REVIEW: Oreo Loaded Cookies

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“Everything old is new again” is a famous quote that I should probably attribute to the original writer, but that dude ain’t around anymore. I’m sure he wouldn’t care.

For the sake of the following review, I’m going to attribute said quote to the R&D genius over at Nabisco/Mondelez who came up with the brilliant idea to stuff Oreos with Oreos.

Yep, we’ve reached the point in time where Oreo flavor spinoffs have come so full circle that we can now buy Oreo-flavored Oreos… and I’m not mad about it.

Two years ago, I reviewed “The Most Oreo,” and I gotta be honest here, folks, I think the new “Oreo Loaded” is just “The Most Oreo” with a fresh coat of paint. I’m consciously choosing not to re-read that review until I finish this one to see if I came to the same conclusion.

Ok, actually, “Oreo Loaded” being an exact replica of “The Most Oreo” isn’t entirely true. While they are both essentially “cookies and crème” flavored Oreos (I know, just go with it), I do not believe we reached “most” levels with the Oreo Loaded. These have a little more than your standard “Double Stuf” but do not reach the ludicrous thickness of “The Most Oreo.”

These land between “The Most Oreo” and “Double Stuf” calorically, so I think my thesis checks out.

Look, it’s a big fat Oreo with a little more Oreo essence thrown in. This is a slam dunk positive review. Do you like Oreos? Want an even fatter Oreo? Me too. These are very good, but allow me to nitpick just a bit.

The amount of crème is enough to where you start to notice just how chalky it is. I think the added element of “REAL Oreo cookie crumbs” (I know, just go with it) in said crème makes it dryer and a bit less palatable than you’re used to.

These are also easily the most brittle Oreos I’ve ever had. Perhaps I got a bad batch, but every single cookie I ate – every single one – broke into pieces in ways unnatural to an Oreo. For a sandwich cookie, I usually get a pretty clean halved bite with Oreos; here, each bite breaks the wafers into quarters at least. Also, I broke numerous cookie discs while doing the classic Oreo twist. It’s as if the crumbs in the crème were extracted directly from the cookies, ruining their structural integrity.

That’s it. Other than the excruciating lack of creativity, I have no complaints. I bought a pack of obese Oreos, and baby, I liked me some obese Oreos. Sure, they were a little gritty, a little crumby, and I could only enjoy about three in a sitting, but they are legitimately great.

2025 seems to already be the year of “everything old is new again” (… I know, just try to go with it?), but I guess we can take a little comfort in obese Oreos. I wanted to rail on how “Oreo stuffed Oreos” are almost insultingly repetitive, but I just can’t. I like Oreos. Maybe next time when Nabisco releases “Oreo Reloaded,” it can stuff Oreos with Hydrox and really shock the world.

Purchased Price: $4.88
Size: 13.37 oz package
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 Cookies) 180 calories, 9 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 95 milligrams of sodium, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 14 grams of sugar, and less than 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Irish Creme Oreo Thins Cookies

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Over the holiday season, when work days tend to be lighter to nonexistent and relatives tend to be more existent, I often forgo the milk in my coffee and choose to spike it with Irish cream instead. If you aren’t familiar, Irish cream is a liqueur based on whiskey with cream and additional flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. Since its invention in the 1970s, it’s become popular as a drink on its own, mixed into cocktails, and as a dessert flavoring. Just in time to help me replace my holiday creamer of choice, Oreo is debuting Irish Crème Oreo Thins, a permanent addition to its Thins lineup.

This was my first foray into Oreo Thins territory, and while I was a bit put off by the price tag, I couldn’t help but find this package and its subtle Emerald Isle theme attractive. I wasn’t prepared for opening this and finding that the thin layer of plastic that stands between you and eating these cookies would give way to the most intense Irish cream smell. It was immediately apparent that this flavor was spot on. I was almost caught off guard by how accurate the scent was and how well it continued to the flavor.

This is not one of those cases where something calls itself “brownie” flavored and then tastes like generic chocolate. This is Irish cream flavor, perfectly harnessed. It smells and tastes a bit boozy, and while I’m sure these are safe to give anyone, I think this is definitely an adult Oreo. The crème is smooth and not excessively sweet, with whiskey and chocolate notes that are complemented by the dark cocoa cookies.

