All the Best New Menu Items at Fast-Food Chains to Try Right Now

Pizza Hut: Cheesy Bites Pizza

Pizza Hut

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Pizza Hut: Cheesy Bites Pizza
Pizza Hut

New Fast-Food Items To Try

Fast-food restaurants are always innovating (and competing), and that means there's always some new menu item to try. McDonald's, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Subway, and other big chains regularly introduce limited-time offerings to entice customers to keep coming back. Here's what's new this month in the fast-food world. 


Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Burger King steakhouse bacon whopper
Burger King

1. Burger King: Steakhouse Bacon Whopper

Burger King has added a limited-time Whopper to its menu for spring. The Steakhouse Bacon Whopper is topped with Swiss cheese, bacon, crispy onions, steak sauce, and creamy peppercorn aioli. Plus, sweet Churro Fries covered in cinnamon sugar, and Fiery Chicken Fries are also available once again.

Pizza Hut cheesy bites pizza ranch flight
Pizza Hut

2. Pizza Hut: Cheesy Bites Pizza and Ranch Flight

Things are getting a little weird at Pizza Hut with its latest menu offering. The Cheesy Bites pizza has 28 cheese filled pull-apart breadsticks bites on the edge instead of traditional crust. It's tailor made to go with the other new item, a ranch dipping sauce flight. That comes with chipotle ranch, pepperoni ranch, and plain ranch. 

Taco Bell crispy chicken nuggets
Taco Bell

3. Taco Bell: Crispy Chicken Nuggets and Nacho Fries

Leave it to Taco Bell to have an ever-rotating list of new, delicious items available. Right now, the much hyped chicken nuggets are back after a very brief run late last year. They're marinated in jalapeno buttermilk and breaded with breadcrumbs and crushed tortilla chips. Get them with fire ranch, jalapeno honey mustard, or Bell sauce for dipping.


And what goes better with chicken nuggets than fries? You can get the popular Nacho Fries right now as well.

McDonald's McCrispy Strips
McDonald's

4. McDonald's: McCrispy Strips

McDonald's has added a new chicken item to the menu — and it's permanent. McCrispy Strips are chicken tenders coated in a black pepper breading and fried. You can try them with the brand new Creamy Chili dipping sauce as well, which has soy sauce, onions, garlic, sesame oil, and red jalapenos. 

Arby's quarter pound pulled pork sandwich
Arby's

5. Arby's: Pulled Pork, Brisket Sandwiches

There's a few new sandwiches at Arby's this month. There's a quarter pound pulled pork sandwich, and a quarter pound brisket sandwich, both of which come with barbecue sauce and pickles. The fan favorite chicken cordon bleu sandwich is back as well, and it has a fried chicken breast, ham, Swiss cheese, and mayonnaise. The orange cream shake is back for summer, too.

Dunkin Dunkalatte
Dunkin'

6. Dunkin': Dunkalatte

The spring menu is in full swing at Dunkin'. Here's everything that's new right now.

  • Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich: eggs, white cheddar, and four strips of brown sugar and black pepper coated bacon on a croissant
  • Ham and Swiss Pretzel Sliders: black forest ham, Swiss, and honey mustard on a King's Hawaiian pretzel bun
  • Dunkalatte: an espresso latte made with coffee milk (whole milk and coffee extract) for a creamy, smooth drink
  • Pistachio Coffee: pistachio flavored syrup swirled with hot or iced coffee
  • Raspberry Watermelon Dunkin’ Refresher: raspberry and watermelon flavors in a base of green tea or lemonade

Wendy's Cajun Crunch Chicken Sandwich
Wendy's

7. Wendy's: Cajun Crunch Chicken Sandwich, Frosty Swirls

There's a bold new chicken sandwich at Wendy's right now. The Cajun Crunch sandwich has the chain's popular spicy chicken filet, pepperjack cheese, Cajun seasoned crispy onions, lettuce, pickles, and a spicy mustard spread. 


Plus, Wendy's just redid its whole Frosty experience. Now you can get Frosty Swirls and Frosty Fusions with sauces and crunchy mix-ins. There's options like strawberry Pop-Tarts, brownie batter, and Oreos. 

