News: McDonald's - New French Vanilla Latte

McDonald's introduces a new French Vanilla Latte this holiday season to their McCafe menu, except it might not be "new" at all, but might be more like new to appearing on the menu.

According to an employee at my local McDonald's, they use the same vanilla syrup that they use for the rest of their McCafe beverages (it is also possible my local McDonald's jumped the gun and started offering it before actually getting the new syrup, if there is one). So basically if said employee was correct, it's just a Vanilla Latte, which technically wasn't on the menu before (they've always offered a latte with a choice of syrup if you so chose).

Update 12/1/12 - McDonald's confirmed that the syrup is a newly-developed syrup with a "sweet, creamy vanilla flavor."

Update 10/31/12 - I stopped by another McDonald's in my area. The menu board now only offers "French Vanilla" and "Sugar-Free French Vanilla" syrups with no mention of plain "Vanilla" syrup.

Around the World: Domino's UK Now Delivers Movies

Domino's UK has partnered with Lionsgate UK and now "delivers" movies with their pizza in a service they're calling "Pizza Box Office." The movies are actually delivered via online streaming to a PC/Mac, mobile, or tablet.

Basically, you order from a selection of pizza and movie deals and receive a code to stream the film. The rental period is good for 48 hours after the code is redeemed.

Review: Burger King - Gingerbread Cookie Shake

Burger King's holiday-themed Gingerbread Cookie Shake features vanilla soft serve blended with gingerbread flavored syrup and finished with whipped topping and crumbled gingersnap cookies.

A 12-ounce small-size cup cost me $2.49.

News: Del Taco - New Caramel Apple Crunch Bites

Del Taco introduces their own rendition of the deep-fried apple pie (turnover) with new Caramel Apple Crunch Bites. The bite-sized desserts feature battered and fried apple pie filling served with a side of caramel sauce for dipping.

They also brought back Mac 'N Cheese Crunch Bites which are bite-sized snacks of battered and fried macaroni and cheese.

Price and participation may vary.

Nutritional info not available.

News: Krispy Kreme - Free Donuts for When You Visit in Costume on Halloween

Krispy Kreme is getting into the spirit of Halloween by offering a treat of your choice of a Halloween or Pumpkin Spice donut for free when you drop by in costume on this Wednesday, October 31, 2012.

The offer is good at participating Krispy Kreme locations in the U.S. and Canada on Halloween only and is limited to one donut per person.

Review: Nabisco - Peanut Butter Creme Oreos

Peanut Butter Creme Oreo cookies combine the time-tested combination of chocolate and peanut butter with America's bestselling cookie.

A 15.25-ounce packages generally sells for about $3.79 at my local supermarket. On sale, it tends to range form $2.50 to $3.00.

Around the World: McDonald's UK and Germany - Tastes of the World

Perhaps to spite us here in the U.S., McDonald's restaurants in the U.K. have been offering a "Great Tastes of the World" promotion where each week a different burger is available inspired by the cuisine of a specific country. The promotion runs for four weeks and the four countries represented are Spain, Australia, Mexico, and India.

For week 1 (which started last week), McDonald's offered the Spanish Grande with Chorizo. The burger features a paprika topped bun, beef patty, chorizo, roasted red and yellow peppers, cheddar cheese, Batavia lettuce and a bravas-style sauce.

Review: Fresh and Easy - Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Fresh and Easy's Pumpkin Spice Muffins were the last of the pumpkin-based baked goods that my local Fresh and Easy started selling this year.

A 14-ounce box of four sells for $3.99.

Around the World: McDonald's Taiwan - Sesame Pork Chop Burger

McDonald's Taiwan has embarked on a world tour (not literally) similar to the ones their European counterparts seem to do every now and again.

First stop? Japan with the "Sesame Pork Chop Burger." It looks to be a breaded and deep fried pork cutlet ("tonkatsu") topped with shredded cabbage and what I think is Japanese mayo. The bun is dotted with the occasional black sesame seed along with the typical white ones.

Around the World: Mister Donut - French Wooler Donut

In what might be the cutest donut ever, Mister Donut (formerly of the U.S., but now with over 1,000 locations in Japan) currently offers for a limited time, the French Wooler Donut. That's the lamb's name by the way: French Wooler. It's one of the chain's mascot's "sweet friends" (get it? Because they're all donut animals!).

As for the limited-time donut, it's a French cruller donut that is commonly found at Mister Donut, but the hole is filled with strawberry whipped cream, atop which sits a white chocolate made to look like the French Wooler's head. The price tag per donut is 189 yen or about $2.37 U.S.

Frozen Friday: Healthy Choice - Modern Classic Sweet and Sour Chicken

Healthy Choice's Modern Classic Sweet and Sour Chicken differs from their Traditional Classic version in that there's no dessert, and more broccoli instead. It features chunks of battered chicken breast in a sweet and sour sauce over whole grain rice with a side of broccoli.

A 12-ounce box is normally around $3.99 or on sale for around $2 to $2.50.

News: Sonic - 50 Cent Corn Dogs This Halloween!

This upcoming Wednesday, October 31st i.e. Halloween, Sonic will be offering 50 cent Corn Dogs all day at participating locations. 

Each corn dog is covered in sweet corn batter and fried to a crispy golden brown. They normally go for $1.19 at my nearest Sonic restaurant.

No costume is required for this promotion.