Review: Burger King - Donut Holes

I don't think I've ever heard of a fast food chain carrying Donut Holes, but Burger King is offering them for a limited-time. They're bite-sized round balls of glazed yeast donuts.

An order of five cost me $1.49.

News: Wendy's Unveils New Flatbread Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

The latest food from Wendy's comes in the form of new, limited-time Flatbread Grilled Chicken Sandwiches. The new entree comes in two varieties: Asiago Ranch and Smoky Honey Mustard.

The Asiago Ranch Flatbread comes with grilled chicken breast strips, spring mix, tomatoes, natural Asiago cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, and creamy Asiago ranch sauce, folded in a five-grain toasted flatbread (The grains are millet, natural sesame seed, flax seed, rolled oats, and cracked wheat). It carries a suggested price tag of $3.99.

Review: McDonald's - Chicken & Bacon McWrap

Apparently, McDonald's new McWraps are meant to better compete with Subway in the sandwich category. I recently tried the Grilled Chicken & Bacon McWrap, which comes with a few slices of a grilled chicken filet, diced pieces of bacon, two half slices of tomato, spring greens, shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar jack cheese, and a creamy garlic sauce.

Regardless of which version you choose, each McWrap is typically sold for $3.99.

News: McDonald's - Cherry Berry Chiller and Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Return

After a bit of hibernation for the winter, Cherry Berry Chillers and Frozen Strawberry Lemonades return to McDonald's for a limited time (probably through the fall).

The frozen slush ice juice drinks are part of McDonald's McCafe drink platform and come in at about the same price as their Frappes and Lattes.

News: Papa John's Double Pepperoni Pizza Returns

The Double Layered Premium Pepperoni Pizza is back at Papa John's for a limited time. The pizza takes your standard pepperoni pizza and layers on wider, deli-style pepperoni to go along with the typical pizza pepperoni, before sprinkling on Italian herb seasoning.

The pizza is offered at $10 for a 14" large pizza.

Review: Blue Diamond - Bold Wasabi Soy Sauce Almonds

Blue Diamond Bold Wasabi Soy Sauce Almonds promise "Smart Snacking with Intense Taste."

They come in a 6-ounce can for $3.99.

News: Pepsi Redesigns Bottle

For the first time in 16 years, Pepsi has redesigned their single-serve bottle. The new shape is meant to be a "visual expression" of Pepsi's "Live for Now" slogan.

While Pepsi has long been marketed as the cola for the younger and hipper generation, it's bottle has never been as distinctive as Coke. The new bottle is meant to express Pepsi's "brand DNA."

Review: Krispy Kreme - Glazed Banana Creme Pie

Krispy Kreme's Glazed Banana Creme Pies is one of those convenient turnover-type pies that are basically a pie crust pocket filled with banana creme.

They're only here for a limited time and offered for $1.09. I've never seen these in my area, but Krispy Kreme provided me with two for review.

Around the World: KFC Australia Brings It with Coleslaw, Bourbon, and Chicken Sandwich

While Carl's Jr. and Hardee's recently announced the new Jim Beam Bourbon Burger here in the States, down under, KFC Australia offers the Black Edition Kentucky Burger. The sandwich also features a bourbon flavored BBQ sauce, but also throws KFC's distinctive coleslaw into the mix, along with cheese, bacon, crispy fried onions, and a fried chicken filet.

If you're in the area, you can catch one for $6.95 AUS (~$7.26 US).

Around the World: McDonald's Hong Kong Offers Spicy-themed Menu

If you find McDonald's Hot 'n Spicy McChicken isn't quite spicy enough for you, you might want to get yourself to Hong Kong, where McDonald's is currently offering the limited-time Spicy Sensations menu.

The menu features a staggered rollout of four sandwiches as well as a themed side and drink.

Frozen Friday: Marie Callender's Braised Beef Pot Roast

Marie Callender's Braised Beef Pot Roast is part of their new line of Comfort Bakes, which promises oven-baked taste from a microwaved-cooked frozen meal.

The entree features braised beef pieces with roasted red potatoes, pearl onions, and carrots, in a brown gravy.

An 11-ounce box retails for $3.69 at my local supermarket.

News: Starbucks Expands My Starbucks Rewards Loyalty Program

Starbucks plans to expand their My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program to encompass their other brands and to include purchases at other point-of-sale outlets. Specifically, the company will soon reward customers with "Stars" for grocery store purchases of Starbucks products as well as for purchases at Teavana stores, which are owned by Starbucks.

News: Wienerschnitzel - BOGO Corn Dogs on March 24

Wienerschnitzel is offering a "buy one, get one free" corn dog promotion this Sunday, March 24, in honor of National Corn Dog Day.

The corn dogs are normally 99 cents, so you're looking at paying about 50 cents per corn dog under the offer.

Review: Burger King - Loaded Tater Tots

Burger King's new, limited-time Loaded Tater Tots follows on the heels of their Cheesy Tots and features a breaded and fried tater tot filled with potatoes, onions, bacon, and cheese.

I picked up an order of 8 tots for $1.99 at my local Burger King.

News: Arby's to Offer House-made Potato Chips

Arby's plans to offer House-Made Potato Chips nationwide starting in May or June according to NRN. The chips have already been tested in several markets.

To give the chips some distinctive Arby's flavor, an Arby's Sauce-flavored powdered seasoning can be added (personally, I think they should offer a Horsey Sauce-flavored seasoning).

News: New McWraps Arrive at McDonald's

McDonald's adds McWraps as a permanent new addition to their menu. A bit like giant Snack Wraps, McWraps are available in three varieties that each feature fresh vegetables, grilled or crispy slices of chicken breast, shredded cheese, and sauce, wrapped in a flour tortilla for convenient portable eating.

The available flavors are Chicken & Bacon, Sweet Chili Chicken, and Chicken & Ranch. Regardless of the flavor, each McWrap carries a suggested price of $3.99.

Review: Burger King - Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger

Burger King's new, limited-time Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger features a ground beef patty with pieces of thick-cut bacon and cheddar cheese mixed in, accompanied by lettuce, tomatoes, onion rings, ketchup, and mayo, nestled in a artisan-style bun.

The suggested retail price starts at $3.99, but it was quite a bit more at my local Burger King at $4.99.

News: Carl's Jr./Hardee's Introduce New Jim Beam Bourbon Burger

Carl's Jr./Hardee's latest limited-time burger is the new Jim Beam Bourbon Burger which features a "rich and tangy sauce flavored with Jim Beam bourbon."
Along with the sauce, you can choose form single, double, or Six Dollar Burger patties to join crispy onion straws, two strips of bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a sesame seed bun.

News: McDonald's Strawberry & Creme Pie Returns

McDonald's Strawberry and Creme Pie returns to the menu for a limited time at participating McDonald's locations.

The pie was last seen around this time last year and features a layer of strawberry filling along side a layer of vanilla-flavored creme. The crust has a light layer of sugar baked on.

Review: Burger King - Plain Latte

Burger King describes their Plain Latte as "a rich, creamy and perfect balance of 100% Latin American Arabica coffee and velvety deliciousness." A quick search of the Burger King website revealed that it's made from a mix of instant coffee and latte powder.

My local Burger King normally offers a small 12-ounce cup for $2.49, but BK is running a limited-time promotion that pushes the price down to an even dollar.

News: Burger King Offers Stuffed Bacon Burger and Donut Holes for Spring Menu

Along with their recent latte launch, Burger King continues their seemingly endless parade of limited-time items with an expansive spring menu they're calling "Burger Fest," which includes a bacon stuffed burger and new donut holes.

The full line up includes two hamburgers, three non-beef sandwiches, tots, a smoothie, iced teas, and dessert.

Here's the line up in detail:

News: Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day on April 9, 2013

Ben & Jerry's has set the date for their annual Free Cone Day for April, 9, 2013, a day where Ben & Jerry's fans from all over the world and indulge (or more likely, over-indulge, as there is no limit on the number of times you can wait in line) in their favorite Ben & Jerry ice cream flavors.

The event is a world-wide promotion at participating Ben & Jerry's scoop shops where you can get yourself a free cone of any flavor ice cream on the menu.

News: Sonic - 50 Cent Small Tots on March 21

Sonic will be offering small orders of their Tots (as in tater tots) for 50 cents all day this Thursday, March 21 as part of a March Madness-themed promotion.

In a spoof on March Madness, they've been running a single elimination tournament ("BrackeTOTlogy: The Final Fry") pitting their Tot plushies against each other based on fan voting on their Facebook page.

Review: Arby's - Mint Chocolate Swirl Shake

Arby's conveniently green, limited-time Mint Chocolate Swirl Shake features mint chocolate syrup mixed with a vanilla shake base, decorated with a chocolate swirl, whipped cream, and broken pieces of Andes Mints.

A 20-ounce cup was $2.89 at my local Arby's. You can also get it in a value-size, but I was told it would be just the syrup and shake base without the other accouterments.

News: Jamba Juice Adds New Tropical Harvest Fruit & Veggie Smoothie

Jamba Juice has added a new flavor to their Fruit & Veggie Smoothies line with new Tropical Harvest and celebrates with a limited-time $2 smoothie coupon.

The new smoothie features a blend of mangos, peaches, yellow vegetable juice (sweet potato, butternut squash, and carrot) passion mango juice, and ice.

News: Domino's - Half-Off Online Pizza Orders for March Madness

Domino's is offering a 50% off discount off regular menu prices on all pizzas ordered online this week in celebration of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (better known as "March Madness").

