Review: Taco Bell - Brownie Sandwich

Taco Bell's new Brownie Sandwich replaces the Cookie Sandwich and comes with two triangular-shaped brownies with a fudge creme filling between them.

I picked one up for $1.29.

News: Popeyes - New Blackberry and Cream Cheese Pie

Following up on the Strawberry and Cream Cheese Pie offered earlier this year, Popeyes is now offering a new, limited-time Blackberry and Cream Cheese Pie (stylized as "Blackberry 'N Cream Cheese Pie").

Around the World: McDonald's Japan - Mexican Festival Burgers

McDonald's Japan is currently running a "Mexican Festival" campaign featuring three limited-time burgers with three different proteins. There's the Double Beef Salsa, the Chicken Salsa, and the Shrimp Salsa. As you may have guessed, the burgers each features a dollop of salsa, but also a spicy jalapeno cheese sauce.

News: Jamba Juice - New Kona Berry Blast Smoothie

Jamba Juice recently introduced the new, limited-time Kona Berry Blast Smoothie, a seasonal smoothie featuring coffee fruit (the part of the coffee plant surrounding the coffee bean; they're calling it "Hawaii's superfruit"). It's basically a smoothie alternative to coffee, tea, and the like.

The coffee fruit is a good source of caffeine, as well as vitamins C and E. Jamba Juice is using coffee fruit juice supplied by Kona Red.

Review: Del Taco - Loaded Carnitas Fries

Del Taco's Loaded Carnitas Fries feature an order of crinkle-cut French fries topped with carnitas, shredded cheddar, chopped cilantro, onions, and a savory secret sauce.

An order cost me $3.49.

News: Denny's Brings Back "Build Your Own" Pancakes

Denny's has brought back their "Build Your Own" Pancakes for a limited time this summer. It's similar to the "Build Your Own" Burger on the regular menu, but with pancakes obviously.

News: Jack in the Box - New BBQ Really Big Chicken Sandwich

Jack in the Box has brought back the Really Big Chicken Sandwich and introduced its new sibling, the BBQ Really Big Chicken Sandwich. To sweeten the pot, either sandwich is available for a limited time in a combo with a 20-ounce drink and small order of Curly Fries for $3.99.

News: IHOP - New Fruit & Cream-Topped Waffles

IHOP's latest limited-time offer is Fruit & Cream-Topped Waffles. Coming in three varieties, the dishes each feature a crisp Belgian waffle topped with vanilla sweet cream, and a choice of bananas, berries, or cherries plus a dusting of powder sugar.

Review: Popeyes- Chicken Waffle Tenders

Popeyes' new, limited-time Chicken Waffle Tenders are made with chicken breast strips marinated in the chain's familiar Louisiana spices, then covered in a "unique and crispy waffle-style coating." The concept combines the Southern dish of chicken and waffles into one convenient package.

A combo with three tenders, Cajun fries, a biscuit, and Honey Maple dipping sauce runs for $4.99.

News: Chick-fil-A Testing Several New Breakfast Items

Chick-fil-A is currently testing several new breakfast items in a number of select markets. The items being tested include a Maple Waffle, a Cinnamon Biscuit Roll, a sausage English muffin sandwich, and a bacon bagel sandwich. They are also testing replacing grapes with blueberries in their fruit cups to see how customers like it.

Here are the details on the new breakfast test items:

News: Domino's - 50% Off Any Pizza Ordered Online

Domino's is running a quick, limited-time deal starting today, where you can get any pizza at menu price for 50% off when you order online.

Review: Auntie Anne's - Original Pretzel

Auntie Anne's Original Pretzel is a plain, fresh-baked soft pretzel spread with butter and sprinkled with pretzel salt. It's also available without butter and/or without salt.

I picked one up at the mall for $3.09.

Around the World: Lay's Canada - New Lay's "Do Us A Flavour" Potato Chips

Similar to the US earlier this year, Frito Lay is conducting the finalist voting stage of the Canadian Lay's "Do Us a Flavor" contest where fans suggest new flavors ideas for a chance for their ideas to become actual Lay's potato chip flavors.

