Frozen Friday - Fruttare Banana and Milk Dessert Bars

Fruttare Banana and Milk Dessert Bars are milk-based ice cream (or rather "frozen dessert") bars made with small chunks of bananas.

A 10.8 fl. oz.- box of four bars was $3.49, but I got a coupon to try these courtesy of Unilever.

Around the World: McDonald's Singapore - New Burgers with Peanut Sauce

Out in Singapore, McDonald's is offering new Shiok Shiok Satay Burgers, available with either chicken or beef and featuring a peanut-based satay sauce popular in some Southeast Asian countries. "Shiok" (sounds like "shook") is a superlative term in Singapore as well as nearby Malaysia.

News: Jell-O - New University Molds for 2014 College Football Season

Just in time for the start of the college football season, Jell-O launches 16 new Jell-O University Mold Kits this month so that you can express your school pride (as long as it's one of the available universities) in jiggly form.

The product was first launched last year with a line up of four schools: the University of Arkansas, University of Florida, University of Michigan, and University of Texas. The 16 new schools for this year's line up are:

Review: Jack in the Box - Croissant Donut

Jack in the Box's Croissant Donut features flaky, croissant dough shaped like a donut, fried up and dusted with cinnamon sugar.

I bought one for 99 cents (you can also get 3 for $2.19).

News: New Snickers Xtreme Candy Bar

Because fans voted for it, the newest Snickers brand candy bar will be named "Snickers Xtreme."

Around the World: Lay's Canada 2014 "Do Us A Flavor" Finalists Include Cinnamon Bun

Like the US, Canada gets its own set of 2014 Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" finalists, and while Cappuccino is our "I-don't-think-this-should-be-a-chip" flavor, Canada's analog is the equally head-scratching Cinnamon Bun Lay's Original potato chips.

Review: Popeyes - Tear'n Tenderloin Chicken

Popeyes' Tear'n Tenderloin Chicken are cuts of fried chicken filets that are semi-split in the middle so that it's easy to tear and dip them.

Popeyes is offering them for a limited time in a combo with two pieces with a side, biscuit, and new Cajun Creamy Garlic sauce for $3.99.

News: Jack in the Box - New Croissant Donuts and Breakfast Burritos

Jack in the Box launches new, limited-time Croissant Donuts and two new breakfast burritos that are the biggest they've ever offered.

Jack's new Croissant Donuts (AKA 'Cronuts') are mini versions of the trendy hybrid dessert.

News: Cold Stone Creamery - New Peanut Butter & Jelly Ice Cream and Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cold Stone Creamery goes for a back-to-school theme with Peanut Butter & Jelly ice cream in a new, limited-time Creation that they're calling PB&Just Delicious.

It features peanut butter, grape jelly, and graham cracker pie crust folded and mixed into Peanut Butter & Jelly ice cream.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Texas BBQ Thickburger

Carl's Jr.'s Texas BBQ Thickburger features smoked beef brisket, a charbroiled beef patty, spicy mesquite BBQ sauce, crispy jalapeno and onion strips, and melted American cheese on a Fresh Baked Bun.

I got the 1/2 lb. version courtesy of Carl's Jr. It's normally $7.39 (A 1/3 lb. version was $6.29 and the regular single patty version goes for $4.79 at my local Carl's Jr.).

Around the World: Starbucks South Korea's New Sodas Come with Flavored Jelly

Starbucks' recently introduced their handcrafted Fizzio soda platform this summer in the US (in the warmer states anyway), but they also just launched it over in South Korea and, I have to say, South Korea got the better of it since their soda flavors come with various flavored jellies.

While we get Ginger Ale, Root Beer, and Lemon Ale, the South Koreans get Lemon Ginger with Mango Jelly, Passion Tea Lemonade with Hibiscus Jelly, and Yogurt Citrus with Mango Jelly.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Coffee-Flavored Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts combines their coffee and donuts for new, limited-time Coffee Creme Donuts, made with the chain's Original Blend coffee. Additionally, they're offering new French Vanilla Swirl and Hazelnut Swirl flavors for their coffee beverages.

