Subway's August $5 Featured Footlong - Buffalo Chicken

After having the Classic Italian BMT in the spotlight for the past month, Subway is about to let another sandwich bask in the limelight, or more accurately, buffalo sauce, for August. The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich has become a popular sandwich at the chain and making it the $5 featured footlong will only help continue that trend. If you're wondering what it's made of:

Tender glazed buffalo chicken breast strips topped with cool ranch. Served on freshly baked bread with your choice of vegetables.

The 6 inch Buffalo Chicken Sandwich has 460 calories, 19 grams of fat and 27 grams of protein.

Get Any Slice of Cheesecake for Half Price at Cheesecake Factory on 7/30

On Saturday, July 30th, head over to any Cheesecake Factory and get yourself any slice of cheesecake for half price. The deal is in celebration of National Cheesecake Day. While you must dine in to get the deal, all you need is yourself and probably a friend or two because no coupon is necessary.

In case you are wondering, National Cheesecake Day isn't an "official" holiday since there are no congressional records or presidential proclamations making it so. That said, I've heard Congress will be working on something in Washington, D.C. all weekend. Coincidence?

If Restaurants Serve Smaller Portions, Will They Offer Lower Prices?

According to the NPD Group, a consumer and retail market research firm based out of Chicago, IL, consumers are clamoring to eat smaller portions when they go out. Whether people want to lose weight, cut down on unhealthy food or want to eat more smaller meals throughout the day, out of the 5000 people asked,

...57 percent...said they want to eat smaller portions in the coming year, indicating that serving sizes will increasingly influence the choices consumers make, said Dori Hickey, NPD’s director of product management and author of the report.

I have no problem with this at all, but I do have one concern,

For restaurants, the increased interest in portion control offers an opportunity, she said...With consumers aspiring to eat smaller servings, restaurants can “reset the consumer vision of what a real portion is..."

Perhaps it's the skeptical part of me talking, but I hope this opportunity to serve customers smaller portions also includes the vision for restaurants to lower prices. If you give me less food, give me a lower price. What do you think?

New Starbucks Refreshers Available in Arizona and Southern California

Late last week, Starbucks began selling a new line of drinks called "Refreshers." On the Starbucks blog, we find out that there are two flavors, Very Berry Hibiscus and Cool Lime. The new drinks are described this way,

Starbucks Refreshers™ Iced Beverages come in two flavors: Very Berry Hibiscus with real blackberries and Cool Lime with a slice of real lime. Each contains real fruit, fruit juice – and green, unroasted coffee extract. We call it Greenstyle™ Coffee.

Upon further inspection, these drinks have been tested, at least, in San Diego, CA for a couple of months and it seems Starbucks is now pushing the test out further to Arizona and the rest of Southern California. It must only be a matter of time before the Refreshers go national.

Scottsdale Getting Multiple New Restaurants Later This Year

AZCentral seems to be rolling in stories about new restaurants coming to Scottsdale. So, let's get started:

Lamp Wood Oven Pizzeria - Specializing in Neapolitan pizza, Lamp Wood Oven Pizzeria will be firing up pizzas in their oven at no less than the required temperature of 905 degrees. The menu isn't finished just yet, but there will be a few appetizers like zucchini cakes as well as beer and wine and of course a lot of pizzas. From the article,

...The Scientist (thinly sliced Italian-cured meats and green olives), The Simple (wild arugula, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, olive oil and prosciutto crudo), and a white pie called The Gordon (dried capacolla, spinach, crimini mushrooms, goat cheese, garlic and sharp provolone). 

Lamp Wood Oven Pizzeria will be located at 8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 and is looking to open in late September or the first part of October.

Lotus Bar & Grill - Next up, the Lotus Bar & Grill will be serving up the unique fusion of Asian fare with a sports bar. It is made clear by the article that there will be two separate areas, the grill area where you can dine as in a normal restaurant and the bar area where you can eat but also take advantage of almost 30 HD TV's. The menu looks like a mix of all kinds of Asian dishes, everything from Chinese to Indian and Japanese to Korean. Open from 11am - 11pm, Sunday through Thursday and 11am - Midnight on Friday and Saturday, the Lotus Bar & Grill will be located at 9030 E. Via Linda Scottsdale, AZ 85258 and is reported to be opening within the next few days.

Barrio Queen Tequileria & Silvana Bistro - While the plans for her Gilbert restaurant fell through, Silvana Esparza will be opening a casual eatery and a high-end restaurant at the former spot of Metro Brasserie at 7114 E. Stetson Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85251. According to AZCentral, Barrio Queen Tequileria will feature "tacos, pork al pastor, posole, pambazos (a street sandwich like a torta), mole, aguas frescas and margaritas." Meanwhile, Silvana Bistro

...will be a "Euro-Mexican" concept that is "on the elegant side of Mexican cuisine." Featured dishes will include lamb steamed in a bag made of maguey cactus, duck-confit tacos, and jalapeños stuffed with salmon escabeche.

It should be noted that Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza is behind the successful Barrio Café at 2814 N. 16th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006. According to the Barrio Culinary Concepts website, both restaurants will be opening later this year, Barrio Tequileria in late fall and Silvana in the winter.

Popeyes Introduces Rip'n Chick'n

The newest limited time offer from Popeyes began selling in their restaurants yesterday and will be available until late August. The Rip'n Chick'n is described by Popeyes this way:

...we cut a plump, all white meat chicken breast into big strips, marinate it in four different peppers and Louisiana seasonings then hand batter and bread it in our signature coating then fry it up crispy. We call it Rip'n Chick'n because you just rip it and dip it....

If you are still wondering, it seems the chicken breast is partially cut into strips, this way you can then rip it the rest of the way. According to Popeyes, the Rip'n Chick'n is being offered in combo form with Cajun fries, a buttermilk biscuit and ranch dipping sauce.

Popeyes has 13 locations in Arizona, most of which are in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The others can be found in Tucson, Wilcox, Ft. Huachuca and Kingman. For exact locations, check the Popeyes locator.

Burger King Rolls Out New BK Minis

In a press release today, Burger King announced the launch their new line of BK Mini sandwiches:

These miniature sandwich packs put quality beef or white-meat chicken into tasty bites – making these minis the perfect size for sharing with friends and family. To satisfy every appetite, BK® Minis are available, starting today, in four, eight and 12 packs at a suggested retail price of $ 2.99, $ 5.99 and $ 7.99, respectively, at participating restaurants nationwide.

The BK Burger Minis are made up of a beef patty, dill pickles and ketchup on a bun and come in at 420 calories, 20 grams of fat and 26 grams of protein. Meanwhile, the BK Chicken Minis are composed of a crispy chicken patty, dill pickles and mayo on a bun and come in at 810 calories, 58 grams of fat and 21 grams of protein.