News: Starbucks Testing Handcrafted Sodas

Starbucks is trying new Handcrafted Sodas as a test out in Austin and Atlanta. "Handcrafted" is the term Starbucks uses for drink they make as opposed to the bottled drinks available in their refrigerated displays.

The kicker here is that Starbucks is using a machine to add carbonation to the drinks so that you can ask them to adjust the level of fizz to your liking.

News: Red Lobster - Endless Shrimp is Back for $15.99

Red Lobster is once again offering their Endless Shrimp deal for a limited time. Under the deal, you can get as many shrimp entrees as you like for $15.99. The price also includes a choice of salad plus unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

Options include new Spicy Soy-Wasabi Grilled Shrimp, Hand-Breaded Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp Scampi, and Shrimp Linguini Alfredo.

Review: Popeyes - Blackberry and Cream Cheese Pie

Popeyes' Blackberry and Cream Cheese Pie ("Blackberry 'N Cream Cheese Pie") is a new, limited-time pie featuring a deep-fried, bubbly turnover-style crust with a piped filling of cream cheese and blackberry puree.

I picked one up at my local Popeyes for $1.29.

News: KFC Tests KFC eleven Fast Casual Concept

KFC is testing a fast casual concept dubbed "KFC eleven" (for the 11 secret herbs and spices of the Colonel's Original Recipe) with a recently opened location over in Louisville, Kentucky.

Similar to Chipotle and Subway, the new restaurant features a cafeteria-style, made-to-order setup.

News: Taco Bell Testing Chicken and Waffle Taco

Photo: Anonymous

While Taco Bell is still working on their Waffle Taco breakfast test, they're also looking at other variations by having very briefly (for about a week) tested the Chicken & Waffle Taco and are currently testing the Very Berry Waffle Taco at a few select locations in Orange County, CA.

Unlike the original Waffle Taco, the two new versions were/are offered as all-day options.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwich

Carl's Jr.'s Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwich features vanilla ice cream between two halves of a Strawberry Pop-Tart pastry.

In case, you're not inclined to make one at home, you can pick them up at Carl's for $1.69 a piece (price in Los Angeles area).

News: Sonic Adds Egg White Option

Sonic now offers an egg white option on any breakfast item with eggs, including their breakfast burritos and Breakfast Toasters sandwiches.

The move follows the recent introduction of McDonald's Egg White Delight option. It should be noted that Sonic serves breakfast all day while McDonald's does not (at least not yet).

News: Taco Bell Reveals New Fiery Doritos Locos Taco

Taco Bell revealed today that Fiery Doritos Locos Tacos will be their third flavor of the Doritos Locos platform and will be available at Taco Bell locations nationwide starting Thursday, August 22, 2013.

It is essentially the Flamas Doritos Locos Taco previously tested, but with a different but similar name.

Taco Bell had previously teased previews of the new taco to generate buzz before launch, but many expected Doritos Flamas to be the next flavor.

Review: Arby's - Salted Caramel Shake

Arby's Salted Caramel Shake comes with a caramel swirl and is topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pink Hawaiian sea salt.

Unfortunately, when I ordered one I was asked if I wanted a small, medium, or large, and I went with the small which, the cashier neglected to mention, does not come with whipped cream, a caramel swirl, or sea salt. So yeah, I got a caramel shake. It was $2.19.

News: El Pollo Loco - New Signature Summer Burritos

For a limited-time, El Pollo Loco is offering three new Signature Summer Burritos: Chicken & Chorizo, Chicken Bacon Avocado, and Chicken Fajita.

The Chicken & Chorizo Burrito features shredded chicken with pork chorizo, Monterey Jack cheese, rice, pinto beans, cabbage, onions, cilantro, and poblano salsa.

Reference: Starbucks Recommended Frappuccino Custom Orders

With their "any drink can be customized" ethos, Starbucks doesn't have a secret menu.

But, that hasn't stopped people from putting out lists that, if ordered by name, would probably garner a blank stare from your Starbucks barista and a prompt to describe how to make the drink

Think about it. There are already enough drinks on the Starbucks menu. Why train specific off-menu drinks over just plain customization?

Review: Sara Lee - Devil's Food Creme Cakes

Sara Lee's Devil's Food Creme Cakes feature snack-sized devil's food cake topped with a layer of creme and covered with a chocolaty coating.

A 12.5-ounce box of 8 individually-wrapped cakes retails for $3.99, but I received these courtesy of Sara Lee.

News: Chobani Supplies Greek Yogurt for School Meals

The USDA is testing out the addition of Chobani Greek yogurt to K-12 school meal programs in New York, Idaho, Arizona and Tennessee. Chobani was chosen through a competitive bid process for the pilot program, which will evaluate Greek yogurt as a healthy protein option for students.

News: Jamba Juice - $2 Smoothies on August 12 through 16

Jamba Juice is angling for your morning drink dollars by offering their 16-ounce smoothies for a discounted $2 from 9am to 11am starting Monday, August 12, 2013 and running through Friday, August 16, 2013.

Review: Sara Lee - Buttery Sunshine Cakes

Sara Lee's new Buttery Sunshine Cakes are individually wrapped round, buttery golden cakes.

They come six cakes to a 9-ounce box and retail for $3.99 a box. I received these courtesy of Sara Lee though.

Around the World: Domino's UK - New Hot Dog Twisted Dough Balls

Over in the UK, Domino's is following up their Hot Dog Stuffed Crust Pizza with new Hot Dog Twisted Dough Balls. The dish features pizza rolls filled with mozzarella and mini hot dogs and brushed with garlic oil (there also looks to be a little mustard in there). They sound similar to stuffed garlic knots.

News: Olive Garden - Never Ending Pasta Bowl Returns

The Olive Garden is once again offering the Never Ending Pasta Bowl for a limited time. Under the deal, you can get unlimited soup, salad, breadsticks, and pasta bowls for $9.99.

Frozen Friday: Safeway Select - Moroccan Style Chicken

Safeway Select's Moroccan Style Chicken is a frozen entree featuring roasted white meat chicken in a "Moroccan recipe" tomato sauce with lentils, brown rice, corn, spinach, and feta cheese.

A 9.25-ounce box was $1.99.

Around the World: Pizza Hut Canada's Big Dipper Comes with Five More Sauces Than US Version

While Canada gets Pizza Hut's new Big Dipper Pizza over two years after us, they get it with six different dipping sauces to choose from while ours only came with one choice: marinara.

News: Sonic - Half-Price Cheeseburgers on August 15

Sonic will be offering half-price Cheeseburgers all day on Thursday, August 15, 2013 to mark the return of school (most school years start in August or September).