Review: Wendy's - Seasoned Home-Style Potatoes

Wendy's Seasoned Home-Style Potatoes are the offered in the same slot occupied by hash browns and tater tots at other fast food chains. They feature skin-on, half-wheels of battered and fried potatoes, seasoned with sea salt, cracked pepper, and garlic powder.

It's part of the breakfast value menu and an order cost me 99 cents. The container is about the size of a small fry box.

Feature: Wendy's Breakfast Test 2012 Update

Wendy's Breakfast Test has gone through several iterations now, and apparently, it's still not getting the results they want to go nationally yet.

It's been over a year since I tried the previous version of the test, so I thought it was time to once again check out how the breakfast test is going. Be sure to check in throughout the week as I will be posting reviews of the test items daily.

Here's a full list of the items I've tried:

News: Panda Express - Firecracker Chicken Breast Returns

November 28, 2012 marks the limited-time return of Firecracker Chicken Breast to the Panda Express menu.

The 240-calorie-per-serving dish features chicken breast pieces, sweet yellow and red bell peppers, and onions tossed in wok with whole and crushed chili peppers in a black bean sauce.

Neat! Starbucks Mug Makes You Think Your Vision is Going

Imagine this: you wake in the morning and walk into the kitchen still groggy-eyed and on the hunt for your morning cuppa Joe. As you reach for your mug, you have to blink several times because you see this:

News: Carl's Jr. / Green Burrito - New Chicken Taquitos

Dual-branded Carl's Jr. / Green Burrito restaurants now offer new Chicken Taquitos. The dish features charbroiled chicken rolled in a tortilla and fried till crisp, and then topped with a creamy avocado-cilantro sauce and shredded cheddar-jack cheese. Guacamole can also be added for an additional charge.

Review: Burger King - BK Bacon Burger

Burger King's BK Bacon Burger is their latest iteration for a $1 burger (a spot that used to be inhabited by the Whopper Jr. and Double Cheeseburger not too long ago) and can be found on the BK Value menu.

It features a flame-broiled beef patty, thick-cut bacon, mayo, ketchup, and sliced white onions on a sesame seed bun.

News: It's No Longer a Joke... Torani Chicken 'n Waffles Syrup

Torani's Chicken 'n Waffles Syrup was first introduced as an April Fool's joke, but apparently, enough people were stoked by the idea, that what started out as a joke will become weird reality this upcoming Monday.

That's right... starting tomorrow, November 26, Torani Chicken 'n Waffles Syrup will be available for purchase exclusively from the Torani website.

Review: Krispy Kreme - Banana Creme Eclair

Krispy Kreme's Banana Creme Eclair is basically a chocolate-glazed bar donut filled with banana-flavored creme.

I picked one up at a Krispy Kreme for $1.59.

News: Carl's Jr. / Hardee's - New Hand-Scooped Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants now offer Hand-Scooped Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich. The new desserts feature a scoop of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two Otis Spunkmeyer chocolate chip cookies and join the Hand-Scooped Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich on the menu.

Review: Fresh & Easy - Ginger Spice Cookies

Fresh & Easy's Ginger Spice Cookies recently arrived at my local store as a seasonal holiday cookie.

A box of 10 cookies was $2.99 and I bought them because my local Fresh & Easy ran out of Pumpkin Spice Cookies (cue Edvard Munch's The Scream)

News: Del Taco - Cyber Monday - Buy $100 Gift Card, get $50 in Gift Cards Free

Del Taco has some nice gift card bonuses and are doubling them through Cyber Monday (i.e. Monday, November 26).

The deals are only available online at the Del Taco Gift Card Store here and include free shipping. Check them out:

Review: Nestle - Nescafe Memento Caramel Latte

Nestle's Nescafe Memento Caramel Latte is a portable instant coffee packet promising "buttery caramel flavor, smooth coffee, and pillowy froth."

A box of 8 packets/servings retails for about $6.99, but they're giving away free samples on the Nescafe website here and that's how I came to try it out.

News: Papa John's - Half-Off Pizza Code for Thanksgiving Weekend

Papa John's is offering a good money-saving deal this Thanksgiving Day weekend: 50% off the regular menu price of any Large or Extra Large Pizza when you order online through 11/26/2012 and use the promotion code "50THANKS".

The code has to be entered for each individual pizza you order. It's a pretty good deal if you're tired of cooking (or leftovers) after Thanksgiving.

News: 7-Eleven - Buy Red Bull, Get Free Coffee on Black Friday

7-Eleven is offering a deal to keep you energized and awake (or give you the shakes) while doing your marathon Black Friday shopping tomorrow. They're offering a free cup of coffee (or any hot beverage of your choice), of any size when you buy any size Red Bull Energy Drink (including the three new flavors).

