Menu Tracker: New items from Chick-fil-A, Sonic Drive-In, and Taco Bell
Plus innovation at Beef-A-Roo, Buddy's Bar-b-Q, Carl’s Jr., Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chick N Max, Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream, Chopped Leaf, Dave's Hot Chicken, Dig, Firehouse Subs, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Frutta Bowls, Honeygrow, HTeaO, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Jet’s Pizza, Matchbox, Miguel’s Jr., O’Charley’s, Pollo Campero, Qdoba, Round Table Pizza, Taco Cabana, Taco John’s, and Velvet Taco Before the pandemic, Firehouse Subs fans enjoyed its Hot Sauce Bar, lined with a dozen or more ways to spice up their sandwiches. Those bars were taken down in March of 2020 for obvious reasons, but now they’re back! The timing’s certainly right: Sauces are in, especially spicy ones. This week we have new sauces from Taco Bell and Pollo Campero. Dave's Hot Chicken doesn’t have a new sauce, but it did make its hottest sauce even hotter. Does pimento cheese count as a sauce? Probably not, but Chick-fil-A has it now, at any rate, and is offering it as a side, and Qdoba has a new spicier queso. Along similar lines, sort of, Buddy's Bar-b-Q now has mac & cheese. Halloween’s approaching, and you’ll see plenty of appropriately themed items next week. But for now, Sonic has a new green apple drink — apples being super-duper trendy this fall — with salted caramel boba that you could imagine are eyeballs if you wanted to. Oh, and Carl’s Jr. has some new Ghost Burgers, which are both spicy and seasonally thematic. Chick N Max has a new bowl with mashed potatoes and chicken, Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream is observing Hispanic Heritage Month, which for complex reasons is Sept. 15-Oct. 15, with appropriately themed flavors, and there are new shakes at Beef-A-Roo. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has a new cocktail, Chopped Leaf has new branded items that it’s folding into kids menus, and there are new seasonal menus from Dig and Matchbox. O’Charley’s also has a bunch of new items, including many “value inspired plates,” or V.I.P.s. Miguel’s Jr. has new breakfast items, Round Table Pizza has a trio of new sides, and Frutta Bowls has new coffee items with the help of La Colombe. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana has a four-cheese pie, Jet’s Pizza has a big new cookie, Taco John’s has new soft-shell tacos, and Taco Cabana has new chipotle-lime chicken. HTeaO has a new peach cobbler iced tea, which probably makes sense in its home state of Texas, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has a pumpkin item, which makes sense everywhere, Honeygrow is repurposing its Sriracha tahini sauce, and Velvet Taco’s Weekly Taco Feature has Guinness stout and a smash burger in it. Contact Bret Thorn at bret.thorn@informa.com beef-a-roo-cranberry-club.jpg Type Image Caption Credits Beef-A-Roo Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Cranberry Club: Turkey, salad greens, and cranberry sauce on a seeded roll, $6.09; also available as a wrap for $6.99 Caramel Apple Specialty Shake: Vanilla ice cream spun with caramel and apples, $3.09 for a junior, $4.59 for a regular, and $6.49 for a large Pumpkin Spice Specialty Shake: Vanilla ice cream spun with cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin, $3.09 for a junior, $4.59 for a regular, and $6.49 for a large English Toffee Specialty Shake: Vanilla ice cream spun with toffee bits, $3.09 for a junior, $4.59 for a regular, and $6.49 for a large Availability: An unspecified limited time Image Alt Text: beef-a-roo-cranberry-club.jpgGallery Slide Headline: Beef-A-RooPublished: buddys-bar-b-q-mac-cheese.jpg Type Image Caption Credits Buddy's Bar-B-Q Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Creamy Mac & Cheese: Macaroni in a cheese sauce, $2.99 or 60 cents as an upgrade to a regular side Availability: Permanent Image Alt Text: buddys-bar-b-q-mac-cheese.jpgGallery Slide Headline: Buddy's Bar-B-QPublished: carls-jr-ghost-burger_0.jpg Type Image Caption Credits Carl’s Jr. Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Ghost Burger: Beef patty, ghost pepper cheese, bacon, sliced onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and hot sauce on a single bun, starting at $7.49 for a single and $8.89 for a larger burger made with Angus beef Ghost Breakfast Burger: Beef patty, bacon, folded egg, ghost pepper cheese, Hash Rounds potatoes, and hot sauce on a single bun, starting at $6.79 Availability: Through Nov. 6 Image Alt Text: carls-jr-ghost-burger.jpgGallery Slide Headline: Carl’s Jr.Published: che
admin
Before the pandemic, Firehouse Subs fans enjoyed its Hot Sauce Bar, lined with a dozen or more ways to spice up their sandwiches. Those bars were taken down in March of 2020 for obvious reasons, but now they’re back!
