News: McDonald's - New McCafe Frappé Chocolate Chip for a Limited Time

I don't know why McDonald's calls it the Frappé Chocolate Chip and not the Chocolate Chip Frappé, but it's at participating McDonald's restaurants for a limited-time.

It offers the flavor of mocha, caramel, and coffee plus chocolate chips blended with ice. To finish, there's whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate and, for good measure, a drizzle of caramel as well. So it's basically a Caramel Mocha Frappé (not on the menu) with the most distinguishing feature being the little bits of chocolate chips as you sip.

Neat! McDonald's - A Look at Why the Food Always Looks Better in Ads

If you've ever wondered why the food in the pictures at McDonald's (and about everywhere else) looks so good in the pictures and not so much like the pictures when you order it, McDonald's Canada has an answer for you. Food stylists! Also, it takes several hours to make the burger in the picture and about a minute to make the one you just ordered.

News: Panda Express - Free Orange Chicken This Friday

Panda Express is once again giving away free single serving of their trademark Orange Chicken, for the second time this month, tomorrow, Friday, June 22 after 9pm.

The freebie serves to highlight Panda's extended summer hours with a serving of their most popular item, as well as helping to mark the beginning of summer.

Review: Burger King - Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet Potato Fries at Burger King are here for a limited-time as part of their summer BBQ menu.

I picked up a large order for $2.39 since a small was $1.89 I figured why not. More to share right?

News: McDonald's - Dipped Cones for a Limited Time

Participating McDonald's restaurants are offering chocolaty Dipped Cones for a limited-time as part of a chocolate-themed promotion. Dipped Cones are McDonald's regular vanilla soft serve cones, but dipped in a chocolaty shell that hardens around the soft serve.

If Dipped Cones at McDonald's seems familiar to you, it's because they've offered them before at some locations. Price may vary, but should be a little over a buck at most locations. You'll want to call ahead for this one as not all McDonald's are participating.

News: Bruegger's - Free Iced Coffee on June 21st

Bruegger's is offering a free coupon good for a free 16-ounce iced coffee via their Facebook page. You do have to "like" them to print out the coupon and it's only good for Thursday, June 21, from open until 4pm at participating locations.

They advise you to check ahead as some bakery locations close before 4pm (some close later than that, but you still only have till 4pm to redeem).

News: Jamba Juice - New Wildly Watermelon Frozen Yogurt

Jamba Juice adds Wildly Watermelon to their lineup of Whirl'ns frozen yogurt for a limited time this summer. Whirl'ns is Jamba's line of custom mixed-to-order (with whole fruit and the like) frozen yogurt that they currently only serve in California at participating locations. You can find participating locations on their website here.

Whirl'ns come in ten flavors (including the limited-time Wildly Watermelon) and provide a good source of calcium and fiber (roughly 20% of your daily recommended intake of each in a small size).

News: Sonic - Half-Price Shakes All Day Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 20, Sonic will be celebrating the Summer Solstice (longest day of the year) by offering their summer time half-price shake promotion all day.

After tomorrow, the half-price shake promotion will continue for the rest of summer, but only after 8pm.

Review: McDonald's McCruncher

Currently in test at select McDonald's restaurants (including one in the Central Valley of California), the McCruncher is a McDonald's Hamburger variant with white cheddar cheese, crispy fried onion strings, and chipotle Ranch sauce.

It sells for $1 on the Dollar Menu.

News: Chipotle - Sour Cream! Now 100% from Happy Cows!

Potentially happier cows!

Okay, so I don't really know if they're happy, but Chipotle wants you to know that 100% of the sour cream (which The Sister loves) served in Chipotle restaurants are made from dairy from pasture-raised cows.

What does that mean? It means the cows have at least daily access to walk outside in the fields with the grass and the sun (i.e. outdoor pastures). Additionally, the never given hormones, and are fed a vegetarian diet. At the very least, it's not a bad assumption that the cows are happier than cows that are stuck indoors all day (then again a lot people are stuck indoors all day...).

Review: El Pollo Loco - Chicken Avocado Burrito

El Pollo Loco's Chicken Avocado Burrito is a limited-time item they're sporting for the summer because avocados abound around this time of year. Each burrito is filled with pieces of flame-grilled chicken, fresh-sliced avocado, cabbage, pinto beans, and creamy cilantro dressing plus diced cilantro thrown in for good measure.

It cost me $5.29 for the burrito.

News: Domino's - New $19.99 Domino's Perfect Combo

Domino's has a new family-oriented combo they're calling the "Domino's Perfect Combo."

Inspired by feedback from their Hispanic customers, the combo includes a little bit of everything for $19.99: 2 medium one-topping pizzas, a two-liter bottle of Coca-Cola, a 16-piece order of Parmesan Bread Bites, and an eight-piece order of Cinna Stix (items that I've conveniently tried and reviewed, except for the bottle of Coke; just click on the appropriate links to see what I thought).