7-Eleven is calling the deal "Grab a Can, Get a Cup" and it runs Friday, November 23, 2012 from 12 am to 11:59 pm at participating U.S. 7-Eleven stores (i.e. all day tomorrow).

Review: Fresh & Easy - Smashing Pumpkin Pie

Fresh & Easy's Smashing Pumpkin Pie is described on the box as "A creamy pumpkin filling, loaded with cinnamon and spices, then surrounded by our signature flakey, buttery crust."

It was only $2.99 for a 19-ounce pie, so I snagged one before Thanksgiving.

News: Wendy's - Mozzarella Chicken Supreme Returns

Last seen in 2005, Mozzarella Chicken Supreme returns to Wendy's for this holiday season.

The sandwich features a home-style crispy chicken filet with two slices of natural mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and a creamy parmesan sauce on a premium toasted bun.

Local Review: Humble Potato - Curry Fries

Humble Potato is a local eatery out in Westchester near LAX featuring burgers and stuff, but with a Japanese twist. Their Curry Fries are medium-cut (around BK-sized) and covered in Japanese curry.

It was $3.50 for an order.

News: Starbucks - 12 Days of Christmas Deals

Starbucks reveals 2012's Twelve Days of Gifting with a different deal on select Starbucks merchandise each day starting December 1 and running through December 12 (a caveat: Hawaii will get mostly the same, but a few slightly different deals).

Here's the list (I've added the regular prices of the items for reference):

News: Red Mango - 2012 Holiday Flavors

Frozen yogurt chain Red Mango has some limited-time flavors for the holiday season focusing on apple, but with peppermint thrown in for good measure.

Here they are:

Cinnamon Apple Pie - nonfat frozen yogurt with the flavors of apple and cinnamon.

News: Sonic - Half-Price Breakfast Burritos on Black Friday

Sonic is offering their entire line up of Breakfast Burritos for half-off this upcoming Black Friday (i.e. the day after Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year) at participating locations.

The company points out that the burritos are portable and perfect for sleepy-eyed early sale shoppers to wait in line with.

News: Arby's - New Peppermint Stick Swirl Shake

New at Arby's this holiday season, the limited-time Peppermint Stick Swirl Shake features Arby's vanilla shake blended with peppermint stick shake syrup with a peppermint-stick-flavored swirl mixed in, topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint sticks.

Arby's is also offering a turkey version of the Angus Three Cheese and Bacon at participating locations for a limited time. The Turkey Three Cheese and Bacon features the same pepper bacon, parmesan peppercorn ranch sauce, swiss cheese (processed slice), and shredded cheddar cheese on a toasted sub roll, but with roast turkey instead of Angus beef.

Review: Pizza Hut - Italian Meat Trio Overstuffed Pizza

Pizza Hut's new Italian Meat Trio Overstuffed Pizza features pepperoni, Italian sausage, and pork sausage layered with marinara sauce and cheese, sealed between two pizza crusts and finished with bits of  parmesan and a blend of 7-Italian seasonings.

I paid $12.99 for one and the Overstuffed Pizza is the same size as a 14" large Pizza Hut pizza.

News: Starbucks - Holiday Beverage Tasting Tour

For a limited time, Starbucks offers a Holiday Beverage Tasting Tour promotion where you can buy any 5 holiday drinks during the promotional period and earn a free Grande-sized drink of your choice.

Here are the details:

News: Dunkin' Donuts - Smokehouse Breakfast Sausage Sandwich is Back

The Smokehouse Breakfast Sausage Sandwich is back at Dunkin' Donuts for a limited time this winter.

First introduced last year, the breakfast sandwich features a split smoked sausage link, an egg, and a slice of American cheese on an English muffin.

I managed to try one at the beginning of this year, on a rare occasion where I found myself on the East Coast. You can check out the review here.

News: McDonald's Testing Three New Quarter Pounders

McDonald's is testing three new versions of the Quarter Pounder with Cheese as a possible replacement to the Angus Third Pounders. The three flavors are Habanero Ranch, Deluxe, and Bacon and Cheese.

One of my readers, Chipster22, reported that they are being offered in Ohio and that Angus Third Pounders are off the menu at his McDonald's, at least for the time being. His is the same market where McDonald's was trying out 1/4 lb Angus burgers earlier this year.

Review: Nabisco - Candy Cane Creme Oreos

Nabisco's Limited Edition Candy Cane Oreos are a winter-time version of the famed cookie and apparently can only be found at Target.

I picked up a 10.5-ounce package for $2.99.

Around the World: MOS Burger Japan Introduces Seasonal Rice Burgers

Out in Japan, MOS Burger introduces two new seasonal winter rice burgers, a dish you'd be hard pressed to find here in the U.S.

Instead of a bun, the burgers feature a formed rice patty brushed with soy sauce and grilled to help it maintain its cohesiveness. The buns are pretty much the same as the "yaki onigiri" or "grilled rice balls" you might find at some Japanese restaurants.

Beyond the bun, the filling for the new burgers are pretty interesting:

News: Tim Hortons - 2012 Holiday Menu

Tim Hortons reveals their holiday-themed drinks and donuts for this year and it includes the new Peppermint Mocha Latte.

Here's what Tim has to get you in the holiday spirit:

New Peppermint Mocha Latte - espresso, cocoa, and frothy steamed milk, infused with mint flavor, and finished with chocolate whipped topping and a sprinkle of chocolate powder.

Review: Nestle - Peppermint Crisp

Nestle's Peppermint Crisp is a candy bar available in Australia and South Africa featuring a filling of numerous green, peppermint-flavored, thin candy cylinders coated in a layer of milk chocolate.

The Sister brought me back a bar from Australia. I think they cost like $2 AU a bar (which is about the same amount in USD these days).

News: Pringles Unleashes Holiday Flavors This Season

Pringles potato chips aren't what I think of as a potential brand for holiday flavors, but I guess they showed me: they're out with three new, holiday-inspired flavors this winter.

The new, limited-edition flavors are Cinnamon & Sugar, Pumpkin Pie Spice, and White Chocolate Peppermint.

Cinnamon & Sugar features a dusting of cinnamon and sugar on every chip.

Pumpkin Pie Spice is a blend of cinnamon and pumpkin flavor combined with salty chips.

Frozen Friday: Healthy Choice - Portabella Marsala Pasta

Healthy Choice's Portabella Marsala Pasta is a vegetarian frozen food meal featuring 9-grain pasta with baby portabella mushrooms and marsala wine sauce, topped with melted fontina cheese.

A 9-ounce box retails for about $2.99 around here and commonly goes on sale for $2 to $2.50.

News: Popeyes - Cajun Turkeys Return

Cajun Turkeys are once again available at Popeyes this year. The 9 to 11 pound birds feature a blend of Lousiana-style seasonings and are flash-fried to create a crispy coating. The turkeys are then roasted to finish the cooking process. You just re-heat the turkey to serve (complete instructions are included).

My local Popeye's is offering them for $39.99.

Popeyes' Cajun Turkeys are available through December or while supplies last.

Around the World: Burger King Japan - All-You-Can-Eat Whoppers

In celebration of their 5th year in Japan, Burger King Japan is once offering an all-you-can-eat Whopper buffet for a limited time at participating location. The promotion will run in two segments.

The first starts this Saturday, November 17 and runs through November 21, from 2pm to 11pm. According to RocketNews24, the deal is any customer who orders and finishes a Kuro ("black") Burger combo meal for 880 yen (~$10.83 US) will have 30 minutes to down as many Whoppers, fries, onion rings, and/or Cokes as he/she likes for no additional charge.

Review: Taco Bell - Churro

Taco Bell's Churro is a warm twisty, ridged stick of fried dough, dusted in cinnamon and sugar.

Part of Taco Bell's new Dessert Menu, they go for 99 cents a pop.

News: Starbucks Testing New Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha

Starbucks is testing the Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha as a potential future holiday flavor for the U.S. by offering it at select locations in Portland, San Jose, and Houston.

The drink features espresso, steamed milk, and white chocolate-flavored sauce, topped with whipped cream, tart cranberry drizzle, and crystallized cranberry sugar.

News: Red Bull Finally Gets More Flavors

While it's been a long time coming, Red Bull energy drinks are set to come in three new flavors starting next year: cranberry, lime, and blueberry.

The new flavors come in three different colored cans with red for cranberry, silver for lime, and, of course, blue for blueberry. Curiously, the cans are prominently marked "Red Edition," "Silver Edition," and "Blue Edition," rather than by their flavors.

News: Heinz - New, Limited Edition Ketchup with Jalapenos

If you've ever thought your fries would go great with some spicy ketchup, Heinz has magically read your thoughts and are set to release new, limited edition "Heinz Tomato Ketchup blended with Real Jalapenos." Let's just call it Ketchup with Jalapenos for short (K with J?).

Heinz Ketchup with Jalapenos won't be available in select retail stores until January of next year, but if you have to have it now, they will be offering the new ketchup for purchase via the Heinz Facebook page starting November 26 through December 7. They're calling the sale period "12 Days of Jalapeno Ketchup."

Review: Taco Bell - Cookie Sandwich

Taco Bell's new Cookie Sandwich is part of their new Dessert Menu and features two triangle-shaped chocolate chip cookies sandwiching vanilla cream filling.

It cost me $1.29 for one sandwich.

News: Domino's - $5.99 2-Topping Large Carryout Deal

Through Sunday, November 18, Domino's is offering a carryout special where you can get any number of large, 2-topping pizzas for $5.99.

