News: Jack in the Box adds the Grilled Breakfast Sandwich

A natural extension of their Grilled Sandwiches line, Jack in the Box is adding the Grilled Breakfast Sandwich to its menu.

The Grilled Breakfast Sandwich features two fried eggs and two slices each of American cheese, ham and bacon nestled between two sliced of artisan bread.

The Grilled Breakfast Sandwich is available at participating Jack in the Box restaurants for a suggested retail price of $2.99. Interestingly enough, the sandwich is not available in San Diego where Jack in the Box is headquartered (It is also not available in Seattle, Yakima, Boise, Twin Falls, Austin, Beaumont/Pt. Arthur, Lake Charles, and Waco.)

News: Starbucks Offering Free Brewed Coffee to Tumbler Users on April 15, 2010

If you bring in your reusable traveler's mug or tumbler to a participating Starbucks on April 15, 2010 (i.e. "Tax Day"), they're offering to fill it for free with brewed coffee. The environmentally-friendly freebie is to encourage Starbuck's customers to stop using paper cups. I wonder if they'll still give you free brewed coffee if you brought in the mother of all tumblers...

Note: Starbucks has offered a discount for customers who brought in their own tumblers or mugs since 1985, which makes sense since they'd save on cup costs.

The company has a stated goal to ensure all of its cups are recyclable or reusable by 2015.

News: Boston Market Reveals New Sauces

Starting today, Boston Market unveiled five new sauces that can be added for free when you order their rotisserie chicken much like you can get sauces for your Chicken McNuggets or chicken strips although I imagine a wee bit fancier.  The five sauces come in different levels of heat ranging from "Mild" to "Medium Hot."

The five sauces are described by Boston Market as follows and present quite a bit of variety:

• Island Mojo - A Caribbean-inspired sauce with garlic, citrus and extra virgin olive oil. (Mild)
• Zesty Barbecue - Our signature BBQ sauce with molasses, brown sugar and pit spices mixed to create a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. (Mild)
• Sweet Thai Chili Garlic - A traditional Thai dip with chilies, rice wine vinegar and sugar. (Medium Hot)
• Frank’s Sweet Heat - A popular Red Hot Wing sauce featuring aged cayenne, red peppers, tomatoes, honey and molasses. (Medium)
• Honey Habañero - A mix of one of the world’s hottest peppers with some sweetness and a little southwestern kick. (Medium Hot)

News: Jamba Juice - Buy One, Get One Free Until April 25, 2010

Jamba Juice is celebrating 20 years of business, by offering a "Buy One, Get One Free" coupon for any of their drinks.  The offer is valid for roughly about two weeks from today, Monday, April, 12, 2010 until Sunday, April 25, 2010. You do need to print out a coupon from their site here to take advantage of the offer.

Details: Drinks include both hot and cold beverages.  Free Drink is of equal or lesser value.

Jamba Juice Store Locator

Review: Panda Express - Chow Mein

Panda Express offers four different "sides" as part of their entrees: rice (steamed or fried), mixed veggies, and chow mein.  Out of the three, I usually get the chow mein because I think they do a good job of it and it's the hardest of the three for me to make at home.  Panda Express' Chow Mein features whole grain noodles sauteed in a wok with shredded onion, celery, cabbage, and bean sprouts.  It's prices at $2 a la carte or $5.99 as part of a 2-entrée meal.

News: Jack in the Box - Free Fry Day on April 16, 2010

It's Free Fry Day on Friday!  (Pun, I know.)  Jack in the Box is giving away a free order of their small new fries on Friday, April 16, 2010.  Details and video after the jump.

Review: Burger King - BK Breakfast Muffin

While the name might bring to mind a small cake, Burger King's BK Breakfast Muffin is actually an English muffin sandwich with sausage, egg, and cheese and a blatant copy of McDonald's Sausage McMuffin with Egg. It's a recent addition to BK's Breakfast menu along with the BK Breakfast Bowl and retails for a tidy $1.

News: Arby's $1 Value Menu Now Nationwide

Just in case, you're not near one of the roughly 2,500 Arby's that were testing their $1 Value Menu, the Value Menu is now available at all 3,700 Arby's nationwide.

The items on the menu are as follows: value-sized shake, drink, and fries, Jr. Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Roast Beef, Apple or Cherry Turnover, and Jr. Ham & Cheddar Melt.

