News: Hardee's - New Cheddar Cheese Fries

Hardee's returns Bacon Cheddar Fries as summer begins. The returning menu item features Hardee's Natural Cut Fries smothered with melted cheddar cheese sauce and sprinkled with crumbled bits of bacon.

While chili cheese fries are fairly common, bacon and cheese on fries aren't so much. I'm not actually sure why as both combinations sound pretty good.

To promote Bacon Cheddar Fries, Hardee's is looking to entice you further by offering a coupon for a free drink to go with your order of fries here: http://www.hardees.com/coupons/baconcheddarfriesfreedrink

News: Dairy Queen - May Blizzard of the Month 2012

It's May 1st and that means a new Blizzard of the Month at Dairy Queen.

This May, for all you cake fans out there, it's Confetti Cake which takes white cake pieces and confetti frosting and blends them into Dairy Queen's vanilla soft serve.

Also new for the month is the Chicken Bacon Ranch Iron Grilled Sandwich featuring grilled chicken, bacon, green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and Ranch dressing on iron-grilled bread.

Review: McDonald's - Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal

McDonald's Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal is a new seasonal summertime offering with banana oatmeal, topped with chopped walnuts and fresh blueberries. It's most likely ordered for breakfast but it's served all-day.

While on a road trip, I picked up a cup for $2.49.

Around the World: The Biggest McMenu, Part Two

I'm going to jump right into it for Part Two of the Biggest McMenu (you can check out part one/un/uno/ein here) highlighting "Mc-" items from McDonald's restaurants all over the world.

I'm sure you might know what a macaron is (if you don't it's a like a meringue-based sandwich cookie), but unless you're in Austria, you've probably never heard of a McCaron! That's right macarons are offered at McCafes in Austria and are called "McCarons."

News: Starbucks Coming Soon to Disneyland

Along with Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, Starbucks is coming this summer to Disney's California Adventure (and perhaps introducing kiddies to some caffeinated branding).

The first of six Starbucks set to open at various Disney theme parks, the new Starbucks location will be located in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe on Buena Vista Street. Along with Cars Land, Buena Vista Street opens on June 15, 2012 and is themed after 1920s Los Angeles, when Walt Disney first arrived in California.

Review: Meiji - Yan Yan

Meiji's Yan Yans are a Japanese biscuit and chocolate-dipping creme combo that comes in an individual tapered cup for easy snacking.

A 2-ounce cup goes for about 79 cents at Asian supermarkets in my area, they cost a bit more at the supermarket chains (like $1 or more).

Frozen Friday: Stouffer's - Chicken in Barbeque Sauce

Stouffer's Chicken in Barbeque Sauce is one of their Signature Classics, which I take to me they've been making it for a while. The frozen entree features grilled white meat chicken strips in a barbecue sauce and a cheddar cheese potato bake with bacon.

I bought a 10-ounce box at my local supermarket on sale for $2.00 (regularly $3.99).

News: Burger King Offering Minibons

Burger King is set for a nationwide rollout of Cinnabon's Minibon in their restaurants. The Minibon is a miniature version of the Cinnabon with the same trademark Makara cinnamon and cream cheese frosting. It's actually been around for 25 years now.

News: IHOP Syrups in Blueberry and Strawberry!

Rejoice IHOP fans or IHOP syrup fans! IHOP has recently launched new IHOP at Home syrups in three flavors: Original, Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N' Fruity Strawberry, and Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N' Fruity Blueberry.

If the Original varieties contain too much calories for you, there's also Lite and Sugar Free pancake syrups.

IHOP at Home syrups are available in retail and grocery stores but not at your local IHOP.

Review: Taco Bell - Meximelt

Taco Bell's Meximelt is a cross between an Fresco Soft Taco and a quesadilla; it has the flour tortilla, seasoned ground beef, and fiesta salsa of a Fresco Soft Taco but the melted three cheese blend of a quesadilla

I picked one up at my local Taco Bell for $1.79.

What's on the Menu: Pizza Hut Middle East

Pizza Hut Middle East's latest promotion is the funky Crown Crust Carnival, a pizza with a golden crown crust that rings the pizza with either mini cheeseburgers or chicken fillet balls depending on the version.

For this edition of What's on the Menu, we'll take a look at the Crown Crust Carnival as well as some of Pizza Hut Middle East's current promotions.

Let's take a closer look at the Crown Crust Carnival, the so-called "Most Royal Pizza Ever."

News: Jack in the Box - New Java Cookie Shake

The Bacon Shake is gone at Jack in the Box and in it's a place, there's the new, limited-time Java Cookie Shake.

The Java Cookie Shake is made with vanilla ice cream blended with coffee-flavored syrup and Oreo cookie pieces and finished whipped topping and a Maraschino cherry.

My local Jack in the Box has them at $2.69 for a regular (16 ounce) and $3.19 for a large (24 ounce).