With dine-out prices climbing, Long John Silver’s is leaning hard into a message customers actually feel at the counter: value you can count on.

The seafood quick-service chain announced it’s committing to rotating $6 basket meals throughout 2026, kicking things off this Lent with the return of its $6 Shrimp Basket—now with a new Sweet Chili flavor option.

The headline offer: $6 Shrimp Baskets (with a Sweet Chili upgrade)

For a limited time at participating locations nationwide, guests can grab a $6 Shrimp Basket in a few different styles—then take it up a notch with Sweet Chili sauce, described as a blend of red chiles and garlic that adds a sweet-heat kick.

Long John Silver’s says the baskets are designed to satisfy whether you’re a classic fried-shrimp person or you prefer something grilled.

Here are the three basket options highlighted in the announcement:

• Six-Piece Batter-Dipped Shrimp: Hand-battered shrimp served with your choice of one side and two hushpuppies.
• Six-Piece Grilled Shrimp: Seasoned and grilled shrimp served on a bed of savory rice with one side.
• Crispy Breaded Popcorn Shrimp: Popcorn shrimp served with your choice of one side and two hushpuppies.

“Holding the line” on price

Long John Silver’s framed the move as a deliberate decision to protect affordability even as costs rise.

“Even as someone who’s still fairly new to the brand, I’ve been amazed at how committed our team is to holding the $6 price point,” said Laura Ellis, chief marketing officer at Long John Silver’s. “It’s not easy in today’s environment, but we know how important value is to our guests.”

That quote is doing a lot of work—and it’s the point of the whole campaign: this isn’t a one-off deal. It’s a year-long value strategy.

Limited-time add-ons: Mac and Cheese with Crumblies

Alongside the shrimp baskets, the chain is also promoting a comfort-food add-on: Mac and Cheese with Crumblies®.

The description: cavatappi noodles in a rich, creamy white cheese sauce, finished with the brand’s signature Crumblies for crunch.

Dessert play: OREO Cookies & Cream Cheesecake

And if you’re the “save room for dessert” type, Long John Silver’s is also spotlighting a premium dessert option: OREO® Cookies & Cream Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory Bakery®.

It’s described as a rich, creamy cheesecake blended with OREO cookie crumbles and topped with OREO cookie mousse.

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How to order (and how to get perks)

Customers can order in-store or order ahead online at ljsilvers.com, or use the Long John Silver’s mobile app(available on iOS and Google Play). The brand also encourages guests to join its Seacret Society rewards program for exclusive offers and updates.

The bigger takeaway

In a fast-food landscape where “value” often means smaller portions or tighter restrictions, Long John Silver’s is trying a different angle: a simple, repeatable price point with rotating options.

The $6 basket commitment is a clean promise—and starting with shrimp for Lent is a smart way to meet customers right when seafood cravings spike.

Sources: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/long-john-silvers-commits-to-6-baskets-through-2026-302688100.html

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Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

When Italy is on the world stage, the cravings tend to follow. And if you’re planning a watch party (or just trying to make a weeknight dinner feel like a small event), the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand is leaning into the moment with a simple message: you can bring those Italian flavors home—no airfare required.

In a new recipe push, the brand (funded by beef farmers and ranchers) partnered with chef and influencer Marcia Smart to spotlight Italian-inspired beef dishes that are designed to be big on flavor, easy to share, and quick enough for real-life schedules.

Why Italian flavors work so well for gatherings

Smart says cooking trends and pop culture are part of what keeps home cooking fun—especially when people are gathered around the TV.

“When people gather around the TV, food becomes part of the experience and leaning into trends and pop culture keeps cooking fun,” Smart said. She also notes that beef and Italian flavors are consistently two of the most popular topics in her cooking classes, in part because they deliver crowd-pleasing dishes that also bring high-quality protein and nutrients to the table.

Recipe spotlight: Beef Tagliata (restaurant vibes, minimal effort)

If you want something that feels like it came from an Italian restaurant but doesn’t require a long prep list, Beef Tagliata is the move.

The dish centers on a seared steak—either Strip Steak or Boneless Rib-Eye Steak—that’s sliced and served over fresh arugula, then finished with balsamic vinegar and shaved parmesan.

It’s quick, it plates beautifully, and it works family-style—which makes it a strong option for:

• Watch parties
• Date-night-at-home dinners
• Busy weeknights when you still want something “nice”

Recipe spotlight: Quick Beef Ragù (comfort food in 30 minutes)

For the comfort-food crowd, the brand also highlights a Quick Beef Ragù that aims to deliver classic Italian red-sauce flavor without the all-day simmer.

In this version, Ground Beef cooks with ingredients you’d expect in a traditional Italian red sauce, but the whole thing comes together in about 30 minutes.

The best part: it’s easy to customize and flexible on how you serve it. The release suggests pairing it with:

• Pasta
• Polenta
• Spaghetti squash (if you want a lighter base)

Where to find the recipes

These dishes—plus more Italian-inspired ideas—are available at BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

If you’re building out a game-day spread or just want to keep weeknight cooking interesting, this is one of those recipe collections that hits the sweet spot: familiar flavors, approachable steps, and enough flexibility to make it your own.

Source: PRNewswire

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Food & Drink on STM Daily News serves up quick, local-to-national bites on what to eat, what to try, and what’s trending—new restaurant openings, limited-time menus, product drops, and easy recipes you can actually make on a weeknight. If it’s worth a taste (or a watch-party spread), you’ll find it here. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Feature Impact) The key to easy preparation of high-quality meals, wasting less food and saving money may already be sitting in your kitchen.

For many families, the freezer is for last-minute meal options. However, new federal nutrition guidance and growing scientific consensus reveal a different reality: frozen foods can be the starting point for healthy eating, not a backup plan. That’s why the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) is launching “Fresh Thinking About Frozen,” a campaign to help families discover these benefits of frozen foods.

Making Nutrition Achievable

The recently released 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the nation’s top nutrition advice, emphasizes portion control and nutrient-dense foods. Frozen options deliver on both counts.

Families who keep frozen produce on hand tend to eat more fruits and vegetables overall. Pre-portioned frozen meals also help people eat what they need without overdoing it. Plus, the convenience factor matters: frozen berries are ready for a morning smoothie, pre-cut frozen vegetables can be added to tonight’s stir-fry and a balanced frozen meal can be quickly paired with a salad.

That isn’t cutting corners. It’s being smart on how best to feed a family well.

Freezing Hits the Pause Button on Fresh Foods

Freezing food only changes a food’s temperature, not its nutrition. Freezing keeps food close to its original state without requiring additives.

Produce begins to lose nutritional value right after it’s harvested. Freezing fruits and vegetables hours after harvest pauses nutrient degradation and locks in the vitamins and minerals, so the food remains farm fresh even as it travels across the country to your grocery store. Frozen meals are similarly made with real ingredients and turned into just-cooked recipes then frozen for families to eat when they’re ready.

The nutrition community understands this. A recent survey conducted by AFFI found 94% of registered dietitians agree frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts. Another 92% said frozen foods offer a variety of nutritious meal offerings. These findings are central to the “Fresh Thinking About Frozen” message: Frozen is not second-best. It’s simply smart.

Solving the Food Waste Problem

Nearly 40% of food in the United States gets thrown away, according to the nonprofit ReFED. That translates to roughly $1,500 per year per household, straight into the trash along with unused produce and forgotten leftovers.

Frozen helps fix that problem. Eight in 10 consumers agree buying frozen helps reduce food waste at home, AFFI research finds. The reason is simple: You use what you need, when you need it and the rest stays perfectly preserved. No more dreading the refrigerator cleanouts and feeling guilty over the uneaten food going into the trashcan.

Time for Fresh Thinking

Families already making this shift aren’t settling for less. They’re strategic about nutrition, budget and time. They integrate the freezer into regular meal planning. They feel confident about providing quality foods that are simply frozen.

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The freezer isn’t a place of last resort. It’s a tool for eating well in real life. Visit frozenadvantage.org/FTAF for tips, recipes and resources to make the most of your freezer.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

American Frozen Food Institute

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/