Fast Food – Page 4 – The Impulsive Buy

REVIEW: Taco Bell Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla

Marvo / November 21, 2025 / Reviews / Leave a Comment

Flat burrito.

That was the first thought that rolled into my head when I pulled out Taco Bell’s Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla from its sleeve. Despite accurately describing what I received and what the promotional photos show, “flat burrito” would obviously be a worse name for a Taco Bell menu item than “rolled quesadilla.”

However, it might be a decent name for a pop punk band. If you’re trying to come up with one, feel free to take it. You can always change it later.

Just like pop punk chord progressions, the ingredients list here is very simple: seasoned steak, a three-cheese blend, spicy ranch, and fire-roasted poblano peppers in a warm tortilla.

I presume this is the first time poblano peppers have been put in a Taco Bell product, which is particularly surprising because I had the perception that the Tex-Mex place had incorporated every possible pepper at this point into its products. But I’m glad the green vegetables are there because they add some color, crunch, and a mild peppery flavor that’s somewhat similar to standard green bell peppers.

At first, I thought the poblano was spicy, but it turned out to be the spicy ranch sauce we’ve seen in many other Taco Bell products. The tangy, mildly spicy sauce complements the other ingredients without overwhelming them.

I’m not sure if this rolled quesadilla had more or the same amount of meat as the standard quesadillas, but it sure tasted and looked super meaty in every bite. As for the three-cheese blend, it provided a hint of cheesiness in the flour tortilla.

Overall, it’s a fine tasting menu item, and the addition of the poblano peppers is nice. However, let’s get back to its flat, long burrito shape. Because it’s not fanned out like Taco Bell’s standard quesadillas, it looks less substantial. And that would be fine if it had a less substantial price than the other quesadillas, but it’s just slightly cheaper.

Purchased Price: $6.59*
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 530 calories, 28 grams of fat, 14 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 1280 milligrams of sodium, 43 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar (including 2 grams of added sugar), and 25 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: Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza

Marvo / November 21, 2025 / Reviews / Leave a Comment

Happy 30th Birthday, Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust Pizza!

Thanks to Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza and my desire to create a decent introduction for this review, both of which prompted me to look up the history of the stuffed crust pizza, I wouldn’t have known Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust had reached its thirtieth year of existence. So let’s celebrate the best way I can think of, which is by reviewing a stuffed crust pizza from a Pizza Hut rival.

To be honest, over the past 30 years, I’ve gotten tired of regular stuffed crust pizza. It was innovative back then, but now it’s just cheese and bread. By the way, why hasn’t anyone put cheese, sauce, and meat or vegetables into the crust, creating a pizza stuffed crust pizza?

Little Caesars isn’t new to stuffed crust, and this is an upgrade that, according to the pizza chain, features “a toasted, cheese-stuffed crust brushed with buttery garlic flavor and finished with herbs and breadcrumbs.” As you can see from the photo above, my order’s crust looks a little naked, or maybe it didn’t spend enough time in the oven to make it all golden brown, but I assure you that despite how it looks, it’s gosh darn good.

Even though there’s no mention of cheddar in the description, the thing that instantly popped into my head after my first bite into the crust was that its flavor reminded me of Papa Johns Cheddar Crust Pizza, which was surprisingly tasty when I tried it a few weeks ago. Actually, it’s one of my favorite things I’ve had this year. So I’m excited that I’m tasting something similar with this pizza, and I’m also wondering where the mozzarella flavor went. As for that buttery garlic flavor, I didn’t taste it with the end crust, but I did notice it with the rest of the pizza, which it enhances.

However, it’s not just the flavor that has impressed me; it’s also the crunchy texture. Although now that I think about it, crispiness would be a better way to describe what the breadcrumbs add to the end crust. As I was biting into it, I thought its crispiness was like what I get with French fries. However, while the texture was delightful, it’s also fleeting if the pizza sits out for too long. So eat it fresh.

From tip to crust, I enjoyed every bit of Little Caesars’ Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza. It’s a limited-time offering, but I really hope it becomes permanent and a staple so that 30 years from now we can celebrate its birthday.

Purchased Price: $11.99*
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 slice) 365 calories (no other nutritional information is available on the Little Caesars’ website).

