Review: Carl's Jr. - Strawberry Biscuit

The Carl's Jr. Strawberry Biscuit is one of the recent menu additions brought about by introduction of sister chain Hardee's Made from Scratch Biscuits which has rolled out in the southern California market.

The biscuit is a sizable biscuit (it actually weighs more than a Sausage Biscuit at McDonald's) topped with warm strawberry jam and a squiggle of sugary glaze for 99 cents.

News: El Pollo Loco - Two New Chicken Burritos

El Pollo Loco is expanding their line of grilled chicken burritos with two additions: the Roja Wet and Chicken Avocado burritos.

The Roja Wet Burrito is available for a limited time only and features El Pollo Loco’s flame-grilled chicken joined by pinto beans, pico de gallo salsa, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and melted Jack cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla. It is then covered in Colorado sauce (a red chili pepper sauce) and topped with more fresh cilantro and Cotija cheese. On the side, there's fresh, hand-made guacamole and sour cream.

Photo Gallery: Taco Bell Headquarters Tour

I got to tour Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, CA recently as they were preparing for the launch of the Doritos Locos Taco. I thought I'd share some of the highlights of the tour and something I whipped up in their test kitchen (it might take a while to load, there are quite a few pictures).

Review: Krispy Kreme - Chocolate-Enrobed Krispy Juniors

Krispy Kreme Chocolate-Enrobed Krispy Juniors are mini cake donuts dipped in dark chocolate. Similar to Hostess Donettes, they come in a portable pack of six.

They don't actually sell these at any of my local supermarkets, I picked these up from the Krispy Kreme Blogger Summit. I'm not sure how much they cost but I would guess between $1 and $2.

Frozen Friday: Marie Callender's - Swedish Meatballs

Marie Callender's Swedish Meatballs (aka Beef Stroganoff except with meatballs) is served with egg noodle pasta and a sour cream sauce.

The box touts a new recipe but I'd never tried it before so I really can't comment on the old recipe.

A 13-ounce box retails for about $3.99 but it's not uncommon to find it on sale around $2 to $2.50.

What's on the Menu: Lent 2012 Round Up

Here it is! A round up of the limited-time seafood fair some of your favorite fast food restaurants are offering this year. I've included pictures and descriptions to the menu items that I never got around to doing a news post for and have linked the posts I did manage to write up.

Arby's - Arby's Fish Sandwich is back

Boston Market - Baked Whitefish only on Fridays and only for a limited time.

News: Ben & Jerry's - New Flavors for Spring 2012

Ben & Jerry's has a few new flavors to try this Spring, perhaps they'll catch your fancy. They are: the returning Chocolate Therapy (last seen in pint form in 2005), Chocolate Nougat Crunch, and Rocky Road-ish.

While Chocolate Therapy has been available in Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, it now returns to your grocery aisle in pints. It features chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookies and swirls of chocolate pudding ice cream.

News: Papa Murphy's - New Mini Murph Make 'N' Bake Pizza Kit for Kids

Kids can now make their own pizzas courtesy of Papa Murphy's new, limited-time Mini Murphy Make 'N' Bake Pizza Kit.

Each kit is contained in kids-sized pizza box and includes:

- A seven-inch pizza crust rolled out on Papa Murphy's signature bake 'n' serve tray
- a container of pizza sauce
- 100% all-natural, whole-milk mozzarella to sprinkle on the pizza
- almost a dozen slices of pepperoni
- a temporary "Murph" tattoo
- and baking instructions

Review: McDonald's - Shamrock Shake

McDonald's Shamrock Shake is a seasonal St. Patty's Day-themed shake and blends mint-flavored syrup with reduced fat vanilla ice cream and tops it off with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

I paid $1.89 for small 12-ounce size at a local McDonald's.

News: Ben & Jerry's - Free Cone Day Set for April 3, 2012

It's that time of the year again... Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's! This year on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, you can once again wait in line as many times as you want (or can stand) and stuff your face with free ice cream cones!

When: Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 12pm to 8pm

Where: At participating locations. You can check at their store locator to see which locations are participating: http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/scoop-shop-locator/index.cfm

News: Starbucks - "Espresso Twice, Half the Price" Event

Starbucks is kicking off spring with a "buy one, get one half-off" promo that they're calling the "Espresso Twice, Half the Price Event."

The event runs from Thursday, March 8 to Wednesday, March 14. During "Espresso Twice, Half the Price," if you buy any espresso-based drink before 11 a.m. and bring back your receipt the same day after 2 p.m., you can get a second espresso-based drink for half-price.

News: Jimmy Dean Launches New Breakfast Quesadillas

Having already "been there, done that" with breakfast sandwiches and breakfast bowls, Jimmy Dean is expanding their breakfast line with new Breakfast Quesadillas which gives your the familiar eggs, sausage, and cheese but in a quesadilla.

There are two varieties to choose from: Jimmy Dean Sausage Quesadillas and Jimmy Dean Delights Turkey Sausage Quesadillas. Jimmy Dean Delights is the Jimmy Dean line of "better-for-you" breakfast options offering lower fat and lower calories than the regular line.

News: Just Born - New Hot Tamales 3 Alarm Candy

If you like your candy extra spicy, you're in luck because Just Born just released new Hot Tamales 3 Alarm cinnamon candy.

It's called "3 Alarm" because each package actually has three different levels of heat denoted by different colors. There's the most familiar and lowest heat in orange Hot Tamales Cinnamon. There's the hotter red Hot Tamales Fire. And, finally, there's the "hottest" Hot Tamales which are a dark red.

News: Dairy Queen - March Blizzard of the Month - Mint Oreo

For March, Dairy Queen's Blizzard of the Month is Mint Oreo coinciding with the 100th birthday of the Oreo cookie. Wow! That's a lot of years on the Oreo.

Mint Oreo takes Oreo cookie pieces and mixes with cool mint and creamy vanilla soft serve. It's like mint chip except mixed with cookies 'n cream.

Dairy Queen also has a buy one, get one for 99 cents Blizzard promotion all of this month.

News: Blue Bunny - New Cadbury Ice Cream Bars and Other New Products

Blue Bunny is out with a lot of new ice cream products this month. They have new Cadbury ice cream bars, new no sugar, lower-calorie "Sweet Freedom" ice cream bars and ice cream, a couple of new flavors inspired by celebrity chef Duff Goldman, and a new snack-sized version of their Champ! Cones.

The new Cadbury Ice Cream Bar features Blue Bunny ice cream dipped in a Cadbury chocolaty coating. These snack-sized bars come 8 to a box and come in four varieties: Caramello, Double Chocolate, Vanilla Chocolate, and Chocolate Almond.

Review: Taco Bell - Doritos Locos Taco Supreme

Since the Doritos Locos Taco is arriving at Taco Bell restaurants nationwide in two days and since I got to try it early at Taco Bell headquarters, I thought it timely to post a review.

The Doritos Locos Taco is the same Taco Bell Crunchy Taco that you know and love but with a Doritos Nacho flavor taco shell. Breaking it down, there's seasoned ground beef, lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese (plus sour cream and diced tomatoes if you opt to go "Supreme." in a Doritos taco shell.

News: Zatarain's - New Meals for Two

New Orleans-style food brand, Zatarain's is expanding its recent frozen food line up with new Meals for Two as well as two new single-serve entrees.

Meal for Two are frozen entrees meant to be cooked in the microwave or skillet, are 24 ounces each, and carry a suggested retail price range of $6.99 to $7.49 each. The four new meals are:

Blackened Chicken Alfredo for Two which contains seasoned, grilled white meat chicken and penne pasta in an Alfredo sauce.

News: Sara Lee - New Pound Cake Slices

Sara Lee is now serving up their famous Pound Cake by the slice in your local frozen food section/aisle. The new Pound Cake Slices come six to a box and are individually packaged which is convenient for on-the-go eating as well as yielding a fresher experience when eating dessert for one.

News: Cold Stone Creamery - New Frozen Yogurt Creations and Shakes

For a limited-time Cold Stone Creamery is making new Creations and Shakes made from Cold Stone’s low-fat, low-calorie yogurt. The new creations and shakes feature Vanilla, Chocolate and Raspberry Yogurt flavors paired with Fruits, Pie Crust, Fudge and other Mix-ins in various combinations.

For Yogurt Creations, Coldstone is serving up three varieties: Strawberry Crumble, Chocolate Banana Indulgence, and Berries Upon Berries

Strawberry Crumble combines vanilla yogurt with strawberries and pieces of graham cracker pie crust.

Feature: Krispy Kreme Donut Concepts and Creation

After the a morning of coffee and donut pairings as well as learning about: Krispy Kreme marketing (very much about social media and fan engagement rather than TV spots); fundraising programs (great margins for fundraisers--you can get the donuts or certificates for half off and sell them for the regular price); and just the people in the company (it seems like everyone working there has their own Krispy Kreme story and memories), the last thing we did at the Krispy Kreme Blogger Summit was participate in a short class in sensory education (part of the Krispy Kreme University experience) and to have at it with our own donut creations.

Basically, we had the full run of their internal Krispy Kreme shop and donuts; it's like your very own donut shop for an hour... only for free!