Food and Beverage
Long John Silver’s Commits to $6 Baskets Through 2026—Starting With Sweet Chili Shrimp for Lent
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.
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.
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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/
Food and Beverage
Back-to-School Sandwiches to Nourish Kids’ Bodies and Minds
Back-to-School Sandwiches: When you picture a schoolchild sitting down at a cafeteria table and opening their lunchbox, you’re probably already imagining there’s a sandwich inside. For a nutritious lunch, pack this Ham, Turkey, Bacon and Cheese Pocket. Some school days call for simple, fun comfort food, and that’s where the Fluffernutter comes in.
Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) When you picture a schoolchild sitting down at a cafeteria table and opening their lunchbox, you’re probably already imagining there’s a sandwich inside. After all, it’s a classic back-to-school staple that parents rely on for ease, convenience and nutrition when they’re trying to get everyone out the door on time – all you have to do is put bread and fillings together, and you’re good to go. That, of course, only leaves the question of which bread and fillings to choose.
A new survey conducted by Atomik Research on behalf of Nature’s Own indicated that modern parents care a lot about nutrition when deciding which kind of bread to buy, with 88% of survey respondents agreeing that feeding their kids wholesome bread feels like an easy parenting win.
With clean, simple ingredients that balance taste and nutrition, Nature’s Own bread supports an attainably healthy lifestyle for busy families. Whether you choose a classic white bread, reach for a whole-wheat loaf or need to account for dietary restrictions, you can feel confident you’re selecting bread that’s free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
For a nutritious lunch that fits the bill for 85% of parents who show strong interest in breads made with whole grains, pack this Ham, Turkey, Bacon and Cheese Pocket made with honey wheat bread. The flavorful mixture of deli meats and American cheese baked to perfection make every bite satisfying. Consider getting the whole family involved assembly-line style to make multiple batches at once, cutting down on time in the kitchen during the week ahead while encouraging learning opportunities as kids count ingredients and measure fillings.
Some school days call for simple, fun comfort food, and that’s where the Fluffernutter comes in. Soft bread, creamy peanut butter and fluffy marshmallow make for a combination that nourishes kids of all ages not just physically, but emotionally. Whether you pack it as a lunchbox surprise or have it ready as an after-school treat, this is a sandwich that promises sweetness and nostalgia – a perfect fit for the 78% of parents who agreed that sandwiches are a canvas for small moments of care, like notes in lunch bags.
Since sandwiches are so customizable, you can easily adapt these recipes to your family’s unique preferences and needs. Whether you decide to use different seasonings or swap to a multigrain bread, there’s no such thing as a wrong sandwich decision as long as it works for you.
To view ingredients and decide what kind of loaf you want to stock up on during the school year, visit naturesownbread.com.
Ham, Turkey, Bacon and Cheese Pocket
- 8 slices Nature’s Own Honey Wheat Bread
- 1/4 pound deli turkey
- 1/4 pound deli ham
- 4 slices cooked bacon
- 4 slices white American cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Chop turkey, ham and bacon and toss together. Set aside.
- Using knife, cut off crust on each piece of bread.
- With rolling pin, roll and flatten each slice of crustless bread. Take four slices and place spoonful of chopped meats in middle of each slice. Top with broken slices of cheese.
- Place remaining slices of crustless bread on top of each pocket.
- In small bowl, crack egg and add water. Beat together. Dip fork into egg mixture and crimp each edge of pocket until two slices are sealed together. Repeat on each pocket. Brush top of each pocket with remaining egg mixture and sprinkle salt on top.
- Place on sheet pan and bake until golden brown, 7-10 minutes.
- Let cool a few minutes and enjoy.
Fluffernutter Sandwich
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 slices Nature’s Own Butterbread
- 2 tablespoons marshmallow fluff
- Spread peanut butter on one bread slice. Spread marshmallow fluff on second slice. Put both slices together to form sandwich.
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Food and Beverage
Chili’s Drops a $6 “Bombshell Margarita” for July — Here’s What to Know
Chili’s is rolling out its July Margarita of the Month: the $6 Bombshell Margarita, available nationwide through July 31. Here’s what’s in it, where to find it, and what fans can expect from the limited-time menu drop.
Chili’s® is leaning into peak summer energy with a new July Margarita of the Month that feels tailor-made for group chats, watch parties, and post-episode booth debriefs. The chain’s Bombshell Margarita is available nationwide through July 31 for $6, positioning it as an easy, low-commitment add-on to a casual night out.
