Review: Sonic - Tots

Potato Tots remind me of elementary school when they were often served as a side for lunch. Now that I think about it, school cafeteria food is like eating fast food everyday, no?

Anyway, Sonic is the only fast food restaurant that I've been to that serves Tots as a normal side and not as a breakfast item. Tots are available in small, medium, and large sizes for the same price as fries: $1.00, $1.59, and $2.19 respectively. I bought a large to share.

The Asia Trip: Japan - Taiyaki

Taiyaki (literally meaning "baked sea bream") is a Japanese dessert baked in the shape of a fish with various fillings inside, usually sweet red bean paste. The fish-shaped cake is made of a waffle- or pancake-like batter and cooked somewhat in waffle fashion pressed between two metal molds.

Review: Jack in the Box - Self-Service Kiosk

A nifty device at some Jack in the Box locations, is the Self-Service Kiosk which allows you to order and pay for your order via touchscreen. To encourage its use (and encourage buying in general), there's often a promotional free value item (I've seen free tacos and churros so far) with the purchase of a combo via the machine.

Review: In-N-Out - Secret Menu - Animal Style

Probably the most popular burger variation at In-N-Out is the vaunted "Animal Style" which is a burger of your choice with hand-leafed lettuce, tomatoes slices, a beef patty (or two or three) with mustard seared in during grilling, pickles, extra spread (thousand island), and grilled onions. Pictured above is a In-N-Out Hamburger Animal Style which comes in at a reasonable $1.75.

Sunday Funny: McDonald's Greece - "McShrimp"

Okay, this one's not really funny and I have no idea what they're saying, but look! It's a McShrimp! The patty is lots of shrimp stuck together!

Review: Cinnabon - Cupcakes

As you may know, Cinnabon added cupcakes to their ovens not too long ago. I was able to try the 24-Carrot Cake and Chocolate Passion cupcakes courtesy of the Sister-in-law, who found out you can buy them at the end of the day for only $1 each. They are normally $2.50 each.

Frozen Friday: Stouffer's - Meatloaf Dinner

Stouffer's Meatloaf Dinner is a full pound of food, enough to feed two light eaters really, and contains two ketchup-glazed meatloaves in gravy with a side of whipped mashed potatoes. Despite being frozen food, it contains no artificial flavors or preservatives according to the box. It's usually priced at $3.99 at my local supermarket but I usually don't get it unless it's on sale for less than $2.

News: KFC - Free Doublicious to Two-Timing Employees

Looks like KFC is working the grindstone trying to build up buzz for the new Doublicious sandwich. In an interesting promotion, they are offering a free Doublicious sandwich to the first ten competitor employees who visit their local KFC on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, wearing their work uniforms of course.

Of course, if said employees happen to lose their jobs, they can alway apply for Sandwich Amnesty (i.e. a job at KFC).

Review: Domino's - Cinna Stix

Domino's Cinna Stix are basically cut strips of baked pizza dough dusted with cinnamon and sugar. They're served with sugary sweet icing for dipping in case you want even more sugar. The price for a serving, which is roughly half of a small pizza and is cut into eight strips is $3.99.

The Asia Trip: Vending Machines in Japan

Let me start out by saying that drink vending machines are everywhere in Japan. I was told that even in the middle of nowhere, on a scenic hill, you'd still be able to find a vending machine or two. It's less a vending machine on every corner, and more like a vending machine on every corner, street, store, train station... well, you get the idea.

News: Wendy's - New Garden Sensation Salads

It's official, this summer Wendy's has replaced their Mandarin Chicken, Southwest Taco, Chicken BLT, and Chicken Caesar salads with an updated line up of Baja Salad, BLT Cobb Salad, Apple Pecan Chicken Salad, and Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad. The retail price on the new premium salads is $5.99.

Besides your choice of dressing, here's what's in each salad:

-Baja Salad - Spring Mix, Pico de Gallo, Wendy’s Chili, Guacamole, Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheese Blend, and Seasoned Tortilla Strips.
-BLT Cobb Salad - Spring Mix, Tomatoes, Chopped Eggs, Blue Cheese Crumbles, Applewood Smoked Bacon, and your choice of chicken.
-Apple Pecan Chicken Salad - Spring Mix, Apple Chunks, Blue Cheese Crumbles, Dried Cranberries, and your choice of chicken.
-Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad - Romaine Lettuce, Asiago Cheese, Grape Tomatoes, and your choice of chicken.

The "Spring Mix" is a blend of  baby lettuces (red & green Romaine, red & green oak, red & green leaf, lolla Rosa, tango), Spinach, Mizuna Arugula, Tatsoi, Red Chard, and Green Chard.

Update 9/16/2010: Wendy's is selling a "Pick 2" meal for $4.99, where you can choose a half-portion salad plus your choice of a small chili, a small drink, a small Frosty, a Dasani bottled water, a chicken wrap, a sour cream and chive baked potato or a Junior Bacon Cheeseburger.

Nutritional info available after the jump.

Review: McDonald's - Real Fruit Smoothies

Real Fruit Smoothies are the latest McCafe offering in McDonald's edible repertoire. They are available in two flavors: Strawberry Banana and Wild Berry.

Both feature a fruit blend of mostly fruit puree, water, and sugar (much like the Frappes feature a coffee base), lowfat yogurt, and ice. McDonald's new Smoothies are available in small (12 ounces), medium (16 ounces), and large (22 ounces) sizes and, are priced the same as Frappes, at $2.29, $2.79, and $3.29 respectively.