Around the World: McDonald's Japan - iCon' Chicken

Apparently, chicken is what is being pushed at McDonald's Japan.  I have to say McDonald's Japan seems to get a lot more limited-time and outlandish items on their menu. In the month of October - early November, they are getting four different chicken sandwiches... complete with a somewhat long chicken dance, it feels like a children's show:


Inexplicably, the dance is lead by an American guy... in English and has caused my eye to start twitching. But on to the limited-time iCon' Chicken sandwiches:

News: Subway - New Sunrise Subway Melt

A breakfast version of the Subway Melt, Subway's Sunrise Subway Melt features sliced turkey deli meat, bacon, Black Forest ham, and egg whites with your choice of cheese and veggies.

It's promoted in pictures with flatbread, but you, as always, you also have your choice of bread.

Subway is running a promotion where from 7am to 11am, you can get a Footlong Sunrise Subway Melt or Steak, Egg & Cheese Sub for $5.

Nutritional info after the jump.

Review: Wienerschnitzel - Chili Cheese Dog

Probably the most well known item at Wienerschnitzel, the Chili Cheese Dog features a regular size hot dog and bun topped with cheese and chili for $1.69.

Frozen Friday: Hungry-Man - Beer Battered Chicken

The Hungry-Man "Pub Favorite" Beer Battered Chicken frozen dinner features beer battered chicken strips with seasoned potato wedges in a cheddar cheese sauce. As with all Hungry-Man dinners, this one boasts of a pound of food. They're regularly around $3.69 but can be found on sale for $1.50 to $2.00.

News: Arby's - New Steakhouse Onion Rings

A new limited-time menu item, Arby's Steakhouse Onion Rings feature (like most onion rings) battered and deep-fried onion rings. They priced at $1.99 for five onion rings.

They already serve Onion Petals which is almost the same thing, no? (Update: they replaced Onion Petals, at least at my local Arby's)

Nutritional info not yet available.

News: Arby's - New Chocolate Turnover

Like an apple turnover but not, Arby's new, limited-time Chocolate Turnover features a chocolate filling made with Hershey's Cocoa nestled inside a flaky turnover and decorated with a zigzag squiggle of chocolate icing.

As part of Arby's Value menu, it costs $1.

Nutritional info not yet available.

News: Taco Bell - New Orange 'N Creme Frutista Freeze

The newest drink to come out of Taco Bell's ever-changing wheel of Frutista is the new Orange 'N Creme Frutista Freeze which features an icy slush of orange slush with a vanilla creme.

Basically, it's a blended orange Creamsicle. You know, the orange popsicle with vanilla ice cream inside.

It's available in a 16-ounce "regular" and a 20-ounce "large." Pricing is $1.99 and $2.29 respectively.

Nutritional info after the jump.

News: Taco Bell - New Verde and Fire-Roasted Border Salsas

This month, Taco Bell is spicing it up by introducing two new Border Salsas to complement their current line of varying heat Border Sauces. The two news salsas are Verde and Fire-Roasted.

Verde (literally "green") is a green sauce mainly made with green chili peppers and tomatillos and comes in a matching green sauce packet.

Fire-Roasted is a reddish brown sauce whose main ingredient is fire-roasted tomatoes and also comes in a color-matching sauce packet.

News: Taco Bell - New XXL Chalupa

Look! The lip is curled up so you don't lose your beef!

Despite having no XL Chalupa, Taco Bell is pulling the trigger on their new XXL Chalupa.

The XXL Chalupa features an XXL Chalupa flatbread, Fiesta salsa (tomatoes, onions, and cilantro), reduced fat sour cream, Taco Bell's three cheese blend (mozzarella, monterey jack, and American), lettuce, nacho cheese sauce, red tortilla strips, and seasoned ground beef.

It is also available with chicken or steak for an upcharge.

Pricing stands at $2.79 for one.

Nutritional info after the jump or check out the review here.

Review: Starbucks - Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappuccino

In search of better pumpkin flavor, I tried Starbucks' seasonal Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappuccino. "Creme" is Starbucks' fancy name for a milk drink with no coffee, which basically means it's a cup of milk, usually steamed, but not for a cold drink I don't think. They used to be called "Steamers" but that term evokes some rather unpleasant imagery for some. So basically, I got milk, ice, and pumpkin sauce blended together. A 16-ounce "Grande" set me back $4.35.

News: Jack in the Box - 2 for 3 Dollars Breakfast Croissants

The latest limited time deal cranking out of Jack in the Box is 2 for $3 Breakfast Croissants. Unlike most supermarket deals, but like most fast food chains, you do have to buy two croissant sandwiches to take advantage of the offer.