Review: Kashi - Dark Chocolate Coconut Layered Granola Bars

Kashi's Dark Chocolate Coconut Layered Granola Bars provide a chewy granola bar featuring the brand's trademark blend of seven whole grains with a layer of dark chocolate mixed with dates, topped with dried coconut and peanuts.

A 6.7-ounce box of six 1.1-ounce bars retails for about $3.89.

News: Krispy Kreme - New Strawberry Krispy Juniors and Kreme Pies

Krispy Kreme offers new, limited-time Strawberry Juniors and Glazed Strawberry Kreme Pies at participating grocery stores this summer.

Glazed Strawberry Kreme Pies feature turnover-style pies filled with a sweet strawberry-flavored Kreme and finished with Krispy Kreme's Original Glaze. They're sold individually in 4-ounce boxes.

Around the World: Wendy's Japan - New Prosciutto Burger

Wendy's Japan's latest fanciful burger for their Japan Premium line of burgers is the Prosciutto Mozzarella Italiano burger, which arrives on July 29. Featuring the thin-sliced, dry-cured Italian ham, the burger also includes basil cream cheese sauce, sun-dried tomato sauce, a slice of mozzarella, spring greens, mayo, and a slice of tomato.

Frozen Friday: Ben & Jerry's - Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream

Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream is a fairly simple concoction of chocolate ice cream and fudge brownies.

A pint cost me $2.50 at Fresh and Easy during a sale.

News: Popeyes - New Chicken Waffle Tenders

Starting Monday, July 29, Popeyes will offer a variation on chicken and waffles by offering them together with new Chicken Waffle Tenders for a limited time.

The new Chicken Waffle Tenders differ from Popeyes' regular Handcrafted Tenders in that they are covered in a "unique and crispy waffle-style coating." The chicken breast strips marinated in Louisiana spices remain the same.

News: Hardee's - Texas Toast Breakfast Sandwiches Return

Texas Toast Breakfast Sandwiches are back at Hardee's. The sandwiches feature two buttery, grilled slices of Texas toast with egg, American cheese, and a choice of sausage, bacon or ham.

Texas Toast Breakfast Sandwiches are available at participating Hardee’s locations for $2.49 each and $4.69 in a small combo (price may vary).
Texas Toast Breakfast Sandwiches were first introduced in 2009 and was followed by the Texas Toast Bacon Cheeseburger before both were eventually discontinued.

News: Taco Bell - New Brownie Sandwich

Taco Bell's Cookie Sandwich is out and the new Brownie Sandwich replaces it on the dessert menu.

The Brownie Sandwich features two triangle-shaped brownies topped with mini chocolate chips sandwiching a layer of creamy fudge frosting filling.

The new dessert occupies the same price point as the Cookie Sandwich with a suggested retail price of $1.29.

Review: Taco Bell - Smothered Burrito

Taco Bell's Smothered Burrito features a warm flour tortilla filled with Latin rice, refried beans, creamy chipotle sauce, and the choice of new shredded chicken, seasoned beef, or steak. The burrito is then covered in red sauce, a melted 3-cheese blend, and reduced-fat sour cream. It looks like it's served in the same container as a Cantina Bowl.

I picked up the shredded chicken version for $4.09.

News: Burger King - Two for $5 Mix & Match Deal

Burger King is bringing back their two for $5 Mix & Match limited-time deal on a selection of the chain's sandwiches/burgers.

The selection this time around includes the Premium Alaskan Fish Sandwich, the Whopper, the Original Chicken Sandwich, and the returning-for-a-limited-time Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger.

Around the World: KFC Japan Offers Hand-held Ice Cream Makers

In what may be one of the coolest promotions (pun intended) this summer, starting today, KFC Japan is offering a free One Piece-branded, hand-crank, hand-held ice cream maker with the purchase of select combo meals.

News: The Cheesecake Factory - Half-Off Cheesecake Slices on July 30

The Cheesecake Factory will be celebrating National Cheesecake Day on July 30 by offering dine-in customers any slice of cheesecake for half-price (limit one slice per customer; good on July 30 only).

The company has also posted a Facebook offer for the same half-off discount on any slice, but valid a day early on July 29.

