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Will 'Game of Thrones' show up on your menu?

Although Shake Shack and Buffalo Wild Wings are gearing up for the return of Game of Thrones with a few Westeros-inspired LTOs, we think a few other brands need to get in on the action.

April 11, 2019 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although spring is here, winter is coming this weekend for millions of "Game of Thrones" fans when HBO airs the first episode of the show's final season. And its seems Shake Shack and Buffalo Wild Wings are counting on us to curl up on the couch with our favorite comfort foods to see who from the Seven Kingdoms will be the next to meet their gruesome death.

They know us so well.

Both millennial-centric chains have created a few Westeros-themed LTOs to help us get into the royal spirit, but don't worry; pigeon pie and Dothraki horse heart didn't make either menu.

The official GoT menu at Shake Shack is available Friday through May 19 and includes:

• The Dracarys Burger (Drakaro Parkliapos) featuring a double Monterey Jack cheeseburger sourced from the finest head of cattle The Seven Kingdoms has to offer. Griddled by the fires of Drogon and Rhaegal, the burger is then topped with a fiery ShackSauce created from herbs and spices sourced from the conquered cities of Yunhai, Meeren and Astapor. The final touch are slabs of bacon imported from Essos — a Dothraki delicacy. Caution: may be too hot for non-Targaryens.
• In keeping with Shake Shack's (Rholītso Rhakion's) commitment to premium ingredients and thoughtful sourcing, the Dragonglass Shake (Zīrtom Perzomy Rholītsos) is a prime example of the Wall to Table movement. Custard is frozen with packed snow harvested beyond the Wall and hand-churned by members of the Night's Watch. Final prep occurs in Winterfell, where the shake is topped with shards of Dragonglass imported from the caves of Dragonstone. Please note supplies are limited as the Wall is currently undergoing major renovations.

In celebration of the national rollout, customers may also sit on the Dragonstone Throne from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.,  Friday at the West Village Shake Shack in NYC. RSVP is required here but does not guarantee entry. And for those fans who take their Game of Thrones obsession just as seriously as a Trekkie who longs to speak Vulcan, Shake Shack has even come up with a pronunciation guide — JIC you want to order like a Valyrian.

The Mother of All (dragon) Sauces

Buffalo Wild Wings is also celebrating but for one day only. Its Dragon Fire — AKA "The Mother of All (dragon) Sauces"— is made from mixing chili and ghost peppers with soy and ginger sauce and topped with a jalapeño garnish, according to a company press release.

Dragon Fire wings are available Sunday, and customers can purchase them in the restaurant, through the Buffalo Wild Wings app/website for takeout orders or have them delivered exclusively through DoorDash.

Each of these menu items from Shake Shack and BWW sounds great, but I'm left with one question: Starbucks, what say you? The chain known for unicorn and Pokemon frappuccinos must have some "Game of Thrones" game. How about a Cersei Chai — it's iced because she's as cold as ice  — or a Lannister Latte? I'm just spitballing here, and I like alliteration. How about a Drogon cake pop? It's chocolate and strawberry to honor the dragon's colors. 

I have ideas for a few other brands as well. Caribou Coffee could easily get in on the GoT action with its line of Northern Lite Lattes. That menu is practically begging for a "King of the Northern Lite" option.

And what about one of the chicken fast casual chains? You gotta be able to do something with Little Finger, and who wouldn't want to order a White Walker (a burrito smothered in queso) from Chipotle or Qdoba?

Luckily, these brands still have a few weeks to get their GoT menu items created to coincide with the show's final episode, which airs in about six weeks. I'm available for taste testing and brainstorming. Let's call it my commitment to #ForTheThrone.

Lastly, where can I get Jon Snow-cone?

About Cherryh Cansler

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Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and publisher of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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