The timing’s certainly right: Sauces are in, especially spicy ones. This week we have new sauces from Taco Bell and Pollo Campero.
Dave's Hot Chicken doesn’t have a new sauce, but it did make its hottest sauce even hotter.
Does pimento cheese count as a sauce? Probably not, but Chick-fil-A has it now, at any rate, and is offering it as a side, and Qdoba has a new spicier queso. Along similar lines, sort of, Buddy's Bar-b-Q now has mac & cheese.
Halloween’s approaching, and you’ll see plenty of appropriately themed items next week. But for now, Sonic has a new green apple drink — apples being super-duper trendy this fall — with salted caramel boba that you could imagine are eyeballs if you wanted to.
Oh, and Carl’s Jr. has some new Ghost Burgers, which are both spicy and seasonally thematic.
Chick N Max has a new bowl with mashed potatoes and chicken, Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream is observing Hispanic Heritage Month, which for complex reasons is Sept. 15-Oct. 15, with appropriately themed flavors, and there are new shakes at Beef-A-Roo.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has a new cocktail, Chopped Leaf has new branded items that it’s folding into kids menus, and there are new seasonal menus from Dig and Matchbox.
O’Charley’s also has a bunch of new items, including many “value inspired plates,” or V.I.P.s.
Miguel’s Jr. has new breakfast items, Round Table Pizza has a trio of new sides, and Frutta Bowls has new coffee items with the help of La Colombe.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana has a four-cheese pie, Jet’s Pizza has a big new cookie, Taco John’s has new soft-shell tacos, and Taco Cabana has new chipotle-lime chicken.
HTeaO has a new peach cobbler iced tea, which probably makes sense in its home state of Texas, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has a pumpkin item, which makes sense everywhere, Honeygrow is repurposing its Sriracha tahini sauce, and Velvet Taco’s Weekly Taco Feature has Guinness stout and a smash burger in it.
Contact Bret Thorn at bret.thorn@informa.com
beef-a-roo-cranberry-club.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Cranberry Club: Turkey, salad greens, and cranberry sauce on a seeded roll, $6.09; also available as a wrap for $6.99
Caramel Apple Specialty Shake: Vanilla ice cream spun with caramel and apples, $3.09 for a junior, $4.59 for a regular, and $6.49 for a large
Pumpkin Spice Specialty Shake: Vanilla ice cream spun with cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin, $3.09 for a junior, $4.59 for a regular, and $6.49 for a large
English Toffee Specialty Shake: Vanilla ice cream spun with toffee bits, $3.09 for a junior, $4.59 for a regular, and $6.49 for a large
Availability: An unspecified limited time
buddys-bar-b-q-mac-cheese.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Creamy Mac & Cheese: Macaroni in a cheese sauce, $2.99 or 60 cents as an upgrade to a regular side
Availability: Permanent
carls-jr-ghost-burger_0.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Ghost Burger: Beef patty, ghost pepper cheese, bacon, sliced onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and hot sauce on a single bun, starting at $7.49 for a single and $8.89 for a larger burger made with Angus beef
Ghost Breakfast Burger: Beef patty, bacon, folded egg, ghost pepper cheese, Hash Rounds potatoes, and hot sauce on a single bun, starting at $6.79
Availability: Through Nov. 6
cheddars-scratch-kitchen-tropical-blue-chiller.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Tropical Blue Chiller: High Rock Vodka, Blue Curaçao, pineapple juice, lemonade, and Mojito mix, developed in collaboration with stock car racing driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose Sugarlands Distilling makes High Rock Vodka, starting at $7.99
Availability: Through October
chick-fil-a-pimento-cheese.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Pimento Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese mixed with cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, and green chiles, $3.99
Availability: While supplies last
https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/chick-fil-now-offering-pimento-cheese-... information available here