Inspired by the buzz of reality TV’s summer romances and the “did you see that?” conversations that follow, Chili’s is framing the drink as part of the moment—not just a seasonal menu item.
What’s in the Bombshell Margarita?
According to the company, the Bombshell Marg is a bright, sweet-and-citrusy mix built around:
- el Jimador® Blanco Tequila
- Monin® Dragonfruit
- Triple sec
- Strawberry puree
- House-made sour
The drink also comes with a custom “Bombshell vs. OG” swizzle stick (while supplies last), adding a playful, collectible touch that fits the theme.
Why Chili’s is tying it to pop culture
Chili’s says it’s seeing guests use its booths as the place to unpack the season’s biggest storylines—especially the romance-and-drama kind.
“We know our guests are breaking down the drama of the summer’s biggest romances with their friends, often sitting around booths right here at Chili’s,” said George Felix, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Brinker International. “The Bombshell Marg is a fun way for us to recognize that passion and be part of the conversation in a way only we can — serving a great, affordable margarita.”
The bigger strategy: Margarita of the Month momentum
The Bombshell Marg is the latest entry in Chili’s long-running Margarita of the Month lineup. The brand reports it served nearly 30 million margaritas in 2025, and the monthly drops are designed to stay culturally relevant—pulling from trending flavors, seasonality, and whatever people are talking about right now.
For guests who track each release, Chili’s also promotes its Margarita of the Month Club at chilis.com/motmclub, where members can collect digital stickers, build streaks, and shop limited merch.
Merch drop: “I got a marg!” tank top
As part of the July rollout, Chili’s is also releasing a Bombshell-themed “I got a marg!” tank top, available July 1 at welcometochilis.com (while supplies last).
How to get the $6 Bombshell Marg
The Bombshell Margarita of the Month is available at participating Chili’s locations nationwide for $6 through July 31. Guests must be 21+ to purchase or consume alcohol.
For more information or to find a participating location, visit chilis.com.
About Chili’s Grill & Bar
Chili’s® Grill & Bar, founded in 1975, is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). The company operates 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories, with more than 70,000 team members.
Chili’s is known for Big Mouth Burgers®, Crispy Chicken Crispers®, and sizzling fajitas, and the brand says it hand-shakes more margaritas than any other restaurant brand in the U.S. Chili’s also notes it has raised more than $120 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital over more than 20 years.For media inquiries, contact media.requests@brinker.com
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Food and Beverage
Support Your Brain with a Peanut-Powered Snack
Peanut-Powered Snack: Young or old, all can benefit from giving the brain a healthy boost. Emerging nutritional science makes it clear that good cognitive function goes beyond mental exercises as food can help shape memory, mood and cognitive health.
Support Your Brain with a Peanut-Powered Snack
(Feature Impact) Young or old, all can benefit from giving the brain a healthy boost. Emerging nutritional science makes it clear that good cognitive function goes beyond mental exercises as food can help shape memory, mood and cognitive health.
A study published the “Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease” found adults 60-80 years old who did not eat peanuts and peanut butter regularly were 30-50% more likely to perform poorly on tests measuring learning, memory, language, processing motor speed and attentiveness compared to those who did consumer peanuts and peanut butter. Additionally, research published in “Clinical Nutrition” highlighted a study of college students ages 18-33 which showed consumption of peanuts and peanut butter was associated with improved memory function and decreased anxiety, depression and stress.
Peanut butter is the key ingredient in these Protein Balls, a snack time favorite with a pinch of protein that serves as a perfect pick-me-up after a day in the office or following your favorite workout routine.
Despite their small stature, peanuts pack a nutrition punch. Their unique blend of various vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds includes:
- Niacin, which can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to the “Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry”
- Vitamin E, found to promote healthy brain aging and delay cognitive decline
- Resveratrol, believed to be beneficial in fighting against Alzheimer’s disease and other nerve degenerating diseases, per the “Journal of Biological Chemistry”
- P-coumaric acid, an antioxidant that appears to target the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, stress and anxiety
To find more ways to support your brain with the right nutrition, visit GAPeanuts.com.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
Protein Balls
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 24
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried, chopped cranberries
- 1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Using stand mixer, combine peanut butter, vanilla, honey, quick oats, flaxseed, coconut, cranberries, salt and water; mix until well combined.
- Form dough into 1-ounce portions and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional information per serving: 130 calories, 7 g fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 2 g fiber, 60 mg sodium.
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