News: Pizza Hut - Free P'Zone with Online Pizza Purchase

Looks like Pizza Hut is trying to drum up Facebook "Likes" and Email subscribers because for this week only, they are offering a free P'Zone (their version of a calzone) with any online pizza purchase to customers who either sign up for their email list (or are already signed up) or "Like" them on Facebook.

The promotion is good through Sunday August 21, 2011 and you can only use it once.

News: Taco Bell - 99 Cent Nachos Supreme Until August 27th

In with the new deal, out with the old deal: starting today and running until Saturday, August 27, Taco Bell is offering their Nachos Supreme for 99 cents.

Nachos Supreme features tortilla chips that are prepared daily in-house covered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, warm nacho cheese sauce, diced ripe tomatoes, and a dollop of reduced-fat sour cream. They used to have green onions but Taco Bell removed green onion from their menu back in 2006 due to an E.coli outbreak connected with them. I miss the green onions...

What's on the Menu: Subway India

India with its large population and varied dietary preferences usually sports more localized fast food menu items than most other countries.

Subway India is no exception and, in additional to the typical Subway bread and veggies, has quite a few localized meat and vegetarian options to go with said bread and veggies. Options like the Chicken Tikka sub which features grilled boneless chicken breast pieces marinated in tikka seasonings.

International Weekend: Bergen - Apple-Raisin Cookies

This week's International Weekend again goes with Poland for Bergen brand Apple-Raisin Cookies picked up for an easy $1.00 for a 140g (4.94-ounce) box.

Review: Taco Bell - Burrito Supreme

One of Taco Bell's staple menu items, the Burrito Supreme has been available for the last two weeks or so at a promotional price of 99 cents (with today being that last day to take advantage of the offer.

It's normally priced at $2.69 at my local Taco Bell and consists of seasoned ground beef, refried beans, red sauce, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, diced onions, diced tomatoes and reduced-fat sour cream wrapped up in a flour tortilla.

Frozen Friday: Banquet - Chicken Pot Pie

Banquet's Chicken Pot Pie is a budget pot pie option that provides 7 ounces of the standard chunks of chicken, chicken gravy, peas, potatoes, and carrots for usually under a buck.

News: Cold Stone Creamery - August Flavor of the Month - Mojito Sorbet

Cold Stone Creamery's Gold Cone Collection is their name for their limited-time Flavors of the Month.

For August, the Gold Cone Collection is represented by Mojito Sorbet which couples the refreshing taste of mint with the texture and tart of a sorbet.

Mojito Sorbet is available all of August served up with your choice of mix-ins.

News: Pillsbury - New Egg Scrambles and Grands Biscuit Sandwiches

For people who are really pressed for time or really adverse to cooking anything (but still don't want to go pick something up), the Pillsbury Doughboy has you covered with new microwavable Egg Scrambles and Grands Biscuit Sandwiches.

Egg Scrambles combines fluffy egg, melty cheese sauce, Green Giants veggies, and bacon or sausage with the promise of " in just 6 minutes or less, weekend breakfast on a weekday."

They're available in four varieties which clock in at 300 calories or less: Sausage and Veggies, Bacon and Veggies, and Sausage.

Review: Popeyes - New Rip'n Chick'n

Popeyes' new, limited-time Rip'n Chick'n is partially sliced into strips before being marinated with a blend of cayenne, habañero, white and black peppers, and then is hand battered, breaded, and cooked up in Popeyes signature crispy batter.

It comes with Cajun Fries and a buttermilk biscuit for $3.99.

News: Dairy Queen - August Blizzard of the Month - Nutter Butter

On tap for August, Dairy Queen goes with the Nutter Butter Blizzard for their Blizzard of the Month.

The Nutter butter Blizzard features Nutter Butter cookie pieces  and Nutter Butter peanut butter creme filling blended with Dairy Queen's standard vanilla soft serve.

Mmmmmmmm... Peanut Butter...

As is often the case, the Cake of the Month follows suit and also showcases Nutter Butter.

Review: Papa John's - Double Layered Pepperoni Pizza

Papa John's new Double Layered Pepperoni Pizza offers two layers of different pepperoni: their regular pepperoni on bottom and another layer of premium deli-style pepperoni (wider, more flavorful pepperoni from what I can tell).

