News: Dunkin' Donuts - Seasonal Holiday Lineup 2010

Dunkin Donuts' 2010 seasonal holiday lineup consists of gingerbread, gingerbread, and more gingerbread (basically the same stuff as fall, but replace pumpkin with gingerbread). Available at participating restaurants through the end of the year, there's:

Frozen Friday: Hungry-Man - Boneless Pork Ribs

The McRib isn't the only boneless pork patty shaped like a mini rack of ribs, Hungry-Man's Boneless Pork Ribs feature two similar patties with barbecue sauce, home-style mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and a chocolate brownie. Hungry-Man dinners are usually priced at $3.69, but often go on sale for less than $2. Plus, right now you can print out a $2 off coupon on Facebook and basically get a free Hungry-Man.

News: Burger King - Free Coffee Fridays in November

Starting tomorrow morning, November 5th, Burger King customers can get a free 12-ounce cup of Seattle's Best brewed coffee every Friday morning in November at participating BK locations.

For everyone taking advantage of the freebie, BK will also be giving a coupon good for one complimentary 22-ounce Iced Seattle’s Best Coffee, in either vanilla or mocha flavor, valid during a future visit with the purchase of any BK Value Meal.

Details: One free 12-ounce cup per customer per visit during breakfast hours only on Fridays in November. While supplies last. Not valid with flavor shots (syrup) or whipped topping.

Review: McDonald's - Caramel Mocha

New to McDonald's McCafe lineup, the Caramel Mocha is just a Mocha (espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup) but with the addition of caramel syrup, topped with whipped cream and a caramel syrup drizzle. You can choose either nonfat or whole milk (2% and soy not available).

My local McDonald's recently decided to price all of their McCafe beverages the same from the Frappes to the Smoothies to the coffee-based drinks. Even the Hot Chocolate. Prices are $2.29 for a 12-ounce small, $2.79 for a 16-ounce medium, and $3.19 for a 20-ounce large (that's tall, grande, and venti respectively in Starbucks speak).

News: Starbucks - Seasonal Holiday Drinks 2010

Gingerbread Latte

Egg Nog Latte

November marks the return of Starbucks' seasonal holiday drinks: the Egg Nog Latte and Gingerbread Latte.

The Gingerbread Latte is espresso with steamed milk (i.e. a latte) plus gingerbread-flavored syrup. It is then topped with whipped cream and nutmeg.

The Egg Nog Latte features espresso with steamed eggnog and milk, topped with ground nutmeg. It's been around since 1986!

Update 11/16/2010 - Starbucks has added the Caramel Brulee Latte and Peppermint Mocha (also available in White Chocolate form and not listed as "seasonal" online) to the mix.

The Caramel Brulee Latte features espresso and steamed milk with caramel Brulee sauce topped with whipped cream and caramel pieces.

The Peppermint Mocha is a blend of espresso, steamed milk, peppermint syrup, and bittersweet chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate pieces.

All coffee-based holiday drinks are priced as follows (may vary with location): $3.75 for a Tall, $4.25 for a Grande, and $4.75 for a Venti.

Also new is a Christmas Blend version of Starbucks Via instant coffee.

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.