by Taco Bell Joins the Chicken Nugget Club
Taco Bell has apparently decided that there are not enough chicken nuggets in the drive thru and they are adding their own version. Following is the description from the press release:
Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets defy traditional nugget norms with a crunchy tortilla chip breading for maximum crisp and flavor in every all-white meat chicken bite.
To go with the new nuggets, the Bell is also adding three new dipping sauces: Hidden Valley™ Fire Ranch Sauce, all-new Taco Bell signature Bell sauce, and Jalapeño Honey Mustard. The nuggets and the sauces are on loan from Limited-Time-Only-Ville and could disappear pretty quickly if they prove popular. But if that is the case, expect them to make regular re-appearances just like the Nacho Fries.
Fiery Chicken Fries Are Returning to Burger King
In summer 2024, Burger King unveiled its Fiery Menu (you can read my review of that here), and one of the items from that is making a return trip. The Fiery Chicken Fries were considered to be at heat level 4 (out of 5) and those are returning this month. Here is the official description:
Fiery Chicken Fries (Spice Level 4): Available in four, eight and 12 pieces, the iconic crispy white meat Chicken Fries are marinated with a Fiery seasoning and coated in savory garlic and pepper breading.
These were actually my favorite item from the Fiery Menu, and they did bring somewhat of a kick (I put them above Medium on my scale). They are of course back for the dreaded limited time, but they are worth a trip to the drive thru.
Jersey Mike’s Adds Spicy Pastrami Sandwich
Sandwich maker Jersey Mike’s is bringing pastrami to the menu, and they are offering a kicked-up sub that includes the savory beef. The Chipotle Pastrami is made with “sliced brisket-cut pastrami — grilled with onions under melted Swiss cheese and finished with our Chipotle Mayo on white sub bread,” according to the website. This appears to be a limited-time-only item, and it is also not available in all locations. You can check for a Jersey Mike’s near you here.
Lay’s Announces Several Departures as Well as New Arrivals
With the end of the year coming, Lay’s will be pulling several of its snack options off the shelves. Among the spicy selections that will be going away are the Flamin’ Hot White Cheddar Smart Food Popcorn, Ruffles Lime & Jalapeno, all of the Doritos Dinamita Sticks, Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Tangy Chili Fusion (a favorite of mine), Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Popcorn, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Pretzels. So if any of these snacks are among the ones you pick up on a regular basis, be sure to stock up on them now!
But even though quite a number of bags will disappear from the shelves, there are others scheduled to take their place. Here are the spicy options that will be arriving next year: Doritos Late Night Loaded Taco (formerly a Kroger-exclusive flavor), Doritos Dinamita Xxxtra Flamin Hot, Doritos Tangy Golden Sriracha, Smartfood Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Popcorn (a potential replacement for the Flamin’ Hot White Cheddar Smart Food Popcorn mentioned above), Popcorners Jalapeno Popper, and a new version of Flamin’ Hot Pretzels. I have not seen release dates for these yet, but keep an eye out starting in January.
