We’ll welcome in 2024 on Monday And the Fast Food and Snacks sectors will start to do what they do all over again. Here’s a look-ahead at what we can expect on the fast-casual food front as we set foot into the New Year…
TGIFriday’s new Banh Mi Sandwich: One of three to kick off the New Year…
Mains
Arby’s reprises Crispy Fish…
The fish sandwich that returned the breed to respectability is back. Arby’s Crispy Chicken (if you’d forgotten since last year) consists of a lightly breaded Alaskan Pollock fish fillet topped with shredded lettuce and tartar sauce, and served on a toasted sesame seed bun. And you should also take a look at the Fish ‘N Cheddar Sandwich if you like your fish with warm Cheddar Cheese Sauce. If the pattern holds, they’ll be around through Lent.
… Runs ‘Cheddarthon Sales Event’
It’s the latest incarnation of the popular ‘twofer’ deals that Arby’s runs almost without pause. Your ‘2 FOR $7’ deal choices include:
Beef ‘N Cheddar, Fish ‘N Cheddar, and Fried Mac ‘N Cheese Bites. Mix and match! At participating locations chain-wide.
TGI Fridays gets ‘different’
TGIF has rolled out a new Pork Belly Banh Mi Sandwich. There’s also a new Parmesan Crusted Italian Beef, and a new Hawaiian Shrimp Po’Boy. Um… I have a little trouble with the naming rationale. Po’Boys aren’t Hawaiian; they’re strictly Louisianan. Italians use little enough beef as it is, preferring veal, and choosing pork overwhelmingly. And ‘Bahn Mi’ is Vietnamese for ‘Sandwich’. So TGIF is serving a ‘Sandwich Sandwich’. Okay, I’m being picky, but…
Taco Bell ups the Taco ante
Or is it sort of a Chalupa? The Bell is readying a new menu item for mid-January release: The 3-Cheese Chicken Flatbread Melt starts with a grilled white-meat chicken breast…
… and tops it with Chipotle sauce and a blend of Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Monterey Pepper Jack, folded into a warmed flatbread. It’ll start phasing-in across the chain on January 11.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s revisit Wraps
Not to be outdone by McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s have brought back their trio of Chicken Tender Wraps. They’re a simple little snack, consisting of a breaded chicken tender with lettuce and shredded cheese, topped by one of an array of sauces: BBQ, Ranch, or Santa Fe, at Carl’s, and Ranch or Honey Mustard at Hardee’s. And Hardee’s also offers a spicy version…
Subway fans: BOGO Deal on Footlong Sammys!
Now through January 23, Subway is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on Footlong Subs. This deal doesn’t come around all that often…
… So get in there and enjoy! At participating locations, when ordering through the app or the website. Details online…
Snacks
Pizza Hut intros Chocolate Doughnut Bites
Okay. I get it. Sweet Chocolate might be just the perfect flavour contrast to enhance your overall Hut experience. One reviewer says the little devils (see photo, top of page) come with a creamy chocolate filing. But I see them more as derivative of the ancient and novel Lava Cake. ‘Filled’ or cooked through, they get a thumbs up from me.
Jack In The Box unveils OREO Ultimate Cookie Bar
JITB is always coming up with something different – something the competition doesn’t have. This time, it’s the OREO &Ultimate Cookie Bar…
(Shown somewhat larger than life-size!)
… A limited-time desert specialty, available at participating locations chain-wide. It’s a Blondie bar on an OREOs base, and topped with OREO Cookie pieces. Chewy and crunchy all in one…
Novelties
McDonald’s South Korea brings back Prosperity Burgers
It’s officially named the Prosperity Gold Burger, and it’s become a tradition in a number of Asian countries at New Year’s. The Pork Patty-based sandwich is claimed to bring the eater luck in the coming year.
It starts with a special oblong Sesame Seed Bun and stacks a McRib-like patty with lettuce, onion, garlic sauce and mayo. There’s also a Prosperity Gold Special Burger – which includes a hash Brown Patty in the sammy. They don’t say if the ‘Special’ brings you more luck…
And that’s the skinny…
… On what will be making some of us a little chubbier – like the New Year’s baby – in the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the first 2024 edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.