To take advantage of the offer you'll need to input the code "50off" at checkout. The offer is good through Sunday, March 24. Just remember, it's good for online orders only.

Review: Pepperidge Farm - Simply Potato Cracker Chips

Pepperidge Farm's Simply Potato Cracker Chips are part of their Baked Naturals line which competes with Kellogg's Special K brand in the wholesome snack category (i.e. potato chip substitutes).

These are baked and made mostly of a mix of wheat flour and dehydrated potatoes.

A 5.8-ounce bag carries a suggested retail price of $3.49.

News: Burger King - Limited-time $1 Lattes Promotion

Burger King launches their new lattes this week and are promoting them by offering 12-ounce small-size lattes for $1 through Sunday, March 24.

The drinks are made from instant coffee and a latte powder mix. The following varieties are available: Plain, Mocha, Vanilla, and Caramel.

News: McDonald's Serves Sausage Double Beef Burger in China

While McDonald's Germany serves something similar now and again, McDonald's China has one upped them with a new, limited-time Sausage Double Beef Burger, which is just as meaty as it sounds.

The burger is pretty much meat and bun. Specifically, it's two sausages, two beef patties, and mustard on what looks to be a pretzel hamburger bun. It's offered for 17.50 yuan or about $2.82 US.

Review: Dole - Apple Cinnamon Fruit Crisp

Dole's Apple Cinnamon Fruit Crisp is basically a fruit cup of apples with a packet of oat topping to sprinkle on top. It works for yogurt, why not for fruit cups right?

A 8-ounce pack of 2 cups retails for $2.19, but I received this courtesy of Dole.

McDonald's Offers Golden Corn Nuggets in Germany

Apparently, McDonald's has been offering limited-time Golden Corn Nuggets in Germany as part of a, get this, Stars of America menu... I guess because we grow a lot of corn? Yeah, your guess is as good as mine on this one... It really makes you wonder how they view American cuisine abroad.

Frozen Friday: Trader Joe's - Potato Pancakes

Trader Joe's Potato Pancakes (or latkes) are small pancakes made of grated potatoes and flavored with onions.

A 10.6-ounce box of eight potato pancakes can be had for $1.99.

News: McDonald's to Give Away 5 Million McMuffins in Asia, Middle East, and Africa

McDonald's will celebrate National Breakfast Day this Monday, March 18, by giving away up to 1,000 McMuffins per restaurant at about 5,000 McDonald's restaurants across Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa. That's potentially 5,000,000 McMuffins being given away on Monday!

Sadly, the US is neither in Asia, the Middle East, nor South Africa, and as such, will not be participating in the promotion.

News: Wendy's Arabia Offers Veggie Burger and Nuggets

While they offer no such vegetarian option here in the US, Wendy's offers Veggie Burger and Tandoori Veggie Nuggets over in the United Arab Emirates (probably best known for the city-state of Dubai). 

The menu items were first introduced earlier this year in January.

The veggie patties and nuggets are made with mashed potatoes mixed with spices and vegetables, coated with bread crumbs and sport their own flavor profile.

News: El Pollo Loco - New Citrus Mango Tostada Salad

El Pollo Loco expands their line of Tostada Salad with the new, limited time Citrus Mango Tostada Salad. 

The salad features citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken, handmade citrus mango salsa, and fresh sliced avocados, pinto beans, seasoned rice, cilantro, and a romaine lettuce blend in a tostada shell, with a low-fat citrus vinaigrette.

Review: Taco Bell - Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze

Taco Bell's Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze is pretty much a Baja Blast-flavored slushie. It looks like the Freezes are replacing the Frutista Freezes on the Taco Bell menu.

The price is the same though: $1.99 for a 16-ounce medium. It's only $1 during Taco Bell's new Happier Hour though.

News: Wendy's Offers Fish and Chips and Fish Wrap in DC Area

Wendy's offers a couple more fish options this Lent if you live in the Maryland, Washington DC or Northern Virginia area. Besides the Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich, you can get Fish and Chips and a Fish Wrap.

Wendy's Fish and Chips feature two panko-crust cod fillets accompanied by a side order of Wendy's fries.

News: Sonic Brings Back Sweet Potato Tots and Introduces Spicy Popcorn Chicken

Sonic adds a new spicy version of their Jumbo Popcorn Chicken and returns Sweet Potato Tots for a limited time.

New Spicy Jumbo Popcorn Chicken features bite-sized piece of white meat chicken with a spicy fried batter shell. Along with the chicken, Sonic is introducing two new dipping sauces: Creamy Chipotle and Berry Spicy.

News: Arby's Testing Hash Brown Sandwich

Arby's is testing a Double Down-style sandwich using their potato cakes (i.e. hash browns) as buns. The new sandwich is part of a value menu test they're calling the "Snack 'n Save" menu. The test has been underway since, at least, January in Evansville, Indiana.

