REVIEW: Pizza Hut Supremo Detroit-Style Pizza

/ / Reviews / 8 Comments

Pizza Hut Supremo Detroit Style Pizza Box

It wasn’t a conscious choice on my or my husband’s part, but we’ve slowly slipped into a routine where every Saturday is pizza for dinner. When the targeted Pizza Hut ad came across YouTube advertising the return of the Detroit-Style pizza, I knew where our next Saturday pizza would be coming from.

First introduced in January 2021, this is the third release of this limited-time-only pizza from the chain. A departure from its standard circular offerings, the Detroit-Style pizza stands out with its rectangular shape, thick crust, extra cheese, and sauce strips on top. When it comes to toppings, you can choose from three recipes or build your own. We went with the Supremo, a new option that included Italian sausage, green peppers, and red onions.

I missed out on trying the item the first two times, so I was excited to get a chance to taste it for myself. While I am very much in the camp of NY Style pizza, I have a soft spot for the thicker pan-pizzas. I was shocked by the box’s weight when I picked it up. It’s certainly a lot of pizza in a smaller container.

Pizza Hut Supremo Detroit Style Pizza Top

When opening the box, I couldn’t help but immediately notice the sauce unevenly globbed on top of the pizza. I expected this and was ready to spread it more evenly across the pizza with my spoon. Visually, the green peppers and Italian sausage were there and well distributed throughout the item. The red onions were, unfortunately, substituted with their boring cousin: white onions.

Pizza Hut Supremo Detroit Style Pizza Slice Smothered

I went for a corner like the packaging recommended for my first piece. My first bite was overwhelmingly dominated by Pizza Hut’s sweet sauce, and I had never realized how sweet it was until this moment. In an effort to taste more than just the sauce, I scraped some off the top. My second bite was much more enjoyable without the mouthful of sweet red sauce. The focaccia-like texture of the crust was absolutely delightful. It was light but also had a denseness that held up to the toppings.

The toppings were present but got a bit lost in the sauce, so to speak. The Italian sausage brought an earthy savoriness, and the green peppers brought a bright crispness to the pizza when you got a bite not drowning in sweet sauce. The onions were barely noticeable both in flavor and visually. The cheese was the star for me with this item. The salty, gooeyness helped save the pizza from being completely overwhelmed by the sauce and greatly improved my enjoyment of it.

Obviously, this is a popular item to be on its third limited edition run in less than two years, but it was middle-of-the-road for me. I liked the base, cheese, and toppings, but the sauce was a huge negative for my personal tastes. If it was a less sweet sauce, it might have been a hit for me, but as it is now, it’s not something I’d get again.

Purchased Price: $12.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 square) 290 calories, 13 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 570 milligrams of sodium, 31 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Nutty Pumpkin Coffee

/ / Reviews / 7 Comments

Dunkin Nutty Pumpkin Coffee Cup

Fall’s kick-off has (unofficially) become August 1st as the product boxes slowly shift towards the warm orange/red/yellows of the season. My inbox becomes a flurry of messages from stores letting me know what date they will start offering their various pumpkin-flavored items. After last year’s strong showing, I was looking forward to this year’s Dunkin’ pumpkin menu. The Nutty Pumpkin Coffee immediately caught my attention.

Starting with Dunkin’s Original Blend coffee, they add in a pumpkin spice swirl and hazelnut flavoring with a cream of your choice; you also can get it hot or iced. I was intrigued by the drink’s simplicity, especially compared to its cousin, the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte. I generally dislike the pure pumpkin spice drinks as I find them thickly sweet. I like the flavor, but the sweetness is too much after about half.

Using the mobile ordering, I went for the iced version and oatmilk as my “cream.” Immediately, I was pleasantly surprised to not see that ring of flavoring that sometimes sinks to the bottom of Dunkin’ drinks. I still gave it a quick stir to make sure the components were mixed. With my first sip, I was greeted by a very smooth and delicious drink.

Dunkin Nutty Pumpkin Coffee Top

The blend of the coffee, pumpkin spice swirl, hazelnut flavor, and oatmilk offered the balanced fall beverage I had hoped for. During my mobile ordering, I noticed that the hazelnut is an unsweetened flavor, and I think that makes all the difference. The hazelnut added that nutty, earthy component I feel is often missing in pumpkin spice drinks. In this iteration, the pumpkin spice swirl still brought sweetness to the drink but didn’t overwhelm. The Original Blend Dunkin’ coffee adds the perfect amount of richness to the drink. The oatmilk also played a part in bringing down the overall sugariness, and it added that creamy deliciousness I look for in an iced coffee.

