendary’? Yes! The Bell’s official news release announcing its return says so. ““We heard our fans loud and clear,” said Luis Restrepo, Chief Marketing Officer at Taco Bell. And Sweet And Sour Sauce is back at Wendy’s…
“Their passion turned the Quesarito into a Taco Bell legend, and bringing it back for the holidays felt like the perfect way to celebrate that energy.” The Quesarito features seasoned beef and rice, spicy chipotle sauce, sour cream, and ‘melty’ cheeses.
‘Chinese’ Burgers taking Canada by storm!
Well, that may be an exaggeration. But the Asian (TC brand) product is currently Costco Canada’s mot popular ‘free sample’. They’re burger-shaped patties of Sloppy-Joe-like ground Beef encased in their own thin, crispy, flaky pastry ‘bun’. They’re premiering in four classic flavours: beef and black pepper; hot garlic beef; sweet chili chicken; and pork and green onion. The come in packs of 4, in the freezer section. And, for their introductory tour, only at Costco.
SIDES
Sweet and Sour Sauce back at Wendy’s
By fan demand! The popular sauce option is coming back sometime this coming spring. And it ap-pears it’s going to be a permanent menu addition… Wendy’s felt compelled to act after a recent survey revealed at 9 out of 10 Americans use dipping sauces regularly. And 77 percent of Wendy’s customers agree that the sauce ‘makes the meal’ when enjoying chicken tenders, nuggets, or strips.
DESSERTS & SNACKS
Gingerbread Man Ice Cream Sandwiches at Trader Joe’s
We don’t often feature Trader Joe’s products in this space. But this one deserves all the promotion it can get! It’s an ice cream sandwich using Spicy Gingerbread cookies instead of chocolate slabs as the ‘bookends’.
At $3.99 for a box of 4, they’re just a buck apiece! And the filling is luxe vanilla ice cream- with actual flecks of vanilla bean!
NOVELTIES
Whole Foods spritzes out new Beef Tallow Spray
Ever the trend setter – occasionally the follower) Whole Foods has rolled out a new Beef Tallow kitchen spray. Hold the Olive Oil, the Canola, the plain old vegetable oil. The new stuff is touted as bringing you all the flavour excitement it brought McDonald’s Fries for years. Another advantage: Tallow’s high smoke point is ideal for everything from roasting vegetables to searing meat. One challenge Whole Foods had to overcome was the fact that… Tallow is, by its nature, a solid a room temperature!
Jack In The Box charms with Jibbis
JITB is – literally – dropping Jibbi clip-in charms to celebrate the resto’s 75th birthday. The four char-acters available are Spicy, Saucey, Icy, and the rarest of all, The Boss. The charms will be included as part of the Chicken Supreme Munchie Meal, a fan-fave introduced in 1980 but discontinued in 2004. The Meal features a double-stacked Chicken Supreme, two tacos, medium curly fries, and a drink.
EVENTS
Pillsbury Pizza Pops recalled in Canada!
A food recall warning has been issued for certain Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops. The following products may be contaminated with E.coli:
- Pepperoni + Bacon (30 pizza snacks)
- Pepperoni + Bacon (8 pizza snacks)
- Supremo Extreme Pepperoni + Bacon (30 pizza snacks)
- FRANK’s RedHot Pepperoni + Bacon (4 pizza snacks)
Consumers in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick have become ill after eating the flagged products. Consult the Public Health Canada news release for further details..
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little more ‘substantial’ over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for another slightly overweight edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.