/sites/all/themes/penton_subtheme_nrn/images/logos/footer.png
Nation's Restaurant News
The best of Menu Tracker in 2018
Bret Thorn Dec 13, 2018

1 45

X

1 45

ADVERTISEMENT
Taco Bell, Jan. 3

Nacho Fries: French fries with Mexican seasoning served with a side of warm nacho cheese, $1

Nacho Fries Supreme: Nacho Fries topped with beef, pico de gallo, nacho cheese and sour cream, $2.49

Nacho Fries Bell Grande: A larger version of Nacho Fries Supreme, $3.49

Availability: Jan. 25-early March

Starbucks, Jan. 10

Blonde Espresso: A lighter, smoother espresso now available in all espresso-based beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, macchiatos and Americanos, price varies by size and market

Availability: Permanent

Bruegger’s Bagels, Jan. 17

Sweet Heat Turkey Sandwich: Roasted turkey, cheddar cheese, red and green bell peppers, Sriracha sauce and Sriracha Honey Cream Cheese on butter-roasted marbled rye, $6.99

Availability: Through May 2

KFC, Jan. 24

Smoky Mountain BBQ Chicken: Extra Crispy chicken coated in a sauce inspired by sweet Kansas City and vinegary Carolina sauces and Memphis rubs. Available on bone-in chicken, chicken tenders and Chicken Little sandwiches, currently promoted in a meal with three tenders or two bone-in pieces, mashed potatoes with gravy and a biscuit for $4.99

Availability: Permanent starting Jan. 29

Luke’s Lobster, Jan. 31

Two Flannels Warm Grain Bowl: A split lobster tail, warm farro, mixed greens, grilled artichoke, watermelon radish, toasted chile almonds and lemon garlic vinaigrette, $17

Availability: Through April 30

&Pizza, Feb. 7

Le Royal: A pizza topped with French onion reduction, shredded mozzarella, baguette croutons, sweet onion drizzle and parsley, $9.55-$11.13 after tax, depending on location

Availability: An unspecified limited time

Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Feb. 14

Traditional Italian Fish Fry: Peroni beer-battered white fish, calamari and shrimp served with fried crushed red potatoes, charred lemon, balsamic ketchup, citrus black pepper aïoli and pickled dipping sauce, $19.99 with a side Caesar salad

Availability: Feb. 15-April 30

Scotty’s Brewhouse, Feb. 21

Sweet & Spicy Shrimp: Breaded and fried shrimp in gochujang sauce, $13

Homemade Lobster Bisque: A blend of roasted bell peppers, leeks, lobster purée and Cajun seasoning, $5

Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Tacos: Warm flour tortillas stuffed with grilled shrimp, chopped lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado and cilantro lime sour cream, $13

Falafel Wrap: Fried falafel balls wrapped in a honey wheat tortilla with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers and tzatziki, $11

Bluegill BLT: Breaded and fried bluegill fillets, thick cut bacon, lettuce, tomato and garlic Parmesan aïoli on a toasted onion roll, $13

Greek Falafel Salad (pictured): Mixed greens tossed with fat-free roasted red pepper vinaigrette, topped with grape tomatoes, sliced cucumber, red onion, crumbled feta and fried falafel balls, $10

Pasta Primavera: Linguine tossed in buttery garlic sauce with broccoli, corn-squash medley, lemon juice and shredded Parmesan cheese, $10

Mess of Bluegill: Fried bluegill fillets with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, coleslaw and fries, $15

Availability: Through April 15

Cinnabon, Feb. 28

Cold Brew Coffee: Coffee slowly brewed without heating to produce a coffee that’s lower in acid, available in Signature Cinnamon Roll, Vanilla and Salted Caramel flavors, suggested retail price $2.99 for 16 ounces and $3.39 for 24 ounces

Availability: Permanent

Arby’s, March 7

Texas Brisket sandwich (pictured): Smoked brisket, a new Texas-style barbecue sauce with chipotle peppers, fried onion strings and dill pickles on Texas toast, $5.49

Miami Cuban sandwich: Sliced pork loin (rubbed with brown sugar, molasses powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper) and smoked ham topped with melted Swiss cheese, dill pickles and yellow mustard on a toasted sub roll, $5.49

New York Reuben: Corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing on marbled rye, $4.99 or $6.49 for a Double Stack

Availability: Through March

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, March 21

The Brunchwich: Rotisserie roasted beef-and-lamb gyro slices, thick-cut bacon, American cheese, tomatoes, Harissa mayonnaise and a sunny-side-up egg on a toasted baguette, $7.95

Banh Mi brunchwich: Soy-glazed pulled pork, sliced cucumbers, pickled carrots, jalapeños, cilantro, Sriracha mayonnaise and a sunny-side-up egg on a toasted baguette, $7.95

Cheesburgerwich: Sirloin, thick-cut bacon, American cheese, tomatoes, caramelized onions, pickles, toasted sesame seeds, special sauce and a sunny-side-up egg on a toasted baguette, $7.95

Availability: Permanent

Red Lobster, March 28

Lobster and Waffles: Waffles made with Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix topped with fried Maine lobster tail and finished with maple syrup, $19.99 on average

Availability: While supplies last during Lobsterfest, which lasts for an unspecified limited time

Black Seed Bagels, April 4

Breakfast Banh Mi: Spam, pâté, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, spicy mayonnaise and a fried egg on a sesame bagel roll, developed with Hanoi House executive chef John Nguyen, $11

Availability: Through April

Schlotzsky’s, April 11

Beef Bacon Smokecheesy: Shaved Angus roast beef with smoked cheddar cheese, bacon and chipotle mayonnaise on a sourdough bun, $7.99 may vary by location

French Dip: Shaved Angus roast beef with provolone & Swiss cheeses and caramelized onions on a pretzel roll with a side of au jus, $7.99 may vary by location

Beef and Guacamole (pictured): Shaved Angus roast beef with Swiss and provolone cheeses, chipotle pesto, guacamole, red onions, lettuce and tomatoes on a toasted jalapeno cheese bun, $7.99 may vary by location

Availability: Through mid-July

Your Pie, April 25

Peach Prosciutto Craft Series pie: Pizza crust topped with olive oil, ricotta, prosciutto, mozzarella-Parmesan blend and peaches, all baked and finished with basil and honey balsamic glaze, $8.99-$9.99 depending on location

Availability: April 25-Aug. 8

Noodles & Company, May 3

Zucchini Noodles: Zucchini spiralized to resemble noodles, available instead of actual noodles in any dish for an additional 75 cents

Zucchini Romesco (pictured): Zucchini noodles with roasted red pepper sauce made with almonds, sundried tomatoes and vegetables, starting at $5.75

Zucchini Thai Green Curry with Shrimp: Zucchini noodles with coconut green curry sauce, pineapple, broccoli, red onion, snap peas, lime, black sesame seeds, cilantro and shrimp, starting at $5.75

Availability: Permanent

Black Angus Steakhouse, May 10

New Zealand rack of lamb: Lamb rack aged for at least 45 days, marinated with garlic and rosemary, grilled and served with mint chimichurri, two side dishes and warm molasses bread, $27.99 for a half rack and $38.99 for a full rack

Availability: Through June 25

TooJay’s, May 17

Nova Latkes: Fried miniature potato pancakes topped with sliced smoked salmon sour cream, arugula, diced red onion and capers, $7.59

Availability: Permanent

Arby’s, May 24

Traditional Greek Gyros: Gyro meat made with beef and lamb, sliced from a rotisserie and served in flatbread with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki and Greek seasoning, $3.99

Availability: Permanent, after being introduced as a limited-time offer in April 2017.

Church’s Chicken, May 30

Smokehouse Chicken: Fried, but not battered, chicken with smoke-flavored rub, $5 for half a chicken with a biscuit and side

Availability: Through June 24

Chick-fil-A, June 7

White Peach Tea Lemonade: Iced tea and choice of lemonade or diet lemonade with white peach flavor, starting at $1.89 for 16 ounces and $2.09 for 20 ounces

Peach Milkshake: Chick-fil-A Icedream soft serve spun with peaches and topped with whipped cream and a cherry, around $4 depending on size and location

Availability: Through summer

Honeygrow, June 13

Chesapeake Crab Stir Fry: Egg white noodles stir-fried with blue crab, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, scallions and parsley in Old Bay-spiced tomato broth, $12.50

Highland Summer Salad: Baby spinach, spring mix, grape tomatoes, roasted corn, watermelon, red onion, sweet-spicy cashews and ginger balsamic dressing, $8

