News: Taco Bell Testing Reduced-Sodium Menu

While fast food is often derided for being high in calories and fat, it is less often pointed out how high in sodium a lot of fast food items are. So for those of you watching or trying to reduce your sodium intake, you'll be happy to hear that, according to NRN, Taco Bell has been testing a lower-sodium menu in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and that it's very likely to expand nationwide.

The overall change is about a 23% reduction in sodium across the Taco Bell menu that, notably, customers haven't noticed.

As someone who often finds a lot of fast food a little too salty, I'm looking forward to the change (even if I don't notice it).

Review: McDonald's - McRib

I finally tried my first McRib ever. And, it was good! For those of you who don't know, the McRib is a pork sandwich at McDonald's (much like almost anything with a "Mc" prefix) featuring a formed ground pork patty slathered in barbecue sauce, topped with slivers of onions and a couple of pickle slices, and served on a corn-meal-dusted 6-inch roll. Pricing is around the Big Mac range at a reasonable $2.69.

It comes and goes like a stray cat (well, except in Germany where it's a permanent menu item) and will be available nationally this time until December 5th.

News: McDonald's - New McCafe Caramel Mocha

Lost in all the hubub of the nationwide return of the McRib, McDonald's Caramel Mocha is new to the McCafe menu and is promoted as a hot drink to warm you up this winter.

While you could already order a Mocha or a Caramel Frappe off the menu, you can now basically combine the two and order a Caramel Mocha.

It's basically a Latte with chocolate and caramel syrup, topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. I would guess you would have be able to have them make you one before (just order a "Mocha with caramel syrup") but it's now officially on the menu.

News: Togo's - Now Available Toasted

A bit of a Johnny-come-lately to the toasted party, West Coast sandwich shop, Togo's can now toast your sandwich if you so choose.

To highlight the change, as well as the addition of applewood smoked bacon and pepper jack cheese to their ingredient choices, Togo's is showcasing four new Toasted Sandwiches:

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.