Using pretzel buns in sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs were a popular food trend this past summer (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

Whether it’s hot dogs, burgers or sandwiches, the bread always matters, and, in the case of the pretzel bun, texture definitely matters. This particular bun includes the soft, chewy texture and slightly salty flavor characteristic of pretzels, thus adding a new dimension to various snacks and entrées. 

While pretzel sticks have already been staples on menus at restaurants like Claim Jumper and Chili’s, items featuring pretzel buns are just popping up at other joints like Ruby Tuesday. Here are some examples of pretzel bun-based entrées and snacks at eateries nearest you. 

PRETZEL ROLL ROAST BEEF SANDWICH

In early August, Dunkin’ Donuts jumped on the pretzel bun bandwagon and announced that it was including the “Pretzel Roll Roast Beef Sandwich” on its menu for a limited time. This new addition to the brand’s menu features fresh slices of roast beef and white Cheddar cheese smothered with Dijon mustard in a soft, warm, pretzel roll. The pretzel bun is also available for other Dunkin’ Donuts bakery sandwiches, such as the “Ham & Cheese,” “Turkey, Cheddar & Bacon,” etc. 

PRETZEL BACON CHEESEBURGER

Just in time for the Independence Day holiday, Wendy’s launched its new “Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger." Described by the company as “a delicious, new twist on our classic hot ‘n juicy cheeseburger,” this loaded entrée features Wendy’s signature, square, beef patty topped with melted Cheddar cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, sliced tomatoes and red onions, and a sweet & smoky honey mustard sauce in a soft, warm, “artisan-baked, authentic” pretzel bun, complete with a “rich, interior flavor and a chewy, thick crust."  

ORIGINAL PRETZEL DOG / CHEESY BACON PRETZEL DOG

At the beginning of July, SONIC Drive-In added two new pretzel dogs to its menu for a limited time—the “Original Pretzel Dog” and the “Cheesy Bacon Pretzel Dog.” The former is made for traditionalists, who prefer 100 percent beef dogs topped with mustard and served in a pretzel bun; the latter is a bit more extravagant, including a 100 percent beef dog topped with melted cheese sauce and crisp bacon. According to a press release by SONIC Drive-In, the company launched the pretzel bun snacks to its menu to cater to the popularity of pretzels and hot dogs … especially before the upcoming July 4th holiday, during which Americans are estimated to consume more hot dogs on that one day than on any other day of the year, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Unfortunately, the pretzel dogs at SONIC were only available during the summer season and ended on Aug. 11.

ANGUS PASTRAMI DOG 

Pretzel buns have been available at Wienerschnitzel for a while now, and choosing this bun (instead of a regular one) is an option for all the hot dogs on the menu. One of the chain’s most popular dogs is the “Angus Pastrami Dog,” which features a blend of a hearty Angus dog topped with pastrami meat, mustard and cheese with a solid-textured pretzel bun. 

THE PRETZEL BUN OPTION

Having your burger of choice with a pretzel bun—or Brioche, Whole Wheat or Gluten-Free buns, for that matter—is always an option at STACKED, an eatery that thrives on the “build-it-yourself” concept. Customers order off an iPad menu and can personalize their entrées by taking away ingredients—such as opting to have burgers without onions or tomatoes—or adding numerous dressings or toppings (you can have your pizza with five different toppings if you so desire). STACKED’s burger menu comes with a series of popular, pre-named entrées such as the “Stack ‘N’ Bleu” (Angus beef atop a Brioche bun) and the “Pulled Pork,” but customers can choose to “Stack Your Own Burger” instead, selecting every ingredient to create their ultimate meal. 

B’B’B’BACON BURGER

The “B’B’B’Bacon Burger” at Slater’s 50/50 is unique for a variety of reasons, primarily because there has probably never been so many bacon-inspired ingredients in one burger. This savory sandwich includes a 50 percent beef, 50 percent bacon patty topped with a sunny-side up egg, bacon American cheese, bacon island dressing and thick-cut slices of bacon inside a bacon pretzel bun. However, customers do not need to order the “B’B’B’Bacon Burger” to get a pretzel bun. Similar to STACKED, Slater’s has a “Design It” menu where customers can build their own burgers, and a “Bacon Pretzel Bun” is one of the options for bread types. 

OKTOBERFEST BURGER

Last year, Red Robin celebrated Oktoberfest by including a special “Oktoberfest Burger” on its menu, so something similar is sure to follow for this year’s festivities. Last year’s unique, Oktoberfest-inspired burger featured a fire-grilled beef patty topped with melted Swiss cheese, beer mustard, beer mustard sautéed onions, green leaf lettuce and Black Forest ham in between toasted, pretzel bun slices.  

Reach Kelli Shiroma here.