It's available for a limited-time at $10 for a 14-inch large pizza.

Fast Food Reference: McDonald's U.S. Regional/Seasonal Menu Items

I've often highlighted some of the stuff McDonald's serves abroad that we can't get here in the States but there's also a bunch of stuff here in the U.S. that are available at only select McDonald's and some are only available seasonally.

It's not an exhaustive list (let me know if there's something I should add) but it's pretty interesting. Feel free to chime in with your own thoughts especially if you've tried some of these or know where they can be had.

News: 88 cent Whoppers on 8/8 from 8 to 8 in the Los Angeles Area

Los Angeles area Burger King restaurants are offering a great deal to get your Whopper on for 88 cents a pop on Monday, 8/8/2011 from 8am to 8pm.

There might be buying limits and the deal is only valid at participating locations so you might want to check ahead.

An 88 cent Whopper is pretty cheap with the regular price around the mid-$3 mark these days.

News: Popchips - New Jalapeno Flavor

The un-fried, un-baked potato chip, Popchips, is now available in a new Jalapeno flavor.

The new chips contain the flavor of spicy green jalapeno peppers to deliver a taste that is purported to be spicy, but not too spicy.

Popchips are popped using heat and pressure which I imagine to be like the process of cooking kettle chips but with less oil.

However, they do cost a bit more than a comparable amount of regular chips for the trouble.

Review: Panda Express - Garlic Lover's Chicken Breast

Panda Express's Garlic Lover's Chicken Breast is a new entree on their menu featuring slices of chicken breast wok-tossed with broccoli, baby corn, red bell peppers, a savory black bean sauce and a lot of garlic.

I picked up a 2-entree plate including the chicken breast for $5.99.

News: Wendy's - New Lemonade and Wild Berry Lemonade

Wendy's is touting their new "all-natural" Lemonade and Wild Berry Lemonade this summer.

What does "all-natural" mean in this case? It means it's made of real lemon juice and cane sugar with no artificial colors and preservatives. It does not appear to be freshly-squeeze daily like Chick-fil-A though and beside sugar, "lemon juice & concentrate" is how it's listed in the ingredients.

Still, it's a step up from instant or plain old "from concentrate" lemonade.

News: Pillsbury - New Sweet Moments Bite-Sized Brownie Flavors

I don't think I've ever even seen these but Pillsbury has two new flavors of their Sweet Moments Bite Sized Brownies: Caramel Brownie Cheesecake and Raspberry Brownie Cheesecake.

The new flavors feature a combination of rich brownie layered with cheesecake with either a caramel or raspberry filling between them, encapsulated in a chocolaty shell and cocoa drizzle.

They're found in the refrigerated section at grocers nationwide next to Pillsbury refrigerated dough product; if you somehow mistake one for the other, you could end up with a mouthful of uncooked dough.

Retail pricing on these is $3.19 for a package of 12 bites.

News: El Pollo Loco - Brand Nuevo Grilled Chicken Burritos

In a bit of un-inspired nomenclature, El Pollo Loco has four Brand Nuevo Grilled Chicken Burritos. "Nuevo" means "new" in Spanish so basically El Pollo Loco has four new "brand new" Burritos.

The Brand Nuevo Grilled Chicken Burritos costs $5.00 and come in four varieties:

Review: Chick-fil-A - Multigrain Oatmeal

Chick-fil-A's new Multigrain Oatmeal comes in an 8-ounce bowl and features a mix of steel-cut oats, rolled oats, flax, buckwheat flour and whole wheat flour and three packets of toppings: cinnamon brown sugar, roasted mixed nuts (almonds, pecans and walnuts) or a dried fruit blend (cranberries, blueberries, golden raisins and cherries) that you can use as you wish for $2.79.

News: Baskin-Robbins - Picnic Punch - August 2011 Flavor of the Month

Baskin-Robbins' featured flavor for the month of August 2011 is the summer-themed Picnic Punch sherbet.

The new flavor features watermelon and green apple sherbet swirled together.

Picnic Punch sherbet is available nationwide during the month of August by the scoop (in a cup or cone), in a sundae or in hand-packed pints, quarts and half-gallons.

As always, samples are available gratis in those mini pink sample spoons.

News: Jack in the Box - New Jumbo Breakfast Platter

Jack in the Box now has their own breakfast platter to throw into the fast food breakfast fray with the new, limited-time Jumbo Breakfast Platter.

Similar to competing options at McDonald's (Deluxe Breakfast) and Burger King (BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter), the Jumbo Breakfast Platter features mini pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash brown sticks and a choice of bacon or sausage for a budget-friendly price of $2.99 (may vary).

News: Wendy's - New Monterey Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap

Wendy's has introduced two new items to their Everyday Value Menu with the Monterey Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich and the Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap.

Both items are available for 99 cents each and are built around Wendy's value crispy chicken patty.

News: Del Taco - New Chipotle Value Bean & Cheese Burrito for 59 Cents

On the cheaper side of cheap, Del Taco is offering the new, limited time Chipotle Value Bean & Cheese Burrito for 59 cents.

The burrito features slow-cooked beans, freshly-grated cheddar cheese, and a creamy chipotle sauce wrapped up in a flour tortilla.

News: Del Taco - New Nacho Crunch Burrito

Del Taco has a new Nacho Crunch Burrito out featuring seasoned ground beef, slow-cooked beans, warm nacho cheese sauce, crunchy tortilla chips, and sour cream wrapped up in a flour tortilla.

The Nacho Crunch Burrito is available individually for $1.29 or as part of a 5 Item Meal for $5 which is similar to Taco Bell's $5 Buck Box and includes the burrito, two regular tacos, small fries, and a small drink.

You can also score one for free with any purchase via printable coupon by "liking" Del Taco on Facebook.

News: Subway - Buffalo Chicken is the August $5 Featured Footlong

It's August which means Subway is once again showcasing another sub for their monthly $5 Featured Footlong. This month Buffalo Chicken is the offered for the promo price of $5 for a footlong sub all month long.

Buffalo Chicken features sliced, grilled (at some point) chicken strips, spicy buffalo sauce, and ranch sauce plus your choice of veggies, cheese and bread.

It returned permanently to the Subway menu last summer.

News: KFC - ColonelSanders.com to Collect Memories of KFC Founder

In a mix of marketing and nostalgic memories, KFC is soliciting your stories, photos, videos, etc. about KFC Founder, Colonel Harlan Sanders, in a website dedicated to the KFC icon and founder at www.ColonelSanders.com.

More like a virtual museum than a commercial website, the site seeks to preserve the legacy of KFC's founder through an archive of personal stories, video, photos, and quotes.

I have to say, looking through the website, the guy lived quite an interesting life with a story that sounds more like folklore than history.

Review: Oscar Mayer - Lunchables Chicken Dunks

Oscar Mayer's Lunchables Chicken Dunks is a kid-themed on-the-go lunch option featuring 5 pre-cooked chicken nuggets, ketchup, a pouch of 100% fruit juice, and an Airheads Blue Raspberry taffy candy.

They're normally about $2.49 for a 3.8-ounce box (plus 6 fluid ounces for the juice) but can be found as low as $1.00 on sale.

Review: Poore Brothers - Salt & Cracked Pepper Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

Poore Brothers Salt & Cracked Pepper Kettle Cooked Potato Chips are of a brand I've never heard of but they were on sale at 99 cent for a 5-ounce bag (normally $1.99).

Frozen Friday: Haagen-Daz - Snack Size Coffee Almond Crunch Bars

Haagen-Daz recently started offering their premium ice cream bars in portion-controlled snack sizes so you could get your ice cream fix without over indulging in calories if you so chose.

Haagen-Daz Snack Size Coffee Armond Crunch Bars feature coffee ice cream dipped in milk chocolate, toffee, and almonds.

They come six 1.85-ounce bars to a box for a regular price of $5.79 or about $3.00 to $4.00 on sale.

Review: Burger King - Bacon Cheddar Ranch Tendercrisp

Available for a limited-time, Burger King's Bacon Cheddar Ranch Tendercrisp ups the flavor (and the salt) on BK's Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich with the addition of bacon, onions, cheddar cheese, and a cheddar ranch sauce.

The price on the "BCR" Tendercrisp at my local Burger King was $4.59.

News: Hershey's - New Air Delight Chocolate

Hershey's is out with a new chocolate bar, Hershey's Air Delight Chocolate. Its special feature is that it's an aerated milk chocolate bar; something that is popular abroad in some countries but isn't so commonplace here in the States.

So what is aerated chocolate? It's basically chocolate with lots of tiny air bubbles blown in before it sets resulting in the same taste but a different texture due to the honeycomb-like structure within the chocolate.

Hershey's Air Delight Chocolate is available in 1.44-ounce bars as well as in 9.4-ounce bags of Hershey's Kisses.

News: Papa John's - New Double Layered Premium Pepperoni Pizza for $10

Papa John's latest limited-time pizza is the new Double Layered Premium Pepperoni Pizza which features traditional pizza sauce, topped with sliced pepperoni, then covered with mozzarella cheese, and finished with a layer of premium deli-style pepperoni and Italian herb seasonings.

A large Double Layered Premium Pepperoni Pizza is available for a limited-time for $10.

In addition to the promotion, Papa John's is currently offering, for a limited-time, any large pizza (up to 7 toppings), including specialties, for $11.

News: Subway - Bread Now with Vitamin D and Calcium

In an effort to improve the health content of their bread and their healthy options in general, Subway is now fortifying its bread with calcium and Vitamin D.

To be specific, each 6-inch serving of bread now provides 30% of the daily recommended value of calcium and 20% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin D which is equivalent to what's contained in a glass of milk.

Review: Taco Bell - Sausage and Egg Burrito

Another item off of Taco Bell's limited breakfast test, the Sausage and Egg Burrito is almost exactly that: it has bits of sausage, scrambled eggs, and melted, shredded cheese.

The price of the burrito is an easy-on-the-wallet 99 cents.

News: McDonald's - New, Healthier Happy Meals

As part of an ongoing initiative to offer improved nutritional choices, McDonald's will start rolling out a new Happy Meal this September with the goal of having them available in all McDonald's Restaurants in early 2012.

The new Happy Meal will offer, by default, a half serving of apples and a smaller serving of French Fries (1.1 ounces) along with the typical choice of a Hamburger, Cheeseburger, of 4-piece order of Chicken McNuggets and any beverage (including the healthier choices of new fat-free chocolate milk and 1% low fat milk). For those forgoing fries altogether, two bags of apples slices are available.

Review: Pepperidge Farm - Chocolate Dark Classic Creme Milano Melts

Pepperidge Farm's Milano Melts are a recent innovation for Pepperidge Farm with a rich chocolate creme baked inside a crispy Milano shaped cookie.

Chocolate Dark Classic Creme Milano Melts feature a chocolate cookie with a dark chocolate creme center. A 5.75-ounce package generally sells for around $4.00 or about $2.00 to $3.00 on sale.

News: Burger King - New BK Minis

After doing away with their (relatively) short-lived Burger Shots, Burger King is returning to the mini-burger game with their new BK Minis which are mini-burgers that come with either flame-grilled beef or white-meat chicken mini-patties.

BK minis are available in 4-, 8- and 12-packs at a suggested retail price of $2.99, $5.99 and $7.99, respectively, at participating restaurants nationwide.

News: Panda Express - New Garlic Lover's Chicken Breast

For the garlic lover in you, Panda Express has wok-tossed up their new Garlic Lover's Chicken Breast entree which features tender white-meat chicken breast with broccoli, baby corn, red bell peppers, a black bean sauce, and lots of garlic.

Garlic Lover's Chicken Breast is available as a single entree for $2.99, in a bowl for $4.99 or as part of a 2-entree plate for $5.99 (prices will vary).

Review: Starbucks - Berry Hibiscus Refresher

Starbucks' Berry Hibiscus Refresher features the taste of black berries (with actual black berries in the drink) and hibiscus flowers along with green (unroasted) coffee beans to give you that coffee caffeine kick without the coffee flavor.

It's $2.95 for a 12-ounce Tall and 50 cent more for each size up.

News: Chick-fil-A - New Multigrain Oatmeal

Chick-fil-A has added new, slow-cooked Multigrain Oatmeal to their breakfast menu. The new morning dish comes in an 8-ounce bowl and features a mix of steel-cut oats, rolled oats, flax, buckwheat flour and whole wheat flour and one of three toppings: cinnamon brown sugar, roasted mixed nuts (almonds, pecans and walnuts) or a dried fruit blend (cranberries, blueberries, golden raisins and cherries).

Multigrain Oatmeal is available starting at $2.49 for an 8-ounce bowl or can be ordered as part of a breakfast combo with a small coffee and medium fruit cup starting at $5.65.

News: Popeyes - New Rip'n Chick'n

If you like string cheese, and Popeyes is betting that you do, you'll probably take a liking to Popeyes' new, limited-time Rip'n Chick'n (i.e. Ripping Chicken).

Basically like Popeyes Louisiana Tenders but instead of being cut into strips, a whole chicken breast cut into only partially into strips and left intact at the base so that you can rip them off.

News: Hostess - New Frosted Devil's Food Donettes

Hostess's line of mini-donuts, Donettes, have a new addition with Frosted Devil's Food Donettes.

The new Frosted Devil's Food Donettes feature a mini chocolate cake donut covered in a chocolaty coating.

The new Frosted Devil's Food Donettes are, like all Donettes, available in four sizes: 10.5oz Dunkie Bags, 11.25oz Dunkie Bags, 12.2oz Sweet Sixteen Dunkie Bags, and 3oz Single Serve sleeves and are available in grocery stores and convenience stores nationwide.

Review: Doritos - Taco Flavor

Doritos original Taco Flavor has had its own following since it went away long, long ago but now it's back permanently and features the taste of tacos on a typical Doritos corn tortilla chip.

You can pick up an 11.5-ounce bag for a retail of about $3.99 or around $2.50 on sale.

International Weekend: Goteborg's - Singoalla Lemon Cookies

Goteborg's Singoalla lemon cookies come from Sweden and are available at Ikea for three 6.7-ounce (190g) roll of cookies for $4.

Frozen Friday: Banquet - Beef Pot Pie

Banquet's Pot Pies are pretty much the cheapest pot pie option in my neck of the woods. They sell at a regular price of about 99 cents and sometimes go on sale for as low as 50 cents.

The Beef Pot Pie has chunks of beef, peas, carrots, and potatoes in a brown gravy.

News: Taco Bell - New Triple Steak Burrito

A slightly less meaty version of the previously available Quad Steak Burrito, Taco Bell's new Triple Steak Burrito boasts three times the amount steak in a Steak Burrito Supreme plus seasoned rice, fire-roasted salsa, reduced-fat sour cream, and shredded Cheddar cheese.

A lone Triple Steak Burrito will cost you $3.99 (may vary) which is the same price as the Double Steak Burrito when it was offered.

You can check out my previous review of the Quad Steak Burrito for my thoughts. I suspect it'll be a similar experience.

News: Starbucks - Starbucks Treat Receipt Returns

Starbucks is returning their Treat Receipt promotion where until September 5, 2011, customers who get their Starbucks fix in the morning can return with their receipt in the afternoon (after 2pm) of the same day and pick up any 16-ounce Grande cold beverage for $2 at participating Starbucks locations in the U.S.

Drinks included in the promotion include handcrafted cold drinks, iced coffee, and iced tea drinks.

News: Starbucks - New Starbucks Refreshers

Starbucks has expanded their test of new Starbucks Refreshers to select stores in southern California and Arizona this summer.

The new iced drinks features natural ingredients, like real fruit and fruit juice with B Vitamins and ginseng with the extract of green (unroasted) coffee beans for a caffeine kick without any coffee flavor.

They're available in two flavors in Starbucks stores starting at $2.95 for a 12-ounce Tall:

Review: McDonald's - Baked Strawberry Pie

McDonald's has a Baked Strawberry Pie available this summer for a limited-time and with limited availability. Fortunately, "limited availability" included one of my local McDonald's which offered the pies for 69 cents each or two for $1.

Review: Subway - BBQ Pulled Pork Sub

Subway's BBQ Pulled Pork Sub had previously been available here and there but is now available nationally for a limited time.

The main feature is slow-cooked pork with a smoky barbecue sauce along with the typical choice of cheese, veggies, and bread. I went with the picture approach and got lettuce, pickles, and red onions on Italian.

A footlong was $7.50 at my local Subway.