REVIEW: Girl Scouts Thin Mints and Coconut Caramel Pop-Tarts

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If you can’t get enough of Girl Scout cookies or perhaps are looking to find new ways to incorporate them into your diet, Kellanova is here to bring a pair of those iconic cookie flavors to your breakfast table. Here for a limited time, much like their cookie counterparts, are Frosted Thin Mints and Frosted Coconut Caramel Pop-Tarts. The Thin Mints variety features a chocolate crust, sweet mint chocolate filling, and a chocolate frosted top. The Coconut Caramel flavor mimics Samoas/Caramel DeLites with a standard crust, toasted coconut and caramel filling, and a caramel frosting with chocolate accents. Let’s find out if we should put ourselves down for twenty boxes of each.

Straight from the package, both flavors are enjoyable (provided you don’t dislike mint or coconut). They both imitate their respective cookies admirably, with Thin Mints doing the best job of this because it’s not a super difficult task to combine mint and chocolate. The Coconut Caramel variety has plenty of coconut flavor in the way that a sweet coconut candy bar would, but it lacks the coconut texture that’s present in the cookies, and the chocolate is also less pronounced in the Pop-Tart version. I found that both flavors could be snacked on untoasted without really sacrificing anything. Some Pop-Tarts need heat to sing, and these don’t have that issue.

Once toasted, the Thin Mints variety gives off a pleasant cocoa brownie-like scent from its crust. I’m always cautious of mint invading my chocolate; it’ll never be my first pick for a sweet treat. That being said, Thin Mints are incredibly popular, and I can’t argue that they strike a near perfect balance of refreshing mint and chocolate. Thankfully, the Pop-Tart succeeds here as well with the filling being just minty enough to know you’re in Thin Mint territory and not making you think you’re tasting toothpaste while eating your breakfast. The Pop-Tarts box always claims you can enjoy them frozen, and this is one of the rare times that actually makes sense because freezing Thin Mints is definitely a thing people do. I gave this a try, and there’s nothing wrong with the frozen tarts, but I don’t think they give the same satisfaction one gets from the cold cookie. For me, these were best at room temperature or toasted.

Coconut Caramel also fares well with a heat treatment. This is a perfectly tasty and (thanks to the coconut) unique Pop-Tart. My only problem with this one is that I really enjoy Samoas cookies, and while the toaster pastry is nice, it just can’t capture the varied textures and tastes that make the cookie so good. If given the choice, I would much rather just eat a handful of the cookies.

I’d award both of these merit badges for their effort in bringing classic cookie flavors to a different format. I wouldn’t be compelled to choose either over my own personal favorite Pop-Tart varieties for regular eating, but they’re a fun tie-in for scout season. Can we do Tagalongs next year?

Purchased Price: $4.79
Size: 8 count box
Purchased at: Jewel-Osco
Rating: 8 out of 10 (both)
Nutrition Facts: (2 pastries) Thin Mints – 370 calories, 9 grams of total fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 410 milligrams of sodium, 69 grams of total carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 28 grams of total sugars, and 5 grams of protein. Coconut Caramel – 380 calories, 11 grams of total fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 350 milligrams of sodium, 67 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 31 grams of total sugars, and 4 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Popeyes Fried Pickles

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On April Fools’ Day, Popeyes introduced “A Popeyes Pickles Menu for Pickle People.” I was pleasantly surprised to discover it wasn’t just another April 1st prank but a genuinely well-thought-out menu featuring five limited-time items. Among them? Fried pickles!

Let me preface this by admitting that I’m a pickle person, so much so that I’m currently brushing my teeth with Grillo’s Pickles-flavored toothpaste. You might say, “That’s gross.” I say, “Mmm…dill-icious!”

Even as a pickle enthusiast, I’ve tasted both the good and the bad when it comes to fried pickles. After many disappointing orders, I’ve come to prefer chip- or coin-shaped pickles over spears. Why? Better crispy-to-cuke ratio.

And speaking of crispy, that is critical. I’ve had too many soggy fried pickles with breading that either falls off or never stuck in the first place. Of course, I still ate them. No pickle should go to waste!

When I received my order, I was concerned about what I saw. It was a little pale looking, rather than golden brown fried-to-perfection.

But, visual aside, I’m thrilled to report that Popeyes nailed it. Its signature Cajun-style seasoning added great flavor and just enough heat. While it was super flavorful on its own, when paired with the tangy buttermilk ranch dipping sauce, it was perfection. I really liked the buttermilk’s complementary tang with the pickle’s tanginess. The coin-cut shape also delivered on that aforementioned ideal crunch-to-pickle ratio.

I inhaled these, and I’ll definitely be back to try more of the pickle menu before it’s gone on May 5th. And if you’re a fellow pickle person? You absolutely should head to Popeyes too!

Purchased Price: $3.69
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 370 calories, 23 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, 1080 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 7 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Popeyes Pickle Glaze Chicken Sandwich

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Popeyes picked a perfect point to present its Pickle Menu to the public. Pickle is in! I could parade a profusion of pickle-flavored products that we’ve published about. However, it would take a profound probing in every part of this online publication to polish off such a project. If I did, I could probably proclaim that the list would be pretty plenty.

Oh, you think I will write an entire review like the paragraph above?

Please.

Popeyes Pickle Menu features Fried Pickles, Pickle Lemonade, and this Pickle Glaze Chicken Sandwich. Like many previous chicken sandwiches from the fast food chain, it comes with a buttermilk-battered white meat chicken breast and barrel-cured pickles on a toasted brioche bun. The highlight condiment is a tangy and sweet dill pickle-flavored glaze that’s combined with a blend of Louisiana herbs and spices. While all that sounds good, I am plumb disappointed that this had the usual pair of pickles instead of a couple of those fried ones.

