Free Pancakes at IHOP on Tuesday, March 3, 2015

IHOP is once again giving away free pancakes for National Pancake Day. An annual tradition, the diner chain is offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes at participating locations from 7 AM to 10 PM on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 (dine-in only).

Doritos Jacked Now in 3D

Frito-Lay gives the Doritos Jacked line the 3D treatment with new Doritos Jacked 3D. The new chips come in a three-dimensional shape meant to have an even more powerful crunch and even more bold flavor.

Ben & Jerry's New SNL Wayne'Swirled Ice Cream Only Available in Scoop Shops

Ben & Jerry's continues their SNL (Saturday Night Live) love with new Wayne'Swirled ice cream inspired by the Wayne's World skit featuring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey as Wayne and Garth.

Review: Lunchables - Cinnamon Roll Dippers

Lunchables Cinnamon Roll Dippers feature three mini cinnamon rolls with a packet of frosting and some raisins.

I got a 3.15-oz box for $1 on sale.

Coors Offers New Naturally Gluten-Free Beer

Coors has come up with new Coors Peak certified gluten-free beer. They're calling it a "new, naturally gluten-free copper lager made with 100 percent all natural ingredients."

Edible Cookie Coffee Cup in the Works in the UK from KFC

KFC has come up with an edible coffee cup for possible deployment over in the UK. According to Metro, they're called "Scoff-ee Cups" and they're biscuit (cookie) cups with an inner lining of white chocolate and an outer wrapping of sugar paper made to look like a Seattle's Best Coffee cup.

Frozen Friday: Jimmy Dean - Golden Roasted Chicken

Jimmy Dean's Golden Roasted Chicken frozen meal features grilled strips of chicken with potatoes, peppers, and onions, in a creamy herb sauce.

I bought a 9-oz box for $1.49 on sale.

Preview: Taco Bell's Cap'n Crunch Delights Test

Taco Bell just started testing Cap'n Crunch Delights as a possible future menu item and I got to sample them early on a recent visit to Taco Bell headquarters. They're basically a Cap'n Crunch version of the currently offered Cinnabon Delights.

2015 Lenten Fish and Seafood Fastfood Round Up

It's Lenten season again. Here's 2015's list of the mostly fish and some seafood items you'll find at some of the biggest fast food chains for Lent:

Review: Taco Bell - Sriracha Quesarito

Taco Bell's Sriracha Quesarito features a grilled flour quesadilla filled with nacho cheese sauce and Taco Bell's own version of Sriracha sauce, wrapped around a filling of seasoned ground beef, Latin rice (formerly known as "cilantro rice"), more Sriracha sauce, and reduced-fat sour cream.

It was $2.49 for one (the same price as their regular Quesarito), but I received this one courtesy of Taco Bell. It's also available with chicken ($2.99) or steak ($3.29).

Tic Tac Offers Two Varieties of Mint in Newest Product

For those who like both mellow and bold mint flavors, Tic Tac introduces new Spearmint Mix Tic Tac mints.

Each container features a mix of two different artificially-flavored spearmint mints. There's light green pills with a smooth, light flavor and dark green pills for a minty punch to your mouth.

Domino's Tries Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookies

No word on whether this is a test or a regional offering, but Domino's recently started offering Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Chips Cookies at select locations (since last year at some locations).

The cookie is described as a "moist chocolate chunk cookie dipped in extra milk chocolate for a delicious chocolately treat." It's priced at $1.49.

Review: Panera Bread - Soba Noodle Broth Bowl with Chicken

Panera Bread's Soba Noodle Broth Bowl with Chicken features sliced chicken, soba buckwheat noodles, fresh spinach, napa cabbage blend, roasted mushroom and onion blend, sesame seeds, and cilantro in umami soy-miso broth.

It's normally $8.99 for a bowl in my area but I received this courtesy of Panera.

Hillshire Farm's New "Naturals" Lunchmeat Comes with a Money-Back Guarantee

Hillshire Farm is backing their new Naturals line of lunchmeat with a money-back guarantee.

The new premium line contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives, colors, or added nitrites/nitrates.

Review: Bojangles - Bo' Berry Biscuit

Bojangles' Bo' Berry Biscuit features a made-from-scratch sweet biscuit with blueberries, freshly baked and topped with icing.

I picked one up for $1.19.

Arby's Reuben Gets a New "Rachel" Variant

Arby's latest sandwich is the new, limited-time Turkey Rachel, which is being offered as a variant on their Reuben that comes with roast turkey and housemade coleslaw rather than the corned beef and sauerkraut.

Other than the turkey and coleslaw, the new sandwich shares the same Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on marble rye.

TGI Fridays Endless Apps Now with Endless Choice

Endless Appetizers are back at TGI Fridays and now they come with "Endless Choice" (i.e. you're no longer stuck with an endless amount of one appetizer like the first time they offered the deal.).

Review: Taco Bell - Snapple Lemonade Freeze

Taco Bell's Snapple Lemonade Freeze features an icy slush drink with the flavor of Snapple Lemonade.

It's normally $1.99 for a 16-oz cup but I got this at Taco Bell HQ for free (because it doesn't come out until Thursday).

Taco Bell Launches New Snapple Lemonade Freeze

A new flavor is working its way into Taco Bell's icy Freeze drink rotation this Thursday, February 26, 2015. The new Snapple Lemonade Freeze is coming and its arrival means that the Dr. Pepper Vanilla Dr. Float Freeze is gone.

Preview of Taco Bell's New Sriracha Quesarito

Taco Bell's new Sriracha Quesarito is set to arrive this Thursday, February 26, 2015 but I got an early look/taste at it over at Taco Bell headquarters, so here's a preview of what to expect.

New Spicy BLT Whopper at Burger King

Burger King is offering a Spicy BLT version of their signature burger, the Whopper, for a limited time at participating locations.

The Spicy BLT Whopper features a quarter-pound flame-grilled patty, American cheese, spicy bacon sauce, iceberg lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and hardwood-smoked bacon on a toasted sesame bun.

New Zesty Salsa Pringles Tortilla Chips

Pringles introduces new Zesty Salsa as the latest flavor in the Pringles Tortillas line. Zesty Salsa is described as a "tangy, mouth-watering, tomato" flavor.

The idea is that they're supposed to be so packed with flavor that dipping is not needed (although the brand encourages "air dipping" if you're so inclined).

Review: Little Caesars - Bacon Wrapped Crust Deep Dish Pizza

Little Caesars' Bacon Wrapped Crust Deep! Deep! Dish Pizza features two squares of their deep dish pizza, each wrapped along the edges with strips of bacon and topped with pepperoni and bits of bacon.

It cost $12 for the pizza.

Starbucks Offers New Freshly-Roasted Coffee Subscription

Aiming at the upscale home coffee market, Starbucks now offers an online "fresh delivery" subscription service where you can order "super-premium, small-lot" coffees delivered within days of roasting (as opposed to the weeks and possibly months of a typical bag of Starbucks coffee at their stores or at retail).

Taco Bell Testing Taco Sauce Flavored Chips

Taco Bell is testing taco sauce-flavored tortilla chips in at least one location here in Southern California. Mirroring the company's taco sauces, the chips are available in Mild, Hot, and Fire versions.

The chips were spotted at a Taco Bell in Santa Ana, CA by a fellow Brand Eater who described them as tasting "like Doritos covered in Taco Bell sauce."

The chips came in 2-oz bags for $1.49 each and are good for 280 calories. You can see the bag is meant to resemble the design of Taco Bell's sauce packets.

Review: Mountain Dew - Kickstart Hydrating Boost

Mountain Dew's Kickstart Hydrating Boost is a caffeinated soda with coconut water and comes in two flavors: Strawberry Kiwi and Pineapple Orange Mango.

I tried both flavors at $1 per 12-oz can.

