News: Del Taco Welcomes Back Carnitas

Carnitas is back on the menu at Del Taco for a limited time and in addition to being available in tacos and burritos, the seasoned braised pork can also be found on fries. They're calling the new dish "Loaded Carnitas Fries and it features crinkle-cut French fries topped with carnitas, shredded cheddar, chopped cilantro, and diced onions.

News: Taco Bell - New Cantina Double Steak Quesadilla

Taco Bell's newest addition to the more upscale Cantina Bell menu is the new, limited-time Cantina Double Steak Quesadilla.

It features a double portion of thick-cut, marinated steak with pepper jack cheese folded inside a flour tortilla and then pressed/grilled. The Cantina Double Steak Quesadilla also comes with tortilla chips on the side as well as sour cream and new fire-roasted tomato Cantina salsa for dipping.

Review: McDonald's Bacon and Cheese Quarter Pounder

The 1/4 pound replacement to the departed Angus burger with the same descriptor, McDonald's new Bacon and Cheese Quarter Pounder comes with the same toppings, but with a different bun and hamburger patty. Those toppings are a slice of American cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard, crinkle-cut pickles, and red onions.

It's $3.99 for the burger.

News: Popeyes - Zatarain's Butterfly Shrimp Returns

Popeyes returns Zatarain's Butterfly Shrimp for their latest limited-time menu item.

The dish features the combination of Popeye's regular menu Butterfly Shrimp with the seasoning of Zatarain's and a distinctive cornmeal breading.

News: Starbucks - Half-Price Refreshers, 3pm to 5pm, June 27 - 29

Starbucks will be promoting their green coffee extract-based Starbucks Refreshers by offering them for half-price from 3-5pm starting this Thursday, June 27 and running through Saturday, June 29.

Review: Jack in the Box - Big Waffle Stack

Jack in the Box's Big Waffle Stack is part of their summer "Go Big or Go Hungry" menu and features two eggs, country-grilled sausage, ham, American cheese, and hickory-smoked bacon between two lightly-sweetened, toasted maple waffles. Like the rest of Jack's menu, it's available all day.

It cost me $3.39 for one at my local Jack in the Box.

News: Krispy Kreme - New Caramel and Chocolate Donuts

Krispy Kreme introduces new Caramel and Chocolate Shop Donuts with three new, limited-time donuts and featuring key ingredients of chocolate, caramel, and salted pretzels.

With various chocolate and caramel combinations, the selection includes Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake, Caramel Chocolate Pretzel, and Dark Chocolate Caramel Kreme.

News: Sonic - New Pretzel Dogs

Wendy's might have their vaulted Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger, but Sonic is going with new, limited-time Pretzel Dogs this summer.

Citing the "the age-old summertime dilemma of hot dog versus pretzel" at the ballpark, Sonic now offers the Cheesy Bacon Pretzel Dog and Original Pretzel Dog as a solution.

Review: Chipotle - Sofritas Bowl

Chipotle is offering/testing "Sofritas" as a vegetarian-friendly tofu option here in California. It's made with shredded Hodo Soy brand organic tofu braised with chipotle chilis, roasted poblanos, and spices.

It's $6.25 for a bowl at my local Chipotle and they'll build it however you like. I like to load it with fajita veggies (onions and bell peppers) and salsas, plus extra rice. It ends up being a pound or more, which is sometimes a whole day's worth of food for me.

News: Starbucks - New Summer Drinks 2013

Starbucks offers three new drinks for the summer with new Valencia Orange Refreshers, Orange Spice Iced Coffee, and Shaken Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade.

Valencia Orange Refreshers are made with real fruit and fruit juice plus green coffee extract for a hit of caffeine. They feature the taste of Valencia oranges and clementines along with notes of jasmine, cardamom, and apricot. It's garnished with a slice of naval orange and is also available in instant Via form.

A 12-ounce Tall is 70 calories.

News: Wendy's - New Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger

Wendy's debuts the new, limited-time Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger starting today (with a staggered release that will see all Wendy's restaurants carry the burger by July 4).

The burger features a warm, soft pretzel bun sandwiching a 1/4 lb hamburger patty, Applewood-smoked bacon, a slice of cheddar cheese, warm cheddar cheese sauce, smoky honey mustard, tomato, red onion, and spring mix.

The price tag on the burger is $4.69 (may vary).

Review: Jack in the Box - Original Iced Coffee

Jack in the Box recently introduced new Iced Coffee in Mocha and Original flavors and I recently tried the Original version. It's basically their Premium Roast Coffee with sweetened cream over ice.

A 16-ounce "regular" cup cost me $1.99.