*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.

Fast Food Little Caesars Pizza

REVIEW: Papa Johns Grand Papa Pizza

Tiffany / November 21, 2025 / Reviews / 2 Comments

“I love it when you call me Grand Papa…Throw your pizza (dough) in the air if you a true playa.”

Probably not what Notorious B.I.G. had in mind. But honestly? Fitting for the absolute swagger of this new pizza.

Papa Johns just launched its biggest pizza (and biggest box) ever with the new 18-inch Grand Papa. While bigger isn’t always better – Papa John’s is my Number One, so I went in optimistic.

The pizza chain also dropped a Salted Caramel Blondie the same week. However, the star here is the debut of Papa Johns’ savory deli-style pepperoni – larger slices, milder and more savory than the standard pepperoni, and very Italian-sub energy.

To compare, I ordered the Grand Papa alongside a regular mushroom pizza.

First: the box. It was massive. The kind of massive that doesn’t fit in your fridge, which felt like Papa John’s way of saying “finish this in one sitting.” (Half kidding. Mostly.)

The pizza itself was noticeably huge and thin-crusted. The first bite was a flavor bomb. The three-cheese blend and Italian seasoning hit totally differently than with a regular Papa Johns pie, and the crust was perfectly thin with zero soggy spots. The new deli pepperoni? Legit. I’m usually a cup-and-char girly, but I’d absolutely love to taste this pepperoni in other menu items, like a Papadia.

It was so flavorful I didn’t even reach for the garlic butter – even though there was basically no crust to dip anyway. After tasting my two orders side by side, the regular pizza tasted bland and much more tomato-forward to me. Hard to believe they use the same “original” dough.

At $19.99 vs. $16.99 for a regular large, it isn’t even that big of a premium.

And honestly? For the size, flavor, and the deli pepperoni glow-up, it felt completely worth it.

My only hesitation is whether this thin crust can handle my usual topping chaos (your girl likes more than just pepperoni, even if it is deli pepperoni) – but time, and a few future orders, will tell.

Purchased Price: $19.99
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 slice) 380 calories, 17 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 960 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of total carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar, 0 grams of dietary fiber, and 17 grams of protein.

Fast Food Papa John's Pizza

REVIEW: Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box

Marvo / November 20, 2025 / Reviews / 2 Comments

I feel super uncool about not knowing what the heck Five Nights at Freddy’s is. And I feel even worse that this Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box promotes Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.

TWO! I didn’t even know there was a ONE!

So absolutely no Five Nights at Freddy’s references in this review. Wait? Is this a movie, YouTube thing, TikTok thing, video game, or a sequel to that Tom Green movie? See, that’s how lame I am. I didn’t even look it up beforehand to make myself look cool and knowledgeable. I’m being totally transparent about my ineptitude with popular culture. Heck, I’m being so lame that I called it “popular culture” instead of “pop culture.”

Before I admit to worse things about myself, let’s discuss this fast food box. The meal comes with three pieces of signature chicken tenders topped with a savory garlic parmesan rub, warm Garlic Cheesy Bites with a marinara sauce, a Cupcake Cup, and a drink of your choice. There’s also a non-deluxe version of the box that comes with only the chicken tenders and Cheesy Bites.

Despite all the garlic that’s promised in this treasure chest of golden fried foods, I can’t say I taste a lot of it.

The chicken tenders had a weak garlic parmesan flavor. I really had to really focus to notice it. But for the most part, it tastes like plain Popeyes chicken tenders with the Cajun seasoning. Maybe not enough garlic parmesan rub? As for the “garlic crusted” Cheesy Bites, they tasted like standard mozzarella sticks to me. There’s a hint of garlic, but “garlic crusted” made me believe it would be more prominent.

Oh, as you can see, my Cheesy Bites were a cheesy mess. Obviously, something went wrong in the kitchen with my order, and instead of Cheesy Bites, I got Cheesy Wads (feel free to use that fast food companies). But whatever happened didn’t affect their flavor. Besides, it came with a side of marinara, which masked the breading’s seasoning, making them taste even more like standard mozzarella sticks.

