El Pollo Loco says it is the first quick-service chain to officer the trendiest of Mexican food these days: Birria. The stewed meat served with a meaty broth for drinking or dipping can now be had at the chain known for its grilled chicken.
It is, in fact, a big week for chicken: Chipotle Mexican Grill has rolled out its first new chicken item in decades, first tested in November of 2021, in the form of “pollo asada” — based on the marinated and grilled carne asada, normally made with beef. Taco John’s is also bringing back its Chicken Quesadilla Taco and Starbird has a new not Szechuan sauce for its chicken, available as a sandwich or taco.
Noodles & Company, for its part, is testing a vegan chicken substitute, made by Impossible Foods. Mendocino farms has a new vegan burrito made with actual vegetables, and Tacodeli has a vegan chorizo made with cauliflower and nuts.
Many chains are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, of course, including Black Bear Diner, Hooters, Insomnia Cookies, Tim Hortons, Velvet Taco, Voodoo Doughnut and Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade.
Denny’s has rolled out some menu items marketed by social media influencers, Jamba has brought back its Electric Berry Lemonade Smoothie and Taco Cabana has a new line of burritos.
Bartaco is continuing with its five-week-long celebration of Margaritas, Charley’s Philly Steaks has a Tex-Mex special, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, which counterintuitively is based in Denver, nonetheless has an island-inspired beverage and Bob Evans is showing where the high-protein trend meets family dining with a bowl of bacon, ham, eggs and more.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
Follow him on Twitter: @foodwriterdiary
