Every jalapeño menu item, by chain and by year
Which US restaurant chains put jalapeño on the menu, when each launch ran, and who got there first.
Key data
MenuLaunches has tracked 21 jalapeño menu launches across 15 US restaurant chains between 2026 and 2026, peaking in 2026-09. The chains that use it most are Logan's Roadhouse, Whataburger, Taco Bell, Red Robin.
- Launches
- 21
- Chains
- 15
- Years covered
- 2026–2026
- Peak month
- 2026-09
Launches by month
When chains actually put this on the menu.
- 126-04
- 1326-09
- 726-10
Who launched jalapeño first in 2026
Ordered by announce date.
| # | Chain | Item | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A&W Restaurants | Jalapeño Queso Bacon Double Cheeseburger | April 1, 2026 |
| 2 | Denny's | Spicy All-American Slamwich | September 4, 2026 |
| 3 | Applebee's | O-M-Cheese Chicken Nachos | September 4, 2026 |
| 4 | Subway | Hot Honey Turkey Italiano | September 9, 2026 |
| 5 | Subway | Hot Honey Italian | September 9, 2026 |
| 6 | Subway | Doritos Hot Honey Nachos | September 9, 2026 |
| 7 | Slim Chickens | Honey Jalapeño Pimento Sandwich and Wrap | September 9, 2026 |
| 8 | Sweetgreen | Fall Harvest Menu | September 14, 2026 |
| 9 | Burger King | Texas Double Whopper | September 14, 2026 |
| 10 | Burger King | Texas Whopper | September 14, 2026 |
All launches
Whataburger · Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double
A burger with two fresh 100% beef patties, Jalapeño Ranch, jalapeño cream cheese, smoky bacon, sliced jalapeños and aged cheddar cheese. Also available in a Jr. size.
Taco Bell · Classic Chicken Crunchadilla
A warm flour tortilla filled with grilled, marinated all-white-meat chicken, a blend of mozzarella, pepper jack and cheddar cheeses, a crisp tortilla shell, reduced-fat sour cream, and a choice of Creamy Jalapeño Sauce or Sriracha Sauce before being grilled.
Taco Bell · Crunchadilla
A small quesadilla with grilled white-meat chicken, a three-cheese blend, half a crispy Mexican pizza shell, reduced-fat sour cream, and a choice of Creamy Jalapeño or Creamy Sriracha Sauce, folded in a warm flour tortilla and grilled.

Red Robin · Burnin' Love Burger
A burger with fried jalapeño coins, salsa, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and green chili aioli on a brioche bun, served with a bottomless side and bottomless beverage as part of the Big YUMMM Deals menu.

White Castle · Southwest Veggie Slider
A veggie slider featuring a Dr. Praeger's patty of sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, red bell peppers, onions, and carrots with a crispy brown rice crust, topped with jalapeño cheese on a slider bun.

McDonald's · Mighty Hot Sauce
A sauce combining crushed red peppers, red jalapeños, cayenne, and garlic, designed to pair with Spicy Chicken McNuggets.
Culver's · Jalapeño Cheese Curds
A spicy twist on Culver's classic Wisconsin Cheese Curds, made with real cheddar cheese and bits of jalapeño pepper.
Taco Bell · Steak & Potato Loaded Quesadilla
A version of the Steak & Potato Loaded Quesadilla made with pickled jalapeños added, featuring grilled marinated steak, cheddar cheese, Nacho Cheese Sauce, and Creamy Jalapeño Sauce with crispy potato bites in a grilled flour tortilla.
Del Taco · Flamin' Hot Queso Loaded Fries
Crinkle-cut fries topped with seasoned ground beef, Flamin' Hot-flavored Queso, grated cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños.
Del Taco · Flamin' Hot Queso Loaded Nachos
House-made tortilla chips topped with seasoned ground beef, grilled marinated chicken, or carne asada steak, slow-cooked beans, Flamin' Hot-flavored Queso, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños.

Burger King · Texas Whopper
A smaller version of the flame-grilled beef patty burger topped with bacon, American cheese, jalapeños, mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion, part of the Texas Whopper lineup expanded to all US locations.

Burger King · Texas Double Whopper
A double flame-grilled beef patty burger topped with bacon, American cheese, jalapeños, mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion, part of the Texas Whopper lineup expanded to all US locations.

Sweetgreen · Fall Harvest Menu
Seasonal fall menu featuring maple-glazed brussels sprouts topped with crumbled bacon and charred jalapeno ranch, alongside the Harvest Bowl.

Slim Chickens · Honey Jalapeño Pimento Sandwich and Wrap
A limited-time chicken sandwich and wrap featuring breaded chicken breast, pimento cheese, honey, and pickled jalapeños on a brioche bun; the wrap version includes lettuce and shredded cheddar in a jalapeño-flavored tortilla.
Subway · Doritos Hot Honey Nachos
Doritos Nacho Cheese chips topped with rotisserie-style chicken or shaved steak, Monterey cheddar, tomatoes, red onions, jalapenos, Baja Chipotle sauce, and Subway's Hot Honey.
Subway · Hot Honey Italian
Pepperoni, Genoa salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, jalapenos, and Hot Honey, toasted on Jalapeño Cheddar Bread.
Subway · Hot Honey Turkey Italiano
The Hot Honey Italian with the addition of oven-roasted turkey.

Applebee's · O-M-Cheese Chicken Nachos
A dine-in-only appetizer featuring white corn tortilla chips topped with chipotle lime chicken, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and cilantro, served in a sizzling skillet of queso and melted Cheddar.

Denny's · Spicy All-American Slamwich
A breakfast sandwich made with scrambled eggs, bacon, pickled jalapeños, American cheese, and hash browns on grilled sourdough bread.

A&W Restaurants · Jalapeño Queso Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Two beef patties, American cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and a warm, spicy queso sauce.