Frozen Friday: Claim Jumper - Baby Back Pork Ribs

In a rather curious decision, Claim Jumper sells a full rack (about 14 - 16 ribs) of Baby Back Pork Ribs with barbecue sauce in the frozen food section for $14.99(!) at my local supermarket.  Normally, I wouldn't even thinking of spending that much in the frozen food aisle, but since it was free courtesy of Claim Jumper, I thought it would be interesting to try.

Review: Taco Bell - Mexican Pizza

A Taco Bell favorite of mine, the descriptively named Mexican Pizza is Taco Bell's take on the pizza complete with a "pizza" sauce, melted cheese and toppings. A bit ironic since my local Taco Bell is also a /Pizza Hut where a Mexican Pizza can be had for $2.79 whereas a more traditional Personal Pan Pizza will run a bit more.

News: Krispy Kreme - Free Donut on June 4, 2010

Looks like Krispy Kreme is getting in on the National Donut Day celebration and one-upping Dunkin' Donuts by offering a free Krispy Kreme donut with no strings attached (well, except for the sugar rush, but you know what you're getting yourself into).

When:  National Donut Day, Friday, June 4, 2010.

Where: At participating Krispy Kremes across the U.S.  Store Locations.

Why: Free Krispy Kreme donut (any variety), no purchase necessary.

Review: Chipotle Secret Menu - Steak Quesadilla

An off-the-menu or "secret" item at Chipotle, the Quesadilla is huge! For $2.75, I got a large flour tortilla (the same they use for their burritos) filled with cheese, wrapped in foil and pressed until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is seared. For $2 more, I got steak in my quesadilla for a grand total of $4.75.

Review: Starbucks - Mocha Frappuccino

Starbucks' Mocha Frappuccino in its base configuration (since it's customizable) features a blend of strong coffee flavor with a bit of milk chocolate flavor at $3.65 for a 16-ounce pop.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Hong Kong - Chocolate Pie

Mmm... Chocolate... they had Chocolate Pie at McDonald's in Hong Kong (it's not currently on the menu as far as the Hong Kong website is concerned).  And, at 1 HK as an add-on to a combo meal.  That is ridiculous cheap!  $0.13 cheap!  So yes, I got one with my combo meal.  Does this mean I'm a sucker for super-sizing?

News: Dunkin' Donuts - Free Donut with Any Beverage Purchase - June 4th

Dunkin' Donuts is celebrating National Donut Day by offering a free donut with the purchase of any Dunkin' beverage. Not a bad deal, if you stop by Dunkin' for your morning pick-me-up anyway.

When: All Day, June 4th, 2010

Where: All participating Dunkin' Donuts - Store Locations

Why: Free Donut with purchase of any beverage.

Details: "*Offer valid all day on 6/4/10. Store hours may vary by location. While supplies last. Limited time offer. Price and participation may vary."

Review: Burger King - Sausage Biscuit

A BK Breakfast Value Menu item, Burger King's Sausage Biscuit is simply a breakfast sausage patty place within a biscuit and sold for $1.

News: KFC New Extra Crispy Strips

I recently saw a commercial advertising KFC's new $5 Big Crunch Box marking the return of the Extra Crispy Strip, which saw its exile from the KFC menu when the Original Recipe Strip made its debut a few years back, replacing the Crispy Strip.

The questions then are: 1) Does this mean the Original Recipe Strips are out? and 2)  Are the Extra Crispy Strips the same Crispy Strips of old or something new entirely?  (Update: Looks like they're the Crispy Strips of old but are being advertised as "new."  I suppose they have been gone for a while.)

As to question #1, a quick perusal of KFC's latest nutrition guide yields the noticeable absence of Original Recipe Strips, with only "Crispy Strips" on the guide.  However, Original Recipe Strips are still pictured on the online menu.

Along with the promotion of the new Big Crunch Box are two new sauces: KFC Signature Sauce which looks like it might be a honey mustard type affair and a Spicy Chipotle Sauce.  I found the Original Recipe Strip's flavor too strong for dipping, but the new(?) Extra Crispy Strips should have a more neutral flavor ideal for carrying sauce.

The $5 Big Crunch Box features three Extra Crispy Strips, a side, a biscuit, and a drink for $5.

Check out the commercial and nutritional information after the jump.

News: Chick-fil-A - New Spicy Chicken Sandwich

Chick-fil-A announced today their new Spicy Chicken Sandwich, the chain's first new sandwich since 1989.  I'm not sure why they announced the sandwich after they announced the sandwich giveaway but there you go.  The sandwich is like Chick-fil-A's Chicken Sandwich but moderately spicy, seasoned with a blend of peppers.  They've been tested in California since last spring but the official menu add will happen on June 7th.

