The Best New Menu Items This Week

Bored with the same old, same old? Well, it’s a fresh week and there are plenty of brand-new menu items that just dropped at your favorite restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a savory snack, a sweet drink that screams summer, or a treat that’s sure to go viral, you don’t want to skip right over these new additions—one just might become your next go-to.

Videos by Sporked

Dunkin’s Freeze Pop Suncloud Lemonade

On the fence about trying the latest summery additions to Dunkin’s menu? Well, we did the hard work for you and tried everything that just debuted. And there was one particular standout: the Freeze Pop Suncloud Lemonade.

We gave this bright new lemonade flavor 10 out of 10 sporks in our taste test. It’s made with “freeze pop syrup,” which sounds slightly terrifying (I mean, is it supposed to taste like they’re pouring melted freeze pops into lemonade?)—but it’s surprisingly delicious. If you love Bomb Pops, you’re going to want to sip this drink all summer.

We also liked Dunkin’s new Pink Lemon Drop Suncloud Lemonade, with just the right amount of lemon and strawberry. It’s fruity but not overly sweet or too citrus-y and tart. It tastes like a sunny summer day, and it’ll be another go-to if you need a cool treat.

KFC’s Popcorn Chicken

I’ve been missing KFC’s Popcorn Chicken since it first disappeared from menus three years ago, but this week I’m finally whole again—yep, Popcorn Chicken is back and Reddit users are already saying it’s just as good as you remember. 

KFC reintroduced Popcorn Chicken on July 13th to the delight of fast foodies (and fried chicken fans) everywhere. Fan demand was directly responsible for the move, according to KFC Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Cash, who said, “For years, KFC has heard directly from fans clamoring for Popcorn Chicken’s return. We read every comment, every DM, and even every online petition signature, and the message was impossible to ignore.” 

I personally can’t wait to grab a box of these bites once again, and I’ll be doing exactly that ASAP this week. KFC’s press release noted that Popcorn Chicken will stick around “while supplies last.”

Krispy Kreme’s Girl Scout Cookie Donuts

Last week, I learned that Girl Scout Cookies are taking on a whole new form at Krispy Kreme. Now, those cookie-inspired donuts have rolled out in-store and at Krispy Kreme locations nationwide and the result is just as good as you’d hoped.

All three of Krispy Kreme’s new Girl Scout Cookie choices are sweet, but not overpowering, satisfying and familiar while offering a whole new twist on classics. They make an indulgent dessert (or breakfast, if you’re so inclined) and you’ll love that you can get your fix even though cookie season has long since wrapped up for the year.

McDonald’s Revamped McCrispy Strips

Here’s another new chicken item that hit fast food menus this week—one that, unlike KFC’s beloved Popcorn Chicken, is pretty strongly disliked. But before you pass judgement, let it be known I think you need to try these strips for yourself.

McDonald’s has also heard plenty of customer feedback about its McCrispy Strips, which have tasted like a bland, meekly microwaved (and frankly, pretty sad and soggy) spin on the customer-adored Chicken Selects. But recently, McDonald’s revealed that it’s changing the McCrispy Strips to be crispier, more flavorful, and simply better all around. And the upgraded version is rolling out at locations nationwide right now.

The initial verdict? The revamped McCrispy Strips are much improved. They’re crispier and feature more seasoning, packing a bolder punch and a far better crunch than they have in years.