Fast Food – Page 98 – The Impulsive Buy

REVIEW: Burger King Ch’King Sandwich

Holly / June 21, 2021 / Reviews / 25 Comments

Burger King has a mixed record with chicken sandwiches. My previous experience was in the form of the Original Chicken Sandwich. That’s the hoagie-like version that can have some questionable quality chicken in the form of a pressed patty. I ended up throwing half of it away because it was just not good.

So naturally, when Burger King put its new Ch’King into the ever-growing field of fast food chicken sandwiches, I knew it was time to give BK an opportunity to redeem itself.

In 2019, Popeyes started a movement through the fast food industry that is still being felt two years later. It started serving a high quality, flavorful chicken sandwich that made the standard fast food fare pale in comparison. In my opinion, Popeyes’ offering has yet to be bested. However, I went into trying the Ch’King neutral and was curious how it would end up ranking.

The options you have at the moment when ordering are either a Ch’King or Spicy Ch’King. Both come on toasted potato buns with a signature sauce and crisp pickles. The spicy variety is the same chicken as the original (no spicy seasoning in the breading), just tossed in a spicy glaze. BK also offers a “Deluxe” version of both that sees the pickles removed for lettuce and tomato. I opted for the standard Ch’King.

It was interesting to see it packaged in a bag similar to Chick-fil-A and Popeyes. However, upon opening it, it was wrapped in the standard wrapper. I am not sure if it’s just my location that opted for this, but I have a feeling (based on some of the soggy bits) it may not be the correct way to serve it. The sandwich itself is decently sized — not quite as big as Popeyes’, but bigger than the standard Chick-fil-A.

Upon taking it apart, I notice the crispy pickles are certainly not the standard fast food pickles. I expected dill pickles, but found them to be more like bread & butter. Generally, I don’t care much for bread & butter pickles, but they worked very well with the overall flavor of the sandwich. The sauce, described as a “savory signature sauce,” was the weakest point. It was just a generic mayo-based sauce with no real strong flavors other than slightly sweet. I’d have preferred the standard mayo instead. The bread was a nice upgrade from the standard buns and helped sell the “premium” feeling of the sandwich.

It’s a good-sized chicken fillet, breaded in a crunchy coating we’ve come to expect from these new chicken sandwiches. However, by the time I got home, it had lost some crunch due to being double wrapped. This didn’t necessarily take away from my overall enjoyment, but I had looked forward to that TikTok-worthy CRUNCH and didn’t really get it. As for its taste, it was perfectly fine, but blander than Popeyes’. In fact, the closest comparison in flavor was Chick-fil-A. The meat itself was juicy and tender. It’s always nice to get a perfectly cooked chicken sandwich as I think we can all relate to that experience of biting into one, only to be greeted by dry or rubbery meat.

Burger King is certainly coming out swinging with its new sandwich. It’s a solid attempt with a lot to like and also some opportunity for growth. While I personally don’t feel like it topples Popeyes for the top spot, it certainly has its place at the podium.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Size:N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 800 calories, 36 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 90 milligrams of cholesterol, 710 milligrams of sodium, 69 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 9 grams of sugar, and 33 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Pizza Hut The Edge Pizza (2021)

Holly / June 15, 2021 / Reviews / 9 Comments

I was, admittedly, a late bloomer when it comes to Pizza Hut. Between a VERY Italian father and great local pizza joints, Pizza Hut was reserved for classroom parties and that one friend’s house that had a thick layer of dust in their kitchen from non-use.

I liked it fine, but it was just never part of my childhood. As an adult, it’s become a fairly common staple of my diet. Between the ease of getting it and some late in life rebellion against my Dad, it has become a once a month meal for me. While I usually stay within my same order, the large banner advertising the return of The Edge Crustless Pizza caught my attention.

