Archive
May 7, 2010

Review: McDonald's Caramel Frappé

McDonald's Caramel Frappé
McDonald's latest McCafe coffee-based beverage offerings, the Frappés, come in two varieties: Caramel and Mocha.  Having already written about the Mocha, this review covers the Caramel Frappé.

May 6, 2010

Review: Subway - Seattle's Best Coffee

Subway Seattle's Best Coffee with lid
Subway served Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best brand Brewed Coffee for breakfast price at $1.59 for a 16-ounce cup (I got this 8-ounce cup during their breakfast giveaway).  Subway is also currently running a promo where you can get an English Muffin Melt and a 16-ounce Coffee for $2.50.

News: The Coffee Bean - Free Ice Blended on May 11th

The Coffee Bean's Ultimate Summer Open House
The Coffee Bean coffee shop is hosting a giveaway event on May 11th dubbed their "Ultimate Summer Open House." (Only in Arizona, California, Texas, and Nevada though)

When: Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 from 4pm-7pm
Where: Participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf store locations
Why: Free 12-ounce Ice Blended coffee drink in one of three new limited-time summer flavors: Ultimate Honey-Kissed, Ultimate Caramel, or Ultimate Dark Chocolate.

Details: "Only valid at participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® store locations in AZ, CA, TX and NV, excludes all Ralphs stores, casinos, campus or airport locations. Valid only on May 11th, 2010, from 4pm to 7pm. Offer applies to 12oz. Ultimate Honey-Kissed, Ultimate Caramel or Ultimate Dark Chocolate Ice Blended® drink only. No substitutions. Limit one complimentary drink per customer. Check your local store for details."

Review: Subway - Egg Muffin Melt - Double Bacon

Subway's Egg Muffin Melt top view
A part of Subway's new breakfast menu, the Egg Muffin Melt is available with either a plain egg omelet or an egg white omelet (a western omelet is also available) and your choice of meats (bacon, sausage, Black Forest ham, steak, or no meat).

May 5, 2010

News: Chick-fil-A - Reserve Your Free Spicy Chicken Sandwich on May 21

Reserve Your Free Chick-fil-a Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Starting Friday, May 21, 2010, Chick-fil-A is promoting its new Spicy Chicken Sandwich by inviting consumers to make their reservations to get a Free Spicy Chicken Sandwich.

To take advantage of the promo, you go to www.getspicychicken.com starting Friday, May 21 and choose your preferred Chick-fil-A Restaurant location and time.

Then, from May 31 - June 5, Chick-fil-A will be giving a limited number of free Spicy Chicken Sandwiches to customers who make a reservation.

The Spicy Chicken Sandwich will be added to the menu on June 7.

News: Carl's Jr. - New Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich

Carl's Jr.'s New Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich
Adding a twist to their summer, Carl's Jr. debuts their new Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich which is a variation of Carl's Jr.'s Teriyaki Burger but replaces the beef patty with grilled chicken.

The Hawaiian-inspired Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich features a charbroiled chicken breast, a teriyaki glaze, charbroiled Dole pineapple, Swiss cheese, lettuce, red onion, tomato and mayo, atop a honey-wheat bun.  Other Hawaiian-themed items are expected at Carl's Jr. all summer long.

The sandwich carries a suggested price of $3.89 or comes in a combo with fries and a drink for $6.39.  There's a $1 off printable coupon on the Carl's Jr website for the combo.

The Asia Trip: MOS Burger - Yakiniku Rice Burger

MOS Burger Yakiniku Rice Burger Wrapped
MOS Burger began serving rice burgers in 1987 (I would guess to better appeal to the Asian market) and continues to do so to this day.  I've always thought it was an interesting idea and finally got to try one while in Taiwan.

May 4, 2010

News: Jamba Juice - Daily "Feel Good Specials" During May

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Jamba Juice is offering customers several weekday "Feel Good Specials" for all of the month of May. There are five in all, one for each day of the week. At participating locations only.
The alliterated deals featured are:

  • Ideal Meal Monday - 12-ounce Ideal Meals for $3 (blended soy milk, and various fruits topped with banana slices and organic granola).
  • Buy Two Tuesday - A special pairing offer of the week (changes weekly).
  • Wake Up Wednesday - slow-cooked, steel-cut oats for $2.
  • Tasty Thursday - All baked goods are $1 with the purchase of any drink on the menu.
  • All Fruit Friday - A 16-ounce All Fruit Smoothie for $3.

News: Hardee's - Free Beef Taco on Cinco de Mayo

Hardee's Free Beef Taco on Cinco de Mayo
Hardee's is giving away free Beef Tacos on Cinco de Mayo!  That's May 5th, 2010 for the non-Spanish-speakers.  For those of you in the eastern half of the U.S. that has Hardee's/Red Burrito (it's Carl's Jr./Green Burrito on this side), Hardee's is giving away free beef tacos (1 per customer) during lunch from 11am to 1pm.

At participating locations only. No purchase necessary. Do keep in mind that not all Hardee's have a Red Burrito and therefore don't serve beef tacos.

Use the Hardee's Restaurant Locator to find Hardee's locations with a Red Burrito.

Review: Jack in the Box - Turkey, Bacon & Cheddar Grilled Sandwich

Jack in the Box Turkey, Bacon, & Cheddar Grilled Sandwich top view
Jack in the Box's Turkey, Bacon & Cheddar Grilled Sandwich is one of three Jack in the Box Grilled Sandwiches that made their way onto Jack's menu this year.  The other two are the Deli Trio and the Breakfast Sandwich.

May 3, 2010

News: Starbucks - Half-Price Frappuccinos "Happy Hour" - May 7-16, 3-5pm

Frappuccino Happy Hour
Starbucks is kicking off their summer and promoting their new, customizable "However-you-want-it" Frappuccinos blended beverages with a Happy Hour from Friday, May 7 until Sunday, May 16, 2010 from 3 to 5 pm at participating locations.

During Happy Hour, you can get any Frappuccino for half price any way you like it.  Options include various milk or soy, varying coffee intensity, syrups (including sugar-free), and toppings (just whipped cream really).

With temperatures ratcheting up as we edge towards summer, Starbucks seems to have timed this promotion pretty well.

For pricing and customization information check out my guide to the customizable Frappuccino.

Starbucks Store Locator

News: Ben & Jerry's - Bonaroo Buzz Flavor Release Party, May 4, 2010

Ben & Jerry's new Bonaroo Buzz
Tomorrow, May 4, 2010, from 5-7pm, participating Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops will be holding a Flavor Release Party for Ben & Jerry's latest flavor, Bonaroo Buzz. The event will feature music by Bonaroo artists, giveaways, and free samples of Bonaroo Buzz ice cream (No word on how big the samples will be).

Bonaroo Buzz is a blend of light coffee and malt ice creams with whiskey caramel swirls and English toffee pieces. The Bonaroo bit comes from the Bonaroo Music and Art Festival.

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop Locator

Details available at the Ben & Jerry's website here.

News: Wendy's New Spicy Chipotle Boneless Wings

Wendy's latest menu addition are Spicy Chipotle Boneless Wings.  The Spicy Chipotle Boneless "Wings" feature all-white meat chicken breast pieces, breaded, deep-fried, and then hand-tossed in a sauce made with a blend of chipotle peppers, dark chili powder, and honey.

An order of wings contains seven to nine pieces and has a suggested price of $3.99.

Spicy Chipotle Boneless Wings join Wendy's existing lineup of Honey BBQ and Sweet & Spicy Asian (Honestly, they all sound and look like they'd all taste pretty similar).

News: Boston Market - New Market Sliders

New Boston Market Sliders
Boston Market is now serving its new Market Sliders in three different flavors:
  • BBQ Chicken & Cheddar – Rotisserie chicken topped with a tangy BBQ sauce and melting aged Cheddar cheese.
  • Meatloaf &; Cheddar – A slice of home-style meatloaf topped with hickory ketchup and melting aged Cheddar cheese.
  • Turkey & Swiss – Hand-carved turkey topped with aged Swiss cheese and dill Parmesan mayo.
The Market Sliders are available for an introductory price of $2.99 for three Sliders or $4.99 for three Sliders, a regular side, and a regular drink until May 31, 2010.  

After May 31, 2010, Boston Market will continue to carry the Sliders but for a buck more at $3.99 for three Sliders and $5.99 for the combo.

Review: Burger King - Whopper

Burger King Whopper - topview
The Burger King Whopper is perhaps one of the most well-known burgers throughout the world. Where rival McDonald's went tall with the club-sandwich-style Big Mac, Burger King went wide with the Whopper.

May 2, 2010

Sunday Funny: From Burger King - Eat Like Snake!

This little gem comes courtesy of Burger King back when they were promoting the Triple Whopper.

May 1, 2010

News: El Pollo Loco - New Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

New El Pollo Loco Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
El Pollo Loco has added two new Grilled Chicken Sandwiches to their menu: the Guacamole Grilled Chicken and the Jalapeño Grilled Chicken. The sandwiches feature a base of flame-grilled chicken breast on a telera roll (a dense, soft, Mexican-style bread) with shredded lettuce and pico de gallo. The Guacamole Grilled Chicken Sandwich adds to that a dollop of guacamole while the Jalapeno Grilled Chicken Sandwich adds sliced jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and a spicy Southwestern sauce. Both sandwiches retail for $4.29.

El Pollo Loco has an online coupon for a small chips and small drink when you buy one of the new Grilled Chicken Sandwiches at regular price. Just click on the link and print it out. The coupon is valid from 5/1/10 to 5/25/10.

News: Jack in the Box - Free Deli Trio Grilled Sandwich

Free Jack in the Box Grilled Sandwich
Good until Sunday, May, 2, 2010, you can print and use this coupon for a Free Jack in the Box Deli Trio Grilled Sandwich with any purchase.

Details: Expires 5/2/2010. FREE Deli Trio Grilled Sandwich with any purchase. One offer per person. At participating restaurants. No substitutions. Not valid in combination with any other offer. Not valid in Austin, TX, Beaumont/Pt. Arthur, TX, Boise, ID, Lake Charles, LA, Seattle, WA, Tulsa, OK, Twin Falls, ID, Waco, TX, Yakima, WA.

Local Review: Two Little Red Hens - Cheesecake

Two Little Red Hens Box
I had my brother buy and carry this roughly-ten-pound cheesecake from Two Little Red Hens on a cab and a plane from New York City to Los Angeles because it's supposed to be one of the best in the City.  He complained about having to carry the it on his lap for the six-hour flight.

Apr 30, 2010

Review: Taco Bell - Bean Burrito

Taco Bell's Bean Burrito wrapped
Taco Bell Bean Burritos have been on the menu for as long as I can remember. Back in undergrad, a couple of my friends used to love them (actually, I still think they love them)... especially before a road trip. Cue "Beans, beans, the magical fruit..."