The 14 Best New Fast Food Hidden Gems More People Need To Know About In 2026

Many "new" fast food items are actually recycled from earlier menus, like Taco Bell's returning Enchirito. Others, however, are truly the first of their kind, and some of these generate a lot of buzz. (Not all of it positive, though, as witness Taco Bell's unimpressive lineup announced earlier in the year.) A number of 2026 offerings, however, may fly lower on the radar but are quietly proving their worth on a daily basis.

Our top underrated fast food finds of this year include such desserts as a modern take on a traditional southern treat and a sweeter version of a usually savory side. Several new beverages were spotted too, some of which could also double as desserts, while others are light and refreshing. Main courses are represented, of course, along with snacks and sides. A few new breakfast items have also dropped, one of which could low-key launch the second fast-food sandwich war we've seen this decade. (Watch this space for breaking news updates.)

We usually think of s'mores as a summertime thing, but the S'mores Frosted Coffee was introduced in late August as part of Chick-fil-A's new fall menu. This blend of cold brew coffee and vanilla soft serve is flavored with graham cracker, chocolate shortbread crumbles, and marshmallow syrup. As is typical of fast food items, the cost may vary by location, but the Chick-fil-A in West Allis, Wisconsin, sells the drink for $5.09. (All of the prices on this list come from Milwaukee-area locations and reflect carryout orders.)

Triple Cheese Mac, a new Pizza Hut item that first appeared back in July, is a far cry from the stuff that comes in a blue box. It's made with cavatappi pasta instead of elbow macaroni and includes the advertised mix of three cheeses: cheddar, parmesan, and what Pizza Hut calls its signature pizza cheese (but is actually a mozzarella blend). The mac and cheese was introduced at $6 as part of the chain's value menu, but the price has since been raised to at least $9.99. (In Milwaukee, it costs $11.39 but comes with a side of breadsticks.)

Biscoff, a brown sugar- and spice-flavored Belgian cookie, was once associated with air travel, but in recent years it has come down to earth and been incorporated into numerous cookie-flavored items. One of our favorites this year has been the Baskin-Robbins' Biscoff Cookie Signature Shake that debuted in September. It's made with cookie butter and Biscoff Cookie Crème Brûlée ice cream, which has a custard base and is flavored with cookie pieces and swirls of caramelized sugar. The shake comes in a cup lined with cookie butter and is topped with whipped cream, a cookie butter drizzle, and cookie crumbles — the pièce de résistance is a Biscoff cookie garnish. A medium-sized shake costs $7.99, with small ones about a buck cheaper and large ones priced $1.30 more.

Pizza Hut may have introduced the Personal Pan Pizza in the early 1980s, but it took Domino's more than four decades to follow suit. When the chain finally launched its first single-serve pizza in August 2026, however, it added its own special twist. Instead of a small circular pizza, the Domino is a Detroit-style rectangle that's said to have been inspired by the chain's logo. The crust is covered in baked-on parmesan, and the pizza can be customized with any of Domino's sauces and up to three toppings. A drizzle of garlic sauce is also included in the $7.99 price.

Remember the great chicken sandwich wars of 2019 when Popeyes went head-to-head with Chick-fil-A by offering a very similar sandwich? It may be starting up again since in September, Popeye's launched a chicken biscuit campaign. The $5.00 Honey Chicken Biscuit consists of a fried chicken breast filet sandwiched in a split biscuit, just like you can get at Chick-fil-A. It also comes with two packets of honey, a condiment available at the latter chain as well. So how do the two items compare? Uh-uh, we're not going there. Popeye's Honey Chicken Biscuit is pretty great, and so is Chick-fil-A's. There's plenty of room for both, so why can't we all get along?

French fries may actually be French (or possibly Belgian) in origin, but they're considered pretty all-American now. Taco Bell took them south of the border in 2018 with the creation of Nacho Fries and is now stirring the culinary melting pot once again. Creamy Sriracha Chicken Nacho Fries throw yet another country into the mix, since sriracha has roots in Thailand. The fries, which came out in October, are topped with chicken chunks, creamy sriracha sauce, nacho cheese sauce, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo and priced at $5.49.

The new nacho fries aren't the only menu item to debut at Taco Bell in October. The new Double Dipping Burritos are small and snackable, but what really sets them apart from the chain's other items is that they're paired with a duo of dips: a spicy ranch dressing and a crunchy coating of crushed tortilla chips and cheddar-flavored crispy bits. They're available with either steak or chicken fillings, and each order of two miniritos costs $5.99.

Once upon a time, McDonald's had a fried apple pie, but this near-perfect fast food dessert was replaced with a baked one back in 1992. The popular McDonald's dessert came back in the run-up to 2026 Fourth of July celebrations but tormented us by vanishing almost immediately. It turns out there has been a more than acceptable alternative all along: Burger King's Cinnamon Apple Pie, which quietly dropped back in January. This pastry, which costs $1.79 for two pieces, is fried instead of baked, and this truly makes all the difference. 

Arby's, that most meat-centric of chains, has offered a cheesesteak on the menu before as a short-term special. The new-as-of-June Angus Cheesesteak, however, is now on the permanent roster and has been upgraded to more closely resemble its inspiration. Arby's Angus Cheesesteak makes Philly proud by using traditional Cooper American cheese and a sesame seed sub roll; it also ditched the inauthentic bell peppers used in the 2025 version. The sandwich starts at $9.29, although swapping out the cheese for Swiss or cheddar costs extra. (Sadly, "wit Wiz" is not an option.) 

Arby's may have looked to the City of Brotherly Love for sandwich inspo, but the Peach Cobbler Rolls it dropped back in January are influenced by a classic southern dessert. Instead of having a cobbler topping, however, the sweet fruity filling is rolled up in crispy egg roll-type wrappers to make a more portable treat. Each order consists of two pieces and is priced at $2.99.

Chick-fil-A isn't the only chain with s'mores on its mind this year since Pizza Hut, too, introduced a treat inspired by the same cookout classic. S'mores Sticks start with a bread base but ditch the savory topping in favor of chocolate, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows. This dessert launched as part of July's value menu initiative along with the aforementioned Triple Cheese Mac, but unlike the pasta dish, it has retained its $5.00 starting price.

The Chicken and Waffles Breakfast Sandwich, a new addition to Chick-fil-A's fall menu, is just what the name implies: The chain's eponymous chicken filet is sandwiched between two maple-flavored waffles along with a honey butter spread and a few bacon strips — it also comes with a side of syrup for drizzling or dipping. The breakfast sandwich is priced at $5.29, although a larger Chicken and Waffles Sandwich is available during lunch and dinner hours for $8.19. Spicy and grilled versions of both sandwiches are available for a slight upcharge.

Not every restaurant offers free chips and salsa with a Mexican meal. At Chipotle, you'll pay an upcharge for either or both. This begs the question, who's paying for plain chips, and why? This September, though, the chain finally delivered its first flavored chips. Chili Lime Chips may cost a bit extra, but they deliver so much more bang for the buck. A medium order with no dip starts at $2.45, which is just around $0.50 more than the plain ones.

In a year when the food world seemed to be going bananas, Popeyes went in a different direction with its Pineapple Sweet Tea. This new drink, which dropped on the last day of August, is kind of like an Arnold Palmer, only with a tropical tang instead of a citrusy one. If you prefer tart flavors to sweet ones, you can also get it in an unsweet tea version — either one will cost you $2.99.