Review: Wendy's - Coffee Cake

Not much to say about this one... It tastes like a store-bought coffee cake (like Hostess) that you heat up in a toaster oven which is very likely how it was prepared. I doubt Wendy's bakes these from scratch or from a mix.

Wendy's

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Review: Wendy's - Chicken Biscuit

So I went to Wendy's because they started serving breakfast not too long ago at certain franchises. Let's just say that they still need work.

Review: Baja Fresh - Pronto Nachos

A 3oz. side of Smoky Queso Fundido and Chips for 99 cents. Yeah, I didn't really like the cheese... I ate all the chips though... I think I would have preferred Taco Bell nacho cheese. The Smoky Queso Fundido (cheese dip) seems to be a blend of spicy salsa and cheese. It didn't really taste spicy and I don't like salsa and cheese mixed together.

I guess you can say it's pretty much a non-starter for me.

Baja Fresh
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Review: Winchell's Donuts - French Cruller

My absolute favorite donut is the French cruller known for its unique shape and its airy texture. The French cruller is made from choux pastry which, according to Wikipedia, is "a light pastry dough used to make profiteroles, croquembouches, eclairs, French crullers, beignets, Indonesian kue sus, and gougères. It contains only butter, water, flour, and eggs. Its raising agent is the high moisture content, which creates steam during cooking, puffing out the pastry." I know right? We're smarter already!

I have no idea what profiteroles, croquembouches, gougères, and, kue sus are, but I love French crullers. Unfortunately, most donut shops don't make a French cruller, at least not the mom and pops around here (They are quite difficult to make I'm told compared to the standard donut.). Fortunately, chain donuts shops usually carry French crullers (Note that the French cruller should not be confused with the "cruller" which is just a twisted cake donut.)

And Witchell's being a chain donut shop makes French Crullers, although only on Tuesdays around Halloween so they can make Halloween donuts... Sad, I know! Mostly, because I went to two different locations before asking where the crullers were. In short, French crullers from Winchell's with maple or chocolate frosting equals yummy!

Review: McDonald's - Big Mac

Ah, the flagship sandwich of McDonald's, the Big Mac, the burger almost as tall as it is wide and that much more difficult to eat because of it (the middle bun has a habit of slipping out as you bite into the burger).

Review: Carl's Jr. - CrissCut French Fries

Carl's Jr.'s CrissCut French Fries are seasoned much like curly fries usually are at other fast food establishments. They'll cost you a little more than Carl's default Natural-Cut Fries, but deliver more than the standard potato flavor.

Review: Banh Mi Che Cali - Teriyaki Beef Sandwich

For $2.25, you get sauteed slices of beef, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, and lettuce in a buttery, crispy fat banh mi baguette. The beef is sauteed with the onions and seem to be flavored with maybe sugar or honey, garlic, and soy sauce if I were to guess. It doesn't taste like teriyaki really, but it's still tasty if a little misleading.
The jalapenos give the sandwich a nice kick and the lettuce was crisp.
All-in-all, a nice change from my usual Banh Mi Dac Biet.

Banh Mi Che Cali

647 W Valley Blvd

Alhambra, CA 91803

(626) 293-8396

Review: Baja Fresh - Grilled Chicken Cabo Cobb Burrito

I prefer Baja Fresh over the other fast casual Mexican chain dining establishments (i.e. Qdoba, Chipotle, etc.). At the particular location that I went to, they were kind enough to give me free tortilla chips while I waited for my order -- plus the burritos all come with some chips.

For $5.95, I tried one of Baja Fresh's featured Grilled Salad Burritos: the Grilled Chicken Cabo Cobb Burrito (the other is the Grilled Chicken Caesar Burrito). The Grill Chicken Cabo Cobb Burrito features grilled marinated chicken, Jack & cheddar cheese, romaine lettuce, chopped tomatoes, ranch dressing, Cotija cheese, black beans and avocado.
I thought it was very tasty. I liked the way the burrito was grilled; it gives the tortilla a bit of a flakiness and crispness. Since it's essentially a salad in a burrito, it's lighter than most of Baja Fresh's other burritos like the Ultimo. I could taste the separate distinct ingredients and they went well together. I would definitely eat this one again.

