Around the World: Starbucks Hong Kong - Winter Casseroles

Over in Hong Kong, Starbucks is offering something new you'd more likely find at a sit-down restaurant or at home: casseroles.

Offered as a meal option for the winter, there are two varieties: Signature Meatball Casserole and Alfredo Broccoli & New Potato Casserole.

The Signature Meatball Casserole consists of meatballs and new potatoes in a rosemary tomato sauce with melted mozzarella cheese on top. The price is $38 HK (~$4.90 US)

News: Chipotle to Test Tofu as an Option

Chipotle is planning to test a braised, shredded tofu filling as a protein option next month out in San Francisco according to this AP story. They're calling it "Sofritas" and it's cooked similar to the chain's barbacoa.

Now before you go thinking that's some Mexican dish you never heard of, it's not. While it is indeed an actual Spanish word (it's the past participle of "sofreir" meaning "to fry lightly"), Chipotle has filed a trademark registration for the word as a mark for "prepared vegetable-based entrees." There's a bit of irony there since the tofu will be braised and not fried. There's also the similar "sofrito" which is a base of slow-fried or simmered aromatics in Spanish cuisine.

News: Caribou Coffee - New Lemon Earl Grey Tea Latte

Caribou Coffee now offers a new, limited-time Lemon Earl Grey Tea Latte. The drink combines Earl Grey tea extract with a lemon creme sauce, and steamed milk. There's also an iced version if you're so inclined.

I know people drink Earl Grey with lemon or milk, but I don't think it's typical to drink it with both lemon and milk.

Review: Burger King - Avocado Swiss Whopper Jr.

Burger King Avocado Swiss Whopper Jr. features Swiss cheese, avocado spread, avocado aioli, thick-cut bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and a small beef patty on a toasted sesame bun.

My local Burger King offers them for $2.99. There's also a regular Whopper version for $4.49.

News: Chipotle Returns Super Bowl Offer

Chipotle returns their Super Bowl promotion (but they're not calling it that; more on that below) this year, where if you buy 6 or more burritos on Super Bowl Sunday and you can bring back your receipt to score (pun!) a free entree (burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos) on your next visit.

News: Papa John's - 50% Off Large Pizzas Through January 20th

Papa John's is offering a football Playoff Special where you can get 50% off the regular price of any large pizza when ordering online.

To take advantage of the offer simply order online and enter the promotion code: "NFL50" (the code doesn't appear to be valid at all Papa John's locations, you can also try "PAPA50")

The offer expires this Sunday, January 20, 2013.

News: Wendy's Realigns Value Menu

In a move similar to McDonald's Extra Value Menu last year, Wendy's has revamped and renamed their value menu to include up to 18 menu items ranging from 99 cents to $1.99. No longer is it called the 99 Cent Everyday Value Menu (and Super Value Menu before that); it is now the Right Price Right Size Menu.

The menu includes four different cheeseburgers, three types of chicken wraps, two side salad options, chili, and a chicken sandwich.

Review: Taco Bell - Beefy Cheesy Burrito

Taco Bell's Beefy Cheesy Burrito is one of the new items on their $1 Cravings value menu test. The burrito features premium "Latin rice," seasoned ground beef, and nacho cheese.

I'm not sure this needs to be said (since it's on the $1 menu), but it costs a buck.

News: Red Robin - New Irish Beer Shake

Red Robin continues their parade of beer shakes this month with the new, limited-time Irish Beer Shake which is made with-- what else?--Guinness dry stout. Specifically, the shake blends Guinness beer, Jameson Irish whiskey, and chocolate ice cream and tops it off with whipped cream.

News: Denny's - New Skillet Meals and New Coffee

Denny's latest limited-time menu promotion is the "Complete Skillet Meals" menu which features three-course meals starting at $8.99. Additionally, they're attempting to offer a "smoother, richer, full bodied" coffee experience by replacing the old stuff with three new coffee blends made from new machines.

Around the World: Taco Bell offers Party Platter in Kuwait

While we get the Variety Pack Taco 12 Pack from Taco Bell for our football watching festivities, out in Kuwait, they get a full-on party platter dubbed "The Blue Meal."

It's named in support of the Kuwait national team as they compete in the 21st Gulf Cup soccer (i.e. the other football) tournament in Bahrain. The nickname for the team is "Al-Azraq" which translates to "The Blue"

News: Dunkin' Donuts Set to Come to California

After many years of shunning the sunny shores of California (well, except for a single location on a military base that's not open to the public), Dunkin' Donuts today announced plans to expand into Southern California and is actively seeking franchisees to open Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernadino, Ventura, and Orange Counties.

The plan is to have the first new Californian Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants open in 2015.