What's on the Menu: Pizza Hut Middle East

Pizza Hut Middle East's latest promotion is the funky Crown Crust Carnival, a pizza with a golden crown crust that rings the pizza with either mini cheeseburgers or chicken fillet balls depending on the version.

For this edition of What's on the Menu, we'll take a look at the Crown Crust Carnival as well as some of Pizza Hut Middle East's current promotions.

Let's take a closer look at the Crown Crust Carnival, the so-called "Most Royal Pizza Ever."

News: Jack in the Box - New Java Cookie Shake

The Bacon Shake is gone at Jack in the Box and in it's a place, there's the new, limited-time Java Cookie Shake.

The Java Cookie Shake is made with vanilla ice cream blended with coffee-flavored syrup and Oreo cookie pieces and finished whipped topping and a Maraschino cherry.

My local Jack in the Box has them at $2.69 for a regular (16 ounce) and $3.19 for a large (24 ounce).

Review: Little Caesars - Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza

Little Caesars Thin Crust Pizza is an option they offer at my local Little Caesars pizzeria. It's not listed on their website menu, so I guess it's only available at select locations.

It was $6 for a large.

News: McDonalds - Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal

A seasonal summer twist on McDonald's Oatmeal, new, limited-time Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal features fresh blueberries and walnuts. The fresh blueberries are definitely the show in this dish.

I'm liking how McDonald's has a bit of fresh fruit in their oatmeal offerings.

Blueberry Banana Oatmeal will be around until August 3, 2012 and carries a suggested retail of $2.49.

News: McDonald's - New Cherry Berry Chiller

In a follow up to last year's introduction of Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, McDonald's debuts a new ice-blended fruit juice beverage, the Cherry Berry Chiller, as part of their McCafe beverages for a limited-time (through September 3, 2012).

McDonald's solution to beat the summer heat contains 100% fruit juice (from concentrate) blended with ice. The main flavor is cherry and raspberry backed up by grape and apple juice if the promotional pictures are any indication.

The suggested retail price is: $1.69 for a small (12 oz), $1.99 for a medium (16 oz), and $2.29 for a large (22 oz).

Review: Jack in the Box - Chipotle Chicken Club

Jack in the Box's Chipotle Chicken Club offers something a little spicy as the weather heats up and features a battered and deep-fried spicy chicken filet, American cheese, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and a chipotle sauce on toasted sourdough bread.

I bought the promotional $4.99 combo which came with the sandwich, small fries, and a 20-ounce drink.

News: Popsicle - New Yosicles

First came Popsicles, then came Yosicles? Basically, a combination of Popsicle and yogurt, the new pops incorporate 10% nonfat yogurt and are available in three new varieties: Yosicle Torpedos, Yosicle Layerz, and Yosicle Duos.

Yosicle Torpedos feature a bar with three layered flavors from top to bottom: Purple Berry, Watermelon, and Vanilla.

Yosicle Layerz are like Torpedos but with a different shape and only two layers. They're available in Cotton Candy & Vanilla and Orange & Vanilla.

News: Pizza Hut - The Cheesy Bites Pizza Returns!

Once again, the Cheesy Bites Pizza is back for a limited time at Pizza Hut! Last seen in 2010, the novel feature here is a crust is made up of bite-sized rolls of pizza crust wrapped around melted mozzarella. It's easy to pull the rolls off and eat them.

It's $11.99 for a 1-topping large ringed by 28 Bites and a cup of marinara sauce for dipping.

Around the World: The Biggest McMenu, Part One

Okay, here it is. After many hours surfing every McDonald's website around the world, and trying to make heads or tails out of Google Translate translations, I've compiled a list of (almost) every McDonald's menu item with a "Mc" as part of the name for your viewing pleasure.

Without further ado here's Part Un (that's French for "one") of what's on the Biggest McMenu (by the way, it's actually called the "McMenu" in some countries) from McDonald's restaurants around the world:

Review: Krispy Kreme - Glazed Lemon Pie

For a limited-time, Krispy Kreme is offering their packaged glazed pies in two seasonal summer flavors: Peach and Lemon. Peach isn't coming till June, but the Glazed Lemon Pie will be arriving on April 24th at participating mass merchants (think Target, Walmart), supermarkets, and convenience stores.

