Blackberry Shake Returns to Jack in the Box

Earlier this week, along with the new Bourbon BBQ Steak Grilled Sandwich mentioned by the AZFoodDude here, Jack in the Box brought back their Blackberry Ice Cream Shake just in time for summer.  According to Jack in the Box, when they first introduced it back in 2007, it was one of the best selling flavors.  Once again, it looks to only be on the menu for a limited time.  Here is how Jack in the Box describes the shake:

"Available in 16 and 24 ounce sizes, the new Blackberry Shake is made with real ice cream and blackberry-flavored syrup, and features whipped topping and a Maraschino cherry on top."

 Full article can be found here.

Mondays Are 99 Cent Chili Dog Days at Wienerschnitzel

Wienerschnitzel, the world's largest hot dog chain, will be offering 99 cent Chili Dogs beginning on Monday, May 2nd. The deal will only be available on Mondays. According to the website, cheese is extra. Check the Wienerschnitzel website to find a location near you.

Arby's New Junior Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Seems like it came out earlier this month, but you can’t find much of anything about the new Junior Buffalo Chicken Sandwich at the Arby’s website at the time of this writing. This probably means it has only been released in certain regions.  Thankfully, for those who enjoy buffalo chicken in the valley, I have seen advertisements at various Arby's around town and tried one (pictured to the right) a couple days ago.  The sandwich is made up of a crispy chicken patty, buffalo sauce, lettuce and a sesame seeded bun.

FDA 3 Years Late on Gluten-Free Decision

Can a product be labeled "gluten-free" if it has trace amounts of gluten, just a little, none at all, all of the above, or some other amount?  The Food and Drug Administration was tasked with clearing this up roughly seven years ago:

"Under a 2004 law, Congress gave the FDA until 2008 to establish a uniform definition for companies that want to label their products as gluten-free. But that deadline has come and gone"

For those out there familiar with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, you know how serious it can be if gluten is ingested.  I'm sure those with the disease would be happy if the FDA could come up with a uniform standard. Check out the full Washington Post article here to learn more about the issue.

Wildflower Bread Company Introduces 5 New Menu Items

In a press release today, Arizona-based Wildflower Bread Company introduced 5 new menu items for spring and summer.  These items include a Spicy Chipotle Egg Sandwich, a Chipotle BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad, a Spicy Cuban Sandwich, Asiago Herb Penne and they have brought back the Atlantic Haddock Provençal.  Also announced, the pie and bread of the month for May is Key Lime Pie and Seeded Pumpernickel Bread. Check out the full description of the new menu items here and find a location near you here.

Things To Do This Weekend 4/29 - 5/1

A list of some food related events around the state this weekend, click on the links for pricing and exact location information:

Flagstaff, AZ
2011 Palette to Palate - Friday 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Maricopa, AZ
7th Annual Salsa Festival - Saturday 4pm - 9pm

Scottsdale, AZ
Cinco de Mayo Salsa Festival - Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Tempe, AZ
Great Cajun Crawfish Boil - Friday 5pm - 9pm
A Taste of Greece - Friday & Saturday 11am - 11pm/Sunday 11am - 7pm *Free admission Friday from 11am - 3pm

Tucson, AZ
Eat More Pie 2011 - Sunday 4pm - 7pm
Gluten-Free Food Faire - Saturday 10am - 2pm

Genghis Grill Opening Multiple New Restaurants in the Valley

Mongolian stir-fry chain, Genghis Grill to open 3 or 4? new restaurants this summer.  At the time of this writing, if you check out the Genghis Grill website and click on Arizona, you'll see three locations "coming soon" to the valley, in addition to the current Tempe location.  However, this morning, the Arizona Republic printed a story stating there is another restaurant planned for Chandler, which is not listed on the Genghis Grill website.  Here are the three locations listed by the company and the estimated openings based on the article:

• 7350 W. Bell Rd. #201 Glendale, AZ 85308 - May 8, 2011
• 4722 E. Cactus Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85032 - Early June
• 7401 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 - This Summer

The additional site mentioned in the article is 900 N. 54th St. Chandler, AZ 85226 which is aiming to open in the middle of July near one of the new "The Habit" locations mentioned previously by the AZFoodDude here.

UPDATE (5-9-11): The AZFoodDude has tried to confirm that the Glendale location has opened and at this time cannot do so.  As soon as I find out, I'll let you know.

UPDATE (5-22-11): Was tweeted that the Glendale location is now open.

The Future: Virtual Reality Changing the Food We Eat?

Remember growing up, being forced to eat all the food on your plate even if you didn't like it.  Remember a few days ago when you tried to cook something and it didn't exactly come out the way you intended (I can't be the only one that's ever done this?!). When this happens in the future, besides finding more palatable food, you might just need something like the Meta Cookie.  Developed by researchers at the University of Tokyo, the Meta Cookie could be the first step in changing the way we all eat food.  According to the Cosmic Log over at MSNBC, by using a head mounted camera and scented filled tubes, the Meta Cookie system:

"overlays images of several types of cookies on plain cookies piled on a plate.  Once the user selects one, the system pumps air near the user's nose with the corresponding scent.  The power of the scent is adjusted as the user brings the cookie closer to their mouth.  Upon taking a bite, the user really thinks the cookie isn't just a bland treat, but whatever the system turned it into."