The price is the same as the medium 2-topping promotion they've been running for a while, except for that promotion, there's a 2 pizza minimum.

Review: Burger King - Angry Whopper Jr.

Burger King's Angry Whopper Jr. is a limited-time smaller version of the Angry Whopper. It features a beef patty, thick-cut, hardwood-smoked bacon, Habanero cheese, jalapeno slices, spicy fried onion petals, tomatoes, lettuce, and a spicy "angry" sauce. 

I bought one from my local BK for $2.69.

News: Starbucks - "Buy One, Get One" Holiday Drinks

After a soft launch, Starbucks now "officially" introduces their 2012 Holiday Drink Menu. To celebrate, starting Thursday, November 15, 2012 and running through Sunday, November 18, 2012, from 2-5pm, Starbucks is offering a buy one, get one free offer on their holiday beverages.

News: Chick-fil-A - Chocolate Chip Peppermint Shakes Return

The Chocolate Chip Peppermint Shake is back for a limited time at Chick-fil-A. The holiday seasonal shake features "Icedream" (Chick-fil-A's version of soft serve) hand-spun with peppermint syrup and peppermint dark chocolate chips, topped with light whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

The shake is available, while supplies last, until early January and comes in 14-ounce and 20-ounce cups with a price range of $2.60 to $3.39 and $2.85 to $3.89 respectively.

Review: Taco Bell - XXL Steak Nachos

Taco Bell's new XXL Steak Nachos is a massive plate of nachos roughly twice the size of their Nachos BellGrande. On the plate, you can expect to find: plenty of tortilla chips, 4.5 ounces of their revamped steak, nacho cheese sauce, melted cheese blend, guacamole, refried beans, pico de gallo, and reduced fat sour cream.

I picked an order up for $5.99.

News: Pizza Hut - New Overstuffed Pizza

Pizza Hut's latest creation is the new Overstuffed Pizza. Resembling a round version of the chain's P'Zone (or two P'Zone laid side-by-side), the new pizza features a choice of two topping combinations layered with marinara sauce and cheese, sealed between two pizza crusts and finished with shredded parmesan and 7-blend Italian seasoning.

It basically sounds like a P'Zone but with the addition of marinara sauce inside.

The available topping choices are the Italian Meat Trio or Supremo.

News: Burger King - $1 Minibons

Burger King is offering their Cinnabon Minibons for $1 this week starting today, November 12, 2012 and running through Sunday, November 18, 2012 at participating locations.

Burger King's Minibons normally sell for a suggested retail of $1.99 and feature Makara cinnaon and cream cheese frosting.

You can check out my review of the Minibon here.

Around the World: McDonald's Canada Selling Coffee for Take Home

McDonald's Canada gets into the home brew coffee market and now offers their McCafe Premium Roast Ground Coffee to take home at participating restaurants.

The coffee comes in a resealable bag and features the same beans they use at McDonald's. Each bag is filled with 340g (12 ounces) of finely ground Arabica coffee bean for $6.99 CA (which is about the same as $6.99 US these days).

Each bag of coffee comes in a special McCafe gift bag (I guess because their regular bags aren't fancy enough...).

News: Caribou Coffee - 2012 Holiday Menu

Caribou Coffee's 2012 holiday menu introduces real caramel as an option for any drink and two new seasonal drinks.

Caribou's new caramel is made with real butter and cream for a purported "rich, thick, and deep caramel flavor."

This year's line up includes:

- New Salted Caramel Budino - sweet cream and espresso with caramel and a bit of salt, topped with a caramel mousse.

Local Review: Humble Potato - Katsu Sando

Humble Potato is a American-Japanese eatery that opened recently just up the road from LAX in Westchester. Not sure why the name is Humble Potato as their main features seem to be burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches with a Japanese twist. They do serve fries though.

I tried their Katsu Sando ("fried chicken sandwich") for $8.50. It's basically a fried chicken poor boy except the chicken is crusted with panko (bread crumbs) and it's dressed with a yuzu-jalapeño slaw and tonkatsu sauce. There's an option to add Japanese curry for $1.00.

Around the World: McDonald's Hong Kong - Gingerbread Latte

McDonald's Hong Kong is serving up what might be one of the cutest lattes ever in the Gingerbread Latte this the holiday season.

I learned during a visit to a Hong Kong McCafe that they create such designs the same way people paint the street number on the curb: with a stencil guide. The powder is just cocoa.

A small cup will run you $23 HK (~$2.97 US) which is fairly comparable to prices here. While the design seems unlikely, the flavor seems ripe to come here to the States someday as McDonald's vies with Starbucks for your coffee dollar.

My Local Burger King Has Really Small Water Cups...

So I was eating at Burger King one day (for reviewing purposes of course!) and asked for a water cup. Maybe they were trying to help me burn off some calories by making frequent trips to the soda fountain, but that's a really small water cup!