Wendy Takes Down The King - Wendy's to Become #2 U.S. Burger Chain

Could it be that Princess Wendy is about to overthrow Burger King?  A story that was in the Orange County Register last month was the first mention of Wendy's overtaking Burger King in terms of market-share:

The debut of contemporary prototype restaurants along with a continued focus on food quality are giving Wendy's the edge it needs to bump Burger King from its No. 2 spot, Kalinowski said during a phone interview Tuesday...In 2010, Burger King's market share in the limited-service burger segment was 13.3 percent, while Wendy's share was 12.8 percent.  McDonald's dominates the segment with a 49.5 percent share, according to the latest figures by Technomic, a market research firm in Chicago.

Now, for the first time since 1969, when Wendy's was founded, the rankings of the the top 3 are changing with Wendy's sales, according to the Wall Street Journal, expected to top Burger King's by $53 million for the year, even as Wendy's has 5,800 restaurants to Burger King's 7,200.

One of the big keys for Wendy's besides more customer visits and restaurant remodels is the higher prices they've been charging since their menu revamp:

...Out went the traditional iceberg lettuce topped with tomatoes and onions, and in came four new salad varieties featuring 11 different greens and new ingredients like apples, pecans and asiago cheese.  Wendy's then turned its attention to French fries, switching from a mixture of potato varieties to only Russet potatoes, sliced with the skin still on, and sprinkled with sea salt.  More recently, Wendy's beefed up its burgers, switching to a looser grind of beef to make its burgers thicker and juicier. The company also refashioned its trademark square burgers with softer edges after customers said those burgers looked processed, even though they were fresh.

How is Burger King responding? From the Wall Street Journal:

Burger King spokesman Miguel Piedra said speculation about market rankings in the U.S. "highlight[s] the degree of competition" in the sector, but that such projections "do not illustrate a complete picture of the industry's competitive landscape, globally." He said Burger King has nearly 12,400 restaurants world-wide, almost double the number of Wendy's around the world. Burger King is "focused on driving strong expansion in its many markets around the world," and that "will strongly position the brand" to remain the No. 2 burger chain world-wide, he said.

What do you think about that response by Burger King?  It came across as weak to the AZFoodDude.  Where is the pride in holding onto the #2 spot in your home country or at least saying you'll fight to get it back.  Unless the quote was cut and there is more to it, the spokesman's response is hardly worthy of a King.

With more restaurants in the U.S. than Wendy's and Burger King combined and nearly half the entire share of the market, what does McDonald's have to say about all this?

"As the leader in the [fast food] industry, we remain focused on our customers and our business," a McDonald's spokeswoman said.

I guess as Emperor, the fight between the new Queen and the King way below you doesn't really matter much.

Update (3-19-12): It's official, AP reports: Wendy's Takes #2 Spot From Burger King

Firehouse Subs Opening New Locations, Testing New Sandwich in Phoenix

Firehouse Subs recently began selling a new sandwich that will be available until March 4 in the Phoenix market as part of a four city test.  The new Hawaiian Pork Slaw Sandwich is priced at $5.99 here and is made of, "hardwood smoked pulled pork, pepper Jack cheese and cole slaw on a sweet Hawaiian sandwich bun."

In addition, two new Firehouse Subs Restaurants are opening soon in the Phoenix metro area.  No opening dates are yet listed, but the two locations are 1616 S. Stapley Dr. #101 Mesa, AZ 85204 and 20851 E. Rittenhouse Rd. #101 Queen Creek, AZ 85142.  This will bring the total of Firehouse Subs locations in Arizona to seven.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Coming to Chick-Fil-A

Starting on January 2, 2012, Chick-fil-A will begin offering their version of Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Chick-fil-A describes the Chicken Tortilla Soup as,

...made with shredded boneless breast of chicken and navy, northern, and black beans in a white creamy base with a blend of vegetables and a variety of spices (and) topped with seasoned corn tortilla strips...

Available until March 31, the Chicken Tortilla Soup will come in a medium size for $2.69 and large for $4.99.

Update: Sample Menu of Grassroots in Scottsdale

The AZFoodDude first reported on Grassroots here and has now seen a preliminary menu and can give you an idea as to what's on it, including appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, a selection of dishes from sea, air and land, as well as desserts.  The following will be a sample list of items for each category as the actual menu has many more to choose from...

Appetizers (portioned for sharing):

• Home-Made Smoked Salmon ($10) - Chilled Scottish Salmon, soft toast, capers, red onions, remoulade.
• Baked Oyster Rockefeller ($11) - Creamed spinach, Parmesan bread crumbs, hollandaise, Louisiana Hot Sauce.
• Dad's Grocery Bag ($11) - Loaf of French bread, 3 cheeses & 3 cured meats, olives, nuts.

Soups & Salads:

• Wally Boy's Chili - $4/cup, $6/bowl, $8/bread bowl
• Creamy Clam Chowder - $4/cup, $6/bowl, $8/bread bowl
• Roasted Chicken Waldorf ($12) -Fuji apples, celery, radishes, cranberries, golden raising, grapefruit, red onions, toasted pecans, watercress, shaved asiago, mustard-yogurt dressing.
• Broiled Shrimp Louis ($14) -Hard boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes,red grapes, roasted corn, avocado, radishes, romaine, Louis dressing.
• Roquefort Wedge ($9) - Iceberg, sheep's bleu cheese, cherry tomatoes, diced red onions, crisp pork belly, bleu cheese dressing.
• Cobb ($11/$14) - Roasted chicken or Marinated filet, mixed greens, chopped egg, avocado, Nueske bacon, cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, Roquefort bleu cheese, balsamic vinaigrette.

