Review: Zatarain's - Jambalaya Mix

Jambalaya is a traditional New Orleans dinner made with rice, spices, and meat and/or seafood. Zatarain's offers an easy Jambalaya Mix that includes the rice and the spices so that you can just add your choice of protein. A 8-ounce box retails for $2.60 but I've seen them on sale for as low as a buck.

Frozen Friday - Michael Angelo's - Baked Ziti and Meatballs

Michael Angelo's Baked Ziti and Meatballs frozen meal features ziti pasta, tomato sauce, meatballs and mozzarello cheese topped with Pecorini Romano. An 11-ounce box retails for $3.99 but I picked this one up for $1.50 on sale with a coupon.

News: Häagen-Dazs - Free Midnight Dazzler for Email Sign Up

Häagen-Dazs is offering an emailed coupon for a free Midnight Dazzler frozen dessert for signing up for their email list, the Ice Cream Social, via Facebook. It's a limited offer and registration has to be confirmed by March 31, 2011 to receive your free ice cream.

A Midnight Dazzler combines Häagen-Dazs Midnight Cookies and Cream ice cream with layers of hot fudge and cookie pieces so it's basically a sundae of sorts. I think their sundaes usually go upwards of $5 so it's a pretty good deal.

Review: Chipotle - Chicken Burrito Bowl

Chipotle's Chicken Burrito Bowl is their Chicken Burrito built the way you like it, sans the flour tortilla, served in a bowl. The price is the same as a Chicken Burrito at $5.69 but the eating is actually neater with a spoon or fork.

News: Carl's Jr./Hardee's - New Turkey Burgers Featuring Miss Turkey

Carl’s Jr. and sister chain Hardee’s has added a new line of Charbroiled Turkey Burgers to their respective menus (or rather they're adding a turkey patty option to some of their existing burgers.

To promote the new Turkey Burgers, they're airing a commercial featuring Gizem Memic, the reigning Miss Turkey from the Miss Universe pageant (you can check it out after the jump).

The new Turkey Burger were created in collaboration the creators of Eat This, Not That! which often features the chains' burgers on the "Not That!" list. Each of the new burgers feature a quarter-pound turkey patty and clock in at least than 500 calories and are meant as a healthier alternative to beef.

Review: KFC - Little Bucket Chocolate Creme Parfait

I've always wanted to try a KFC Little Bucket Chocolate Creme Parfait. More because it came in a little bucket rather than because I thought it would be super good. There's just something enticing about food that comes in a bucket (please, no pig jokes).

A small single-serve bucket of chocolate parfait costs $1.49.

Review: Fatburger - Fat Fries

Fatburger's Fat Fries are thick cut steak fries and costs $2.49 for an order. They also carry Skinny Fries which are your typical cut of French fries.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Onion Rings

Carl's Jr. Onion Rings are battered, breaded, and deep-fried to a satisfying crunch. An order costs $2.29.

News: Popeyes - Pay Day on March 23th

Popeyes' popular, one-day Pay Day promotion is coming back this Wednesday, March 23, 2011. On that day, customers can pick up eight mixed pieces of Popeyes fried chicken for $4.99 at participating locations.

For an additional $5.00, you can add a large side and four biscuits to get a complete meal.

These promotions have been pretty popular at Popeyes in the past with even some locations running out of chicken! I prefer to just get two pieces of dark meat chicken at two for 99 cents on Tuesdays and Thursdays though.

Review: Wendy's - Bacon and Cheese Baked Potato

Wendy's Bacon and Cheese Baked Potato features a large baked Russet potato topped with bits of their applewood-smoked bacon and cheese sauce for $2.99.

Review: Jell-O Temptations - Strawberry Cheesecake

Jell-O Temptations are slightly more upscale, layered, derivatives of their more standard fare of gelatin and pudding. I recently tried the Strawberry Cheesecake flavor which comes three cups to a package on sale for $2.50 (suggested retail is $2.89).

Frozen Friday: Healthy Choice - Roasted Chicken Verde

Healthy Choice's new Roasted Chicken Verde is another one of their steam cooking frozen dinner and are marketed as being ideal for lunch. The meal consists of sliced chicken tenderloins, whole grain rice, sweet corn, red and poblano peppers in a cilantro lime sauce.

