Chains roll out fall menus, promotions

RESTAURANTS

Steaks, pizza, burgers, drinks, old-fashioned breakfasts and giant meatballs among them

Nonna’s Giant Meatball and baked pasta are part of the seasonal menu at Lazy Dog. courtesy of Lazy Dog Restaurants

The Lucky Ducky cocktail has morphed into the unLucky Ducky for Halloween at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. courtesy of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

The one-night Moonshine Experience at Black Angus will pair a sirloin steak with with an unaged whiskey, in this case in a cocktail. courtesy of Black Angus

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By Fielding Buck

fbuck@scng.com

A meatball the size of a softball and Bloomin’ Onion atop a steak are among new items on fall menus at casual restaurants.

Restaurants are also offering pairings nights to show off their libations.

And there are a few new deals.

Here is a sampling of what’s out there, based on news releases and chains’ websites.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: New items include Smothered Steak & Fries, which is sirloin steak with mushroom gravy made with one of the chain’s brews, a dark ale called PM Porter. There is also Mandarin orange crisp calamari and a Surf & Turf Stack 8-ounce filet mignon and Cajun-spiced shrimp.

A Halloween-themed Spooky Pizookie is made with orange-colored vanilla ice cream with a cup of heated chocolate topping that freezes on contact.

A summer cocktail called Lucky Ducky has been dressed up for the holiday as unLucky Ducky. The drink is made with tequila, rum and vodka and served in a bathtub-shaped container with a a toy duck inside. The bird will be wearing a witch hat. bjsrestaurants.com

Black Angus Steakhouse: A one-night Moonshine Experience will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday featuring pairings with an unaged whiskey called Ole Smoky Moonshine. The entree is top sirloin and the price is $51.99. blackangus.com

California Pizza Kitchen: New and returning items include a Burnt Ends BBQ Pizza made with beef brisket, Bacon & Brussels Pizza, spicy Buffalo chicken bites, lettuce wraps with chicken or shrimp and pumpkin cheesecake. cpk.com

Chili’s Grill & Bar: Building off of its 3 For Me value meal, the chain is offering 3 For Lunch Combos with 11 entrées to choose from, plus a drink, chips and salsa. Prices range from $10.99 to $16.99. chilis.com

Lazy Dog Restaurants: The Costa Mesa-based chain does two major seasonal menus, in spring and fall.

This year’s fall entrees include Nonna’s Giant Meatball, made with beef and served with four-cheese baked pasta; braised beef birria noodles; and slow-cooked poblano pork served with rice and a blue corn tamale cake.

Candied bacon grilled cheese and tomato soup is featured on the lunch menu.

Small plates include three kinds of tater tots: street corn tots, loaded chili tots and lemon pepper tots.

Cocktails include a hibiscus Margarita and a tequila Old Fashioned.

Current specials include a build-your-own lunch combo with a choice of half sandwich, soup or salad and a side starting at under $13. lazydogrestaurants.com

Market Broiler: Seasonal highlights include pan seared fresh halibut and mesquite grilled rainbow trout. The Riverside-based chain is in the midst of a series of five-course meals to mark its 35th anniversary. The meals include wine and cocktail pairings and cost $99. Dates are Oct. 10-17 in Simi Valley, Oct. 24 in Ontario and Nov. 14 in Riverside. marketbroiler.com

Norms: The archetypal all-night diner is marking its 75th year with a “throwback menu” including such items as corned beef hash and eg gs; and Four Deuces: two eggs any style, two bacon slices, two sausage links and two hotcakes. norms.com

Outback Steakhouse: A limited-time Great Barrier Eats menu features a Bloomin’ French Onion Sirloin, topped with Provolone cheese and petals from its signature Bloomin’ Onion appetizer.

Other items include Tasmanian shrimp and scallops pasta, Twin Reefs Shrimp and a Reef & Beef Platter with filet mignon, grilled shrimp and scallops. outback.com

Sizzler: The steakhouse chain is holding a sweepstakes through Nov. 4, giving customers the chance to share their Sizzler experiences for prizes such as free steak for a year or gift cards. Contestants must be 18 or older and live in California, Oregon, Arizona or New Mexico within 15 miles of a Sizzler restaurant. sizzler.com/sweepsteaks