For me, Dunkin’ tends to be a bit of a wild card when it comes to its offerings, so having this drink being such an enjoyable experience was awesome. The Nutty Pumpkin Coffee was a pleasant surprise and a great kick-off to pumpkin spice season. It hits all the fall notes and gives me that autumn-in-a-cup experience that I enjoy while still wearing flip-flops and tank tops in 95-degree heat.

Purchased Price: $2.89
Size: Medium
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 260 calories, 9 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 39 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 38 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Little Caesars Old World Fanceroni Pepperoni Pizza

/ / Reviews / 20 Comments

Little Caesars Old World Fanceroni Pepperoni Pizza Whole

“Over 100 crispy Old World Pepperonis.”

I muttered that to myself while wiping the grease off my fingers. Another 10 counted. Another tally mark. I certainly questioned my sanity a few times over the counting process. It looked to be over a hundred, so why not just make up some random number? Nay, dear readers. This site has the utmost integrity, and if Little Caesars claimed over 100 pepperonis, we’re going to fact-check it for you.

The Little Caesars Old World Fanceroni Pepperoni Pizza is the current specialty item from the pizza chain. Claiming to be covered in over 100 crispy old world pepperonis, this large pizza is a step up from the chain’s regular pepperoni pizza. Old world pepperoni is fairly different from the standard stuff in several ways. It’s cut thicker, which is one of the causes for its signature curl and cup shape after cooking. It’s also made with natural casings and a different fermentation process to give us a richer, spicier flavor. My introduction to them has only happened within the last few years, and I adore them.

Little Caesars Old World Fanceroni Pepperoni Pizza Slice

So it was a no-brainer that I would try Little Caesars’ take on my favorite little grease cups. At first look, the pizza didn’t quite get the “all the way to the edge” pepperoni coverage as advertised. In fact, it was a messy looking pizza. I tried a slice before the great count began (there were 11 of them) to make sure I tasted it as intended. The old world slices were perfect: a little spicy, rich, greasy, and crispy around the edges.

The higher quality pepperonis really elevated the entire experience. Little Caesars pizza tends to be a few levels above frozen pizza for me (sorry, devotees), but the higher-end topping made it feel more luxurious. I wouldn’t have guessed I was eating a Little Caesars pizza. The crust, sauce, and cheese don’t stand out as particularly good or bad. They’re merely a vehicle for the over 100 pepperonis.

Little Caesars Old World Fanceroni Pepperoni Pizza Mountain

Little Caesars Old World Fanceroni Pepperoni Pizza Bare

Now, the thing I’m sure some of you have been scanning for: The total I got was…(drum roll) 111! There is a margin of error of +/- 3 pepperonis thanks to my husband’s sneaky little fingers, but I’m confident in it being over the promised 100 slices.

Little Caesars Old World Fanceroni Pepperoni Pizza Total

While I enjoyed this offering from Little Caesars, I want to emphasize the old world style pepperoni is the predominant flavor and overshadows the rest of the pizza’s ingredients. The grease level is pretty high (I mean, 111 slices will do that), and it might be too much for some. I’m already planning to order it again (let’s see if I can get it on the Detroit-style crust), but my old world pepperoni quota will be fulfilled for a bit after that.

Purchased Price: $9.99
Size: Large
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/8 pizza) 378 calories, 19 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 44 milligrams of cholesterol, 863 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 18 grams of protein.

REVIEW: The Artist Marshmello’s Limited Edition Coca-Cola

/ / Reviews / 5 Comments

Marshmacoke1

Coca-Cola has been around for 136 years, which is no easy feat. Those years haven’t always been smooth (New Coke enters the chat), but they have generally adapted to the market’s taste changes. It’s no mystery that younger folks are drinking less traditional soda than previous generations. Taste shifts coupled with the sheer amount of choices available have made soda companies readjust their approach, and the new Coca-Cola Creations division aims to bring younger people back to the brand.

Coca-Cola Creations was launched in early 2022 with its first flavor: Starlight. Not long after, we got a second entry into the Creations Canon with BYTE. The third release is different from the other two in many ways. The Artist Marshmello’s Limited Edition Coca-Cola tells you right on the can what to expect: Watermelon Strawberry Flavored Coke.

Even though the previous flavors were left a mystery, I think they wanted to avoid people misreading the can and thinking it was marshmallow-flavored. The joke’s on them because I did that anyway. While scanning the almost all-white can, my brain absolutely assumed it was marshmallow flavored. I would also imagine this was because I read Marshmello as marshmallow.

