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- The desperate food #brands hoping to drum up business with outrageous stunts are taking it too far. In today’s news: Einstein Bros. Bagels is introducing, god only knows why, cheese shampoo and bacon conditioner. This is the bagel chain’s way of letting everyone know about one of its new menu items. “What better way to start the day than with the delicious aroma of the new Cheesy Wakin’ Bacon sandwich from Einstein Bros. Bagels?” Kerry Coyne, the company’s senior vice president of marketing, asks in a press release. “This is the ultimate breakfast apéritif — now our fans can shower themselves with mouth-watering scents, leaving them looking as incredible as they smell edible, all day long.” One Eater employee who has gotten his hands on the products says they smell “terrible.” Enough is enough, food #brands. Please stop the madness.
- A former Chipotle employee who is suing the company over unpaid overtime work is being held in contempt of court. Carmen Alvarez brought the class action suit against the struggling burrito chain in June 2017, claiming Chipotle was not abiding by an Obama-era rule that required overtime pay for staff who work more than 40 hours per week and earn less than $47,476 annually. U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant in Sherman, Texas, has ordered Alvarez to withdraw the lawsuit and pay Chipotle’s legal fees because he blocked the rule in November 2016.
- There is a new start-up that wants to disrupt the condiment game by producing “ketchup slices.” This seems to be something the people want, because Slice of Sauce is closing in on its $15,000 Kickstarter goal. As a savvy Eater editor notes, these slices look like ketchup-flavored Fruit Roll-Ups. Yum.
- A YouTuber who purchased a wrecked Domino’s delivery vehicle claims he is facing litigation from the company, which wants the vehicle returned. The automobile in question is one of those “DXP” cars that comes with its own oven. Domino’s introduced the concept in 2015.
- With spring training underway, half of Major League Baseball’s teams are in central and south Florida for the preseason Grapefruit League. In Port St. Lucie, one grocery store cafeteria has become a favorite among Latino players. “It’s been a while since I’ve had some good rabo [stewed oxtail],” says Dominican-born New York Mets infielder Jose Reyes. “You feel better eating your food, man.”
- Latte artists have a new canvas: beer foam. An Israeli company has created a 3D printer that applies images and messages to the head of a sudsy beverage.
- Chef’s Table: Pastry is coming to Netflix next month, and three of the four professionals featured are men. Food & Wine contributor Naomi Tomky asks: If pastry is women’s work, why don’t we see that on TV?
- Sacré bleu! Last year the French ate more hamburgers than ham-and-butter baguettes. This continues the trend of the American staple becoming more popular among the French.
- Well, if you’re wondering who has the world’s biggest sweet tooth, it’s probably this Starbucks customer named Ashley. Look at this wild latte order:
This is just the syrups yall pic.twitter.com/z6EBleNUNA
— Jessica Lynn (@vspookygirl) March 18, 2018
- Rest in peace Robert Haas, the influential winemaker and importer who died over the weekend at his Templeton, California, home. He was 90.
- Enough with the shared plates already, says the New York Times. Hear, hear.
- Starbucks has been testing 100 percent recyclable cups for a couple of years, and after some prodding from the public, the Seattle coffee giant now plans to spend $10 million on the eco-friendly vessels.
- The ‘Bucks is also pushing customers to use its mobile-ordering more often, but some folks prefer to skip the convenience and enjoy hanging around and waiting for their beverages.
- As if a giant fried allium with creamy dipping sauce weren’t enough, Outback Steakhouse is now offering a special version of its famous Bloomin’ Onion topped with cheese fries and ribs. This monstrosity comes in honor of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Posted by Outback Steakhouse on Monday, March 12, 2018
- Little Caesars is celebrating March Madness in a more reserved way: by giving away free pizza on April 2.
- New York-based insane milkshake purveyor Black Tap is expanding with a location in Singapore.
- Finally, Esquire magazine is coming at you with a correct take: Mayonnaise is better than ketchup on burgers. Although, to be honest, a little bit of mayo and ketchup and mustard is a winning combination, especially when topping a grilled beef patty.
