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Winter LTOs bring on the heat
Although the holidays conjure up images of cookies, pies and hot chocolate as featured in Part 1 of our winter menu series, they're also a time for rich, warm and savory fare.
November 21, 2019 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Although the holidays conjure up images of cookies, pies and hot chocolate as featured in Part 1 of our winter menu series, they're also a great time to test rich, spicy or savory fare. Check out this partial list of fast casual winter LTOs.
Dog Haus
Dog Haus has partnered with Chef Ilan Hall — "Top Chef's" season two winner and founder of a vegan fast casual brand, Ramen Hood — to create a vegan-friendly menu item. The Take Bánh Mì, available for the month of December, features an Impossible burger patty, topped with pickled vegetables, jalapeños, cilantro, vegan mayo, chili oil and hoisin sauce, served on a vegan ciabatta roll, according to a company press release. (Impossible burger patties and other ingredients are prepped and cooked alongside non-vegan items.)
A dollar from each Take Bánh Mì sold will go to Dog Haus' national charity partner, No Kid Hungry, whose mission is to end childhood hunger in America.
Dog Haus has also teamed up with Mia Mastroianni, a celebrity mixologist featured on "Bar Rescue," to introduce two limited-time cocktails, also available through December but only at Dog Haus Biergarten locations. The LTOs include the Patio Crusher — made with vodka, watermelon, lime, mint and cucumber — and The Gatekeeper, which has hefeweizen, lime, raspberry and hibiscus.
Dog Haus has more than 30 locations nationwide and at least 10 others in development.
B.Good
B.Good, which serves responsibly sourced burgers, bowls, salads and smoothies, has debuted two Asian-inspired products — the Spicy Korean Bowl and the Korean Burger — which will join the menu at all 69 U.S. and Canada locations through Dec. 4.
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B.Good's Korean Burger contains beef, kimchi, avocado, lettuce and gochujang aioli. |
The Spicy Korean Bowl has roasted watermelon, kimchi, avocado, super grains, spicy slaw, mixed greens, scallions, crispy rice and gochujang aioli. The Korean Burger contains beef, kimchi, avocado, lettuce and gochujang aioli, according to a company press release.
"At B.Good, we're constantly testing and developing menu items with an eye towards culinary innovation — like incorporating ingredients in unconventional ways, drawing upon craveable global flavors and offering guests a more sustainable way to eat," Linh Aven, executive chef, said in the release. "I'm particularly excited to partner with Atlantic Sea Farms on this product launch by incorporating their kelp kimchi (Sea-Chi) into these dishes — it's good for you, good for the planet and, of course, it tastes great."
Founded in 2003, B.Good has 78 locations across the U.S., Canada, Switzerland and Germany.
Firehouse Subs
Nashville Hot Brisket is the star of the winter menu at Firehouse Subs. The sub features slow-smoked USDA Choice beef brisket sliced with a kick of spicy Nashville Hot seasoning, spicy pickle chips, mayo, sweet and tangy slaw and melted pepper jack cheese served on a toasted cornbread roll, according to a company press release.
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FireHouse's Nashville Hot Chicken features slow-smoked USDA Choice beef brisket sliced with a kick of spicy Nashville Hot seasoning, spicy pickle chips, mayo, sweet and tangy slaw and melted pepper jack cheese served on a toasted cornbread roll, |
Firehouse has more than 1,160 restaurants in 46 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and non-traditional locations
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has added a line of grilled cheese sandwiches to the menu, available now through Dec. 31, according to a company press release.
One option is the Smoky Grilled Cheese, made with fresh mozzarella, white American cheese, bacon and smoked tomato spread on brioche bread. The other is the Classic Grilled Cheese, made with cheddar and white American cheese on brioche bread. Both sandwiches are made-to-order fresh in-store.
"We wanted to bring something new to the menu for the holidays that could offer warmth during these cold winter months," Lake Dawson, corporate chef of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, said in the release. "I had a lot of fun creating our very first line of grilled cheese sandwiches and love that we were able to put a modern twist on these childhood classics by using delicious brioche bread and a variety of quality cheeses."
In addition to Tropical Smoothie Cafe's new line of grilled cheeses, cranberry smoothies are back. The Cranberry Truffle Smoothie, made with cranberries, strawberries, non-fat yogurt and Ghirardelli white chocolate and the Very Berry Cranberry, made with a blend of cranberries and strawberries.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has more than 800 locations nationwide.