Baja Fresh
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News: Chick-fil-A Celebrates Cow Appreciation Day (Free Food!) - July 11, 2008

On Friday, July 11, 2008, Chick-fil-A will celebrate Cow Appreciation Day by giving free meals (your choice of entree, side, and drink) to visitors who are fully dressed as cows. For those less willing to dress like a cow, Chick-fil-A is offering a free entree (sandwich, or salad) to visitors wearing some sort of cow attire.

The promotion is related to Chick-fil-A's "Eat Mor Chikin" marketing campaign which has gone on for the past 13 years and features self-interested cows encouraging people to eat chicken rather than beef.


Cow Appreciation Day (Free Meal for Dressing Like a Cow)
Friday, July 11, 2008
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Review: Subway's Spicy Italian Sub Sandwich

I'm not a huge fan of Subway, since I sometimes get it for free at school, but without liquid condiments. I am, however, a fan of Italian subs plus my interest was piqued by Subway's $5 everyday value menu which features eight of its regular subs including its Spicy Italian. The thing is, at some locations, before they had the value menu, some of the footlongs on it were priced less than $5, so I don't know how much of a value it is.
Anyway, this is pretty much as many veggies as I eat in a week. It's sad I know. There's cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, tomatoes, banana jalapenos, iceberg lettuce, and red onions in there. I really should eat more veggies. I was pleasantly surprised; I actually liked it... though I did have very low expectations. I don't think I'd ever crave it, but it's not bad eats in a pinch. And, I feel better eating some veggies.

Subway

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Review: Chick-fil-A - Chicken Sandwich - Fresh Version

My Favorite Fried Chicken Sandwich

A little while ago, I wrote about the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich my brother brought me back from Texas. While there still haven't been any Chick-fil-A's erected in my vicinity, there's one in Upland near my cousin's place in Pomona. As you can see the bag is in much better shape then one that's been through LAX. The sandwich is a bit pricier here at $2.99.
The Chicken Sandwich itself looks better as well.
You can see the buttered toasted top bun and patty. Looks like the Texas patty spent a little more time in the fryer though since this one is much lighter in color.
Chick-fil-A puts its pickles beneath the patty rather than above like McDonald's. It's an arbitrary difference I think.
You can see a good view of the chicken patty here. It was made to order and tasted like it: super juicy and chock full of flavor. I loved it. It was totally worth the trip (since I was visiting my cousin anyway).


Chick-fil-A
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Review: Ikea - Swedish Meatball Platter

Ah... nothing like food from a Swedish furniture store... It's a little bit odd that Ikea offers food at all but I guess they're just spreading the culture. I don't think I've ever heard of or seen a Swedish restaurant around these parts.

Ikea offers a pretty broad selection of food in a cafeteria setting. For $4.99 (update 1/13/13: it's only $3.99 now!), I got 15 meatballs smothered in gravy, a scope of mashed potatoes, and a spoonful of lingonberry sauce. Lingonberry tastes a lot like cranberry to me. I've never really taken to eating cranberry with my turkey, so I didn't care much for lingonberry with my meatballs. I did enjoy the meatballs and the mashed potatoes however. The meatballs tended to be on the dry side but that's what the gravy is for. I like the gravy, it goes well with the meatballs and mashed potatoes.

Ikea also sells the gravy, meatballs (frozen in 3lb bags), and lingonberry jam for people who really like those items and want to take them home.


Ikea
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News: Jack in the Box's Two Free Tacos Day - June 26, 2008

In an effort to drive customers hurting under high gas prices to its restaurants, on Thursday, June 26, 2008, Jack in the Box is offering two free regular tacos (you know, the ones that go 2 for a buck) to anyone who brings in a gas receipt.

Duplicates or copies will not be accepted. At participating locations only. Limit one order per person. No purchase necessary.