I got to try one early (and for free) courtesy of Krispy Kreme. They're normally $1.09 (suggested retail) for an individual box which is pretty comparable to competing products.

Review: Starbucks - Petite Brown Sugar Walnut Tart

Starbucks Brown Sugar Walnut Tart is one of the new Petite Pies and Tarts they started to offer this Spring. It features brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts mixed in a buttery shortbread crust, topped with cinnamon streusel and a white glaze drizzle.

They're normally $1.50 each but I picked up two for $2 under a recent promotion.

Frozen Friday: Stouffer's - Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Stouffer's Spaghetti with Meat Sauce frozen meal is your staple of spaghetti noodles mixed with a tomato and meat sauce with Italian-style seasonings.

I got a box for $2.00 on sale (regularly $3.59).

Review: Baskin-Robbins - Iced Cappy Blast

Left to Right: Iced Cappy Mocha Blast and Iced Cappy Blast

Baskin-Robbins new Iced Cappy Blast expands their beverage offering beyond shakes, smoothies, and floats into a coffee drink (as opposed to a semi-frozen dessert).

It's basically a Cappuccino Blast sans ice cream and blending, served over ice. They're offering it this month on Wednesday at a special promo price of 99 cents for a 12-ounce "mini" cup so I picked up the regular and mocha version to try. It's normally $3.99(!) for a 16-ounce "small" at my local BR.

News: Jack in the Box - New Chipotle Chicken Club Combo for $4.99

Jack in the Box's latest limited-time offer, the Chipotle Chicken Club offers fans a little bit of heat as well as a value-priced deal.

The Chipotle Chicken Club features a spicy, fried chicken filet topped with American cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, tomato, lettuce, and chipotle sauce, served on toasted sourdough bread.

News: El Pollo Loco - New Tostada Salads

El Pollo Loco is offering two new Tostada Salads for a limited time. They're variations on El Pollo Loco's default Chicken Tostada and come in Avocado Bacon and Barbecue Chicken.

The Avocado Bacon Tostada features flamegrilled chicken breast with bacon, sliced avocado, and pico de gallo served on a Romaine lettuce blend and tostada.

News: Wendy's Introduces Signature Sides

It seems Wendy's is looking to expand their side offerings by testing Signature Sides in certain markets (confirmed Binghamton, NY) introducing new "Signature Sides" for a limited time (looks like some locations just had an earlier rollout then others).

The new Signature Sides are couched as "comfort food" and the following are offered: Macaroni & Cheese, a Baked Sweet Potato, and Chili Cheese Fries.

News: Frito Lay - New Lay's Classic BLT Potato Chips

While happily munching on potato chips, if you've ever thought, "You know what it'd be great if these were BLT flavored..." then it's like Frito Lay read your mind as they're now producing Classic BLT-flavored Lay's potato chips!

The new BLT (that's for "Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato") is purported to offer the taste of a BLT sandwich in a Lay's potato chip. I get the bacon and tomato flavors but how are they going to incorporate the taste of lettuce in a chip?

The new chips are available in three sizes: a 1.9 oz. bag for a suggested retail price of $1.09; a 2.9 oz. bag for a suggested retail price of $1.49; and a 10 oz. bag for a suggested retail price of $4.29.

Review: Subway - Smokehouse BBQ Chicken

Subway's Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sub is a limited-time menu item that looks to add a bit of barbecue to Subway's meat selection.

I picked up a Footlong at my local Subway for $6.

News: New Magnum Mini Ice Cream Bars and New Flavors

For those looking for more portion-control in the super-premium ice cream category, Magnum now offers Magnum Minis, smaller versions of their regular bars available in Classic and Almond.

They're available in a 6 pack of 1.85-fl oz bars (versus 3.38 fl oz for the regular ones) for a suggested retail of $5.99.

Magnum also comes in two new flavors: Mochaccino and Mint

Around the World: Burger King Japan Offers 15 Strips of Bacon for 100 Yen, Man Orders 1050 Strips

Burger King Japan is currently running a promotion where you can get 15 strips of bacon on your Whopper for an extra 100 yen (currently about $1.23 U.S.). That's pretty cheap and 500% more than the regular amount (it's normally 3 strips for 60 yen)!