Cousins Subs
Cousins has brought back a fan favorite, the gryro, available in stores and online through March 22, according to a company press release. The sub features gyro meat, gyro seasoning, Wisconsin feta cheese, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes and Greek yogurt tzatziki sauce on freshly-baked Italian bread. It's $7.99.
According to company data, Cousins Subs’ guests order the limited-time-only gyro sub 4.4% more often than any other sub while it's offered.
Quiznos
Denver-area Quiznos are offering the plant-based corned beef sandwich for a limited-time only. Featuring Mrs. Goldfarb's Unreal Deli, which was recently featured on ABC's "Shark Tank," the sandwich also has Swiss cheese, pickles, sauerkraut and honey French dressing on a Quiznos bread of choice.
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Denver-area Quiznos are offering a plant-based corned beef sandwich for a limited-time only. |
"Given consumers' growing desire for meatless options and the rise of plant-based foods, we wanted to test this modern twist on a deli classic here in Denver where sustainable green lifestyles are thriving," Sheila Zimmerman, VP of marketing of REGO Restaurant Group, owner of Quiznos, said in the release. "Mrs. Goldfarb's Unreal Deli is a delicious alternative to traditional deli meat and a perfect brand fit.
Founded in 1981, Denver-based Quiznos has locations in 33 countries.
Farmer Boys
Farmer Boys is bringing back bread bowls and launching "Happiest Hours" for a limited time. Although the bread bowls debuted in 2008, their return has become an annual tradition, according to a company press release.
In addition to the return of bread bowls, Farmer Boys is introducing Happiest Hours from 2 to 5 p.m. daily at participating locations. The limited-time specials include $2 zucchini sticks or onion rings as well as chicken strips for $3, chili cheese fries for $4 and the Double Big Cheese Burger for $5.
Founded in 1981, Farmer Boys serves burgers and all-day breakfast, stacked sandwiches, hand-chopped salads, hand-breaded zucchini sticks and onion rings.
Modern Market Eatery
Modern Market Eatery has launched its Chef's Picks, which are veggie-heavy this season. Some of the stars include shaved Brussels sprouts, which are featured on each seasonal item, a kale varietal, pomegranate seeds and Beyond Sausage Italian Crumbles from Beyond Meat.
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Modern Market's Beyond Sausage Pizza has ricotta, shaved Brussels sprouts, roasted onion, Beyond Sausage Italian Crumbles, smoky jack cheese and chili oil. |
"Most people associate plant-based protein with hamburgers, but it can be so much more than that. We put it on a pizza, which is pretty unique," Chef Nate Weir, director of culinary, said in a company press release. "A plant-based protein pizza that is delicious, innovative and better-for-you fits in well with our food philosophy. Something Modern Market has always done well is make unfamiliar foods more familiar. This is not only a delicious sausage pizza but also an opportunity for us to introduce Beyond Meat to our guests."
Chef's Picks include:
- Beyond Sausage Pizza: ricotta, shaved Brussels sprouts, roasted onion, Beyond Sausage Italian Crumbles, smoky jack cheese and chili oil.
- Harvest Cobb: romaine, roasted chicken, shaved Brussels sprouts, cage-free egg, green apple, sweet potato, pomegranate seeds, candied walnuts and scallion ranch dressing.
- Seasonal Fire-Roasted Veggies: Brussels sprouts, fire roasted broccoli, cauliflower, radishes and carrots.
- Ricotta Pom Toast: sourdough toast, ricotta, Brussels sprouts, kale, bacon, pomegranate seeds, and Grana Padano.
Modern Market Eatery was founded in 2009 in Boulder, Colorado.
Urban Plates
Urban Plates is adding vegan, gluten-free, plant-based bowls for $9 to all San Diego County locations. According to a company press release, they include:
- Beets + Avocado: made with organic red and white quinoa, beets, avocado, walnuts, pickled red onion, dates, hemp seeds, cabbage, coconut and miso lemongrass dressing.
- Chickpea + Sweet Potato: made with chickpeas, organic green lentils, sweet potatoes, red cabbage, goji berries, green peas, kale pesto and harissa sauce.
- Poblano + Roasted Corn: made with organic red lentils, corn, roasted poblanos, red cabbage, celery, tomato pesto, pumpkin seeds and chipotle lime dressing
Following guest feedback and the availability of seasonal ingredients, Urban Plates plans to launch its plant-based bowl options at locations nationwide in 2020.
Urban Plates opened in 2011, in Del Mar, California, and now has 17 locations.
Veggie Grill
Veggie Grill has created a take-home meals for the holidays, including The Holiday Feast, a Thanksgiving Sandwich and The Holiday Dinner Plate, according to a company press release.
