Review: Starbucks - Pumpkin Spice Steamer

I suppose you can consider this a Starbucks "secret menu" item: you can get a non-caffeinated Pumpkin Spice Latte by ordering a Pumpkin Spice Steamer, which is the same drink, only without the espresso.

They charged me $2.75 for a 12-oz Tall-sized cup (that's at least $1 less than the PSL at most locations).

News: Jason's Deli - New Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

Jason's Deli is now offering new gluten-free chicken nuggets that they're calling J.D. Nuggetz (... at the "z"). Rather than the typical flour, the chicken breast and rib meat nuggets are breaded with cornmeal and are also antibiotic-free on top of being gluten-free.

News: Dunkin' Donuts Adds Almond Milk Option for Coffee

Dunkin' Donuts adds almond milk as a new, non-dairy alternative to milk and/or cream for your coffee or latte.

They've turned to Blue Diamond to supply Vanilla Almond Breeze Almondmilk at select Dunkin' Donuts locations nationwide.

News: Olive Garden - All-You-Can-Eat Pasta for 7 Weeks for $100

Olive Garden is trying something new: rather than all-you-can-eat pasta for one visit, they're offering all-you-can-eat-pasta for a full 7 weeks for $100.

They're calling it the "Never Ending Pasta Pass," and there are only 1,000 of them available for purchase.

Review: Lay's Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese Potato Chips

Lay's Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese Potato Chips purport to meld their classic potato chips with the flavor of bacon mac & cheese.

I picked up a 2-and-7/8-oz bag for $1.49.

News: Taco Bell - Country and California Versions of A.M. Crunchwrap Are Coming

Taco Bell is planning to launch two new versions of the A.M. Crunchwrap later this year. Looking to bring more regional flavors to bear, the portable A.M. Crunchwrap will be available in a California and a Country version.

News: Caribou Coffee - New Pumpkin Ginger Latte

Caribou Coffee adds to their fall beverage line up with the new Pumpkin Ginger Latte, a spicier kick to the ubiquitous pumpkin lattes that crop up around this time each year.

The latte is made with a specially crafted pumpkin puree sauce, ginger spice, and gingersnap cookie crumbles on top.

Review: Lay's - Wasabi Ginger Kettle Cooked Chips

Lay's Wasabi Ginger-flavored Kettle Cooked potato chips are one of the finalist for this year's Do Us A Flavor contest.

A 2-and-7/8-oz bag was $1.49.

Taste Test: Taco Bell - New Biscuit Tacos

As you might have heard, Taco Bell is testing new Biscuit Tacos as a potential menu item for their breakfast menu. During a visit to Taco Bell headquarters, I got to try both the Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit Taco as well as the Crispy Chicken Biscuit Taco.

The Sausage, Egg, and Cheese is the more familiar of the two, as it's a common fast food breakfast combination that Taco Bell already offers in the Waffle Taco as well as in a burrito.

News: Taco Bell Testing New Biscuit Taco

Taco Bell is testing a new Biscuit Taco as a possible addition to their recently introduced breakfast menu. They're also testing two new versions of the AM Crunchwrap: one with country gravy and another with guacamole (more on that in a different post).

News: Haagen-Dazs - New Gelato Bars

In a bit of an odd fall launch, Haagen-Dazs debuts new Gelato bars. The follow-up to the gelato line introduced in March of 2013 featured bars of chocolate-covered gelato for on-the-go eating.

Haagen-Dazs Gelato bars come in three flavors. They are:

Frozen Friday: Dairy Queen - Apple Pie Blizzard

Dairy Queen's Apple Pie Blizzard features cinnamon apple pieces, cinnamon pie pieces, blended with vanilla soft serve, and topped with whipped topping and a dusting of cinnamon.

It was $3.39 for a mini-sized cup (due to the mall premium).