Holidays 2024: Tamales, peppermint shakes and more in restaurants
If you have visions of sugar plums this holiday season, they may not be easy to find on menus. But restaurants will be serving sugar in abundance.
Fast food and full-service chains have bolstered their menus with sweets for the holidays, and there are more substantial limited time items as well, including tortilla soup and tamales. Starbucks even has a turkey pastry.
Here is a sampling of what’s out there.
Quick service
Chick-fil-A: Chicken tortilla soup and the Atlanta-based chain’s Peppermint Chip Milkshake are back for the season. The dessert lineup also includes Frosted Coffee, a blend of cold brew and Chick-fil-A’s Icedream soft-serve. chick-fil-a.com
Cold Stone Creamery: Wintry treats include Winter White Raspberry Delight, Double Chocolate Malt Ice Cream and a Choco-lotta Malt. coldstonecreamery.com
Dunkin’: Seasonal items include an almond croissant and a Holiday Cookie Signature Latte. dunkindonuts.com
Jack in the Box: The San Diego-based chain is tapping into the birria craze with its Tiny Tacos, which can be ordered with birria-flavored ranch dipping sauce. jackinthebox.com
Krispy Kreme: A “Merry Grinchmas” collection includes the mean one smiling his sickly smile on a cookies-and-cream-filled doughnut. Also new this year is a Grinchy Claus Doughnut and a Cindy-Lou Who Merry Berry Tree Doughnut. krispykreme.com
McDonald’s: Holiday Pie with custard filling is back. mcdonalds.com/us/en-us
Miguel’s Jr.: Chile Rojo Pork and Spicy Chicken Tamales will be available through Dec. 31. A Chile Cheese Tamale will only be available through Dec. 10. miguelsjr.com
Shake Shack: Apple Cider Donut, Christmas Cookie and Chocolate Yule Log are the seasonal shakes. shakeshack.com
Starbucks: New items include a Cran-Merry Refreshers and Gingerbread Cream Cold Foam. Peppermint Mocha, the Cranberry Bliss Bar and the Sugar Plum Cheese Danish are among returning favorites. But the new Turkey Sage Danish is likely the most unique offering. starbucks.com
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Seasonal flavors include Peppermink Dark Chocolate, White Christmas Winter Dream and Gingerbread Cookie, which is a hot or iced latte. coffeebean.com
The Habit Burger Grill: Current limited time items include a Peppermink Bark Shake and the Steakhouse Char Melt. habitburger.com
Full service
Acapulco Restaurant & Cantina, El Torito: Tamales to go are available through Jan. 1 at both chains. They are available in increments of six and cost $28 per dozen. Choices include chicken, carnitas and sweet corn. Order 24 hours in advance. acapulcorestaurants.com, eltorito.com
Applebee’s: Holiday beverages such as a Tipsy Reindeer, made with vodka, cranberry juice and a Santa Claus gummy for $5, and a Cranberry Lime Mocktail for $4. applebees.com
California Pizza Kitchen: New items available through Jan. 6 include Blistered Shishito Peppers, Braised Short Rib Ragu and a Mini Butter Cake Flight. Flavors include Dark Chocolate & Brownie Crumble, Spiced Apple & Cherries and Smoked Bacon & Maple. www.cpk.com
Cracker Barrel Country Store: Fried Apple French Toast Bake is new this year. Seasonal favorites include Cinnamon Roll Pie and Sugar Plum Tea. crackerbarrel.com
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: All locations will be open for lunch weekends beginning Black Friday. Two-course prix fixe meals start at $28 with choice of three entrees: Steak Frites, Cabernet Filet, and a Barbecue Salmon Fillet. flemingssteakhouse.com
Outback Steakhouse: “Steakmas” is underway with such items as Bloomin’ French Onion Sirloin, Bourbon Onion Ribeye and Three Cheese Steak Dip, served with toritilla chips. The Australia-themed chain has its own version of “Elf on the Shelf” called Koala on the Walla. outback.com
Polly’s Pies: Fall specials include a turkey dinner, pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin cookies. pollyspies.com
Red Robin: Festive beverages include Tipsy Santa, made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Baileys Chocolate Liqueur and peppermint flavor, and an Oreo Cookie Magic Milkshake. redrobin.com