Papa John's: Shaq-a-Roni Pizza
Papa John's

8. Papa Johns: Shaq-a-Roni Pizza

The Shaq-a-Roni pizza is back at Papa Johns. It's named after Shaquille O'Neal, who owns some of the chain's franchises. It's an extra large pizza with New York-style crust topped with extra cheese and extra pepperoni.

Dairy Queen sauced chicken strips basket
Dairy Queen

9. Dairy Queen: Sauced and Tossed Chicken Strips Basket

Chicken tender lovers have a new reason to head to Dairy Queen. You can now get your chicken strips tossed in honey BBQ or parmesan garlic sauce. On the sweet side, here are the current limited-time Blizzard flavors.

  • S'mores
  • Cotton Candy
  • Confetti Cake
  • Dipped Strawberry Cheesecake
  • Mixing Bowl Mashup

Hardee's strawberry lemon biscuits
Hardee's

10. Hardee's: Strawberry Lemon Biscuits

Hardee's is well known for its fresh biscuits, and there's a new flavor you can try this month. Strawberry lemon biscuits are a sweet treat topped with sweet icing. Wash them down with a strawberry lemonade for a similar summer treat. 

Sonic bacon triple smasher
Sonic Drive-In

11. Sonic: Double Sonic Smashers

You can always count on Sonic to have some limited time treats available. Here's what's new.

  • Double Sonic Smasher: two smashed beef patties, American cheese, pickles, onions, and tangy Smasher sauce
  • Honey Chipotle Jr. Chicken Sandwich: breaded chicken patty topped with honey chipotle aioli, lettuce, and tomatoes
  • Strawberry Mangonada Slush: strawberry and mangonada slush with a sprinkle of chile lime Tajin seasoning on top
  • Berries and Cream: blackberry and raspberry syrups, strawberries, cream, and Sprite
  • Unicorn Dreams Slush: pink slush with popping bubbles and whipped cream

If you're in search of more Sonic deals, check out our ranking of the Sonic Value Menu.

Panera croque monsieur croissant toast
Panera

12. Panera: Croque Monsieur Croissant Toast

Panera is going French with its latest menu offering. The Croque Monsieur Croissant Toast sandwich includes black forest ham, provolone, asiago, and a caramelized onion and gruyere spread grilled on bread made with croissant dough. There's also a cheese, arugula, and garlic aioli version. Plus, there's a new strawberry chicken caprese salad and green goddess avocado toast.

Del Taco mango pineapple poppers
Del Taco

13. Del Taco: Mango Pineapple Sprite Poppers

There's a refreshing new drink at Del Taco just in time for warmer weather. The mango pineapple Sprite Poppers are made with Sprite mixed with pineapple flavor and mango popping boba pearls. You can also get it mixed with lemonade instead of Sprite, or as a shake with pineapple and boba.

Popeyes pickle glazed chicken sandwich
Popeyes

14. Popeyes: Pickle Glaze Chicken Sandwich

Popeyes just released a whole pickle-themed menu, and people love it. The centerpiece is the Pickle Glaze Chicken Sandwich, which covers the chain's iconic fried chicken sandwich in a sweet and tangy Cajun dill pickle glaze an tops it with pickles, of course. You can also get fried pickles as a side, or get a little weird with pickle lemonade.

Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwiches
Chick-fil-a

15. Chick-fil-A: Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich

Returning to Chick-fil-A this month is the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon sandwich. It's made with either fried or grilled chicken breast, brown sugar bacon, lettuce, barbecue sauce, and colby jack cheese. There's also a new pineapple dragonfruit lemonade, iced tea, or Sunjoy. 

Zaxby's giant quesadilla
Zaxby's

16. Zaxby's: Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla

Zaxby's is feeling Tex-Mex with its latest menu items: giant quesadillas. The chicken bacon ranch version includes three fried chicken fingers, bacon, cheddar jack cheese, and southwest ranch sauce in a flour tortilla. There's also a chicken fajita version that swaps bacon for grilled peppers and onions. 