Two Free Tacos when you bring in a gas receipt.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
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News: Starbucks Offering Free Beverage Coupon For Joining Starbucks Card Rewards

In an effort to get consumers to join its Rewards Program, Starbucks Card holders who join the rewards program online at www.starbucks.com/card by July 14, 2008 will receive a free beverage coupon in the mail good for any Starbucks beverage.

To join the Rewards Program, customers can load a new Starbucks Card with $5 or more or take any existing Starbucks Card (even one with a zero balance) and join the program by visiting www.starbucks.com/card. Participants must use their Starbucks Card for purchases to receive Reward Program benefits.

Benefits of the Rewards Program include (further details about the program can be viewed at www.starbucks.com/card):

• Select complimentary syrup and milk options;
• Hot and iced brewed coffee refills on the house during your visit;
• Complimentary tall beverage of your choice with the purchase of one pound of whole bean coffee.

I'm not a regular Starbucks drinker but it looks to be a great program for those that are. Of course if you're like me, you'll still join just for the free drink!


Free Beverage Coupon by mail with Rewards Program Registration
Offer expires July 14, 2008
Register at: www.starbucks.com/card

News: Caribou Coffee - Coolfest Free Fruit & Tea Blended Beverage - June 21, 2008

To celebrate the beginning of summer and its 4th Annual Coolfest, Caribou Coffee will be giving away its new 12 oz. Fruit & Tea blended beverage on Saturday, June 21, 2008 between the hours of 3 and 4pm.

Caribou Coffee's Fruit & Tea beverages are available in three flavors: White Tea & Peach, Green Tea & Mango, and Red Tea & Raspberry.

CoolFest will not be available in stores that are not open on Saturdays and in the Duluth, Canal Park location.

4th Annual Coolfest 2008 - Free 12 oz. Fruit & Tea
Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 3-4pm at participating locations.
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Review: Taco Bell -Strawberry Frutista Freeze

The Frutista Freeze is Taco Bell's new frozen beverage introduced just as the summer heat began (about mid May). It features real strawberries in syrup over a mixture of ice and strawberry syrup. It's a bit like a 7-Eleven Slurpee in that respect but with more syrup. The high amount of syrup makes for a sweeter strawberry taste. It's quite refreshing with how hot it has been getting around here.

Review: Chick-fil-A - Waffle Potato Fries

Chick-fil-A's Waffle Potato Fries feature skin-on, waffle-shaped potatoes deep-fried in peanut oil.

Review: McDonald's Premium Crispy Chicken Club

I've noticed a lot of McDonald's ads (billboards in particular) tend to tout the quality of their ingredients such as "all white meat premium chicken" and "100% beef." And it makes me think, what did it used to be? Especially the beef... What was it if it wasn't 100% beef? Regardless, I'm not exactly expecting quality at any fast food establishment and when I think of McDonald's besides childhood memories, I think of convenience.

News: "Free Taco Bell Fruitista Freeze with Any Purchase" Coupon

Taco Bell is offering a coupon off its website for a either Frutista Freeze with any purchase at participating locations.

The Frutista Freeze looks to be some sort of smoothie that comes in Mango and Strawberry flavors. Taco Bells big emphasis seems to be on the fact that the drinks are topped with real strawberries. The drinks are priced at $1.89 for a 16 oz. cup.

You can print out the coupon here. The coupon expires on Thursday, June 19, 2008.

Coupon for a Free Fruitista Freeze with Any Purchase
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News: Free Small Cup or Cone of Frozen Yogurt for Dad's on Father's Day at TCBY - June, 15, 2008

TCBY (originally "This Can't Be Yogurt" but a trademark suit prompted a change to "The Country's Best Yogurt," which managed to keep the initials) is offering a free small cone or cup of its soft serve or hand-scooped frozen yogurt to dads to celebrate Father's Day, this Sunday, June 15, 2008.

I don't know if you have to bring your kid(s) along to get your free yogurt... I'm sure any rugrat will do, even if they're not technically yours... Hell, they'd probably give it to you if you could say with a straight face that your friend, spouse, uncle, etc. is your kid.

Free Frozen Yogurt for Dads on Father's Day
Sunday, June 15, 2008
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