News: Jack in the Box - Free Grilled Sandwich - 2/23/10

On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, Jack in the Box is tempting you to try their new Grilled Sandwiches by offering them for free with the purchase of a large drink.

The sandwiches retail for $3.99 normally.  So with large drinks usually close to the $2 range, it's a pretty good value if you've been hankering to try one.

Local Review: The Hat - Chili Cheeseburger

Take a sesame bun, a grilled quarter-pound patty, a glop of all-meat chili, a spread of your standard yellow mustard, a flat, melted square of American cheese, a thick slice of tomato, some pickle chips, and you have a delicious Chili Cheeseburger from local Southern California chain The Hat.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Japan - McPork Sandwich

McDonald's McPork is a 100 yen value menu ($1.11 at the going rate) item over in Japan. It consists of a regular McDonald's hamburger bun, hand-leafed lettuce (a change from the typical McDonald's shredded), a pork patty, and a teriyaki-type sauce.

News: Burger King Serving Starbucks Coffee

Burger King today announced a signed agreement with Starbucks Coffee to carry Seattle's Best Coffee, part of Starbucks' brand portfolio. By September 2010, you should be seeing Seattle's Best Coffee in Burger King restaurants across the nation.

The agreement is part of a larger effort to improve Burger King's breakfast menu, and boost flagging sales. It also happens to allow the chain to better compete with McDonald's McCafe efforts.

Seattle's Best Coffee will be available at Burger King, hot or iced, with optional vanilla or mocha flavor, and whipped topping (I always find it dubious when they say "whipped topping" and not "whipped cream"). The suggested retail price will range from $1 to $2.79.

Review: Wendy's - Frosty-cino

Wendy's Frosty-cino blends their trademark Vanilla Frosty frozen beverage with coffee syrup (made from brewed coffee) topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Review: El Pollo Loco - Steak and 3-Cheese Quesadilla

El Pollo Loco's Steak and 3-Cheese Quesadilla features a melted blend of Jack, Cheddar, and Cotija Cheese and their new citrus-marinated flame-grilled sirloin steak sandwiched and grilled between the halves of a large flour tortilla.  A scoop of guacamole and sour cream are also included on the side.

Review: Burger King - Funnel Cake Sticks

Burger King's Funnel Cake Sticks draws you in with that carnival/circus/fair nostalgia and at least partially delivers on that promise.  Judging by their uniform shape,  I would guess these Funnel Cake Sticks are shipped frozen to BK restaurants and then deep-fried.  They feature deep-fried pancake-type batter shaped into skinny sticks, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with a sugary icing dipping sauce.

News: McDonald's Debuting Real Fruit Smoothies at Olympics Games

While McDonald's Real Fruit Smoothies have been available at certain test markets for some time, McDonald's is taking advantage of its sponsorship of the upcoming Olympic Games to debut its Real Fruit Smoothies in two flavors: Strawberry Banana and Wild Berry.

Not simply content to take aim at Starbucks with its coffee offerings, it appears McDonald's is trying to nick away some business from smoothies chains such as Jamba Juice and Robeks.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - "Create Dunkin's Next Donut" Contest

If you have ever eaten a donut or looked at a donut display and thought, "I can make a better one!" then here's your chance!

In celebration of their 60th anniversary, Dunkin' Donuts is holding their second annual "Create Dunkin's Next Donut Contest" with a grand prize of $12,000 going to the winner as well as having their donut sold as a limited time item.  A dozen finalists will each receive $1,200, a year's worth of Dunkin' donuts, a Flip HD camcorder, and a trip for two to the Donut Bake-Off at the Dunkin' Donuts University in Braintree, MA.

Review: Ono Hawaiian BBQ - Hamburger Steak Plate

A Hawaiian BBQ staple (and also quite popular in Japan) is the Hamburger Steak which at Ono Hawaiian BBQ means two hamburger patties smothered in homemade gravy.

News: Pizza Hut - 50 Cents Wings on Wednesdays

For a limited time, Pizza Hut is featuring their Wingstreet Chicken Wings for 50 cents every Wednesday starting today at participating locations.  The tagline is "Every Wing. Every Flavor. Every Wednesday."

Available flavors are: All American (no sauce), Buffalo (with varying degrees of spiciness ranging from mild to "Burnin' Hot"),  Honey BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Spicy BBQ, Cajun, and Spicy Asian.

You can get the wings traditional bone-in, bone-out, or crispy bone-in at no extra charge.

Do keep in mind that not all Pizza Hut's carry Wingstreet Wings but you can easily check online for availability.

Details available here.

Pizza Hut Locator

The Asia Trip: Japanese Kit Kat Bar - Ginger Ale Flavor

I don't think I had ever seen Ginger Ale flavor chocolate of any kind until I saw this Ginger Ale Kit Kat for sale at Tokyo Narita Airport.  I have to say, it was one of the most interesting candies I have ever put in my mouth.