Before seeing the sandwich for the first time, I hoped the glaze would be somewhat green, but like Kermit the Frog said, “It’s not easy bein’ green…because of the Louisiana spices.” Thanks to those spices, the glaze is a bit gritty and has a heat that’s somewhere between a regular Popeyes Chicken Sandwich and a spicy one but leans towards the spicy one. Its pickle flavor is somewhat as intense as its spiciness. There’s a nice flavor balance between the sourness from the pickles and the pepperiness from the spices in the glaze, and I think the sandwich would’ve still had a pleasant pickle flavor without the green accouterments.

While the glaze’s flavor was particularly pleasurable, and the chicken’s exterior was perfectly crunchy, the portion of poultry I was presented with was pretty paltry. Its appearance paled in comparison to the usual poultry portions that Popeyes’ sandwiches put forward. Perhaps it was a piece of bad luck. Nevertheless, the pickle is prominently present, and I wouldn’t pause to purchase it again.

Purchased Price: $7.79*
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 800 calories, 49 grams of fat, 15 grams of saturated fat, 3 grams of trans fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 200 milligrams of sodium, 60 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and 29 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

REVIEW: Subway Doritos Footlong Nachos

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Subway has been leaning hard on expanding footlong stuff for a footlong time now with the introductions of cookies, churros, dippers, and pretzels measuring around 12 inches. The latest to be footlong-ized by the sandwich chain is nachos.

Subway’s Doritos Footlong Nachos feature Nacho Cheese Doritos topped with cheddar cheese sauce, Monterey cheddar cheese, jalapeños, tomatoes, red onions, Baja chipotle sauce and your choice of rotisserie-style chicken or steak. I ended up getting the chicken version. It comes in a special footlong box that I kind of wish every footlong Subway sandwich came in. Did I measure the box to ensure I got footlong nachos? No, I didn’t because I was too occupied with eating what was in the box.

As I looked over my order, I noticed the amount of chicken was a bit thin, but all the other toppings were plentiful. The sandwich artist chopped the tomato slices into quarters, but they didn’t chop the red onion and jalapeño slices into smaller pieces. With the vegetables being the sizes they were, it wasn’t easy getting them all onto one chip without having to play Subway Topping Jenga. However, using the sauces and melted cheese as a glue helped.

While visually, the Doritos look like they’re being overwhelmed by the toppings, their flavor is still pronounced with every bite. The vegetables and sauces enhance the nacho cheese chips, making every messy bite satisfying. I particularly enjoyed the moments when there was a strong tomato taste. As silly as I find the concept of footlong nachos, I have to admit I actually enjoyed eating it.

None of the chips got soggy while eating it, although I did start consuming it right after receiving it. Not sure if it would survive a 10 minute ride home with all the cheese and sauces.

Also, I’m not sure if all Subway locations are doing this, but even though I ordered via the Subway app, the workers waited until I got there to toast mine and put on most of the toppings because they said they didn’t want to get the chips soggy from them. Of course, your Subway may vary.

I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed my Doritos Footlong Nachos (I’m also surprised Taco Bell didn’t come up with this first). I could see myself repurchasing it as a snack because I’m not sure it’s filling enough as a meal for most people and I think it’s too much as a side for any Subway sandwich.

Purchased Price: $6.00*
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 590 calories, 41 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 1240 milligrams of sodium, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 20 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay the advertised $5 price.

REVIEW: Butterfinger Salted Caramel

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I’ve always liked the “crispety, crunchety, peanut-buttery” vibe of Butterfinger bars. But despite their incomparable texture and delicious flavor, I often forget that they exist.

I’m sorry, Butterfinger bars. You’re always a solid option. I enjoyed your underrated peanut butter cups. When a social media account I follow teased the return of Butterfinger BB’s—only to reveal the announcement as a cruel April Fool’s Day prank—my heart shattered like your flaky candy filling. I’m just too easily lured by the new and exciting, and I take for granted your steadfast presence in the candy aisle.

Butterfinger Salted Caramel, the brand’s first new flavor in ten years, proves that the brand may be steady, but it’s anything but stagnant. When it comes to limited edition novelty flavors, I’ve tried a lot of varieties from more prolific brands, including M&M’s, Kit Kat, and Reese’s. Butterfinger Salted Caramel ranks among the best in recent memory.

The Butterfinger Salted Caramel bar consists of its original crispy, laminated peanut buttery core enrobed in salted caramel-flavored crème coating. The coating smells and tastes like the caramel coating of kettle corn, but mellowed by creaminess.

The salt is the unsung hero of the bar. It makes each bite a sweet and salty lover’s dream: it gives a nice salty zing, it prevents the crème from tasting too sweet, and it enhances the flavor of the core, which I swear tastes even more peanut buttery than the original Butterfinger. The salt in this bar has accomplished more in one bite than I have all week. While the flavor of the caramel itself gets a little lost in all this excitement, the bar maintains a unique sweetness that avoids tasting simply like salty peanut butter.

So, is the Salted Caramel variety better than the original Butterfinger? While it’s hard to beat peanut butter and chocolate as a combination, I’d argue the two bars are close rivals.

Butterfinger Salted Caramel is available for a limited time, now through June. At my local Walmart, the bars were relegated to a far corner of the self-checkout area, almost impossible to see until the last leg of the shopping journey. Maybe, like me, the store failed to fully appreciate Butterfinger, but at least one of us has already learned a lesson.

Purchased Price: $1.34
Size: 1.9 oz (54 g) bar
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 260 calories, 11 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 39 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 23 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

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