News: Jones Soda - New Sparkling Waters

Jones Soda branches off into other fizzy drinks with the launch of new Jones Sparkling Water. The new drinks are basically aimed at parents who want a healthier, but still fizzy beverage, for their kids.

News: Qdoba No Longer Charges for Extras Like Guac But Raises Prices

Qdoba looks to simplify their menu and pricing structure by charging one single (higher) price for each entree, based on the protein chosen, regardless of how many add-ons or other ingredients you request.

News: Scary Face Pancakes are Back at IHOP and Free on Halloween

IHOP's nod to Halloween, Scary Face Pancakes, are back through the end of the month.

Part of the kid's menu, the dish features one buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping smile and eyes, and a strawberry nose, plus eight pieces of candy corn and two mini Oreo cookies so that kids can finish decorating the face as they like.

Review: TruMoo - Orange Scream Milk

TruMoo's Orange Scream flavored milk is a limited-time offering for Halloween and is basically milk flavored like an orange cream ice cream bar (AKA an Orange Creamsicle).

I bought a half-gallon for $3.50.

News: Starbucks Testing Mini-Sized Frappuccino

Starbucks is testing a 10-oz Frappuccino in a couple of cities this fall. They're calling it the "Mini" and it falls just under the "Tall" in their cup-size nomenclature.

News: Carl's Jr. Flies Giant Bacon Banner to Promote New Burger

In an odd bit of marketing, Carl's Jr. is flying a giant banner featuring a giant picture of a bacon strip on it around Southern California to promote their new Mile High Burger (Get it? They're flying a bacon strip up a mile high to promote their new Mile High Bacon Thickburger).

News: Dairy Queen Adds New Chicken Wrap $5 Buck Lunch

Dairy Queen adds a new entree option, Chicken Wraps, to their long-running $5 Buck Lunch promotion.

News: Ben & Jerry's - New Two Wild & Crazy Pies Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry's tribute to SNL's 40th anniversary continues with the debut of new Two Wild & Crazy Pies ice cream, available exclusively at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops.

The flavor features a blend of coconut cream pie ice cream, chocolate cream pie ice cream, and a chocolate cookie swirl.

Frozen Friday: Haagen-Dazs - Vanilla Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Bars

Haagen-Dazs' Vanilla Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Bars consist of vanilla ice cream swirled with peanut butter, dipped in milk chocolate and chopped peanuts.

A 9-oz box of three bars was $2.50 on sale.

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

Baskin-Robbins' Flavor of the Month for October 2014 is the appropriately-themed Trick Oreo Treat ice cream. The returning flavor features orange-colored creme-filled Oreo cookie pieces plus Baby Ruth and Butterfinger candy pieces in vanilla ice cream.

News: Cheddar Potato Poppers Back at Del Taco

Cheddar Potato Poppers have returned to Del Taco for a limited time. The cheesy snacks feature diced potatoes mixed with cheddar cheese and diced jalapenos before being breaded and deep-fried.

News: Pizza Hut's Book It! Celebrates 30 Years with Free Pizza for Alumni i.e. You

Pizza Hut is celebrating the 30th year of their Book It! program, which rewards school-aged children with personal pizzas for meeting reading goals.

In celebration of 30 years, they're launching an Book It! Alumni Program to "find and engage alumni from around the world."

News: Starbucks Testing Beer-Flavored Latte

Starbucks is testing out a beer-flavored Dark Barrel Latte in a few cities here in the U.S. The fall drink consists of "chocolaty stout flavored sauce," dark caramel, espresso, and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and a dark caramel drizzle.

Review: Arby's - King's Hawaiian Brisket Sandwich

Arby's King's Hawaiian Brisket Sandwich features hickory-smoked brisket, Smoky Q sauce, and crinkle cut pickles on a King's Hawaiian burger bun.

I picked one up for $5.49.

Around the World: McDonald's Japan Debuts New Orange and Black Halloween Burger

McDonald's Japan tries out an new Halloween-themed menu this year. Among other things, the menu includes an orange and black-colored Squid Ink Burger.

Also on the menu is a ghostly white Camembert Chicken Filet sandwich and a Pumpkin Oreo McFlurry(!).

News: Papa John's - New Ultimate Meats Pizza

Papa John's latest is the new Ultimate Meats Pizza. It comes topped with pepperoni, salami, sausage, hickory-smoked bacon, and Canadian bacon, plus the finishing touch of bacon seasoning.

News: Dairy Queen - October 2014 Blizzard of the Month

Dairy Queen's Blizzard of the Month for October 2014 is, unsurprisingly, the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard.

Available since last month (and probably through November), the fall classic features pumpkin pie pieces (including crust) blended with vanilla soft serve and topped off with whipped topping and nutmeg.

News: Monopoly Game Returns to McDonald's for 22nd Year

Fall 2014 ushers in the 22nd edition of the Monopoly instant win game at McDonald's. The game runs through October 27, 2014 and prizes include lots of food, a private jet trip, and up to $1 million in cash.

As usual, you can win prizes by either getting an instant-win piece or by collecting the appropriate game piece sets.

Review: Jack in the Box - Chick-N-Tater Melt

Jack in the Box's Chick-N-Tater Melt features a crispy chicken patty, bacon, a hash brown patty, a melted blend of three cheeses, and ranch dressing on a toasted croissant.

It's part of their late night menu, which is available from 9 pm to 5 am daily. You can purchase one for $4 or for $6 as part of a Munchie Meal (with two Tacos, Halfsie fries, and a fountain drink).

Around the World: Lotteria Japan Tries New Burger with Strawberry Sauce

Lotteria Japan recently introduced a new fancy (and expensive) burger made with Wagyu beef topped with a creamy strawberry sauce. They call it the "Tochigi Wagyu Steak Burger with Tochiotome Strawberry Sauce."