News: Chick-fil-A - Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake is Back

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, Chick-fil-A has once again brought back their hand-spun Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake made with their Icedream soft-serve and topped with light whipped cream and a marachino cherry.

They're available in 14- and 20-ounce sizes for the suggested prices of $2.55 and $2.95 respectively.

Additionally, this time of the year also marks the new 2011 Chick-fil-A calender which costs $6 (free when you buy a $20 Chick-fil-A gift card; only at some locations) and features the Chick-fil-A cows in reality-TV-themed get ups. The calendar is available until January and has the added bonus of monthly coupons for free Chick-fil-A food and drinks.

Review: Taco Bell - Double Decker Taco

From what I remember, the Double Decker Taco was when Taco Bell started getting weird with their menu selections. Now I don't mean that in a bad way and it might not be true but, in my mind, before the Double Decker Taco, Taco Bell was tacos, burritos, nachos, etc. You know, traditional Mexican-themed dishes.

After the Double Decker, they started coming out with things like the Crunchwrap Supreme, the Chalupa, the Gordita, etc. Things that are either completely Taco Bell or so very far from their original origins that they are still like de facto Taco Bell.

News: Sonic - New Tex Mex Coney

Nothing says football like Tex-Mex? At least that's what's Sonic is counting on this fall with the introduction of their new limited-time Tex-Mex Footlong Quarter Pound Coney. I guess if Friday Night Lights taught me anything, it's that football is life in Texas. But back to the hot dog.

Sonic's Tex-Mex Footlong Quarter Pound Coney is covered in chili and cheese and topped with Fritos, sliced jalapenos, diced onions, and chipotle sauce. $3.99 buys you a Tex-Mex Footlong Quarter Pound Coney and an order of Tots. Having eaten the regular Footlong Quarter Pound Coney, I'd recommend you go halves with a friend.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Sausage Pancake Bites

A bit like a pig in a blanket or a mini corn dog, Dunkin' Donuts' new oven-toasted Sausage Pancake Bites feature mini sausages covered in a maple-flavored pancake. Pricing stands at $1.59 for three or $3 for six.


In appearance, they kinda remind me of a deep-fried dim sum dish or the aforementioned mini corn dog. They're small enough to just pop in your mouth like the way Garfield eats lasagna (and yet, somehow, eerily remains clean).

Review: Arby's - French Dip & Swiss Toasted Sub

Arby's French Dip & Swiss Toasted Sub features Arby's trademark thin-sliced roast beef with melted Swiss cheese on a toasted ciabatta bun served with a side of hot aus jus. It's priced at $3.89, but there's usually a coupon in a mailer that shaves the price down to two for $5 (It used to be two for $4!).

Around the World - KFC Hong Kong - Breakfast

I didn't get a chance to go to KFC Hong Kong while on the Asia Trip (it was way too crowded at lunchtime in the financial district), but they serve breakfast there in the mornings. It's a bit of American style with chicken and Hong Kong local cuisine thrown in:

Review: Starbucks - Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Look! They give you a plastic Starbucks mermaid stirrer! Only sometimes though.

Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is a fall seasonal drink that features a hot chocolate made with mocha sauce and toffee nut syrup (apparently two separate syrups and not the same stuff used for the Toffee Mocha), topped with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and finished with a sprinkled blend of sea salt and Hawaiian Turbinado sugar (i.e. raw sugar). The price for this warm, fall concoction is $2.70 for a 12-ounce Tall.

News: Papa John's - Any Large for $10 Till Halloween

If pizza is on the menu for your Halloween party, and let's face it, it's pretty much the cheapest way to feed a bunch of people with very little effort, Papa John's is selling any Large Pizza for $10 through Halloween. The offer is online only (i.e. they want you to use their new online interface).

If Papa John's isn't your thing. Pizza Hut still has their $10 for any up-to-three-topping large or $12 for a specialty  large and Domino's has their buy two medium pizzas for $5.99 each.

Frozen Friday: Hungry-Man - Grilled Bourbon Steak Strips

Part of Hungry-Man's "Pub Favorites," the Grilled Bourbon Steak Strips frozen meal features grilled beef strips and onions in a bourbon sauce with garlic mashed potatoes, and a seasoned broccoli and carrot medley. The price for this pound of food is $3.69.

News: El Pollo Loco - New Plates

Not exactly a new dish, but more like a new combo, El Pollo Loco is offering three "new" plates for a limited time on their menu. Each plate features Spanish rice, pinto beans, and fresh salsa and your choice of Carne Asada, Mixed Grill (carne asada and a chicken thigh or leg), or Tamales (covered with Colorado sauce). The Carne Asada and Mixed Grill Plates also include tortillas (your choice of corn or flour).

Prices are $5.99 for the Tamales Plate, $6.49 for the Mixed Grill Plate, and $6.99 for the Carne Asada Plate.

To promote the new plates, El Pollo Loco is offering a printable coupon on their site for a free individual-sized chocolate bundt cake with any Plate purchase (expires November 11, 2010).

News: Papa John's - New Zesty Jalapeno Pizza for $11

Not to be outdone by Domino's, Papa John's has also recently introduced a new pizza today: the Zesty Jalapeno & Meats Pizza. The new Zesty Jalapeno & Meats Pizza features pepperoni, spicy Italian sausage, jalapeño peppers, and a blend of three cheeses (Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano).

It is currently available at a limited-time promotional price of $11 for a large. As a non-spicy alternative, Papa John is also making their Tuscan Six Cheese Pizza available for the same $11.

The Tuscan Six Cheese Pizza features Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, provolone and Fontana cheeses with Italian herb seasonings.

Review: Jack in the Box: Supreme Croissant

The other half of Jack in the Box's 2 for $3 Breakfast Croissants, the Supreme Croissant features a fried egg, Jack's new hickory-smoked bacon, ham, and American cheese on a buttery croissant. What makes it "supreme" you ask? It's that thin slice of ham, because otherwise it would just be the "Bacon Croissant" or the "Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant." See how much difference a slice of ham makes? The normal price for a Supreme Croissant is $2.19.