The Edge isn’t a new item but a rerelease of a product that debuted in 1997. Described as a “tavern style, cracker thin crust pizza,” it sees the toppings go all the way to the edge (get it, like the name?), making each slice 100% covered in toppings. It’s cut into squares, aka “party cut,” giving you 16 pieces. The tavern style was actually created in Chicago, which was news to me as I only thought of the deep dish style as the only popular pizza from Chicago.

When you order, you are given an option of four recipes: Ultimate, Carnivore, Vegetarian, or Pepperoni Lover’s. For what it’s worth, it appears like you can change the toppings once you select one of the recipes, but for the sake of trying it as it’s presented, I went with the Ultimate. The Ultimate includes pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, and Roma tomatoes.

The first thing I noticed was the branding of The Edge on the box. Upon opening it, the consistently comforting smell of Pizza Hut pizza filled the room. However, looking at it, I noticed an issue immediately: the lack of sausage. After debating if I should get it fixed, I decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. There were more than enough toppings to judge it fairly, and (after trying it) I can say the sausage most likely wouldn’t have moved the needle much in either direction.

Even though I knew it would be a thin crust, it was still shockingly thin. Despite its thinness, it stood up very well. There was a good balance of the sauce, cheese, and toppings that worked with the crust making each bite balanced in flavor and crispiness. The box bragged of a “garlic & herb seasoning” sprinkled on top, but was inconsistently present.

Beyond the missing sausage, my only other criticism was the pieces themselves. Technically, it is 16 pieces, but it’s more like “12 normal size pieces and four random bits.” Oh, and because it’s thinner, I could easily polish off a whole one which is incredibly dangerous.

Overall, it’s a nice change of pace, but nothing I’d make a regular order. It dawned on me how this will be a nice summer pizza. It’s light, so you don’t feel heavy after eating half of it, but it satisfies that pizza craving. The Edge is only around for a limited time, so I’d try it sooner than later.

Purchased Price: $12.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 “slice”) 180 calories, 10 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 680 milligrams of sodium, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of protein.

Fast Food Pizza Hut

REVIEW: Little Caesars Pepperoni & Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

Sean / June 14, 2021 / Reviews / 15 Comments

According to a 2015 University of Michigan study, pizza is the most addictive food in the United States. Sitting proudly atop of chocolate, potato chips, cookies, ice cream, and cheeseburgers, the study of more than 500 people’s eating habits officially handed the craving crown to pizza’s undeniable combination of sweet sauce, fatty cheese, and fluffy (or crispy) crust.

And you know what?

I can’t argue that point. I’m not sure there’s been a single time in my life when I thought to myself, “Yeah… I’ve had enough pizza,” unless my stomach was on the verge of bursting. I have never grown tired of pizza’s immaculate flavor trifecta, and if it wouldn’t kill me, I’d eat it every day.

So, in 2021, how can it be made even more addictive? Stuff that crust. And not just with cheese, that’s so Pizza Hut circa 1995. Stuff it with more salty, fatty, and crave-able stuff, like pepperoni. Cue the applause for Little Caesars, who has graced us with its latest innovation, a large ExtraMostBestest pepperoni pizza with pepperoni and cheese stuffed in a parmesan and butter-flavored crust.

For those unfamiliar with LC’s lingo, an ExtraMostBestest takes its standard $5.99 pepperoni pizza and adds extra cheese and “the most” pepperoni for only $1 more. The new limited-time double stuffed offering ups the price to $10 but promises nine feet of pepperoni and three feet of cheese in the bread. Spoiler alert: it’s worth every extra (most bestest) penny.

The pizza is adorned with a noticeably admirable amount of pepperoni, and when taking my first bite, I’m immediately reminded of why pizza is the #1 most addictive food; I never want to stop. The topping has a slight curl and nice crunch that erupts with salty bliss made much more intense by the generous sprinkling of green seasoning on the top that amplifies every bite to 11. The seasoning is a combination of oregano, basil, and salt, and I’m sure it’s the same spice blend that comes with its Italian Cheese Bread; it’s delicious.

The cheese is also as advertised: lots of melty mozzarella sitting atop an acidic and slightly sweet layer of sauce that plays third fiddle to the two prominent salty, fatty toppings.