You can choose from two croissant sandwiches: the Sausage Croissant which comes with sausage, fried egg, and a slice of American cheese or the Supreme Croissant with fried egg, Jack's new hickory smoked bacon, ham, and cheese.

Not a bad deal at all. I'm pretty sure croissants cost more than biscuits or English muffins.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Caramel Apple Latte

Only available in select markets (excluding all of New England! How's that for hate?), Dunkin' Donuts' new Caramel Apple Latte offers a combination of red and green apple flavors with a dash of caramel.

Suggested retail pricing is $1.99 for a small 10-ounce hot beverage. Available cold or hot.

Tastes like Halloween? No Dunkin' here in California though.

Nutritional info after the jump.

News: Dunkin' Donut's - Maple Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich Returns

This month, Dunkin' Donuts brings back their oven-toasted Maple Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich as part of their fall flavors.

The sandwich pairs a scrambled egg with a sweet maple-flavored sausage patty. It is then, topped with a slice of melted white cheddar cheese and served warm on a freshly baked croissant. The suggested retail price is $2.99.

Sounds a bit like a better McGriddle, no?

Nutritional info after the jump.

Review: Chick-fil-A - Chicken Sandwich Deluxe

Chick-fil-A's Chicken Sandwich Deluxe takes their standard Chicken Sandwich and complements it with green leaf lettuce, tomato slices, and a slice of American cheese. An optional wheat bun is also available. It's priced at $3.75cand comes in a black Styrofoam clamshell rather than the foil bag the Chicken Sandwich comes in.

News: Church's Chicken - New Crispy Chicken Taco

Church's Crispy Chicken Taco Combo for $3.99

Targeted to consumers looking to eat on the go (i.e. young and mobile), Church's Chicken introduces it latest menu addition, the Crispy Chicken Taco.

Church’s Crispy Chicken Taco features a freshly prepared crispy flour shell filled with seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce and real shredded Cheddar cheese.

Church's Crispy Chicken Taco is available as a combo with two tacos, crinkle-cut fries, and a regular drink for $3.99 or individually for 99 cents each.

Personally, I would have liked to see shredded fried chicken doused in hot sauce instead of seasoned chicken to make a more uniquely Church's item. I like the fried flour tortillas though; it's a nice touch that stands out.

Nutritional info not yet available.

News: Domino's - $5 Carryout Lunch Deal

Domino's Pizza's latest promotion is their $5 Carryout Lunch Deal which available until 2pm daily and features your choice of an order of Penne Pasta, a small 2-Topping Pizza, or an Oven Baked Sandwich for $5. Considering you only end up saving around $1 from the regular price (in case of the Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, it actually costs a penny more under the deal), there's no real reason that it's only available until 2pm. Then again, it does hit that magic $5 (The new $2.99!) price point. A 20-ounce Coke is available as an add-on for 99 cents.

Penne Pastas are available in the following varieties or you can build your own: Chicken Alfredo, Italian Sausage Marinara, Chicken Carbonara, Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, and Pasta Primavera.

Oven-Baked Sandwiches actually come in 8 varieties (who knew?!): Italian Sausage and Peppers, Buffalo Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Habanero, Mediterranean Veggie, Philly Cheese Steak, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Italian, and Chicken Parm.

Also new, Domino's has added a new American Legends Pizza to their menu, the Wisconsin 6 Cheese which features 100% real mozzarella, feta, provolone, cheddar, parmesan, asiago and sprinkled with oregano on a parmesan and asiago crust.

Review: Sonic - Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Sonic's Crispy Chicken Sandwich features all white meat crispy fried chicken breast topped with the traditional lettuce, tomatoes and mayo served on a wheat bun made with whole grain for $3.79.

News: McDonald's Adding Whipped Cream and Cherry to Shakes

Apparently "premium" means a clear plastic cup, and whipped cream and a cherry on top. According to Chicago Business, starting this month, McDonald's is updating their milkshakes, re-branding them as part of their McCafe line of beverages.

As part of the shift, the shakes will be served in a clear, plastic cup similar to other cold beverages in the McCafe line up. Following other major fast food chains such as Carl's Jr, Wendy's Chick-fil-A, etc., McDonald's will also now include whipped cream and a cherry on top.

If test markets are any indication, the shakes will also carry a higher price, starting at $2.19 for a small to $3.09 for a large.

Review: Pizza Hut - Thin 'N Crispy Pepperoni Pizza

Pizza Hut's Thin 'N Crispy Pizza is a very thin crust pizza that while using less dough, ends up costing the same. Go figure. To be fair, Domino's Thin Crust also costs the same as their other crust options. There's a carryout special for a large, one-topping pizza in my area for $6.99 (which is a dollar more than Domino's carryout special).