They're calling it the "Bacon Bomb" (at least according to Google Translate).

I love bacon but I'm not sure I'd want 15 strips of it in my Whopper (4 or 8 but not 15!). Of course, in the spirit of obscene (or glorious, depending on your viewpoint) fascination, one intrepid Japanese man decided to order a Whopper with a whopping 1050 strips of bacon (or roughly $86 worth) and take on the challenge (and health risk) of actually eating it. Check out the video after the jump.

Review: Wendy's - Spicy Chicken Guacamole Club

Wendy's Spicy Chicken Guacamole Club is a limited-time premium sandwich that offers the taste of fried spicy chicken breast, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, Pepper Jack cheese, Ranch, and bacon.

It's $4.99 at my local Wendy's but I got to try this one for free courtesy of Wendy's.

News: Church's Chicken - New Value Menu and New Chicken Items

Church's Chicken has a new value menu with 9 items for 99 cents each (it's more of an update to the old value menu they introduced back in 2009).

The new menu sports some pretty nice deals including: a leg or thigh plus a biscuit, a chicken sandwich, a tender strip and biscuit, 3 boneless wings, 3 Jalapeno Bombers, 3 jalapeno peppers, an apple pie, a 12-ounce drink, and 2 biscuits.

News: Chick-fil-A - New Desserts

If you look at the dessert menu at your local  Chick-fil-A, you might notice some new dessert changes. Cheesecake and Lemon Pie are gone, in their place, Chick-fil-A has updated their Fudge Brownie and added new Sundaes and fresh-baked Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

The Fudge Brownies no longer has walnuts (apparently too many people either didn't like them or were allergic) and instead is finished with a creamy fudge icing. They retail for $1.69.

Review: Panda Express - Shanghai Angus Steak

So I dropped by my local Panda Express to get my free single serving of Shanghai Angus Steak today.

Shanghai Angus Steak brings seasoned and seared, thick-cut slices of Angus Top Sirloin tossed in a wok with asparagus, mushrooms, and Panda Express's new Asian steak sauce to their menu.

It's a premium menu item and will cost you a $1 more over the normal entrees (i.e. if you buy a two-entree plate, it will cost $7.29 instead of $6.29 at my local Panda Express).

News: Krispy Kreme - New Fruitstand Flavor Treats

Krispy Kreme's latest limited-time menu items are seasonal Fruit Stand Flavor donuts and Chillers.

The donuts come in new Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and Strawberry Kreme Pie donuts and the Chillers frozen beverages come in Very Berry and new Frozen Lemonade (made with real lemons and sweetened with cane sugar).

Strawberry Kreme Pie contains a blend of strawberry and signature Kreme filling, topped with white icing and graham cracker crumble.

Review: Starbucks - Petite Apple Pie

Starbucks new Petite Apple Pie is a bite-sized mini pie with an apple and cinnamon filling.

It's normally $1.50 for one but Starbucks is currently running a promotion where you can get two for $2.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Cherry Donuts

Dunkin' Donut is celebrating the spring with the flavor of cherries this year. For a limited-time, they're offering the Cherry Blossom Donut and the Chocolate-Dipped Cherry Donut.

The Cherry Blossom Donut features a glazed cherry-flavored cake donut finished with a red frosting drizzle.

And the Chocolate-Dipped Cherry Donut consists of a cherry-flavored chocolate cake donut also drizzled with red frosting.

News: Subway - New Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sub

For a limited-time, Subway is offering the new Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sub as part of their Fresh Fit sub (it contains 6g of fat per 6-inch sub).

The Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sub's main feature is slow-cooked, shredded chicken smothered in a smoky barbecue sauce.

As with all Subways subs, you can choose your choice of bread, veggies, cheese, and condiments.

As part of the promotion, Subway is offering the new sub at $6 for a Footlong.

What's on the Menu: Pizza Hut UK 2012

The Internet has been abuzz about Pizza Hut UK's recent limited-time menu item, the new Hot Dog Stuffed Pizza, topped however you like and with a free mustard drizzle (is that really a selling point?) but I'd thought it be interesting to see what else they're serving at Pizza Hut across the Pond.

Review: H.K. Anderson - Popcorn Style Pretzel Balls

I'd never heard of H.K. Anderson pretzel until I saw this mini bag of Popcorn Style Pretzel Balls at my brother's place. They've been around since 1888 and started in Pennsylvania so they must know something about pretzels.

I grabbed this .9-ounce bag from my brother's place. I think they're supposed to be for my nephew to snack on. He's only two so I'm sure he won't notice a bag missing...

Frozen Friday: Marie Callender's - Slow Roasted Beef

Marie Callender's Slow Roasted Beef frozen dinner also comes with garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, and green beans.

It retails for $4.49 at my local supermarket but I picked this up on sale for $2.50.

News: Burger King - $1 Crispy Chicken Snack Wraps This Weekend

This weekend only, Burger King is promoting their new Crispy Chicken Snack Wraps for $1 at participating locations.

The new wraps normally retail for $1.59 and are available in Ranch and Honey Mustard varieties.

‎The offer is not valid in Alaska or Hawaii (where fast food tends to cost more) and is only good on April 14-15.

News: Boston Market - Buy One, Get One Free Individual Meal on Tax Day

Calling it their "2012 Tax Relief Plan," Boston Market has a limited-time promo good this upcoming Tax Day, April 17, 2012.

They're offering a printable coupon that is good for a free Individual Meal when you buy an Individual Meal and a fountain drink. You can get the coupon here.

The coupon is good April 17, 2012 only and the free meal must be of equal or lesser value.

News: Frito Lay - New Doritos Jacked Tortilla Chips

If you ever thought, "I like Doritos but I wish they were bigger," consider your wish granted. Frito Lay has made Doritos Jacked Tortilla Chips for your eating enjoyment.

The new chips are basically Doritos but bigger and thicker. They come in two flavors: Enchilada Supreme and Smoky Chipotle BBQ.

The tagline is "Bigger. Bolder. Thicker."

If this sounds like your kind of chip, you can find them using Frito Lay's product locator here.

News: Doritos - New Dinamita Rolled Tortilla Chips

Frito Lay is producing new Doritos Dinamita Rolled Tortilla Chips as part of their Sabritos brand of Hispanic-themed snacks. It's basically a spicier Doritos that is rolled up like a taquito instead of the usual flat triangle shape.

Dinamita, which means "dynamite" in Spanish, are available in two flavors: Chile Limon ("chile lime") and Nacho Picoso ("spicy nacho").

They come in 4- and 9.25-ounce bags for a suggest retail of $1.49 and $2.99 respectively. You can use Frito Lay's website to locate them here.

Review: Burger King - Honey Mustard Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap

Besides the new Ranch Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap, Burger King also has a new Honey Mustard Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap. The only thing they're missing to match McDonald's is a BBQ version.

I tried Burger King's Honey Mustard Chicken Snack Wrap for $1.59.

Neat! Coke's "Hug Me" Machine in Singapore

In a bit of neat marketing, Coca-Cola installed a new soda vending machine on the campus of a university in Singapore. It doesn't take coins or any other cash... only hugs!

That's right for public displays of machine love the Coca-Cola "Hug Me" soda machine will gift you with a can of Coca-Cola bubbly. Check it out in action after the jump. Neat!

Would you hug a machine for your soda fix?

News: Panda Express - New Shanghai Angus Steak Free on April 17

Looks like Panda Express is adding premium Angus steak to the menu; they've unveiled new Shanghai Angus Steak as the latest addition to their menu.

The dish features seasoned and seared, thick-cut slices of Angus Top Sirloin tossed in a wok with asparagus, mushrooms, and Panda's new zesty Asian steak sauce.

If that sounds good to you, you're in luck because Panda Express is giving free single servings of their new dish on Tax Day, Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Just print out the coupon here and take it to your local Panda Express on April 17.

News: Quiznos - New 6 Meat Deli Stack Sub

Quiznos is serving up a new 6 Meat Deli Stack Sub for a limited time at participating locations.

The sub is filled with turkey, roast beef, capicola, Genoa salami, ham, pepperoni, mozzarella, iceberg lettuce, onions, tomatoes, mayo, and yellow mustard.

It can be had on your choice of: Whole Grain Flatbread, White, Wheat, Rosemary Parmesan, or Chipotle Jack.

Review: Jack in the Box - Chocolate Overload Cake

Jack in the Box's Chocolate Overload Cake was one of those menu items that just appeared on the menu one day without too much fanfare.

