Review: Magnum - Almond Ice Cream Bar

The new rich kid on the ice cream block, Magnum ice cream bars are virtually unknown save by those who have traveled abroad. They're working on it though with three short films featuring Rachel Bilson of The OC fame (Viewable on their website here). I recently tried the Almond bar which is a Belgian milk chocolate covered vanilla bean ice cream bar with bits of almonds in the chocolate.

A box of three bars retails for $3.99 but can be found on sale around the $3.00 mark.

Review: Pollo Campero - Fried Chicken Wrap

Pollo Campero has it's own take on the popular snack wrap with their plainly named Fried Chicken Wrap which features a piece of their fried chicken strips, tomato salsa, and rice wrapped in a flour tortilla. Each Fried Chicken Wrap costs $1.99.

Frozen Friday - Healthy Choice - Honey Balsamic Chicken Steaming Entrée

Healthy Choice's Honey Balsamic Chicken Steaming Entrée features chicken tenderloins with red potatoes, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes in a honey-herb balsamic glaze.

A 9-ounce package costs about $2.99 or about $2 on sale.

News: Starbucks - Bring Your Own Cup for Free Coffee on Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, April 22, and Starbucks is celebrating by offering to keep you awake with a free brewed coffee or tea when you bring in a reusable mug or tumbler into your local Starbucks (as long as it's a participating store in the United States or Canada).

If you don’t have a tumbler or travel mug, Starbucks will have them for 20% off for today. In addition, as a standing policy, anytime you bring in your own tumbler or travel mug to a participating Starbucks, you get 10 cents off your drink every day (also true of asking for a "for-here" cup).

Even if you don't have a reusable mug or tumbler and don't want to buy one, you can still get your free brewed coffee or tea by asking for in a "for-here" cup (i.e a mug or glass).

Review: El Pollo Loco - Sweet Potato Fries

The final member of El Pollo Loco's new premium side triumvirate, Sweet Potato Fries are lightly battered and deep-fried from seasonally harvested sweet potatoes.

A small order will cost you $1.79 while a large will run you $3.99.

Review: El Pollo Loco - Sweet Corn Cake

Another new premium side at El Pollo Loco, the Sweet Corn Cake is a corn meal cake with corn kernels baked in. The price is in line with the other new premium sides at $1.79 for a small and $3.99 for a large.

News: Just Born - New Chocolate Peeps

With Easter just around the corner, I imagine Just Born's Peeps are on the shopping list of many of you with kids out there or who just really like sugar coated marshmallows (AKA sugar-covered sugar).

If sugar and marshmallows aren't enough for you, this year, Just Born is throwing chocolate into the equation with new Peeps Peepsters and Peeps Chocolate Dipped Chicks.

Review: El Pollo Loco - Flame-Grilled Corn

El Pollo Loco's new Flame-Grilled Corn features sweet, fire-roasted corn-off-the-cob seasoned with chipotle en adobo and a squeeze of lime. It's one of three new premium sides at El Pollo Loco.

It's priced at $1.79 for a small cup, $3.99 for a large family-sized side.

News: Frito Lay - New Regional Lay's Potato Chip Flavors

This month Frito Lay is rolling out three, new regional flavors of Lay's Potato chips here in the U.S.:

In the Northeast, there's Lay’s Honey Mustard which combines the flavor of tangy mustard with a touch of sweet honey.

In the Midwest, Lay’s Creamy Garden Ranch matching sour cream with spices and fresh cucumbers for the flavor of herb ranch dressing.

Finally in the Southwest comes Lay’s Chipotle Ranch which joins sour cream and buttermilk ranch with chipotle spice and green chili.

These flavors are in addition to current regional flavors, Lay's Balsamic Sweet Onion ( Northwestern U.S.) and Lay's Cajun Herb & Spice (Southeastern U.S.).

Review: Taco Bell - Cheesy Double Decker Taco

Taco Bell's newest limited-time menu item, the Cheesy Double Decker Taco adds the slightest of tweaks to the standard Double Decker Taco: some nacho cheese sauce to go with the refried beans that hold the Crunchy Taco to the soft flour tortilla. The price is especially nice at 89 cents a pop.

News: Häagen-Dazs - Free Cone Day 2011

Haagen-Dazs Scoops Shops are holding a Free Cone Day on May 10th from 4-8pm.

When: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 from 4pm to 8pm

Where: Any participating Haagen-Dazs Shop. Shop Locator

Why: Get a free scoop or cone of Häagen-Dazs super-premium ice cream.

Review: Calbee - Shrimp Flavored Chips

Calbee is a major Japanese snack food maker and its Shrimp Flavored Chips have been available locally here in southern California for as long as I can remember. The "chips" are shaped somewhat similar in size and shape to a Cheeto but less craggy and with even ridges. They are toasted and made with wheat flour. A 4-ounce bag retails for $2.29 at my local major supermarket but generally cost about $1 to $1.50 at an Asian grocery store.