Whataburger mushroom swiss
Whataburger

17. Whataburger: Mushroom Swiss Burger

Whataburger is going back to basics with its latest limited time menu item. The mushroom Swiss burger features two beef patties, grilled mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and a creamy au jus sauce. Plus you can get a banana pudding shake right now.

Little Caesars crazy puffs
Little Caesars

18. Little Caesars: Crazy Puffs

Things are extra "crazy" at Little Caesars right now with one new menu item. Crazy Puffs are like little mini pizzas. They're made with the chain's pizza crust plus mozzarella, pizza sauce, buttery garlic drizzle, and Italian herb and parmesan seasoning. They come four to an order, and you can get them with pepperoni, plain cheese, or with bacon.

Jack in the Box Nashville hot chicken
Jack in the Box

19. Jack in the Box: Nashville Hot Menu

Jack in the Box never lets anyone who wants new, unusual menu items down. Here's what's new on the menu this month.

  • Nashville Hot Popcorn Chicken: fried chicken bites coated in a sweet and spicy Nashville hot seasoning
  • Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks: mozzarella sticks with and sweet and spicy Nashville hot seasoning and served with marinara sauce
  • Pink Pineapple Express Shake: vanilla shake base mixed with pink pineapple flavoring and whipped cream
  • Pink Pineapple Express Twisted Soda: lemonade mixed with pink pineapple flavoring and vanilla cream

Jimmy John's toasted sandwiches
Jimmy John's

20. Jimmy John's: Toasted Sandwiches

Jimmy John's has finally brought toasted sandwiches to its menu after serving only cold subs for so long. You can get any sub toasted, or you can try three new toasted subs.

  • Chicken Bacon Ranch: chicken, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ranch dressing, and ranch seasoning
  • Roast Beef and Cheddar: roast beef, bacon, cheddar, crispy fried onions, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and horseradish sauce
  • Ultimate Italian: capocollo, salami, ham, bacon, parmesan, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, oil, oregano, basil, and vinegar

Noodles and co pulled pork mac and cheese
Noodles and Co.

21. Noodles & Company: Pulled Pork BBQ Mac and Cheese

Noodles & Co. has four dishes this month and they all sound great.

  • Pulled Pork BBQ Mac and Cheese: macaroni and cheese topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, green onions, and crispy onions
  • Garlic Bacon Crunch Mac and Cheese: macaroni and cheese with garlic, bacon, parmesan cheese, crispy onions, and fresh herbs
  • Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine: fettuccine with Cajun alfredo, shrimp, bacon, roasted red peppers, parmesan, and green onions
  • Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad: mixed greens with grilled chicken, bacon, hard boiled egg, avocado, feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled red onions, garlic croutons, and green goddess ranch dressing
Subway Doritos footlong nachos
Subway Restaurants

22. Subway: Doritos Footlong Nachos

Subway has introduced a brand new item to its menu, and it has nothing to do with sub sandwiches. The Doritos Footlong Nachos are made by layering nacho cheese Doritos with cheese sauce, shredded cheese, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, Baja chipotle sauce, and either steak or rotisserie style chicken. (If you think these sound dubious, you're not alone.)

KFC chicken and waffles
KFC

23. KFC: Chicken and Waffles

The classic soul food pairing of chicken and waffles has come to KFC this month for the first time in five years. The waffles are thick Liege-style with pockets of pearl sugar throughout. You can get them in combos with chicken tenders, bone-in chicken, or a family-sized meal. 

Qdoba Citrus Lime Shrimp
Qdoba

24. Qdoba: Citrus Lime Shrimp

Qdoba, too, offers a unique seafood option. The citrus lime shrimp protein option is back this year, made with a tangy lime citrus sauce. You can order it in any bowl, burrito, quesadilla, or salad, or order a citrus lime shrimp burrito or bowl topped with chile crema, cotija cheese, and pico de gallo, or a surf and turf burrito or bowl that adds steak to the mix.

Shake Shack black truffle burger
Shake Shack

25. Shake Shack: Black Truffle Burger

Shake Shack is getting fancy this month. Here's everything new on the Black Truffle menu. 