So how’s that groundbreaking new crust? It’s wonderful, with pretty flawless ratios of bread to cheese and little rolled pepperoni slices in every bite. It’s an impressive technique, but for how delicious it is, it’s hard to really taste the pepperoni with the amount of cheese and parmesan butter flavoring added to the crust.

I love every bite but not really getting any meaty or spicy notes because the salt is overwhelming my tongue. I wish I had a little marinara dip cup for the crust because at this point, with pepp and cheese inside, it’s the only thing missing, and I could use some sweet relief from the oncoming sodium overdose.

The pepperoni in the crust may not have popped as hard as I would like, but that was really only because the flavor throughout the whole pie was so strong that it never took its foot off of the salty flavor accelerator. For ten bucks, you can’t go wrong. Just consider adding a side of their Crazy Sauce to inject some extra life into the crust.

Purchased Price: $10.00
Size: Large Pizza (14 inch)
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 slice) 417 calories, 23 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, less than 1 gram of trans fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol, 1,093 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, 19 grams of protein.

Fast Food Little Caesars

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack, Roost Fries, and Chocolate Croissant Bites

Marvo / June 8, 2021 / Reviews / 1 Comment

Jack in the Box has added several new, limited time only items to its menu — the Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack, Quad Bacon Cheesy Jack, Jack’s Classic Roost Fries, Jack’s Spicy Roost Fries, and Chocolate Croissant Bites. Because I kind of value my health, I’ll skip the Quad Bacon Cheesy Jack and Spicy Roost Fries in this review.

Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack

The Jack in the Box website says the Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack has three beef patties, three kinds of cheeses, and three kinds of bacon on a buttery bakery bun.

Don’t get excited about “three kinds of cheeses” because it’s just American, Swiss, and a cheddar cheese sauce. Also, don’t let “three kinds of bacon” blow your mind as if there are applewood-smoked, hickory-smoked, and brown sugar glazed pork strips. Instead, lower your expectations because it’s just bacon mayo, bacon pieces, and smaller bacon pieces. No, really. Below is a screenshot from the Jack in the Box app when I tried customizing it.

So what do three beef patties, three kinds of cheese, bacon mayo, and two bacon sizes taste like? Well, it tastes like a bacon cheeseburger. There are no nuances between the cheeses, and there’s definitely none with the bacon. I’m sure it would taste the same if this was a Double Bacon Cheesy Jack or the Sextuple Bacon Cheesy Jack.

If you’re into numerology and believe the number 3 is artistic and creative, you might find some interest in this. Although, you might be dismissing this burger because it lacks a third bun, and it’s not very creative.

The Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack is definitely not a bad burger, but it doesn’t have a unique flavor. It’ll satisfy your meaty, porky, cheesy, and salty cravings. But I can also get that from Jack’s Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger or Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger.

Purchased Price: $6.99*
Size: N/A
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 810 calories, 57 grams of fat, 20 grams of saturated fat, 2 grams of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1410 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 42 grams of protein.

Classic Roost Fries

I spent more time than I’d like to admit wondering if the “Roost” in Jack’s Roost Fries is short, cool slang for a rooster or the place where birds come together to rest at night. If it’s the former, then cool. But if it’s the latter, that’s morbid. Thinking the pieces of 100% all-white meat chicken coming together for the ultimate rest after being battered and deep fried is quite gloomy.

Anyhoo, along with the cut-up pieces of what appears to be one Crispy Chicken Strip, Roost Fries also come with fries, of course, cheddar cheese sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of Mystery Sauce. There’s also a spicy version that comes with sliced jalapeños.

The Mystery Sauce is what makes this unique. I enjoyed the sweet, tangy, and peppery sauce on Jack’s Cluck Sandwich, and I also like it on these chicken and cheese topped fries. The sauce is such a tasty condiment that I found myself scraping off whatever I could find with the fries at the bottom of my container. Maybe Jack should offer it as a dipping sauce for its mediocre chicken nuggets.