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Veggie Grill's Thanksgiving Sandwich has roasted turkey, apple sausage stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce served with a side of mashed yams. |
- Serving four people, The Holiday Feast features a stuffed holiday roast, apple sausage stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed yams, cauli-mashed potatoes, porcini gravy and cranberry sauce. It costs $74.95, with the option to add additional side dishes, and is available Nov. 4 to Nov. 23 and from Nov. 29 to Dec. 21.
- The Holiday Dinner Plate, available Nov. 28 to Dec. 1., includes all the Holiday Feast items on one plate for $12.50.
- The Thanksgiving Sandwich, available now through Dec. 30., is $11.50 and made with roasted turkey, apple sausage stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce served with a side of mashed yams, according to the release.
Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets has launched a seasonal menu featuring cheese-filled items. According to a company press release, they include:
- Crispy Cheddar Bites: cheddar cheese bites served with Johnny Rockets' ranch dressing.
- Three Cheese Burger: topped with melted American, Swiss & cheddar cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, fresh lettuce & tomato, grilled onions, crisp pickles and mayo on a warm brioche bun.
- Three Cheese Grilled Chicken Sandwich: grilled chicken breast topped with melted American, Swiss & cheddar cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, fresh lettuce & tomato, grilled onions, crisp pickles and mayo on a warm wheat bun.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Shake: vanilla ice cream blended with New York-style cheesecake bites, strawberry topping and whole milk, garnished with whipped topping and more cheesecake bites.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Shake: vanilla ice cream blended with hazelnut flavoring, chocolate syrup and whole milk, topped a hazelnut filled cookie stick and chocolate syrup drizzle.
- Extreme Double Chocolate Brownie Shake: vanilla ice cream blended with chocolate syrup and whole milk, and topped with whipped topping, a chocolate brownie, chocolate sprinkles and chocolate syrup drizzle, served in a glass garnished with chocolate frosting, chocolate sprinkles, and chocolate chips.
Each LTO is available now through Jan. 6, 2020.
Founded in 1986, on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, Johnny Rockets has 350 franchised and corporate locations in over 25 countries.
Pokeworks
In partnership with Seldon Simeon — an alumnus of Bravo's "Top Chef" — Pokeworks has created the Spicy Sichuan Bowl. Featuring a house-made sauce that consists of red chili peppers, peppercorns and honey-infused soy, the bowl comes topped with spicy crushed peanuts, according to a company press release.
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Pokeworks has created the Spicy Sichuan Bowl, featuring a house-made sauce with red chili peppers, peppercorns and honey-infused soy. |
"The Spicy Sichuan Bowl is for spice-seeking foodies who look for an exciting, effervescent dining experience," Simeon said in the release. "Pokeworks gives me the freedom to implement the Hawaiian traditions I grew up with and fuse them with my passion for flavor and spice. We are excited to turn up the heat with the Spicy Sichuan Bowl to offer guests across the nation not only a meal, but an experience in every bite."
Founded in 2015, Pokéworks has 46 locations open and more than 130 under development.
El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco is bringing back its chicken tamales just in time for the holiday season as well as rolling out two holiday LTOs: the Chicken Pozole Verde — a traditional holiday soup with fire-grilled chicken and tender hominy, slow-simmered in a tomatillo broth with garlic and onion — and chile Mexican Hot Chocolate, made with Abuelita Chocolate, spiced with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon sugar.
El Pollo Loco has more than 480 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Louisiana.
Del Taco
Del Taco Restaurants is kicking off the holiday season with its shredded pork tamales. Now available for a limited time at the chain's more than 580 locations, the tamales are made with seasoned shredded pork, fire-roasted salsa and stone-ground corn masa, hand-wrapped in a corn husk, according to a company press release.
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Del Taco is celebrating the launch of its tamales with limited-edition wrapping paper, available for purchase on the Del Taco webstore on Dec. 5. |
"The holidays are all about spending quality time with family and friends, and cooking tamales is a tradition for many," CMO Barry Westrum said in the release.
The tamales are available individually or at a special price of two for $4. The also come in a four pack. For a more indulgent offering, guests can choose to smother their tamales with a combination of zesty red sauce, tangy green sauce, sour cream and cilantro or with chili, hand-grated cheddar cheese, and sour cream.
Del Taco is also celebrating the launch with limited-edition wrapping paper, available for purchase on the Del Taco webstore on Dec. 5.
All photos were provided.
About Cherryh Cansler
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