Review: McDonald's - Jalapeno Double

McDonald's Jalapeno Double features two beef patties, sliced pickled jalapenos, deep-fried crispy jalapenos, a slice of pasteurized process white cheddar, and ranch sauce on a plain hamburger bun.

I picked one up for $2.

News: KFC Gets the Colonel to Fill Up Gas for Free

Playing on the name of their latest promo (the $5 Fill Up combos), KFC had Colonel Sanders (or rather an actor dressed up as the Colonel) pumping free gas and giving away free KFC Gift Checks last Tuesday, July 29, at Pruitt's Service Island in Louisville, Kentucky.

News: Baskin-Robbins - August 2014 Flavor of the Month

Baskin-Robbins continues last month's Oreo theme for August's Flavor of the Month: Oreo Nutty Salted Caramel.

The flavor features Oreo cookie pieces, honey-glazed peanuts, and a salty caramel ribbon in vanilla ice cream.

Review: Claim Jumper - Italian Lemon Cake

Claim Jumper's Italian Lemon Cake is described as "five layers of rich cream cake, filled and topped with white chocolate lemon filling." It also has a lemon glaze on top.

It was $7.99 for a slice.

News: Stonyfield's New Greek Yogurt Alternative is Cheese

Basically Greek yogurt for people who don't like the taste of Greek yogurt, Stonyfield offers new Petite Cremes, which are made with cheese cultures rather than yogurt cultures.

Review: Claim Jumper - Roasted Tri Tip

Claim Jumper's Roasted Tri Tip features slow-roasted certified Angus Beef sliced over an herb peppercorn demi-glace served with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. It's only served medium rare to medium, so I went with medium rare.

It was $12.29 during lunch.

Around the World: McDonald's New Hotcakes with Ham and Cheese on Top in Singapore

Calling it them "Hearty Hotcakes," McDonald's is offering hotcakes topped with a slice of American cheese and chicken ham out in Singapore.

Frozen Friday: Trader Joe's - 5 Cheese Frusta

Trader Joe's 5 Cheese Frusta is basically a thin-crust pizza that's been folded up slightly to resemble a bow tie somewhat. Other than the odd fold, it's a standard pizza topped with marinara and five cheeses: Mozzarella, Emmenthaler, Edam, Provolone, and Rebekase.

It was $2.29 for 6.5-oz pizza.

News: Subway - August 2014 Featured Values

It's increasingly looking like Subway's monthly Featured $5 Footlong has gone the way of the dodo. The new promo they're going with appears to be Featured Values.

August's Featured Values include the BBQ Oven Roasted Chicken Melt as the $6 Footlong Special (a holdover from last month) and the Black Forest Ham as this month's $3 Six-Inch Select sandwich.

News: Dairy Queen - August 2014 Blizzard of the Month

Dairy Queen teams up with Nabisco for August's Blizzard of the Month: the new Chips Ahoy Blizzard.

It features Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies, chocolaty topping, and choco chunks blended into vanilla soft serve. Besides the Blizzard, it's also available as part of a Blizzard Cake.

Review: Papa John's - Spicy Pulled Pork Pizza

Papa John's Spicy Pulled Pork Pizza is a hand-tossed pizza topped with "Kansas City-style" barbecue sauce, slow-cooked pork, pepper jack and mozzarella cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes.

It was $12 for a large.

News: Jamba Juice - Free Juice on August 6, 2014

Jamba Juice will be giving away made-to-order, fresh-squeezed juices on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, from 9 am to 11 am, at participating locations.

News: Cinnabon - Now with Seasonal Wild Berries!

Taking advantage of the summer season, Cinnabon adds a new Wild Berry topping that can be added to either Classic Roll, Minibon, or Center of the Roll.

The topping features a combination of raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

Review: Sonic - Sonic's Garlic Parmesan Cheesy Bread Dog

Sonic's Garlic Parmesan Cheesy Bread Dog features a hot dog bun with shredded cheddar baked onto it, filled with a beef hot dog, garlic parmesan sauce, and grilled onions.

