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Menu Tracker: New items from Red Robin, Sonic Drive-in and Carl’s Jr.

Plus innovation at Baskin-Robbins, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Cava, Hardee’s, Hopdoddy, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar B Que, Main Event, Marble Slab Creamery, Pieology, Torchy’s Tacos, Twin Peaks, Velvet Taco, Voodoo Doughnut and WaBa Grill

It’s unusual for chains to announce when they’re changing suppliers, but several are doing it this week. Hopdoddy is switching from Impossible Foods to Beyond Meat as its plant-based protein provider, and is offering a meatless burger in celebration that’s inspired by the Reuben sandwich.

WaBa Grill also has announced a collaboration with Nasoya foods for its own proprietary meatless steak substitute.

Meanwhile, Cava has switched pita suppliers. The flatbread now comes from Damascus Bakery in Brooklyn, N.Y. 

In other plant-based news, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar B Que now has cauliflower “steak” on its menu, along with other new meatless options.

Main Event, the family entertainment concept, introduced a line of Shirley Temples this past spring, and is now expanding that line in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the musical group Kidz Bop.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews has new spicy items and Marble Slab Creamery has spicy ice cream.

Baskin-Robbins has new chocolatey ice cream options, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream’s monthly flavor mimics the Creamsicle and Sonic Drive-In has a new shake inspired by banana pudding.

Hardee’s now has the French Toast Dips that were already being sold at sister chain Carl’s Jr., and Carl’s Jr. itself has a new patty melt.

Twin Peaks has a new light beer, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has chicken & waffles and Pieology customers can now sprinkle their pies with French’s Fried Onions.

Voodoo Doughnut’s monthly special is pink and blue, Torchy’s Tacos has a monthly tequila cocktail with dragon fruit and Velvet Taco’s Weekly Taco Feature has pulled pork.

Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected] 

Follow him on Twitter: @foodwriterdiary

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