Around the World: McDonald's Japan - Various Versions of the Big Mac

While the American version of the Big Mac has pretty much always stayed the same. The Big Mac has undergone several iterations over in Japan.

Considering how small McDonald's Big Mac patties are, the Japanese Mega Mac is probably the better, meatier version.



There's also a Teriyaki Mega version:

Review: Wienerschnitzel - Limeade

While it may look like I got a cup of water, Wienerschnitzel's Limeade features a sparkling water, lime, and some form of sugar. A 16-ounce cup cost me $1.79.

News: Wendy's - Breakfast Test Continues

As some of you might know, Wendy's began testing breakfast about four years ago in a limited number of restaurants breaking a 30 year hiatus. Most recently, they're testing a more upscale breakfast menu in Kansas City, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and Shreveport areas. The chain is set to tackle breakfast nationally early next year.

The current items being tested are: an Artisan Egg Sandwich, a Mornin' Melt Panini, a Fresh Baked Biscuit Sandwich, a Bacon Fire Roasted Burrito, Seasoned Home-Style Potatoes, a Good-to-Go Oatmeal Bar, Fresh Seasonal Fruit, Premium Blend Coffee, a Sausage & Egg Burrito, and a Sausage Biscuit.

Full item descriptions and nutritional info after the jump.

Frozen Friday: Stouffer's - French Bread Pizza - Pepperoni

Stouffer's French Bread Pizza comes in several flavors including my favorite topping, Pepperoni. They're basically a lengthwise sliced piece of French Bread with tomato sauce, real mozzarella cheese, and toppings. A pack of two goes for $3.39 at my local supermarket, but it's not uncommon to see them on sale for $1.50 or less.

Review: Sonic - Chicken Strip Dinner

Listed as a local favorite on the Sonic website, Sonic's Chicken Strip Dinner contains a bit of something for everyone and includes 4 chicken strips, fries, Texas Toast, a country gravy, and an onion ring for $4.99.

News: KFC Introducing Reusable Side Container

In what they believe to be a fast food industry first, KFC is set to introduce it's new consumer-reusable food containers nationwide by early 2011 which will replace the current foam and plastic containers.

The new containers feature a clear polypropylene (the same material used to make leading retail food storage containers) bowl with a red lid embossed with “REUSABLE”, as well as a reminder that the container is both microwaveable and top rack dishwasher safe.

More interesting, the container features a patented “ventless vent” technology that allows moisture to escape without the need for a hole in the lid. The result is a leak-resistant lid that provides a secure fit and keeps food fresh. High tech, no?

Update: Here's KFC's video of the new containers:

News: Hardee's - New Texas Toast Bacon Cheese Thickburger

Hardee's latest menu addition comes complete with a new spokesperson. The Texas-inspired Texas Toast Bacon Cheese Thickburger features a charbroiled 100% Black Angus beef patty, bacon, American cheese, red onions, tomato, lettuce and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce served between two slices of thick, grilled Texas Toast. Pricing starts at a suggested retail of $2.79 for the 1/4 lb. size (It is also available in 1/3 lb. and 1/2 lb. sizes).

As usual, Hardee's has an online coupon for $1 off a Texas Toast Bacon Cheese Thickburger small combo. (Expires 11/20/2010)

As for the new spokesperson, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and native Texan, Julie Henderson has been tapped for the role and appears in a commercial with the Texas Toast Bacon Cheese Thickburger:

Nutritional info after the jump.

Review: Burger King - French Toast Sticks

Part of Burger King's BK Breakfast Value Menu, French Toast Sticks feature three sticks of bread covered in a sweet fried batter for $1. They're served with a side of maple-flavored syrup to cater to your sweet tooth.

News: Starbucks, Peets to Raise Prices

You can enjoy the coffee in the front for
the same price, but the ones in the back will
cost you a bit more than they used to.

Citing 13-year highs in prices of green (unroasted) Arabica beans, coffee chains Starbucks and Peet's are posed to raise drink and bean prices. Prices for the beans have risen approximately 35% since the beginning of the year.

Starbucks announced that prices will increase on "larger, labor-intensive" drinks (i.e. Frappuccinos) while maintaining or cutting prices of its most popular products, including certain espresso-based drinks and its $1.50 Tall brewed coffee.

Starting September 29, 2010, most Peet's drinks will increase by 10 to 15 cents in price, while beans sold in store will increase by an average of 8% in price.

