QUICK REVIEW: Burger King Cheesy Bacon Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Burger King Cheesy Bacon Crispy Chicken Sandwich

What is the Burger King Cheesy Bacon Crispy Chicken Sandwich?

The Cheesy Bacon Crispy Chicken Sandwich is a fairly straightforward offering from The King. You’ve got a big, crispy chicken filet (which, if you so request, comes with special spicy seasonings), a couple of strips of smoky bacon, a toasted potato bun, and two types of cheese-related dressings underneath. There’s a thick, creamy cheddar sauce and what appears to be at least two slices of melted (or at least slightly warmer than usual) American cheese.

How is it?

Burger King Cheesy Bacon Crispy Chicken Sandwich 3

The chicken filet is actually a lot better than you may anticipate, and as always, Burger King’s bacon, in my opinion, remains one of the most underrated toppings in the world of fast food fix-ins.

Burger King Cheesy Bacon Crispy Chicken Sandwich 4

The potato bun, unfortunately, doesn’t have much flavor to it, but where this thing really disappoints is in the cheese department. The proprietary cheddar sauce is shockingly tasteless, and whatever brand of American cheese BK is using these days has to be one of the more mundane variations on the market.

Is there anything else you need to know?

This is a perfectly fine fast food offering… and that’s the problem. There’s no denying the Cheesy Bacon Crispy Chicken Sandwich — which I’m just going to call the CBCCS from here on out — is a flavorful, hearty sandwich, which will certainly fulfill whatever poultry-burger cravings you may be having.

Alas, it doesn’t offer anything new, and the lack of any fresh produce to counterbalance the medley of meats makes this a recipe for cottonmouth city (not a surprise in the slightest, since this sammich packs nearly an entire day’s worth of recommended salt intake).

Conclusion:

The CBCCS plays it a little too safe, and the result is a tasty, but hardly remarkable, limited time only sandwich from the fast food juggernaut that seems like it’s pumping out a new LTO item every 10 to 12 days.

The sandwich definitely could have been improved with a different sauce (a savory boom-boom aioli, perhaps?) and with so much meat in the mix, some lettuce and tomato almost seem like a gustatory necessary.

It would have been nice to see BK get a little experimental with the toppings (some onion rings or fried mushrooms would’ve been great), but it seems like the choice of dairy is where the King went astray here. Swiss, mozzarella, gruyere … pretty much anything would’ve been a better fit than the Velveeta spread they ultimately opted for.

Still, it is good and extraordinarily filling; but for the rather steep price point, it seems like you should be getting something a little more distinct than the final product.

Purchased Price: $5.49
Size: N/A
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 650 calories, 32 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 90 milligrams of cholesterol, 1,980 milligrams of sodium, 59 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 8 grams of sugar, and 31 grams of protein.

QUICK REVIEW: Starbucks Juniper Latte

Starbucks Juniper Latte

What is the Starbucks Juniper Latte?

I was a little surprised when I learned of Starbucks’ latest drink, the Juniper latte, because it was released late November but wasn’t a holiday-like drink.

Nonetheless, I was intrigued – the main draw of this new latte is a juniper syrup, which is supposed to add a “light, pine-like flavor with delightful citrus undertones.”

How is it?

My barista told me that customers have either been loving the Juniper latte or hating it, so I braced myself. I wasn’t so sure about the citrus-ness of it, but turns out I didn’t have to worry. At first taste, it tasted like a regular latte – actually not much flavor at all. I smelled the citrus, but didn’t taste it. There was an earthy aftertaste, but it wasn’t overwhelming.

Starbucks Juniper Latte 2

Here’s the best way I can describe my experience: I liked the Juniper latte and I enjoyed it as I drank it, but it’s not something that I’m adding to my standard rotation of beverages. A good one-time try, but not enough to make it to the top of my list.

Is there anything else you need to know?

If you’re looking for something that is NOT sweet, this is your drink. The only sweetness came from the dusting of pine-citrus sugar, but that only lasts for a few sips until it melted into the drink. Still, a nice addition!

Conclusion:

If you go for a standard latte with no added syrups or flavors, or if you just want to try something a little different, I think you’ll enjoy the Starbucks Juniper Latte.

Purchased Price: $4.45
Size: Tall
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Tall) 200 calories, 5 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 27 grams of sugars, 9 grams of protein, and 75 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Pannidos (2018)

Jack in the Box Pannidos Deli Trio (2018)

The Jack in the Box Pannidos hit menu boards in early 2004. This website you’re reading also made its debut in 2004, but we missed out on reviewing the sandwiches before their discontinuation. So this 2018 reboot gives us a second chance to write about them. Can’t say that about many products.

The version that came out almost 15 years ago had three varieties, featured a foot-long bun, and were served in specially made bags so consumers could eat the sandwich straight out of it.

Jack in the Box Pannidos (2018)

While some things are the same about the 2018 Pannidos – coming in a bag you can eat them from – there’s a lot different.

Jack in the Box Pannidos (2018) 2

There are now only two varieties (only the Deli Trio survived the reboot and the new one is the Turkey, Bacon & Cheddar); instead of being a foot long, they’re 9 1/2 inches; and there aren’t any Pannidos commercials starring Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family.

Deli Trio Pannido

The Deli Trio (picture at the top) features smoked turkey, ham, salami, dill pickle slices, and a creamy Italian sauce on toasted ciabatta bread. You might be asking yourself, “Hey, where are those pickle slices?” I wondered the same thing when I slid it out of its bag. But I didn’t have to file a missing pickle report with the Pickle Police. It turns out the person who made my sandwich treated the pickles like loose tobacco or marijuana and used the cold cuts as rolling paper. Although not as advertised, I liked it this way because it was almost impossible for the pickles to fall out.

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As for its flavor, I enjoyed the creamy, herbaceous sauce. It beats out mayo by a mile. It tastes as if I’ve had it before, but I could put my finger on what it was. The pickles added a nice tang that cut through the saltiness of the meats and the spice from the salami. The edges of the toasted bread give the sandwich a little crunch.

Turkey, Bacon & Cheddar Pannido

Jack in the Box Pannidos Turkey Bacon Cheddar (2018)

The Turkey, Bacon & Cheddar comes with smoked turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, and the same creamy Italian sauce on toasted ciabatta bread. When I first saw it, the amount of pork strips excited me. But, despite having many strips strewn along its length, they don’t provide much flavor. No smokiness. No saltiness. They just drape themselves off the side of the turkey like they’re trying to escape from the rest of the sandwich.

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Much like the pickles in the other Pannido, the cheddar cheese found itself wrapped in a meat cocoon, instead of lovingly placed on top. I don’t know if this arrangement is the reason for it, but the cheddar cheese stands out while chomping down on this meat and bread tube. Its bite complements the turkey and it makes me wish the bacon stood out a little bit. I also like the Italian sauce with this one.

But, overall, both Jack in the Box Pannidos are mediocre and I wouldn’t care if they disappeared for another 15 years.

While the bread comes toasted, everything else is room temperature or cold. It makes for a Subway-like eating experience, which is something I would not wish upon any other fast food chain, especially one that I like eating at. To be honest, I’d nosh these over something from Subway, but just barely. The Italian sauce ended up being the Pannidos’ saving grace. Thank goodness these didn’t come with mayo because I’d be even more disappointed.

I also like the toasted ciabatta bread because its soft and, again, the crust edges have a slight crunch. But the rest of the sandwich should be warmed up too, especially this time of year when we could use these Pannidos as handwarmidos as we eat them.

Purchased Price: $6.69 each*
Size: N/A
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: Deli Trio – 580 calories, 30 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 75 milligrams of cholesterol, 2550 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 6 grams of sugar, and 31 grams of protein. Turkey, Bacon & Cheddar – Not available on website 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.

QUICK REVIEW: Burger King Oreo Cookie Peppermint Shake

Burger King Oreo Cookie Peppermint Shake

What is the Burger King Oreo Cookie Peppermint Shake?

Burger King’s December shake features peppermint syrup and Oreo cookie bits. Apparently, it’s supposed to have a whipped topping on it as well, but I got cheated.

How is it?

In 2016, BK introduced the

The shake is pretty thick for a nationwide fast-food chain (as opposed to local mom-and-pop shake shacks), and I had a hard time sucking it through the straw. I had to use my straw more like a spoon.

It’s satisfyingly minty. However, at this time of year, there are lots of minty shakes that are so potent, they taste like you just ate a pure candy cane. I love mint, so I like that feeling. This one isn’t quite that powerful, but it’s still nice.

Burger King Oreo Cookie Peppermint Shake 2

The Oreo pieces are tiny enough to go through a straw, and they dissolve quickly in your mouth, so there’s no need to do much crunching. I can’t detect any of the creme, but the chocolate cookies work well with the mint.

Is there anything else you need to know?

It’s probably obvious, but a milkshake isn’t what you want to drink on a cold December night. I parked a block away from Burger King, and I shivered a lot more in the 17-degree weather on the way back to my car than I did on my way into the restaurant.

Conclusion:

The Burger King Oreo Peppermint Shake isn’t anything innovative, but it’s a festive, tasty treat if you’re looking for a way to get even colder.

Purchased Price: $3.29
Size: Comes in one size
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 780 calories, 20 grams of fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 65 milligrams of cholesterol, 540 milligrams of sodium, 133 grams of

QUICK REVIEW: McDonald’s Signature Crafted Mushroom & Swiss

McDonald’s Signature Crafted Mushroom & Swiss

What is the McDonald’s Signature Crafted Mushroom & Swiss?

It’s another Mushroom & Swiss

How is it?

Upon opening the signature crafted box, the artisan bun and its golden brown fluffy appearance excited me. Off to a good start!

McDonald’s Signature Crafted Mushroom & Swiss 2

After taking off the top to check out the toppings, I was immediately befuddled. There were multiple onion strings, some melted Swiss, a bit of the aioli, but the mushrooms? There were maybe two, three at most on my burger. My excitement sank again. I had reached mushroom patch rock bottom, so I decided to dig in and get it over with.

Chomping through, though? I was pleasantly surprised. All the components come together without one overpowering another. The bun is a tad buttery, the Swiss is sufficiently nutty, and while the drop of aioli tastes like a standard garlicky, peppery mayo, it does its job to add some creaminess to everything.

The standout though is the crispy onion strings. They were super crunchy and flavorful. Yum! I wasn’t wishing for more of the so-so mushrooms with the oniony topping present. They have a nice sweetness that comes through once you get through the coating.

Is there anything else you need to know?

McDonald’s Signature Crafted Mushroom & Swiss 3

I ordered my sandwich with one beef patty, but if you are extra hungry, you can get two of those fresh bad boys, if you like. And, if beef isn’t your thing, you can also get it with buttermilk crispy chicken or artisan grilled chicken.

Conclusion:

This is another decent entry in the Mushroom & Swiss category that you shouldn’t go out of your way for if you are expecting Mushroom heaven. For a crispy onion string & Swiss burger, though? It’s pretty good for a fast food joint. Check it out if you are hitting up the Golden Arches anytime soon. For me, I’m definitely going to go with the double next time.

Purchased Price: $5.29
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Single) 660 calories, 36 grams of fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 90 milligrams of cholesterol, 920 milligrams of sodium, 52 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of dietary fiber, 10 grams of sugar, and 33 grams of protein.

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