Sandwiches:

• BBQ Brisket ($11) - Slow roasted brisket, slaw, asiago, red onions, sliced pickles, thin BBQ sauce, toasted brioche.
• Shrimp Po' Boy ($12) - "Dragged through the garden," remoulade, French baguette.

Sea, Air & Land:

• Cedar Plank Salmon ($17) - Raspberry chipotle butter, grilled asparagus, mushroom risotto
  
• Blackened Snapper ($19) - Drawn butter, dirty orzo, maple butternut squash.
  
• Spit Fire Rotisserie Chicken ($13) - Half chicken, dirty orzo, maple butternut squash.
• Duck Duo ($17) - Breast, leg, sage brown butter sauce, mushroom risotto, sauteed chard.
• Bone-In Veal Loin ($22) - Rich demi-glaze, bleu cheese smashed red potatoes, black beans & brown rice.
• Aged Prime Rib ($22) - Au jus, loaded baked potato, creamed spinach, available after 4pm.

Dessert:

• Sweet and Salty Bar ($6) - Almond crust, roasted & salted nuts, home-made chocolate, gooey marshmallow.
• Bubba's Oreo Cookie ($6) - creme de cocoa, vanilla bean ice cream.
• Pimms Cup ($6) - English gin, melon, cantaloupe, watermelong, red grapes, lemon cucumber.

UPDATE (12-16-11): Grassroots is now open.

Scottsdale Restaurant Boom Continues

The AZFoodDude recently reported on the soon to come Grassroots Restaurant at 8120 N. Hayden Rd. Suite E-100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258, and the recently opened Caldero, but there are quite a few other restaurants coming to Scottsdale in the near future...

The House - 6936 E. Main St. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - The owner of Zinc Bistro and The Mission is jumping into another venture.  Described as less expensive than his other restaurants, Chef Matt Carter promises, "an international menu of shareable dishes, everything from paella and poutine to charcuterie and macaroni and cheese." The House is looking to open this upcoming spring.

Au Petit Four - 7217 E. 4th Ave. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - Planning to open by the end of the year, Au Petit Four is probably best known for their pastries, some of which include, "Bavarian flan, eclairs, brioche, apple turnovers, palmiers, scones, custard creams, tartines and pain Suisse, a sweet croissant dough folded over dark chocolate chips then baked." In addition, this French themed cafe specializes in grab-n-go dishes.

CB&C's Burger Challenge - Photo by: CB&C 

Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers - 20745 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 - Having opened late last month, CB&C specializes in Build Your Own Burgers.  While building your burger or eating one of the other various menu items such as Prime Rib Sliders, Asian Chicken Salad or Kosher Hot Dogs, you can watch TV on one of their 15 plasma HD televisions. 

Calistro California Bistro - Scottsdale Rd. & McDonald Dr. - Set to open at the Hilton Village Shopping Center in January or February, Calistro will feature, "earth-friendly, farm-to-table Mediterranean theme with wood-fired oven dishes and healthy touches, such as using silken tofu instead of butter, cream or mayonnaise." This will be Calistro's second location and the prices are aiming to be near or lower than Houston's and J. Alexander's.

Cask 63 American Eatery and Wine Bar - 8877 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85258 - Slated to open in January, Cask 63, which was first reported to be "Highgrove Grill," will be opening where Bloom recently closed.  AZCentral got a look at a preview menu which included, "wild mushroom flatbread layered in Fontina cheese sauce, caramelized onion, balsamic reduction and truffle oil ($11), tuna Nicoise salad ($14), Clear Springs Farms rainbow trout Meuniere or Amandine ($15, $18), Madeira braised beef short ribs with warm beet salad and candied apple and fig ($16, $23), filet mignon with parsnip puree ($28), and lobster pot pie ($26)."  Along with these items, there will be a daily taco special, a daily sea bass recipe and a daily oyster bar.

New From Dunkin' Donuts: Texas Toast Grilled Cheese & Holiday Donuts

Announced today, Dunkin' Donuts began selling their new Texas Toast Grilled Cheese Sandwich.  According to Dunkin' Donuts, the new sandwich:

"...features two slices of American cheese and one slice of white cheddar cheese melted between two pieces of thick-cut Texas Toast and served oven-toasted. Guests may customize the sandwich upon request by adding bacon or ham."

The press release also mentioned two special holiday donuts:

"Dunkin' Donuts' Sprinkle the Cheer Donut is a yeast ring donut with red icing and holly berry sprinkles, while the Holiday Star Donut is a star-shaped donut with vanilla icing, filled with Bavarian Kreme and topped with silver nonpareils."

