News: Cinnabon Baking Cupcakes

In the world of mall food, Cinnabon is now also in the cupcake baking business.  Cupcakes will be baked fresh daily and come in four er... interestingly-named flavors: Cinnacake Classic, Chocolate Passion, Vanilla Bliss, and 24-Carrot Cake.  AKA Cinnabon, Chocolate, Vanilla, and Carrot Cake.  Curiously, no Red Velvet, a very popular cupcake flavor.

I don't know about this one.  The cupcake business seems to be mostly boutique and I don't know of any chain with much success in this market outside of Crumbs and Sprinkles, and they aren't that big.  Then again, there's never been this big of a market participant in the cupcake market.  It'll be interesting to see how this takes with consumers.

News: Lent Means Fish Sandwiches

For many people, Lent means giving up meat on Fridays.  For many major fast food restaurants, Lent means it time to break out the fish sandwiches at promotional prices.  Here are the current offerings and promos:

Many McDonald's franchises are doing Filet-O-Fish Fridays though prices and participation seem to vary with location.  Here in southern California, it's $1.29 for a Filet-O-Fish on Fridays during Lent  (I read it's 2 for $3 in New York).  The Filet-O-Fish (McFish!) shows up with a battered patty of Alaskan pollock and hoki, a half slice of cheese, and tartar sauce on a steamed bun.

Wendy's is again trotting out their Premium Fish Fillet in time for Lent which features hand-cut fillets of Pacific-caught cod breaded with Panko, tartar sauce, and lettuce.  The Premium Fish Fillet goes for ~$3.49 and is a limited time item.

Jack in the Box is offering their Fish Sandwich, which contains two crispy fish fillets, lettuce, and (you guessed it) tartar sauce, at the promo price of $1.49

Review: Burger King - Onion Rings

Breaded, deep-fried and smallish, Burger King's Onion Rings are a BK Value Menu item for $1.  It is a value-sized item so you're not getting much in the way of onion rings (read: child's size), so consider them a snack.

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.