REVIEW: Arby’s Crinkle Cut Fries

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Arby s Crinkle Cut Fries Full

What are Arby’s Crinkle Cut Fries?

Arby’s new permanent fries are exactly as they sound — an “…accordion-style” deep-fried spud offering! The website touts the “…groves for maximum crispiness, lightly seasoned with fine kosher salt.”

(Editor’s Note: I’m pretty sure “groves” is supposed to be “grooves.” But that’s really how it’s spelled on Arby’s website. I added the screenshot below for proof.)

Screen Shot 2021 04 25 at 8 46 21 AM

How are they?

Arby s Crinkle Cut Fries Top

Crinkle cut fries are near and dear to my heart. They remind me of elementary school lunches when the best part of my day was lunchtime. These were exactly like a blast from the past – limp, slightly undercooked, but decently salted.

Anything else you need to know?

Arby s Crinkle Cut Fries Compare

I tested these head-to-head with crinkle cut fries from the grocery store. The air fried Ore-Ida ones I made were better. They were golden brown and actually had more crispness.

Arby s Crinkle Cut Fries Compare Closeup

Unfortunately, Arby’s is pretty serious about its mediocre crinkle cut fry offering. The fast food chain even made a TV commercial for it!

Conclusion:

I ate every single one of those limp, slightly undercooked, but decently salted fries, but they’re not better than frozen crinkle cut fries found at your local grocery store.

Maybe one day Arby’s will offer a mixed spuds basket with its curlies, crinkle, and cakes – kind of like mixing all the sodas together. But I wouldn’t get the crinkle fries on their own. I’ll stick with the curlies!

Purchased Price: $2.49
Size: Medium
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Medium) 530 calories, 26 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 630 milligrams of sodium, 68 grams of carbohydrates, 0 gram of dietary fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 7 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dairy Queen Girl Scout Thin Mints Blizzard

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Dairy Queen Girl Scouts Thin Mints Blizzard Cup

What is the Girl Scout Thin Mints Blizzard?

It is part of Dairy Queen’s Summer Blizzard Menu, which is available two months before summer begins and includes this offering as the only new flavor of the six. As you surely have surmised by the name, this Blizzard includes vanilla soft serve with Girl Scout Thin Mints cookies and, importantly, as I will explain, cool mint.

How is it?

Dairy Queen Girl Scouts Thin Mints Blizzard Top

Before I get to the taste, I must assure you that the accompanying photos are indeed of the correct Blizzard. When it was delivered to my table, complete with an enthusiastic upside-down flip from a friendly DQ employee, I figured perhaps a mistake had been made as I stared down at my oddly grayish treat. So, I think for the first time in my life, I made a deliberate attempt to smell a Blizzard, and it definitely had that familiar Thin Mints aroma.

Dairy Queen Girl Scouts Thin Mints Blizzard Color

Confident that my order was right but still a bit perplexed by the color, I dug in. It tasted even better than it smelled and much better than it looked. This is coming from someone who likes Thin Mint cookies but doesn’t love them (and no, I even don’t love them straight from the freezer). Thin Mints are good — they are cookies, after all — but when I get guilted into buying Girl Scout cookies on a trip to the grocery store, I usually pick other varieties. So, this Blizzard had to prove its worthiness to me.

If it simply had Thin Mints blended in, even perhaps with some chocolate, then I think it would be pretty average. But with the addition of cool mint, which in the ingredients on the DQ website is listed as creme de menthe topping, it jumps up several levels. The flavor is a bit mintier than simply biting into a Thin Mint, but it is by no means overpowering, so the chocolate and more subdued mintiness of the cookie is still there.

Dairy Queen Girl Scouts Thin Mints Blizzard Spoon

Thin Mints also have a great texture for Blizzards, as they are not too crunchy but firm enough to hold up well in the ice cream. I was a bit surprised how much I liked this, especially given my neutral stance on Thin Mints.

Anything else you need to know?

I really cannot fully explain why my Blizzard was more gray than green, although the green color in the DQ advertising is somewhat muted, so the color difference was not that great after comparing the two. Plus, my Blizzard did get a bit greener as I got toward the bottom, so an uneven mix was likely at play too. But I don’t buy a Blizzard to look at it, so if it tastes good, I don’t care what color it is.

Conclusion:

If you really dislike Thin Mints, then take a gander at the five other options on the summer menu, but if you like Thin Mints even a little bit, then I think you’ll give this one a big thumbs up. And if you really love Thin Mints, you might even use both thumbs.

Purchased Price: $4.79
Size: Medium
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Medium) 900 calories, 32 grams of fat, 21 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 65 milligrams of cholesterol, 460 milligrams of sodium, 137 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 102 grams of sugar, and 18 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Mac & Cheese Bites

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Jack in the Box Mac Cheese Bites Boxed

What are Jack in the Box Mini Munchies Mac & Cheese Bites?

The fast food chain with a mascot that regularly ends up in my dreams and nightmares has a new limited time only side that features mac and cheese that’s been battered and then deep fried.

Jack’s Mac & Cheese Bites are available in a Mini Munchies size with six pieces, a Mega Munchies pack with 12 pieces, and a Mini Munchies Variety option that comes with an oily potpourri of three Mac & Cheese Bites, curly fries, and regular fries.

How are they?

