News: Haagen-Dazs - Free Cone Day on May 13, 2014

Haagen-Dazs is celebrating their annual Free Cone Day on this upcoming Tuesday, May 13, 2014, from 4 to 8 pm.

News: Jack in the Box Reminds Us That They Serve Breakfast All Day

In a clever way to remind us that they serve breakfast all day, Jack in the Box has come up with an online Magic 8-Ball of sorts. Except it only answers one question: "Can I Still Get Breakfast?"

News: Panda Express - New Shiitake Kale Chicken Breast and Orange Chicken with Bacon

Panda Express debuts both healthy and indulgent options with the introduction of two new, limited-time dishes: Shiitake Kale Chicken Breast and Orange Chicken with Bacon.

Review: Starbucks - Iced Oprah Chai Tea Latte

Starbucks' new Iced Oprah Chai Tea Latte (so-named because it was developed in partnership with Oprah Winfrey) features a brewed blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, loose-leaf black tea, and rooibos, served over milk and ice and sweetened with sugar.

I paid $4.25 for a 16-oz Grande (30 cents more than their regular Chai, but 25 cents goes to charity).

News: Papa John's - Half-Off Large Pizzas Ordered Online Through May 11

With the NFL Draft starting today, Papa John's is running a promotion where you can get a large pizza with any toppings for half off the regular menu price if you order online through Sunday, May 11, 2014.

News: 7-Eleven Adds New Kolaches in Texas

In another edition of "Where's mine?!" 7-Eleven now offers Kolaches, but only in Texas. Technically klobasniky, 7-Eleven's Kolaches come in two varieties: Pork and Beef Sausage, and Pork and Beef Sausage with Jalapeno and Cheddar.

News: Corner Bakery - New Superfood Salads and Real-Fruit Smoothies

Corner Bakery Cafe aims for nutrition with the arrival of new real-fruit smoothies and superfood salads.

There are two new salads, the Quinoa & Pico Salad and the Toasted Sesame Kale Salad. Quinoa is known for being a complete protein as well as a good source of calcium, iron, and fiber (it tastes a little grassy to me though), while kale is a good source of beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, and calcium.

Review: Burger King - BBQ Bacon Whopper

Burger King's new BBQ Bacon Whopper features a quarter-pound, flame-grilled beef patty, thick-cut bacon, American cheese, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mayo, ketchup, and barbecue sauce on a toasted sesame bun. Along with the new Honey BBQ Chicken Strips, it seems a scaled back nod to last year's barbecue-themed summer menu.

I picked one up for $4.69.

News: Hostess- New eXtreme Creme Twinkies

As a promotional tie-in to the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past, Hostess has come up with new eXtreme Creme Twinkies in two limited-time flavors: Blue Raspberry and Strawberry Blast.

Each flavor features their respective flavored creme fillings inside of a golden sponge cake.

News: McDonald's Testing Fries That You Season Yourself

McDonald's is testing seasoning for their French Fries that you sprinkle on yourself out in the Sacramento, Stockton, and Modesto CA area (as well as St. Louis, MO).

They're calling them "Shakin' Flavor Fries" and the seasonings are available for free with a large order of fries or with a small surcharge for smaller sizes. The available flavors are Ranch, Buffalo, and Garlic Parmesan.

News: Starbucks - Buy One, Get One Free Oprah Chai Lattes on Mother's Day

In celebration of Mother's Day, Starbucks will be offering a buy one, get one free deal on the new Oprah Chai Tea Latte on Sunday, May 11, 2014.

The deal is good at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada as well as at Teavana Fine Tea + Tea Bars (which currently only has locations in New York, Seattle, and Chicago), while supplies last.

Review: Sonic - Blue Raspberry Nerds Slush

Sonic's Blue Raspberry Nerds Slush is new leading up to summer and features ice slush mixed with blue raspberry-flavored syrup with a combination of Nerds and rainbow candies thrown in. I also tried the Lemonberry and Super Peach Ring (like the candy) Slushes.

A 20-ounce medium was $1.10 during their half-price Happy Hour but I got these courtesy of Sonic.

News: Long John Silver's - Chicken Family Pack for $10

Perhaps banking on people being tired of all that seafood after Lent, Long John Silver's is offering a Chicken Family Pack for $10.

The limited-time deal features 8 pieces of battered and fried white meat chicken, a family-size side of choice, and 8 hush puppies for $10.

News: Mother's Day Donuts

In honor of Mother's Day this upcoming Sunday, Krispy Kreme is offering flower-shaped Springtime Flower Donuts through May 11, 2014 at participating Krispy Kreme locations in the US and Canada.

The yeast donuts feature a five-petal flower shape dipped in yellow icing and decorated with a chocolate outline.

News: McAlister's Deli - Pecanberry Salad is Back

The seasonal Pecanberry Salad is back at McAlister's Deli. The summery salad features strawberries, blueberries, candied pecans, and grilled chicken on a bed of mixed greens with Fat Free Raspberry-Pecan Vinaigrette Dressing.

The Pecanberry Salad is available through September 30, 2014.

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."