Christmas may be just a few weeks away by the time the first weekend in December rolls around, but for Angelenos, that span of three days is all about the delights of chain restaurants.
From Dec. 1 to 3, the sold-out Chainfest is taking place in L.A. and elevates Michelin-starred chef Tim Hollingsworth and B.J. Novak’s coveted pop-up into a three-day food festival. A tribute to the nostalgia of chain favorites like Chili’s and Jack in the Box, it gives foodies the opportunity to experience an innovative, creative take on easy-eating classics.
With Chainfest just around the corner, we’re finally being let in on what’s set for the previously top-secret menu. Whether you’ve got tickets in hand or not, you’ll be simply astounded by what Hollingsworth and team have crafted up, such as a sippable donut, three-inch pizzas and Burgertini. For a deeper dive into the menu read on for the wild, exclusive items coming to Chainfest.
Is there a dish more synonymous with Chili’s than ribs? Now that you’ve got that nostalgic jingle on loop in your head, look to the future with one particular innovative dish coming to Chainfest. The Baby Back Ribwich is a rib sandwich made of Snake River Farm’s best-in-class baby back ribs slathered in Chain’s original Chain Reserve Whiskey BBQ sauce. It also features pineapple, jalapeño hot vinegar slaw and a potato brioche bun. To complement, you’ll want to pair this with the Don Julio Tequila x Chili’s Margarita.
Whether you prefer a sweet or savory flavor profile, Dunkin’ has all taste preferences covered. The donut chain will serve up three new items: Spicy Donut (Dunkin’ bacon brittle, Sriracha maple coating and Chain’s Spicy Bourbon Drizzle), Sweet Donut (buttermilk donut topped with créme brûlée, caramel drizzle and crème brulee sugar) and Sippable Donut (Dunkin’ Glazed Donut Cold Brew with strawberry icing-flavored cold foam and rainbow sprinkles).
Jack knows everyone loves its sauced-up tiny tacos, so the only way to go big for Chainfest is with Jumbo Sized Tiny Tacos. And no, that doesn’t just mean these tacos go from super small to standard size. Fried and crisped in beef tallow, these slow-braised American wagyu beef tacos are enlivened by Chain’s Taco Perfecto sauce and Super-Secret Umami Shake spice blend. It also comes with Classic Curlies (fires) and Chain’s Munchie Sauce. Adding a dash of decadence, the crowd in the VIP Lounge will get a chance at Curlies + Caviar: Jack’s classic curly fries topped with Osetra caviar and creme fraiche.
Burger lovers should immediately flock to Red Robin for The MadLove Redux. All stuffed between a Rockenwagner potato-brioche hybrid bun, this burger is a stack of Chain’s custom dry-aged beef and bone marrow burger blend, a custom parm-jack-mozzarella tuile, candied Nueske’s bacon, housemade jalapeno relish, market-fresh avocados and lemon-lime marinated tomatoes. Go the extra mile by washing it down with Red Robins’s Burgertini, a savory Ketel One vodka cocktail with muddled tomatoes, beef bone broth and pickle brine. It comes garnished with smoked bacon and a skewered brioche bun, cherry tomato and pickle chip with a Red Robin Seasoning Blend rim.
Panda Express will expand its orange chicken lineup for the food festival. Offering three new options, foodies will delight in a four-piece skewer with flavors of Szechuan Red, Turmeric Yellow, Basil-Mint Green and Classic Orange. It all comes finished in Chain’s Umami Crunch.
Fries in a shake. Chips on a sandwich. Popcorn and M’n’M’s. There’s nothing like the flair of a salty treat. Case in point: the Corny Crunch Chili-Cheese Coney Dog, an all-beef Coney Dog topped with Chef Hollingsworth’s Fritos Pie. You can choose to pair it with a Dizzy Cherry Limeade (the beloved Sonic beverage enhanced with Smirnoff Vodka) or Ocean Water Blue Hawaiian (the other iconic Sonic drink, but with Captain Morgan Rum).
The fast-food pizza kings are proving small can be mighty with its Personal Pan Pizettes. The three-inch pizza choices include Buffalo Chicken Lover (topped with Chain’s Everything Pizza Shake) and Shroom Supreme (topped with a dollop of truffle ricotta).
Are any of our favorite chain eats really anything without the sauces? Pepsi and Chain know that the correct answer is no, so they’ve teamed up on an all-new condiment. Best for dipping Chain’s chicken tenders, The Sweet, The Sour, and the Pepsi features notes of dark sweet cherries and champagne vinegar, plus a touch of citrus tang.
See also: Kendall Jenner Is Covering Part Of Your Thanksgiving Eve Bar Tab. Here's How.
Photography by: Courtesy Chainfest
