Starbucks to offer sushi variety

Starbucks has jumped on the sushi burrito bandwagon. The coffee franchise is selling the JapaneseMexican mash-up at just two Chicago locations as part of its recently launched Mercato menu, which focuses on healthy lunch options made fresh daily.

The Chicken Maki Roll is Starbucks’ take on a funky food trend. The chain’s site calls it a “classic California chicken burrito with a twist.”

The roll is filled with shredded chicken, tomatillo salsa, lime crema, cucumber and pickled cabbage with onions, avocado and crispy onion, all wrapped in sticky sushi rice and nori (seaweed).

It differs from the typical sushi burrito because it uses chicken instead of fresh fish. But who would want raw tuna that’s been sitting in a Starbucks display fridge all day?

If the hybrid has a good response, Starbucks plans to roll it out in locations nationwide. Right now, lucky Chicago residents can grab them at the LaSalle & Monroe spot (39 S. LaSalle St.) and in the Bronzeville district at 3506 S. State St.

New Yorkers craving the sushi burrito now can head over to spots like Uma Temakeria in Chelsea or Sushirrito in Flatiron or Midtown.

Starbucks has taken advantage of several other trends this year, debuting avocado spread in March and a “Unicorn Frappuccino” in April.