The sandwich will be priced at $2.99 and is also available in a "deluxe" version with lettuce, tomatoes, and Pepper Jack cheese for $3.59.  For an extra spicy touch, I suggest adding Chick-fil-A's delicious Buffalo sauce to your sandwich.

Chick-fil-A is also planning a Spicy Chicken biscuit sandwich for breakfast in January 2011.

Nutritional Information after the jump.  Watch out for the KFC Double Down-exceeding sodium.

Review: Subway - Orchard Chicken Salad Sub

As I've written before, Subway's Orchard Chicken Salad Sub features chunks of chicken, celery, red apples, golden raisins, cranberries, a light creamy mayo and your choice of veggies, on Subway's fresh-baked bread. As a bonus, the Orchard Chicken Salad Sub is part of the $5 Footlong Value menu as well as a part of the Subway Fresh Fit Menu if you only eat half of the foot-long.

What's on the Menu: McDonald's Hong Kong

A mix of Chinese and British influences, Hong Kong presents an interesting juxtaposition of East and West even after the British turnover to the Chinese.  While the mix is a bit less interesting at McDonald's Hong Kong, it's still interesting to see what McDonald's is up to in Hong Kong nonetheless.

First off, is the very British and very Hong Kong habit of afternoon tea, taken with milk of course and stylized by McDonald's as "McBrew" Tea available to 10 Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) or about $1.28 US.

Sunday Funny: Jack in the Box - "Mini Sirloin Burgers" Jingle

I like catchy jingles. This one by Jack in the Box always makes me smile. If it doesn't make you smile, you are dead inside. It's true! Look it up! ;P

The burgers didn't really appeal to me but look at the little cows!

Review: Dunkin Donuts - Coffee Coolatta

I tried Dunkin' Donuts' Coffee Coolatta while I was in Vegas; Fremont Street specifically.  Why Vegas?  Because we don't have Dunkin' Donuts in California and Vegas has the closest one.  I kid.  I went to Vegas to eat buffets.  Lots of them.  Honestly, I haven't been wowed (or even reasonably distracted) by anything I've tried at Dunkin'.  I was actually on Fremont Street to eat deep-fried Oreos for $0.99 and Dunkin' was nearby and a novelty.

Frozen Friday: Claim Jumper - Salisbury Steak Dinner

Salisbury steak has been a TV dinner staple for as long as I can remember. Salisbury steak was invented by an American physician believe it or not. It's a meat patty made with a blend of minced beef and varying ingredients. I received this Claim Jumper's Salisbury Steak Dinner courtesy of Claim Jumper (Actually, I got six coupons from them for any Claim Jumper frozen food item, so if you have any requests on any you'd like to see reviewed, now's the time). It would normally cost $3.99 at my local supermarket and probably $3 to $3.50 on sale.

Review: Domino's - Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes

One of a few desserts available at Domino's Pizza, Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes are baked in the pizza oven so that they're crunchy on the outside with gooey, liquid chocolate on the inside. They're then dusted with powdered sugar and sold at a price of $3.99 for two cakes.

Review: Taco Bell - Classic Limeade Sparkler

Apparently, Taco Bell is using the word "classic" to signify the norm for their drinks.  They could have saved a word (and me from typing seven extra letters) by just calling the Classic Limeade Sparkler the "Limeade Sparkler."  I got one by taking advantage of the promotional free Limeade Sparkler coupon on Taco Bell's website.

Review: Burger King - BK Fire-Grilled Ribs

Burger King's BK Fire-Grilled Ribs recently made their debut to major markets, including my very own Los Angeles.  Made possible by the new batch ovens that replaced the old conveyor belt flame broilers of old, the new BK Fire-Grilled Ribs are a limited-time item and advertised as "smokey and slow cooked" and "authentic bone-in pork ribs."  Around the web, they are also known for hitting a fairly high price and as a potential face plant for Burger King.

News: Taco Bell Giving Free Coupon for New Limeade Sparklers

Taco Bell is promoting its new Limeade Sparklers by giving away free printable coupons for a Limeade Sparkler on their website (click here for coupon link).  No purchase necessary to redeem the coupon which will be given away until 500,000 are redeemed or until 7/11/2010, whichever comes first.  One free online coupon per customer.

The Asia Trip: McDonald's Hong Kong - McPepper Sandwich

A limited-time item while I was in Hong Kong, McDonald's McPepper Sandwich takes a base of a plain McDonald's Hamburger patty, bun, and onions and tailors it to more Hong Kong tastes by adding a black pepper gravy of the kind used in some Chinese dishes.