Nutrition:
Texas Toast Grilled Cheese - No information available at this time
Sprinkle the Cheer Donut - 290 calories, 15 grams of fat, 16 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein
Holiday Star Donut - 300 calories, 13 grams of fat, 20 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein

Smashburger to Open in North Phoenix

Smashburger will be opening at 2470 W. Happy Valley Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85027 on Wednesday, December 14.  This is the seventh of around thirty locations that the local franchisee hopes to open within the next five years.  If you've never been to a Smashburger, the press release gives an idea of what the chain offers:

Smashburger’s signature recipes and create your own burgers are smashed fresh, served delicious every time. But Smashburger is more than just burgers. Customers can also enjoy a selection of tender marinated grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, grilled and split hot dogs, and fresh tossed signature salads, along with a variety of irresistible sides including rosemary and garlic–seasoned Smashfries, fried pickles, Haystack Onions, and Veggie Frites (flash-fried and seasoned asparagus spears, carrot sticks and green beans). The restaurant will also serve a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including local beers, wine, hand-spun Häagen-Dazs shakes and IBC® root-beer floats in frosted mugs.

In addition to this upcoming opening, Smashburger has 2 other locations "coming soon."  They will be located at 9918 W. Happy Valley Rd. Peoria, AZ 85383 and 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050.

Grassroots - New Concept by Wally's Owners to Open Soon in Scottsdale

The owners of Wally's American Pub N' Grille at Gainey Ranch and Arcadia are set to open their "next generation concept" named Grassroots at 8120 N. Hayden Rd. Suite E-100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258.

One of the goals of the new concept is to provide great tasting dishes that cater to the health and cost conscious while also offering a socially inviting atmosphere.

Grassroots aims to use locally grown vegetables and will offer "spit-fire roasting, wood-chip smoking and open-flame grilling as flavorful methods of preparing made-from-scratch classics."

The AZFoodDude will pass along more information as it becomes available.

UPDATE (12-13-11): Check out a sample of menu items obtained by the AZFoodDude.
UPDATE (12-16-11): Grassroots is now open.

Dairy Queen's December Blizzard of the Month - Candy Cane Chill

In November, Dairy Queen gave us the Caramel Nut Roll Blizzard, for December however, Dairy Queen is offering the very appropriate Candy Cane Chill Blizzard as the Blizzard of the Month.  The Candy Cane Chill Blizzard is composed of "Peppermint candy pieces and choco chunks blended with creamy vanilla soft serve."

If you are wondering, a medium size Candy Cane Chill Blizzard has 800 calories, 22 grams of fat, 14 grams of protein and 104 grams of sugar.

Subway's December $5 Featured Footlong - Western Egg & Cheese

This month, the Chicken Marinara Melt will give way to the Western Egg & Cheese as Subway's $5 featured footlong.  As far as the AZFoodDude can tell, the "Western" Egg & Cheese is the same as the Black Forest Ham, Egg & Cheese.  That sandwich comes with ham, cheese, veggies (green peppers and red onions recommended), your choice of egg or egg whites and is shown on flatbread or an English muffin.

In terms of nutrition, you can check out this Subway site and calculate how many calories, fat, protein, etc. will be in the sandwich based on how you want the sandwich made, egg or egg whites, for example.

Burger King Debuting New Fries

By Monday, December 5, all U.S. Burger King locations will be serving up their new thicker fries.  The current recipe has been around since 1998, but due to strong competition from chains like Wendy's and Five Guys, Burger King felt a change was necessary.  According to Reuters:

Burger King said it made the new fries thicker, reduced sodium and added a coating that makes them crisper and keeps them hotter longer...The fries are cooked in trans fat-free vegetable oil and do not contain animal products

There will be no change in price for the fries on the menu and in fact, on Friday, December 16, Burger King will be offering the "value" size for free on what the chain is calling "Free Fries Friday" with no purchase required.  All this really means is that you have a choice to make, do you wait until December 16 or do you just go out and try them as soon as you can?

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Arizona Expansion Heats Up

Photo by Freddy's - Gilbert, AZ

Back in May, the AZFoodDude reported on some opening and upcoming Freddy's restaurants.  While there is no more information at this point about the Scottsdale location mentioned in the earlier post, the location at 129 E. Williams Field Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85295 has recently opened, bringing the current number of operating stores to five.

In addition to the Scottsdale location, the AZFoodDude can report that there are two new upcoming Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers restaurants.  The first one is in Chandler at 3476 W. Frye Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226 and the second will be the first restaurant in the Tucson area at 3725 W. Orange Grove Rd. Marana, AZ 85741.

Check out the menu of the Kansas-based chain started in 2002 by WWII veteran Freddy Simon and his sons.

Bloom Closes in Scottsdale, Highgrove Grill to Take Place

Bloom, over at 8877 N. Scottsdale Rd. #402 Scottsdale, AZ 85253 closed over the weekend.  From AZCentral:

According to Fox, the move resulted from a combination of circumstances. On the one hand, Fox acknowledged that after a decade, Bloom needed to be "remodeled and renovated." On the other hand, he said, "we were at a crossroads," because Bloom "is not a brand we are going to grow." So when he got an offer from Highgrove Grill to take over the lease and buy the furnishings and equipment, he accepted "with mixed emotions."

Hoping to open in a few weeks, Highgrove Grill will be an "American eatery and wine bar."