The meal’s most colorful part was the Cupcake Cup, a moist strawberry-flavored cake topped with sweet pink icing, which would’ve been great to promote the Barbie movie. The cake is chilled, and it’s probably the highlight of the Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box. Despite the thick layer of icing, I didn’t find the dessert overly sweet. The strawberry flavor in the dense cake was artificial, but still quite delicious. However, my wife thought it was too artificial.

To recap, the Cheesy Bites were mid, the chicken tenders had an underwhelming garlic parmesan flavor, and I can really only recommend the Cupcake Cup. So while not as lame as I am, Popeyes’ Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box was disappointing.

Purchased Price: $16.99*
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: Garlic Cheesy Bites – 620 calories, 50 grams of fat, 24 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1120 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 24 grams of protein. 3Pc Garlic Parmesan Classic Tenders – 390 calories, 20 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 65 milligrams of cholesterol, 1590 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 34 grams of protein. Cupcake Cup – 370 calories, 12 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat (that can’t be right), 0 grams of trans fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 260 milligrams of sodium, 60 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 29 grams of sugar, and 3 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.

Fast Food Popeyes

REVIEW: Starbucks Cinnamon Pull-Apart

James / November 20, 2025 / Reviews / 2 Comments

Starbucks may be synonymous with coffee, but the chain isn’t exactly known for its less drinkable menu options. With the holidays in full swing, the java giant is trying to change that perception with offerings like the Cinnamon Pull-Apart, which is basically a product that’s half croissant and half mini-cinnamon rolls fused together. In essence, it’s a monkey bread pastry in a fancy little sleeve.

The Pull-Apart itself is kind of hard to describe. Or at least harder to describe than I anticipated. To the untrained eye, it might be confused for a slightly larger muffin than normal. It’s not until you’re actually holding it in your hand that you realize the item is actually multiple baked goods in one package, and even then, you may not immediately recognize it as a cinnamon roll-like comestible. Of course, the scent is unmistakable — it may not look like a regular old cinnamon roll, but it definitely smells like one.

As for the taste, it’s a lot of good and a few minor quibbles. For starters, it’s a pretty hefty little croissant, with a nice speckling of sugar and a hearty smattering of streusel — which you might know by its less artistic culinary namesake, “crumb topping.” My Pull-Apart had about five, maybe five-and-a-half little croissant balls wedged together, and I was actually surprised by how filling the seemingly lightweight snack was. This thing has some weight to it, so if you’re eating it as a post-breakfast tide-me-over, don’t be surprised if it wipes out the need for lunch altogether. It’s hearty stuff, especially when you pair it with a venti dark roast with four protein shots and extra oat milk.

There’s not that much variation between fast food cinnamon rolls (and let’s be real, they can call these things whatever they want, they’re still cinnamon rolls), and I’d contend that this is one of the better ones I’ve tried from a big-name, national brand. Obviously, it’s not as good as something you’d get from a “real” bakery, but it’s pretty respectable stuff all the same. It nails just the right balance between crispy and chewy, which has always been the Achilles’ heel of similar products. It’s got a lot of flavor without being too overwhelming, which makes it a solid choice for a (relatively) low-calorie fast food snack.

As for the product’s biggest downside, let me sum it up in one word: frosting. Or more accurately, the lack of frosting. I can understand why Starbucks would’ve taken a “healthier” approach with these things, but if you’re buying cinnamon rolls from a drive-thru window, you don’t just expect adequate amounts of icing, you demand it. The lack of dipping sauce here is just unconscionable — especially with so many holiday tie-in flavors to take advantage of this time of year.

And yes, I know that monkey bread is traditionally served sans frosting. But if you’re gonna sell a baked good with “cinnamon” in its name, be prepared for customers to inevitably compare it to a cinnamon roll.

The Pull-Apart is good, perhaps even better than I expected. But it’s nothing you haven’t tried before. The concept’s got promise, though — a PSL glaze on these things would be awesome.

Purchased Price: $3.25
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 300 calories — 13 grams of total fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 mg of cholesterol, 350 mg of sodium, 38 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 13 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein

Fast Food Starbucks

REVIEW: Taco Bell Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla

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REVIEW: Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza

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REVIEW: Papa Johns Grand Papa Pizza

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REVIEW: Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box

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REVIEW: Starbucks Cinnamon Pull-Apart

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