Review: Chick-fil-A - Spicy Chicken Biscuit

Chick-fil-A's Spicy Chicken Biscuit takes their normal Chicken Biscuit and kicks it up a notch with a spicy blend of peppers similar to the Spicy Chicken Sandwich launched last year.

They're giving them away all this week and I snagged one on the very first day because free is alway nice and there's a Chick-fil-A on my way to work. The menu price on one is just a bit more than the regular version at $2.35 (compared to $2.19).

News: Starbucks - New Year, New Logo

Citing brand evolution and marking their 40th anniversary, Starbucks is doing away with the text and green ring of their logo and focusing on the siren graphic alone in their new logo.

Like the Nike Swoosh, you're supposed to just automatically identify the distinctive Siren with Starbucks; the next step in Starbucks brand identity. I don't know about that though, it's pretty ornate for a logo and the Nike Swoosh is simpler and more easily identifiable.

News: Krispy Kreme - New Chocolate Treats

Unlike other more health-minded offerings for the new year by competitors, Krispy Kreme is pushing dark chocolate decadence in 2011 with their new Dark Chocolate Kreme donut and premium Hot Chocolate.

The Dark Chocolate Kreme donut has a dark chocolate creme filling, is hand-dipped in dark chocolate icing, and just for good measure, it's drizzled with chocolate.

The Hot Chocolate is meant to embody the taste of European dark chocolate (which kinda makes me want to go to Krispy Kreme, especially since Starbucks got rid of their Signature Hot Chocolate) in a warm drink that is topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle.

The two limited-time items will be available until February 14 (by which time, I'm guessing Valentine donuts will be the flavor du jour).

News: Hostess - New Strawberry CupCakes

First there was the original Hostess Chocolate CupCake, then came the Golden CupCakes in 1999, now comes the natural progression to strawberry. Not to be confused with the muffin-like 100 Calorie Pack Strawberry Mini Cakes, Hostess's new Strawberry CupCakes feature strawberry cake filled with Hostess's signature "creme" filling topped with sweet strawberry icing and the trademark squiggle.

A box of eight cupcakes will run you about $3.99 (prices will vary).

Review: Jersey Mike's - Italian Sub

Jersey Mike's Subs is a submarine sandwich shop that is the fast casual to Subway's fast food. It's also Jersey Shore before there was Jersey Shore. One recently opened not too far from me, so the Sister and I went and tried their Original Italian Sub which costs $7.75 for a 7-inch "regular" (they also have a 14-inch "giant" for $10.95 and a 5-inch "mini" for $5.95. Pricing will vary with location).

News: Arby's - New Jr. Turkey Ranch Sandwich

New to Arby's Value Menu, the limited-time Jr. Turkey Ranch Sandwich features thin-sliced oven roasted turkey with ranch sauce, lettuce, and a tomato slice served on a toasted sesame bun.


I haven't been able to verify price yet but I'm going to guess it's $1. Price is $1.49 for the sandwich or $2.99 for a 300-calorie combo of the Jr. Turkey Ranch, a side salad, and a bottled water. Looks like it's aimed at people's new year resolutions.

The Jr. Turkey Ranch Sandwich is listed on the Arby's website as being of "limited availability at participating locations."

Review: Taco Bell - Steak Chalupa Supreme

Taco Bell's Steak Chalupa Supreme features a deep-fried chalupa shell filled with carne asada (steak), reduced fat sour cream, shredded lettuce, their three cheese blend (Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and Mozzarella) and diced tomatoes. Whereas a beef chalupa costs $1.99, the steak version will set you back 60 cents more at $2.59.

News: Snickers - New Snickers Peanut Butter Squared

Snickers has a new version: the Snicker Peanut Butter Squared. It's a Snicker bar but with the addition of peanut butter and separated into halves (or two "squares." Get it? They're being clever).

Snickers Peanut Butter Squared comes in a 1.78-ounce package which includes two chocolate Snicker squares and sells for a suggested retail price of 89 cents.

I don't know how I feel about this. Snickers already has plenty of variety between the nougat, chocolate, peanuts, and caramel without adding more to the mix.

News: McDonald's New Fruit & Maple Oatmeal

It's official. In case you missed the review last week, McDonald's finally put out the press release introducing their new Fruit & Maple Oatmeal nationally. You can expect to see TV commercials, posters in your local McDonald's, and the like starting today.

The key selling points would have to be the "two of the three recommended daily servings for whole grains" and about half a cup of fruit per order.

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is McDonald's first new breakfast offering since 2008 but unlike the other breakfast items, it's available throughout the day. A cup features natural whole grain oats, light cream and brown sugar, topped with diced, fresh red and green apples, dried cranberries and two types of raisins. You can opt to get it without the brown sugar. It's priced at $1.99 in southern California but price varies with locale.

News: Starbucks - New French Roast Via

Joining the already available Colombian and Italian Roast Via instant coffees, Starbucks is introducing new French Roast Via tomorrow, January 4, in all their stores in the U.S. and Canada (but it is already available today on their online store).

French Roast is Starbucks best selling coffee and its flavor profile is described as smoky, dark and bold with surprisingly low acidity and light body. The suggested price is $9.95 for a pack of 12 individual servings.

Review: Burger King - French Fries

Burger King French Fries are of the crisp and battered variety. They were $1.29 for a small order.

Review: El Pollo Loco - Mixed Grill Plate

El Pollo Loco's Mixed Grill Plate offers carne asada alongside your choice of a chicken leg or thigh served with Spanish rice, pinto beans, warm tortillas (corn or flour), fresh salsa, diced onions, shredded lettuce, and chopped cilantro (for taco making). A Mixed Grill Plate will run you $6.49.

It's a fair bit of food and enough for two of me, but maybe only one of you if you're a big eater.

Brand Eating: A Year in Reviews - 2010

Happy 2011! It's been quite a year here at Brand Eating. Looking back at January, I started to update the blog regularly and had a little over 9,000 page views that month. Fast forward to last month and we have regular daily updates and over 100,000 page views a month which is a little crazy to me but I'm not complaining. Thank you everyone for visiting and commenting!

So to celebrate a great year, let's take a look back at the 10 most viewed reviews of 2010 (which is really a look at the some of the most popular fast food items of 2010), starting with number 10...

10. Pizza Hut Big Italy

The return of the Big Foot? Not really, and not really good either.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - Two New Wake-Up Wraps

Dunkin' Donuts is in the mood to help you with your New Year's resolutions (that is... if your New Year's resolutions included eating better) with two new Wake-Up Wraps: Egg White Turkey Sausage and Egg White Veggie.

Dunkin' Donuts' Egg White Turkey Sausage Wake-Up Wrap features a five-inch round tortilla folded around a filling of egg whites, turkey sausage, spinach, and reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, while the Egg White Veggie Wake-Up Wrap features the same five-inch round tortilla but filled with egg whites, peppers, onions, mushrooms and reduced-fat Cheddar cheese instead. Both breakfast items contain only 150 calories each and make a cheap, light breakfast carrying a suggested price tag of $1.29.

News: Wienerschnitzel - 99 Cent Chili Dogs

Der Wienerschnitzel is kicking off the New Year and their 50th Anniversary by offering their signature Chili Dog for 99 cents for a limited time starting today, January 1, 2011.

The offer is only good at participating locations in select markets for a limited time only. If you're hankering for some cheese on your dog, it'll cost you extra.

Frozen Friday: Hungry-Man - Buffalo Chicken Strips

Hungry-Man's Buffalo Chicken Strips feature Buffalo-seasoned and breaded ground chicken strips paired with their standard sizes of sweet corn, mashed potatoes, and a brownie. Priced regularly at around $3.69, it's not unusual to find it a buck or two cheaper.

News: Doritos - Taco Flavor Back for a Limited Time

A "throwback" flavor of the Doritos of old, responding to feedback from customers, Frito Lay has brought back the original Doritos Taco for a limited time only (Not to be confused with their regular "Tacos at Midnight" flavor).

The limited edition flavor (which is almost as old as Doritos itself) comes in a retro Doritos bag and will only be available through the Super Bowl (Sunday, February 6th) so if you're a fan, you better get it while it's hot!

It's not available everywhere but you can check with Frito Lay's Snack Locator before you make a trip. They should make an app so that road trippers can locate just the snack they want no matter where ever they are.

Update: Rejoice Taco Flavor fans! Due to popular demand, Doritos Taco Flavor is back permanently (not all stores will have them though so be sure to check first).

Review: Disneyland - Chieftain Chicken Skewer

Skewered grilled meats and vegetables can be found in Disneyland at Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland just across the way from the Jungle Cruise entrance. I tried a Chieftain Chicken Skewer there for $3.79. I almost got the Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus but it didn't feel Disney enough so I went with the chicken.

News: Carl's Jr./Hardee's - Smartphone Loyalty App

Carl's Jr and sister chain Hardee's have launched a location-based loyalty app for iPhone and Android phone users dubbed "Happy Star Rewards."

Basically, you can "check-in" every time you visit a Carl's Jr. or Hardee's and for the first and every fourth time you visit, you can spin the "Wheel of Awesome" for a chance to win discounted and free menu items, branded gift cards, prizes and merchandise from participating partners (Current prizes include Sony electronics and tickets to see the Green Hornet movie).

On the check-ins where you don't get to spin the wheel, you get a coupon for a currently featured menu item, such as "$1 off an order of Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders." The more you check-in, the better your prizes and coupons you can win off of the Wheel of Awesome.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Famous Star

Similar to Jack's Jumbo Jack and Burger King's Whopper, the Famous Star is signature burger of Carl's Jr. It comes as a combination of charbroiled beef, leafed lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, dill pickles, special sauce (a ketchup variant with sweet relish), and mayo on a toasted sesame bun.

I remember when it used to carry a promotional price of 99 cents (it has since been replaced by the Big Burger for 99 cents) but these days it costs $2.69 for one Famous Star. Fortunately, I snagged two of them for $3 under a promotion that my local Carl's Jr. is participating in. It is also available with a slice of American cheese for an extra charge.