Free Donuts at Krispy Kreme on 2/24/2015 to Celebrate 1000th Shop Opening

Krispy Kreme will be celebrating the opening of their 1,000th donut shop by offering a free Original Glazed donut to the first 1,000 guests at each participating location around the world this Tuesday, February 24, 2015.

McDonald's Japan Offers New Hawaiian Menu Including Loco Moco Burger

McDonald's Japan is in the midst of offering a new, limited-time Hawaiian-themed menu that has been certified by the Japanese branch of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Featured ingredients include kalua pork, pineapples, and bananas.

The menu is available through late March and here's what you'll find on it:

Review: Lunchables Uploaded - Ultimate Deep Dish Pizza with Bacon

Lunchables Uploaded Ultimate Deep Dish Pizza with Bacon features Oscar Mayer bacon bits, Kraft cheese blend, a deep dish pizza crust, and pizza sauce that you assemble into a pizza yourself. Also included is a bottle of spring water, a single-serving packet of Kool-Aid Tropical Punch, Cheez-It crackers, and Oreo cookies.

It's normally around $4.49 for 5.1 oz. of food plus 10 fl oz of water, but I bought this on clearance for $1.

Eggo Waffles Now Available in New Gluten-Free Versions

Kellogg's introduces new Eggo Gluten Free Waffles in two flavors: Original and Cinnamon.

Rather than wheat flour, they're made with a combination of rice flour and whole oat flour and are meant to have the same taste and texture as the originals.

New S'mores and Mocha Coconut Bottled Starbucks Frappuccinos Plus Protein Doubleshots

Arriving later this month, Starbucks introduces two new flavors to their line of bottled Frappuccinos as well as new Doubleshot Coffee & Protein.

The two new flavors of Frappuccinos are S'mores and Mocha Coconut.

Frozen Friday: Bertolli - Chicken Carbonara and Farfalle

Bertolli's Chicken Carbonara and Farfalle frozen meal features farfalle pasta with white meat chicken and bacon in a creamy Alfredo sauce.

A 10-oz box was $1.88 on sale.

Loaded Breakfast Sandwich Returns to Jack in the Box

The Loaded Breakfast Sandwich is back at Jack in the Box and is now a permanent menu item at participating restaurants.

The sandwich features pretty much every breakfast meat available from Jack's kitchen, which includes hickory-smoked bacon, ham, and sausage.

Del Taco Debuts New Crispy Shrimp Epic Burrito

With Lenten season in full swing, Del Taco debuts the new Crispy Shrimp Epic Burrito and with it, the return of Crispy Shrimp tacos and burritos. There's also new Guacamole Fish Tacos.

The new Epic Crispy Shrimp Burrito features an oversized flour tortilla wrapped around a filling of crispy-fried shrimp, fresca lime rice, tangy green sauce, cabbage, secret sauce, pico de gallo, and guacamole.

Review: Starbucks - Tiramisu Latte

Starbucks' Tiramisu Latte features steamed milk, espresso, and mascarpone-flavored syrup topped with whipped cream and cocoa-espresso powder.

I bought a 12-oz Tall for $4.15.

P.F. Chang's Rolls Out Chinese New Year Menu

P.F. Chang's offers the Lucky 8 Dishes menu to celebrate Chinese New Year. The casual dining chain describes the menu as "traditional Chinese New Year fare with a modern twist.

Additionally, since it's also traditional to give gifts for Chinese New Year, customers who order off the new menu will receive a special red fortune cookie with an instant-win game piece inside.

Red Robin Serves New Crab Cake Burger and "Fruffles"

Red Robin enters into the vast field of Lent seafood offerings with the new Wild Pacific Crab Cake Burger as part of their premium Finest menu.

The burger features a crab cake patty made of  jumbo lump, blue, and Pacific snow crab along with arugula, lettuce, roasted garlic aioli, oven-roasted tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, on a caramelized ciabatta bun.