Availability: Through summer

KFC, June 21

Pickle Fried Chicken: Extra Crispy chicken coated in pickle sauce with flavors of dill, vinegar, onion, garlic, buttermilk and white and black pepper, available on Extra Crispy Tenders, Chicken Littles, Extra Crispy bone-in chicken and the Crispy Colonel Sandwich (boneless Extra Crispy chicken with mayonnaise and pickles on a bun), starting at $4.49 for the sandwich alone

Availability: June 26 for an unspecified limited time

McDonald’s, June 27

Bacon Smokehouse Burger: Quarter-pound patty topped with Applewood smoked bacon, a sweet and smoky bacon onion sauce, fried onion strings, white cheddar cheese and a mild sweet mustard sauce, also available as a fried or grilled chicken sandwich, around $5 depending on location

Availability: Permanent starting in July

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews, July 5

Hop-Salt Fries: Fries seasoned with a blend of Hallertau and Tettnang hops, orange peel, brown sugar and salt, $5

Availability: Permanent

Starbucks, July 11

Salted Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew: Cold Brew with caramel topped with salted cream Cold Foam (nonfat milk whipped until smooth), around $3.95 for a Grande

Iced Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Latte: Vanilla bean coconut milk shaken with shots of espresso poured on top, around $4.95 for a Grande

Availability: Permanent

Kona Grill, July 25

Crispy Korean Chicken Sandwich: Garlic marinated, tempura fried chicken in a gochujang-based glaze with pickles on a ciabatta bun, $15 with taro fries

Availability: Permanent

Chevy’s Fresh Mex, Aug. 1

Street Corn: Two grilled ears of corn coated with secret sauce, Cotija cheese, signature spice blend and cilantro, $8

Availability: Through Sept. 11

Fat Sal’s, Aug. 8

The Fat Murda Sandwich: Lemon pepper chicken, bacon, fresh mozzarella, battered jalapeño peppers and onion petals, lattice potato chips and spicy tarragon ranch on a hero roll, developed in collaboration with Hip Hop producer Murda Beatz, $14

Availability: An unspecified limited time

Cinnabon, Aug. 15

Churro Swirl: Baked churro rolled into a swirl and coated with Makara cinnamon sugar, $2.49 suggested price

Churro Frosting Sandwich: Two Churro Swirls with cream frosting between them, $4.99 suggested price

Churro Ice Cream Sandwich: Two Churro Swirls with ice cream between them, available only at Cinnabon locations that feature carvel, $5.99

Availability: Through Nov. 11

Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, Aug. 29

Froot Loops Mini Donuts: A five-pack of miniature doughnuts flavored like Froot Loops cereal. $1.29

Availability: Through Oct. 30

Dog Haus, Sept. 5

T-Mex Sausage: Sausage of beef chorizo and pepper Jack cheese topped with chipotle aïoli and spicy slaw on grilled King’s Hawaiian rolls, created in collaboration with Dallas chef and restaurateur Dean Fearing, $7.99 suggested price, of which $1 goes to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry initiative

Availability: Through Oct. 31

O’Charley’s, Sept. 12

Prime Rib: Slow-roasted prime rib and two sides, $15.99

Availability: Permanent

Sonic Drive-In, Sept. 19

Sonic Breakfast Slingers: A small egg and cheese sandwich, $1.49 or $1.99 with sausage or bacon

Availability: Through Sept. 30

Cracker Barrel, Sept. 26

Fried Chicken: Breaded and fried breast, leg, wing and thigh with two sides and choice of biscuits or cornbread, price varies by location

Availability: Currently rolling out; now in fewer than 7 percent of restaurants

Biscuitville Fresh Southern, Oct. 3

Waffle Sandwiches: Crispy Belgian waffles sandwiching sausage, egg & cheese for $3.79; bacon, egg & cheese for $3.99; and spicy fried chicken for $4.29, served with maple brown sugar spread

Availability: An unspecified limited time, with possibility of becoming permanent

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Oct. 10

Crispy Deviled Eggs: Battered and fried deviled eggs topped with smoked paprika and candied bacon, $5.95

Availability: Through fall and winter

Mad Greens, Oct. 17

Bangkok Bowl: Wild rice blend, red & Napa cabbage, grilled chicken, curried sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, cilantro and Creamy Red Curry Dressing (a spicy and tangy dressing), $9.95

Queen Suri Salad: Spinach, red & Napa cabbage, grilled chicken, curries sweet potatoes, carrots, cucumber, peanuts and Thai Sesame Vinaigrette (a light, herbaceous, umami-forward dressing with a hint of sweetness and a lot of sesame), $9.95 for a regular; $10.95 for a big