It's normally $2.89 for the hot dog, but this one was provided courtesy of Sonic.

News: Long John Silver's - Free Fish & Fries on August 2, 2014

Long John Silver's must be feeling particularly generous as they will once again be giving away free orders of fish and fries this Saturday, August 2, 2014, from 11 am to 3 pm at participating locations.

Here's Some Arby's Test Items You Might Never See

Arby's been pretty busy in the last year and tested a good amount of various menu items that I hadn't come across until now. So here's a bunch of Arby's test items from last year that went far enough in the process that they actually produced commercials for them, but we might not ever see them nationally:

Review: Krispy Kreme - Banana Pudding Donut

Krispy Kreme's Banana Pudding Donut is a yeast shell donut topped with yellow icing and pieces of vanilla wafers, and filled with banana-flavored Kreme filling.

It's $1.19 for one or $9.49 for an assorted dozen at the closest Krispy Kreme.

News: McDonald's - New $2 Jalapeno Double Burger

McDonald's latest update to the Dollar Menu & More is the new, limited-time Jalapeno Double burger for $2 at participating restaurants.

Occupying the same price tier as the Bacon McDouble, the Jalapeno Double features two beef patties, sliced pickled jalapenos as well as deep-fried crispy ones, a slice of pasteurized process white cheddar, and ranch sauce on a plain hamburger bun.

News: Papa John's - New Spicy Pulled Pork Pizza

Papa John's goes with a backyard barbecue theme and offers up the new Spicy Pulled Pork Pizza for a limited time.

Review: Taco Bell - Chicken Cantina Power Bowl

Taco Bell's Chicken Cantina Power Bowl is an update to the now-discontinued Cantina Bowl and features marinated, fire-grilled white meat chicken, romaine lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo, avocado ranch dressing, shredded cheddar cheese, and reduced-fat sour cream, on a bed of Latin rice and black beans.

It cost me $4.99 for a bowl.

News: Popeyes - New Tear'n Tenderloin Chicken

Popeyes' latest is new, limited-time Tear'n Tenderloin Chicken. The dish features two chicken breast tenderloins marinated in Louisiana seasoning and partially cut in half (for "easier dipping") before battered and deep-fried.

News: Arby's - New Mega Meat Stack Sandwiches

For those who like a bit of meaty variety to their sandwiches, Arby's offers new, limited-time Mega Meat Stack sandwiches, which are a trio of sandwiches featuring various combinations of Arby's meats.

The three Mega Meat Stack sandwiches consist of:

Review: Trader Joe's - Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix

Trader Joe's Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix is an instant sweetened green tea latte mix that you can quickly stir into a iced or hot green tea latte.

An 8-oz canister was $3.99 and good for about 8 servings.

Around the World: KFC Romania - New Dipping Fries

If you ever thought, "Boy, I wish my French fries could hold more sauce," KFC Romania has just the thing for you with new Dipping Fries.

Review: Krispy Kreme - Carrot Cake Donut

Krispy Kreme's Carrot Cake Donut is a cake donut with carrots and spice, topped with cream cheese icing and finished with strips of orange icing.

It's $1.19 for one or $9.49 for an assorted dozen in my area.

News: High-Protein Potato Chips are Now a Thing

Quest Nutrition, best known for protein bars, has come up with high-protein potato chips, calling them "Quest Protein Chips."

Frozen Friday: Lean Cuisine vs. Smart Ones - Chicken Enchilada Suiza

Chicken Enchilada Suiza or "Swiss Chicken Enchiladas" refers to the plentiful amounts of dairy used in the dish, including a cream sauce rather than a red or green sauce. It doesn't seem like the prime candidate for "healthy" meals, but here we are.

Lean Cuisine's Chicken Enchilada Suiza comes with sour cream sauce and Mexican-style rice, while Weight Watchers Smart Ones' features a "zesty sour cream and green chile sauce with Spanish rice."