Marshmacoke2

A well-known electronic music artist/producer, Marshmello is easily identified by his signature helmet that looks like a Lego head painted white with black “X” eyes and a smile. I am painfully out of the loop with popular music but know a few songs he’s collaborated with. All this to say, he’s popular with younger people, so teaming up with him for a limited edition Coke seems like the right move.

From the skinny white can, came a strong sweet berry smell that was so familiar to me, but I couldn’t place it. Pouring it into a cup, I was shocked to see the color of regular Coca-Cola. Based on the flavor description, I thought the color might be lighter or reddish. My first taste brought a crashing wave of recognition. The flavor was very strawberry/berry up front, with the smallest tang of classic Coke on the back end. The taste is, to me, very reminiscent of Pepsi Blue.

Marshmacoke3

Unlike Pepsi Blue, the sweetness is pulled back with this drink. I think that is because Coke is not as sweet as Pepsi to me. While I absolutely loved Pepsi Blue, I wish this wasn’t quite as similar. The lack of discernible watermelon was disappointing, and the strawberry overpowered any other flavor that might have been present. I’m curious how the Zero Sugar version compares taste-wise and if the watermelon might be more present.

The Artist Marshmello’s Limited Edition Coca-Cola is an interesting offering that I think will do well with its target audience. It has a “drink of the summer” vibe that I don’t feel we’ve seen yet this year. I enjoyed it overall but wished the watermelon flavor was more present. I was looking forward to a new and unique flavor but ended up with the answer to a question I hadn’t asked: What if Coke made Pepsi Blue?

Purchased Price: $2.19
Size: 12 oz can
Purchased at: Wawa
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 140 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 39 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 39 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Burger King Southwest Bacon Whopper

/ / Reviews / 1 Comment

Burger King Southwest Bacon Whopper Whole

While Florida has impacted the food world in many ways, it’s rarely considered the birthplace of a national chain. Whenever I share my facts about Burger King (Insta-Burger King) opening in Jacksonville in 1953, I’m often met with a suspicious, “Really?”

Looking at Burger King now, it’s certainly come a long way from its start as a small burger place. While its competitors (chiefly McDonald’s) have branched out in various ways, Burger King feels like it’s taken more risks to create unique menu items. Sometimes they are clearly a gimmick (remember the Halloween Whopper with the black buns and green after effects?), but in the case of the new Southwest Bacon Whopper, it’s an upgrade on the chain’s famous burger.

Burger King Southwest Bacon Whopper Toppings

It starts with the sesame seed bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, and flame-broiled beef patty you’d get with a standard Whopper, and it’s finished with a creamy spicy sauce, American cheese, bacon, avocado spread, and seasoned tortilla strips. On first impression, the menu item sounded like it might be a little too busy flavor-wise. I was also unsure of the tortilla strips as I’ve had similar items on sandwiches that became mushy instantly.

Burger King Southwest Bacon Whopper Split

The flavors, luckily, weren’t competing to be the strongest. The first bite offered a balance and layered experience. The spicy sauce reminded me of the many different iterations of a “creamy chipotle sauce” we’ve seen over the years: smokey, slightly spicy, and a little sweet. The avocado spread was very cumin-forward. There wasn’t much avocado flavor, but the creamy texture offered a nice change from mayo. I expected the bacon and cheese to be lost, but they worked well in the mix, adding some textural differences and a salty component.

Burger King Southwest Bacon Whopper Chips

The tortilla strips ended up exceeding my expectations. Their small size (about an inch long) made it much easier to get one in each bite. As for the soggy worry, they stayed crunchy from the first to last bite, and I tend to eat exceedingly slowly. They didn’t have a strong flavor, but they added a much needed crunch to break up the creaminess of the sauce and spread.

I also noticed how the tomato and onion actually brought a lot to the flavor profile, adding a highly enjoyable pico de gallo element I wasn’t expecting. The lettuce provided absolutely nothing to the overall eating experience and, in my opinion, could be left off.

Burger King’s Southwest Bacon Whopper is one of the best limited time items it has done in a while. Its ingredients all work together to give a delicious spin on its classic Whopper.

Purchased Price: $7.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 867.9 calories, 52.5 grams of fat, 17 grams of saturated fat, 105 milligrams of cholesterol, 1343.9 milligrams of sodium, 68.8 grams of carbohydrates, 5.7 grams of fiber, 13.1 grams of sugar, and 43.8 grams of protein.

Scroll to Top