News: Taco Bell - New Chili Cheese Fries and Chipotle Ranch Chicken Loaded Grillers

Taco Bell will be introducing two new flavors of their Loaded Grillers this Thursday, January 23, 2014. The new flavors are Chili Cheese Fries and Chipotle Ranch Chicken.

The Chili Cheese Fries Loaded Griller features chili, crispy potato bites, and warm nacho cheese sauce, wrapped up in a tortilla and grilled.

Review: Trader Joe's - Cowboy Bark

Trader Joe's Cowboy Bark is something new this season featuring dark chocolate with toffee, pretzels, Joe Joe cookies, peanuts, almonds, and a sprinkling of salt.

A 9-ounce package was $3.69.

News: Sonic - $1 Popcorn Chicken on January 21

Apparently there's a National Popcorn Day (seriously, who decides these days?) and Sonic will be celebrating it on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 by offering their snack-sized Jumbo Popcorn Chicken for $1.

The 4-ounce snack-size typically goes for $3.19 (may vary) and you can choose from Spicy or Regular flavors.

News: 7-Eleven - New Egg White Breakfast Sandwich

7-Eleven starts the new year by throwing their hat into the egg white (and better-for-you) arena with the introduction of their new Egg White Breakfast Sandwich.

Weighing in at 180 calories, the new offering features egg whites, Canadian bacon, and cheddar cheese on a whole wheat English muffin for $1.99 each.

News: Starbucks Testing Tiramisu Latte

In what could be next year's Caramel Flan Latte, Starbucks is testing a new Tiramisu Latte at Starbucks stores in St. Louis and Jacksonville (Florida, not Illinois sorry).

The dessert/drink features espresso, steamed milk, and a creamy mascarpone sauce/syrup, topped with a dusting of cocoa espresso powder. Like most Starbucks espresso-based drinks, it's available hot, iced, or as a Frappuccino.

Frozen Friday: Michael Angelo's - Spaghetti and Meatballs

Michael Angelo's Spaghetti and Meatballs frozen meal features beef Italian-style meatballs and vine-ripened tomatoes.

I picked up this 11-ounce meal for $3.00 on sale.

News: Arby's - Mint Chocolate Swirl Shake Returns

Arby's Mint Chocolate Swirl Shake Returns for a limited-time this winter. The shake features mint chocolate syrup blended with a vanilla shake base with a chocolate swirl inside the cup for decoration, and finished with whipped cream, and broken pieces of Andes Mints.

Around the World: Taco Bell India - New Double Crunchwrap

Taco Bell Crunchwrap fans might want to look to India for inspiration as they recently introduced the new Double Crunchwrap over there.

While it might be called a Double Crunchwrap, it's actually a triple-layered Crunchwrap (just like the regular Crunchwrap actually has two separated layers).

News: Taco Bell Adds Six New Fountain Drinks for 2014

Taco Bell ups their fountain drink selection by a full six new faces this year.

The new drinks are Manzanita Sol, Diet Mountain Dew Baja Blast, Mountain Dew Sangrita Blast, Brisk Mango Fiesta, Brisk Iced Tea  & Lemon, and zero-calorie SoBe Lifewater Yumberry Pomegranate.

Review: Pizza Hut - New Hand-Tossed Pizza

Pizza Hut's new Hand-Tossed Pizza promises a "lighter, airier crust topped with real cheese made from mozzarella and brushed with a garlic buttery flavor." They're so sure people will like it that they're offering a limited-time, free pizza guarantee, where your next pizza is free if you don't "love it" (details here).

I picked up a large Super Supreme Hand-Tossed Pizza for $10 (under the popular $10 "any size, any toppings" deal).

News: Panda Express - Free Firecracker Chicken Breast on January 31st

Panda Express will be celebrating Chinese New Year by offering guests free single servings of Firecracker Chicken Breast on Friday, January 31, 2014, a seasonal menu item brought back for Chinese New Year.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin

Dunkin' Donuts introduces a new Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin this month. It's a banana-flavored muffin interspersed with chocolate chips, topped with sanding sugar and chocolate icing drizzle.

The muffins go for around $1.49 each (may vary).

The chain also continues to offer new Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. The seasonal drink was introduced last month for those who desire a sweet and salty combo.

News: Pizza Hut - New, Revamped Hand-Tossed Pizza

Pizza Hut has gone back to the drawing board with their Hand-Tossed pizza and now offers a new version featuring a "lighter, airier crust topped with real cheese made from mozzarella and brushed with a garlic buttery flavor."*

Review: Einstein Bros. - Thintastic Bagels

Plain Bagel on the left, Everything Bagel on the right

Einstein Bros' new Thintastic Bagels are thinner, lower calorie versions of their regular bagels (i.e. they're bagel thins). They're available in Plain, Whole Wheat, and Everything (topped with a blend of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion, garlic, caraway seeds, and salt).

I tried the Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese, while The Woman tried the plain bagel with Garlic Herb Schmear. They're normally $2.65 each with Schmear (but were free because they were giving them away today to promote the new bagels).

News: Tropical Smoothie Cafe - New Coconut Curry Chicken Wrap and Coconut Lime Chicken Salad

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is going with a somewhat contrarian Hawaiian theme this winter with the introduction of the new Coconut Curry Chicken Wrap and Coconut Lime Chicken Salad.

News: Starbucks - Via Latte Taste Challenge Sampling Event

Starbucks wants you to try their new new instant Via Lattes and will be offering free sampling of the new instant coffee starting Thursday, January 16th through Sunday, 19th at participating Starbucks stores nationwide. The idea is to see if you can tell the difference from their handcrafted lattes.

Review: Corner Bakery Cafe - Avocado & Spinach Power Panini Thin

Corner Bakery's Avocado & Spinach Power Panini Thin features fresh avocado and spinach, scrambled eggs, and Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, on thinly-sliced whole grain harvest toast. Salsa is available on the side by request.

The sandwich came out to $3.49 (which is like dirt cheap for fast casual fare).

News: Bruegger's Bagels - Winter 2014 Menu

Bruegger's Bagels' 2014 winter menu is anchored by two new sandwiches: The Big Easy, featuring a taste of New Orleans, and the Turkey with a Twist, which offers a sweet, savory, bold, and mild taste profile. Both feature a new sriracha mustard inspired by the Sriracha Egg sandwich first introduced last year.

News: Carvel - New Mint Flavor

Carvel ice cream shops have introduced a new mint flavor to start the new year.

Available through March 31, 2014, the new flavor can be found as Mint soft serve, Oreo Mint ice cream, or Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.

The flavor is also featured in the new Oreo Mint Sundae Dasher. The dessert meant for on-the-go eating features Mint soft serve with Oreo cookie piece, drizzled with fudge and topped with whipped cream.

Review: Burger King - Rodeo Sandwiches

Burger King's Rodeo Sandwiches come with either a burger or breaded chicken patty plus three onion rings and barbecue sauce on a toasted sesame bun.

I bought one of each for $1 a piece.