Arby's says they'll periodically update the menu with seasonal favorites and other signature items. Stay tuned and Brand Eating will be sure to keep you updated on changes.

Prices start at $1 and may vary by location.

Sunday Funny: From KFC Korea

Yes, singular! I suppose it's more cute than funny. It does show quite a few KFC Korea menu items though. There are no words, just music.

Review: Taco Bell - Cherry Limeade Sparkler

Taco Bell's Cherry Limeade Sparkler along with the Tortada is new to the menu.  It features a blend of Sierra Mist lemon-lime soda, lime juice concentrate, sugar, and natural cherry flavor served over ice with a lime wedge thrown in for good measure.  It is also available in sans natural cherry flavor as a Classic Limeade Sparkler and is priced at $1.69 for 16 ounces and $1.99 for 20 ounces.

Review: Taco Bell - Bacon Ranch Tortada

The Bacon Ranch Tortada is one of the latest limited-time items at Taco Bell.  It's a cross between a torta (sandwich) and a tostada hence the name "Tortada."  The Bacon Ranch Tortada is basically a panini-pressed flour tortilla folded into a square filled with pieces of marinated chicken breast with rib meat, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced bacon, and an avocado ranch sauce.  It's priced at $3.29 which puts it at the upper end of Taco Bell's menu.

Review: The Flame Broiler - Super Works Plate

The Flame Broiler is styled as "a healthy choice" and features a short menu of Korean-styled plates with a combination of meat, rice, and vegetables.  They boast no msg, no skin, no frying, and no trans fats.  You can also substitute white meat chicken for $1.50 and can choose brown rice instead of white for no charge.  A friend and I shared a Super Works plate which had everything on the menu and is good for sharing. It costs $8.99.

News: New at Taco Bell - Tortadas and Limeade Sparklers

Taco Bell introduced two items today: Tortadas and Limeade Sparklers.

The name "Tortada" appears to be a combination of "torta" and "tostada." Tortadas are available in two varieties: Bacon Ranch and Salsa Roja.  They are priced at $3.29 at my local Taco Bell (price may vary with location).

Review: Burger King - BK Breakfast Bowl

One of the new items on Burger King's breakfast menu, the BK Breakfast Bowl features a smörgåsbord of your typical breakfast items in a bowl.  Specifically, it contains bits of roasted southwestern potatoes, grilled onions and peppers, scrambled eggs and sausage topped with a blend of three cheeses and a smoky cheese sauce in a black plastic bowl.  The clear plastic lid resembles a large checker piece, with the large crown on it and all.

Around the World: Burger King Philippines Offers Free Shoe Shines

Burger King Philippines offers free shoe shining at selected outlets.

I like the tag: "Black Shoes? High Heels? No Heels? We shine 'em your way."

 I guess it's an interesting way to get people in the door in urban areas with heavy foot traffic.  I wonder if they run this promotion in any other countries.

What if you were wearing sneakers?  Would you still get a shoe shine?  Can you even shine sneakers?  Only if they're leather I suppose.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Taiwan - Chicken McCrispy

I went to McDonald's Taiwan inside the Taipei Zoo, the largest zoo in Asia, and roughly about $2 for admittance (which has to make it one of the cheapest ways to spend a day in Taiwan).  While there, I tried the Chicken McCrispy, a value item menu for about $1 if I remember correctly.

Video: Burger King's BK Breakfast Muffin Ad

In case you haven't seen it yet, here's Burger King's TV ad promoting the new BK Breakfast Muffin:

Review: Wendy's French Fries

Wendy's French Fries are sliced a bit thicker than McDonald's and don't have the same beef flavoring. For 99 cents, you get the value-sized fries which is a little bit smaller than a small but still fine for snacking.  The small (shown above) costs $1.29.

News: Hugh Jackman Dances for Lipton

Hugh Jackman is the new face of Lipton worldwide and kicks off a global campaign with a commercial entitled "Tokyo Dancing Hotel." You can check out the 1.5-minute snazzy dance number here:

News: Check out KFC's Double Down "Sandwich" Ad

As you all know by now, KFC's Double Down Sandwich(?!) is unleashed (you know, because it's a monstrosity) on Monday, April 12, 2010 but you can check out the accompanying 30-second spot now: