News: Arby's - New Chocolate Turnover

Like an apple turnover but not, Arby's new, limited-time Chocolate Turnover features a chocolate filling made with Hershey's Cocoa nestled inside a flaky turnover and decorated with a zigzag squiggle of chocolate icing.

As part of Arby's Value menu, it costs $1.

Nutritional info not yet available.

News: Taco Bell - New Orange 'N Creme Frutista Freeze

The newest drink to come out of Taco Bell's ever-changing wheel of Frutista is the new Orange 'N Creme Frutista Freeze which features an icy slush of orange slush with a vanilla creme.

Basically, it's a blended orange Creamsicle. You know, the orange popsicle with vanilla ice cream inside.

It's available in a 16-ounce "regular" and a 20-ounce "large." Pricing is $1.99 and $2.29 respectively.

Nutritional info after the jump.

News: Taco Bell - New Verde and Fire-Roasted Border Salsas

This month, Taco Bell is spicing it up by introducing two new Border Salsas to complement their current line of varying heat Border Sauces. The two news salsas are Verde and Fire-Roasted.

Verde (literally "green") is a green sauce mainly made with green chili peppers and tomatillos and comes in a matching green sauce packet.

Fire-Roasted is a reddish brown sauce whose main ingredient is fire-roasted tomatoes and also comes in a color-matching sauce packet.

News: Taco Bell - New XXL Chalupa

Look! The lip is curled up so you don't lose your beef!

Despite having no XL Chalupa, Taco Bell is pulling the trigger on their new XXL Chalupa.

The XXL Chalupa features an XXL Chalupa flatbread, Fiesta salsa (tomatoes, onions, and cilantro), reduced fat sour cream, Taco Bell's three cheese blend (mozzarella, monterey jack, and American), lettuce, nacho cheese sauce, red tortilla strips, and seasoned ground beef.

It is also available with chicken or steak for an upcharge.

Pricing stands at $2.79 for one.

Nutritional info after the jump or check out the review here.

Review: Starbucks - Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappuccino

In search of better pumpkin flavor, I tried Starbucks' seasonal Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappuccino. "Creme" is Starbucks' fancy name for a milk drink with no coffee, which basically means it's a cup of milk, usually steamed, but not for a cold drink I don't think. They used to be called "Steamers" but that term evokes some rather unpleasant imagery for some. So basically, I got milk, ice, and pumpkin sauce blended together. A 16-ounce "Grande" set me back $4.35.

News: Jack in the Box - 2 for 3 Dollars Breakfast Croissants

The latest limited time deal cranking out of Jack in the Box is 2 for $3 Breakfast Croissants. Unlike most supermarket deals, but like most fast food chains, you do have to buy two croissant sandwiches to take advantage of the offer.

You can choose from two croissant sandwiches: the Sausage Croissant which comes with sausage, fried egg, and a slice of American cheese or the Supreme Croissant with fried egg, Jack's new hickory smoked bacon, ham, and cheese.

Not a bad deal at all. I'm pretty sure croissants cost more than biscuits or English muffins.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Caramel Apple Latte

Only available in select markets (excluding all of New England! How's that for hate?), Dunkin' Donuts' new Caramel Apple Latte offers a combination of red and green apple flavors with a dash of caramel.

Suggested retail pricing is $1.99 for a small 10-ounce hot beverage. Available cold or hot.

Tastes like Halloween? No Dunkin' here in California though.

Nutritional info after the jump.

News: Dunkin' Donut's - Maple Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich Returns

This month, Dunkin' Donuts brings back their oven-toasted Maple Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich as part of their fall flavors.

The sandwich pairs a scrambled egg with a sweet maple-flavored sausage patty. It is then, topped with a slice of melted white cheddar cheese and served warm on a freshly baked croissant. The suggested retail price is $2.99.

Sounds a bit like a better McGriddle, no?

Nutritional info after the jump.

Review: Chick-fil-A - Chicken Sandwich Deluxe

Chick-fil-A's Chicken Sandwich Deluxe takes their standard Chicken Sandwich and complements it with green leaf lettuce, tomato slices, and a slice of American cheese. An optional wheat bun is also available. It's priced at $3.75cand comes in a black Styrofoam clamshell rather than the foil bag the Chicken Sandwich comes in.

News: Church's Chicken - New Crispy Chicken Taco

Church's Crispy Chicken Taco Combo for $3.99

Targeted to consumers looking to eat on the go (i.e. young and mobile), Church's Chicken introduces it latest menu addition, the Crispy Chicken Taco.

Church’s Crispy Chicken Taco features a freshly prepared crispy flour shell filled with seasoned chicken topped with shredded lettuce and real shredded Cheddar cheese.

Church's Crispy Chicken Taco is available as a combo with two tacos, crinkle-cut fries, and a regular drink for $3.99 or individually for 99 cents each.

Personally, I would have liked to see shredded fried chicken doused in hot sauce instead of seasoned chicken to make a more uniquely Church's item. I like the fried flour tortillas though; it's a nice touch that stands out.

