News: El Pollo Loco - New Chocolate Nachos

One of the more novel items to come out this year, El Pollo Loco's new, limited-time Chocolate Nachos feature a feast of sweetness with chocolate tortilla chips covered in marshmallow cream and a Mexican chocolate sauce.

News: Panera Bread - 2012 Seasonal Holiday Menu

It's nearing Christmas, and that means Panera Bread is trotting out some new and returning featured menu items this winter to help celebrate the holidays, including a couple new sandwiches as well as some new holiday-themed cookies.

Here's a look at Panera Bread's 2012 Holiday Menu:

Review: Blue Diamond - Honey Dijon Almonds

Blue Diamond Bold Honey Dijon Almonds are roasted almonds seasoned with the flavors of honey Dijon mustard.

A 6-ounce can goes for $3.99 at Walgreens and if you're too lazy to actually go there, they even offer it online.

Around the World: Burger King Taiwan - Roast Poussin for Christmas!

Burger King Taiwan is currently offering roast Poussin, or "young chicken," this holiday season. The chicken is sold by the half and look to be about the same size as a small Cornish Game Hen here in the U.S.

They're having fans vote between two versions of the chicken with a chance to win coupons for free chicken. There's an original version and a spicy Sichuan (or Szechuan) version, and original is winning the vote 2-to-1 so far.


I guess if McDonald's in Taiwan can offer fried chicken, roast chicken isn't much of a stretch for Burger King.

The price appears to be $149 NT each or about $5.13 US.

Review: Trader Joe's - Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Cupcakes

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes are chocolate cups cakes filled with a peanut butter cream and topped with a dark chocolate ganache icing.

They come four to a box for $3.99.

Around the World: Taco Bell Philippines - Bucket Nachos

Earlier this summer, in the Philippines, Taco Bell offered Bucket Nachos (or Bucket Nacho according to the actual bucket) which as far as I can tell is a bucket of nacho/tortilla chips without cheese i.e. it's a bucket of chips... from what I can guess, it looks like you can choose to sprinkle them with Barbecue, Nacho Cheddar, or Ranch seasonings or just eat them plain.

It is also entirely possible that the cheese just comes in a dipping cup on the side (it's just not shown in the promo shot). I haven't been able to find out much from digging online other than it's a bucket of corn tortilla chips though.

Around the World: McDonald's UK - Festive Menu

In what's become an annual event, McDonald's UK is celebrating the holidays with their Festive Menu.

The menu is anchored by the Winter Warmer with Tomato & Red Pepper Sauce, and also includes Cheese Melt Dippers, the Chicken Celebration sandwich, the Orange Flavor Chocolate Pie, and the Nestle Quality Street Fudge McFlurry.

Here are the details:

Frozen Friday: Healthy Choice - Barbecued Seasoned Steak with Red Potatoes

Healthy Choice's Barbecued Seasoned Steak with Red Potatoes is a Top Chef-inspired frozen entree that cooks in a microwavable steam basket. It consists of beef with red potatoes, corn, red and green bell peppers, and onions and uncured bacon in a whiskey barbecue sauce.

These are normally around $4.29 and about $2 to $3 on sale.

News: El Pollo Loco Tries Beef Again

After a failed attempt at introducing beef to their menu a few years back, El Pollo Loco is once again trying beef on their menu with new shredded beef tacos, bowls, and quesadillas.

The new shredded beef is slow-simmered (i.e. braised) for several hours and shredded by hand every day at each location.

Here's a closer look at the new shredded beef dishes:

News: Taco Bell Testing Double Steak Quesadilla and Smothered Burrito

Taco Bell is currently testing two new entrees in two different markets. The two menu items are the Double Steak Quesadilla and the Smothered Burrito. The two test markets are Charlotte, NC and Dayton, OH respectively.

You can read the details below.

Review: Togo's - The Italian Sandwich

Togo's "The Italian" sub features a base of mortadella, capicola, cotto salami, dry salami, and provolone cheese.

I got it "Togo's Way" which means mayo, mustard, oil, Italian dressing, lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles, and pepperoncinis, plus salt & pepper. I bought it on a Tuesday when it was supposed to be $4, but the Togo's I went to wasn't participating in the Daily Specials promo, so it cost me $4.99 for a regular which is about 6".

News: Popeyes - Wicked Chicken Returns to Popeyes

For a limited-time, those thin chicken strips with the tiny bottle of spicy Tabasco sauce returns to the Popeyes' menu. That's right, Wicked Chicken is back at Popeyes for probably about a month or so.

News: Krispy Kreme - 2012 Holiday Donuts

Krispy Kreme is out with new Gingerbread Cake Donuts this year as part of their holiday line up along with some returning favorites like the Red Velvet Cake Donut.

