News: Papa John's - Half-Off Any Large Pizza Ordered Online

Papa John's is currently offering half-off the regular menu price of any large pizza ordered online. The offer is only valid through Sunday, August 18, 2013 at participating locations.

Review: Popeyes - Chicken Po' Boy

Popeyes' Chicken Po' Boy consists of two chicken tenders (spicy or mild, I chose spicy), shredded lettuce, pickles, and mayo on a French baguette. A shrimp version is also available.

I picked one up from my local Popeyes for $3.99.

Around the World: Dunkin-Donuts Offers Donut Croissants Abroad

Dominique Ansel's Cronut (croissant-donut) has generated a fair amount of buzz (and long lines) since its introduction in May, but as of yet, major donut chains like Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme haven't tried their hands at mass-production of a donut-croissant... at least not here in the US...

Review: Dairy Queen - Tripleberry Brownie Blizzard

Dairy Queen's Tripleberry Brownie Blizzard is August's Blizzard of the Month and features vanilla soft serve with chocolate chunks, chewy brownie pieces, and a Tripleberry fruit mix of strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry puree.

A Mini cup is regularly $1.99 to $2.49 at most locations, but I picked one up for a dollar extra with a $5 Buck Lunch.

News: Quiznos - New Black & Blue Salad

Quiznos goes for the healthy crowd this summer with less-than-500-calorie surf and turf salads in two limited-time varieties: the new Black & Blue Salad and the returning Lobster & Seafood Salad.

News: White Castle - New Grilled Chicken Sliders

White Castle now offers more chicken options with new Grilled Chicken Sliders featuring grilled chicken breasts. The new sliders come in three flavors: Savory, Western BBQ, and Bacon & Cheddar.

Review: Del Taco - Jacked Up Value Bean & Cheese Burrito with Rice

Del Taco's Jacked Up Value Bean & Cheese Burrito with Rice features slow-cooked beans, Fresca Lime rice, spicy jack cheese, and tangy green sauce wrapped up in a warm flour tortilla. It's a slightly suped up version.

The burrito goes for 75 cents. They also have a regular value bean and cheese (cheddar) burrito for 50 cents.

News: Jamba Juice - New Whole Grain Boost

Just in case you want to add some whole grains to your smoothie, Jamba Juice has added a new Quaker-branded whole grain boost option for 25 cents extra.

The Quaker Whole Grains Boost is a scoop of finely-ground oats good for one serving (16 grams) of whole grains.

The new boost is part of a new "Whole Food Boosts" platform that also includes the Greek Yogurt Boost and Chia Seeds Boost.

Neat! Totino's Turns Elevator into Microwave

In a marketing stunt to highlight the quick microwave cook time of their popular Pizza Rolls, Totino's revamped the inside of an elevator to look like the outside of a microwave oven with a microwave touch pad in lieu of elevator buttons.

Once the occupants arrived at the designated floor 60 seconds later, the doors opened to reveal a room mocked up to look like the interior of the microwave occupied by waiting Totino's employees with trays of Pizza Rolls.

News: Corner Bakery Cafe - New Hibiscus Lemonade

Corner Bakery Cafe is offering a new Hibiscus Lemonade in addition to the regular garden-variety version. The new drink is made with a blend of pomegranate, berries, and lemons plus a hint of hibiscus.

Review: Chick-fil-A - Mocha Cookies & Cream Milkshake

Chick-fil-A's new, limited-time Mocha Cookies & Cream Milkshake features the a blend of the chain's Icedream soft serve, Oreo cookie crumbles, coffee, and Hershey's chocolate syrup topped with light whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

A 14-ounce small cost me $3.15.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Pretzel Roll Sandwiches

Dunkin' Donut joins the pretzel bun trend this month with the introduction of new Pretzel Roll Sandwiches. The roll-out is anchored by a new, limited-time Pretzel Roll Roast Beef Sandwich, but the limited-time option of a pretzel bun is available for any of the chain's Bakery Sandwiches.

The Pretzel Roll Roasted Beef Sandwich features roast beef on a soft, warm, pretzel roll with white cheddar and Dijon mustard. The sandwich and option follows on the heels of a new pretzel bun cheeseburger from Wendy's, and a pretzel bun hot dog from Sonic.

News: Baskin-Robbins - August 2013 Flavor of the Month

Baskin-Robbins is offering Oreo Nutty Salted Caramel ice cream as their flavor for August. The flavor features vanilla ice cream with a salty caramel ribbon, Oreo cookie crumbles, and honey-glazed peanut pieces. The flavor is also being showcased in a layered sundae.

Review: Brownie-Filled Chewy Chips Ahoy

Nabisco's Brownie-Filled Chewy Chips Ahoy cookies each feature a disc of fudge brownie baked inside of a chewy chocolate chip cookie.

A 9.5-oz bag was $2.99 on sale.

News: 7-Eleven - New Summer Snacks

7-Eleven is introducing more new hot items this summer for your anytime-snacking enjoyment. The three new items are Corn Dog Bites, Mozzarella Sticks, and Chicken Chipotle Go-Go Taquitos.

The Corn Dog Bites are mini hot dogs wrapped in corn meal batter and cooked until crisp.  The suggested retail price for three is $1.00.

Trend Watch: Burrissimo - Italian-Style Chipotle?

Burrissimo is a fast casual chain here in Southern California that opened for business last year. The food comes from a Chipotle-style quick assembly line but with a twist.  Instead of Mexican food, you get to assemble your own Italian entree.

Like Chipotle, you can choose from burritos, bowls, or salads (but not tacos) with your choice of protein, sauces, and toppings.  Their star entree is the Burrissimo Italian Burrito, which is interesting because instead of rice inside, you get angel hair pasta.  Yup, pasta inside of a burrito.

News: Dairy Queen - August 2013 Featured Blizzard of the Month

Dairy Queen is offering the new, limited-time Tripleberry Brownie Blizzard as their featured Blizzard of the Month this August.  The sweet treat blends vanilla soft serve with chocolate chunks, chewy brownie pieces, and a Tripleberry fruit mix of strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry puree.

As usual, Tripleberry Brownie will be available throughout the month in four different-sized cups and as a Blizzard Cake.

Review: Flame Grilled Steak Flavored Ruffles Max Potato Chips

Flame Grilled Steak Flavored Ruffles Max Potato Chips are a relatively new, limited edition flavor from Frito Lay. According to the bag, these ridged potato chips "bring you that char-grilled meat taste that makes the caveman in you smile and want to club something."

I picked up an 8.5-oz bag for $2.99.

News: Chick-fil-A - New Mocha Cookies & Cream Shake

Chick-fil-A is set to introduce the new, limited-time Mocha Cookies & Cream Milkshake this Monday, August 5, marking the chains first new shake flavor since 2011.

The Mocha Cookies & Cream Milkshake features Chick-fil-A's Icedream soft serve, Oreo cookie crumbles, coffee, and Hershey's chocolate syrup blended together and topped with light whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

News: Subway - August 2013 $6 Footlong Special

It looks like Subway is forgoing the Featured $5 Footlong this month as they tinker around with their value promotions. Instead, they're offering the Buffalo Chicken, which used to be a Featured $5 Footlong, as a "$6 Footlong Special." Whether this is the new norm for Subway remains to be seen.