REVIEW: McDonald’s Spicy Sausage McMuffin with Egg

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Do you know what’s a great way to get out of a sleepy morning state?

Caffeine? Nah.

Multiple alarms? Beep, no!

A firm face slap? You’re getting closer.

After taking my first bite from McDonald’s Spicy Sausage McMuffin with Egg, I realized I’d been getting awake the wrong way. I don’t need coffee or multiple alarms set for 6:45, 6:50, 6:54, 6:57, 6:59, 7:00, 7:01, 7:02, 7:03 am. All I need is to make the inside of my mouth experience a slightly stabby pain. I figured this out thanks to this McDonald’s breakfast sandwich that features the chain’s Spicy Pepper Sauce, which debuted with the Spicy McCrispy Chicken Sandwich.

Now, pulling out the Spicy Pepper Sauce for the breakfast crowd begs the question: Why not bring out the Big Mac Sauce, too? I’m 100 percent sure it would make a McMuffin McBetter.

Anyhoo, the orangey condiment brings a spiciness that I’d put at a 4-5 on my heat scale. It’s not enough to make me sweat or wish I’d ordered orange juice with it, but I did find myself suddenly more alert with a burn circulating inside my mouth, and that peppery burn lingered on my lips and tongue well after finishing the sandwich.

Beyond the heat, I enjoyed the added flavor. Standard McMuffins aren’t completely bland, but after eating Grimace’s weight of McMuffins over my lifetime, it’s wonderful to be able to taste something different. The sauce’s pepperiness negates the egg and cheese’s flavor, but the savory sausage still comes through. However, I do think the egg and cheese slightly dampens the topping’s heat.

I’m not sure if it’s just because it’s the new hotness, but I think I’m going to order all my McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches with this sauce for as long as I can. Yeah, even the McGriddles for a swicy twist.

McDonald’s Spicy Sausage McMuffin with Egg was a great tasting way to start my morning. The sauce’s pepperiness awakened my taste buds, and the sauce’s heat awakened the rest of my head. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to place a bag of Flamin’ Hot chips next to my bed.

Purchased Price: $5.79*
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: Unavailable at time of publication.

*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: Dunkin’ Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee

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Today was the perfect day for me to review Dunkin’s new limited edition (it’s only around this summer) Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee: I had to wake up at 5 am, I had free time in the afternoon right as my energy was starting to fade, and it was hot as heck outside. Motivated by these conditions that basically begged for a mixture of caffeine and frozen dessert, I perused the three flavor options—Cookie Dough, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Butter Pecan—and opted for Butter Pecan.

I sometimes get nervous when purchasing new items that employees might not be familiar with yet, but the ordering process went smoothly… at least until I was handed a bald Frozen Coffee, missing the luxurious whipped cream, syrup swirl, and crunchy crushed waffle cone topping that solidify this drink as “Ice-Cream Inspired.” Being someone who dreads even mild confrontations, I immediately broke out in a sweat so cold I no longer required a frosty beverage to cool down, but I knew I would have to speak up.

The things I do for you, dear Impulsive Buy readers! Fortunately, after I sheepishly showed a picture on my phone (and apologized for the inconvenience about a dozen times), I was rewarded a few minutes later with a new Frozen Coffee looking as glamorous as the one in the marketing materials.

It tasted pretty glamorous, too! It approached the border of “overly sweet” without quite crossing it, which is just how I prefer my coffee. There was a toasty, generally nutty flavor that I might have identified as almond or hazelnut, but a buttery undertone sealed the deal as living up to its Butter Pecan name. The waffle cone topping lived up to its name as well—as with most ice cream cones I can recall, it was more textural than tasty, a bit bland when sampled on its own, but it provided a welcome crunch as part of a larger experience. (Note that it was best in small doses: when I chomped down on a large, slightly soggy cluster that had sunken to the bottom of the cup after finishing my drink, it was a tad overwhelming.) Luckily though, the butter pecan-flavored swirl perked up the neutral-tasting crunchies right up, providing a perfect pop of sweetness without being laid on too thick. And the whipped cream was light and airy, practically melting in my mouth, which added to the summery feeling.

Another thing I appreciated was how well-blended the drink was. While it clearly was frozen, the sips weren’t gritty, going down as smoothly as regular iced coffee. Though there was a substantial chunk of ice left at the end, I didn’t mind; mixed with the melty remnants of the whipped cream, syrup, and waffle cone pieces, the treat took on a snow cone texture in the final mouthfuls, which may not have been intentional but was still pretty fun.

Truthfully, the Butter Pecan Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee wasn’t that different than any of the other frozen and/or sugar-bomb drinks Dunkin’ already has on offer. But between its playful seasonal vibe, thematically appropriate toppings, and perfect balance of being both sweet-but-not-cloying and frozen-but-still-drinkable, I’d suggest it for anyone looking to power through a heatwave, an unpleasantly early wakeup time, or just a good old-fashioned sugar craving.

Purchased Price: $5.11
Size: Small
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 590 calories, 22 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 250 milligrams of sodium, 92 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 84 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Sabrina’s Strawberry Daydream Refresher

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It was only about a week ago that I was sipping on the Pink Spritz Refresher from Dunkin’, but because this is the Summer of Refreshers, we can’t stop there! We now have another pink one to try, Sabrina’s Strawberry Daydream Refresher.

This is Sabrina Carpenter’s second collaboration with Dunkin’, and I’m going to take a wild (strawberry) guess and say it won’t be her last. This iced drink takes the Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher flavor, adds oat milk, and is topped with sweet cold foam. The commercial features Sabrina working at the Dunkin’ Daydream Hotline (no, you can’t actually call this, although it might have been funny if they’d set one up where she gives you several automated responses). She tells her caller, who is suffering from being “hot,” that they need a Strawberry Daydream Refresher while she grabs said beverage from her desk and proceeds to lose herself in strawberry bliss. So, is this daydream worthy?

My drink arrived looking creamy, pale pink, and topped with an inch or so of foam. Despite the fact that the foam itself is not strawberry flavored, I got a strong whiff of strawberry as soon as I lifted the cup to my face, and that feeling never left. Dunkin’s canned cold foam isn’t built to last, but it does provide a nice topper for a few sips before it melts its way into the rest of the beverage. Are there any fans out there of the Starbucks’ Strawberry Crème Frappuccino? This reminds me of a lighter version of that, if we can call something with 41 grams of sugar “lighter” (the Starbucks drink has 51 grams). Oat milk can vary, but I found whatever brand used here to be creamy and complementary with no weird or unpleasant aftertaste.

There are pops of berry tartness throughout, and I know the nutrition facts say otherwise, but somehow, it really isn’t too sweet. It falls under the “Refresher” umbrella, but if I was parched, I wouldn’t reach for this to quench my thirst. I would, however, be happy to have it as a lazy, slow-sipped afternoon treat. The foam might dissipate early, but this drink retained its ice impressively and, from start to finish, really delivers on the strawberries and cream vibe. If you’re in an extreme sweat, I don’t think this beverage should be your first choice, but if you’re looking to just take a break and drift into a sweet summertime vibe, this won’t disappoint.

Purchased Price: $3.32 ($3 deal in-app, regular price $4.39)
Size: Medium
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 280 calories, 5 grams of total fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 115 milligrams of sodium, 55 grams of total carbs, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 41 grams of total sugar, and 2 grams of protein

REVIEW: Wendy’s Takis Fuego Meal

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The fire-themed packaging that comes with Wendy’s new Takis Fuego meal makes it seem like your mouth is going to have a fiery time. The meal features the Takis Fuego Chicken Sandwich, Fuego Fries, a one-ounce bag of Fuego Takis, and a drink. However, if you’re expecting A LOT of heat, your expectations will not be beat.

The Takis Fuego chicken sandwich features a spicy chicken breast, chili lime sauce, street corn spread, crushed Takis, and cheddar cheese sauce on a premium bun. The chile lime sauce enhances the peppery and citrusy flavor from the Takis Fuego. Although, there was something slightly off about the sauce that kind of detracted from the Takis flavor. Maybe too sour? Also, despite the 20-minute drive home, the Takis in the sandwich maintained most of their crunchiness.

While a street corn flavor wasn’t noticeable, the cheddar cheese sauce cut through the red seasonings and helped calm the spicy heat from the Takis and the chicken. The cheddar doesn’t make it too cheesy, but it does improves the sandwich’s flavor. I know this because I had to buy a second sandwich because my first didn’t have the cheese sauce, and I enjoyed the one with the cheddar sauce more.

However, the highlight of the meal was the Fuego Fries, which combines Takis Fuego Chile Lime seasoning with Wendy’s fries in a bag treated like a James Bond martini. I think the amount of potato strips in the bag equals a medium-sized serving. The menu item comes in a specially designed bag that is perforated across the mid-section, allowing you to tear off half of the bag to access the fries more easily. It’s neat but kind of unnecessary for someone like me who has a steady hand that’s used to reaching into fast food bags to get the bonus fries at the bottom.