Here's the full holiday line up:

News: Wendy's - $1.99 Kid's Meal with Coupon

For a limited time, Wendy's is offering a printable digital coupon at www.ToysRUs.com/Wendys for a $1.99 Kid's Meal (compared to an average cost of $3.48).

The coupon expires 12/31/12.

Review: Wendy's - Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Part of Wendy's ongoing breakfast test includes Steel-Cut Oatmeal. It's kettle-cooked and offered with either apples chunks and caramel sauce or with dried cranberries, roasted pecans, and brown sugar.

The price on a cup was $2.59 and I went with the Cranberries and Pecans.

News: Red Robin - Holiday 2012 Specials

This December, Red Robin brings back some old faces to warm the heart (and maybe burn the tongue and light a fire in the belly as well).

Here are Red Robin's specials:

News: Baskin-Robbins - December Flavor of the Month

Baskin-Robbins' December Flavor of the Month isn't terribly exciting this month as it's the regular-menu mainstay, Mint Chocolate Chip. It's a classic flavor and a good one, but how about something new?

On the more festive side (and new!) of things, Baskin Robbins offers a new lineup of dome-shaped ice cream cakes for your holiday celebrations.

News: Sbarro - New White Pizza and Holiday Cookies

This season Italian mall eatery Sbarro is offering a limited-time white pizza and Italian holiday cookies on their menu.

The white pizza features a blend of three cheeses (mozzarella and ricotta sauce with white pepper, sprinkled with Pecorino Romano). It's topped with roasted red peppers and fresh broccoli and comes on their new Neapolitan-style (think thin crust) finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

News: Jack in the Box Brings Back the Bonus Jack

Jack in the Box returns the Bonus Jack for a limited time. The burger is Jack in the Box's take on the rival McDonald's Big Mac and was first introduced in 1970. Like the Big Mac, it features a club-style third bun slice and a "secret" sauce.

In between the bun, you'll also find two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, and pickles.

Review: Wendy's - Updated Sausage Biscuit

Wendy's Sausage Biscuit is on the Everyday Breakfast Value Menu of their ongoing breakfast test and is priced at 99 cents. I tried their Sausage Biscuit back in 2009 and it seems they upgraded it a bit.

It's pretty simple with a grilled all-natural sausage patty sandwiched inside two halves of a fresh-baked Southern-style buttermilk biscuit brushed with butter.

News: Burger King - 55 Cent Whoppers December 6 through 9

Burger King is celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Whopper sandwich by offering a deal on the iconic burger where you can get an original Whopper for 55 cents when you purchase any Whopper sandwich (including the current limited-time Wisconsin White Whopper and Angry Whopper, but excluding the Whopper Jr.).

The deal is good from December 6 through December 9.

News: McDonald's - McRib Returns December 17

Save the date McRib fans! The long-awaited date will soon arrive. On Monday, December 17, 2012, the McRib returns to the McDonald's menu nationally for a limited time.

The McRib features a somewhat rib-looking ground pork patty covered in barbecue sauce, topped with slivers of fresh onions and a couple of pickle slices, served on a corn-meal-dusted 6-inch roll.

News: Starbucks - $5 Gift Card with Purchase of 3 Starbucks Products

Starbucks is offering a pretty good deal on their grocery store products where you can get a free $5 Starbucks Card when you buy any 3 "qualifying" Starbucks coffee or Tazo tea products.

The offer is good through 12/31/12.

The products that qualify include:

Review: Wendy's - Mornin' Melt Panini

Wendy's Mornin' Melt Panini is part of their ongoing breakfast test and comes with natural Asiago and Cheddar cheeses, fresh-cracked eggs seasoned with salt and pepper, your choice of grilled all-natural sausage or applewood-smoked bacon and a tomato slice pressed between two slices of buttered sourdough bread brushed.

I picked up the Mornin' Melt Panini with Bacon and it was the priciest sandwich on the breakfast menu at $2.99.

News: Pei Wei - Buy One, Get One Entree Free Coupon

Pei Wei is offering a printable "Buy One Entree, Get One Free" coupon on their website if you watch a video about their "Fresh, Specialty Ingredients."

The offer will only be up through December 14, 2012 and the coupon expires on December 16, 2012.

To get the coupon:

News: 2012 Holiday Gift Card Bonuses

Around Christmas time, a lot of your favorite restaurants start offering limited-time bonus offers for holiday gift card purchases to spur some of that good old holiday spending.

Below is a handy list of who's offering what for you to stretch that holiday dollar. Do keep in mind that while the gift cards don't tend to expire (especially in California where, under law, they never expire), the bonus cards count as coupons, and as such, have an expiration date. I'll try to make note of them where I can.