Domino's Debuts Stuffed Cheesy Bread

Domino's is out today with their new line of Stuffed Cheesy Bread in three varieties, Cheese (mozzarella & cheddar) only, Bacon & Jalapeno and Spinach & Feta.  According to Domino's, the new items are permanent menu additions, but during the roll out campaign for the new items, "...cheese lovers can order any of the new Domino's Stuffed Cheesy Breads or any medium, 2-topping pizzas – choose any two for only $5.99 each."  No nutritional information is available at this time.

Carl's Jr. Tests Hardee's Made From Scratch Biscuits in Tucson

This press release from Carl's Jr. went out at the beginning of the month, but it has just come to the AZFoodDude's attention that the folks of Tucson have been part of a test by Carl's Jr.  Carl's Jr. is offering Hardee's Made From Scratch Biscuits starting at $1.69, including:

...the Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit and the Ham, Egg & Cheese Biscuit. Guests can order any biscuit in a combo with Hash Brown Nuggets and Coffee, Orange Juice or a soft drink starting at $2.99. For diners who can’t make up their minds, there is the aptly named Monster Biscuit, featuring egg, sausage, bacon, ham and two pieces of cheese between a fluffy buttermilk biscuit. A Southern favorite, Biscuit ’N’ Gravy is also offered, as is a sweet Strawberry Biscuit. Prices may vary by location. Biscuits are only available during breakfast hours.

Since Carl's Jr. is only in the testing phase of this roll out, no nutritional information is yet available on their website.  However, three of the six items are listed on the Hardee's menu:

Monster Biscuit - 640 calories, 44 grams of fat and 30 grams of protein
Bacon, Egg & Cheese - 400 calories, 25 grams of fat and 15 grams of protein
Biscuit 'N' Gravy - 410 calories, 23 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein

Carl's Jr. Introduces Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

Late last week, Carl's Jr. rolled out their newest dessert option, the new Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich.  From the press release:

Each OREO Ice Cream Sandwich is made by hand in the restaurant, featuring a scoop of vanilla ice cream placed between two large OREO cookie wafers and individually wrapped.

The Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich comes in at 250 calories, 11 grams of fat, 20 grams of sugar and has a suggested retail price of $1.49.  

Five New Restaurants Around the Phoenix Area

Pete's Thai Cuisine - Located at 12032 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85020, Pete's has a diverse menu with over 80 items to order.  Open from 11:30am - 9pm, Sunday - Thursday and 11:30am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, a lunch buffet is offered from 11:30am - 3:30pm Sunday - Friday.  More at AZCentral.

Amalfi Pizzeria - Opening in December at Chandler Heights Rd. & Alma School Rd., according to the East Valley Tribune, "The authentic Italian menu will feature fresh, made-from scratch bread, pasta, pizza and more."

North - Sam Fox' second North restaurant in the valley opened on November 14 at 4925 N. 40th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018. According to AZCentral, "Unlike the five other Norths...the Arcadia North won't follow corporate's modern Italian template. Instead, (Chef) Curtiss has gone more traditional, and less fussy. 'It's my stripped-down interpretation of regional Italian cuisine,' says Curtiss, whose father is Italian. The fare is "really simple and fresh."

O.H.S.O. Eatery + nanoBrewery - Recently opened at 4900 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018, the eatery will have a classic American feel with a touch of South American. AZcentral has more information, including the fact that nobody knows what "O.H.S.O." stands for.

Caldero - Taking over the spot where Banana Leaf Asian Bistro was at 7111 E. Thomas Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257, Caldero will have, "traditional recipes spanning from Mayan to North Mexican." AZCentral has a good list of menu items.  The stated hours on Caldero's Facebook page are 11am to 2am daily.

Wendy's Introduces The 'W'

Yesterday, Wendy's announced their newest menu addition, the 'W.'  Wendy's describes the 'W' this way:

The "W" – with emphasis on the DOUBLE – serves up two 2.25-ounce patties of sizzling, fresh, never-frozen North American* beef, with double the cheese, too. Topped with our zesty signature sauce, the "W" – like our recently-launched Dave's Hot 'N Juicy Cheeseburgers -- is made-to-order the right way with fresh, quality ingredients: sweet red onions, hand-leafed lettuce and crinkle-cut pickles, all on a buttered, toasted bun.

The suggested price of the 'W' is $2.99 and comes in at 580 calories, 33 grams of fat and 32 grams of protein.

Starbucks: Buy One Holiday Beverage, Get One Free (4 Days Only)

The Starbucks website lays out the deal:

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

Celebrate the season together with someone – and something – you love at Starbucks. On November 17–20 from 2–5 p.m., when you buy one holiday beverage, you’ll get a second one free. Warm up with your choice of a Peppermint Mocha or new Skinny Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Gingerbread Latte or the longest-running holiday favorite, the Eggnog Latte.

If you click on the above links for each drink, you can customize the drink to your liking.  In the meantime, here is what each drink is made with:

• Peppermint Mocha - Espresso, steamed milk, mocha sauce and peppermint flavored syrup, topped with sweetened whipped cream and dark chocolate curls.
• Skinny Peppermint Mocha - Espresso with steamed nonfat milk and sugar-free bittersweet mocha sauce.
• Caramel Brulée Latte - Espresso and steamed milk flavored with caramel Brulée sauce, topped with sweetened whipped cream and caramel Brulée topping.
• Gingerbread Latte - Espresso with steamed milk and gingerbread flavored syrup. Topped with sweetened whipped cream and nutmeg.
• Eggnog Latte - Espresso with steamed eggnog and milk, topped with ground nutmeg.