They have that familiar chile lime Fuego flavor, but there is still an underlying French fry taste. I enjoyed tasting the chiles and citrus on Wendy’s fries, even those that had a lot of seasoning. There’s a slight spicy kick, but the level of heat was lower than the sandwich.

Speaking of heat, midway through my meal, my mouth realized something was missing that I always experience whenever I’ve eaten actual Takis Fuego chips — the need to drink something cool. Since the meal comes with a bag of the rolled tortilla chips, I was able to compare, and it turns out that my mouth was correct. It was only until I ate several Takis Fuego chips that I felt like I needed to put out a fire in my mouth.

If you’re trying to decide between the sandwich and the fries, definitely go for the latter. If you want the least spiciest, go for the fries. If you want an intense infusion of Takis Fuego, this meal will not disappoint.

Purchased Price: $11.49*
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Sandwich), 8 out of 10 (Fries)
Nutrition Facts: (Whole meal w/o drink) 990 calories, 44 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 80 milligrams of cholesterol, 4000 milligrams of sodium, 112 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of fiber, 8 grams of sugar, and 38 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: Taco Bell Crispy Chicken Strips and Spicy Ranchero Crispy Chicken Taco and Burrito

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Right after the introduction of Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets, I felt it was inevitable that Taco Bell would eventually follow up with chicken tenders and shared that with no one who could confirm I actually thought that. Why did I come to this conclusion back then? Well, I had a gut feeling because Taco Bell didn’t stuff those chicken nuggets into a flour tortilla that ended up in my gut.

So here we are with the chain’s new Crispy Chicken Strips made in the same way as its nuggets. And they also come stuffed in tortillas! You can purchase them as a two-strip pack with your choice of dipping sauce. Or you can get one of them in a taco with cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce, purple cabbage, and your choice of Spicy Ranchero Sauce or Avocado Ranch. Or you can get two of them in a burrito with the same stuff that’s in the taco. Since I felt like I needed to spice up my life, I decided to order the taco and burrito with the Spicy Ranchero Sauce. However, I also picked up an order of chicken strips.

Let’s start with the Chicken Strips on their own, which I got with a Spicy Ranch Sauce. Compared with the chain’s nuggets, which have a satisfying crunch, these strips had an exterior that was less so. It also didn’t stick to the chicken very well, as after my first bite, I noticed the coating started to peel off from the poultry. Of course, your results may vary.

The lightly seasoned coating, infused with Mexican spices, tastes fine and is similar to the nuggets, but it is enhanced by a sauce. While they taste fine and the poultry is tender, I don’t think I’d repurchase them because an order is just TWO pieces that made the sleeve they came in look very roomy.

Although it’s the same chicken, I enjoyed the strips much more in the taco and burrito. Oddly, even though they have the same ingredients, I preferred the messier taco over the burrito because I felt like I could better taste all the ingredients in it.

The highlight of both was the Spicy Ranchero Sauce, which complements the spices in the chicken’s coating. The peppery and smoky condiment made every bite a tasty one, and while “spicy” is in its name, I thought it was pretty mild. No Baja Blast Mountain Dew is needed. There were also acidic bursts from the tomatoes in the pico de gallo and an intense cheesiness from the cheddar.

As for texture, I felt that the chicken maintained most of its crispiness in the taco better than in the burrito. That makes sense since I know through personal experience with bubble wrap that it can get quite stuffy in a burrito. However, not all crunch is lost with the burrito because the purple cabbage does maintain some in the flour tortilla sauna.

Overall, if you want to experience Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Strips, I’d recommend getting either the taco or burrito that features them. Again, getting them on their own seems like you’re not getting your money’s worth because it’s only two. Though, I think my gut would feel better if it came with three for the same price.

Purchased Price: $4.99 (Chicken Strips), $3.59 (Taco), $7.19 (Burrito)
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Chicken Strips), 8 out of 10 (Taco), 7 out of 10 (Burrito)
Nutrition Facts: Crispy Chicken Strips – Not currently available on the Taco Bell website. Spicy Ranchero Crispy Chicken Taco – 240 calories, 10 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 640 milligrams of sodium, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar (including less than 1 gram of added sugar), and 11 grams of protein. Spicy Ranchero Crispy Chicken Burrito – 500 calories, 20 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 1310 milligrams of sodium, 58 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar (including 1 gram of added sugar), and 23 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.

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