The exterior has a decent crunchiness. I would’ve recorded audio of it to give you an idea, but then you’d have to listen to me chew, and I don’t think you’d want to hear that no matter how much of an ASMR eating fan you are. But what really matters is what’s inside that golden brown shell.

Jack in the Box Mac Cheese Bites Innards

The macaroni that swims in the orange goo is tender. The goo itself is a combination of American, Romano, and a Cheddar & Blue Cheese blend, but it all tastes as if it’s sharp cheddar. While it has a pleasant flavor, it congealed a bit during the five minute trip home, so the interior texture wasn’t as gooey as I was expecting. But there isn’t anything here taste-wise that makes these stand out from something in the freezer aisle.

Anything else you need to know?

An order comes with a buttermilk ranch dip cup (sorry, I forgot to take an Instagrammable photo of a bite being dipped into the herbaceous white sauce), but you can get it with any sauce Jack offers. Maybe I’ve had too many Mac & Cheese bites in my lifetime, but the buttermilk ranch’s tang adds a welcomed flavor. They also bring back some creaminess that gets lost when the cheese congeals. If I wasn’t so lazy, I’d go to Burger King to try these with its Zesty Sauce.

Oh, this is not the first time Jack in the Box has had mac and cheese bites. Back in 2008, it offered wedge-shaped Cheesy Macaroni Bites, which, I’ll be honest, looks easier to dip into the sauce containers than these 2021 versions.

Conclusion:

Jack in the Box’s Mac & Cheese Bites are a decent addition to the chain’s sides menu. At their advertised three dollar price for a half dozen, they’re worth a try. But if you decide to order them, get some kind of sauce to enhance their flavor.

Purchased Price: $4.00*
Size: 6 pieces
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 330 calories, 19 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 1170 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. Most of you will probably pay three dollars.

REVIEW: Starbucks Honey Oatmilk Latte

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Starbucks Honey Oatmilk Latte Cup

What is the Starbucks Honey Oatmilk Latte?

Now that Starbucks recently introduced oatmilk, I have a sneaking suspicion we’ll see a lot more featured drinks with it added to the menu. The new Honey Oatmilk Latte is blonde espresso, oatmilk, and honey with a toasted honey topping.

How is it?

Honey lovers, run to your nearest Starbucks – you won’t be disappointed. The honey flavor is super prevalent here, something I didn’t find with the Almondmilk Honey Flat White from early 2020. You’ll taste it at first sip, but it was the aftertaste that really knocked my socks off. Smooth, sweet, and comforting – and most important, a very natural taste since it’s real honey and not a flavored syrup or sauce.

Starbucks Honey Oatmilk Latte Top

I think the oatmilk adds a nice thickness to the latte that I don’t always feel with dairy milk. I’ll waver between talls and grandes for hot drinks, and I was very satisfied with a tall here. And with 85 milligrams of caffeine in the tall, I’d recommend it as an afternoon treat to power you through.

Lastly, as I typically note with hot drinks and toppings – the toasted honey topping melts in too quick with the drink and doesn’t provide the added taste it truly could.

Anything else you need to know?

This really felt like a cool weather beverage for me – perfect for sitting around the fire in the fall. I’ll definitely be remembering that in the future… but hey, I’m not wishing away the summer!

Conclusion:

If your go-to Starbucks beverage is a latte and/or you really like honey, add this to your rotation for a delightful flavor profile.

Purchased Price: $4.95
Size: Tall
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 200 calories, 7 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 120 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of total carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 21 grams of total sugars, 3 grams of protein and 85 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Avocado Toast

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Dunkin Avocado Toast Full

What is Dunkin’s Avocado Toast?

Better late than never, Dunkin’ tries to court millennials with the ever popular avocado toast. Dunkin’s version has a piece of toasted sourdough bread as the base, topped with avocado spread (made with four ingredients: avocado, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon juice), and finished with a hearty sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion, and garlic).

How is it?

Dunkin Avocado Toast Toasted

Avocado toast is a tricky thing to nail. Yes, it seems simple, but it can go bad very quickly. Dunkin’s iteration sits in that “firm middle of the road” category. It isn’t good, nor is it bad. It’s just okay. The sourdough provides a good base for the item. Thoroughly toasted, it holds up well to the spread and keeps its structural integrity.

Dunkin Avocado Toast Split

The avocado spread is certainly better than most spreads I’ve had, but the lemon flavor will come on strong every few bites. It’s not necessarily unpleasant, but it’s not a flavor I associate with avocado toast. Of course, I understand the necessity of lemon to help the avocado stay stable and not turn brown.

The everything bagel seasoning does most of the heavy lifting flavor-wise. The strong flavors of the garlic and onion bits make the lemon less pungent. I can say with pretty strong confidence that the item would be rated much lower without the seasoning.

Anything else you need to know?

Dunkin Avocado Toast Cut

The item was relatively light for a breakfast item on its own. After the fact, I cursed myself for not getting some of Dunkin’s snacking bacon. I think that might make it a little more substantial, and I’d be curious how the bacon worked with the spread.

You can also buy the spread separately to add to other Dunkin’ items if you so want.

Conclusion:

Dunkin’s Avocado Toast is a solid try at a popular item. It’s not going to wow you if you’re looking for the flavor of pure avocado, but works well as a very light breakfast/snack. It’s a nice change from the more traditional breakfast offerings at Dunkin’ that can sometimes be heavy on the stomach.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 piece) 240 calories, 11 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 530 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

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