News: Bojangles Offers Seasoned Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving

If Bojangles is your fried chicken of choice, you'll be happy to know that they're offering a limited-time Seasoned Fried Turkey available for pre-order through Thanksgiving (November 28, 2013).

The Thanksgiving birds weigh in at 10 to 13 pounds and feature Bojangles' signature blend of seasoning. Each one is meant to feed six to eight people and must be reheated before serving.

Review: Taco Bell - Chipotle Ranch Chicken Loaded Griller

Taco Bell's Chipotle Ranch Chicken Loaded Griller is one of the new items that they've been testing at a local Taco Bell as a possible replacement for the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Griller. It's basically the same thing (grilled chicken, sour cream in a grilled flour tortilla) but with their chipotle ranch sauce rather than their lava sauce.

To get people to try it, they were offering it for 79 cents a pop (compared to the more typical $1.29).

-Update 1/23/14: these made it through test and are currently available for a limited-time at $1 each.

News: Arby's Hawaiian Roast Beef Sandwiches Return with Limited Availability

Arby's King's Hawaiian Roast Beef and Roast Beef & Swiss Sandwiches are back for a limited time but only at in select participating markets and not nationwide.

The sandwiches were introduced earlier this year in April when I tried the Roast Beef & Swiss and primarily feature a soft, sweet bun made by King's Hawaiian.

News: Panda Express - New Sriracha Shrimp

Panda Express jumps on the sriracha train with the introduction of new Sriracha Shrimp.

The new dish features battered and deep-fried jumbo shrimp, string beans, and sweet red bell peppers sauteed in a wok with a spicy sriracha sauce.

Review: Sonic - Island Fire Chicken Sandwich

Sonic's Island Fire Chicken Sandwich features a spicy battered and deep-fried chicken filet, sweet habanero sauce, mayo, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted ciabatta bun i.e. it's basically their Spicy Chicken Sandwich with the addition of the habernero sauce.

I bought one for $4.19.

News: Sonic - New Natural-Cut Fries

Sonic has switched to skin-on fries with the launch of their new Natural-Cut Fries.

The new fries are cut from whole, unpeeled russet potatoes and then blanched and dusted with starch before frozen and shipped out to Sonic locations.

News: McDonald's Adding Second Drive-Thru Pick Up Window

Spurred by longer drive-thru wait times, McDonald's plans to add a second pick up window as part of what they're calling the "Fast Forward Drive-Thru."

According to this AP report, the second pick-up window allows customers to drive to a third stop (the first stop being where they order and the second being where they would normally pick up their order) if their order isn't ready.

News: Panera Bread Branches Into Single Serve K-Cup Coffee

Panera Bread is looking to further their retail reach with the latest addition of single-serve coffee cups (AKA K-Cups) that can be brewed at home in Keurig coffee brewers.

The single-serve cups are available in 12-count boxes at select retailers nationwide. They come in four varieties: Dark Roast, Light Roast, Colombia, and Hazelnut Creme.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Maple Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit

Carl's Jr.'s (also Hardee's but I live on the West Coast) Maple Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit features three maple sausage links, a slice of American cheese, and egg in a fresh-made biscuit.

It's $2.69 for one but I received this one courtesy of Carl's Jr.

News: Chick-fil-A - Chicken Tortilla Soup is Back

Chick-fil-A is offering some heat as the leaves change color and the weather turns cold with the annual return of their Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Taco Bell Test Kitchen Fun - Cantina Sushi

After feasting on a Taco Bell-take on a Thanksgiving meal on a recent visit to their headquarters, I was once again let into their test kitchen to put together my own Taco Bell creation.

After a less-than-inspired go the last time around, I was determined to do better this time and came up with a sushi-roll (or a wrap with two open ends) made with Taco Bell ingredients i.e. 'Cantina Sushi!'

Here's how it came together:

News: Charleys Philly Cheesesteaks Adds Asiago Chicken Caesar Club

Charleys Philly Steaks (and Charley's Grilled Subs) adds the Asiago Chicken Caesar Club to their menu for a limited time through the holiday season.

The sub sandwich features Asiago cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, Caesar dressing, sliced chicken, grilled onions, lettuce, and tomato.

Review: Planters - Pumpkin Spice Almonds

Planters Pumpkin Spice Almonds are a limited-edition fall-winter item and features California almonds seasoned with pumpkin and spices.

A 19.75-ounce canister was $6.99.

News: IHOP - 2013 Holiday Menu

IHOP is featuring a trio of seasonal pancakes for this year's holiday menu. The selection includes Pumpkin Pancakes, Eggnog Pancakes, and new Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Pancakes.

Also on the menu this year are a couple of holiday dinners, warm drinks, and a new dessert.

Here's a look at IHOP's 2013 holiday menu:

News - Einstein Bros. - 2013 Holiday Menu

Einstein Bros. and Noah's Bagels are showcasing cinnamon as their holiday flavor for 2013. The season holiday menu features the Cinnamon Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Toast Egg Panini, and Cinnamon Caramel Latte among others.

Here's the full holiday line up:

Review: Frito Lay's - Milk Chocolate-Dipped Wavy Lay's Potato Chips

Frito Lay's Milk Chocolate-Dipped Wavy Lay's Potato Chips feature original (i.e. plain and salted) wavy potato chips dipped in milk chocolate.

They're exclusive to Target and only around for the holiday season. I paid $3.49 for a 5-ounce bag.

News: McDonald's Testing Build-Your-Own-Burger Concept

The new concept builds on the Quarter Pounder platform.

McDonald's is testing a fast casual-style build-you-own-burger concept at two McDonald's restaurants here in the U.S.

According to the Orange County Register, the test is being conducted in Laguna Niguel in California and Romeoville in Illinois. The burgers feature standard Quarter Pounder beef patties but they're grilled to order and cooked on a char grill rather than a flattop (which makes for some nice grill marks).

Here's a look at the available options and pricing for build-you-own-burger test:

Around the World: McDonald's Italy's Latest Burger Features Walnut Sauce

McDonald's Italy just introduced a new burger featuring local flavors and ingredients called the McItaly Gran Chianina, so named because the hamburger patty is made from 100% Chianina beef, which comes from the same cattle as is used for Florentine steak (Bistecca alla florentina). Among the ingredients are a walnut sauce and a creamy cheese sauce made with pecorino romano.

Frozen Friday: Ben & Jerry's - Pistachio Pistachio Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry's Pistachio Pistachio features pistachio ice cream with lightly roasted pistachios.

A pint was $3 on sale.

Feature: Taco Bell Friendsgiving Feast

Taco Bell held their first ever Friendsgiving event, where they invited a small group of their social media friends (see awkward family photo) plus me to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with a Taco Bell twist.

So what does a Taco Bell Thanksgiving meal look like? And, more importantly, was there even turkey?

Here's the full menu: