News: Baskin-Robbins - Berry Nut Honey Frozen Yogurt - January 2012 Flavor of the Month

For those of you looking to eat a little lighter for the new year, Baskin-Robbins offers a lighter Flavor of the Month for January with new Berry Nut Honey Frozen Yogurt.

Featuring honey and vanilla-flavored frozen yogurt with a triple berry ribbon and sweet honey oat almond pieces, the new flavor offers 140 calories and 4.5 grams of fat per 2.5-ounce scoop (compared to 200 calories and 12 grams of fat for last month's flavor) as well as live and active cultures.

Berry Nut Honey Frozen Yogurt is available nationwide during the month of January by the scoop (in a cup or cone), in a sundae or in hand-packed pints, quarts and half-gallons.

News: Papa Murphy's - New Chicken Parmesan deLITE Pizza

Being the new year and all, quite a few fast food chains angle for your dining dollars with healthier fare. Take-and-bake pizza chain Papa Murphy's is no different and is out with the new, limited-time Chicken Parmesan deLITE Pizza.

Chicken Parmesan deLITE Pizza features grilled chicken, vine-ripened tomatoes, aged parmesan cheese, chopped garlic, fresh spinanch on Papa Murphy's crispy thin crust.

You can pick up a large for $9 or less with a coupon (check their online coupons for your applicable local coupons)

Review: Little Caesars - Pepperoni Deep Dish Pizza

While the mainstay of Little Caesars' empire is the Hot-N-Ready pizza, they do offer other options including a Deep Dish Pizza that I tried recently at $7 for a large with one topping.

The Deep Dish Pizza features a thick square pizza baked in a deep-dish pan and cut into eight triangle-cut pieces. I picked pepperoni for my topping.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - Sausage Pancake Bites are Back

For a limited time, Sausage Pancakes Bites have returned to Dunkin' Donuts.

Ideal for on-the-go eating, the bite-sized mini-corn-dog-looking Bites feature a mini sausage link nestled inside a maple-flavored pancake shell.

Sausage Pancake Bites carry a suggested retail price of 3 for $1.59 and are for a limited time only.

News: Pizza Hut - New Mighty Monday Promo

Looks like Pizza Hut has a new Monday promotion (replacing Big Mondays) dubbed "Mighty Monday."

On Mondays only, Pizza Hut is offering any P'Zone for $4 (compared to the normal price of $5 plus). The P'Zone is Pizza Hut's version of a calzone and is available in three varieties: Meaty, Pepperoni, and Supremo.

Each P'Zone comes with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

News: Papa John's - New Tuscan Six Cheese Cheesesticks

Like Domino's recent menu addition, Papa John's adds a new variety of cheesesticks to liven up its menu with Tuscan 6-Cheese and Italian Herb Cheesesticks.

Mirroring Papa John's Tuscan Six Cheese Pizza (but without the sauce), these breadsticks come topped with a blend of six cheeses (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, provolone and Fontana cheese) and Papa John's special blend of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.

They're available in 10-inch and 12-inch sizes for $6.50 and $7.50 (price may vary). There's a special promo price on them that saves you 50 cents on a 10-inch for $6.

News: Panda Express - Firecracker Chicken Breast Returns for Chinese New Year

With the Chinese New Year around the corner (January 23, 2012), Panda Express is celebrating by once again bringing back Firecracker Chicken Breast.

The entree features marinated chicken breast, red and yellow bell peppers, and onions tossed in a wok with a zesty firecracker sauce.

Like last year, Panda is offering a free coupon for a free serving of Firecracker Chicken Breast redeemable only on January 23 via their Facebook page.

News: KFC - $11 Weekend Bucket

Along with their limited-time 50 cent Hot Wings promotion, starting this weekend, KFC is offering an $11 Weekend Bucket deal.

For the duration of the limited-time promotion and only on Saturday and Sundays, 10 pieces of mixed bone-in chicken (white and dark meat) in any variety of your choice (Original Recipe, Extra Crispy and/or Kentucky Grilled) can be had for $11 (at participating U.S. KFC locations).

Frozen Friday: T.G.I.Friday's - Sizzling Chicken Fajitas

T.G.I.Friday's Sizzling Chicken Fajitas frozen meal features a ready-to-assemble tray of grilled white meat chicken, seasoned strips of bell peppers and onions with a side of cheesy rice and 3 mini-flour tortillas for wrapping.

It retails for around $4.29 which means you're looking at the $2 to $3 range on sale.

News: Arby's - The Fish Sandwich is Back

Fish is back on the menu at Arby's for a limited time with the Fish Sandwich.

