Review: Fatburger - Fatburger

The namesake burger of Fatburger, the Fatburger is the chain's "medium"-sized burger and features a 5.3-ounce beef patty with mustard, relish, diced onions, crinkle-cut pickles, a slice of tomato, shredded lettuce, and mayo for $4.59. Cheese, bacon, egg, and/or chili are available as add-ons for 69 cents each. I considered the bacon but opted for just cheese.

It is also available in a combo with fries and a fountain drink for $8.69.

News: Burger King - New BK Stuffed Steakhouse

Burger King is really putting their new broilers to work: first, it was Fire Grilled Ribs and now, they're making Stuffed Steakhouse burgers. The new limited-time Jalapeno & Cheddar BK Stuffed Steakhouse burger features a beef patty with pieces of jalapenos and Cheddar cheese inside. The patty is joined by a creamy poblano (another pepper) sauce, tomatoes, and lettuce on BK's premium sandwich bakery bun.

Price of admission is a steady $3.99 which falls in line with previous Steakhouse burgers.

If the picture doesn't give you a good sense of the sandwich, you can catch the BK Stuffed Steakhouse via TV ad starting January 17, 2011.

Review: Subway - Turkey BLT

One of Subway's New Year's sandwiches, the Turkey BLT (i.e. the Turkey sub with bacon) features a base of turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on your choice of bread with your choice of veggies, cheese, seasoning, and sauces. A footlong carries a premium price tag of $7.20 or 5 cents less than their "premium" sandwiches.

With the right build, it's a Subway Fresh Fit sub despite the bacon at 7 grams of fat (for a 6-inch).

Classic Review: Nabisco - Better Cheddars

Better Cheddars are part of Nabisco's Flavor Originals line of crackers. Along with Nabisco's Cheese Nips, Pepperidge Farm's Goldfish, Sunshine's Cheez-Its, Nabisco's Better Cheddars are the only cheese-flavored crackers I know of. I don't pretend to know why Nabisco saw fit to make two separate cheese-flavored cracker brands but a 7-ounce box carries a normal price of $3.59 though I got this particular box at two for $1.

Review: Trader Joe's - Chocolate Ganache Torte

Trader Joe's Handmade Chocolate Ganache Torte is a decadent feast featuring chocolate mousse sandwiched between two layers of rich, moist chocolate cake and finished with a semi-sweet chocolate ganache. I remember that it used to be around $6 to $7 a while back but these days it costs $7.99 for a pound and a half of cake.

Review: Disneyland - Tiger Tails

Not to be confused with the similarly named Tigger Tail from Pooh's Corner, the Tiger Tails are squiggly breadsticks toasted over a grill at Disneyland's Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland. An order of two Tiger Tails will cost you $3.69.

News: Hostess - New SmartBakes Streusel Cakes

More healthier products for the new year. Hostess unveils new SmartBakes Streusel Cakes. SmartBakes is Hostess's "better-for-you" line of baked breakfast products. The new SmartBakes Streusel Cakes come in three different flavors (cinnamon, raspberry and cream cheese) featuring whole grains, 3 grams of fiber, and 150 calories per serving.

A box of Hostess SmartBakes Streusel Cakes comes with 8 individually-wrapped cakes and costs $3.99 (may vary).

Frozen Friday: California Pizza Kitchen - Garlic Chicken Pizza

California Pizza Kitchen's frozen Garlic Chicken Pizza features a crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with a bordelaise butter sauce, white chicken cubes, mozzarella cheese, onions, roasted garlic, and parsley for $6.49.

News: Jamba Juice - New Probiotic Fruit and Yogurt Blends

With a long but descriptive name, Jamba Juice's new Probiotic Fruit and Yogurt Blends come in three flavors (Vibrant Blueberry, Strawberry Alive, and Thrivin' Mango) and feature smoothies made with nonfat yogurt, soymilk, whole fruit, and Jamba's specially formulated Probiotic Boost.

The main selling point is over 500 million active cultures per serving which will potentially improve immune system functioning and digestive health. Also, it's New Year's so people are looking to be and eat healthier.

To push you to try the new products, from 1/10 through 1/23 with a coupon printed from www.jambajuice.com, 12 size Probiotic Fruit and Yogurt Blends are just $1, 16 size Coldbuster Smoothies are just $2 and Steel Cut Oatmeal are also $1.

Review: Chick-fil-A - Spicy Chicken Biscuit

Chick-fil-A's Spicy Chicken Biscuit takes their normal Chicken Biscuit and kicks it up a notch with a spicy blend of peppers similar to the Spicy Chicken Sandwich launched last year.

They're giving them away all this week and I snagged one on the very first day because free is alway nice and there's a Chick-fil-A on my way to work. The menu price on one is just a bit more than the regular version at $2.35 (compared to $2.19).