Both weigh in at 9 ounces and were $2 each on sale.

News: Burger King Debuts New A.1. Ultimate Cheeseburger and Mushroom & Swiss Big King

Burger King fights back the midsummer lull with the introduction of two new burgers: the A.1. Ultimate Cheeseburger and Mushroom & Swiss Big King.

News: Wendy's Testing "Build Your Own" Burger

Wendy's is trying out a "Build Your Own" burger/ sandwich menu out in Columbus, Ohio.

While the burger chain already allows you to customize your burger how your want it, having all the options laid out on the menu gives let's customers know the available choices as well as the pricing for said choices.

Review: Taco Bell - Grilled Breakfast Burritos

L to R: Fiesta Potato, Sausage, and Bacon

Taco Bell's Grilled Breakfast Burritos features scrambled eggs, warm nacho cheese, and a choice of either sausage, bacon, or seasoned Fiesta potatoes and pico de gallo, wrapped up in a flour tortilla and grilled.

I ended up trying all three for $1.29 a piece.

News: Starbucks - Treat Receipt Deal Back Through 8/17/14

Starbucks has brought back their Treat Receipt promotion where you can bring back your morning Starbucks receipt after 2 pm on the same day and get any Grande cold beverage for $2.

Around the World: MOS Burger Japan offers New Gluten-Free Buns

Japanese burger chain MOS Burger now offers gluten-free hot dog and burger buns as part of a new hypoallergenic kid's menu that is devoid of buckwheat, peanut, egg, milk, wheat, and shrimp.

News: Olive Garden - New 3-Course Alfredo Dinner Starting at $11.99

Olive Garden is offering a new 3-Course Alfredo Dinner with four new Alfredo entrees to choose from, plus soup or salad and dessert starting at $11.99 for a limited time.

The available entree choices are:

Review: Taco Bell - Grande Scrambler

Taco Bell's new Grande Scrambler features Fiesta potatoes, pico de gallo, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and a choice either bacon, sausage, or steak wrapped up in a flour tortilla.

It cost me $2.49 for one with bacon (sausage costs the same and steak is slightly more at $3.29).

News: Carl's Jr. / Hardee's - New Texas BBQ Thickburger

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's introduce the new, limited-time Texas BBQ Thickburger and add new Black Angus beef patty sizes ranging from a quarter pound to a half-pound.

News: Pizza Hut Builds Life-Size Pizza Thrower

As part of a summer tie-in with the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie coming August 8th, Pizza Hut has built a life-sized, fully-operational version of the Pizza Thrower (some of you might remember the toy from back in the '80s). Move over drone delivery?

The Pizza Thrower can be seen at Comic-Con in San Diego (July 24 to 27), where attendees can line up to man the turret and fire off faux Pizza Hut Cheesy Bites pizzas at targets and enemies of the Ninja Turtles (they'll also be able to eat some real Cheesy Bites Pizza, while they wait).

Review: Carl's Jr. - Chorizo, Egg & Cheese Biscuit and Burrito

Carl's Jr.'s Chorizo, Egg & Cheese Biscuit and Burrito are new to the menu. The biscuit comes with crumbled chorizo sausage folded into eggs and topped with pepper jack cheese on a "Made from Scratch" biscuit. The burrito features crumbled chorizo, scrambled eggs, shredded jack and cheddar cheeses, Hash Rounds, and pico de gallo, wrapped up in a soft flour tortilla.

It was $2.49 for the biscuit and $3.69 for the burrito, but I got the burrito courtesy of Carl's Jr.

News: 7-Eleven - $1 Big Bite Hot Dogs on July 23, 2014

Like Sonic, 7-Eleven is celebrating National Hot Dog Day on July 23, 2014, by offering their Quarter-Pound Big Bite all-beef hot dogs for a discounted $1 (they're normally over $2) at participating stores, while supplies last.

7-Eleven hot dogs can be topped with a number of condiments free of charge, including nacho cheese and chili.