News: Dunkin' Donuts - Heart-Shaped Donuts Return; New Dark Chocolate Drinks

Dunkin' Donuts returns their heart-shaped donuts for a limited time in celebration of Valentine's Day. In addition, they've expanded their dark chocolate offerings (first introduced last year with new Dark Hot Chocolate) to encompass coffee drinks.

New Dark Chocolate Mocha Coffees, Lattes, and Frozen Coffee Coolattas are now available for a limited time.

Head-to-Head: Burger King vs. McDonald's - Chicken Nuggets

Burger King has played second (and sometimes third) fiddle to McDonald's #1 for as long as I can remember. Most recently, BK has taken imitation to an art form with their new Chicken Nuggets, which are most remarkable in how much they resemble McDonald's Chicken McNuggets.

The two are very similar but which are the better nuggets? I decided to compare them and find out!

News: Popeyes Returns Butterfly Shrimp and Offers new Strawberry n' Cream Cheese Pie

As Lenten season rounds the corner, Popeyes returns their Butterfly Shrimp in what's become a seasonal event. But this year, they're also offering new, limited-time Strawberry n' Cream Cheese Pie.

News: McDonald's Packaging Now Sports QR Code to Nutrition Info

McDonald's has come up with a new global package design for their to-go bags and fountain drink cups that includes a QR (for "Quick Response") code that leads you to their mobile nutrition site in case you're wondering how how much Vitamin C is in that Quarter Pounder with Cheese you're just about to eat.

I came across the new packaging recently and to be helpful, I've put together a quick guide to using the code:

News: Sonic Introduces New 99-Cent Snack Happy Hour

For a limited-time, Sonic is adding another component to their 2pm to 4pm Happy Hour by offering snack-sized versions of some of their more popular sides for a discounted 99 cents each.

The items found on the new 99-cent Happy Hour Snacks menu are:

Review: Remington Trail Steaks - Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey Jerky

Remington Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey jerky (they call it "snacks" instead of "jerky") is an licensed product. The licensee is Trail Steaks, a company that specialized in steak snacks which is jerky made from premium cuts of steak cut into bite-sized pieces. The turkey is raised in the U.S. and features whole breast meat cut into strips and smoked slowly.

You can buy these online at $5.49 for a 3-ounce bag, but I received this bag courtesy of Trail Steaks.

News: Post - New Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch

It's official. Greek yogurt has made its way into cereal. Post's new Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal plays on the yogurt's recent popularity by featuring two types of their distinctive honey-touched granola clusters with Greek yogurt to go along with whole grain cereal flakes.

Specifically, there are granola clusters with Greek yogurt baked into them and there are granola clusters with a creamy Greek yogurt style coating.

Review: Quaker - Chocolate and Almond Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies

Quaker's Chocolate and Almond Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies are made with whole grain oats and embedded with chunks of chocolate and bits of almonds.

They cost $2.99 for a 8.8-ounce box of six individually-wrapped cookies.

Around the World: Pizza Hut Singapore - New Fortune Pizza for Chinese New Year

With Chinese New Year just around the corner (February 10), the folks at Pizza Hut in Singapore offer the new Fortune Pizza shaped like an old Chinese coin or "cash", which is to say it's round but with a square hole in the center

If you're wondering why the coins have a square hole, it's because they were used to string the coins together to make larger denominations.

The sauce on the pizza is a golden pumpkin paste with bits of taro to symbolize "gold and a good year ahead." It's topped with pineapples ("for prosperity"), diced barbecue chicken, pok chui (crispy dough) and mushrooms. The crust is sprinkled with cereal flakes for extra crunch and filled with cheese a la Stuffed Crust Pizza.

News: Popchips - New Flavor by Katy Perry

As a Popchips investor/brand ambassador and famous singer, Katy Perry gets her own flavor of Popchips. No, it's not candy cane rainbows, it's new "Katy's Kettle Corn." The newest flavor in the Popchip line up features the sweet and salty flavor of popped kettle corn.

The flavor is the first sweet foray for the brand. To further enforce the Katy Perry connection, the bag features pink and purple and a stylized heart to dot the "i' in "popchips."

Frozen Friday: Burnett - Beef Bourguignon

Burnett's Beef Bourguignon features slow-cooked cuts of beef in a burgundy wine sauce with baby carrots, pearl onions, mushrooms, and pieces of bacon.

A 18-ounce box was on sale at Fresh & Easy for $3.99 (it's normally $5.99).

News: White Castle Offers Valentine's Day Reservations

White Castle is once again offering Valentine's Day dinner reservations this year, complete with table service and themed decorations at select restaurants.

Apparently the event is popular enough among the chain's fans that reservations fill up pretty fast.

News: McDonald's Now Serves Sustainable Fish Only

McDonald's commits to serving sustainably-source fish at all of their U.S. restaurants and gets a nice label to show for it. They are now the first national restaurant chain to adopt the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) blue ecolabel on their fish packaging. The ecolabel denotes that all fish served at McDonald's restaurants comes from MSC-certified fisheries.

Review: Taco Bell - Spicy Cheesy Roll-Up

Taco Bell's Spicy Cheesy Roll-Up is part of their $1 Cravings Menu test. It is the same as the standard Cheesy Roll-Up, but with the addition of chipotle sauce for a bit of a kick. If you've never tried or seen one, it's a flour tortilla folded over melted cheese and chipotle sauce and then rolled up into a tube.

The Spicy Cheesy Roll-Up sells for $1 each.

News: Panera Bread Unveils "Hidden Menu"

Where a few chains have so-called "secret menus," Panera Bread now offers a "Hidden Menu," because secret menus are so passe.

Where some secret menus come about by consistent customer requests throughout the years, Panera just made this one up on their own (it was "developed" by Scott Davis, Panera Bread's Chief Concept Officer) and tested in New York last November.

News: The Coffee Bean Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Free Coffee or Tea

The Coffee Bean is 50 years old and they're celebrating next week on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 by offering all guests that come by to partake in a free cup of coffee or tea.

The promotion runs all day on January 30 at participating locations (stores hours tend to vary though so you might want to call ahead to check).

Review: Arby's - Chocolate Molten Lava Cake

Arby's new, limited-time Chocolate Molten Lava Cake features warm chocolate cake filled with warm liquid chocolate and topped with cocoa crumbles.

It's priced at $1.99, but I received this one courtesy of Arby's.

A Look at McDonald's "Breakfast After Midnight" Test

McDonald's started testing a limited late-night breakfast menu last year in Ohio and apparently has expanded the test to my local 24-hour McDonald's here in Southern California. The test is also ongoing in certain locations in Utah and Massachusetts (I'm pretty surprised I was able to spell that in one try... I usually miss or add an "s" or "t").

I thought you guys might be interested in a closer look, so here we go:

The "Breakfast After Midnight" menu centers around the McMuffin (if you want biscuits, you're going to have to wait till after 4 am); probably because you just have to toast them.

News: Subway Offers Ordering App in California

Subway now has a free smartphone ordering app that lets you easily place your order ahead of pick up, but is only currently exclusive to California.

The app is available for both iOS (Apple) and Android operating systems and can be found at the Apple App Store and Android Market respectively.

Review: Burger King - Philly Original Chicken Sandwich

Burger King's Philly Original Chicken Sandwich is a limited-time offer featuring a long breaded chicken patty topped Philly cheesesteak-style with red and green bell peppers, seasoned grilled onions, American cheese, and a cheese sauce.

The sandwich sells for $4.49 at my local Burger King.

Around the World: Domino's France Bakes Goat Cheese with Honey Pizza

New at Domino's France is the limited-edition Sweet Chevre Pizza. "Chevre" being the French word for "goat cheese."

