We Tried Publix’s Newest Finds for 2026—Here’s What Stood Out

A handful of Publix items have been drawing unusual attention this month, particularly in the deli and bakery sections.

With certain products becoming hard to find, we took a closer look to see which ones truly deserve a spot in your cart.

The Look: It’s a stunning hybrid. It has the distinct, twisted shape of a traditional soft pretzel but the golden-brown, shattering layers of a high-end croissant.
The Taste: The almond slivers provide a necessary crunch against the buttery dough. The chocolate filling is rich but doesn’t lean into “cloying” territory—it’s more of a dark cocoa profile.
Texture: 10/10. It’s incredibly airy. When you pull it apart, you see those beautiful “honeycomb” layers that social media is obsessed with.
The Verdict: Must-Buy. This is the best thing to come out of the Publix bakery in years. Pro-tip: Ask them to warm it up for 10 seconds.

The Look: A massive, colorful bowl. It looks much fresher than your standard pre-packaged salad, mainly because they chop the tenders right in front of you.
The Taste: It’s a flavor bomb. The heat from the hot honey hits the back of your throat, but the creaminess of the American cheese and the acidity of the banana peppers balance it out perfectly.
Texture: You get the crunch from the double-breaded tenders and the crispness of the greens. It’s much more satisfying than a soggy sub roll.
The Verdict: Buy for Lunch. It’s the “healthy-ish” way to indulge in the tender craze. It’s easy to see why Reddit users are calling this the new “Sub Killer.”

The Look: A soft, opaque orange-pink color. It looks like a sunset in a bottle and is very “Instagrammable.”
The Taste: The first sip is pure peach, followed quickly by the tartness of the lemon. The coconut is subtle—it’s more about the feel of the drink, which is smoother and silkier than standard lemonade.
Texture: Refreshing and slightly thicker than water, but not as heavy as a smoothie.
The Verdict: Seasonal Win. It’s the perfect “treat” drink, though it might be a bit sweet for some to drink a full glass. It would make an incredible base for a weekend mocktail.

The Look: A creamy, pale-orange sauce with visible flecks of black pepper and herbs.
The Taste: It’s tangy, savory, and has a tiny hint of horseradish-style kick at the end. It tastes like a more sophisticated version of a Zaxby’s or Raising Cane’s sauce, but with a “southern deli” twist.
Texture: Thick enough to stay on a chicken tender without dripping, which is exactly what you want.
The Verdict: Ask for Extra. We hope the rumors are true and they bottle this for the 2026 summer BBQ season. It’s a game-changer for the deli department.