Burger King Adds New Spicy Big Fish Sandwich

Burger King adds a spicy version of their Big Fish Sandwich heading into Lenten season with the new Spicy Big Fish Sandwich.

The new sandwich includes the same White Alaskan Pollack breaded with panko, lettuce, pickles, and toasted brioche-style bun as the original, it subs out the tartar sauce for a creamy spicy sauce.

Review: Taco Bell - Chipotle Chicken Stack

Because Q went ahead and tackled the revival of the Triple Steak Stack, I decided to try Taco Bell's new alternative offering, the Chipotle Chicken Stack. It features the same nine-inch, Mexican-inspired flatbread and three-cheese blend, but with the distinction of chopped chicken instead of steak and the addition of chipotle sauce.

I got one for $4.99.

McDonald's Expands Seasoned Fries and Nuggets Test

McDonald's expands testing of their Shakin' Flavor seasoned fries and nuggets concept to Northern Nevada.

Available flavors include Garlic Parmesan, Spicy Buffalo, and Chipotle Barbecue. Basically, the idea is you empty the packet and your fries and/or nuggets into the bag and then you shake it.

Starbucks' 2015 Spring Menu Includes New Tiramisu Latte

Starbucks introduces the new Tiramisu Latte as part of 2015's spring menu. Along with the new "dessert beverage," they've brought back the Caramel Flan Latte. There are two food items featured on the menu as well; one new, one returning.

Here's what being featured on the menu:

Ben and Jerry's Churns New Jimmy Fallon's "The Tonight Dough" Ice Cream

Commemorating the one year anniversary of Jimmy Fallon taking over The Tonight Show, the talk show host gets his second Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor: new The Tonight Dough.

The flavor features caramel and chocolate ice creams with chocolate cookie swirls plus chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough.

New Bacon-Wrapped Deep Dish Pizza at Little Caesars

In perhaps a case of "why not?", Little Caesars has decided to wrapped the edge of their Deep Dish Pizza with slices of bacon for the new, limited-time Bacon-Wrapped Crust Deep Dish Pizza.

Review: Popeyes - Blueberry 'n Lemon Cream Cheese Pie

Popeyes' Blueberry 'n Lemon Cream Cheese Pie features a deep-fried, turnover-style pie filled with blueberries, a hint of lemon, and cream cheese.

I picked one up for 99 cents.

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's Introduces New Craft Beer-Battered Cod Fish Sandwich

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's adds a bit extra to their fish batter with the new, limited-time Redhook Beer-Battered Cod Fish Sandwich.

True to the name, the sandwich features a cod fillet dipped in batter made with Redhook Extra Special Bitter (ESB) ale before being fried till crispy. Along for the ride are the fairly standard lettuce, tartar sauce, and sesame bun. Additionally, the Carl's Jr. version includes tomato, while the Hardee's version includes a slice of American cheese.

Free Egg Rolls at Panda Express on 2/19/15

Panda Express celebrates Chinese New Year this Thursday, February 19, 2015 by doling out free Chicken Egg Rolls (limited one per person).

To take advantage of the freebie you'll need to either print or show this coupon from their website at a participating Panda Express location.

Krispy Kreme Debuts New Chocolate Chip Donuts

Krispy Kreme debuts two new chocolate chip-themed donuts for a limited time at participating locations.

The new donuts are the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Donut and the Java Chip Donut.

Cajun Shrimp Returns to McAlister's Deli

McAlister's Deli brings back New Orleans-inspired Cajun Shrimp for a limited time in a sandwich as well as a wrap or salad.

Review: Del Taco - Chili Cheese Nachos

Del Taco's Chili Cheese Nachos feature tortilla chips topped with warm nacho cheese, zesty red sauce, and beef chili.

It's part of the Buck & Under menu and cost me $1.

Domino's Offers Carryout 2-Topping Large Pizza for $5.99 Through 2/22

Domino's is running a deal where you can pick up 2-topping large pizzas for $5.99 each. The offer runs through Sunday, February 22, 2015.