The pizza comes with a base of light creme fraiche and mozzarella, topped with goat cheese, smoked lardons, onions, and a hint of honey.

The price for a medium pizza is 6.99 Euros or about $9.32.

News: Domino's Expands $5.99 Pizza Deal

This year, Domino's expands their $5.99 medium, two-topping pizza deal (when you buy two or more) to encompass more items to show that they do more than just pizza.

Under the new deal, you can get any combination of medium, two-topping pizzas, 8-piece orders of chicken, Oven-Baked Sandwiches, Stuffed Cheesy Breads, and Pastas in a Dish for $5.99 each when you purchase at least two.

News: McDonald's SoCal Offers $1 Small Mochas and Lattes

For a limited time, McDonald's Southern California restaurants are offering McCafe Mochas and Lattes for $1 each.

A small McCafe drink typically sells for about $2.29.

News: Burger King - Original Chicken Sandwich BOGO Promo

Burger King is offering a buy one, get one free offer on their Original Chicken Sandwich as well as its two limited-time variants from now through February 17, 2013.

The Original Chicken Sandwich is a long version of your typical value chicken sandwich and features a long breaded and fried chicken patty with lettuce and mayo. It normally costs around $3.99.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Jalapeno Turkey Burger

Carl's Jr.'s Jalapeno Turkey Burger features sliced jalapenos, Pepper Jack cheese, creamy Santa Fe sauce, red onion, lettuce and tomato on a whole wheat bun. It's also on the menu at Hardee's.

My local Carl's Jr. had these at $3.99 a piece.

News: Panera Bread - Featured 2013 Winter Menu

Panera Bread tends to add limited-time/seasonal menu items every couple of months or so. They usually add a couple of new things and returns some seasonal items. New this winter are the Spinach Power Salad and Fat-Free Superfruit Power Smoothie.

Here's a more detailed list of what Panera's featuring this winter:

News: Auntie Anne's - New Whole Grain Pretzels

Auntie Anne's adds whole grains to their pretzel line up with new Honey Whole Grain Pretzels. Each pretzel features a hint of honey sweetness and whole grain dough. Nutritionally, each provides one daily serving of whole grains, six grams of fiber and just 300 calories

While prices vary, these should cost about $2.79 per pretzel.

Review: Pepperidge Farm - Garlic Parmesan Jingos

Jingos are a new line of snack crackers from Pepperidge Farm promising "bold flavor" and "snappy crunch." I recently tried Parmesan Garlic Jingos.

A 7.5-ounce box retails for about $3.29.

Around the World: MOS Burger - Focaccia with U-shaped Sausage

Japanese burger chain, MOS Burger, offers two limited-time Focaccias on the menu this winter.

The one of particular note is the Barbecue Focaccia, which features a U-shaped, grilled, smoked sauce cradling a mix of cabbage, onions, eggplant, and tomatoes stewed in barbecue sauce, served on a bed of crispy shredded cabbage, and folded inside a warm, toasted focaccia bread.

Around the World: Domino's Pakistan - Quesadilla Pizza

Since Taco Bell offers a Mexican Pizza, it's only fitting that Domino's offers a Quesadilla Pizza, albeit only in Pakistan.

Available since 2011, the Quesadilla Pizza is offered as a crust option and features cheese and your choice of various chicken, beef, or veggie topping combinations sandwiched between two thin crust pizza rounds and served with marinara and sour cream on the side for dipping. And, just to make sure you get enough cheese, it's topped with melted mozzarella cheese as well.

The pizza is offered in two sizes: an 11" medium and a 13" large. Prices are 845 rupees (~$8.65 US) and 945 rupees (~$9.67 US) respectively.

News: Kashi - New Garlic Pesto Pita Crisps

Kashi expands their pita crisps line with new Garlic Pesto Pita Crisps. Like everything else with the Kashi name on it, the new crackers features Kashi's signature blend of 7 whole grains (I wonder if a Kashi ice cream would also feature whole grains?).