It's described as "a rich chocolate cake made with cocoa, bittersweet chocolate chips and drizzled with a chocolate buttercream icing.

I bought one for $1.69.

News: Sonic - Happy Hour All Day on Tax Day

As some of you may or may not know, Sonic holds a half-off Happy Hour special on their fountain drinks and slushes every day between 2pm and 4pm. A half-price Strawberry Limeade is might nice but hitting Sonic at the appointed hours can be a little rough sometimes.

Fortunately, this upcoming Tax Day, Tuesday, April 17th, Sonic will be holding Happy Hour all day long for everyone to get their half-price drink on.

Just call and check ahead as per usual, it's at participating locations only and the hours may vary with location.

News: Arby's - Free Curly Fries on Tax Day

Arby's is giving away free value-size order of their Curly Fries on Tax Day, Tuesday, April 17, 2012.

To get your free fries, you'll have to visit their Facebook page and print out a coupon good for April 17 only.

In addition, they're also giving one lucky winner $5,000 of "tax relief." You can enter the sweepstakes via the same link to their Facebook as the Curly Fries coupon. You can check out the sweepstakes rules here.

Review: Burger King - Crispy Chicken Ranch Snack Wrap

Burger King's Ranch Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap is pretty much identical to McDonald's Crispy Ranch Snack Wrap at least as far as components go. It's lettuce, shredded cheese, Ranch dressing, and a fried, breaded chicken strip wrapped up in a flour tortilla.

I picked up one for $1.59 at my local BK restaurant.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - 99 cent Iced Tea During April

Dunkin' Donuts is running a promo to help you get your iced tea fix by offering any size of their fresh-brewed iced tea for 99 cents for all of this month.

You can add lemon and sugar/sweetener as you like.

At participating locations and for a limited time only.

Review: Burger King - New Onion Rings

Burger King's new Onion Rings aren't as dramatically different or as heralded as their new Fries. They're more subtly changed but better for it.

I paid $1.29 for a value-sized order.

News: New Ruffles Flavors: Smokehouse BBQ and Bacon & Cheddar Potato Skins

Frito Lay debuts two new Ruffles potato chip flavors this Spring: Smokehouse Style BBQ and Loaded Bacon & Cheddar Potato Skins.

The premise is that since it takes a while to make both dishes, the new Ruffles flavors can serve as a lazy man's substitute.

The flavor of Smokehouse Style BBQ is described as "dry-rub style barbecue flavor in every bite." Loaded Bacon & Cheddar Potato Skins Ruffles "offer the great taste of potato skins piled high with ingredients" which, if the picture is any indication, means cheddar, bacon, sour cream, and chives.

News: Starbucks Offering Petites at 2 for $2

Starbucks is running a new promo starting today where you can get one of their Starbucks Petites mini desserts at a limited-time price of two Petites for $2.

The promotion runs from Monday, April 9 to Sunday, April 22.

Starbucks Petites are normally priced at $1.50 each or two for $2.50.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Artisan Bagels

It looks like Dunkin' Donuts has upgraded their bagels into new Artisan Bagels boasting a soft and chewy texture and bolder flavors.

The new bagel are available in all the same flavors the old ones were such as Blueberry, Everything, and Garlic.

Also, there are two new seasonal flavors, Sun-Dried Tomato and Pumpernickel, are now available for a limited time. To go with the bagel, Dunkin' Donuts has also introduced new reduced-fat Artichoke Spinach Cream Cheese.

What's on the Menu: McDonald's Arabia 2012

This time on What's on the Menu, McDonald's Arabia (covers a bunch of Middle Eastern countries with McDonald's restaurants) is currently running a Tastes of the World promotion. So far they've already served up the Arabian and the Asian and now they're currently out with the Mexican.

The tagline they're using is "It's McDonald's... but a bit [Arabian/Asian/Mexican/whatever-else-they-think-up next]."

Curious to know what exactly makes an Arabian or an Asian? Read on!

Review: Burger King - Mocha Frappé

Burger King's Mocha Frappé is their new analogue to McDonald's version of the same name and features the same blend of ice, mocha (chocolate syrup) with a hint of coffee flavor.

I picked up a 12-ounce small for $2.49.