On the plus side, if McDonald's coffee is your caffeine of choice, the fast food powerhouse with a bigger portfolio of food items, is better poised to absorb the costs increases and will continue business as usual.

Relief might come at the tail end of the year, when Columbian harvests are expected to "reduce supply bottlenecks." Whether or not, this will spell any relief at the check stand remains to be seen.

Review: Chipotle - Crispy Chicken Tacos

A favorite of the Sister, Chipotle's Chicken Tacos are of the hard shell or soft flour tortilla variety most commonly associated with Taco Bell. They're available in a set of three, starting from $5.70 (up to $5.90), with your choice of meat (braised carnitas or barbacoa, adobo-marinated and grilled chicken or steak), salsa, cheese, sour cream and romaine lettuce.

Review: Jack in the Box - Onion Rings

Jack in the Box Onion Rings are of the breaded and fried variety. An order of Onion Rings will cost you $1.79.

Around the World: McDonald's Australia - "Bacon"

Here's an ad by McDonald's Australia that I can really get behind. Mmmmmm... bacon... they call McDonald's "Maccas" and serve, among other items, a "Bakehouse Brekkie Roll" with slices of back bacon (which is more like ham than what we typically call "bacon"), egg, cheese, a hash brown (they call it a "Potato Rosti"), and onion relish on a sourdough roll. It's one of their fancier "M Selections" items. It's one of the sandwiches being made in the ad.

Local Review: Porto's Bakery - Potato Ball

Porto's Bakery's Potato Ball is one of their most popular items. It features a slightly-bigger-than-golf-ball-sized mashed potato ball with a meat filling and a fried crust of fine breading. One Potato Ball will run you about 85 cents.

Frozen Friday: Totino's Pizza Rolls

Totino's Pizza Rolls are mini bite-sized pizza crust rolls with pizza filling inside. They come in a variety of flavors but the ones I usually see are: Cheese, Pepperoni, and Combination (sausage and pepperoni). A 7.5-ounce box goes for $2.99 at my local Alberton's but go on sale from anywhere between $1 and $2. For a buck more at $3.99, they also sell a 19.8-ounce bag which is a much better value.

Review: Starbucks - Pumpkin Spice Latte

A perennial fall drink at Starbucks, the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte is billed as "espresso, pumpkin, fall spices and milk over ice with sweetened whipped cream." The price for a 12-ounce "tall" is $3.75 (about a $1.10 premium over a regular latte!). It is also available hot for cold fall nights and as a Frappuccino... for hot fall days?

Update 10/4/10: I tried the regular hot Pumpkin Spice Latte this morning since it actually bore some resemblance to fall with a light drizzle and cloudy skies. Interestingly, it was colder inside the Starbucks than it was outside (it was around mid 60s outside). I have to say, I much prefer the hot version, it fits the season better and I could taste the pumpkin flavor better. It feels more like autumn... it's also very orange, which helps.

Review: Jack in the Box - Pastrami Grilled Sandwich

Jack in the Box's latest artisan grilled sandwich is the limited time Pastrami Grilled Sandwich for $3.99. The Pastrami Grilled Sandwich keeps it fairly simple with pastrami, melted Swiss-style cheese, pickle strips, and a deli style mustard.

News: Panda Express - Free Kobari Beef Day on September 29

Panda Express is introducing its newest menu item, Kobari Beef tomorrow, September 22th.

The new dish with a made up name features sliced marinated beef tossed in a wok with mushrooms, leeks, onions, red bell peppers, and Panda Express' Kobari sauce which is purportedly inspired by Korean BBQ. I would guess that to mean some blend of soy sauce, sugar, maybe apple or pear, and sesame oil as a base.

To promote the new dish, Panda Express is hosting a Free Kobari Beef Day on Wednesday, September 29, 2010. Starting tomorrow, you can visit the Panda Express Facebook page to print out a coupon for a free single serving of Kobari Beef on the 29th.

Nutritional info after the jump.

Review: Jack In The Box - Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Jack in the Box's Grilled Cheese sandwich features two slices of melted American cheese between two rounded pieces of grilled sourdough bread. It's for late night munchies and when you're feeling too lazy to take the minute or so to make your own. Fortunately, it's a very affordable $1.29.

Review: Sonic - Hazelnut Java Chiller

Sonic's Hazelnut Java Chiller features a shot of espresso and hazelnut syrup blended into vanilla ice cream. A regular costs $2.49.

Around the World: KFC Phillipines - California Maki Twister

KFC Philippines offers something called a California Maki Twister. I guess the "maki" is as in sushi? I've never heard of sushi with mayo, but I guess that explains the cucumbers. Like a California roll I suppose.