Featuring the standard breaded fish filet, shredded lettuce, tartar sauce on a sesame seed bun, you can count of these to be around until sometime after Lenten season (April).

News: Wienerschnitzel - 99 Cent Chili Dogs Promo

Wienerschnitzel is looking to drum up some sales in the new year by bringing back their 99 cent Original Chili Dog promotion for a limited time.

The Original Chili Dog is a grilled hot dog wiener nestled in a steamed hot dog bun and topped with Wienerschnitzel's trademark chili.

The promo is good at participating locations and runs through January 22, 2012.

Review: Sonic - Mushroom Swiss Toaster Melt

Sonic's Mushroom Swiss Toast Melt is a simple Texas toast sandwich with a beef patty, grilled onions, sautéed portobello mushrooms, mayo, and Swiss cheese.

It comes in a junior patty version and a quarter pound patty version which I picked up for $3.39.

News: Burger King - New Bacon and Cheddar BK Topper

For a limited time, Burger King is adding bacon to their $1.99 line of BK Toppers with the new Bacon and Cheddar BK Topper.

The new burger comes with a 3.2 ounce flame-grilled beef patty, thick-cut, hardwood smoked bacon and cheddar cheese on a sesame seed bun.

The new thick-cut bacon is a recent addition to Burger King's ingredient repertoire and is also found in the premium Chef's Choice Burger.

News: Subway - Chipotle Chicken and Cheese is January's Featured $5 Footlong

Subway kicks off the new year with a little heat on January's Featured $5 Footlong, the Chipotle Chicken and Cheese.

The Chipotle Chicken and Cheese features your choice of bread, cheese, veggies, strips of grilled chicken, and Subway's Chipotle southwest sauce.

If you go by the picture, you're looking at flatbread for bread, White American for cheese, and onions and bell peppers for veggies.

The sub will be available all of January at the promotional price of $5.

News: KFC - 50 Cent Hot Wings

For a limited-time and in time for the tail end of football season, KFC is promoting their Hot Wings by pricing them at 50 cents each.

Interestingly, the promotion one-ups fellow Yum brand, Pizza Hut, which offers their Wings for 50 cents on Wednesdays only.

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that my local KFC mailer often has a coupon for 20 wings for $9.99. Still, you can get any number of wings of your choice with this promo and don't have to remember to bring your coupon. I'd call ahead for large orders though.

News: Chick-fil-A - New Chicken Tortilla Soup

For a limited time, the folks at Chick-fil-A have added new Chicken Tortilla Soup to their menu.

The recent addition features a creamy-based soup with shredded boneless chicken breast, navy, northern and black beans, a blend of vegetables (including onions, corn, bell peppers, celery), and a variety of spices topped with seasoned tortilla strips.

The soup comes in medium and large sizes for $2.69 and $3.99 respectively.

Chick-fil-A's Chicken Tortilla Soup will be available through March 31, 2012.

News: The Coffee Bean - $1 Latte on Jan 4th, 2012 Open House

The Coffee Bean is having an Open House this Wednesday, January 4th from 4-7pm. During this event, they are offering $1 12-ounce Caramel Lattes.

Customers that drop by can choose from a Caramel Latte (hot or iced) or a Caramel Cream Tea Latte for $1.

The offer is valid only at participating The Coffee Bean locations. Not valid in Ralphs, airport and Hawaii locations. Limit one $1 latte per customer.

Review: Snickers Peanut Butter Squared

 Snickers Peanut Butter Squared isn't the first time peanut butter has been added to a Snickers bar but it does change the Snickers standard candy bar shape into two wider squares. Well, unless you got yours for Halloween like I did, in which case, you only get one mini square.

If you're picking up the standard bar though it should run you about $1.

Frozen Friday: Healthy Choice - Sundried Tomato Chicken

 Healthy Choice's Sundried Tomato Chicken frozen meal is one of their new microwavable steaming entrees and features chicken tenderloins, whole grain pasta, broccoli, and mushrooms in a sun-dried tomato garlic sauce.

One 8.75-ounce box will net you 320 calories and cost you around $2.99 or less if on sale.

News: White Castle - New Angus Steak Chili and Chili Cheese Fries

White Castle cooks up new, limited-time Angus Steak Chili this winter. And what are you going to do with chili at a fast food joint but serve it on fries, so they got Chili Cheese Fries too.

White Castle's Angus Steak Chili features lean, braised 100 percent Angus steak cooked with red beans, ripe tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, mild green chilies and spicy Southwest seasonings. It's available in three sizes: small (8 ounces), medium (12 ounces) and family (32 ounces). Price is $2.79, $3.99, and $9.99 respectively.

The Chili Cheese Fries feature the same chili served with cheese over their crinkle-cut fries and are available in one size only. It's $2.99 for an order.

Both menu items are available through March 17, 2012.

Review: Wendy's - Cheesy Cheddarburger

For the meat and cheese hamburger purist with an inclination for value, Wendy's has the Cheesy Cheddarburger. A plain junior cheeseburger (just the bun and patty, no condiments) with a scoop of gooey cheddar cheese sauce for the "Cheesy" bit.

It comes in at 99 cents a pop.

Review: Subway - Cold Cut Combo

 Subway's Cold Cut Combo has always been the value sandwich at Subway for as long as I can remember, even before $5 Footlongs. It comes with a combination of three deli meats: ham, salami, and bologna plus your choice of cheese, veggies, condiments, and bread.

It's been available throughout December at $2 for a 6-inch but is normally $5 for a 12-inch sub.

News: Jack in the Box - Jumbo Deal for $4.29

Jack in the Box's latest limited-time value meal promotion, the Jumbo Deal, features a Jumbo Jack, two tacos, a small order of fries and a 20-ounce drink for $4.29.

They've run this deal in the past for $3.99 but with rising food costs and what not, it looks like $4.29 might be their new price point for these type of promotions.

The promotion is supported by a TV commercial wherein Jack tries to pitch his team a promotion idea and commercial for the combo to sell it as the "Jumbaco," the word being a blend of "Jumbo Jack" and "taco."

Review: McDonald's - Apple Cinnamon Walnut Oatmeal

New at McDonald's for a limited time (at least in the SoCal area), Apple Cinnamon Walnut Oatmeal features a slightly different variation from their Fruit & Maple Oatmeal and comes topped with diced apples, walnuts, and cinnamon.

It's $1.99 for a cup.

Merry Christmas!

I kinda wanted turkey but went with a roast. I went simple with garlic, ground black pepper and kosher salt. Medium rare of course! Happy Holidays!

Feature: KFC Christmas World Wide

Here in the States, KFC is pretty business as usual around Christmas.

But in some other countries, the Colonel offers a little something extra for the holidays.

From festive buckets to seasonal items, I plumbed many KFC websites from all over the wourld and came up with this short list of KFC Christmas family meals for your perusal.

They range from pretty normal to extra fancy and I've ordered them to reflect that. Starting with most normal:

Frozen Friday: The Magnum White Ice Cream Bar

The Magnum White ice cream bar is a super premium ice cream bar featuring vanilla bean ice cream dipped in Belgian white chocolate.

A 3-pack carries a suggested retail price of $3.99.

Review: Sonic - Bacon Cheddar Toaster Melt

Sonic's Bacon Cheddar Toaster Melt is a limited-time offering featuring a beef patty, grilled diced onions, bacon, cheddar cheese, pickles and hickory barbecue sauce sandwiched between two slices of Texas toast.

It's $1.99 for a junior size or $3.39 for the 1/4 pound version.

Feature: 2011 Fast Food Gift Card Bonuses

It's the final stretch in the run up to Christmas and if you haven't got all your presents lined up now, the old standby of gift cards is always available.

And, in the world of fast food there are a few intrepid chains offering a little something something for yourself if you pick up one of their gift cards for your friends/acquaintances this holiday season.

Apparently, according to the National Retail Federation, some 58% of shoppers say they'd like to receive a gift card this season. That number is actually quite close to the 59% of people the National Restaurant Association got from their survey that said they would like to receive a restaurant gift card.

I guess more people want gift cards than I would have thought (I prefer cash myself *wink wink*). I guess it's better than fruit cake...

Here they are (please keep in mind that for a lot of these offers you have to physically go to the restaurant to buy the gift card):

Review: Burger King - Chef's Choice Burger

Burger King's Chef's Choice Burger promises a gussied up fast food burger experience with a 1/3 pound seasoned ground chuck patty, thick-cut bacon, American cheese, red onions, sliced tomatoes, romaine leaf lettuce and savory Griller sauce (garlic mayo) on an brioche artisan-style bun.

The price is gussied up a bit too at $4.99 a pop.

News: Taco Bell - The Beefy Crunch Burrito Returns

The Beefy Crunch Burrito returns to Taco Bell for a limited time starting this Thursday, December 22, 2011. Last seen earlier this year in May, the Beefy Crunch Burrito features the spicy crunch of Flamin' Hot Fritos encapsulated in a warm flour tortilla along with seasoned ground beef, warm nacho cheese sauce, seasoned rice, and reduced fat sour cream.

