News: IHOP's New Waffles Have Bacon Baked Right In

IHOP introduces new Waffullicious Waffles, which include a new Bac' n' Cheddar version with bacon and cheddar cheese baked right in it. For good measure, the Belgian waffle is also topped with bacon pieces.

News: Krispy Kreme - 2014 Pumpkin Donuts

For Fall 2014, Krispy Kreme brings back the Pumpkin Spice Cake and Pumpkin Cheesecake donuts to participating US and Canada locations. Also back is their version of a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Review: Starbucks - Pumpkin Spice Steamer

I suppose you can consider this a Starbucks "secret menu" item: you can get a non-caffeinated Pumpkin Spice Latte by ordering a Pumpkin Spice Steamer, which is the same drink, only without the espresso.

They charged me $2.75 for a 12-oz Tall-sized cup (that's at least $1 less than the PSL at most locations).

News: Jason's Deli - New Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

Jason's Deli is now offering new gluten-free chicken nuggets that they're calling J.D. Nuggetz (... at the "z"). Rather than the typical flour, the chicken breast and rib meat nuggets are breaded with cornmeal and are also antibiotic-free on top of being gluten-free.

News: Dunkin' Donuts Adds Almond Milk Option for Coffee

Dunkin' Donuts adds almond milk as a new, non-dairy alternative to milk and/or cream for your coffee or latte.

They've turned to Blue Diamond to supply Vanilla Almond Breeze Almondmilk at select Dunkin' Donuts locations nationwide.

News: Olive Garden - All-You-Can-Eat Pasta for 7 Weeks for $100

Olive Garden is trying something new: rather than all-you-can-eat pasta for one visit, they're offering all-you-can-eat-pasta for a full 7 weeks for $100.

They're calling it the "Never Ending Pasta Pass," and there are only 1,000 of them available for purchase.

Review: Lay's Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese Potato Chips

Lay's Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese Potato Chips purport to meld their classic potato chips with the flavor of bacon mac & cheese.

I picked up a 2-and-7/8-oz bag for $1.49.

News: Taco Bell - Country and California Versions of A.M. Crunchwrap Are Coming

Taco Bell is planning to launch two new versions of the A.M. Crunchwrap later this year. Looking to bring more regional flavors to bear, the portable A.M. Crunchwrap will be available in a California and a Country version.

News: Caribou Coffee - New Pumpkin Ginger Latte

Caribou Coffee adds to their fall beverage line up with the new Pumpkin Ginger Latte, a spicier kick to the ubiquitous pumpkin lattes that crop up around this time each year.

The latte is made with a specially crafted pumpkin puree sauce, ginger spice, and gingersnap cookie crumbles on top.

Review: Lay's - Wasabi Ginger Kettle Cooked Chips

Lay's Wasabi Ginger-flavored Kettle Cooked potato chips are one of the finalist for this year's Do Us A Flavor contest.

A 2-and-7/8-oz bag was $1.49.

Taste Test: Taco Bell - New Biscuit Tacos

As you might have heard, Taco Bell is testing new Biscuit Tacos as a potential menu item for their breakfast menu. During a visit to Taco Bell headquarters, I got to try both the Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit Taco as well as the Crispy Chicken Biscuit Taco.

The Sausage, Egg, and Cheese is the more familiar of the two, as it's a common fast food breakfast combination that Taco Bell already offers in the Waffle Taco as well as in a burrito.

News: Taco Bell Testing New Biscuit Taco

Taco Bell is testing a new Biscuit Taco as a possible addition to their recently introduced breakfast menu. They're also testing two new versions of the AM Crunchwrap: one with country gravy and another with guacamole (more on that in a different post).

News: Haagen-Dazs - New Gelato Bars

In a bit of an odd fall launch, Haagen-Dazs debuts new Gelato bars. The follow-up to the gelato line introduced in March of 2013 featured bars of chocolate-covered gelato for on-the-go eating.

Haagen-Dazs Gelato bars come in three flavors. They are:

Frozen Friday: Dairy Queen - Apple Pie Blizzard

Dairy Queen's Apple Pie Blizzard features cinnamon apple pieces, cinnamon pie pieces, blended with vanilla soft serve, and topped with whipped topping and a dusting of cinnamon.

It was $3.39 for a mini-sized cup (due to the mall premium).

News: Del Taco - New $4 Fresca Bowls

Del Taco introduces new $4 Fresca Bowls, their nod to burrito bowls, available in three varieties for when you want a burrito, but could do without the flour tortilla.

Each bowl comes with a bed of fresca lime rice and seasoned black beans, but then offers a bit of variety depending on which option you choose:

News: Einstein Bros. - 2014 Pumpkin Menu

The annual late summer/fall pumpkin parade continues... over at Einstein Bros. (and Noah's Bagels), they're kicking off the "2014 Pumpkin Bagel Bash," with the return of the eponymous baked good as well as other pumpkin-themed items.