Without further ado:

News: Domino's - Half-Off Pizzas All This Week

Domino's celebrates their 2nd Annual Global Domino's Day by offering 50 percent off the regular menu price of any online pizza purchase between now and December 9, 2012. To get the discount, use the code "50OFF."

The celebration also kicks off for those of you not in the U.S. with a similar discount around the world, but doesn't start until December 6. You can check the Domino's Facebook page for the discount in your particular locale by selecting your country in the pull-down menu.

News: Quiznos - Free Cookie with Any Purchase on December 4

Tuesday, December 4th is National Cookie Day and to celebrate, Quiznos is giving away a free toasted cookie with any purchase to every customer on that day.

Available cookie choices include Chocolate Chunk, Cinnamon Sugar, and Oatmeal Raisin cookies.

Review: Nestle - Nescafe Memento Mocha

Nestle's Nescafe Memento Mocha is a chocolate-flavored instant coffee packet that develops a layer of froth on top when you add hot water.

A box of 8 packets/servings retails for about $6.99, but they're giving away free samples on the Nescafe website here and I tried this along with the Caramel Latte.

News: Bob Evans - New Breakfast Bakes

Bob Evans has an interesting take on breakfast convenience with new Breakfast Bakes in the frozen food aisle.

Retailing for $3.99 for a box of four individually-wrapped bakes, the product is basically a hand-held baked hash brown with various fillings.

Local Review: Humble Potato - Curry Burger

Humble Potato's Curry Burger, or "Curry Baga" as they call it, features a 5-ounce fresh Angus beef patty, thick cut tomato, diced onions, diced pickled radish, and generous dollop of Japanese curry.

It's $7.95 a burger.

Around the World: Taco Bell Guatemala Intros Baby Ruth Chocodilla

Out in Guatemala, Taco Bell recently introduced the new Baby Ruth Chocodilla which looks like a flour tortilla pressed with pieces of Baby Ruth inside.

It costs 9 Guatemalan Quetzals or about $1.14 US.

There's also a regular Chocodilla on the Taco Bell menu in Guatemala. Chocodillas are basically quesadillas, but with chocolate inside instead of cheese. They're also available in India at Taco Bell.

News: Dairy Queen - December 2012 Blizzard of the Month

Dairy Queen's December 2012 Blizzard of the Month is, once again, the holiday-themed Candy Cane Chill Blizzard.

The Candy Cane Chill Blizzard is made by blending candy cane pieces and choco chunks with vanilla soft serve for a minty, chocolaty frozen dessert.

This year, Dairy Queen ups the variety by offering Candy Cane Chill Royal Shakes and Waffle Bowl Sundaes. Of course, you can also get it as an ice cream cake.

Around the World: McDonald's Germany Serves Up Twilight Teas

In a slightly weird offering, McDonald's Germany promotes the Twilight saga's final movie, Breaking Dawn, Part 2, with Edward-, Jacob-, and Bella-flavored bubble teas.

So for those of you who didn't get enough of the Twilight trio despite four movies, you can drink them up as bubble tea in Germany. If you're curious, here's what's in the flavors:

News: Subway - $2 Subs for December 2012

Subway is once again offering two varieties of 6-inch subs for $2 throughout the month of December.

Calling it "Customer Appreciation Month," Subway is offers the Cold Cut Combo and Meatball Marinara in 6-inch form for only $2 each all month long. The deal is especially nice since the Meatball Marinara is no longer a $5 Footlong (sad I know).

Frozen Friday: Hormel - Beef Roast Au Jus

Hormel's Beef Roast Au Jus is a simple, microwaveable dinner solution of a seasoned beef roast with juices. You just add a side or two and you're good to go.

A 15-ounce package costs about $6.99.

News: McDonald's Testing Steak and Egg McMuffins and Biscuits

McDonald's is still working on their breakfast steak options and currently conducting a limited-time test of a Steak and Egg McMuffin and Steak and Egg Biscuit out in Ohio.

The steak is described as "thick and juicy," "savory," and "seasoned just right."

Beyond your choice of English muffin or biscuit, each sandwich comes with steak, grilled onions, folded eggs, and melted American cheese.

News: Jack in the Box - New Brownie Bites

Jack in the Box is offering new, limited-time Brownie Bites this holiday season as a cheap, snackable addition to their menu. It joins their Mini Churros and Mini Cookies and comes in at the same price point: $1.

Brownie Bites come five to an order and are served warm. They are not available in Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Laredo, or McAllen/Brownsville (On a side note, I've never heard of McAllen/Brownsville until now).