Review: Del Taco - Chipotle Beef Taco

Del Taco's Chipotle Beef Taco is their Regular Taco with the addition of a chipotle sauce. Other than that it's the same seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, and grated cheese in a crunchy taco shell.

The price is 75 cents each (compared to 59 cents for the regular one).

News: Pizza Hut - $6.55 Carryout Large 1-Topping Pizza Deal

Pizza Hut's latest limited-time deal is on a Large 1-Topping Pizza for $6.55 with carryout orders only and only from Monday through Thursday.

The deal compares to a carryout promotion being offered by rival Domino's where you can get a Large 3-Topping Pizza for $7.99 from Monday through Thursday (because people tend to order more pizza during the weekend).

Around the World: Burger King Japan - New Garlic Meat Beast Whopper

Burger King Japan will offer two new garlic-themed burgers for the summer, including one they're calling the "Garlic Meat Beast" in English (but translates to "Garlic Meat Monster" in Japanese). The theme for this limited-time two-burger menu is garlic as a stamina-replenishing food. As such, both burgers include plenty of fried garlic slices.

The burgers are slated to arrive on July 26.

News: Taco Bell - New Smothered Burrito

Taco Bell's latest permanent menu item, the new Smothered Burrito, launches tomorrow, Thursday, July 25. The dish is an enchilada-burrito combination and is also called a "wet burrito" in some places.

The Smothered Burrito features a warm flour tortilla filled with Latin rice, refried beans, creamy chipotle sauce, and the choice of shredded chicken, seasoned beef, or steak (being Taco Bell, you can also get the regular chicken as well; it just won't be listed on the menu). The burrito is then covered in red sauce, a melted 3-cheese blend, and reduced-fat sour cream.

Review: Five Guys - Bacon Cheese Dog

Five Guys' Bacon Cheese Dog comes with a split hot dog, bacon, and American cheese plus your choice off of their list of free toppings.

It's a bit pricey at $5.49 for one hot dog.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Royal Munchkins in Honor of New Royal Baby

To welcome the newest member of the British Royal family, Dunkin' Donuts has come up with new Royal Munchkins (get it?). Additionally, sister brand Baskin-Robbins offers a Baby Shower Cake year round and is offering a new Royal Baby ice cream cake over in the UK.

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

Apparently, there was so much buzz surrounding Carl's Jr.'s test of a strawberry Pop-Tart ice cream sandwich back in April that they decided to release it nationally.

In case you haven't tried breaking a Pop-Tart in half and putting a scoop of ice cream between the halves (or just don't have the inclination), you can now try the new Hand-Scooped Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwich at any Carl's Jr. location.

News: Burger King - $4.99 Pulled Pork Sandwich Combo

Burger King is offering a little incentive to try/buy the Memphis BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with a new, limited-time $4.99 combo including the sandwich, a small order of fries, and a drink.

Review: Sonic - Cinnasnacks

Sonic's Cinnasnacks feature a warm, buttery shell filled with a gooey cinnamon-roll-like filling. They come with cream cheese frosting for dipping

A 3-piece order was $2.49.

News: McAlister's Deli - Free Sweet Tea on July 25

McAlister's Deli celebrates their 5th annual "Free Tea Day" this Thursday, July 25. Customers who drop by any participating McAlister's locations can pick up a free 32-ounce McAlister's Famous Sweet Tea.

News: Jamba Juice - Free Smoothies for Kids on July 27

Jamba Juice is hosting a "Jamba Kids Day" this upcoming Saturday, July 27, and will be giving out free Jamba Kids smoothies from 11am to 4pm to kids under 8 years old at participating Jamba locations.

News: Taco Bell Discontinues Kid's Meals

Starting this month, Taco Bell will begin removing kid's meals and toys at select restaurants and chainwide by January 2014.

The move makes Taco Bell the first national fast food chain to get rid of kid's meals with Taco Bell CEO Greg Creed stating, "As we continue our journey of being a better, more relevant Taco Bell, kid’s meals and toys simply no longer make sense for us to put resources behind."