Paradise Valley Burger Company Opens in Phoenix

Paradise Valley Burger Company recently opened over at 4001 E. Bell Rd. #102 Phoenix, AZ 85032. This is the first Paradise Valley Burger Company to open and, according to AZCentral, "chef-owner Bret Shapiro seems determined to not only push the envelope on creative recipes, but to figure out how to mix everything possible with beef."

To get an idea of just exactly what Chef Shapiro is mixing with beef and to see what else is offered, you can check out the menu. In addition to burgers, you will also find chicken, pulled pork, sloppy joe and even a shrimp club.

Paradise Valley Burger Company is open Monday - Saturday from 11am to 8pm and closed on Sundays.

Burger King Original Chicken Sandwich is 1.11 for Veterans Day Weekend

Similar to what Burger King did back on July 4th Weekend, they are offering their Original Chicken Sandwich for $1.11 all weekend long.  According to Burger King, this staple of their menu earns its classic label since it has not changed since 1979.  It simply comes on a sesame seeded bun with a breaded chicken patty, lettuce and mayo.

A Taste of Greece: 2011 Greek Festival This Weekend (11/11-11/13)

Beginning today (11/11) and going through Sunday (11/13), St. Katherine Church at 2716 N. Dobson Rd. Chandler, AZ 85224 will be hosting the '2011 A Taste of Greece Festival.'  The hours for the event are 11am to 9pm Friday and Saturday and 11am to 7pm on Sunday with free parking on the northeast corner of Dobson and Elliot Roads. Admission for the general public is $3, Veterans showing their military ID will get in for free and children under 12 will also get in for free.

The event will have Greek food, pastries, beer, wine tasting, live Greek music, a kid's zone and a raffle.  You can check out the menu for the event to get an idea of the prices.

Sonic Introduces New Toaster Melt Sandwiches

Available for a limited time, Sonic has introduced a Bacon Cheddar Toaster Melt and a Mushroom Swiss Toaster Melt, both of which are available in regular and junior sizes.  The new sandwiches are described this way:

• Bacon Cheddar Toaster Melt: A 100% pure beef patty with grilled onions, crisp bacon, sliced cheddar cheese, pickles and hickory BBQ sauce between two slices of thick Texas Toast.
• Mushroom Swiss Toaster Melt: A 100% pure beef patty with grilled onions, sauteed Portobello mushrooms, sliced Swiss cheese and mayo between two slices of thick Texas Toast.

Nutrition:
Bacon Cheddar Toaster Melt - 780 calories, 51 grams of fat, 37 grams of protein
Bacon Cheddar Toaster Melt, Jr. - 510 calories, 25 grams of fat, 20 grams of protein

Mushroom Swiss Toaster Melt - 820 calories, 58 grams of fat, 34 grams of protein
Mushroom Swiss Toaster Melt, Jr. - 540 calories, 29 grams of fat, 19 grams of protein

Five New Chipotle Restaurants in Arizona

AZCentral recently reported that there are five new Chipotle restaurants that have opened or are opening very soon in the state, four in the Phoenix Metro area and one in Prescott.  Below is a list of opening dates and addresses:

• November 9 - 3440 E. Baseline Rd. Mesa, AZ 85204
• November 22 - 3395 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85226
• December 2 - 351 N. Montezuma St. Prescott, AZ 86301
• December 6 - 1 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85004
• December 14 - 1515 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85003

Chipotle Mexican Grill first opened in Denver, CO in 1993 and now has over 1,100 restaurants worldwide, with nearly 50 of those being in Arizona once all the above mentioned stores are open.

McDonald's Adds Two Peppermint Drinks for the Holidays

From now, until January 2, 2012, you will be able to order McDonald's new Peppermint Mocha and Peppermint Hot Chocolate McCafé drinks. According to the press release:

McCafé Peppermint Mocha is the perfect blend of smooth espresso, dark chocolate syrup with a hint of peppermint, and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. Customers can also get into the holiday spirit with a decadent McCafé Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Both beverages are customizable, and available with a choice of whole or nonfat milk, and with or without the whipped cream topping.

Both drinks are available in three sizes and the nutrition based on how the drinks come as ordered is listed below:

Peppermint Mocha - Customize drink at the link

• Small (12oz.) - 260 calories, 11 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, 32 grams of sugar
• Medium (16oz.) - 310 calories, 12 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, 39 grams of sugar
• Large (20oz.) - 380 calories, 15 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein, 47 grams of sugar

Peppermint Hot Chocolate - Customize drink at the link

• Small (12oz.) - 270 calories, 11 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, 32 grams of sugar
  
• Medium (16oz.) - 340 calories, 14 grams of fat, 9 grams of protein, 41 grams of sugar
• Large (20oz.) - 410 calories, 17 grams of fat, 12 grams of protein, 50 grams of sugar

AZ Restaurants Serving "Breakfast for Dinner" Tonight to Benefit AZCA

Tonight (11/4), Hickman's Family Farms will be sponsoring their third annual "PJ's & Eggs - Breakfast for Dinner" events at multiple restaurants around the state to benefit the Arizona's Children Association.  Participating restaurants will be open from 5pm to close for the event and according to Hickman's Family Farms:

Customers having “breakfast for dinner” will be asked to bring a pair of new pajamas to the restaurant to be donated to AzCA’s foster care children. In return, customers will be entered to win gift certificates from participating restaurants. They will also be given a “Free Dozen Eggs” certificate, courtesy of Hickman’s Eggs, to be redeemed at any grocery store where Hickman’s eggs are sold...Participating restaurants will donate a portion of the proceeds from “PJ’s & Eggs” to AzCA foster care programs, which supports purchasing basic supplies to fulfill needs of the children in its statewide foster care program.

There are 16 participating restaurants in the state, 10 in the Phoenix Metro area, four in Tucson, and one each in Prescott and Wickenburg. A full list can be found here if you scroll down on the page.

Dairy Queen's November Blizzard of the Month - Caramel Nut Roll

Dairy Queen is getting nuts this month.  For the month of November, Dairy Queen has made the Caramel Nut Roll Blizzard the Blizzard of the Month.  The Caramel Nut Roll Blizzard is made of "Gooey caramel, marshmallow and peanuts blended with creamy vanilla soft serve."

In terms of nutrition, the medium size Caramel Nut Roll has 920 calories, 34 grams of fat, 23 grams of protein, and 103 grams of sugar.

Subway's November $5 Featured Footlong - Chicken Marinara Melt

Last month, we saw Subway make just about every sandwich they have the $5 featured footlong.  Most will agree, it was nice while it lasted, but for November there can only be one, the Chicken Marinara Melt.  Subway describes the sandwich this way:

Tender chicken breast covered in our signature marinara sauce, with plenty of melty cheese. All served fresh-toasted on Italian bread.

The footlong version of the sub comes in at 820 calories, 20 grams of fat, and 56 grams of protein.

Whataburger Brings Back Chocolate Pie

Continuing with the sweet theme for today, Whataburger has brought back their Chocolate Pie for a limited time. Until January 2, customers will be able to order the pie described as having a "hot flaky crust" and a sweet chocolate filling.  In addition, Whataburger is also pushing their Chocolate Shake, which is a mainstay on the menu.

According to Whataburger, the Chocolate Pie has 280 calories, 12 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein and 16 grams of sugar.

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake Back at Chick-Fil-A

For the third year in a row, Chick-fil-A is bringing back the Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake.  Just like their other milkshakes, this one is topped off with whipped cream and a cherry.  Available in 14 oz. and 20 oz. sizes, the Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake will be offered until early January, according to QSR.

Nutrition
Small (14oz) - 660 calories, 23 grams of fat, 12 grams of protein, and 89 grams of sugar.
Large (20oz) - 930 calories, 31 grams of fat, 16 grams of protein, and 127 grams of sugar.

Brugos Pizza Opening in North Scottsdale

Based out of Nevada, Brugos Pizza Company will be trying their hand at another location in Arizona. The first one that opened back in May at the Camelback Esplanade closed just two months later in July.  This time, the owners hope the North Scottsdale location at 34505 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85266 sticks around. According to AZCentral, along with appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and deserts, the menu will include:

...twenty-seven different pies ($7-$26.87, toppings $2-$5), ranging from the traditional (Mama Mia Spicy Hot Italian with salami, pepperoni, red onions, fresh mushrooms, sweet fire roasted red bell peppers, black olives, Roma tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh grated Parmesan with spicy roasted garlic red sauce) to the somewhat twisted (Troy's Brave Heart with white sauce, mozzarella, sausage and chicken drizzled in barbecue sauce with Doritos nacho tortilla chips, jalapeños, onions, and Cheddar).

Check out the full menu from the Carson City, NV location website.

Burger King's New BK Chef's Choice Burger

Burger King rolled out their new premium burger yesterday, the BK Chef's Choice Burger. The Miami-based chain describes the new burger this way:

A flame-broiled 5.5 oz burger patty, made with USDA certified ground chuck seasoned with salt and pepper, a thick slice American cheese, Naturally-smoked thick cut bacon, Fresh cut romaine lettuce, red onions and ripe tomatoes, our original grill sauce on an artisan bun.

According to NRN, the "grill sauce" mentioned above is composed of "garlic, pepper and onion flavors intended to complement the flame-grilled beef patty."

The BK Chef's Choice has 650 calories, 40 grams of fat, and 33 grams of protein.

Just Opened: Capriotti's in Scottsdale

Capriotti's has opened their newest location in Arizona at 15227 N. 87th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85260. For a little background on Capriotti's:

In 1976, in Wilmington, Delaware, Lois and Alan Margolet opened up the first Capriotti's Sandwich Shop. Named after their grandfather, Phillip, Lois and Alan wanted to set themselves apart by catering to "real turkey lovers." Now, 35 years later, Capriotti's serves a whole host of sandwiches.  Everything from tuna, roast beef, salami or cheesesteak to their top-selling Bobbie, which was voted "The Greatest Sandwich in America" in an AOL-Lemondrop poll in November of 2009.

In addition to the Scottsdale location, Capriott's has three other restaurants in the Phoenix area. The Scottsdale location has hours of 10am-8pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-7pm on Sundays.

Phoenix Food Truck Festival Tomorrow (10/22)

Saturday, October 22, from 4pm to 11pm, the first ever Phoenix Food Truck Festival will take place on Roosevelt Row at 408 E. Roosevelt St., 85004. If you have been to any of the food truck events around town, such as those in downtown Phoenix or Scottsdale, you will recognize many of the food trucks at the festival. They include,

Short Leash Hotdogs, beet strEAT, Carte Blanche Gourmet Tacos, Duck Duck, Pig, Emerson Fry Bread, Epic Hotdogs, Frufrupops, Hey Joe Filipino Street Food, Jamburritos Cajun Grille Express, La Vida, Locavore, Mikes Kitchen and BBQ, Mojo Bowl, Pizza People, Shine Coffee, Sunshine and Spice, Sweet Republic, Taste Rite, T-licious Tacos, Tom's Pig Rig, Torched Goodness, Udder Delights, Super Food Truck , Burgermania

Today is the last day to purchase advance tickets for $30, otherwise tickets at the door will cost $35. All food samples are included in the price of your ticket. There will be live music and a cash bar for beverages provided by The Four Peaks Beer Truck and Dos Cabezas Winery.

KFC's New Cheesy Bacon Bowl

After five years of KFC's Famous Bowls, they are now adding bacon to the mix:

KFC's new Cheesy Bacon Bowls feature a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes, layered with sweet kernel corn and loaded with bite-sized pieces of crispy Popcorn Chicken. The entire bowl is drizzled with signature home-style gravy and topped off with a shredded three-cheese blend – and now, a layer of crispy bacon.

According to KFC, the bowl will only be around for a limited time with a suggested price of $3.99. Nutritional information is not available from KFC at this point.

Three Valley Food Festivals This Weekend (10/15-10/16)

Taste of Cave Creek - Going on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, over 20 Cave Creek restaurants will be participating. Tickets are $10 and food samples range between $2 and $4. 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek, AZ 85331

TASTE in Chandler - On Saturday from 12pm to 6pm, Over 30 restaurants will be involved with online pre-sale general admission tickets costing $35 ($45 at the door) and three separate individual "experience lounges" costing $10 each. Your general admission ticket entitles you to unlimited food sampling and 12 beverage tastings. Note: The website mentions 21 and over, but it is unclear if this is just for the alcoholic beverage tasting and "experience lounges" or the entire event itself. 3 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ 85225

Arizona Taco Festival - Taking place on Saturday from 10am to 7pm, general admission is $10 (kids under 12 are free), VIP tickets are $100 and tickets for the Tequila Expo are $10. Food samples will cost $2 each. 7025 E. Via Soleri Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85251

For more detailed information, including specific restaurants and other events going on at each festival, click the links above. 

Bueno Burger Opening in Scottsdale

Later this month, Bueno Burger will be opening its second location. The new Bueno Burger will be at 6977 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250, where Boston Market once was. The Scottsdale location will have two differences from the original location at 4407 W. Peoria Ave. Glendale, AZ 85302. According to AZCentral, there will be a new barbecue sauce created for the Scottsdale location as well as a burger that will "kick."

The Bueno Burger Menu includes burgers, beef hot dogs (including a Sonoran style), burros and salads as well as items under the title of Bueno Banditos for children under 10.

New at Jack in the Box: Outlaw Burger & Outlaw Spicy Chicken

Beginning today and only for a limited time, Jack in the Box is introducing the Outlaw Burger and Outlaw Spicy Chicken Sandwich. In a press release by Jack in the Box, the new sandwiches are described this way:

Inspired by the kind of bold flavors that emanated from chuck wagons and open prairie campfires, the new Outlaws at Jack in the Box feature either a jumbo beef patty or spicy crispy chicken fillet topped with a Bourbon BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, hickory-smoked bacon, American cheese and onion rings and are served on a sesame seed bun.

 At the the main Jack in the Box site, you will see a button for a $1 off coupon for either Outlaw sandwich.

Nutrition
Outlaw Burger: 725 calories, 39 grams of fat and 28 grams of protein
Outlaw Spicy Chicken Sandwich: 771 calories, 32 grams of fat and 37 grams of protein

Schlotzsky's 40th Anniversary: $1.99 Small Original (10/4)

Tomorrow, October 4, Schlotzsky's will be celebrating their 40th anniversary by offering customers a small Original sandwich for $1.99. If you've never had one, the original comes with:

Lean smoked ham, Genoa and cotto salamis, and melted cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses layered with black olives, red onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard and our signature dressing on toasted Sourdough bread. (Contains milk, eggs, soybeans and wheat.)

The small Original comes in at 560 calories, 26 grams of fat and 28 grams of protein. Check the Schlotzsky's location page to see which of the 14 restaurants in the state is closest to you.

Subway's October $5 Featured Footlong - Any Regular Footlong

That's right, according to Subway, "October is Anytober." All regular footlongs are $5 for the month starting on October 1. Excluded from the promotion are all premium subs and double meat. Here is Subway's list of all the participating subs. Clicking on each sub on the list will give you the nutritional information.

Monopoly is Back at McDonald's (9/27 - 10/24)

You might have heard, but if you haven't McDonald's has started up the Monopoly promotion once again. Going on now until October 24, customers can win various prizes such as, cash, gift cards, trips, video games, an Xbox Kinect system, a 2012 Nissan Leaf or Nissan Z and of course more McDonald's food, just to name a few items. Depending on what you order, you can get 2 or 4 monopoly pieces per item, they are as follows:

• 4 pieces - Big Mac, 20-piece Chicken McNuggets, Large Fries
• 2 pieces - Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin with Egg, Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, Filet-O-Fish, 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, Hash Browns, McCafé Drinks, Medium Fountain Drinks

You can download a game board here and don't forget to enter the code on the bottom of each piece here to win prizes online. More information can be found on the special website put together by McDonald's for the game. Also, you can get some pieces without making a purchase by following the instructions below from McDonald's:

To Participate Without Making A Purchase: To receive a Game Piece by mail, mail a legibly handwritten, self-addressed, stamped envelope ("SASE") with sufficient postage and a return address, including first and last name, street address, city, state and ZIP Code to 2011 MONOPOLY Game at McDonald’s Game Piece Request, P.O. Box 49180, Strongsville, OH 44149-0180. DO NOT SEND ANY WINNING GAME STAMPS, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO THIS ADDRESS. See Official Rules at www.PlayatMcD.com for important mailing requirements. Requests must be postmarked no sooner than 9/20/11 and no later than 10/24/11 for receipt no later than 10/28/11. VT requests that are postmarked in VT may omit return postage. Limit one request per outer envelope. Requests that do not comply with mailing requirements will not be honored, acknowledged or returned and persons submitting such requests will forfeit any corresponding postage and unused envelopes.

Culver's Introduces New French Onion ButterBurger

Culver's announced their new French Onion ButterBurger today which includes grilled onions, Gruyère and Swiss cheese, caramelized onion and a creamy mayo.

The burger comes in at 696 calories, 44 grams of fat (21 saturated) and 42 grams of protein.

Looking for a Culver's near you? Check out two recent AZFoodDude stories about the newest Culver's locations that opened this summer and a new location coming soon to Chandler. For other Culver's restaurants in the state, check here.

6th Annual Dine Out With The Chefs Coming to Scottsdale in October

On October 2, The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will host the 6th annual Dine Out with the Chefs. The event brings together over 25 chefs from some of the top restaurants in the valley.

Guests have the opportunity to mingle with renowned culinary masters and to sample their mouth-watering creations, from delicious soups, salads and appetizers to some of their signature dishes and most decadent desserts. To complement the brilliant cuisine, the event also features live entertainment, tastings of fine wines and tequilas, cooking demonstrations and a book signing, among other surprises.

Advance purchase tickets are $60 and tickets at the door will cost $70. More information can be found at the above links.

Arizona Restaurant Week Starts Tomorrow (9/17 - 9/25)

The Arizona Restaurant Week website states the rules very simply:

Participating restaurants will offer three-course meals at a value price of $20, $30 or $40 per person, excluding drinks, tax and tip. Reservations are highly recommended as restaurants fill up quickly!

List of participating restaurants - As you might expect, the vast majority of participating restaurants are in the Phoenix area along with quite a few in the Tucson area. Sadly for those in the Flagstaff area, there are only four restaurants currently listed. For those interested, take special note of the restaurants that have gluten-free items, vegetarian options and those that include a drink in the price.

Arizona restaurant week runs from Saturday, September 17 until Sunday, September 25.

Cinnabon Adds New Items for Fall

Going on from now until November 5, Cinnabon is introducing three new items to their menu for the fall. QSR has the story:

Caramel flavor will be offered as a topping for the company’s Center of the Roll or an addition to its creamy Mocha Chillatta. The new Carmel Mocha Chillatta is a premium beverage pick-me-up made with real coffee, chocolate, swirls of caramel, and whipped cream topping. The Caramel Center of the Roll consists of bite-sized pieces of baked sweet dough featuring Makara Cinnamon, brown sugar, and caramel smear, and smothered with cream cheese frosting and caramel topping.

In addition, Cinnabon is adding its popular Cinnamon Churro back to the menu for a reported $1.99 with a second churro costing a $1.

The nutritional information is as follows:

Churro - 290 Calories, 12 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein.
Caramel Mocha Chillatta (16oz.) - 420 calories, 17 grams of fat and 10 grams of protein.
Caramel Center of the Roll - 840 calories, 42 grams of fat and 10 grams of protein.

Corner Bakery to Open This Month in Downtown Phoenix

Corner Bakery Cafe already has a location in the Arrowhead area of Peoria, but they are getting ready to open  their second location it the state later this month. Corner Bakery will be opening in the Arizona Center at 454 N. 3rd St. #1065 Phoenix, AZ 85004, where Fat Tuesday used to be, according to AZCentral.

Texas-based Corner Bakery began as a small bakery but has become a fast casual chain of over 110 restaurants nationwide. The menu consists of sandwiches, breakfast, sweets, panini, soups, salads and pasta.

Pastrami is Back at Wienerschnitzel

From now until October 30, Wienerschnitzel is once again selling Pastrami-themed items. The four items are The Angus Pastrami Dog in a Pretzel Bun, The Original Pastrami Dog, Pastrami Sandwich on Rye Bread and Pastrami in a Bun. Each of the above mentioned items comes with pastrami, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles.

Check here for you nearest Wienerschnitzel and here for a $1 off coupon on a Pastrami Sandwich.

At this time, no nutritional information is available.