chick-n-max-homestyle-bowl.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Max’s Homestyle Chicken Bowl: Mashed potatoes, corn, and choice of fried or smoked popcorn chicken topped with gravy and shredded cheddar cheese, served with a fountain drink, $8.50
Availability: Through the end of the year
chill-n-nitrogen.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Arroz Con Leche Ice Cream: Cinnamon-infused ice cream based on the classic Latin rice pudding, around $4.84 for a small, $5.21 for a medium, and $5.66 for a large
Flan Ice Cream: A caramel-forward ice cream based on the custard, around $4.84 for a small, $5.21 for a medium, and $5.66 for a large
Availability: Through October 15 in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
chopped-leaf-kids-combo.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Kids Meal Combo: New Oasis apple juice box and SunRype Fruit to Go Bites with choice of existing kids items — chicken ranch wrap, chicken Caesar salad or wrap, chicken bowl with seasoned brown rice and cheddar cheese, chicken grilled cheese sandwich, or chicken quesadilla, $9.99
Availability: Permanent
daves-hot-chicken-slushers.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Reaper Tender: The existing spicy breaded and fried chicken tender, now 50% hotter than before, $4.99
Reaper Slider: Similarly spicier tender on a potato bun with kale slaw and pickles as well as Reaper sauce, $6.99
Slushers: Frozen versions of Hi-C Orange Lavaburst, Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch, or Minute Maid Strawberry Lemonade, $3.69
Creamy Slusher: Choice of Minute Maid Strawberry Lemonade Slusher, Hi-C Orange Lavaburst Slusher or “Rocket” Slusher (Strawberry Lemonade topped with Powerade Mountain Berry Blast), topped with vanilla shake, $5.69
Availability: Permanent
dig-chicken-tray-bake-plate.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Harissa Tofu Plate: Tofu with carrots in harissa-preserved lemon sauce over couscous, $14
Harissa Chicken Plate: Roasted chicken thigh with carrots in harissa-preserved lemon sauce over couscous, $14.50
Availability: Through October
Ginger Pumpkin Salmon Plate: Seared salmon with ginger pumpkin sauce over brown rice, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, $14.95
Chicken Tray Bake Plate: Roasted chicken thigh with honey mustard glaze over braised kale, sweet potatoes, and farro, $14.50
Fall Family Harvest: A meal for four people comprised of crispy baked chicken, kale apple crunch (Tuscan kale, apple, cranberry, grated cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, and a blend of seasoned flax, chia, and sunflower seeds with buckwheat groats), roasted sweet potatoes, brown rice, and garlic aïoli $44
Availability: Through Jan. 7, 2025
firehouse-subs_0.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Captain’s Club Sub: Roasted chicken, bacon, melted pepper Jack cheese, mayonnaise, red pepper flakes and signature Captain Sorenson’s Hot Sauce, making it the chain’s spiciest sub yet, on choice of bread, around $9.99
Availability: An unspecified limited time
Hot Sauce Bar: The feature that was removed in March 2020 in response to COVID concerns is back with 13 hot sauces that can be added to subs free of charge
Availability: Permanent
frank-pepe-pizzeria-napoletana-quattro-formaggio.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Quattro Formaggio: Pizza topped with crushed Italian tomatoes and mozzarella, Asiago, ricotta, and Pecorino Romano cheeses, $15.75 for a 12-inch pie, $25.25 for 16 inches and $32.25 for 18 inches
Availability: Through the end of the year
frutta-bowls.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Cold Brew: La Colombe cold brew coffee, around $4.29 for a 16-ounce small
Sweet Cream Cold Brew: La Colombe cold brew coffee with Chobani sweet cream, around $4.99 for a small
Nutella Mocha Cold Brew: Sweet Cream Cold Brew with Nutella added, around $4.99 for a small
Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew: Sweet Cream Cold Bew with pumpkin spice flavor added to the cream, around $4.99 for a small
Cold Brew Coconut Bowl: Sorbet made with cold brew coffee and coconut milk and topped with cinnamon granola, banana, strawberries, Nutella, coconut flakes and cacao nibs, starting at $9.79 for a small
Cold Brew Coconut Smoothie: Cold brew-coconut sorbet spun with Chobani sweet cream, banana, Nutella, and. cacao nibs, starting at $8.49 for a small
Availability: An unspecified limited time