Review: Del Taco - Mini Bacon Quesadilla

Del Taco's Mini Bacon Quesadilla is part of their new Buck & Under menu and features a mini flour tortilla folded over hand-grated cheddar cheese and crispy bacon pieces and flat-grilled.

I picked one up for 75 cents, which is a quarter over the 50-cent plain Mini Cheddar Quesadilla.

News: Nestle - Hot Pockets Relaunch

Nestle has upgraded their Hot Pockets line with better meats, new buttery seasoned crusts, and real cheese (as opposed to substitute cheese) as well as a limited-time money back guarantee. The change was brought about to better appeal to the more discerning Millennial generation.

Around the World: Subway's Toasties

If you walk into Subway looking for a more of a snack-sized sandwich here in the States, you might go for a kid-sized mini sub, or more likely, opt for a $5 Footlong cut into quarters because you can always save the rest for later. However, if you find yourself in the UK or India, you can also go for a Toastie at Subway; it's a toasted half of a six-inch bread loaf with set toppings and cheese.

Review: Del Taco - Chili Cheese Fry Burrito

Del Taco's Chili Cheese Fry Burrito features crinkle-cut fries with chili and hand-grated cheddar cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla.

The small burrito comes in at $1.49 each.

Around the World: KFC Korea Offers 'The Other White Meat' with new OMG Burger

KFC Korea buries itself in hyperbole with the new OMG Burger. What makes it "Oh My God?" According to the press release, the sandwich is KFC's first pork product and comes at an affordable price. Sounds more like a 'hm' rather than an OMG' product.

Review: Sonic - Pineapple Shake

Sonic's Pineapple Shake features real pineapple and pineapple syrup blended with vanilla ice cream, and finished with whipped topping and a maraschino cherry.

A 12-ounce mini-sized cup was $1.99.

Around the World: Domino's Taiwan - Pizza with Giant Meatballs

Domino's Taiwan's latest limited-time pizza is a standard pizza with the crust of your choice... plus giant pork meatballs. The meatballs appear either barely stuck or not attached to the pizza's cheese, which would seem to make eating them a bit of a balancing act.

News: Sonic - $1 Hot Dogs on July 23

Sonic will be offering their All-American Hot Dogs and Chili Cheese Coneys for only $1 each on July 23 in celebration of National Hot Dog Day.

Review: Earl of Sandwich - The Original 1762 Roast Beef Sandwich

The Earl of Sandwich's Original 1762 is one of their Signature Hot Sandwiches and features freshly-baked artisan bread filled with roasted beef, sharp cheddar, and horseradish sauce.

Like most/all of their sandwiches, this one was $6.99.

News: See's Candies - Free Lollypops on July 20

See's Candies will be giving away free lollypops on this Saturday, July 20, in honor of National Lollypop Day.

News: Arby's - 64-Cent Classic Roast Beef Sandwich on July 23

Arby's will be celebrating their 49th anniversary by offering customers a coupon for a 64-cent Classic Roast Beef Sandwich that's valid only on Tuesday, July 23.

You can get the coupon at arbys.com/backto64 where Arby's is currently hosting what a "1964 version" of the Arbys website might look like if the Internet was around back then.

Review: Krispy Kreme - Caramel Pretzel Donut

Krispy Kreme's Caramel Pretzel Donut is a chocolate-Kreme-filled-yeast donut with caramel icing, salted pretzels, and a caramel drizzle.

The nearest Krispy Kreme sells them for $1.19 each.

News: Campbell's - New SpaghettiOs CheeseburgerOs flavor

Campbell's offers their first new SpaghettiOs flavor in over 20 years with cheeseburger-flavored CheeseburgerOs. The new flavor isn't actually that much of a marked departure from original SpaghettiOs with a cheeseburger-flavored meat sauce rather than the original's tomato and cheese sauce.

News: Burger King Delivery Now in Salt Lake City

Burger King has expanded their delivery service, BK Delivers, to Salt Lake City, Utah. As they have done in previous markets, the BK Delivers program is currently running in only one location in Salt Lake City (serving West Valley City, Taylorsville, and Kearns), and it serves as a training ground to allow restaurant franchisees to better understand the service before potentially opting in to providing it.