Here's what you'll find in Einstein Bros. 2014 Pumpkin Bagel Bash:

Review: Chick-fil-A - New Iced Coffee

Chick-fil-A's new Iced Coffee features cold-brewed coffee made from specialty grade Arabica coffee beans with 2% milk and cane syrup over ice.

It cost me $2.55 for a 20-oz medium cup. It's also available with vanilla flavoring if that's your thing.

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

Baskin-Robbins goes with Pumpkin Cheesecake for their 2014 September Flavor of the Month. The flavor features pumpkin and cheesecake-flavored ice cream interspersed with gingersnap cookie pieces and a cinnamon cream cheese ribbon.

News: The Coffee Bean - 2014 Fall Menu

The Coffee Bean's 2014 fall menu features a trio of new beverages as well as the ubiquitous Pumpkin Latte and Ice Blended.

The three new drinks are the Butter Pecan Latte, Butter Pecan Ice Blended, and Pumpkin Chai Ice Blended.

Review: Little Caesars - Soft Pretzel Crust Pizza

Little Caesars' new Soft Pretzel Crust Pizza features a buttery, soft pretzel crust topped with creamy cheddar cheese sauce, a blend of mozzarella and Muenster cheese plus a four-cheese blend of Asiago, Fontina, Parmesan, and white cheddar cheeses.

I got one with pepperoni on top for $6.

News: 7-Eleven - 50 Cent Coffee Through September 14

7-Eleven is celebrating 50 years of brewing up coffee-to-go by offering small-size cups of coffee for a discounted 50 cents at participating locations through Sunday, September 14, 2014 (I remember when a cup of coffee from 7-Eleven was regularly less than that, but that was awhile ago and before everyone starting switching to the more expensive Arabica coffee beans).

News: Dairy Queen - September 2014 Blizzard of the Month

Dairy Queen's Blizzard of the Month for September 2014 is surprisingly not pumpkin pie (although it might be next month or the month after). Instead, it's the new Apple Pie Blizzard, which features cinnamon apple, cinnamon pie pieces, blended with vanilla soft serve, and topped with whipped topping and a dusting of cinnamon (it almost sounds like a Cinnamon Blizzard).

News: Pizza Hut - $7 Large Cheese Pizza on September 4th and 5th

Pizza Hut is offering an online deal for a $7 Large Cheese Pizza that's only good Thursday, September 4, 2014, and Friday, September 5, 2014. 

Review: Pizza Hut - Waffle Fries

Pizza Hut's Waffle Fries feature battered and deep-fried waffle/criss cut potatoes.

It was $3 for an order.

News: Starbucks - 2014 Fall Menu

Starbucks' 2014 Fall Menu is, as always, anchored by the returning and ever-popular Pumpkin Spice Latte, which is joined the Salted Caramel Mocha and Teavana Oprah Chai Latte.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - 2014 Pumpkin Menu Includes New Pumpkin Creme Brulee Coffee

September launches pumpkin season at Dunkin' Donuts, starting with new Pumpkin Creme Brulee Coffee and Lattes and ending with a bevy of pumpkin-flavored drinks and baked goods.

Here's Dunkin's 2014 Pumpkin line up:

Review: Arby's - Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Arby's new Cinnamon Apple Crisp features baked spiced cinnamon apples and cake, topped with granola, caramel, whipped cream, and dusted with cinnamon.

I bought one for $2.39.

News: Papa John's - Free Large, 3-Topping Pizza with Order of $15 or More

Papa John's is offering a deal where you can get a free large, 3-topping pizza on a future order when you place an order totaling $15 or more.

To take advantage of the offer, you have to place an order online totaling $15 or more and enter the promo code "PLAYMAKER" on or before Sunday, September 14, 2014.

News: Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp Returns for 2014

Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp returns this month, but only for a limited time.

The popular deal allows customers to eat as much as they like of six different preparations of shrimp, plus a choice of salad and unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits. You can choose to eat just one flavor of shrimp or mix-and-match as you like.

News: Subway - September 2014 Featured $5 Footlong

After a summer hiatus, the Featured $5 Footlong returns to Subway for September 2014. This month's Featured $5 Footlong is the Italian B.M.T, which features a trio of Genoa salami, pepperoni, and Black Forest ham plus the standard choice of bread, cheese, and condiments.

Review: Trader Joe's - Peanutters

Trader Joe's Peanutters feature mini peanut butter cookies with the punch of three peanutty components: peanut-flavored chips, dry roasted peanuts, and peanut butter.

A 14-oz tub was $3.99.

News: Chick-fil-A's New Breakfast Items Test Update

Chick-fil-A has been testing out some new items to supplement their current breakfast menu since last year in a few select markets and it looks like they recently updated the test by swapping out some items that probably weren't up to snuff and added some new ones.

According to Mark Baldwin, a spokesman to USA Today, Chick-fil-A plans to roll out all or some of the new items nationally as early as late next year.

