All the New Fast Food Items to Order in October
October might be better known for candy, but this year’s fast food releases are stealing some attention. Chains are rolling out bold flavors, Halloween-inspired treats, and a few surprising comebacks. So before these items vanish into the November void, here’s a look at what’s actually worth ordering right now.
Wendy’s New Chicken Tendys
Credit: Facebook
Wendy’s finally rolled out its long-awaited tenders: crisp on the outside, juicy inside, and made with all-white meat. They come in three- or four-piece options, or tucked into a Kids’ Meal. There’s also a six-sauce lineup, including Sweet Chili, Honey BBQ, and Scorchin’ Hot.
Burger King’s Jack-O-Lantern Whopper
Credit: Instagram
Burger King is leaning into Halloween with a seasonal spin on its classic Whopper. The burger comes on an orange bun topped with black sesame seeds for a pumpkin-inspired look. It’s paired with limited sides like Mummy Mozzarella Fries and Vampire Nuggets, all served in a coffin-shaped box that completes the theme.
Wingstop’s Haunted Habanero Sauce
Credit: Reddit
Wingstop’s latest flavor drop combines the sweetness of Mango Habanero with the punch of their Atomic sauce. It’s a sneaky kind of heat that catches up only after a few bites. The bright orange promo visuals also help set the tone for Halloween orders.
Taco Bell x Salt & Straw’s Tacolate Ice Cream Taco
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Salt & Straw and Taco Bell reimagined the Choco Taco using a cinnamon-ancho ice cream base, a waffle cone shell, and puffed brown rice for crunch. It’s dipped in chocolate and, if desired, can be topped with sauces like Mango Jalapeño or Wildberry Cinnamon.
Popeyes Darin’ Dab Ghost Wings
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Popeyes is keeping the heat turned up this season with its buzzed-about Hot Ones collaboration. Fans have been talking about the wings, which deliver crunchy flavor on their own but reach a whole new level when paired with The Last Dab sauce packet.
McDonald’s Pumpkin & Crème Pie
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This new seasonal dessert offers a two-filling situation: one half spiced pumpkin, one half vanilla crème. All of it’s wrapped inside a sugar-dusted, flaky pastry pocket that bakes up golden. It’s only around for fall and has already been picked up by McDonald’s pie loyalists.
Starbucks Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
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Starbucks is giving fall flavors a break from pumpkin with the return of its Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. The drink combines apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon notes, shaken over ice for a crisp, spiced flavor. Oatmilk adds a smooth finish, keeping it balanced rather than overly sweet.
Chipotle’s Red Chimichurri Sauce
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Chipotle added a second sauce in the same year. This is a big move for a chain that barely touches its condiment bar. Red Chimichurri mixes roasted garlic, citrus, chili, and cilantro, and pairs well with Carne Asada. Company execs called it a “new flavor profile,” and customers agree it makes burrito bowls more customizable.
Smashburger’s Colorado Big Dog
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This new menu addition plays off the success of the Colorado Smashburger. The Colorado Big Dog uses the same flavor template—bold, cheesy, slightly spicy—and applies it to an all-beef hot dog in a soft roll. It also joins Smashburger’s growing value menu.
Cold Stone’s Boo Batter Ice Cream
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Cake Batter Ice Cream goes goth for October. Boo Batter is the same base flavor dyed black and folded into sundaes like the Treat or Treat, topped with Kit Kats, M&M’s, and Halloween Oreos. The combo sounds like a sugar overload, but the visual impact alone has kept it trending.
Pizza Hut’s Big Dinner Box
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Back in time for National Pizza Month, Pizza Hut’s Big Dinner Box stacks two medium one-topping pizzas with wings and breadsticks for $19.99. It’s a return of one of their most popular bundles and also includes options for upgrades like pastas or bone-in wings.
California Pizza Kitchen’s Jack-O-Lantern Pizza
Credit: Facebook
California Pizza Kitchen brought back its seasonal Jack-O-Lantern Pizza, a Halloween favorite featuring pepperoni arranged to resemble a pumpkin face. The personal-size pizza is part of the chain’s National Pizza Month offerings and is available baked or as a take-and-bake kit for a limited time.
KFC’s Original Honey BBQ Sauce Return
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The ’90s sauce is back. Originally discontinued years ago, KFC brought back its Original Honey BBQ Sauce on October 6 to give fans a throwback flavor option for tenders, bone-in chicken, and sandwiches. It’s sweet, sticky, and smoky, and its return has been well-received.
Shake Shack’s SmokeShack BOGO Deal
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Until October 11, Shake Shack offered a buy-one-get-one free promo on the SmokeShack—an Angus beef burger layered with bacon, cheese, and cherry peppers. It’s spicy-sweet and served on a toasted potato bun. The promo code SPOOKY unlocked the deal through the app or kiosks.
Baskin-Robbins’ Galactic Brownie Polar Pizza
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This dessert pizza features brownie batter ice cream with rainbow chips and brownie pieces on a double fudge brownie crust. It’s topped with sprinkles and M&M’s, then drizzled with fudge. It launched as the October flavor of the month and also got a 20% discount for rewards members.