Summer is officially here, and with it comes the exciting rush of fast food chains rolling out fresh new menu items designed to dazzle your taste buds and keep you cool through the warmer months. But let’s be honest — not every new launch hits the mark.
In a sea of bold flavors, clever marketing, and Instagram-worthy presentations, it’s tough to know which treats deserve your hard-earned cash and which ones are better left untouched.
That’s where I come in. I’ve hit the drive-thru lanes, sampled the latest releases, and sifted through the hype to bring you a no-nonsense guide to June’s fast food scene. From fiery dragon-themed burgers to refreshing pink spritzers, and cheesy crust pizzas to flaky croissant toasts, the winners on this list are guaranteed to elevate your summer cravings. These are the meals and drinks that combine creativity with taste, offering something unique and truly satisfying.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Some new items just don’t deliver on flavor, texture, or consistency — falling short in ways that could leave you regretting that purchase. I’ve also rounded up the biggest letdowns that you should avoid, no matter how tempting the advertising looks. Whether it’s overly sweet drinks, soggy chicken strips, or hollow pizza bites, I’ve got the scoop on what to skip this month.
1. Order: Burger King’s Dragon-Inspired Menu
Burger King’s How to Train Your Dragon Menu brings movie magic to your meal! The dragon-themed offerings include vibrant purple and green buns that actually taste good, not just look cool for social media.
The standout is their Fiery Dragon Whopper with smoky chipotle sauce that delivers just the right kick without overwhelming the classic Whopper flavor. Kids will go crazy for the collectible toys that come with the meals.
Even the packaging has gotten a mythical makeover with scales and dragon illustrations. This limited-time collaboration proves that movie tie-ins can be delicious when done right.
2. Order: Dunkin’s Pink Spritz Refresher
Sunshine in a cup! Dunkin’s Pink Spritz Refresher combines strawberry and dragonfruit flavors with a hint of elderflower for a sophisticated twist that elevates it above typical fruit drinks.
The beautiful rosy color makes it instantly Instagram-worthy, but the balanced sweetness and refreshing bubbles are what will keep you coming back. Unlike many competitors’ fruit drinks, this one tastes natural rather than syrupy.
Perfect for hot June afternoons, this drink offers a caffeine boost from green tea that won’t leave you jittery. The elderflower note adds an unexpected sophistication that makes this refresher feel special.
3. Order: Papa Johns Cheddar Crust Pizza
Cheese lovers, rejoice! Papa Johns has created the ultimate indulgence with their Cheddar Crust Pizza. The innovation here is brilliant – they’ve baked sharp cheddar directly into the crust, creating a golden, crispy edge that’s irresistibly savory.
Each bite delivers that satisfying cheese-pull moment that pizza dreams are made of. The contrast between the traditional mozzarella topping and the cheddar-infused crust creates a delightful flavor complexity rarely found in chain pizza.
The cheese isn’t just a gimmick; it’s perfectly integrated into the dough. This addition transforms an ordinary pizza experience into something worth seeking out before this limited-time offering disappears.
4. Order: Panera’s Croque Monsieur Croissant Toast
Panera has outdone itself with this fancy breakfast creation! The Croque Monsieur Croissant Toast transforms the classic French sandwich into something uniquely delicious, using buttery croissant dough as its base.
Layers of ham, gruyère cheese, and a subtle béchamel sauce meld together when toasted, creating a harmony of flavors and textures. The outside gets perfectly crisp while maintaining that distinctive croissant flakiness we all love.
What makes this item special is how it bridges the gap between fast food and café cuisine. It feels like something you’d order at a Parisian bistro but with the convenience of Panera’s quick service.
5. Order: Popeyes Pickle Glaze Chicken Sandwich
Popeyes has managed to improve upon their already legendary chicken sandwich with a brilliant flavor innovation. Their Pickle Glaze Chicken Sandwich features that same perfect crispy chicken but adds a sweet-tangy pickle-infused glaze that caramelizes slightly when applied to the hot chicken.
The contrast between the savory chicken, the sweet-sour glaze, and the buttery bun creates a flavor profile that’s surprisingly complex for fast food. Unlike regular pickle chips that can fall out, this glaze ensures every bite gets that signature pickle flavor.
The sandwich still includes their classic barrel-cured pickles underneath, doubling down on the theme without becoming overwhelming. It’s a creative spin that actually enhances the original.
6. Skip: Little Caesars Crazy Puffs
Little Caesars’ attempt at bite-sized pizza snacks misses the mark with their Crazy Puffs. These small dough balls stuffed with cheese and pepperoni sound promising but end up being mostly air inside with minimal filling.
The biggest letdown is the inconsistency – some puffs are decently filled while others are practically hollow. The exterior gets too crispy, often crossing into the burnt territory, while the cheese inside doesn’t achieve that satisfying melty stretch you’re hoping for.
At their price point, you’re better off getting their classic Crazy Bread or even a small pizza. What could have been a perfect shareable snack ends up being a disappointing box of doughy disappointment.
7. Skip: McDonald’s McCrispy Strips
McDonald’s latest attempt to enter the chicken tender competition falls short with their McCrispy Strips. Despite the promising name, these strips lack the juiciness and flavor that make competitors’ options so craveable.
The breading has an odd sweetness that doesn’t complement the chicken, and it fails to maintain its crispiness, becoming soggy quickly. Inside, the chicken often appears processed rather than like real chicken breast pieces you’d find at Popeyes or Chick-fil-A.
The dipping sauces can’t save these mediocre strips. With so many excellent chicken options available from fast food competitors who specialize in poultry, these strips simply aren’t worth your time or money.
8. Skip: Dairy Queen’s Sauced and Tossed Chicken Strips Basket
Dairy Queen should stick to ice cream. Their Sauced and Tossed Chicken Strips Basket attempts to jazz up basic chicken strips by tossing them in sauce (like buffalo or honey BBQ), but the execution fails miserably.
The sauce application is wildly inconsistent – some strips are drowning while others barely get a coating. Worse, the sauce makes the once-crispy breading soggy almost immediately. The chicken quality itself is acceptable, but nothing special compared to chicken-focused chains.
The accompanying fries suffer the same fate when sauce drips onto them. For a place known for their frozen treats, this hot food offering proves that not every chain should try to do everything.
9. Skip: Sonic’s Sweet Topped Lemonade
Sonic’s Sweet Topped Lemonade sounds refreshing but delivers a sugar bomb that overwhelms any actual lemon flavor. The concept – lemonade topped with sweet syrups and candy pieces – creates an Instagram-worthy drink that’s practically undrinkable.
The base lemonade itself is already quite sweet, so adding additional candy toppings and flavored syrups creates a concoction that’s more dessert than beverage. The toppings quickly sink to the bottom, creating an unpleasant sludge that clogs straws.
Even kids find this drink excessive! With summer heat calling for truly refreshing options, this sugar-laden creation misses the mark completely. Save your money and your teeth by ordering Sonic’s regular lemonade instead.
10. Skip: Del Taco’s Mango Pineapple Sprite Poppers
Del Taco’s attempt at a fun beverage innovation falls flat with their Mango Pineapple Sprite Poppers. The concept sounds exciting – Sprite mixed with tropical flavors and popping boba pearls – but the execution is a mess.
The fruit flavoring tastes artificial and clashes with the Sprite rather than complementing it. The popping boba pearls are the biggest letdown; they’re often stale, refusing to pop properly, or worse, they clump together at the bottom of the cup.
The drink comes with a special wide straw for the boba, but it frequently gets clogged. Save yourself the frustration and stick to regular Sprite or Del Taco’s decent frozen beverages instead of this tropical disappointment.
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