News: Hardee's - New Fried Bologna & Velveeta Biscuit

Hardee's recently introduced the new Fried Bologna & Velveeta Biscuit. It comes with a slice of fried Oscar Mayer Bologna, melted Velveeta cheese, and folded egg on the chain's signature Made from Scratch biscuit.

Review: Lay's Cappuccino-Flavored Potato Chips

Lay's Cappuccino-Flavored Potato Chip is the result of their second annual Do Us A Flavor contest. According to the bag, the chips contain zero caffeine, but includes natural coffee flavor (which isn't necessarily from coffee).

A 9.5-oz bag was $2.50 on sale.

News: Ben & Jerry's - Candy Bar Pie Now Available in Pints

Previously only available at Scoop Shops, Ben & Jerry's Candy Bar Pie ice cream is now available in pints as a Limited Batch flavor.

The flavor features peanut butter ice cream with fudge flakes, chocolate nougat and sweet & salty pretzel swirls.

Around the World: Starbucks Japan's New Caramel Flan Frappuccino has Actual Flan in It

For the fall, Starbucks Japan is offering a trio of new Caramel Flan coffee drinks including a Caramel Flan Frappuccino with actual chunks of custard pudding and caramel sauce (AKA flan or, as they're calling it, "Caramel Custard") starting September 1, 2014.

Frozen Friday: Trader Joe's - Mandarin Orange Chicken

Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken features battered chicken pieces with a mandarin orange chicken sauce.

A 22-oz bag goes for $4.99.

News: Boston's Pizza Introduces New Pizzaburger Sliders

Last year, Boston's Pizza (called "Boston Pizza" in its home country of Canada) introduced the Pizzaburger, where they basically assemble your standard pizza, slap a half-pound Angus beef patty on it, covered it in pizza sauce, and then wrap the patty up in the pizza dough before baking the whole thing.

This year, they've brought back the Pizzaburger and have introduced a smaller version: the new Pizzaburger Slider, a mini version of the original.

News: Papa John's - "Kickoff Special" 2-Topping Large Pizza for $10

Highlighting their sponsorship of the NFL, whose season starts next week, Papa John's is offering a "Kickoff Special" where you can get a 2-topping large pizza for $10.

Review: Pizza Hut - Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

Pizza Hut's Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza is available for a limited time and features end crust stuffed with a three-cheese blend (mozzarella, white cheddar, and provolone) plus diced up bits of hardwood-smoked bacon.

I bought a large topped with pepperoni for $11.99.

News: McDonald's Testing Mini Bundt Cakes to Go with Coffee

McDonald's is still looking for something to pair with their McCafe beverages during non-breakfast hours and is testing new McCafe Mini Bundt Cakes out in Florida to see if they can fit the bill.

The Mini Bundt Cakes are baked fresh daily and come in three varieties: Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Lemon, and Double Chocolate.

News: Jamba Juice - Labor Day Weekend Buy One, Get One Deal

Jamba Juice is offering a buy one, get one free deal on any smoothie or fresh-squeezed juice through Labor Day, September 1, 2014.

Like a lot of their deals, you'll need a coupon for this one and you can either print it out or show it from your your mobile device on their website here.

News: Pizza Hut - New Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

Pizza Hut's new Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza is a variation on their 3-Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza (the three cheese in question being mozzarella, white cheddar, and provolone) but with the addition of bacon to go with the cheese, because bacon makes everything better.

Review: Arby's - Gyro

Arby's Gyros (pronounced "year-oh" and not "guy-ro") come with either thin-sliced roast turkey or beef along with Greek seasoning, tzatziki sauce, sliced red onions, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomatoes, folded inside of a pita.

I had a coupon where they were two for $6 so I got one with turkey and one with beef.

News: Applebee's - New All-In Burgers

Applebee's updates their burger line up with the addition of new All-In Burgers, as in "the toppings are 'all-in' the burger patty." Each All-In Burger features toppings that are pressed into the burger patty during grilling.

News: McDonald's Brings Back the Cheddar Melt... But Only to Wisconsin

McDonald's has brought back the Cheddar Melt, but only to locations in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Review: Taco Bell - Spicy Tostada

Taco Bell's Spicy Tostada is part of their new $1 Cravings value menu and features refried beans, red sauce, creamy chipotle sauce, shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and tomatoes on a crunchy tostada shell.

Like the rest of the new value menu, it was $1.

News: Arby's - Gyros Return Plus New Apple Crisp and Creme Brulee Shake

Gyros are back at Arby's for a limited time, along with a new Cinnamon Apple Crisp baked dessert and a new Creme Brulee Shake.

News: Sonic - 50-Cent Corn Dogs on August 28, 2014

As summer comes to a close, Sonic is offering Corn Dogs for a discounted 50 cents each this Thursday, August 28, 2014.

News: Papa Murphy's - New Gluten-Free Crust Coming Soon

Papa Murphy's is catering to the gluten-free crowd with a new certified Gluten-Free crust coming soon to over 1,000 Papa Murphy's locations nationwide (I'd advise calling and checking for availability before making the trip).