Local Review: Spitz - Little Tokyo - Classic Döner Sandwich

Very similar to the Greek gyro, the Döner or Döner Kebab is Turkish in origin (it means "rotating roast") but has spread across much of Europe as affordable street food.  Spitz is a restaurant specializing in European-style (specifically Spain) döners with two locations in Southern California. I went to the Little Tokyo Spitz to try their most basic sandwich: the Classic Döner Sandwich.

The Asia Trip: Mister Donut in Japan

I walked by a Mister Donut one morning in Kyoto and decided that I wanted a French crueller donut (read about my love of French cruellers here).  Mister Donut used to be a big donut chain in the U.S. back in the day but there are now only a scattered few here, across the Pacific however, it has become the largest donut chain in Japan and has expanded to several other East Asian and South East Asian countries including China and the Philippines.

News: Play Qdoba's Version of M.A.S.H. for a Free Food Coupon

Promoting their new Craft 2 menu, Qdoba is running their own version of M.A.S.H. (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House) which gives you a 90% chance of winning a free food coupon at: http://www.qdobacraftyourlife.com/.

The Details (i.e. the "yadda yadda yadda").  The promotion runs until February 22, 2010 or until 250,000 coupons have been given out.  There is a limit of one coupon per person per day.  The coupons expire 48 hours after they are printed.  One coupon per customer, per visit.  At participating locations only, etc.

So far, people have won coupons ranging from a free beverage with a Craft 2 purchase to a free Craft 2 with a beverage purchase.

Craft 2 is Qdoba's newest menu item.  You basically pick two smaller version from a list of five of Qdoba's most popular items, mixing and matching as you like.  The five items are: Naked Burrito, Naked Taco Salad, tortilla soup, grilled quesadilla, and taco.  The regular price for a Craft 2 order is $5.99 though it may vary with location.

Review: Burger King - Double Cheeseburger

Ah, the Burger King Double Cheeseburger, the burger that led Burger King franchisees to sue the company over concerns for their profit margins.  The cost of the food itself for the Double Cheeseburger averages out to about 55 cents.  Update: the Double Cheeseburger now retails for $1.19 and its $1-slot has been filled by the Buck Double.

Review: Jack In The Box - Stuffed Jalapeños

Jack In The Box probably has the most varied (and sometimes random) menu of all the major fast food chains ranging from their mainstay burgers to Greek-style pitas to Chinese-style egg rolls.  It's pretty much your best bet for when you don't know what kind of fast food you feel like plus Jack In The Box is usually open 24 hours.  It's no surprise, that they also offer Stuffed Jalapeños, or Jalapeño Poppers, on the menu.

News: Minnesota - Free Punch Neopolitan Pizza - Today, January 25th Only

For any of you Viking fans dwelling in the Twin Cities area, here's a consolation prize: local pizzeria chain, Punch Neopolitan Pizza has a free pizza coupon up on their Flicker page for a free Margherita or Napoli pizza valid today, January 25th, 2010 only.  The coupon can also be used to take $5.95 off your order.

According to the coupon, you can show it to them on your laptop or phone or you can print it out.  Limit one per customer.

Click here for coupon.

News: White Castle Taking Reservations for Candlelit Valentine's Day Dinner

White Castle is offering the whole nine yards for Valentine's Day this year: tableside service, flowers and dinner by candlelight.  Dinner service ranges from 4pm to 10pm varying with participating restaurants.  You can get more details and a list of participating White Castles at their site here.  They're even selling "Love Castle" V-Day shirts and blankets.

I thought this was pretty interesting.  Might be funny for couples who don't take Valentine's Day too seriously or who love (or have fond couple-type memories at) White Castle.  I wonder if any of the White Castles get fully booked (update: apparently they book as fast as any other prime V-Day destination).  I'm just picturing a lot of guys with really pissed off girlfriends/wives as they drive up to White Castle on Valentine's Day.

Review: Ono Hawaiian BBQ - Chicken & Beef Combo

Ono Hawaiian BBQ is a Hawaiian BBQ chain, located in Arizona and California, that features mostly grilled i.e. barbecued meats as well as other Hawaiian specialties on the menu.  For about $7.50, the Chicken & Beef Combo Platter features lean, thinly-sliced BBQ beef and skinless, boneless chicken meat on a bed of steamed cabbage.

News: Some McDonald's Restaurants Giving Free Hot Mochas

It appears that some McDonald's franchise groups are running a promotion for a free hot Mocha drink (they should just call it a McMocha!) on Wednesdays until the end of February.

According to McDonald's official twitter, this is not a McDonald's Corp. promotion so your mileage may vary but I'm guessing if your local McDonald's is participating, they'll be some sort of signage up.  Otherwise, you can just call ahead and ask.  No purchase is necessary.  I haven't been able to verify if you get a normal-sized cup or an 7-ounce sample cup like the promotion last July.

(Mis?)Adventures in Cooking: Homemade Braised Pork Loin

Pork loin was on sale for cheap so I bought one and decided to braise it.  The thing I like about braising is you can adjust the stock on the fly and can taste as you braise.  For this recipe, I decided on a soy-based broth.  Just a word of warning, you might learn what not to do from this post or maybe why you should follow an actual recipe instead of winging it but it works for me.

The Asia Trip: Blenz Coffee in Japan

When I first went to Blenz Coffee, I thought it was a Japanese coffee chain since I had never heard of it, but Blenz is originally from Canada.  Their trademarked slogan is "Never Burnt, Never Bitter."  I ordered myself a latte and got some nice latte art!

Around the Web: The Best Fast Food in America and Top French Chefs Now Serving Fast Food

• Esquire Magazine surveyed some of America's top chefs (including Thomas Keller and Alton Brown) to find out where they go when they feel the need for fast food.  The winner by far was unsurprisingly beloved California-based burger chain In-N-Out.
  
  Check out what other fast food joints made the cut as well as which restaurants they thought were the worst.
  
  Interestingly enough, Jack in the Box was picked as a favorite as well as a worst.
  
  
• I thought this was pretty interesting: even fancy French chefs are turning to fast food due to the weak economy.  Pricey Michelin-rated restaurants are turning to express meals and sandwiches at (relatively) low prices to drum up business in the economic downturn.
  
  Check out the UK Telegraph story here.