Panera Bread isn't waiting for the leaves to turn. The bakery-cafe chain has launched its fall menu early, bringing back the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte — both hot and iced — alongside two brand-new additions: a Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee and a Pumpkin Spice Frozen Java.

On the food side, Panera is debuting a Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll stuffed with cinnamon-pumpkin filling and topped with pumpkin spice icing, plus a Caramel Pumpkin Slice featuring brown sugar, vanilla, and salted caramel swirls. The returning fan-favorite Pumpkin Cookie rounds out the lineup.

"Only Panera can offer guests the complete pumpkin spice experience, from beverages to baked goods," said VP of Culinary Scott Uehlein. The full fall menu is available now at Panera locations nationwide.

Subway is leaning into the "swicy" trend with a new limited-time lineup built around a fan-favorite flavor: Hot Honey. Back by popular demand, the Hot Honey Signature Swicy Collection debuts a surprising new addition — Doritos Hot Honey Nachos.

The nachos stack Doritos Nacho Cheese chips with Monterey cheddar, veggies, and Subway's signature Hot Honey drizzle, available in Chicken, Steak, or Cheese builds — with Chicken and Cheese options starting at $4.99.

The collection also includes two new subs: the Hot Honey Italian (salami, pepperoni, provolone) and the Hot Honey Turkey Italiano, both toasted and finished with that sweet-heat sauce.

The collection runs through October 26 at participating Subway locations nationwide, available in-restaurant, through the app, or online.

Taco Bell is turning back the clock to 2016 with its latest Decades #TBTB menu, bringing back four fan-favorite items for a limited time starting August 20.

Returning to menus nationwide are the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Meximelt®, Beefy Crunch Burrito, and Caramel Apple Empanada — each a cult staple from the mid-2010s. Rewards members got a head start, unlocking the Beefy Crunch Burrito two days early via the app.

The nostalgia trip extends beyond the drive-through. Taco Bell partnered with streetwear brand Anti Social Social Club, screen-free camera brand Camp Snap, and Divine — a new six-second looping video app paying homage to Vine — to fully resurrect that carefree 2016 internet era.

Whether you lived it the first time or missed it entirely, Taco Bell wants to make sure you taste the throwback.

Angry Chickz, the fast-growing Nashville hot chicken brand, has launched its new app and loyalty rewards program — and early adopters have a reason to move fast.

Through the end of August, anyone who downloads the Angry Chickz App and signs up for Angry Chickz Rewards will receive a free Slider as a welcome gift.

The app consolidates ordering, rewards tracking, and exclusive offers in one place. VP of Marketing Tonya McCoy says the experience was built directly around guest feedback, with the goal of making every visit feel more personal and seamless.

Founded in Los Angeles in 2018, Angry Chickz has expanded into a multi-state franchise, offering customizable heat levels ranging from no-heat Country to the waiver-worthy Angry — across tenders, sliders, bowls, and sides.

Jack’s Place

This week’s featured bite is Jack’s Place, a rustic Leona Valley favorite serving hearty New American comfort food in a relaxed, small-town setting. Located just west of Palmdale, Jack’s Place has the kind of local charm that makes it feel like more than just a restaurant — it feels like a quick escape from the usual AV dining routine.

What stood out most was the variety. This is not a one-dish kind of place. You can stop in for breakfast, grab a serious burger, split a pizza, or settle in for a family dinner. Whether you’re heading out toward Leona Valley, coming back from the poppy fields, or just looking for somewhere different from the usual Palmdale/Lancaster rotation, this is one of those local spots worth keeping on your radar.

What to Try

Pretzel Burger — A house-ground beef patty with cheddar cheese and caramelized onions on a pretzel bun, served with beer cheese sauce. This is the one that feels made for burger people.

Stuffed French Toast — A breakfast favorite that has helped Jack’s Place build its reputation as a hearty local brunch stop.

Chorizo Tostada Skillet — A bold breakfast/lunch pick mentioned by customers on Jack’s own site, and exactly the kind of dish that gives the place more personality than a standard diner.

Local Bites Take

Best reason to go: Small-town AV charm with a menu that works for breakfast, burgers, dinner, or a relaxed weekend stop.

Good for: Families, couples, poppy-field visitors, casual meetups, and anyone looking for a local place outside the usual chain circuit.

Type: New American / Family Dining / Breakfast / Burgers

Best For: Weekend breakfast, family lunch, casual dinner, post-hike bite, pet-friendly patio dining

Price feel: $$

Hi Thai Food & Boba

At Monday Night Bites in Lancaster, Lori and I stopped by the Hi Thai Food truck to give it a try — and overall, it was a solid local food truck experience.

Lori ordered the chow mein and really enjoyed it. What stood out to her was that it had plenty of vegetables and was not overloaded with noodles, which was exactly what she likes. It felt more balanced than heavy, and that made it a win for her.

I ordered the orange chicken, which came with plain white rice and sauce. The flavor was good, and overall I enjoyed it. My only small knock was that the chicken seemed maybe a little overcooked on the outside, but other than that, it was excellent and definitely worth trying again.

Based on other customer feedback, Hi Thai Food has also built a strong following for fresh, flavorful Thai dishes served hot and made with care. Popular mentions include Pad See Ew, Drunken Noodles, Pad Thai, chicken dishes, tofu options, and mango sticky rice. Several locals also point out that the portions are generous, the flavors are satisfying, and the spice level can be adjusted depending on how much heat you want.

Like many food trucks, location and timing can vary, so it’s a good idea to check their latest schedule before heading out. Locals have mentioned seeing them around Palmdale, Lancaster, Quartz Hill, and local brewery or event stops.

AVLBR Take: Hi Thai Food is a good Antelope Valley food truck to keep on your radar. The chow mein was a hit, the orange chicken had good flavor, and the menu has enough variety to make it worth another visit.

Best for: Thai food cravings, food truck nights, quick dinner, veggie-forward noodle dishes, and anyone looking for something different from the usual event food.