The hash brown sandwich is called the Bacon Cheddar Potato Cake Melt and is simply built with two halves of a slice of cheddar cheese and thick-cut pepper bacon between two Potato Cakes.

Custom Order: McDonald's Quarter Pounder Mac Style

Say you wanted a Big Mac from McDonald's, but preferred that it were meatier and easier to cram in your burger hole. Also, it'd be nice if the middle bun didn't threaten to escape every time you bit into it. With that in mind, I tried to order a Quarter Pounder Mac Style i.e. with Mac sauce and shredded lettuce instead of ketchup and mustard.

A Quarter Pounder goes for $3.29 at my local McDonald's and they charge 30 cents extra for shredded lettuce (bringing the total to $3.59), but here's the difficulty with custom ordering:

News: KFC Now Offers Original Recipes Bites with Gravy

KFC is offering a special, limited-time combo featuring their Original Recipe Bites (first introduced last year) and their signature gravy. The combo is priced at $3.99 and features 6 Bites, a side, and a drink, along with your choice of dipping sauce.

Sauce choices include gravy, Creamy Buffalo, Honey BBQ, Ranch, and Honey Mustard.

Apparently, the Original Recipe Bites have been doing quite well: KFC claims to have sold over 300 million of them.

News: McDonald's Introducing Egg White McMuffin in April

McDonald's is slated to introduce an egg-white version of their popular Egg McMuffin nationwide on April 22, according to The Daily Meal.

They're calling it the "Egg White Delight" and it features egg whites cooked on the grill similar to McDonald's scrambled eggs, rather than cooked in a ring like for the regular Egg McMuffin.

Review: McDonald's Hot 'n Spicy McChicken Sandwich

McDonald's Hot 'n Spicy McChicken is a recent add to their value-priced Dollar Menu. It features the same bun, shredded lettuce, and mayo as the standard McChicken, but comes with a spicier chicken patty.

I picked one up for $1 at my local McDonald's

News: Denny's Brings Back Baconalia

Denny's once again offers their annual Baconalia menu (stylized as "Baconalia!") for a limited-time with a full line-up of 12 bacon-ful menu items (and 2 non-bacon items). The name "Baconalia" is a portmanteau of bacon and Bacchanalia (a drunken revelry named after the Greco-Roman god of wine, Bacchus).

Highlights on this year's menu includes a maple bacon shake, as well as a maple bacon sundae.

Here's the full menu in all its bacon-y glory:

Local Review: Grill 'Em All - FTW Cheeseburger

Grill 'Em All's simply-named FTW (it stands for "For the win") burger is made for purists of the meat and cheese set as that's about all there is to this burger.

$6 gets you a half-pound beef patty and American cheese (or another cheese of your choice) on a bun.

News: Burger King - 2 for $5 Signature Sandwiches

Burger King's latest, limited-time promotion is an offer for 2 for $5 on Signature Sandwiches.

The chain's Signature Sandwiches include the Whopper, the Original Chicken Sandwich, and the Premium Alaskan Fish Sandwich (formerly the BK Big Fish Sandwich).

News: Caribou Coffee - New Biscotti Mocha and Milan Latte

Caribou Coffee ushers in the Spring with two new, limited-time coffee beverages: Biscotti Mocha and Cafe Milan Latte.

The coffee chain is marketing the new drinks as "the perfect complement to embracing life's simple moments" and has rolled out new cups, napkins, and other in-store decoration to reflect that theme.

News: Town Names Itself "Reubenville" for 5000 Free Sandwiches

The town of Coeymans (population: 7,418) takes up the name "Reubenville" for the month of March in answering Arby's "Reubenville Challenge" and they have the signage to prove it!

The spoils for answering the challenge? A cool 5000 coupons redeemable for a free Arby's Reuben sandwich each. Of course, that leaves 2,418 people out in the cold (and judging by the picture, it looks quite cold there!)

News: McDonald's - New Hot 'n Spicy McChicken on the Dollar Menu

McDonald's adds a spicier version of the McChicken to their value-priced Dollar Menu with the new Hot 'n Spicy McChicken. The sandwich offers the same shredded iceberg lettuce, mayo, and hamburger bun of the original, but with a spicier chicken patty with a redder hue to it.

The sandwich is available for $1 in most markets.

Review: Tostitos - Cantina Traditional Tortilla Chips

Tostitos Cantina tortilla chips are the latest addition to Frito Lay's Tostitos line. You might have seen the commercials, which position the chips as restaurant-style chips that you might find at your local Mexican eatery. I find that kinda weird, since Tostitos are already "restaurant-style" chips.

The Cantina Traditional tortilla chips are made of yellow corn and are slightly smaller than standard Tostitos.

A 12-ounce bag retails for $3.29 in my area.