A 8.6-ounce package costs about $2.99 or about $2 on sale.

Review: Pollo Campero - Crunchy Bowl

Guatemalan Fried Chicken joint Pollo Campero's Crunchy Bowl features a bed of seasoned rice and pinto beans topped with diced crunchy fried chicken, diced onions, cilantro and pico de gallo. There's also a grilled chicken option available but who goes to a fried chicken restaurant for grilled chicken? Each bowl costs $4.99 each.

Review: Sonic - Grilled Cheese

Sonic's Grilled Cheese is a value menu item that combines two slices of their thick Texas Toast with melted American cheese for $1.19. It's also an option as the main entrée for a kid's meal with a side, drink, and toy for $3.29.

Review: Jamba Juice - New Fruit & Veggie Smoothies

Jamba Juice is adding vegetables to fruit with three new Fruit & Veggie Smoothies. They're available starting today but I got a free set yesterday courtesy of Jamba Juice for reviewing/tasting purposes. The new smoothies come in three varieties: Berry UpBeet, Apple 'n Green, and Orange Carrot Karma.

A 16-ounce cup normally will cost you $4.25 with an 80 cent upcharge for each successive larger cup size.

Review: Jack in the Box - Hearty Breakfast Bowl

Jack in the Box's Hearty Breakfast Bowl features scrambled eggs and bacon and sausage crumbles on a bed of hash browns, topped with shredded Cheddar cheese and white Cheddar cheese sauce for $2.99.

Review: Starbucks - Rocky Road Cake Pop

Starbucks new Petites look like an easy grab for an add-on to your coffee, I recently took advantage of their recent promotion and picked up a Rocky Road Cake Pop for free to go with my Cocoa Cappuccino. It features a chocolate cake ball on a stick dipped in a dark chocolate coating and then sprinkled with mini marshmallows and roasted almonds.

They're normally $1.50 each.

Review: Starbucks - Iced Cocoa Cappuccino

Starbucks Cocoa Cappuccino is the first new drink to bear their new wordless logo as the brand moves to mean more than coffee. It features your typical Starbucks Cappuccino paired with a bittersweet mocha sauce.

It's available hot or iced and since the weather has been warming up a bit lately, I picked up an iced 12-ounce Tall recently for $3.55 (compared to about $2.65 for a regular Tall Cappuccino).

Frozen Friday - Healthy Choice - Rosemary Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

Healthy Choice's Rosemary Chicken and Sweet Potatoes is one of their new steaming entrées. In addition to chicken and sweet potatoes, there's also yellow julienned carrots and pearl onions for a fancier take on frozen food that's really light on calories (180).

A 9-ounce package will run you a retail of about $2.99 or about $2 on sale.

News: Popeyes - Seasonal Butterfly Shrimp Tackle Box Back

More Lent. More Seafood. In what has become a yearly event, Popeyes has brought back their limited-time Butterfly Shrimp Tackle Box for $4.99 once again.

The Butterfly Shrimp Tackle Box consists of eight deep-fried marinated Butterfly Shrimp, a side of Cajun Fries, and a Biscuit.

News: Starbucks - New Tribute Blend Via Ready Brew

In celebration of their 40th, Starbucks is celebrating with a new, limited-time Tribute Blend (as in a tribute to their loyal following) that will also be available in Via Ready Brew form which is listed on their online store at $10.95 for 12 single-serve packets.

Starbucks Tribute Blend is a blend of four different coffee beans: semi-washed and aged Aged Sumatra coffee, naturally-processed Sun-dried Ethiopian coffee, and washed coffees from Papua New Guinea and Colombia.

The stated flavor profile is "a spicy, full-bodied blend with dark cherry notes."

Considering how fast their Christmas Blend Via sold out, if Via is your thing, I recommend you get some while you can.

News: Qdoba - New Mini Street Tacos

For a limited-time Qdoba is offering new Mini Street Tacos which feature three small, soft corn tortillas filled with your choice of slow-roasted pulled pork or seasoned shredded beef topped with diced red onions and fresh chopped cilantro.

Curiously, there's no chicken or, taking into account the time of year, fish option.

A full order comes with a side of Ancho Chile BBQ beans and costs $4.99.

Review: Sonic - Chicago Dog

Sonic's Chicago Dog is one of four new hot dogs that they just added to their menu. Each new hot dog is available for the introductory price of $1.99. The Chicago Dog comes with a pickle spear, relish, tomatoes, sport peppers, celery salt and mustard all served on warm poppy seed bun.

News: Starbucks - New Starbucks Petites

Along with the new logo and a new drink, Starbucks is celebrating their 40th anniversary with the introduction of Starbucks Petites, mini-desserts available in stores at a retail price of $1.50 each.

Review: Arby's - Outside-In Cinnamon Bites

Arby's new, limited-time Outside-In Cinnamon Bites are somewhat somewhat gimmicky but different take on the common cinnamon rolls. It's more like a beignet stuff with cream cheese and cinnamon though. Three slightly bigger than bite-sized pieces can be had for a buck.

News: Starbucks - New Cocoa Cappuccino

Starbucks newest, limited-time drink, the Cocoa Cappuccino is basically a cappuccino with a bittersweet mocha sauce.

Specifically it is a shot or two of espresso (depending on what size drink you buy), bittersweet mocha sauce (which should be less sweet than their normal mocha sauce), steamed milk, and a dollop of milk foam to finish.

Basically, it should be taste more coffee-like and less sweet than a typical Starbucks Mocha.

News: Frito Lay - New Tostitos Hint of Pepper Jack and Hint of Jalapeño

Frito Lay has added flavor to what I typically think of as their traditional, unflavored (save for salt) brand: Tostitos. It's not unprecedented (they have a Hint of Lime flavor as well as an Artisan flavored line) but it's an interesting choice considering that they already have lots of different brands of flavored chips but there you go.

Of course, they're not going with full blown Doritos-style flavor but are sticking with just a hint of flavor with new Hint of Pepper Jack and Hint of Jalapeño Tostitos chips.

Pricing will vary but you should be able to nab yourself a 13-ounce bag for around $2.50, or less if it's on sale.

News: Burger King - New $1 BK Single Stacker

For a limited-time, Burger King is offering the new BK Single Stacker for $1. The BK Single Stacker is a single-patty version of their current Stacker burgers. You can also double up or triple up on with extra patties and cheese with the BK Double Stacker for $2 or the BK Triple Stacker for $3.

I seem to remember they offered a similar promotion when they first introduced the BK Stackers a while back. Apparently, the BK Single Stacker is replacing the Buck Double on BK's menu.

Each BK Stacker features a simple formula of cheese, beef, bacon, and BK Stacker sauce with varying amounts of cheese and beef depending on whether you get a Single, Double, or Triple.

News: KFC - $10 Sunday Bucket

Looks like KFC is taking a page out of Pizza Hut's book by offering a promotion on a specific day of the week with the $10 Sunday Bucket.

Available only on Sundays and only for a limited-time, the Sunday Bucket features ten mixed pieces (i.e. white and dark meat) of any recipe (Original, Extra Crispy, or Grilled) for $10.

Update 10/14/13 - KFC is rehashing the limited-time deal this year and expanding it to cover Saturdays as well as Sundays (details here).

Review: Sonic - New York Dog

Sonic's new New York Dog is one of four new premium beef hot dogs at Sonic and features an all-beef normal-sized hot dog nestled in a soft bun and topped with sauerkraut, spicy brown mustard, and grilled diced onions.

It's available now for an introductory price of $1.99.

News: Frito Lay - New Sun Chips Jalapeño Jack

Frito Lay has a new flavor of Sun Chips: Jalapeno Jack. The new chip is made with all-natural ingredients combines the flavor of Monterey Jack cheese with Jalapeño peppers through the magic of powder.

A 10.5-ounce bag retails for $3.79 (may vary) and you can locate a bag through Frito Lay's Snack Finder.

Frito Lay has also managed a breakthrough with a much quieter version of their compost-able bag (Yay Earth!). You can check out the video with a somewhat technical explanation of how they manage to achieve this feat after the jump.

Review: Chick-fil-A - Banana Pudding Milkshake

Chick-fil-A's new, limited-time Banana Pudding Milkshake features the creamy taste of vanilla soft serve with real bananas and Nilla wafers topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

While the suggested retail is $2.49 and $2.89 for small and large cups respectively, in my neck of the woods, pricing is a bit higher at $3.09 for a 14-ounce small and $3.49 for a 20-ounce large.

