I miss when it used to be just the "McDonald's Apple Pie" because it was deep-fried and not baked. But, amid concerns that the filling was too hot and maybe health concerns, in 1992, McDonald's switched from fried to baked pies here in the U.S.
knows, the menu features three drink sizes: (in order from small to large) Tall, Grande, and Venti. A good question to ask then is "Why?" While I don't know for certain, but I'll take my best shot at explaining... or guessing... You pick.
Baja Fresh's Burrito Mexicano is described on their site as "Your choice of charbroiled chicken, pork carnitas or charbroiled steak, rice and freshly simmered black or pinto beans all layered with fresh, chopped cilantro and onions and your choice of salsa." I went for the chicken with black beans and decided to try it "Enchilado" style which is "a savory, warm salsa that smothers your burrito, topped with melted jack and cheddar cheese and served with nachos, Pico de Gallo and sour cream."
Maybe you shouldn't trust a chain to make a burrito Mexican style or maybe "enchilado" style didn't agree with me. Regardless, the burrito just didn't have the right blend of flavors for me. It was just off. I've tried the Baja and Ultimo burritos and they tasted pretty good but the Mexicano seemed to lack flavor and I was expecting more tartness in the red sauce for "Enchilado" Style. Probably the most disappointing item I've had from Baja Fresh.
In a bid to offer healthier fare, the folks at KFC have come up with a line of grilled chicken (Kentucky Grilled Chicken) with a blend of spices reminiscent of the Colonel's Original Recipe. KFC touts the grilled chicken as having fewer calories, less fat, and less salt than its Original Recipe Fried Chicken.
The chicken itself is slow-roasted in an oven on grill racks to receive the desired grill marks.
It tastes pretty good, you can definitely taste the blend of spices and herbs, though I still prefer the texture and novelty of fried chicken a bit more. Grilled chicken just isn't as special to me. It is definitely not as salty as the Original Recipe which I sometimes find to be too salty. It is also very juicy and not dry at all. Kentucky Grilled Chicken is definitely worth a try if you feel like KFC flavor without the fried or just want a heathier (though not exactly healthy) alternative.
The latest change to Taco Bell's "Why Pay More!" merry-go-round value menu is to feature three nachos over the previous ten items at the 79, 89, and 99 cent price points. Taking over the 89 cent slot is the new Beefy 5-Layer Nachos which relegates the previously 89 cent Triple Layer Nachos to the 79 cent slot for an even better value. Of the three new value nachos, the Beefy 5-Layer Nachos is my favorite and is a great value especially in light of this recession.
Another Los Angeles institution, Tommy's was founded back in 1946 and I grew up hearing about their burgers now and again.
Popeyes' Onion Rings are the best I've had from any fast food joint. These rings are battered (as opposed to breaded) in a seasoned batter and then deep fried. The price is six rings for $1.99 in southern California, which is a bit pricey but they've always given me more than six rings.
Like McDonald's Iced Coffee, Burger King's Iced Mocha Joe comes in a 20 oz. cup for about 2 dollars. Unlike the McDonald's version, the Iced Mocha Joe tastes more like chocolate milk then like milky coffee. To be more precise, the BK Mocha Joe tastes like cold chocolate milk with a slight note of coffee after the initial chocolate milk flavor. 
The polverone is also known as a Mexican wedding cookie though I don't know why. I guess they must be served at Mexican weddings? Anyway, these are pretty interesting looking which is why I bought one for about 70 cents. The taste is much like a sugar cookie except as you can see above, there are quite a few air pockets and the result is a very crisp and crumbly cookie.
You can expect to make a mess if you ever eat one of these. It's not overly sweet. It makes me think of a cross between an chinese almond cookie and biscotti. It's definitely worth a try if you like either.
I tried Starbucks' Sorbetto a while back, when they were testing it in the southern California area. It was free. I'm not sure if it is planned to be a seasonal thing, or if it has been completely discontinued.
A fairly famous Cuban bakery in the Los Angeles area, Porto's Bakery has two locations: one in Glendale and another in Burbank. I've only been to the Burbank location and it's always really busy but the line moves pretty fast. Porto's offers a plethora (including a vast selection of cakes) of baked goods at reasonable prices. They also offer sandwiches (which I'm not too fond of) and coffee (which can be quite good).
They cost about 70-some cents each are pretty tasty. There is a negligible discount for buying them by the dozen but I think a lot of people buy them by the dozen anyway.
They are great for breakfast or a snack. Best fresh but still good the next day. For those with no self-control, be careful not to eat the whole box in a sitting.
Langer's is a Los Angeles institution and a must-try destination if you're ever in the area. New York has Katz's and Carnegie Deli, Los Angeles has Langer's.
For $3.49, Popeyes' Big Easy Chicken Bowl comes in about $1.50 less than its Jambalaya Bowl which prompted me to try it. It comes in a sturdy and re-useable plastic bowl that you can also reheat any leftovers in.
The Big Easy Chicken Bowl is basically pulled chicken and cajun gravy served atop Popeyes' Red Bean and Rice, and then sprinkled with a blend of shredded cheese. There's supposed to be some parsely as well but I didn't see any. They also give you sour cream and hot sauce in packets if you want.
I wonder where they cook the chicken though since it's a fried chicken joint. It was pretty tasty though, not something I'd crave but it's interesting and a good value.
My Favorite Chicken Nuggets
Straight off of the KFC value menu (only available in the Los Angeles area so far) is the Original Recipe Chicken Sandwich.
It would have been okay if the lettuce wasn't soggy without any hint of crispness. In fact, the lettuce was so soggy it was a bit chewy.
I have to say the poor state of the lettuce ruined the sandwich for me. If you live in the LA area and order it, be sure to cross your fingers for fresh lettuce.
Taco Bell's Triple Layer Nachos are pretty decent deal for all of 79 cents. I think it's best if you have some change in your pocket and just want a simple nacho snack. The three layers are nacho cheese, refried beans, and a red sauce. They work pretty well together. One of the better items off of the value menu.
For a bit more than a dollar, a fluffy biscuit smothered in sausage gravy.
I liked this item the most out of all the breakfast items I've tried off of Wendy's recent (only at participating locations, I think they're still testing it out or only making it optional for franchises) breakfast menu.
It's not much to look at but the gravy had a creamy, peppery flavor and little bits of sausage that complemented the biscuit well. 
It was on my way home, so I stopped by my local Starbucks to get a free Tall-sized cup of brewed Pike's Roast Coffee on Election Day.
It tasted a bit burnt but I drank it all, so it wasn't all bad. I think the only coffee drinks I like at Starbucks are the bottled Frappuccinos or a Caffe Latte. It's only early November, but it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