It was 99 cents then and will also be 99 cents in its return. The Beefy Crunch Burrito is also available in a combo with two Crunchy Tacos and a large drink for $3.99 and a $5 Buck Box with a Crunchy Taco, Crunchwrap Supreme, and medium drink.

Review: Nabisco - Cinnamon Kick Wheat Thins Stix

Relatively new, Nabisco's Cinnamon Kick Wheat Thins Stix feature the taste of cinnamon with a kick in a cylindrical, crunchy, baked stick.

An 8-ounce box costs about the same as a regular box of Wheat Thins at $3.50 or around $2 on sale.

News: Jack in the Box - Burger Upgrade

According to NRN, Jack in the Box has gone ahead and upgraded their burgers with new reformulated patties, improved buns, and new saucing procedures.

According to a Jack in the Box spokeperson, the new patties are tastier, juicier, and have a better texture (Having eaten one recently, I really can't tell the difference but it's not like I had an old one to compare).

To make sure you know about it, Jack is advertising his "Better Burgers" highlighting the fact that they are "100% Beef" and "seasoned while it cooks."

Frozen Friday: T.G.I.Friday's - Cajun-Style Chicken Alfredo

T.G.I.Friday's Cajun-Style Chicken Alfredo is a cook-in-the-bag frozen entree featuring blackened white meat chicken, ciufetti pasta, red peppers and green onions tossed in creamy cajun-style Alfredo sauce.

It's normally around $4.00 for a 12-ounce bag but you can pick it up on sale around $2 to $2.50.

News: KFC - $2 Drumstick, Thigh and Biscuit SoCal Only

KFC SoCal is running a nice coupon deal next week (12/19/11 to 12/24/11) where you can pick up a drumstick, thigh, and biscuit for $2.

You can print out the coupon by either clicking on the thumbnail or visiting the KFC SoCal Facebook page and "liking" them.

There's a limit of 5 orders per person per visit.

The deal is only good at participating KFC restaurants in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties.

News: Carl's Jr. - New Santa Fe Turkey Burger

Carl's Jr. expands its line of under-500 calories Charbroiled Turkey Burgers with the new Santa Fe Turkey Burger.

The Santa Fe version clocks in at 490 calories and features a charbroiled Turkey Burger patty, spicy Santa Fe sauce, Pepper-Jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and sliced green chili on a toasted, honey wheat bun.

The suggested price for the Santa Fe Turkey Burger alone is $3.49 with the combo coming in at $5.99.

News: Panera Bread Featured 2011 Winter Menu

New to the menu this winter at Panera Bread is their Sonoma Chicken Stew, a creamy chicken stew with Parisian carrots, peas, leeks and diced red potatoes simmered with sweet cream and thyme. It's served with a new Dry Jack Cheese Biscuit.

There's also two new panini sandwiches: the Steak Balsamico and the Roasted Turkey Artichoke.

The Steak Balsamico features seared top sirloin, mozzarella cheese, roasted red peppers, baby spinach, tomato, and basil balsamic spread on ciabatta bread.

Review: Burger King - New Thicker Fries

Burger King's new Fries are thicker and don't appear to be as battered and crusty as their old fries.

I picked up a large order at my local BK restaurant for $2.09.

News: 7-Eleven - New Maple Sausage Breakfast Roller

Appearing to be a modified pig in a blanket, 7-Eleven serves up their new Maple Sausage Breakfast Roller. The new breakfast item features a maple-flavored pancake wrapped around a pork sausage and served hot off their roller grill.

These are available at participating locations at an introductory price of $1 each.

It's kinda like a McGriddle but as a roll, no? These are meant for easy on-the-go eating.

International Weekend: Delacre Roule d'Or

Delacre Roule d'Or hail from France and feature crisp fluted crepe cookies baked till golden.

A 7.1-ounce box cost me $2.79 at a local market.

Frozen Friday: Stouffer's - Farmer's Harvest Chicken Fettucini Alfredo

From Stouffer's Farmer's Harvest line (so called because they feature ingredients like olive oil, sea salt or whole grains), Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo with a Vegetable Medley comes with a main dish of grilled white meat chicken and fettuccini in a creamy Alfredo sauce (Parmesan cheese and butter sauce). On the side there's a vegetable mix of broccoli, carrots, and grilled red peppers.

