News: Jack in the Box - New Kona Classic Coffee

Jack in the Box restaurants are now serving a new premium blend of coffee made with real Kona coffee beans from Hawaii. The new Kona Classic coffee blend replaces Jack in the Box's old coffee and is used for both hot and iced coffees.

Kona Classic is available at participating Jack in the Box restaurants for a suggested price of $1.39 and $1.59 for regular and large hot coffees, respectively, and $1.99 for a 24-ounce iced coffee. The iced coffees are available in regular, vanilla, and caramel flavors.

Kona Classic is not offered in Hawaii which continues to serve a different blend of Kona coffee produced by local vendor Hawaiian Paradise Coffee.

News: Haagen-Daz Celebrates Free Flavor Day on May, 18, 2010

Super premium ice cream maker Haagen-Daz is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with its annual Free Flavor Day.

When: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 from 4pm to 8pm

Where: Any participating Haagen-Dazs Shop in the U.S. Shop Locator

Why: You want to help wish Haagen-Daz a "Happy Birthday" and stuff your face with a free scoop of either Chocolate, Coffee, or Vanilla ice cream.

Review: Taco Bell - Salsa Roja Tortada

One of two Taco Bell non-sandwich limited-time menu items (along with the Bacon Ranch Tortada), the Salsa Roja Tortada features southwest-marinated chicken breast (seasoned with garlic powder, "spices," chili pepper, and paprika among other things), shredded lettuce, a blend of three cheeses (mozzarella, pepper jack, and Cheddar), Fiesta Salsa (tomatoes, onions, and cilantro), and salsa rojas (a spicy red sauce) for $3.29.

News: Burger King Testing Brunch

Burger King is currently testing more breakfast offerings under the guise of "brunch." Burger Business reports that, in addition to their normal breakfast menu, Burger King is offering Mimosas (Relax, it's non-alcoholic... What?!), the BK Ciabatta Breakfast Sandwich, and the Whopper (yes, it's the Whopper, but for breakfast!) during breakfast time.

Brunch is being offered in select markets in Massachusetts, Florida, and western Canada.  The Mimosa is a blend of orange juice, Sprite, and ice while the BK Ciabatta Breakfast Sandwich is a ciabatta sandwich with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, cheese, ham, bacon, and a smoky tomato sauce.

Burger King is also testing other breakfast items elsewhere. According to the Birmingham Business Journal, Burger King is testing pancake and scrambled egg platters (similar to the Big and Deluxe Breakfast by McDonald's), mini blueberry muffins, and the same ciabatta breakfast sandwich in the Birmingham area.

News: Hardee's Introduces Loaded Biscuit 'N' Gravy

Carl's Jr eastern counterpart, Hardee's, is also pouring gravy onto its breakfast with the Loaded Biscuit 'N' Gravy. The Loaded Biscuit 'N' Gravy is a Hardee's Biscuit 'N' Gravy smothered in sausage gravy. Specifically, it consists of two folded scrambled eggs and two sausage patties open-faced on a fresh-baked buttermilk biscuit topped with sausage gravy.

It is available at participating Hardee’s restaurants for $2.99 or in a small combo for $4.69 (hash rounds and a beverage). Prices may vary with location.

Review: Domino's - New Pizza

So I finally tried Domino's Pizza's new pizza and have to say that I wasn't impressed and the sister-in-law was even less so. I ordered a large pepperoni with extra cheese for the promotional price of $5.99 carryout.

Sunday Funny: From McDonald's Egypt

A funny McDonald's Egypt commercial to the tune of Meatloaf's hit ballad I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That).  I think you can see where this is going.

What's on the Menu: McDonald's Turkey

This edition of What's on the Menu takes us to McDonald's Turkey where we take a look at some of the dishes localized to suit the Turkish palate in additional to some of the more interesting variants not available here in the U.S.

First up, the Kofteburger which features a Turkish-spiced minced beef patty with a toasted special bun with what appears to be dried parsley on top, filled with ketchup, onions, lettuce, and  yogurt sauce.

Review: The Hat - Chili Cheese Fries

One of my favorite things to eat at The Hat are the Chili Cheese Fries which features a thick paper serving tray filled with a freshly-fried batch of French fries, generously covered with shredded Cheddar cheese, and then smothered in the Hat's delicious all-meat chili.  One order is enough for at least two people and costs $4.79 for just Chili Fries.  The cheese is an extra 50 cents.  Tomatoes and pickles is also an optional topping for 20 cents.  A total of $5.49 plus tax.

Review: Jack in the Box - Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit

Currently, at a promo price of two for $3, Jack in the Box's Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit features a buttermilk biscuit with a fried egg, a slice of American cheese, and a sausage patty.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Banana Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Shake

Carl's Jr.'s Banana Chocolate Chip Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shake features banana cream syrup, milk, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate chip flakes topped with whipped topping (i.e. not actual cream). You can choose whether to get it with malt powder.

It costs $3.19 for a 16-ounce cup but there's $1 off coupon available off of the Carl's Jr. website.  Note: the suggested retail price is $2.89 so the Banana Chocolate Chip Shake might be cheaper at your local Carl's Jr.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Taiwan - Spicy Chicken Filet Burger

The Spicy Chicken Filet Burger at McDonald's Taiwan is a variant of your standard McChicken but adapted for Taiwanese tastes.  It is also sold by McDonald's China.  It's also about twice the price of a McChicken at approximately $2.

Review: KFC - Double Down Part Deux - The Fix

Here's part two of my KFC Double Down Sandwich review AKA the Fix.  I recommend it to anyone who, like myself, finds the Double Down too salty to enjoy.  It's all the goodness of the Double Down but with less saltiness (but, sorry to say, not less actual salt).

Review: KFC - Double Down Sandwich

With all the media coverage, everyone and their mom, their dad, and their extended family and friends, now knows that the KFC Double Down Sandwich is two boneless Original Recipe or Grilled Filets sandwiching two strips of bacon, a slice of pepper jack cheese, a slice of Monterey Jack cheese, and a squirt squeeze of the Colonel's Sauce.  The price tag on this almost all-meat monster is $4.99.

News: Free Food at Southern California Chick-fil-As This Week

Participating Southern California Chick-fil-A restaurants are giving a free snack item every weekday this week from Monday, April 12th to Friday, April 16th, from 2 pm to 5 pm.  The items being given out each day are as follows:

• Monday, April 12, 2010 - Free Chick-n-Strips (3-count)
• Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - Free Small Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries
• Wednesday, April, 14, 2010 - Free Yogurt Parfait
• Thursday, April 15, 2010 - Free Chick-fil-A Nuggets (8-count)
• Friday, April 16, 2010 - Free Fudge Nut Brownie

Details: No coupon necessary.  Only at participating Southern California Chick-fil-A restaurants.  One item per person per visit.

Chick-fil-A Restaurant Locator

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.