Pita crisps are basically crunchy, puffy crackers. The Garlic Pesto version showcases a blend of basil with a hint of garlic. For nutritional benefits, there's 10 grams of whole grains and 5 grams of fiber per serving.

Review: Rhythm Superfoods - Texas BBQ Kale Chips

Rhythm Superfoods Texas BBQ Kale Chips are air-crisped, dried kale flavored with all-natural liquid smoke, organic veggie powders, and apple cider vinegar. For those of you with special dietary needs and/or concerns, these are organic, vegan, and gluten-free.

It doesn't come cheap though: a 2-ounce bag cost $6.54 at their online store. I received this bag courtesy of Rhythm Superfoods.

News: Lean Cuisine - New "Salad Additions"

Lean Cuisine now offers new Salad Additions in the frozen food aisle. Each box consists of everything you need to make your next salad except for the lettuce.

If you're like me, you're wondering, "How does that work?" or "Uh, why would you want a frozen salad? I don't get it." Basically the way these work is you heat up the chicken and fruits/vegetables, thaw out the salad dressing, and throw on the crunchy starch. What they don't include is the lettuce, you have pick that up yourself.

Frozen Friday: California Pizza Kitchen - Crispy Thin Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza

California Pizza Kitchen's Crispy Thin Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza for One is a square crispy thin crust pizza topped with grilled white meat chicken, reduced fat mozzarella, smoked gouda, red onion, and cilantro with barbecue sauce.

Each pizza is 6-ounces and costs $3.99 at my local supermarket.

Around the World: Starbucks Hong Kong - Winter Casseroles

Over in Hong Kong, Starbucks is offering something new you'd more likely find at a sit-down restaurant or at home: casseroles.

Offered as a meal option for the winter, there are two varieties: Signature Meatball Casserole and Alfredo Broccoli & New Potato Casserole.

The Signature Meatball Casserole consists of meatballs and new potatoes in a rosemary tomato sauce with melted mozzarella cheese on top. The price is $38 HK (~$4.90 US)

News: Chipotle to Test Tofu as an Option

Chipotle is planning to test a braised, shredded tofu filling as a protein option next month out in San Francisco according to this AP story. They're calling it "Sofritas" and it's cooked similar to the chain's barbacoa.

Now before you go thinking that's some Mexican dish you never heard of, it's not. While it is indeed an actual Spanish word (it's the past participle of "sofreir" meaning "to fry lightly"), Chipotle has filed a trademark registration for the word as a mark for "prepared vegetable-based entrees." There's a bit of irony there since the tofu will be braised and not fried. There's also the similar "sofrito" which is a base of slow-fried or simmered aromatics in Spanish cuisine.

News: Caribou Coffee - New Lemon Earl Grey Tea Latte

Caribou Coffee now offers a new, limited-time Lemon Earl Grey Tea Latte. The drink combines Earl Grey tea extract with a lemon creme sauce, and steamed milk. There's also an iced version if you're so inclined.

I know people drink Earl Grey with lemon or milk, but I don't think it's typical to drink it with both lemon and milk.

Review: Burger King - Avocado Swiss Whopper Jr.

Burger King Avocado Swiss Whopper Jr. features Swiss cheese, avocado spread, avocado aioli, thick-cut bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and a small beef patty on a toasted sesame bun.

My local Burger King offers them for $2.99. There's also a regular Whopper version for $4.49.

News: Chipotle Returns Super Bowl Offer

Chipotle returns their Super Bowl promotion (but they're not calling it that; more on that below) this year, where if you buy 6 or more burritos on Super Bowl Sunday and you can bring back your receipt to score (pun!) a free entree (burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos) on your next visit.

News: Papa John's - 50% Off Large Pizzas Through January 20th

Papa John's is offering a football Playoff Special where you can get 50% off the regular price of any large pizza when ordering online.