News: Starbucks - New Year, New Logo

Citing brand evolution and marking their 40th anniversary, Starbucks is doing away with the text and green ring of their logo and focusing on the siren graphic alone in their new logo.

Like the Nike Swoosh, you're supposed to just automatically identify the distinctive Siren with Starbucks; the next step in Starbucks brand identity. I don't know about that though, it's pretty ornate for a logo and the Nike Swoosh is simpler and more easily identifiable.

News: Krispy Kreme - New Chocolate Treats

Unlike other more health-minded offerings for the new year by competitors, Krispy Kreme is pushing dark chocolate decadence in 2011 with their new Dark Chocolate Kreme donut and premium Hot Chocolate.

The Dark Chocolate Kreme donut has a dark chocolate creme filling, is hand-dipped in dark chocolate icing, and just for good measure, it's drizzled with chocolate.

The Hot Chocolate is meant to embody the taste of European dark chocolate (which kinda makes me want to go to Krispy Kreme, especially since Starbucks got rid of their Signature Hot Chocolate) in a warm drink that is topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle.

The two limited-time items will be available until February 14 (by which time, I'm guessing Valentine donuts will be the flavor du jour).

News: Hostess - New Strawberry CupCakes

First there was the original Hostess Chocolate CupCake, then came the Golden CupCakes in 1999, now comes the natural progression to strawberry. Not to be confused with the muffin-like 100 Calorie Pack Strawberry Mini Cakes, Hostess's new Strawberry CupCakes feature strawberry cake filled with Hostess's signature "creme" filling topped with sweet strawberry icing and the trademark squiggle.

A box of eight cupcakes will run you about $3.99 (prices will vary).

Review: Jersey Mike's - Italian Sub

Jersey Mike's Subs is a submarine sandwich shop that is the fast casual to Subway's fast food. It's also Jersey Shore before there was Jersey Shore. One recently opened not too far from me, so the Sister and I went and tried their Original Italian Sub which costs $7.75 for a 7-inch "regular" (they also have a 14-inch "giant" for $10.95 and a 5-inch "mini" for $5.95. Pricing will vary with location).

News: Arby's - New Jr. Turkey Ranch Sandwich

New to Arby's Value Menu, the limited-time Jr. Turkey Ranch Sandwich features thin-sliced oven roasted turkey with ranch sauce, lettuce, and a tomato slice served on a toasted sesame bun.


I haven't been able to verify price yet but I'm going to guess it's $1. Price is $1.49 for the sandwich or $2.99 for a 300-calorie combo of the Jr. Turkey Ranch, a side salad, and a bottled water. Looks like it's aimed at people's new year resolutions.

The Jr. Turkey Ranch Sandwich is listed on the Arby's website as being of "limited availability at participating locations."

Review: Taco Bell - Steak Chalupa Supreme

Taco Bell's Steak Chalupa Supreme features a deep-fried chalupa shell filled with carne asada (steak), reduced fat sour cream, shredded lettuce, their three cheese blend (Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and Mozzarella) and diced tomatoes. Whereas a beef chalupa costs $1.99, the steak version will set you back 60 cents more at $2.59.

News: Snickers - New Snickers Peanut Butter Squared

Snickers has a new version: the Snicker Peanut Butter Squared. It's a Snicker bar but with the addition of peanut butter and separated into halves (or two "squares." Get it? They're being clever).

Snickers Peanut Butter Squared comes in a 1.78-ounce package which includes two chocolate Snicker squares and sells for a suggested retail price of 89 cents.

I don't know how I feel about this. Snickers already has plenty of variety between the nougat, chocolate, peanuts, and caramel without adding more to the mix.

News: McDonald's New Fruit & Maple Oatmeal

It's official. In case you missed the review last week, McDonald's finally put out the press release introducing their new Fruit & Maple Oatmeal nationally. You can expect to see TV commercials, posters in your local McDonald's, and the like starting today.

The key selling points would have to be the "two of the three recommended daily servings for whole grains" and about half a cup of fruit per order.

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is McDonald's first new breakfast offering since 2008 but unlike the other breakfast items, it's available throughout the day. A cup features natural whole grain oats, light cream and brown sugar, topped with diced, fresh red and green apples, dried cranberries and two types of raisins. You can opt to get it without the brown sugar. It's priced at $1.99 in southern California but price varies with locale.

News: Starbucks - New French Roast Via

Joining the already available Colombian and Italian Roast Via instant coffees, Starbucks is introducing new French Roast Via tomorrow, January 4, in all their stores in the U.S. and Canada (but it is already available today on their online store).

French Roast is Starbucks best selling coffee and its flavor profile is described as smoky, dark and bold with surprisingly low acidity and light body. The suggested price is $9.95 for a pack of 12 individual servings.

Review: Burger King - French Fries

Burger King French Fries are of the crisp and battered variety. They were $1.29 for a small order.