News: McDonald's - New Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie

The latest addition to McDonald's smoothie line-up, the new Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie, makes its appearance this month. To promote the new drink, McDonald's is offering it in a 12-ounce, small size for $1 starting Tuesday, May 21 through Thursday, May 23.

It features blueberry and raspberry purees with pomegranate juice as part of a smoothie base mix, plus ice and lowfat yogurt, blended together.

Between the blueberries and pomegranates, you have to imagine there are a decent amount of antioxidents going on here.

Around the World: Burger King Malaysia's New Breakfast Line-Up Adopts a Gangland Flair

Burger King Malaysia takes a gangland theme for the nomenclature of their new "Boss of Breakfast" line up. The menu sports names like "The Hit," "Swiss Joe," and, of course, "The Boss." Some of the names leave you to wonder what's actually in the sandwiches, but at least you know there's egg in the "Big Egg-O."

Here's a breakdown of the menu:

News: Baskin-Robbins - New Sherbet Flavored Bars for Retail Stores

Baskin-Robbins looks to expand beyond their scoop shops and have licensed their brand to Jel Sert to produce new Sherbet Flavored Freezer Bars to be sold in supermarkets and drugstores.

The new bars are available in two varieties:  Rock 'N Pop Swirl and Rainbow Sherbet.

Frozen Friday: Klondike - Original Choco Tacos

Klondike's Choco Tacos are basically sundae cones fashioned into the shape of a taco. The "taco's" shell is made of sugar cone. It's filled with light vanilla ice cream with a chocolate-flavored swirl and topped with a milk chocolate-flavored coating and chopped peanuts.

A 14 fl-oz box of four Choco Tacos goes for around $3.99 in my area.

Around the World: McDonald's Arabia Offers "The French" Burger

Offering a "taste of the world" is a common promotion for McDonald's. Not in the US, but globally, menus, or menu items, inspired by other locales and countries seem to pop up quite a lot. Currently, McDonald's Arabia is offering "The French," which is a hamburger patty in a black pepper sauce (like a pan sauce maybe?), served simply with slivered onions on a bun. I think they're going to a steak au poivre kind of feel.

Previously, McDonald's Arabia offered similarly-themed burgers with names like "The Asian," "The Mexican," and "The Turkish."

Review: Taco Bell - Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla

Taco Bell's new Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla is part of their new, updated $1 Cravings Menu test and offers hope to those who aren't fond of the more citrusy chicken offered at Taco Bell. It features marinated shredded chicken, along with a 3-cheese blend folded, and pressed inside a small flour tortilla (think soft taco-sized)

Like the rest of the menu, a Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla will set you back $1.

News: Burger King - 2013 Featured Summer Menu

Burger King's limited-time Summer BBQ menu features a new Rib Sandwich that immediately brings to mind McDonald's McRib.

Also notable for this year's summer menu are a slew of Oreo desserts and the return of several items from last year's menu, such as the Memphis BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich and Sweet Potato Fries.

Review: Starbucks - Sweet Lemon Cake Pop

Starbucks' Sweet Lemon Cake Pop features vanilla white cake and lemon butter cream covered in white chocolate icing and colorful sprinkles.

They're $1.50 each or two for $2.50.

News: California Pizza Kitchen - Limited-Edition Wine-Sauce Pizzas

California Pizza Kitchen's frozen-pizza line has been offering two limited-edition pizzas showcasing wine-based sauces. There's the Grilled Chicken Pizza with Cabernet Sauce and the Roasted Vegetables Pizza with Chardonnay Sauce. Both pizzas come on a crispy thin crust.

The Grilled Chicken Pizza comes topped with a Cabernet marinara sauce, grilled white-meat chicken, spinach, roma tomatoes, rosemary, black pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and gouda.

News: Panera Bread - 2013 Featured Summer Menu

Panera Bread celebrates this year's spring to summer transition with new dishes featuring shrimp or seasonal fruit (although not together). The two headliners for 2013's featured summer menu are the new Shrimp Salad Roll and Chilled Shrimp & Soba Noodle Salad.

Here's the full line-up of new and returning items this summer:

Review: Taco Bell - Beef Crunchito

You might think Taco Bell's Beef Crunchito is a crunchy burrito from the name, but it's actually a taco with a fried flour tortilla shell, filled with seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese.

It's part of Taco Bell's current $1 Cravings Menu test and goes for $1 (surprise!).

News: Kellogg's - New Peanut Butter Pop-Tarts

According to Kellogg's, peanut butter is what teens want. So, in that vein, they've come up with new Peanut Butter Pop-Tarts under the moniker "Pop-Tarts Gone Nutty."

The new Pop-Tarts are available in two flavors: Peanut Butter and Frosted Chocolate Peanut Butter.