Thai Chicken & Rice Soup: Chicken, brown rice, red peppers and bamboo shoots in chicken stock infused with lemon grass and coriander with red curry paste, ginger and chopped scallions, $3.75 for a cup; $5.25 for a bowl

Availability: Until Dec. 16

Bonefish Grill, Oct. 24

Crab Cake Rancheros: Maryland-style crab cake baked in a cast-iron skillet with Creole sauce (a milk-based sauce with peppers, onion, garlic, oregano and cayenne), topped with guacamole, tomatoes, cilantro and chipotle aïoli, served with corn tortilla strips, $12.90

Seasonal Avocado Toast: Crushed avocado, roasted tomato and crumbled feta cheese drizzled with olive oil and served on a baguette with grilled lemon, $8.90

Greens, Egg & Ham: Fried Brussels sprouts, a sunny-side-up egg and ham, $9.90

Seafood Johnny Cakes & Eggs: Miniature corn pancakes blended with roasted shrimp and bay scallops topped with two poached eggs and Creole sauce, served with bacon, $11.30

Triple-Decker “BLT” Club: A sandwich of lobster or ahi tuna with bacon, lettuce and tomato, served with French fries, $19.90

Saucy Shrimp & Grits: Shrimp sautéed with sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives in a lime-tomato garlic sauce and served over goat cheese grits, finished with crumbled feta, $13.50

The Cure: Old Bay-seasoned fries layered with mozzarella cheeses sauce, roasted shrimp and red gravy topped with bacon and green onion., $9.90

BFG Tuna Steak & Eggs: Ahi tuna with chimichurri sauce served with two sunny-side up eggs, toast and choice of a side, $17.50

Availability: Permanent for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, exact times vary by location

Seamore’s, Oct. 31

Green Crab Miso Ramen: Concentrated stock made of European green crab, an invasive species in New England, along with leeks and ginger, hatcho miso, chile paste, soy, garlic, shallots, yuzu juice, sesame oil and seeds, kotsu noodles, roasted monkfish, smoked chile oil, kombu and roasted delicate squash topped with ginger and leeks, made in partnership with Yuji Ramen, $21

Availability: Nov. 1-30, only at Seamore’s original location at 390 Broome St., in New York City

Fogo de Chão, Nov. 7

Dry Aged Tomahawk Ribeye: 32-ounce bone-in rib eye steak dry-aged for at least 42 days, sized to be shared by four or more people, not included in the all-you-can-eat churrasco meal but available for an additional $89

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail: Six poached shrimp with cocktail sauce, not included in the all-you-can-eat churrasco meal but available for an additional $21.50

Chilled Lobster & Shrimp: Two lobster claws, one split lobster tail and four jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce and drawn butter, an additional $39

Chilled Seafood Tower: Split lobster tails, full lobster claws, jumbo shrimp, crab cluster, crab claws and green-lipped mussels, an additional $99

Availability: An unspecified limited time.

Modern Market Eatery, Nov. 14

Truffle Artichoke Pizza: Pizza crust topped with cream sauce, roasted artichoke heart, roasted garlic, three-cheese blend, black truffle oil, Grana Padano cheese and green onion, $5.90 for half size, $10.50 for full size

Honey Balsamic Brussels: Roasted Brussels sprouts with honey, balsamic vinegar and smoky chopped walnut, $2

Pearl Sugar Waffle: Liège-style Belgian waffle topped with blueberry chia jam made with balsamic vinegar, $4.50 during breakfast only; hours vary by location

Availability: Through March 2019

Luke’s Lobster, Nov. 21

Caviar Lobster Roll: A lobster roll topped with 20 grams of Petrossian Baika caviar, $45

Availability: Nov. 26 through the end of the year at select locations in Boston, Las Vegas, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

Wendy’s, Nov. 28

Bacon Maple Chicken Sandwich: Breaded and fried chicken fillet with Swiss cheese, three strips of bacon and maple glaze on a croissant bun, around $5.60

Availability: An unspecified limited time

Culver’s, Dec. 5

Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich: Chicken breast fillet seasoned with four-pepper blend (in the marinade and breading), fried and served with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles on a toasted bun, recommended price $4.99

Availability: Introduced as a limited-time offer this summer; now permanent

Next Up
10 food trends at the National Restaurant Association Show
Start Slideshow ›