  • Black Truffle Burger: the chain's signature burger patties topped with gruyere cheese, crispy onions, and creamy black truffle sauce made with black truffle oil
  • Black Truffle Shroom: a cheese-filled deep fried portobello mushroom topped with blue truffle sauce and lettuce
  • Black Truffle Shack Stack: beef patties, cheese-filled deep fried mushroom, and black truffle sauce
  • Black Truffle Parmesan Fries: crinkle cut fries topped with parmesan cheese and served with black truffle sauce on the side
Steak 'n Shake
Charleston P./Yelp

26. Steak 'n Shake: Beef Tallow Fries

Steak 'n Shake is bringing back a blast from the past. By the end of February, the entire burger chain is going to be frying their french fries in beef tallow. It'll give the chain's shoestring fries an unmistakable flavor that many people still crave after McDonald's stopped the practice in the 1990s. 

Taco John's nacho taco bravo
Taco John's

27. Taco John's: Alaska Flounder Fish Taco

There's a new taco option at Taco John's for a limited time. The Nacho Taco Bravo is made by wrapping a soft flour tortilla, nacho cheese, and beans around a crispy shell filled with beef, lettuce, cheese, and taco sauce. Plus, you can still get the Alaskan flounder fish taco for a little while longer. 

Starbucks spring menu lavender cherry chai
Starbucks

28. Starbucks: Spring Menu

Of course Starbucks has tons of seasonal menu items. Here's what's on it for spring.

  • Iced Cherry Chai: black tea with cinnamon, clove, and other spices with milk and topped with cherry cream cold foam and cherry crunch topping
  • Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha: match and oat milk topped with lavender cream cold foam
  • Iced Lavender Latte: blonde espresso, milk, and lavender syrup
  • Blackberry Sage Refresher: blackberry and sage flavors, green coffee extract, dried blackberries, and sage powder
  • Jalapeno Chicken Pocket: chicken, charred poblanos, jalapenos, pepperjack cheese, and jalapeno cream cheese wrapped in a toasted chile lavash flatbread
  •  
Bojangles sausage bo-berry biscuits
Bojangles

29. Bojangles: Sausage Bo-Berry Biscuit

There's a new sweet and savory creation at Bojangles. The sausage Bo-Berry biscuit has a sweet, icing-topped berry biscuit with a savory breakfast sausage patty inside. There's also Bo Bites, similar to popcorn chicken, and strawberry cobbler right now. 

Domino's stuffed parmesan crust pizza
Domino's

30. Domino's: Parmesan Stuffed Crust Pizza

It's hard to believe that Domino's hasn't had stuffed crust pizza until now, but that's all changed with its new parmesan stuffed crust. It's made with buttery flavored dough that's wrapped around mozzarella cheese, then topped with garlic seasoning and parmesan. Get it with whatever toppings you want.

Culver's colby jack pub burger
Culver's

31. Culver's: Colby Jack Pub Burger

A fan favorite burger it back on the menu at Culver's. The Colby Jack Pub Burger has colby jack cheese, crispy onions, and A1 pepper mayo on an everything seasoned bun. On the sweet side of things, there's also a new Skittles Pop'd concrete mixer, made with crunchy freeze dried Skittles mixed into vanilla custard. 

Chipotle chipotle honey chicken bowl
Chipotle

32. Chipotle: Chipotle Honey Chicken

Chipotle doesn't often have new proteins, but they've got a new one right now. Chipotle honey chicken jumps on the hot honey trend with a sweet and spicy combination. The chicken is marinaded in chipotle peppers and honey before being grilled in store. 

Krispy Kreme cheesecake donuts
Krispy Kreme

33. Krispy Kreme: Cheesecake Donuts

What's better than donuts? Donuts and cheesecake together. Krispy Kreme's latest treats have both.

  • Strawberry Dream Cheesecake Donut: unglazed donut filled with cheesecake cream and dipped in strawberry icing and berry flavored graham crunch
  • Cookies and Kreme Cheesecake Donut: unglazed donut filled with cookies and cream cheesecake filling and dipped in white icing and cookie crumbs
  • Caramel Delight Cheesecake Donut: cinnamon sugar ring donut topped with cheesecake flavored frosting, salted caramel graham crunch, and caramel