As for the cheeses, they add a creamy texture and a burst of saltiness, but there isn’t a strong cheddar flavor because of the Mystery Sauce.

Overall, Jack’s Classic Roost Fries are a tasty side, thanks to the Mystery Sauce. Maybe there will be a version someday that comes with bacon slices and smaller bacon slices that’ll be called Sty Fries.

Purchased Price: $4.00*
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 700 calories, 41 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 1680 milligrams of sodium, 66 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 18 grams of protein.

Chocolate Croissant Bites

Made with Hershey’s chocolate and a flaky exterior, the Chocolate Croissant Bites are a sweet and satisfying treat, although the warm, two-inch pieces are not as crispy as I hoped. As you can see, after cutting them in half, there’s an ample amount of filling, but, oddly, there were some bites that taste less chocolatey than others.

Although cutting the bites in half is probably something most people won’t do, might I suggest doing so that you can use that melted filling for some French fry dipping. That’s a Pro Tip right there, my friends. Also, I imagine these would be a pleasure to dip into one of Jack’s shakes. But that’s not a Pro Tip. That’s just common sense.

If three pieces aren’t enough, there’s also a six-piece order, which is what I’ll order next time.

Purchased Price: $2.49*
Size: 3-pieces
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (3 pieces) 320 calories, 15 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 42 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 13 grams of sugar, and 6 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 Jack in the Box

REVIEW: Papa John’s Parmesan Crusted Papadia

Tiffany / June 2, 2021 / Reviews / 3 Comments

In the pizza chain innovation playbook, it’s a must to mess with the crust. So Papa John’s stayed true to form with the new Parmesan Crusted Papadia.

While it’s a standard play to jazz up the crust, the execution is actually pretty genius because it takes a unique offering in the crowded chain pizza space and makes it more unique. It also delivers exactly as promised — a Papadia with a nice crispy parmesan exterior.

The addition can be ordered with any of the existing varieties. It’s a one-dollar upcharge. I went with my favorite one thus far — the Meatball Pepperoni.

After opening its box, I could immediately tell it was cheese crusted from its golden hue. It was like someone folded a doily made of cheese onto the Papadia.

The visible shredded dairy melded onto the surface was reminiscent of the pizza chain’s garlic parmesan crust. But this version is so much better because of the added surface area and the wispy cheese edges like the overflow on a grilled cheese sandwich. 2?r now equals C for cheese!!!

Said cheese doily didn’t take away from or overpower the existing meat and tomato sauce flavors. It complemented them really well with extra savoriness that culminated in a much cheesier taste than the original version. I also enjoyed the added texture to each bite. It’s not crunchy like eating Cheetos, but rather it’s more like a light crispness, similar to eating a parmesan crisp!

With all that said, this cheese-crusted version was a little less “handheld happiness” than the original, as the parmesan crust left quite the oily residue.

All things considered, I would pay the extra dollar for the crispy goodness again and again.

I’m actually secretly hoping that this catches on at other chains and even local pizza joints. Can you imagine an added cheesy exterior like this on a folded NY-style pizza?! SHEEEEEESH (as the TikTokers would say).

This is innovation at its finest, people!! Simple but effective and delicious.

Purchased Price: $7
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Not available on website, but here’s the info for a regular Meatball Pepperoni) 940 calories, 49 grams of fat, 21 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 140 milligrams of sodium, 2390 milligrams of sodium, 79 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 8 grams of sugar, and 42 grams of protein.

Fast Food Papa John's

REVIEW: Burger King Ch’King Sandwich

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REVIEW: Pizza Hut The Edge Pizza (2021)

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REVIEW: Little Caesars Pepperoni & Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

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REVIEW: Jack in the Box Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack, Roost Fries, and Chocolate Croissant Bites

Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack

Classic Roost Fries

Chocolate Croissant Bites

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REVIEW: Papa John’s Parmesan Crusted Papadia

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