honey-grow-sriracha-tahini-stir-fry.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Sriracha Tahini Stir-fry: Egg white noodles, roasted chicken, mushrooms, red onions, baby spinach, scallions, and chile flakes in tahini-Sriracha sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds, $11.97
Chocolate Mousse Honeybar: Chocolate mousse topped with strawberries, blueberries, streusel crumble, and whipped cream, $8.36
Availability: Through mid-December
hteao-peach-cobbler.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Sweet Peach Cobbler Iced Tea: Iced tea with peach cobbler flavor, starting at around $2.69 for a small
Availability: Sept. 30 through November
jeremiahs-italian-ice-pumpkin-pie-flavorite.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Pumpkin Pie Flavorite: Pumpkin Pie Italian Ice layered with vanilla ice cream and topped with cookie butter crumble, starting at $3.09
Availability: Through November
jets-pizza-confetti-cookie.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Confetti Cookie: Sugar cookie with rainbow sprinkles, starting at $8.99
Availability: Sept. 30 through the end of the year
matchbox-corn-ribs.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Corn Ribs: Fried corn-on-the-cob slices with chile-lime mayonnaise, cilantro, salt, and queso fresco, $12
Roasted Chicken & Butternut Squash Salad: Mixed greens, romaine lettuce, butternut squash, apples, cranberries, candied pecans, feta cheese, and creamy mustard vinaigrette, $18
Roasted Salmon: Roasted salmon over butternut squash risotto with cremini mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, arugula, and shaved Parmesan cheese, $26
Country Fried Chicken: Breaded and fried chicken served with hot honey and fries, $24
Burrata & Salami pizza: Pizza topped with crushed tomatoes, salami, fennel sausage, burrata, fontina, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and hot honey, $18 for a 10-inch pie and $24 for 14 inches
Corn & Jalapeño pizza: Pizza topped with crushed tomatoes, mozzarella and goat cheeses, roasted corn, zucchini, jalapeño peppers, and chipotle lime crema, $18-$24
Roasted Garlic Chicken pizza: Pizza topped with roasted garlic purée, crushed tomatoes, Gorgonzola and mozzarella cheeses, caramelized onions, roasted chicken, olive oil, arugula, and balsamic glaze, $18-$24
South Charmer: Jim Beam bourbon, peach nectar, and black pepper-ginger syrup, $14
Caramel Apple Lemonade: Apple-infused vodka, lemonade, and caramel syrup, $14
Blueberry Coconut Margarita: Blueberry-infused tequila, triple sec, sour mix, and coconut cream, $14
Chocolate French Toast: Chocolate chip bread pudding, crème anglaise, chocolate mousse, and warm chocolate sauce, for brunch only, $16
Availability: Through autumn
miguels-jr.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Churro Pancakes: Three pancakes topped with cinnamon sugar and dulce de leche, served with a side of syrup, $3.99
Chorizo Bowl: Scrambled eggs in a bowl topped with pinto beans, cheddar cheese, chile verde marinated potatoes, chorizo, tomatoes, and cilantro, $8.29
Sunrise Bowl: Scrambled eggs in a bowl topped with chile verde marinated potatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and cilantro, $7.99
Breakfast Taco: Scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green sauce in a six-inch Sonoran flour tortilla, $2.99
Vanilla Iced Coffee: Double brewed iced coffee with milk and Torani vanilla syrup topped with whipped cream, $3.79-$3.90
Caramel Iced Coffee: Double brewed iced coffee with milk and Torani caramel syrup topped with whipped cream, $3.79-$3.90
Availability: Permanent during breakfast
o-charley-s-prime-rib.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Sausage Biscuit Bites: Five fried biscuit pieces and sausage gravy served with syrup for dipping, $4.99
Shrimp & Grits: Cheese grits topped with sautéed shrimp, peppers, and onions in “Cajun sauce,” $9.99
Chicken Parmesan: Breaded and fried chicken breast topped with red pepper marinara sauce and a cheese blend over linguine, $12.99
Prime Rib Dinner: Twelve-ounce USDA Choice Prime rib with au jus, two sides, and horseradish sauce, only on Friday and Saturday after 4 p.m. and all day on Sunday, $29.99
Steak Quesadilla: Grilled flour tortilla filled with steak, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese and Smokey Honey BBQ Sauce, served with sour cream and salsa, $13.99
