Menu Tracker
Plus innovation at Baskin-Robbins, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Condado Tacos, Dig, Dunkin’, El Pollo Loco, Farmer Boys, Gott’s Roadside, Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery, Gregorys Coffee, Hardee’s, Huddle House, Jack in the Box, Kolache Factory, Krispy Kreme, La Madeleine, Mahana Fresh, McAlister’s Deli, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Norms, Paris Baguette, Qdoba, Randy’s Donuts, Scooter’s Coffee, Shake Shack, Shipley Do-Nuts, Smoothie King, Union Square Donuts, Velvet Taco, and Whataburger
Already have an account?
Back before the pandemic, there was a little trendlet I called “extreme LTOs.” Chains such as Arby’s and Shake Shack would offer special, high-concept items in just a few locations for as little as one day — items like venison sandwiches or collabs with big-name chefs.
It seems that they’re back: Popeyes is offering some special tequila-flavored items in celebration of the Super Bowl — available for just one day at five locations, and for 10 days at its flagship restaurant in New Orleans.
Smoothie King, like Popeyes, originated in New Orleans, which is hosting the Super Bowl this year, and it has a Super Fruit Bowl intended to tie in with the game.
Super Bowl Sunday is the day of the year when the most chicken wings are eaten, hence new boneless wings from Jack in the Box.
McDonald’s is continuing its collaborations with professional athletes, this time with WNBA star Angel Reese, for which they’re introducing a smokey new barbecue sauce.
February’s upon us, and that means Valentine’s Day, which at pizza chains means heart-shaped pies, which most of them trot out at this time of year. They don’t get their own Menu Tracker slides because there are so many hours in the day, but they have become an annual tradition, which Mountain Mike’s Pizza is augmenting this year with a heart-shaped cherry pie.
Krispy Kreme also has heart-shaped doughnuts this year. There also are thematic specials at Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin’, Hardee’s, Kolache Factory (sort of), La Madeleine, Paris Baguette, and Scooter’s Coffee.
Lent is still more than a month away, but for some reason, seafood specials are already trickling in.
Mahana Fresh, a bowl-and-wrap chain based in Sarasota, Fla., is doing monthly shrimp specials, and Qdoba is reprising its annual Citrus Lime Shrimp.
Velvet Taco’s Weekly Taco Feature is inspired by shrimp scamp, incidentally.
Also McAlister’s Deli has launched some Mardi Gras-themed items, which might seem early, but Mardi Gras season actually starts on Jan. 6 with Three Kings Day.
Along similar lines, Shipley Do-Nuts has a new item called “Yays,” short for beignets, resembling the beloved New Orleans treats.
Randy’s Donuts has a special item that’s raising money to help Los Angeles fire victims, and Union Square Donuts, out of Boston, has a new pastry inspired by the viral trend of Dubai chocolate.
Whataburger has some new Mexican-inspired items. It’s unclear why, exactly, but since it’s based in San Antonio it doesn’t really need to have a reason.
Dig has steak, El Pollo Loco has a new sauce, and Condado Tacos has burritos now.
Farmer Boys has a new flavored coffee Capriotti’s has club sandwiches, Shake Shack has seasonal shakes, and Subway has a new footlong cookie.
Gregorys Coffee has new energy drinks with no added sugar
Norms has new items with carnitas, Huddle House has new biscuit builds, Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery have new items inspired by turtles (the candy, not the reptiles), and Gott’s Roadside has chicken parm.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