These are available at my local supermarket for $3.99 or around $2 to $2.50 on sale.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Texas Toast Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Dunkin' Donuts is out with a new sandwich: the new Texas Toast Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

The sandwich, which is actually oven-toasted and not grilled, features two slices of American cheese and one slice of white cheddar cheese sandwiched between two thick slices of Texas toast.

Bacon or ham can be added for an additional charge.

News: Krispy Kreme - Seasonal Christmas Doughnuts

Krispy Kreme showcases three different holiday donuts this season: the new Red Velvet Cake Doughnut, as well as the returning Snowman and Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles.

The Snowman Doughnut is a snowman-shaped doughnut decorated in white icing and a red icing scarf.

The Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles consists of a chocolate-iced doughnut with red and green sprinkles.

The Red Velvet Cake Doughnut features a cake doughnut topped with cream cheese icing and red velvet cake crumbles.

The donuts are available at participating Krispy Kreme locations through December 31st.

News: Dairy Queen - December Blizzard of the Month - Candy Cane Chill

Dairy Queen hits us with a Christmas-themed Blizzard this December: the Candy Cane Chill Blizzard.

The Candy Cane Chill Blizzard is pretty simple; just a pieces of peppermint candy cane and chocolate mixed with their standard vanilla soft serve. Sort of like peppermint bark I guess?

As always, you can also get the Blizzard of the Month as an ice cream cake and it will only be available through the month of December.

News: Baskin-Robbins - Bobsled Brownie - December 2011 Flavor of the Month

Baskin-Robbins' featured flavor for the month of December 2011 is the winter themed Bobsled Brownie featuring Butter Caramel ice cream, chocolate chip blondie brownie pieces paired with Milk Chocolate Mousse ice cream with a fudge crackle ribbon.

Fun fact: Bobsled Brownie was created in 2002 inspired by the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where the U.S. won the inaugural women’s bobsled event. Butter Caramel has since replaced Cookie Dough ice cream in the mix though.

Bobsled Brownie ice cream is available nationwide during the month of December by the scoop (in a cup or cone), in a sundae or in hand-packed pints, quarts and half-gallons.

News: Subway - Two $2 6-inch Subs for December

Subway has a good deal going on this month: Calling December "Customer Appreciation Month," they're offering their classic Meatball Marinara and Cold Cut Combo 6-inch subs for just $2 each. Get two and you got yourself a $4 footlong sub.

In addition, the Featured $5 Footlong for December is the Western Egg and Cheese which features your choice of bread and veggies plus eggs and Black Forest ham. It's normally only served at breakfast but for December it's available all day.

Subway also has a limited-time breakfast deal going on where you can pick up one of 3 6-inch breakfast subs (your choice of Black Forest Ham, Egg & Cheese, Egg & Cheese, or Bacon, Egg & Cheese) plus a 16-ounce coffee or 21-ounce fountain drink for $3.

Review: McDonald's - Baked Pumpkin Pie

McDonald's Baked Pumpkin Pie is a limited-time, limited-availability, seasonal item that's sold around the fall at some McDonald's here and there.

The price is the same as other McDonald's Baked Pies at two for $1.

News: Burger King - New Fries and "Free Fries Friday"

Last changed in 1998, Burger King once again returned to the drawing board and will be out with new French fries nationwide starting Monday, December 5th, 2011.

The new fries feature a thicker cut that's purported to give the fries a more fluffy, more potato-y within while remaining crisp without.

To promote the new fries, Burger King will be giving out free value sized (normally $1) orders of their new French fries on Friday, December 16th dubbing the day "Free Fries Friday."

The outgoing, old fries were unveiled in 1998 and featured a light batter that helped the fries remain hotter and crisper.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Mint Hot Chocolate and Holiday Lineup

For the holidays this year, Dunkin' Donuts adds new Mint Hot Chocolate as a permanent addition to the menu and new Warm Cinnamon Swirl Muffins.

Mint Hot Chocolate comes from a mix of peppermint hot chocolate powder and hot water melding the flavors of mint with hot chocolate.

Served warmed, the Warm Cinnamon Swirl Muffin features a yellow cake muffin with baked in cinnamon swirl topped with coffee cake streusel and white powdered sugar.

Other Dunkin' Donuts' seasonal holiday menu items include seasonal holiday drinks and donuts including:

Review: McDonald's - Peppermint Hot Chocolate

McDonald's Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a new, limited-time seasonal drink that the House of Ronald is selling this holiday season. It mixes (whole or nonfat) steamed milk with chocolate peppermint syrup topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

I picked up a 16-ounce medium for $2.79.