Seattle's Best: Starbucks' Answer to McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts?

It looks like Seattle's Best is poised to become the Toyota to Starbucks' Lexus. With competitors like McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts serving up espresso-based drinks, Starbucks recently announced the relaunch of Seattle's Best with a new simpler look, a publicity push, and new growth strategy.

With contracts in place with AMC Theaters (beginning in July), Burger King (beginning in September), and Subway (currently serving), Seattle's Best is now poised as Starbucks' mainstream/value brand with plans to increase distribution with more value-oriented locations such as conveniences stores, vending machines, and fast food eateries as well as bookstores, and common carriers (airlines, cruise lines, and the like).

The new look is meant to be simpler and incorporates universal coffee symbols with the cup and the drop. If you ask me, it looks a bit generic but that might be what they're going for. It reminds me a bit of the look of Target's generic store branding for some household items.

News: Taco Bell - New 2 Dollar Meal Deals

Taco Bells' newest promo is the very affordable $2 Meal Deal which features a your choice of a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Gordita Supreme, Grilled Chicken Burrito, or a Double Decker Taco plus a small bag of Doritos tortilla chips and a medium drink.  At $2, it sounds like a pretty good bargain for lunch, or fourth meal, or snack, I guess, if you have a big appetite.

Review: In-N-Out - Cheeseburger

Sometimes, because of this blog, I eat fast food items I wouldn't normally eat because they're either too big or they just don't sound very good to me.  Granted sometimes I'm delighted and surprised, but this review isn't for one of those items.  This review is about something I unequivocally love to eat: the In-N-Out Cheeseburger.

The Asia Trip: Cafe de Coral - Hong Kong

Cafe de Coral is the biggest Chinese fast food chain in Hong Kong with over 100 restaurants.  While I was in Hong Kong, every one I saw was fairly busy and, for a fast food restaurant, pretty upscale.  I wouldn't have guessed it was a fast food chain from the exterior if my cousin hadn't told me.

Baja Fresh - New "Guest Choice" Prototype

My local Baja Fresh shuttered a while ago and left me bereft of any of their delicious made-to-order churros. However, it recently re-opened with a new look dubbed the "Guest Choice" prototype.  I happened to get a look on opening day and took some pictures. You can see that they're still training new employees and whatnot.

Review: Taco Bell - Ham and Egg Breakfast Burrito

Taco Bell has been testing breakfast for several years now with a revolving menu at a select few Taco Bells.  The sister-in-law came across one of these selected restaurants and brought me back one of the current flavor du jours, a Ham and Egg Breakfast Burrito (also available with bacon or sausage) at the value price of 89 cents.  Gotta love that value menu.

News: Burger King Testing Country Pork Sandwich?

Photo by: heyrocc, Flickr

Burger King has been promoting a Country Pork Sandwich out in Iowa since at least December.  Burger Business reports that the breaded pork sandwich is now available in Chicago and is priced at $3.49 for the Regular (which comes with onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard) and $3.99 for the Deluxe (which is like a Whopper but with a breaded pork patty and pickles).

The Country Pork Sandwich seems like it might just be a regional item, and not destined for nationwide greatness.  A particularly eye-opening fact is that one sandwich contains 3310mg(!) of sodium, according to the Burger King website, well over the FDA recommended daily intake of 2400mg.  Nutritional information follows after the jump.

Review: Starbucks - Extra Coffee Caramel Frappuccino

Starbucks' Extra Coffee Caramel Frappuccino is a new menu item coinciding with the launch of Starbucks' "however-you-want-it" Frappuccino.

Caramel Frappuccinos are made of coffee blended with caramel sauce, milk, and ice and then topped with whipped cream.  Extra coffee adds an unspecified extra bit of coffee.  A Venti (24 ounces, oh the irony) Extra Coffee Caramel Frappuccino is pretty expensive at $5.05.  It's a good thing I bought mines during Frappuccino Happy Hour for half-off.

What's on the Menu: KFC Australia

This edition of What's on the Menu takes a look at fried chicken in the land down under: KFC Australia.  So without further ado, a look at some items of interest and cultural nuances at KFC Australia, a storied chain which arrived in 1968 and has grown to over 600 restaurants since.

Sunday Funny: "For You, Only the Best" - McDonald's Germany

A funny McDonald's Germany commercial featuring German supermodel Heidi Klum and Barbara Meier, another model from Germany's Next Top Model. I think you can figure out what's going on.

Local Review: Porto's Bakery - Guava Strudel

The Guava Strudel is another popular item at local bakery Porto's Bakery. It's not sprinkled with sugar like strudel from your typical supermarket bakery.

Guide to Starbucks New Customizable Frappuccino

This is a guide on the add-on prices and options for Starbucks recent customizable Frappuccino push AKA the "however-you-want-it" Frappuccino.  Prices may vary from location to location.  This guide is based on my observations at a southern California Starbucks.