Whether you’re team tacos or burgers, I think we can all agree on something this year – 2020 has felt like a total train wreck. But, this year hasn’t been a total bust, at least not when it comes to fast food. There’s been countless new dishes added to your favorite menus, from Popeyes to KFC to Taco Bell. Of course, when one of the most exciting things you can do is order for delivery, it makes sense why fast food chains would pull out all the stops for us. So sit back, relax, and get ready to pull up your Uber Eats app because this list of the best new fast food from 2022 is going to make you real hungry.
Popeyes BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich
Popeyes took the fast food industry by storm last year with the release of its chicken sandwich, so it only makes sense that they would try to one-up themselves with the new BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich. This bad boy is being tested at select locations, and we have a feeling you guys are going to love it. It spices up the original chicken sandwich by adding sliced pickles, BBQ sauce, bacon slices, and cheddar cheese to the beloved chicken patty.
Popeyes Raspberry Cheesecake Fried Pie
You can’t have a fried chicken dinner without dessert, right? Popeyes is always serving up new and fun treats, like beignets, cake cups, and now – the Raspberry Cheesecake Fried Pie. This new indulgent turnover pie is stuffed with raspberry pie flavoring, graham cracker crumbs, and cheesecake – the fried kind of course. Like most of Popeyes specialty desserts, this one may only be around for a limited time, so be sure to try it out before it’s gone.
KFC Secret Recipe Fries
KFC has kissed their beloved potato wedges goodbye, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fried starch in another form. The new Secret Recipe Fries are now available nationwide after months of being tested at select locations around the country. Fans weren’t so happy about the wedges being discontinued, but we have a feeling you’ll be just fine with their replacement when you try these crispy, thoroughly-seasoned fries. You can order them solo or as a part of the $5 Fill Up or Tenders & Fries Bucket Combo.
Arby’s Beer Battered Fish Sandwich
Fish sandwiches come and go quite frequently in the fast food world, especially during the spring. But Arby’s Beer Battered Fish Sandwich came at a surprisingly great time at the end of summer. It’s still on the menu, but it’s being promoted as a limited time offer, as well. The Beer Battered Fish Sandwich features beer battered fish, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickle slices, and tartar sauce on a brioche bun.
Taco Bell $5 Grande Nachos Box
Taco Bell may have discontinued several items from their menu this year, but they’ve made room for some delicious like the $5 Grande Nachos Box. This massive box of tortilla chips is topped with all the goodies – seasoned beef, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, and guac. It also comes with a Mountain Dew Baja Blast, so you really can’t go wrong.
Fazoli’s $5 & Under Menu
Okay, so this isn’t a single item – it’s five. But I couldn’t decide between all the options on the new Fazoli’s $5 & Under Menu (and why should I have to – they’re so cheap!). This bargain menu includes all the classics:
- Small spaghetti
- Two slices of pizza
- Small fettuccine alfredo
- Chicken parm pasta
- Fettuccine and ravioli bake
Normally, you have to pay at least double for a full portion, and sometimes, you’re not hungry enough to down a big bowl of pasta or plate of pizza! Who’s to blame you?
Lee’s Chicken Sandwich
Last year may have been the year for chicken sandwiches, but that doesn’t mean I won’t welcome a new recipe when I see one. Lee’s Chicken Sandwich was rolled out this year, and it’s a serious contender in the fast food industry. Similar to other Popeyes, the Lee’s option comes with a breaded chicken fillet (regular or spicy) that’s topped with dill pickles. The money maker? The sandwich is drizzled with Lee’s signature chipotle ranch sauce. It’s finished off with a delicious, toasted brioche bun.
KFC Chicken Sandwich
KFC isn’t a stranger to the chicken sandwich world, but they’ve never had a staple on the menu that’s lived up to its competitors (we’re looking at you, Popeyes and Chick-fil-A). All of that changed this year with the release of the new KFC Chicken Sandwich. You may be thinking that it looks quite a bit like the Crispy Colonel Sandwich – and you’d be right. But in my honest opinion, it’s quite a bit better. The new Chicken Sandwich comes with an extra crispy chicken filet, pickle slices, and mayo (regular or spicy). This version has a thicker cut of meat and a bigger bun in comparison to the Crispy Colonel – two major factors that play into the quality.
Taco Bell Flamin’ Hot Doritos Locos Taco
Is anyone else surprised it took Taco Bell this long to debut the Flamin’ Hot Doritos Locos Taco? If it wasn’t for this launch, I’m not sure I could have gotten through April, to be honest. Just like its Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese counterparts, this spicy rendition will feature Taco Bell’s famous seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, and cheese. You can also order the Flamin’ Hot taco as a Supreme with diced tomatoes and sour cream.
Pizza Hut Nashville Hot Wings
Pizza Hut has surprisingly excellent wings. I personally prefer boneless, but I’ve heard their traditional are just as good, and they come in tons of flavor options. This year, The Hut added the new Nashville Hot Wings to their lineup, and they’re just what 2020 needed. As you may have guessed, this flavor option is quite spicy, but there’s a little sweetness and tang to them, too making them perfect for dunking in ranch and washing down with an iced cold coke.
IHOP Cereal Pancakes
You no longer have to choose between your two favorite breakfast items with IHOP’s new Cereal Pancakes. They taste like childhood, and you can get them in several flavor variations, including Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cap’n Crunch, and Lucky Charms. Each stack of pancakes is topped with sauce, cereal-milk-flavored mousse, cereal, and whipped cream. And if that doesn’t sound good enough for you, there’s also the Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ Milkshake and Crunch Berries® Milkshake.
Dunkin’ Snackin Bacon
Sure, you can get bacon on a burger or breakfast sandwich, but what about enjoying it all on its own? Dunkin’ is one of the only fast food chains to leverage Americans’ love for this breakfast meat with the new Snackin’ Bacon. With every order, you’ll get to enjoy eight half-strips of bacon that’s seasoned with brown sugar and black pepper and smoked with cherrywood. Order it all on its own or pair it with a donut or iced coffee. That smokey flavor is an excellent complement to any sweet treat.
What’s been your favorite new fast food released in 2020? Let us know in the comments below!
