Call us biased, but we can't think of another state that does this whole "summer" thing better than our very own. We've cornered the market with Swan Boat rides, Cape beach days and Tanglewood concerts, so it's safe to say we know a thing or two about how to eat in the heat. Rule #1: al fresco, always. Rule #2: keep it as local as you can. Made right here in Attleboro, Willow Tree Farm's fresh, handcrafted chicken salads have been helping New Englanders up their picnic prowess for generations. 

 

And though there's a lot to be said for tradition, even the most beloved of recipes can benefit from the occasional update. This year, the  Willow Tree Farm team is treating our taste buds to two new flavors that will have us happily "chickening out" all summer. Avocado Chicken Salad is the first ready-made product featuring Avèyo, an avocado-based mayo alternative. Containing 70% less fat and 50% fewer calories than regular chicken salad, it's also gluten and dairy-free. If you're looking for more heat in your meat, the Sriracha Chicken Salad is just the thing to spice up your life. Hot, tangy and ever-so-slightly sweet, this Sriracha-spiked update on Willow Tree Farm's classic recipe is devilishly difficult to put down.

And while we won't back down from our stance that Massachusetts summer > summer everywhere else, we are pretty pleased with the fact that these fun new twists on Willow Tree Farm's premium white meat chicken salads are available throughout New England. So get thee to your local market and try them while they're new, because it won't be long before these flavors are as classic as Nantucket sunsets and "Sweet Caroline" before the bottom of the 8th!

You've got a "Kiss the Cook" apron, you grill buttered buns like a pro, and have thrown a bangin' Fourth of July cookout for the past two decades. Okay, okay we get it -- your burger game is strong. But ask yourself: is your patty proficiency at James Beard Award winner level? And frankly, when it's time to indulge, do you want to waste your time with anything less? 

Yep, that's what we thought. Luckily, all you've got to do to get the good stuff is catch the nearest cab, bus or uptown express train to Harlem Shake, where you can #treatyoself to a menu designed by none other than 2016 JBF award winner Kenji Lopez Alt at either their original spot in Central Harlem or their soon-to-debut brand spankin' new space in El Barrio.

 

Harlem Shake's new East Harlem location features the same crave-worthy fare as Harlem Shake Central, including an array of mouth-watering burgers, organic milkshakes, unexpected breakfast options and their creative take on vintage sodas, beer and wine (we splurge for 'bourgie' every time!). Plus, come Sunday brunch, if you're too lazy to roam the city streets looking for a nutcracker, those looking to boost their uptown street cred will want to be sure to toast the new location with a NOTcracker, the restaurant's take on the ubiquitous NYC summertime drink that originally became popular in Harlem barbershops and bodegas before expanding to the five boroughs.

So while we don't condone benching homegrown BBQ's entirely (especially if you're one of the lucky few with outdoor space in NYC!), we can assure you that the burgers, shakes and good times to be had at Harlem Shake are absolutely not to be missed. Although they don't rock the corny apron, we wouldn't blame you one bit if you were tempted to kiss these cooks!