Review: Sonic - Jalapeno Chocolate Shake

Sonic's Jalapeno Chocolate Shake is one of the new flavors available for their Summer of Shakes promotion. True to its name, it's a milkshake made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and chopped up jalapenos.

The price was $1.99 for a mini-sized shake, but I received this one courtesy of Sonic.

Around the World: McDonald's Japan Introduces the McChurro

For a limited time starting May 7, McDonald's Japan is offering new McChurros, available either covered in cinnamon sugar or with hotcake syrup for dipping.

While they might be called "churros," and are indeed long, deep-fried sticks of pastry dough, in appearance, the McDonald's version of the Latin treat look more like youtiao i.e. Chinese fried breadsticks although youtiao tend to be more savory than sweet.

News: Bruegger's - Featured Spring 2014 Menu

Bruegger's Bagels launches their spring menu with two new sandwiches, a new bagel, and a new coffee flavor.

The two new sandwiches are the Riviera Egg Sandwich and Prosciutto & Brie Ciabatta Sandwich.

News: 7-Eleven Offers New Ginger Ale Slurpee Only in Michigan

In a bit of regional favoritism, 7-Eleven has launched their first-ever regional Slurpee flavor with the new Vernors Ginger Ale Slurpee in Michigan.

The new flavor is only available at the over 200 7-Eleven stores within the state of Michigan.

News: Arby's - Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich is Back

With summer being prime barbecue season, Arby's has brought back last year's Smokehouse Brisket sandwich for a limited time. 

Like the name suggests, the Smokehouse Brisket features thin-sliced beef brisket that the chain touts has been smoked for "at least 13 hours."

Review: Doritos Jacked Tortilla Chips Mystery Flavors

Frito Lay recently came out with three mystery "test" flavors of Doritos Jacked tortilla chips (the "Jacked" line features a bigger, thicker, crunchier version of Doritos) labeled as test flavors 2653, 404, and 855 each with a different label: blue, yellow, and red respectively.

I picked up all three bags for $1.99 each.

Around the World: KFC UK Offers New BLT Quad Wrap

While KFC has largely abandoned the wrap here at home, it's still available in many countries abroad with new versions occasionally appearing like the new BLT Quadwrap in the United Kingdom.

Similar to the Tortada sister brand Taco Bell trotted out a few years back, the Quadwrap is toasted and folded into a square shape.

News: Rita's Italian Ice - New Wild Berry Italian Ice

Rita's Italian Ice has a new Italian ice flavor: Wild Berry. It's made with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries.

News: Togo's - New Primo Italian Sub

Togo's latest sandwich is the new Primo Italian Sub, which replaces their previous Italian sub.

The new sub strives for a little more brand recognition than the old version; it's made with four hand-sliced meats: Fiorucci Hot Capicola, Margherita Pepperoni, Fiorucci Dry Salami, and Hormel Ham. Along for the ride are provolone cheese, Italian vinaigrette, shredded lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles, and pepperoncinis on a choice of fresh baked Artisan bread.

Review: Thomas' Cinnamon Vanilla English Muffins

Thomas' Cinnamon Vanilla English Muffins are a new, limited-time flavor featuring cinnamon vanilla-flavored English muffins with pockets of cinnamon and cream cheese.

I picked up a 6-count package for $2.99.

News: Baskin-Robbins - May 2014 Flavor of the Month

Baskin-Robbins' Flavor of the Month for May presents a twist to cookie dough ice cream and is called Mom's Makin' Cookies ice cream.

The new flavor features brown sugar-flavored ice cream filled with chocolate chip cookie pieces, chocolate-flavored chips, and a cookie dough batter ribbon.

News: Bomb Pop-Flavored New Tic Tacs

Tic Tac strikes a summer theme with Bomb Pop-inspired Summer Ice Pop Tic Tac mints.

Rather than just one flavor, the new candiess are actually an assorted combination of three different pills, each in a different color. There's blue berry-flavored pills, red cherry-flavored pills, and white lime-flavored pills.

News: Cracker Jack'd - New Energy Trail Mixes

Frito Lay expands their bold-flavored Cracker Jack'D line with new Energy Trail Mixes.

The new trail mixes are available in two sweet and savory flavors: Chocolate Flavored Cherry and Mixed Berry. Each of the flavor features a pouch inside a larger pouch to keep the fruit pieces fresh and separated from the drier granola and nuts, which in turn stay crunchier.

Frozen Friday: Michael Angelo's - Cheese Ravioli

Michael Angelo's Cheese Ravioli is filled with Ricotta and imported Romano cheese and served in a tomato basil cream sauce.

I bought one for $2.99.

News: Arby's Testing Grilled Artisan Melts

Arby's is testing new Grilled Artisan Melts out in Evansville, Indiana. Besides a grilled/pressed version of the chain's classic Reuben, there's also the Steak & Garlic Toast, Turkey Avocado & Bacon, and Steak & Portabella sandwiches.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they'll be making an appearance nationally (at least not any time soon). I reached out to the company and a company spokesperson had this to say:

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Arnold Palmer Coolatta

Dunkin' Donuts unveiled the new Frozen Arnold Palmer Coolatta, which is available throughout the summer. They've partnered up with Arizona Beverages and Arnold Palmer Enterprise for the flavor because otherwise they'd have to call it the "Frozen Lemonade Ice Tea Coolatta."

The Frozen Arnold Palmer Coolatta is an icy slush drink with a half iced tea and half lemonade flavor.

News: Sonic - New Candy-Inspired Slushes Including Nerds Slushes

Sonic is offering new Nerds candy Slushes as well as a number of other candy-flavored Slushes as part of their seasonal summer drink menu.

The Nerds candy Slushes feature the typical mix of flavored-syrup and ice but throws in a blend of Nerds and rainbow candies to sweeten the deal. Each slush features its own unique syrup rather than a blend of existing syrups.

News: Pizza Hut Commissions Pizza Box Derby Hats for Kentucky Derby

In one of the odder promotions I've seen (when people think horseracing, pizza tends not to figure into the equation), Pizza Hut has partnered with Project Runway alum Angela Bacskocky to create custom derby hats out of Pizza Hut pizza and wing boxes as well as other various materials found in Pizza Hut restaurants in honor of the Kentucky Derby, which takes place tomorrow. In other words, it's a cardboard and paper derby hat.

Review: Starbucks - Caffe Espresso Frappuccino

Starbuck's new Caffe Espresso Frappuccino features Frappuccino Roast coffee and milk, blended with ice, and topped with new espresso-infused whipped cream and Italian Roast Drizzle.

I picked a Venti-sized cup during their Happy Hour promotion for $2.62 (normally $5.25).

Around the World: Pizza Hut Singapore Promotes X-Men Movie by Slapping a Huge "X" of Cheese on Pizza

In one of the weirder (but perhaps fitting) cross-promotions I've seen, Pizza Hut Singapore is pushing the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past movie by offering a pizza with a huge "X" painted on it with what appears to be nacho cheese. They're calling it the "X-Treme Pizza."