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Shake Shack Is the Latest Big Chain to Ditch Plastic Straws

Plus, Papa John’s is trying to make everyone forget about Papa John, and more food news to close out the week

Two shake shack milkshakes with plastic straws Evan Sung/In New York
  • It’s been a few days since there has been a major plastic-straw headline, but the wait is over. Shake Shack, Danny Meyer’s celebrated and rapidly expanding New York-based burger chain, is doing away with the beverage accessories, reports CNBC. The company is fast-tracking this project and aims to have all plastic straws removed from its operations by the first quarter of 2019. There’s no word on whether Shake Shack will make any exceptions for individuals with disabilities who need plastic straws.
  • For those who aren’t worried about the possibility of contracting a foodborne illness, restaurant delivery service DoorDash has announced it is offering free Chipotle delivery this weekend.
  • Dan Cathy, the chief executive officer of Chick-fil-A, a company with a history of donating money to anti-LGBTQ+ organizations, is scheduled to speak at a conference aimed at “inclusive economic business development.” Jeff Finkle, president of the organization responsible for the conference, tells Think Progress Cathy’s speech will focus on “the good work Chick-fil-A, their foundation, and the [Cathy] family has done in supporting the African-American community on Atlanta’s Westside […], a case study on economic development in that area.”
  • The dream of the ’90s is alive at Burger King. The fast food chain is bringing back Surge, that classic, highly caffeinated, neon green soft drink, reports Food & Wine. The beverage isn’t getting a wide release, and will be available only in fountain form at BK.
  • Wow, Grub Street has uncovered an awful pop song about avocado toast.
  • Chef Dale Talde, a two-time Top Chef alum, speaks with Vulture about everything Hollywood gets wrong in restaurant scenes.
  • James Beard award-winning cookbook author Stella Parks had the audacity to suggest the recipe for key lime pie originated somewhere other than Florida, and as Munchies notes, Floridians are mad as hell about it.
  • In an interview posted on the Explore Parts Unknown website, the online companion to Anthony Bourdain’s CNN show, Parts Unknown, chef Sean Brock reveals he was planning to write a book with the late television host. “I had actually reached out to Tony about writing a book about my experience with recovery and sobriety and was going to send him a proposal,” Brock says. “He was very excited about it. It was gonna be a survival guide to the restaurant world.”
  • Whoops, Almond Breeze is recalling some of its almond milk because it contains actual cow’s milk, according to Dairy Herd Management. HP Hood, the dairy company that distributes Almond Breeze, says approximately 145,000 tainted half-gallon containers were shipped to retailers.
  • Papa John’s is trying to make everyone forget about the existence of Papa John. Following “Papa” John Schnatter’s fall from grace, the pizza chain is scrubbing all references to its founder from stores, packaging, and marketing materials, reports the New York Post. This development is likely related to the news, per Restaurant Business Magazine, that Papa John’s took a 16 percent sales hit in the week following the revelation of Schnatter’s racist remarks during a conference call.
  • Actress Sharon Stone needs to invest in better cookware.