News: Papa John's - Five Sausage Pizza Returns

The Five Sausage Pizza is back at Papa John's. First introduced in February earlier this year, a large pizza of the variety is now offered for a buck more ($11) than the previous $10 (specialty pizzas are normally $14 at Papa John's).

Review: Wendy's - Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit

Wendy's Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit is part of their ongoing breakfast test and consists of a crispy fried whole breast chicken fillet topped with real honey butter sandwiched inside a Southern-style buttermilk biscuit.

One sandwich set me back $2.69.

News: White Castle Offers to Ship Sliders for the Holidays

This holiday season, White Castle offers to ship their signature Sliders from their door to yours. Through Saturday, January 5, 2013, "Craver Cargo" can be ordered via White Castle's online store in cases of 36, 60, or 84(!) sliders.

Around the World: McDonald's Taiwan - Jalapeno Spicy Chicken Sandwich

The second leg of McDonald's Taiwan's World Food Tour lands it in Mexico with the Jalapeno Spicy Chicken with fresh jalapenos featuring prominently in the promo shot.

Unfortunately, fresh jalapeno slices are nowhere to be found in the actual sandwich. Instead, there is a spicy Mexican chili sauce that curiously looks creamy and not-very-spicy. In addition to the sauce, there's a thigh meat battered and fried chicken patty, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes. The bun seems interesting with a smattering of various grains atop (sesame, oats, flax seeds, and a few others it looks like).

News: McDonald's Offers Cafe con Leche to New York Tri-state Area

In a nod to Hispanic/Latino guests in the New York tri-state area, McDonald's now offers "new" Cafe con Leche for a limited-time this holiday season in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Cafe con Leche literally translates to "coffee with milk." At McDonald's, it means espresso with steamed milk i.e. a latte. According to this NBC report, the "new" drink is essentially the same as a Latte, which basically means this is a re-brand to better appeal to the Hispanic/Latino market.

Review: Wendy's - Bacon Fire Roasted Burrito

Wendy's Bacon Fire Roasted Burrito is part of their "fresh made" breakfast test and features applewood-smoked bacon, roasted poblano chilies, red peppers, and onions with natural shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese and scrambled eggs wrapped in a multi-grain tortilla and pressed. It's served with hot sauce on the side.

I picked up a burrito for $2.69.

News: KFC Teases an Original Recipe Cookie

KFC wants you to know that they've tested and come up with a recipe for Original Recipe cookies.

Basically, the gist is since they already paired chocolate chip cookies with Original Recipe chicken in their new Festive Meal, why not just take it a step further and combine the two into a cookie?

Around the World: KFC Now Offered on Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines (JAL) is offering an exclusive KFC meal on a select number of outbound flights from Tokyo Narita Airport starting December 1, 2012 through February, 28, 2013. They're calling it "Air Kentucky Fried Chicken." It comes during the holiday season where Christmas in Japan pretty much means a meal from KFC.

The meal includes two pieces of the Colonel's Original Recipe fried chicken (a boneless filet and drumstick), a piece of flat bread made especially for the promotion, a cup of coleslaw, lettuce leaves, and "special" mayo (I would guess the sweeter Japanese mayo).

Around the World: Subway Japan - Food of the World: America

The latest in Subway Japan's "Food of the World" promotion lands them squarely in the Big Apple.

For the taste of America, and more specifically New York, Subway Japan offers two sandwich based on the Reuben and on bagels and lox.

The first is Subway's Japan's take on the classic Reuben. Of course the term "Reuben" might not mean much in Japan, so they're calling it the Beef Pastrami & Pickled Cabbage. It might not roll off the tongue as easily, but it's very descriptive!

Review: Wendy's - Sunny Side Burger

Wendy's Sunny Side Burger is part of their current breakfast test and features a fresh-cracked egg, natural Asiago cheese, your choice of Applewood Smoked Bacon or all-natural sausage, Hollandaise sauce,  and a Jr. burger patty served on a toasted honey-wheat artisan ciabatta.

I went with bacon and the sandwich cost $2.79.

News: KFC - New Festive Feast with Cookies

KFC is offering chocolate chip cookies as their nod to the holidays with the new Festive Feast.

Suggesting "peace this holiday" in the TV spot, the meal is your standard 8-piece (mixed) meal which comes with two large sides, and 4 biscuits, plus 12 chocolate chip cookies. The cookies are fresh-baked at each location.

News: Sonic - New Chocolate Mint Holiday Shake

While there was no Pumpkin Pie Shake this year, through December only, Sonic offers a holiday treat in the new Chocolate Mint Holiday Shake.

The shake features chocolate ice cream blended with crushed holiday mints, garnished with whipped topping, more crushed mints, and a requisite maraschino cherry on top.