News: Ben & Jerry's - Free Cone Day Set for April 12, 2011

Mark your calendars, it's that time of the year again... Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's!

When: April 12, 2011, 12 to 8pm

Where: At participating locations. You can check at their store locator which locations are participating: http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/scoop-shop-locator/index.cfm

Why: Because it's free! And you can stand in line as many times as you like so you can theoretically try all their flavors... then again you could try all their flavors by asking for a free sample spoon of each. Or combine them all together to make a Frankenstein's ice cream monster.

You wait may vary depending on your location. I've seen plenty of pictures of some really long lines for this event. People really like their free Ben & Jerry's. But then again, they do plan pretty well with extra employees to keep the line moving.

Review: Sconza - Yogurt Raisins

I was waiting in line at Costco when I saw this giant bag of Sconza Yogurt Raisins for $6.99 so I grabbed it. Yogurt raisins sounded pretty good and I thought $6.99 for 2 pounds, 10 oz (42 oz) is pretty cheap!

Review: Heinz - Dip & Squeeze Ketchup

So I stopped by Chick-fil-A yesterday for Free FryDay to get my free medium fry on by ordering a Heinz Dip & Squeeze Ketchup. New Heinz Dip & Squeeze Ketchup is the same ketchup but in a different, more versatile and more bountiful package.

Frozen Friday: Banquet - Chicken Nugget Meal

Banquet frozen meals are pretty much at the bottom of the frozen food hierarchy. Retailing at about $1 a pop (I saw it last week for 69 cents on sale) it's really for the budget-minded but the quality suffers a bit. The Chicken Nugget Meal comes with five breaded chicken nuggets, a side of corn and a side of macaroni and cheese.

News: Wienerschnitzel - New Bacon Wrapped Dogs

For a limited time, Der Wienerschnitzel is sporting new Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs on their menu. You can choose from a straight-up Bacon Wrapped Dog or get a little fancier with the Street Dog which adds grilled onions, mustard, mayo, and ketchup.

Price is $1.79 for a Bacon Wrapped and $1.99 for a Street Dog.

Nutritional info not available.

News: Boston Market - New Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich

Boston Market's latest menu edition is really just a large sandwich version of their BBQ Market Sliders. The new Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich is similar to the traditional pulled pork sandwich except with pulled rotisserie chicken pieces and, inexplicably with Cheddar cheese on a long bakery roll.

I think a slaw rather than cheese would have been a better choice and I don't even like slaw. I'm not feeling the flavor profile of barbecue with cheese.

Review: Arby's - Angus Three Cheese & Bacon Sandwich

Arby's new Angus Three Cheese & Bacon Sandwich features thinly-sliced Black Angus beef with melted Cheddar and Swiss cheese, peppered bacon, and a Parmesan peppercorn Ranch sauce on a toasted Amoroso roll for $4.99.

News: Krispy Kreme - New Banana Kreme Donut and Banana Caramel Cake Donut

Chick-fil-A isn't the only one bringing the banana flavor this month, Krispy Kreme has two new, limited-time banana donuts this month: the Banana Kreme Pie donut and the Banana Caramel Cake donut.

The Banana Kreme Pie donut is piped with banana Kreme filling, then dipped in white icing and sprinkled with NILLA wafer pieces.

The Banana Caramel Cake donut is made with real bananas, glazed and then drizzled with a caramel icing.

News: Taco Bell - Shrimp Taco Returns Plus a New Shrimp Burrito

It's seafood season once again (i.e. Lent is coming up) which at Taco Bell means the return of the Pacific Shrimp Taco as well as a new Pacific Shrimp Burrito. They are priced at $2.79 and $3.69 respectively (may vary) .

Review: Kyochon - Potato Wedges

In addition to specializing in Korean-style fried chicken, Kyochon also carries a small sampling of side dishes including Potato Wedges that can be taxed on to a 5-piece order with a drink for an extra $2.

News: Sonic - New Premium Beef Hot Dogs

Sonic's latest promotion involves new Premium Beef Hot Dogs coming in four familiar varieties: the All-American Dog, the New York Dog, the Chicago Dog, and the Chili Cheese Coney.

Each hot dog are made of 100% beef. The All-American Dog is probably the one you most likely assemble at home, Costco, or at a picnic with ketchup, yellow mustard, relish, and chopped onions. The New York Dog is topped with spicy brown mustard, grilled onions and sauerkraut. The Chicago Dog comes with a pickle spear, relish, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt and mustard served on warm poppy seed bun. Finally, the familiar Chili Cheese Coney features melted Cheddar and chili but don't forget to ask for mustard and onions!

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Big 'N Toasty Breakfast Sandwich

Dunkin' Donuts' newest limited-time menu addition is also their biggest breakfast sandwich ever: the Big 'N Toasty Breakfast Sandwich.

The Big 'N Toasty Breakfast Sandwich features two peppered fried eggs, four slices of cherrywood-smoked bacon and a slice of American cheese between two thick slices of Texas toast.

It's available at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants nationwide for a limited time at the suggested retail price of $3.29.

News: Subway - The Chicken Cordon Bleu Sub Returns

Back for a limited-time, Subway's Chicken Cordon Blue Sub features chicken, Black Forest Ham, your choice of cheese, condiments, and melted cheese. But where's the fried breading?!

It's another one of Subway's limited-time using their standard ingredients that you can always have them make for you after the sandwich is off menu. I suppose ordering a "Chicken Cordon Bleu" sounds better than saying "Can I get a chicken sub with black forest ham?" Plus you save a couple of words.

Nutritional info not yet available.

News: Arby's - New Angus Three Cheese & Bacon Sandwich

Arby's new Angus Three Cheese & Bacon sandwich is served hot on an Amoroso roll (those are the same Philly-based rolls commonly associated with authentic Philly cheesesteaks) and features thinly-sliced Black Angus beef with melted Cheddar and Swiss cheese, peppered bacon, and a Parmesan peppercorn Ranch sauce.

Pricing is in the premium range with a suggested retail of $4.99.

Along with the sandwich, Arby's is kicking off a new ad campaign with a rhyming slogan of "Good Mood Food." It comes replete with a TV ad that I find utterly annoying. It features crappy lyrics and bad singing. You can view it after the jump.

News: KFC - 5 for $5 Promotion

With inflation and rising food costs, $5 is the new $2.99 in fast food land with $5 Footlongs, redundantly named $5 Buck Boxes, and the like. KFC is also throwing their collective hat into the $5 arena with their new "5 for $5" promotion which features five different combo meals for $5 each:

• A Doublicious sandwich, side, and 20-ounce medium drink
• 3-piece Extra Crispy Strips, side, biscuit and 20-ounce medium drink
• 2-piece Kentucky Grilled Chicken, side, biscuit and drink
• 2-piece Original Recipe, side, biscuit and 20-ounce mediumdrink
• An Original Recipe Boneless Filet, side, biscuit and 20-ounce medium drink

Review: KFC - Famous Mashed Potato Bowl

If I remember correctly, KFC's Famous Bowls have been "famous" since they first came out i.e they're famous because KFC says they are. They actually come in three varieties (Chicken & Biscuit, Rice, and Mashed Potatoes) with varying degrees of availability depending on your market. I live in California and my local KFCs do not serve seasoned rice or country gravy which left me with a Famous Mashed Potato Bowl.

The price on a Famous Bowl and a medium drink was $5.59 but a coupon netted me the whole shebang for an even four bucks.

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

Jack in the Box has brought back their value-based 2 for $3 Breakfast Croissants (last seen in October of last year)

You can choose from either the Sausage Croissant or the Supreme Croissant. Both feature a fried egg and American cheese but where the Sausage Croissant contains a sausage patty, the Supreme Croissant has ham and bacon.

For you night owls or late risers, breakfast is served all day at Jack in the Box.

Having tried both Jack's biscuits and croissants, I much prefer the croissants.

News: Arby's - New Outside-In Cinnamon Bites

Arby's has a new, limited-time dessert on the menu: Outside-In Cinnamon Bites where instead of the norm where a cinnamon roll is glazed with cream cheese, the cream cheese is instead nestled inside a flaky, beignet-like pastry along with cinnamon.

The price on a set of three is $1.

I have to say from the pictures that it looks savory (like a pizza roll actually) rather than like the dessert that it is.