News: Togo's Toasted Dips Return

Toasted Dips sandwiches are back at Togo's. Coming in two varieties, Roast Beef Dip and Triple Dips, the sandwiches are Togo's take on the classic French dip sandwich.

Around the World: McDonald's New Zealand Offers Georgie Pies

McDonald's is reviving a New Zealand fast food brand and getting into the meat pie business by offering Georgie Pies brand meat pies at select locations in the country.

The Georgie Pie brand was considered New Zealand's own homegrown alternative to American chains like McDonald's, Burger King, and the like and was bought by McDonald's in 1996 (largely for real estate which was converted into McDonald's restaurants).

Review: Frito Lay - Roasted Garlic & Sea Salt Wavy Lay's Potato Chips

Roasted Garlic & Sea Salt Wavy Lay's potato chips are a fairly recent addition to the Wavy Lay's line and is among the more simpler flavors put out by Frito Lay.

I picked up a 9.5-ounce bag on sale for $2.

Local Review: Grill 'Em All - NY Style Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake

Local burger joint Grill 'Em All is offering a NY Style Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake for the fall.

It goes for $5 and comes with orange chantilly cream (sweetened whipped cream) on top and garnished with a piece of cashew brittle made with Stone Brewing Co.'s IPA .

News: TGI Friday's - New Stacked Burgers

TGI Fridays recently introduced a new burger menu that includes a trio of new "Stacked Burgers," which each come with two never frozen USDA Choice beef burger patties and fresh-baked, brioche-style buns.

The three new burgers are the All-American Stacked Burger, Philly Stacked Burger, and Bleu Cheese Stacked Burger.

News: Rita's Italian Ice - New Dulce de Leche Cream Ice

The latest flavor at Rita's Italian Ice is new, limited-time Dulce de Leche Cream Ice.

Along with the new Cream Ice flavor, Rita's is also offering a Caramel Milkshake this month.

News: Mountain Dew Game Fuel Returns with a New Flavor

Mountain Dew is once again aiming at gamers with the latest addition of two flavors of Mountain Dew Game Fuel sodas to cross-promote the upcoming launch of Microsoft's Xbox One in November. They've brought back Citrus Cherry and introduced new Electrifying Berry.

Citrus Cherry has been likened to cherry soda with an added burst of citrus.

Electrifying Berry seems to be a strawberry goji flavor mixed with the citrus flavor of Mountain Dew.

Frozen Friday - Safeway Select - Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon

Safeway Select Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon is a frozen meal that provides elbow macaroni with cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss cheeses topped with bacon and seasoned breadcrumbs.

A 9-ounce box was $1.99.

News: Denny's - New $4 Baja Quesadilla Burger

In case you're ever thought they should put a burger in a quesadilla, Denny's recently introduced the new Baja Quesadilla Burger as part of their value menu for $4.

The "burger" features a grilled flour tortilla filled with a hand-pressed beef patty, shredded Cheddar cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, and chipotle sauce.

Around the World: Burger King Japan - New "Black Ninja" Burger

Burger King Japan is following up their Big Bacon Whopper (which features an extra-large slice of back bacon) with a new black bun version called the "Black Ninja."

The burger features a large slice of flame-grilled bacon that they call "King's Bacon," a standard Whopper beef patty, mayo, onions, lettuce, a hash brown, and a "dark brown Chaliapin" sauce, which is a garlic-onion soy sauce named after a Russian opera singer.

Review: Taco Bell - Grilled Stuft Nacho

Taco Bell's Grilled Stuft Nacho is a test item I recently was invited to try at Taco Bell HQ. It features a grilled flour tortilla wrapped up in the triangular shape of a large tortilla chip filled with seasoned ground beef, warm nacho cheese, zesty nacho sauce, crunchy red tortilla strips, and sour cream.

It was tested earlier this year in Knoxville, TN and looks to make an appearance nationwide some time next year.

News: Burger King - Free Satisfries on October 12 and 13

Burger King will be giving away free value-sized orders of their new, crinkle-cut Satisfries (review here) on October 12 and 13 (this Saturday and Sunday).

The new fries are marketed as a reduced fat, reduced calorie option featuring 40% less fat and 30% fewer calories than an equivalent serving of "the leading French Fries" (i.e. McDonald's).

News: New Sprite Cranberry for the Holidays

Sprite is getting into the festive spirit with new Sprite Cranberry in both regular and diet formulations. The drink features the classic lemon-lime flavor of Sprite paired with a touch of sweet and tart cranberry flavor.

Sprite Cranberry and Sprite Zero Cranberry is slated to arrive in stores starting mid-October and will be available through the new Year.

Review: Subway - New Garlic Bread

Subway's Garlic Bread is a new, limited-time bread option for their sub sandwiches. It's basically their Italian bread sprinkled with garlic powder and parsley.

I got it with this month's Featured $5 Footlong, the Spicy Italian, for $5.

News: Starbucks Loyalty Program Changes

Beginning October 15, 2013 Starbucks will add a few new benefits to their "My Starbucks Reward" loyalty program.

Basically, rewards can now also be redeemed for bottled beverages and at recently-acquired Teavana tea shops for drinks and loose leaf-teas. 

News: Kate Upton and Snoop Dogg Push Hot Pockets in New Music Video

Kate Upton and Snoop Dogg have joined forces to shill for Hot Pockets as the brand goes all out with a full-length music video to promote their "new and improved" Hot Pockets sandwiches.

The video is a comedic remix of Biz Markie's 1989 hit single "Just a Friend (You Got What I Need)" entitled "You Got What I Eat." The set up is dream sequence stand-off between the new "premium" meats and the new buttery, seasoned crusts (#TeamMeat and #TeamCrust respectively). Snoop Dogg plays The Baker (of course) for Team Crust while Kate Upton falls asleep and dreams the whole sequence.

Review: Jack in the Box - Exploding Cheesy Chicken Sandwich

Jack in the Box's Exploding Cheesy Chicken Sandwich is part of their new late-night menu, which is only available between the hours of 9pm and 5am. It features a chicken sandwich with mayo, breaded mozzarella cheese sticks, and a gooey white cheese sauce.

It's available in a Munchie Meal with 2 Tacos, an order of "Halfsie fries"(half seasoned curly fries and half regular fries), and a 20-ounce fountain beverage for $6 or a la carte for $4.

News: KFC - New $10 Weekend Bucket

KFC's latest deal is the new, limited-time $10 Weekend Bucket, which offers 10 mixed pieces of chicken for only $10 on Saturdays and Sundays.

According to KFC, you can get "10 pieces any way you want it," which generally means you can choose from Original Recipe, Extra Crispy, Grilled, or Boneless (I say "generally" because with a franchise model, there tends to be inconsistencies).

News: McAlister's Deli - New Turkey Cranberry Sandwich and Salad

McAlister's Deli jumping to the holiday season a little early with the release of two new Turkey Cranberry menu items: the Turkey Cranberry Griller and the Turkey Cranberry Salad.

Review: Wendy's - Pretzel Pub Chicken Sandwich

Wendy's Pretzel Pub Chicken sandwich feature a chicken breast fillet (available in three varieties: Homestyle, Spicy, or Grilled), spring mix, tomato, a slice of Muenster cheese, cheddar cheese sauce, and honey mustard on a pretzel bun.

I went with the Homestyle chicken fillet and picked one up for $4.79.