News: Whataburger - Monterey Melt Returns Permanently

The Monterey Melt is back at Whataburger and this time around it comes in as a permanent menu addition.

It features two beef  patties, American and Monterey Jack Cheese slices, grilled peppers and onions, plus jalapeno ranch sauce.

News: Burger King - New Rodeo Sandwiches and Value Menu Re-brand

Burger King is out with new, limited-time $1 Rodeo Sandwiches and with the latest addition, have renamed their BK Value Menu to the "King Deals Value Menu."

The new Rodeo Sandwiches consist of the Rodeo Crispy Chicken and the Rodeo Burger. Both are slight variations on the Rodeo Cheeseburger that Burger King used to offer.

Review: Papa John's - Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Pizza

Papa John's Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Pizza features creamy chipotle sauce, sliced Chicken Poppers, smoky bacon, diced Roma tomatoes, and grated cheddar cheese in addition to the standard mozzarella.

It's promoted at $11 for a large pizza but I picked one up for $8.99 during the Early Week Special.

Top Five New Fast Food Items of 2013

2013 saw the introduction of a lot of new fast food menu items probably more so than previous years due to the landscape becoming increasingly competitive.

Since I've probably tried most of new items from the biggest fast food chains, here are my picks for the top five new fast food items I tried in 2013:

In no particular order:

News: Popeyes - New Bayou Buffalo Wicked Chicken

Popeyes has brought back their Wicked Chicken with an added twist by marinating them in a "Lousiana-style buffalo marinade," tossing them in Buffalo sauce and calling them Bayou Buffalo Wicked Chicken.

News: Jack in the Box Adds Egg Whites and Sweet Potato Fries

Jack in the Box is looking into "better-for-you" options with the addition of the new Egg White & Turkey Sandwich. They've also added new, criss-cut Sweet Potato Fries for a limited time.

The Egg White & Turkey Sandwich features a grilled slice of turkey, tomato, American cheese, and egg whites on a plain burger bun.

Review: Sweet Potato Popchips

Sweet Potato Popchips are air-popped sweet potato chips. They still use oil to cook them but less so than the more typical deep-frying.

I bought a 3-ounce bag for $2.69.

Around the World: KFC Australia Offers Aussie and English Chicken Sandwiches

In honor of the Ashes cricket series currently underway between Australia and England, KFC Australia, an official sponsor of Australian Cricket, offers up two themed chicken sandwiches; one for each country.

The Aussie Burger features an Original Recipe chicken breast, a slice of beet, crispy onion, cheese, and lettuce with tangy BBQ sauce on a sesame seed bun.

News: Kashi Offers New Single-Serve Pizzas with Greek and Indian Flavors

Kashi's Indian Tikka Masala Single-Serve Pizza

Kashi recently launched new single-serve pizzas in two international flavors: Greek Tzatziki and Tikka Masala.

Kashi's Greek Tzatziki Single-Serve Pizza features a stone-fire crust that like seemingly everything else by Kashi contains their signature Seven Whole Grains plus flax and sesame. The pizza is topped with spinach, artichokes, tomatoes, feta cheese, mozzarella, and a sauce of Greek tzatiki (yogurt sauce), cucumber, dill, and garlic.

Review: Cinnamon & Sugar Pringles

Cinnamon & Sugar Pringles are a limited-time flavor for this fall-winter. Just like they sound, they're Pringles potato chips dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

A 5.96-ounce canister was $1.50.

Around the World: Where can you get Chili from McDonald's?

While a bowl/cup full of chili has long been the domain of Wendy's, it's not something you'd find at McDonald's or most fast food chains for that matter... except in Austria where, earlier this year, McDonald's began offering Chili Con Carne.

Around the World: Starbucks Japan - New Chocolate Pretzel Mochas

Christmas just ended but over in Japan, Starbucks has already unveiled their Valentine's Day beverages with the new, limited-time Chocolate Pretzel Mochas and Frappuccinos set to arrive on January 15, 2014.