The California Maki Twister features a crispy-fried chicken filet with bits of mango, cucumber spears, and Japanese mayo dressing, wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Here's a video of it in action:

Review: Subway - Subway Club

The Subway Club sandwich features slices of turkey breast, roast beef, and Black Forest ham as a base with your choice of vegetables, condiments, and bread. It's falls into Subways Select Sub and goes for about $6.75 in my neighborhood.

Depending on how you build it and if you eat a 6-inch or a Footlong in one sitting, it is one of Subway's Fresh Fit subs with under 6 grams of fat.

Frozen Friday: Claim Jumper - Chicken Marsala

Claim Jumper's Chicken Marsala frozen dinner features roasted white meat chicken in a marsala sauce over rigatoni pasta with baby bell mushrooms. It's normally around $4 but I usually get them on sale for somewhere between $1.50 and $2.

Review: Burger King - Seattle's Best Iced Mocha Coffee

Burger King's Seattle's Best Iced Mocha Coffee is part of their new breakfast menu. It's brewed Seattle's Best coffee with a flavor shot of chocolate syrup over ice. The suggested retail is $1.89, but my local Burger King was charging $2.49 for a regular (They also charge 30 cents extra for an extra flavor shot and for whip cream) which comes in a narrow but tall cup.

Review: Burger King - BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter

The new BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter from Burger King is analogous to McDonald's Deluxe Breakfast but with a little more hyperbole. The BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter comes complete with scrambled eggs, hash browns, a sausage patty, a biscuit, and three pancakes with syrup for $4.29.

Review: Burger King - BK Breakfast Ciabatta Club Sandwich

The parade of new items on the Burger King breakfast menu into my mouth continues with the BK Breakfast Ciabatta Club Sandwich. The BK Breakfast Ciabatta Club features a whole grain Ciabatta bun filled with thin-sliced ham, bacon, tomatoes, melted cheese, an plain egg omelet, and a smoky tomato sauce" It costs $2.89.

Review: Burger King - Mini Blueberry Biscuits

New to Burger King's breakfast value menu and part of Burger King's new breakfast expansion/push, Mini Blueberry Biscuits are slightly bigger than bite-sized biscuits with blueberries baked in. They're served in a set of four with a side of icing and retail for $1.

Sunday Funny: McDonald's - "Chicken Legend"

McDonald's fancy chicken sandwich across the pond. "What did you get again?"

Review: Sonic - Butterfinger Sonic Blast

Sonic's Butterfinger Sonic Blast is simply their vanilla ice cream blended with crushed pieces of Butterfinger candy. A 14-ounce "regular" cost me $2.99. Besides blending in crushed pieces, they also provide a sprinkle of pieces on top; a nice aesthetic touch.

News: The Coffee Bean - Free Ice Blended or Latte on September 14th

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is kicking off their fall seasonal drinks by hosting an open house on Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 offering a free 12-ounce Cinnamon Toast or Classic Pumpkin Latte or Ice Blended to visitors.

When: Tuesday, September 14th, 2010, from 4pm to 7pm.
Where: Participating Coffee Bean locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas.
Why: Free 12-ounce Cinnamon Toast or Classic Pumpkin Latte or Ice Blended (One per person).

Details: "Only valid at participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® store locations in AZ, CA, NV, TX. Excludes all Ralphs stores, military base, casinos, campus or airport locations. Valid only on September 14, 2010, from 4pm to 7pm. Offer applies to 12oz. Cinnamon French Toast or Classic Pumpkin latte or Ice Blended® drinks. No substitutions. Limit one complimentary drink per customer. Cannot be combined with other offers."

News: Jack in the Box Testing Focaccia Sandwiches

Looks like Jack in the Box is testing more premium sandwiches. This time though, instead of being grilled on artisan bread, Jack is testing Focaccia sandwiches (they're already used Ciabatta bread so why not?) in two varieties: Bruschetta Chicken and the Deli Deluxe.

Both sandwiches are being tested in out in Austin. The Bruschetta Chicken features bruschetta (duh), a chicken breast, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and mayo on toasted Focaccia bread. The Deli Deluxe appears to contain a trio of deli meats (ham, turkey, salami), cheese, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, red onions, and creamy Italian sauce on toasted Focaccia bread.

Nutritional info not available for test items at Jack in the Box.

Frozen Friday: Stouffer's - Baked Chicken Dinner

For those preferring something slightly healthier than the normal frozen dinner, there's Stouffer's Baked Chicken Dinner which features a boneless baked chicken breast with gravy and mashed potatoes topped with paprika. I usually find it on sale for between $1.50 and $2.00.