KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Fried green tomatoes peak out of sandwiches at Applebee??s. Dunkin?? Donuts offers pumpernickel and sun-dried tomato bagels. Restaurant chains, banking on customers craving new flavor sensations, are rolling out new menu items this spring, Nation??s Restaurant News reports.

"We??ve developed the new line of artisan bagels to provide an even more authentic bagel taste and texture with more intense and bolder flavors," said Stan Frankenthaler, executive chef and vice president of product innovation for Dunkin?? Brands Group Inc. Dunkin?? Donuts also debuted a reduced-fat artichoke spinach cream cheese.

Capitalizing on the artisanal trend, Applebee??s has put three new items on its lunch menu, including the Fried Green Tomato & Turkey Club with basil pesto mayo; Roast Beef, Bacon & Mushroom melt with sautéed red wine mushrooms; and Fiesta Chicken Chopped Salad featuring South American herb vinaigrette chimichurri glaze on the grilled chicken.

Panda Express has a Shanghai Angus Steak dish, while Bruegger??s added a Mediterranean Mozzarella salad and Thai Peanut Chicken salad. Taco John??s put a Chipotle BBQ Chicken Salad and Cran-Apple Almond Chicken salad on its menu.