Review: Burger King - Satisfries

Burger King's new Satisfries are crinkle-cut fries with a light batter that absorbs less oil during frying and results in less fat and calories than typical fries.

I bought a large order for $2.39 (compared to $2.09 for a large order of regular French fries at my local BK).

News: El Pollo Loco - New Puffy Shell Tacos

New at El Pollo Loco for a limited time, Puffy Shell Chicken Tacos feature thick flour tortillas that are cooked to develop a "super-crisp" crust while remaining soft and airy within.

News: Burger King - New Satisfries

Burger King is offering new lower-fat, lower-calorie crinkle-cut French fries in their restaurants and calling them "Satisfries."

The company is touting that the new fry option, which features a tagline of "Big Taste. Less Fat," contains 40% less fat and 30% less calories than a similarly weighted serving of McDonald's fries.  The Satisfries are an additional option and do not replace Burger King's regular fries.

Review: Starbucks - Sage and Butternut Squash Croissant

Starbucks' Sage and Butternut Squash Croissant is part of their new La Boulange line of bakery goods and features a "flaky savory pastry with butternut squash, sage, and crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds."

It came warm and cost $3.45.

News: Krispy Kreme - Free Coffee on September 29

September 29 is National Coffee Day and Krispy Kreme will be celebrating by offering free 12-ounce cups of hot brewed coffee at participating Krispy Kreme US and Canada locations.

News: McDonald's Franchisee Tests Chicken and Waffles

A Southern California McDonald's franchisee is testing a "McD's Style Chicken & Waffles" combo at at least one location in Fullerton, CA, according to Foodbeast.

The "McD's" designation makes sense as the dish isn't chicken and waffles per se, but rather fried chicken and McGriddle pancakes. The combo appears to come with three Mighty Wings, two McGriddle pancakes, and hotcake syrup on the side for $3.99 and is available for purchase all day long.

Review: Pumpkin Spice M&M's Candy

Pumpkin Spice M&M's are pumpkin spice-flavored chocolate M&M's. They're new and only available at Target for a limited time.

A 9.90-ounce bag was $2.50 on sale.

News: 7-Eleven - New Better-for-you Snack Options

7-Eleven is getting into the fancy snacks market with a selection of gourmet, organic, and better-for-you snacks under their "7-Select" snack brand as well as the addition of several better-for-you brands to their snack aisle.

The new 7-Select snacks come mostly in 7-ounce containers with a price ranging from $2.49 to $3.99. The selection includes:

News: Krispy Kreme - Peach Pie for Grocery Stores

Krispy Kreme is offering Glazed Peach Pies and new Blueberry Krispy Juniors in retail packages for a limited time at participating grocery, mass merchants, and convenience stores.

The Glazed Peach Pie comes in individual servings with peach filling in a glazed turnover-style crust.

Review: Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars

Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars come in three flavors: Caramel & Coconut (better known as Samoas), Peanut Butter Creme (better known as Tagalongs), and Thin Mints.

I picked up one of each flavor on sale at 88 cents a pop.

Neat! Kit Kat Has Fans Taking a Break for Nexus Tablets

Taking advantage of the partnership between Kit Kat and Google, which saw Google naming their latest version of Android, "Kit Kat," Kit Kat held a promotion in Amsterdam where participants would receive a free tablet computer by taking a break (playing on the "gimme a break" Kit Kat slogan).

Specifically, they put up ads around the cities featuring a special red bench with text stating that anyone "having a break" at a designated time on September 14 would receive a free Nexus 7 tablet.

Frozen Friday: Safeway Select - Chicken Tikka Masala

The Safeway Select Chicken Tikka Masala frozen dinner consists of white meat chicken in a tomato and yogurt masala sauce with a basmati and rice blend and green beans and carrots.

A 9-ounce box was $1.99.

News: McDonald's Tests Clubhouse Quarter Pounder in South Florida

McDonald's is testing a 'Clubhouse Quarter Pounder' in South Florida. The burger features the requisite quarter pound beef patty, a new soft artisan roll, caramelized grilled onions, thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon, white cheddar, leaf lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and a "unique special sauce."

Around the World: KFC Malaysia Offered Chili Snow Crab Sauce

How does Chili Snow Crab sauce and fried chicken sound? KFC Malaysia just recently wrapped up a Seafood Symphony Combo in celebration of the fasting month of Ramadan.

The combo included Shrimp Stars, two pieces of Hot & Spicy chicken, a side (or two), chili snow crab sauce (based on the popular regional chili crab dish) for dipping, and a fountain drink.

Review: Arby's - Jr. Bacon Cheddar Melt

Arby's Jr. Bacon Cheddar Melt features pepper bacon, thinly-sliced roast beef, and warm cheddar cheese sauce on a junior sesame seed bun.

It's part of their new Snack 'N Save value menu and I bought one for $1.89.

News: Quiznos - New Bourbon Steak Sub

Quiznos' latest is the new, limited-time Bourbon Steak Sub. The sandwich features Black Angus steak, melted mozzarella, bacon, crispy fried onions, and Quiznos original bourbon sauce on an Italian white baguette.

Quiznos' Executive Chef, Nick Graff, describes the sauce as being made with a bourbon "that when reduced, resulted in a traditional oak barrel flavor profile with a vanilla overtone." The bourbon is combined "with a savory ponzu sauce, garlic, and mustard."

News: Bruegger's - New Chimi-Cheddar Egg Sandwich Anchors Fall 2013 Menu

Bruegger's is offering a new Chimi-Cheddar Egg Sandwich as part of their fall menu. Also, since it is fall and all, everyone's favorite squash, pumpkin, is also back for a limited time with Pumpkin Bagels and Pumpkin Cream Cheese.

The Chimi-Cheddar Egg Sandwich features an Argentinian chimichurri sauce to add extra flavor to the standard egg, bacon, and cheddar bagel sandwich.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Buffalo Blue Cheese Burger

Carl's Jr.'s Buffalo Blue Cheese Burger takes a bit of buffalo wings and adds it to a burger, and features Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, blue cheese crumbles, Swiss cheese, mayo, red onion, tomato, lettuce, and a charbroiled beef patty on a toasted sesame seed bun.

The premium Six Dollar Burger version comes with a Black Angus beef patty at $5.19, but I received this one courtesy of Carl's Jr.

News: Arby's - New Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich

As I mentioned back in July, the new Smokehouse Brisket sandwich is now available at Arby's for a limited time. The key feature of the sandwich is brisket that has been smoked with hickory for "at least 13 hours."

The sandwich comes with slow-smoked beef brisket, smoked Gouda cheese, crispy onions, barbecue sauce and mayo on a toasted, bakery-style bun.

News: McDonald's Tests Family Meal

McDonald's is testing a football-themed family-style meal out in Kansas City, Missouri. Dubbed the "Blitz Box," the meal leverages a partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs and NFL (McDonald's is an official sponsor of the league) and is set to run through the end of football season (i.e. late January - early February).