KANSAS CITY — Foodservice chains are tapping into consumer trends with the return of fan favorite offerings and spicy flavors.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is bringing smoked brisket back to menus across the United States and Canada for a limited time. The product features smoked brisket seared on a plancha, seasoned with spices like smoked serrano chili pepper and chipotle chili pepper, and finished in a brisket sauce made with smoky chili peppers.
“We are listening to our guests and bringing this fan-favorite menu innovation out of the vault after three years,” said Chris Brandt, chief brand officer. “This premium protein is sure to delight guests looking to taste the difference of brisket prepared the Chipotle way.”
Colorado-based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. is capitalizing on the spicy flavor trend with a new burger variety and three wing sauces. The Jalapeño Heatwave burger merges pepper-jack cheese, caramelized onion, green chili aioli and smashed avocado with red pepper flakes with grilled jalapeños and fried jalapeño coins. Red Robin’s sauce additions include scorpion sauce, a heat-filled offering inspired by the company’s scorpion burger, garlic Parmesan sauce and sea salt and pepper sauce.
“This menu explores spice in many different forms,” said Brian Sullivan, executive chef and vice president of culinary and beverage innovation. “There's bold, upfront spice that will make your lips burn with our new Scorpion wings, there's dimensional, multi-layered heat with grilled and fried jalapeños and cooling freshly smashed avocado with red pepper flakes in the Jalapeño Heatwave Burger.”
Convenience store chain Casey’s is debuting a pizza innovation inspired by a popular football season appetizer. Merging Philadelphia-branded whipped cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, bacon, mild pickled jalapeños and a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey, the jalapeño popper pizza is available in Casey’s stores by the slice or online as a whole pizza.
“Casey’s new jalapeño popper pizza is the latest evidence of our promise to lead the way in unexpected food innovations,” said Tom Brennan, chief merchandising officer at Casey’s. “Perfect for a football tailgate or game watch party, the jalapeño popper pizza brings a fantastic twist to the classic appetizer.”