Thankfully, since I'm sure you want to see this, there is a video demonstration to go along with the full article here.

Jack in the Box Offers New Sandwich

Jack in the Box added to its Grilled Sandwiches lineup on Monday by offering the new Bourbon BBQ Steak Grilled Sandwich. Jack in the Box describes the sandwich this way:

"The new sandwich, which is available for a limited time only, features hot tender steak strips, grilled onions and melting cheese covered with Jack’s new Bourbon BBQ sauce and served on grilled artisan bread."

You can read the full press release here. Also if you head to the Jack in the Box website and click "Play the Hot or Cheesy Game" on the main page then rate it hot or cheesy, you'll receive a $1.00 off printable coupon for the sandwich.

Tonight is 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins

Head into Baskin-Robbins ice cream shops across the country tonight from 5pm to 10pm and get up to three 2.5 ounce scoops of ice cream.  From their facebook page:

"Join us for the Fifth Annual 31 Cent Scoop Night on April 27, 2011. Once again, we are partnering with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), paying tribute to America's Firefighters and thanking our loyal customers by lowering the price of Baskin-Robbins scoops to just 31 cents*! 

*Plus applicable tax. Limit 3 2.5 oz scoops per person. At participating stores while supplies last."

Earlier this month, in order to go along with this event, Baskin-Robbins introduced their new "Firehouse #31" flavor. It sounds like it has got some kick:

"The April Flavor of the Month is the perfect blend of hot and cold - a crunchy atomic fireball ribbon laced throughout with hot cinnamon and packed with red hot candy pieces in cold vanilla ice cream."

For information about how to make text donations to the NFFF, please check either of the above posted links.

Click here to find your nearest Baskin-Robbins!

Say "Happy 100 Stores" and Get a Free Side at Smashburger Today

Smashburger is celebrating the opening of their 100th store across the country today by offering customers a free side with the purchase of an entree if they say, "Happy 100 Stores."  There are currently five valley locations, which can be found here.  Again, this is today only, so if you want to try a free side, better get in fast!

McDonald's: Prices Are Going Up

Even after raising prices by 1 percent in March, it looks as though McDonald's will be raising prices again because of a rise in U.S. food prices:

"The company said it expects an increase of 4 percent to 4.5 percent in food prices in U.S. and Europe for the year. In January, McDonald's predicted an increase of 2 percent to 2.5 percent for U.S. food prices."

Perhaps you say "I'll just go somewhere else." or "I never go there anyway."  Unfortunately, other restaurants will have to follow suit:

"As the world's biggest hamburger chain, McDonald's can influence the rest of the fast-food industry with its decisions about how to deal with the rising prices."

Full article at AP.

Wal-Mart Jumping Into Grocery Delivery Business?

It looks like Wal-Mart is diving into the home delivery business for groceries.  In the testing phase right now in San Jose, CA, if successful, one would expect an expansion into more markets across the country.  From the story:

"The "Walmart To Go" test allows customers to visit Walmart.com to order groceries and consumables found in a Walmart store and have them delivered to their homes, the spokesman said.

Products include fresh produce, meat and seafood, frozen, bakery, baby, over-the-counter pharmacy, household supplies and health and beauty items."

Pure speculation on my part, but I would count on Phoenix and Tucson being on any expansion list.  If so, would you consider using the service?  Full article here.

Culver's Opening Four New Arizona Restaurants This Summer

Culver’s ButterBurgers and Frozen Custard will be opening four new restaurants in the state.  The valley will be getting two new locations while Tucson will be getting its first taste of the Wisconsin-based chain with two restaurants of their own.  The locations are as follows:

• Phoenix – 4506 E. Cactus Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85032 (Paradise Valley Mall area, taking over the same spot formerly occupied by Carl's Jr.)
• Phoenix – 20835 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85050
• Tucson – 40 S. Broadway Pl. Tucson, AZ 85710
• Tucson – 6905 N. Thornydale Rd. Tucson, AZ 85741

Update (5-28-11): Cave Creek Rd. location in Phoenix is now open
Update (5-29-11): Both Tucson locations will reportedly open in late July, early August
Update (8-15-11): Both Tucson locations are now open.
Update (9-20-11): The location near Paradise Valley Mall is now open.

Today's Youtube Video: Dog at the Dinner Table

After Five Years, Young's Farm in Dewey Reopening

I'm sure many of you, like me, have fond memories of going up to Dewey, Arizona near Prescott to either gather some of the sweetest corn you could find or, in my case, round up pumpkins from their pumpkin patch for halloween.  Thankfully, Karen Fernau of the Arizona Republic had the story a few days ago that after being forced to close due to water supply issues, bureaucratic mandate and the idea that a residential development would be less taxing on the water supply, a new family, the Mortimer's, will be reopening the farm:

"Plans for the housing development fell through, and the new owners worked out a new water supply agreement and successfully negotiated with the current landowner to once again farm the corner of Highway 69 and 169, Sharla Mortimer said Friday.

The Mortimers, veterans of plant nurseries, farming and ranching for 25 years, hope to nurse the farm back to its heyday of drawing about 400,000 visitors a year, including many from the Phoenix area.”

Gather up the family and get ready because according to the article, that sweet corn will be ready in July!  Read the entire article here.