To take advantage of the offer simply order online and enter the promotion code: "NFL50" (the code doesn't appear to be valid at all Papa John's locations, you can also try "PAPA50")

The offer expires this Sunday, January 20, 2013.

News: Wendy's Realigns Value Menu

In a move similar to McDonald's Extra Value Menu last year, Wendy's has revamped and renamed their value menu to include up to 18 menu items ranging from 99 cents to $1.99. No longer is it called the 99 Cent Everyday Value Menu (and Super Value Menu before that); it is now the Right Price Right Size Menu.

The menu includes four different cheeseburgers, three types of chicken wraps, two side salad options, chili, and a chicken sandwich.

Review: Taco Bell - Beefy Cheesy Burrito

Taco Bell's Beefy Cheesy Burrito is one of the new items on their $1 Cravings value menu test. The burrito features premium "Latin rice," seasoned ground beef, and nacho cheese.

I'm not sure this needs to be said (since it's on the $1 menu), but it costs a buck.

News: Red Robin - New Irish Beer Shake

Red Robin continues their parade of beer shakes this month with the new, limited-time Irish Beer Shake which is made with-- what else?--Guinness dry stout. Specifically, the shake blends Guinness beer, Jameson Irish whiskey, and chocolate ice cream and tops it off with whipped cream.

News: Denny's - New Skillet Meals and New Coffee

Denny's latest limited-time menu promotion is the "Complete Skillet Meals" menu which features three-course meals starting at $8.99. Additionally, they're attempting to offer a "smoother, richer, full bodied" coffee experience by replacing the old stuff with three new coffee blends made from new machines.

Around the World: Taco Bell offers Party Platter in Kuwait

While we get the Variety Pack Taco 12 Pack from Taco Bell for our football watching festivities, out in Kuwait, they get a full-on party platter dubbed "The Blue Meal."

It's named in support of the Kuwait national team as they compete in the 21st Gulf Cup soccer (i.e. the other football) tournament in Bahrain. The nickname for the team is "Al-Azraq" which translates to "The Blue"

News: Dunkin' Donuts Set to Come to California

After many years of shunning the sunny shores of California (well, except for a single location on a military base that's not open to the public), Dunkin' Donuts today announced plans to expand into Southern California and is actively seeking franchisees to open Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernadino, Ventura, and Orange Counties.

The plan is to have the first new Californian Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants open in 2015.

Review: Foster's Freeze - Vanilla Cone

Foster's Freeze is a Californian soft-serve chain that also offers burgers and fries. Their Vanilla Soft Serve Cone features low-fat vanilla soft serve generously pulled onto a plain cake cone.

It was $1.99 for a small cone. It's also available in chocolate, chocolate and vanilla, and chocolate-dipped.

News: Krispy Kreme - New Dark Chocolate Donuts

For a limited time, Krispy Kreme offers new Dark Chocolate Donuts. The new donuts come in two flavors: Dark Chocolate Strawberry and Double Dark Chocolate.

You can find them at participating US and Canada locations through February 17, 2013.

Dark Chocolate Strawberry features dark chocolate Kreme and strawberry filling inside a dark chocolate iced donut finished with a red icing twirl.

News: Jamba Juice - $1 Oatmeal Wednesdays

Jamba Juice's $1 Oatmeal Wednesdays promotion is back at participating Jamba Juice locations in New York, California, and Washington DC.

The promotion starts tomorrow, January 16, 2013 and runs through March 27, 2013.

News: Baskin-Robbins - Buy One, Get One Sundae Wednesdays

Baskin-Robbins is running a buy-one-get-one-free Two-Scoop Sundae promotion on Wednesdays starting tomorrow and running through the end of March.

Each Two-Scoop Sundae comes with your choice of two scoops of any of the ice cream chain's flavors which currently include January's Flavor of the Month, Berry Passionate Frozen Yogurt. The sundae is then topped with caramel, hot fudge, or strawberry sauce and finished with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry.