Review: KFC - Hot Shot Bites

New KFC Hot Shot Bites are a spicy variation on the Original Recipe Bites that were introduced this time last year. The new spicy Bites feature chunks of white meat chicken marinated with spicy cayenne peppers before being battered and fried.

I paid $3.99 for a combo with a side and a drink, except they forgot to include my side and I neglected to check the bag before I left the restaurant. I did get three Hot Wings at 3 for $1.50 and 2 Biscuits for 99 cents off of a new "Snackables" menu they're offering here in Southern California though.

News: Wienerschnitzel - 15 Cent Hot Dogs on July 21

Wienerschnitzel is spooling up the wayback machine and returning their hot dog prices to 1961 on this Sunday, July 21 (well, on three of their hot dogs anyway). Back then hot dogs were sold at 15 cents a pop and that's how much they'll be offered for this Sunday, but limited to only one per customer.

The promotion runs all day on Sunday, July 21 and customers will be able to choose from an Original Chili, Mustard, or Kraut Dog for a discounted price of 15 cents at participating Wienerschnitzel locations.

The hot dogs normally go for $1 to $1.50 varying with location.

News: Arby's - New Spicy Santa Fe Sandwich

Arby's offers the new, limited-time Spicy Santa Fe sandwich as a local option that is only available in participating markets (as opposed to nationwide).

The sandwich features Arby's signature thin-sliced roast beef joined by roasted green peppers and onions, pepper jack cheese, and roasted red jalapeno ranch sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun.

Review: Starbucks Orange Spice Iced Coffee

Starbucks Orange Spice Iced Coffee is a new addition to their summer drink line-up and features freshly-brewed iced coffee with simple syrup, powdered cinnamon, and a couple of orange slices.

I picked up a 16-oz Grande cup for $2.75. The barista asked if I wanted it with cream so I went with that.

News: Starbucks Treat Receipt Promo Returns

Starbucks is once again offering their Treat Receipt promotional offer this summer.

Benefiting Starbucks' regular customers, the Treat Receipt is where you bring in your same-day morning receipt after 2pm and receive any Grande (16 oz) cold, handcrafted beverage of your choice for $2.

News: Monopoly Returns to McDonald's

In what's become a yearly ritual, the Monopoly game is back at McDonald's starting July 16.

The game runs through August 12 or while supplies last (and online until the close of August 26).

News: KFC - New Hot Shot Bites

KFC now offers new Hot Shot Bites. It wasn't too long ago that they introduced new bite-sized fried chicken chunk in Original Recipe Bites, but now comes a second flavor for the platform.

Hot Shot Bites are made with chunks of white meat chicken and a spicy cayenne pepper marinade.

Review: Krispy Kreme - Dark Chocolate Caramel Kreme Donut

Krispy Kreme's new, limited-time Dark Chocolate Caramel Kreme Donut is of the filled variety with caramel Kreme inside, and is topped with dark chocolate icing and a caramel icing swirl.

My nearest Krispy Kreme location sells them for $1.19 a pop.

Around the World: Domino's India - New Lebanese Rolls

Domino's India dips into the international well once again with the recent addition of new "Lebanese Rolls" to the menu.

News: Kashi - New Hummus Crisps

Kashi debuts new Hummus Crisps, popped chips, so named because they include chickpeas (the main ingredient of hummus) among their ingredients.

Kashi Hummus Crisps come in three flavors: Sea Salt & Olive Oil, Sundried Tomato, Basil, & Feta, and Caramelized Onion.

Review: Cracker Jack'D - Hearty Mixes

Cracker Jack'D Hearty Mixes come in four varieties: Cheddar BBQ, Zesty Queso, Berry Yogurt, and PB & Chocolate. The idea is to have "snacks with impact" i.e. bold flavor powders.

They're labelled "Hearty Mix" because they're meant to satiate your hunger. For the most part, they feature various oat clusters (like granola), peanuts, and almonds (except for PB & Chocolate).

A 3.0-oz pouch carries a suggested retail price of $2.49, but I received these courtesy of Frito Lay.

Frozen Friday: Confetti Italian Ice & Custard

Confetti Italian Ice & Custard is a frozen dessert parlor out in Costa Mesa, CA, whose main dish is a parfait with multiple laters of Italian ice topped with frozen custard. The weekly special was Strawberry Lemonade, which consists of strawberry and lemon ice topped with lemon custard.

A small cup was $3.25. You can also get only custard for $3.50 or only Italian ice for $3.00.

News: El Pollo Loco - New Chicken Fajita Stuffed Quesadilla and More

El Pollo Loco is offering a new Chicken Fajita Stuffed Quesadilla plus a new salad and two new tacos. The Chicken Fajita Stuffed Quesadilla features fire-grilled chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, sauteed peppers and onions, avocado, cilantro, and poblano cream sauce wrapped with a hexagonally-folded, grilled flour tortilla.

Review: Auntie Anne's - Mini Pretzel Dogs

Auntie Anne's new Mini Pretzel Dogs feature mini Nathan's Famous all-beef hot dogs wrapped with fresh-baked pretzels. They're essentially mini, shareable versions of the chain's normal-sized Pretzel Dogs.

I picked up a 12-count order at the mall for $4.89.

News: Arby's to Launch Smokehouse Brisket Later This Year

Arby's will be offering a premium barbecue sandwich later this year (date to be determined) called the Smokehouse Brisket.

The sandwich's main feature is thinly-sliced beef brisket smoked with hickory for 14 to 18 hours. The brisket will be served with melted smoked Gouda cheese, crispy onions, barbecue sauce and mayo on a toasted specialty roll.

Around the World: Hello Kitty Circus Plush Dolls Come to McDonald's Hong Kong

McDonald's Hong Kong is once again running one of their immensely popular Hello Kitty plush doll promotions. While the theme last year was 'fairy tales,' this time around it's the Circus of Life.

News: Subway - New Greek Yogurt Parfait

Subway updates their yogurt parfait and jumps on a trend by switching from Dannon yogurt to new YoCrunch Yopa Greek Yogurt Parfaits.

The new available side features nonfat Greek yogurt with strawberries and nine whole grain granola. In case you're wondering, the nine whole grains are oats, barley, white wheat, rye, triticale, spelt, brown rice, millet, and buckwheat.

Review: Sonic - Cheesy Bacon Pretzel Dog

Sonic's Cheesy Bacon Pretzel Dog is one of two pretzel dogs they're offering this summer (the other being the plain Original Pretzel Dog) and features a beef hot dog nestled in a warm, soft pretzel bun, topped with bacon, grilled onions, and warm cheese sauce.

Sonic has them going for $2.49 each in my area.

Reference: Ben & Jerry's 2013 Exclusive Flavors

Photo Credit: Ben and Jerry's

There are certain Ben & Jerry's flavors that you won't find on their website. They're special flavors that are only offered exclusively at a specific chain of stores, like 7-Eleven or Walmart.

If you're looking to try these flavors or if you've never heard of them, here's a list of Ben & Jerry's 2013 exclusive flavors for your reference:

News: Baskin-Robbins - July 2013 Flavor of the Month

Baskin-Robbins' July 2013 Flavor of the Month is Oreo 'n Chocolate. A bit like a chocolate version of Oreo 'n Cream, it features chocolate ice cream with Oreo cookie pieces and a crispy fudge crackle ribbon.

Along with the flavor of the month (available in cups, cones, and shakes, as well as hand-packed pints and quarts), Baskin-Robbins is serving up a whole line-up of Oreo-themed desserts, including: