Best New Fast Food Items of 2017

With the year rapidly winding down, here's my picks for the best new fast food items for 2017 (in no particular order):

- KFC's Georgia Gold Fried Chicken (review)

KFC doesn't come out with a lot of new stuff each year so it's a nice change up when they do. Georgia Gold was their follow-up to the trendy Nashville Hot. It offered a rather novel take on honey mustard barbecue sauce that I'd never encountered before. More importantly, it just worked.

- Taco Bell's Naked Chicken Chalupa (review)

In contrast to KFC, Taco Bell introduces a lot of new stuff each year, but much of it tastes overly familiar due to the same set of common ingredients. While it wasn't perfect, the Naked Chicken Chalupa didn't just add fried chicken to the menu but also a lot of flavor and a portable form factor that sported more protein and less carbs than the original Chalupa Supreme.

- Jack in the Box's Triple Bacon Buttery Jack (review)

As a bacon lover, the Triple Bacon Buttery Jack delivered on the promise in spades. Bacon, bacon, bacooooooooon!

- Arby's Traditional Greek Gyro (review)

It's probably not quite as good as your local gyro shop, but Arby's Traditional Greek Gyro was a pretty good (and affordable) rendition on the popular sandwich and was especially nice for those of us that don't have a local gyro shop.

- Wendy's Fresh Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich (review)

Credit Wendy's for putting fresh mozzarella in a fast food sandwich and making it work, while also delivering on all the flavors of a Caprese sandwich.

- Jack in the Box's Ribeye Burgers (review here and here)

The ribeye patty was the best fast food burger patty I've have in a long time, possibly ever. There was just a rich unctuousness to the beef that I haven't come across before. They offer two varieties and both deliver a different taste profile but were also equally enjoyable.

- Arby's Deep-Fried Turkey Club (review)

While it didn't offer the crispiness of a deep-fried turkey, Arby's Deep-Fried Turkey Club included a generous amount of thick-sliced, flavorful, and juicy turkey. While they also put out a Cajun version, I preferred the more traditional and well-executed club version.

- Wendy's Giant Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger (review)

The Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger was one of my favorite burgers growing up and is a classic in my mind. Doubling up on the beef, bacon, and cheese might have made it twice as good.

Those are my picks for 2017. Don't be afraid to share yours in the comment section!