New (limited-time) menu items and cross-cuisine-cultural mashups headline this week’s Fast Food Week lineup. To me, this just means that most of the major players in the take-out and delivery-only category appear in no hurry to re-open for mass dine-in service. School, sports re-ops to date have been disastrous…
Arby’s new Prime Rib Cheesesteak Sandwich: Enough food for 2 meals!
Arby’s new Prime Rib Sammys Stack ’em high
As usual, the official menu item portraits look absolutely mouthwatering. And the official descriptions are just as tempting: Both the Classic Cheesesteak Sammy and the Spicy version start off with long, Sub-style Buns, and add Sliced Prime Rib, Melted Provolone, Onions, and Fire-Roasted Peppers. The Spicy version also adds a Spicy Sauce. One of these massive Sandwiches appears to be more than I could eat at one sitting. Not the first time we’ve had one of those from Arby’s!
Papa John’s rolls out Grilled Buffalo Chicken Papadia
Okay. I’ll put down this glaring (to me) boo-boo to the fact that Papa John’s doesn’t have a lot of experience with Tex-Mex menu items. But shouldn’t it really be spelled ‘Papadilla’? No! Because it’s inspired by a famous legacy Sammy, the Italian Piadina, a folded flatbread sandwich that originates in Northern Italy. Anyway… You get Grilled Chicken, Onions, the chain’s Signature Cheese Blend, Buttermilk-Ranch Dressing, and Buffalo Sauce. It also comes with extra Ranch Dipping Sauce.
Domino’s adds Tex-Mex, 50s Diner Pies
As the latest cross-culture-cuisine mash-up in the big Fast Food chain universe, Domino’s offers two new Pies. The Cheeseburger (Beef, Onions, Diced Tomatoes, American (Processed) Cheese, Shredded Provolone and Cheddar Cheese, and a Ketchup/Mustard hybrid Sauce. The Chicken Taco Pie features: Grilled Chicken, Taco Seasoning, Fresh Onions, Green Peppers and Diced Tomatoes; and Provolone, American (Processed) and Cheddar Cheese. At participating locations chain-wide for a limited time.
Old El Paso collabs with ‘Old World’ faves
In yet another attempt to help you vary your COVID-19 lock down menus, Old EL Paso has released a series of new Taco Kits featuring the flavours of the Caribbean, Japan, and Korea (Jerk; Teriyaki; Asian BBQ, respectively). Each kit includes 10 Flour Tortillas, one Seasoning Packet, and one Sauce Packet. The Meat and Toppings are up to you. Fun for the kids; extra easy for you if you were planning an Taco Buffet meal, anyway!
McDonald’s adds Spicy McNuggets
McD’s is launching new Spicy Chicken McNuggets – the first substantial change it’s made in the iconic snack since Nuggets were first introduced to the McD’s mainstream menu, back in 1983. A couple of notable differences between the new Nugs’ and the originals: New Tempura Batter seasoned with Chili and Cayenne Powder, and a Spicy Dipping Sauce called Mighty Hot Sauce, based on a blend of Crushed Red Pepper, Spicy Chilies and Garlic – the chain’s first new Dipping Sauce in three years…
Little Caesar’s combines Pizza and Breadsticks
It’s essentially a regular Pizza that’s half Pepperoni ‘za and half Cheesy Breadsticks. You also get a small tub of Crazy Sauce (Marinara). Called the Slices-N-Stix Pizza, it’s available starting this coming Thursday, September 3.
KFC promos new Fries in Combo Deal
Since there appears to be no other reason for this ‘same-old’ sort of Combo Meal Deal but to promote the chain’s new Secret Recipe Fries, that must be the reason for floating it now. It’s basically the KFC 3-Piece Tenders Fill Up, less the Cookie. Available for a limited time at participating locations U.S.-wide.
Krispy Kreme picks odd time to open new flagship store
Doughnut icon Krispy Kreme is opening a new ‘flagship’ store in New York’s Times Square on September 15 – in spite of the ongoing controversy over COVID-19 resto re-opening, mask protocols and general uncertainty over the future of the foodservice sector. It’ll have everything you could want in a Doughnut shop, including unique pastry flavours and some products that can only be purchased at that location. Perhaps most interesting for kids – and anyone else who loves to peek behind the scenes – is a Doughnut making ‘lab’ where classic KK ring Doughnuts are finished by passing through a waterfall of silky White glaze…
And that’s the skinny…
… On what will be making some of us fatter over the days and weeks to come. Back in 7 with a new edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.