Nutritional info not yet available.

News: Domino's - $5 Carryout Lunch Deal

Domino's Pizza's latest promotion is their $5 Carryout Lunch Deal which available until 2pm daily and features your choice of an order of Penne Pasta, a small 2-Topping Pizza, or an Oven Baked Sandwich for $5. Considering you only end up saving around $1 from the regular price (in case of the Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, it actually costs a penny more under the deal), there's no real reason that it's only available until 2pm. Then again, it does hit that magic $5 (The new $2.99!) price point. A 20-ounce Coke is available as an add-on for 99 cents.

Penne Pastas are available in the following varieties or you can build your own: Chicken Alfredo, Italian Sausage Marinara, Chicken Carbonara, Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, and Pasta Primavera.

Oven-Baked Sandwiches actually come in 8 varieties (who knew?!): Italian Sausage and Peppers, Buffalo Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Habanero, Mediterranean Veggie, Philly Cheese Steak, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Italian, and Chicken Parm.

Also new, Domino's has added a new American Legends Pizza to their menu, the Wisconsin 6 Cheese which features 100% real mozzarella, feta, provolone, cheddar, parmesan, asiago and sprinkled with oregano on a parmesan and asiago crust.

Review: Sonic - Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Sonic's Crispy Chicken Sandwich features all white meat crispy fried chicken breast topped with the traditional lettuce, tomatoes and mayo served on a wheat bun made with whole grain for $3.79.

News: McDonald's Adding Whipped Cream and Cherry to Shakes

Apparently "premium" means a clear plastic cup, and whipped cream and a cherry on top. According to Chicago Business, starting this month, McDonald's is updating their milkshakes, re-branding them as part of their McCafe line of beverages.

As part of the shift, the shakes will be served in a clear, plastic cup similar to other cold beverages in the McCafe line up. Following other major fast food chains such as Carl's Jr, Wendy's Chick-fil-A, etc., McDonald's will also now include whipped cream and a cherry on top.

If test markets are any indication, the shakes will also carry a higher price, starting at $2.19 for a small to $3.09 for a large.

Review: Pizza Hut - Thin 'N Crispy Pepperoni Pizza

Pizza Hut's Thin 'N Crispy Pizza is a very thin crust pizza that while using less dough, ends up costing the same. Go figure. To be fair, Domino's Thin Crust also costs the same as their other crust options. There's a carryout special for a large, one-topping pizza in my area for $6.99 (which is a dollar more than Domino's carryout special).

Around the World: McDonald's Japan - Various Versions of the Big Mac

While the American version of the Big Mac has pretty much always stayed the same. The Big Mac has undergone several iterations over in Japan.

Considering how small McDonald's Big Mac patties are, the Japanese Mega Mac is probably the better, meatier version.



There's also a Teriyaki Mega version:

Review: Wienerschnitzel - Limeade

While it may look like I got a cup of water, Wienerschnitzel's Limeade features a sparkling water, lime, and some form of sugar. A 16-ounce cup cost me $1.79.

News: Wendy's - Breakfast Test Continues

As some of you might know, Wendy's began testing breakfast about four years ago in a limited number of restaurants breaking a 30 year hiatus. Most recently, they're testing a more upscale breakfast menu in Kansas City, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and Shreveport areas. The chain is set to tackle breakfast nationally early next year.

The current items being tested are: an Artisan Egg Sandwich, a Mornin' Melt Panini, a Fresh Baked Biscuit Sandwich, a Bacon Fire Roasted Burrito, Seasoned Home-Style Potatoes, a Good-to-Go Oatmeal Bar, Fresh Seasonal Fruit, Premium Blend Coffee, a Sausage & Egg Burrito, and a Sausage Biscuit.

Full item descriptions and nutritional info after the jump.

Frozen Friday: Stouffer's - French Bread Pizza - Pepperoni

Stouffer's French Bread Pizza comes in several flavors including my favorite topping, Pepperoni. They're basically a lengthwise sliced piece of French Bread with tomato sauce, real mozzarella cheese, and toppings. A pack of two goes for $3.39 at my local supermarket, but it's not uncommon to see them on sale for $1.50 or less.

Review: Sonic - Chicken Strip Dinner

Listed as a local favorite on the Sonic website, Sonic's Chicken Strip Dinner contains a bit of something for everyone and includes 4 chicken strips, fries, Texas Toast, a country gravy, and an onion ring for $4.99.

News: KFC Introducing Reusable Side Container

In what they believe to be a fast food industry first, KFC is set to introduce it's new consumer-reusable food containers nationwide by early 2011 which will replace the current foam and plastic containers.

The new containers feature a clear polypropylene (the same material used to make leading retail food storage containers) bowl with a red lid embossed with “REUSABLE”, as well as a reminder that the container is both microwaveable and top rack dishwasher safe.

More interesting, the container features a patented “ventless vent” technology that allows moisture to escape without the need for a hole in the lid. The result is a leak-resistant lid that provides a secure fit and keeps food fresh. High tech, no?

Update: Here's KFC's video of the new containers: