One sure sign that Thanksgiving is approaching is the proliferation on fast-food and coffee-shop menus of “pumpkin spice” foods and drinks — a phenomenon sparked by the now-iconic PSL (pumpkin spice latte) introduced by Starbucks in 2003.
But chains herald the fall and winter holidays in other ways as well, rolling out items enhanced with peppermint, maple, cinnamon, cranberry, and other seasonal-appropriate flavors. And this is also the time of year that chains add hearty cold-weather foods to their menus — for instance, massive sandwiches, loaded burritos, and extra-cheesy pizzas.
Diners aren’t always limited to official menu items, of course. Here are some secret off-the-menu items to order at your favorite chains.
To get an idea of new things a number of well-known chains are putting on their menus this month — sometimes for a limited time, sometimes permanently — 24/7 Tempo reviewed several recent iterations of the Menu Tracker column published regularly by Nation’s Restaurant News, a leading national restaurant trade publication. The column, compiled by NRN’s senior food and beverage editor, Bret Thorn, details new additions to menus at a wide range of chain operations around the U.S.
Many of the operations on this list are among the most successful restaurant chains in America.
Click here to see what’s new at your favorite chain restaurants for Thanksgiving and beyond
We’ve chosen recent menu additions from some 22 chains, with preference given to the operations that are best-known nationwide. Many kinds of dishes (and four beverages) are included. Chicken, beef, pork, and plant-based proteins appear, as well as a couple of uncommon ingredients: bison and black truffles.
Though a few of the items here seem to be anticipating Christmas, it’s a safe bet that more Christmas-themed offerings will be showing up next month.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar
> Menu item: Tipsy Reindeer (Smirnoff vodka, Ocean Spray cranberry juice, cherry, lemonade)
> When available: Through the holidays
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $5
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Baja Fresh
> Menu item: Achiote carnitas bowl
> When available: Through Jan. 30, 2022
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $8.99
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Baskin-Robbins
> Menu item: Skillet Cookie Crumble ice cream
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: Participating locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $3.19 per scoop
Caribou Coffee
> Menu item: Maple waffle breakfast sandwich
> When available: Through the holidays
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $5.59
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Chili’s Grill & Bar
> Menu item: Bacon Rancher Big Mouth Burger
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $15.19-$15.79 (with fries)
Chipotle Mexican Grill
> Menu item: Pollo asado
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: 95 locations in Cincinnati and Sacramento
> Estimated price (may vary): Varies by location
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Chopt Creative Salad Co.
> Menu item: Spicy vegan crunch salad
> When available: Through Nov. 30
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $11.79
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Church’s Chicken
> Menu item: Texas-cut bacon chicken sandwich
> When available: Through Dec. 26
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $4.99
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
> Menu item: Peppermint hot cocoa
> When available: Through Jan. 4
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $3.60
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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
> Menu item: Cinnamon roll breakfast pie
> When available: Through Nov. 28
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $8.49
Domino’s
> Menu item: Cheesy Marinara Oven-Baked Dip
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $7.99
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Dunkin’
> Menu item: Peppermint mocha signature latte
> When available: Through the holidays
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $3.39-$4.69
IHOP
> Menu item: Winter Wonderland pancakes
> When available: Through Jan. 2, 2022
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): Varies by location
Jack in the Box
> Menu item: Impossible burger (plant-based)
> When available: Through Dec. 12
> Where available: Phoenix locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $1-$1.50 upgrade
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Jimmy John’s
> Menu item: Beefy Black & Bleu Sandwich
> When available: Through Dec. 12
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $8.50
McDonald’s
> Menu item: McPlant (meatless burger)
> When available: While supplies last
> Where available: Select locations in California, Iowa, Louisiana, and Texas
> Estimated price (may vary): Varies by location
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Moe’s Southwest Grill
> Menu item: Loaded steak & potato burrito
> When available: Through Jan. 9, 2022
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $9.99
Quiznos
> Menu item: Bison Reuben
> When available: While supplies last
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $10
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews
> Menu item: Donatos Ultimate Grilled Cheese Pizza
> When available: Through early Jan. 2022
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $17.99
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Shake Shack
> Menu item: Black Truffle Burger
> When available: Through Jan. 10, 2022
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $8.79
Starbucks
> Menu item: Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte
> When available: Through the holidays, while supplies last
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): $5.25-$5.45 (grande)
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Subway
> Menu item: Baja Steak & Jack sub
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: All locations
> Estimated price (may vary): Varies by location
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