Steak Nachos: Tortilla chips topped with steak, queso, shredded cheddar, pico de gallo, and jalapeño peppers drizzled with Smokey Honey BBQ Sauce and topped with chopped cilantro, $14.99
Buffalo Chicken Dip: Chicken mixed with a soft cheese blend, Buffalo hot sauce, and American cheese, $9.49
Availability: Indefinite
pollo-campero-sauces.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Campero Sweet & Tangy: A smooth sauce with a syrup-like consistency and sweet, sour, and tangy flavors, available with entrées at no extra charge
Campero Spicy & Smoky: A spicier take on classic Campero sauce made with barbecue sauce, smoked chipotle pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper, but still at medium-low spiciness with a little sweetness, available with entrées at no extra charge
Campero Creamy Jalapeño: A sauce of buttermilk, garlic, onion, dill, and jalapeño pepper, available with entrées at no extra charge
Availability: Through Nov. 15
qdoba-queso-apocalypto.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Queso Apocalypto & Chips: Spicy Queso Diablo topped with “hot crunchies,” salsa roja, habanero salsa, and pickled jalapeño peppers, starting at $5.95
Availability: An unspecified limited time
round-table-pizza-dragons-bounty-shareable-platter.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Mozzarella Sticks: Breaded and fried mozzarella sticks served with a side of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, $6.99
Jalapeño Poppers: Breaded, fried, and cheese-stuffed jalapeño peppers served with a side of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, $6.99
Parmesan Idaho Potato Wedges: Fried potato wedges dusted with Parmesan cheese and served with a side of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, $6.99
Dragon’s Bounty Shareable Platter: One order of each of the new appetizers, $19.99
Availability: Through Dec. 29
sonic-drive-in-witch-s-brew-slush-float.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Witch’s Brew Slush Float: A green apple flavored slush drink with salted caramel boba topped with soft serve, starting at $3.99 for a medium
Availability: Through Nov. 3 while supplies last
taco-bell-disha-hot-discover-box.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Omar Apollo’s Disha Hot Hot Sauce: A smoky hot sauce developed in collaboration with singer, songwriter and actor Omar Apollo and inspired by his mother’s hot sauce, 20 cents per packet
Disha Hot Discovery Box: A Cheesy Gordita Crunch, a Doritos Locos Taco, a Crunchy Taco, chips with nacho cheese sauce, and medium fountain drink, and three packets of Omar Apollo’s Disha Hot Sauce, $8.99
Availability: While supplies last
Nacho Fries: A returning item of seasoned fries with nacho cheese sauce, $2.39 for a regular and $3.29 for a large
Availability: An unspecified limited time
Aguas Refrescas: Green tea-based drinks with choice of strawberry-passion fruit, mango-peach, and dragon fruit-berry flavors, price varies by size
Availability: In test in Charlotte, N.C.
https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/taco-bell-s-app-feature-helps-consumer... information available here
taco-cabana-tajin-mango.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Chipotle Lime Grilled Chicken Street Tacos: Chicken flavored with chile and lime on three corn tortillas topped with cilantro and onion and served with lime wedges, $5.49, or $3.99 for a single soft taco
Chipotle Lime Grilled Chicken Quesadilla: Chipotle lime chicken with melted cheese between two griddled tortillas, $6.79 for a small and $9.99 for a large
Tajíin Mango Fried Pie: Fried pie filled with Tajín-spiked mango, $1.49
Availability: An unspecified limited time
taco-johns_1.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Fiesta Softshell Tacos: Chicken breast or sirloin steak in a flour tortilla topped with creamy and spicy Fiesta sauce, pico de gallo, four-cheese blend, and shredded lettuce, $2.99 for chicken or $3.49 for steak, or either one at an introductory price of $5 for two
Availability: Permanent
velvet-taco-guinness-burger.jpg
Type
Caption
Credits
Gating level
DataTable subpages
Media Image
Guinness Burger Taco: Smashed burger, Gruyère cheese, fried pickles, Guinness stout caramelized onions, caraway coleslaw, mustard aïoli, and parsley in a flour tortilla, $6.50
Availability: Through Oct. 1