For the sake of research, I dipped one in Irish cream, but that may not be the best course of action since you’re just doubling up on the same flavor. These Thins pair very well with milk, which mellows them, but are also really nice on their own. They won’t be for everyone but if you like Irish cream at all, I can’t imagine not enjoying these. I continue to be impressed by their flavor accuracy and how well it fits this format. It’s perfect as an Oreo Thin because more of this cream would almost be too much.

In terms of flavor being on point, I would rate these 10 out of 10. I don’t find the Thins to be quite as satisfying to eat as regular Oreos, but since they’ve been around for about a decade now, I’m going to consider them their own thing and this Irish Crème variation is a damn fine product. Oreo could have slapped a bunch of shamrocks on this package and pushed them for St. Patrick’s Day, but I appreciate that they didn’t. These cookies feel kind of sophisticated but also fun and certainly welcome any time of year, like a cool Oreo cousin. With a name like Erin, I’m contractually obligated to like anything Irish, but I’d score these highly even without the bias.

Purchased Price: $6.49
Size: 11.78 oz package
Purchased at: Jewel
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (4 cookies) 140 calories, 6 grams of total fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 95 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of total carbs, 11 grams of total sugars, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: General Mills S’mores and Chocolate Strawberry Loaded Cereals

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For the sake of synergy, I was hoping S’mores Loaded Cereal would’ve been Golden Grahams S’mores Loaded. The moniker has been used a couple of times, so why not give the neglected O.G.G. (Original Golden Grahams) some L-O-V-E. As for the Chocolate Strawberry Loaded Cereal, it fits with the current Valentine’s season that began well before all the air was taken out of the last Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon.

The two new Loaded Cereals join a loaded lineup that includes Trix, Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Birthday Cake. Before trying them, I predicted I would enjoy the S’mores one much more than the Chocolate Strawberry, but to my surprise, that wasn’t the case.

With this fruity and chocolatey cereal, the strawberry stands out more than the cocoa creme filling, and thinking back to all the other strawberry-flavored breakfast cereals I’ve had in the past, this one might be the best tasting. While the chocolate plays second fiddle, it adds a bit of decadence to the bowl. Unfortunately, while I was able to eat two bowls of it, my five-year-old son seemed to like these more than I did and protected the cereal like a lioness protecting her cubs. One time, when I wanted some as a snack, he gave me a stink eye as I pulled the box from the cabinet. Then he said, “That cereal is red, and so is your blood. I hope we don’t have to see your blood, Daddy.” I considered that a threat, so I returned the cereal and grabbed the S’mores one instead.

While I prefer the Chocolate Strawberry one and wish I could eat more, the S’mores Loaded Cereal is good. Although, at first, I thought the pieces lacked a marshmallow taste. But after a few more spoonfuls, my taste buds could detect a hint of something marshmallow-y. They have a noticeable chocolate aroma in the bag, but that doesn’t translate to a bold chocolate flavor. It’s slightly less noticeable than the creme in the other new flavor. Also, I taste more of the underlying wheat instead of a graham flavor. It’s not optimal, but it doesn’t ruin the cereal.

When I tried the original Loaded flavors, there was a, for lack of a better word, sliminess to them when they sat in milk for too long. It’s still there with these, but less so than what I experienced before. Also, much like the original varieties, I think these make for a better dry snack than in a bowl with milk, no matter what kind of dairy is used.

As I mentioned, I liked the Chocolate Strawberry Loaded over S’mores Loaded, but I enjoyed both more than the previous Loaded Cereal varieties.

DISCLOSURE: I received free product samples from General Mills. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 15.6 oz box (S’mores), 18.1 oz box (Chocolate Strawberry)
Rating: 7 out of 10 (S’mores), 8 out of 10 (Chocolate Strawberry)
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup – cereal only) S’mores – 230 calories, 7 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar (including 14 grams of added sugar), and 3 grams of protein. Chocolate Strawberry – 220 calories, 7 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar (including 14 grams of added sugar), and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Taco Bell Cheesy Dipping Burritos

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I’m no expert when it comes to Taco Bell product nomenclature, but I think the new Taco Bell Cheesy Dipping Burritos should’ve been called Meaty Cheesy Dipping Burritos because I found them to be more meaty than cheesy.

An order comes with two burritos, and two versions are available: one with Cantina slow-roasted chicken and another with grilled, marinated steak. Both also come stuffed with a blend of cheddar, pepper jack, and mozzarella cheeses and Avocado Ranch in a flour tortilla with cheese grilled to the outside. By default, a side of creamy chipotle sauce is included for dipping. But you can swap that with the equally creamy nacho cheese sauce or reduced fat sour cream. Hmmm. Maybe these should’ve been called Meaty Cheesy Creamy Dipping Burritos?

Taco Bell describes these as “two snack-sized burritos” and also says that these come with a “full serving” of chicken or steak. However, what I noticed after picking up my bag is that they don’t feel snack-sized, and without any vegetables, rice, beans, guacamole, Fiesta Strips, pico de gallo, jalapeños, or Seasoned Fries in them, they feel like they’re filled to the gills with meat. With just three ingredients in them – meat, cheese, and sauce – maybe these should’ve been called Easy Peasy Meaty Cheesy Creamy Dipping Burritos.

The cheeses inside and outside of them don’t play a significant flavor role because the Avocado Ranch and meat seem to take center stage here. But that’s without dipping it into the creamy chipotle sauce. When the smoky and peppery sauce is applied, it takes over the taste buds, mostly negating the Avocado Ranch but letting the meat’s flavor get some of the spotlight. However, the steak’s flavor stood out noticeably more, making things taste too meaty and less balanced. Between the two varieties, I preferred the Cantina chicken’s taste over the steak’s, with and without the dipping sauce.

While both varieties are good, I still can’t get behind the name Cheesy Dipping Burritos. They have cheese, but whatever is included doesn’t make them taste cheesy. I guess if you really want these to be truly cheesy, swap the chipotle sauce with Taco Bell’s bright nacho cheese sauce and turn them into the Easy Peasy Meaty Cheesy Creamy Orangey Dipping Burritos.

Purchased Price: $6.59*
Size: 2 burritos per order
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Chicken), 6 out of 10 (Steak)
Nutrition Facts: (2 burritos w/Creamy Chipotle Sauce) Slow Roasted Chicken – 720 calories, 50 grams of fat, 15 grams of saturated fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1430 milligrams of sodium, 37 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 30 grams of protein. Steak – 710 calories, 49 grams of fat, 16 grams of saturated fat, 105 milligrams of cholesterol, 1580 milligrams of sodium, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 30 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. The advertised price is $4.99.

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Caesar and Fajita Jack Wraps

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When Jack Wraps debuted in 2023, I complained in my review about how small the chicken pieces were compared to the tortilla. They were so dinky that I couldn’t help but feel ripped off. But now Jack Wraps are packing a chicken tender that’s strikingly larger and meatier than those found in the original. Also, there are two new varieties: Caesar and Fajita.

The Caesar Jack Wrap features grilled white meat chicken strips or a crispy chicken strip with shredded lettuce, tomato, and Caesar dressing wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. The Fajita Jack Wrap has grilled white meat chicken strips or a fried white meat chicken strip with caramelized onions, shredded cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle ranch swaddled in a flour tortilla. I decided to get both with the crispy chicken for this review.

Of the two, the Caesar one was my favorite, although the Caesar dressing sometimes reminded me more of tartar sauce than a salad dressing. Maybe whatever seasoning is in the chicken’s breading throws the taste slightly off. However, when I got a generous gob of the Caesar, the savory flavors of the dressing stood out more. Also, the chicken’s crispy breading kind of brought croutons to mind. As for the tomato slice, it really doesn’t offer much other than making me reminisce about how Costco’s Chicken Caesar Salad from the food court used to have cherry tomatoes.

Maybe I’ve watched too many Chili’s commercials, but I believe bell peppers are one of the main ingredients in fajitas, so I’m disappointed they weren’t included in the Fajita Jack Wrap. However, the ingredients that are in the tortilla create a tasty menu item, except for the caramelized onions, which aren’t noticeable. The cheddar and the smoky and tangy chipotle ranch give this wrap a fajita vibe. I guess the sauce’s pepperiness is a decent stand-in for the bell peppers that should’ve been in this.

While I wouldn’t recommend the original Jack Wraps back in 2023, I have no problem recommending these updated versions. Thanks to the larger chicken strips, they’re surprisingly hefty, making them quite filling. And they don’t make me feel like I’ve been ripped off.

Purchased Price: $3.69 each
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Caesar), 7 out of 10 (Fajita)
Nutrition Facts: Caesar – 430 calories. Fajita – 410 calories. Other nutritional numbers aren’t available on Jack in the Box’s website or app.

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