New Items at Burger King, Jack in the Box, & Wendy's

Burger King Minibons

After rolling out 10 new items, Burger King has teamed up with Cinnabon this week to start selling Minibon rolls nationwide.  Having been test marketed in select cities for awhile now, the company hopes to have every one of their over 7000 U.S. locations selling the Minibons by September.  With a suggested selling price of $1.79 - $1.99, some Minibon information is provided by the press release:

Served in Cinnabon^® bakeries since 1987, the Minibon^® roll is a smaller version of the Cinnabon^® classic roll, featuring the same Makara^® cinnamon and signature cream cheese frosting that is served in Cinnabon^® bakeries today.

Jack in the Box Java Cookie Shake

Next up is Jack in the Box, which has introduced a new shake that is a tad more traditional than their previous Bacon Shake.  The new Java Cookie Shake is available in regular (16oz.) and large (24oz.) and is made with "...real vanilla ice cream, coffee-flavored syrup and Oreo® cookie pieces...and features whipped topping and a Maraschino cherry on top."

In addition the to new shake, Jack in the Box began selling their new Chipotle Chicken Club Sandwich last week.  According to the press release, the new sandwich "features a spicy chicken fillet topped with American cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, tomato, lettuce and chipotle sauce and (is) served on Sourdough bread."  The Chipotle Chicken Club Sandwich can also be ordered as part of a $4.99 combo that comes with small fries and a 20oz. drink.

Finally, Wendy's is trying to kick up their side dish selections with three new choices for $2.49 each.  Two of the new Signature side items are only around for a limited time.  This includes the new Macaroni & Cheese and the Baked Sweet Potato.  The Macaroni & Cheese is described as:

featuring large cavatappi spiral noodles smothered with a cheese sauce made with fresh milk, fresh cream and real white Vermont Cheddar and American cheeses. Wendy's Macaroni & Cheese is topped with real shredded Cheddar to add even more cheesy flavor.

Wendy's Signature Sides

Meanwhile, the Baked Sweet Potatoes "are prepared fresh to order and served with a Buttery Cinnamon Spread on the side."

Lastly, the new Signature side that Wendy's plans to keep around indefinitely is their new Chili Cheese Fries.  The Chili Cheese Fries are described as "...Wendy's natural cut fries with sea salt covered in a sauce made with Cheddar cheese and real milk, Wendy's famous rich and meaty chili, and then topped with real shredded Cheddar cheese."

Cousins Subs to Open in Glendale

After opening their 9th location back in January in Chandler, Cousins is preparing to open their 10th Arizona restaurant in the west valley at 5350 W. Bell Rd. Glendale, AZ 85308.  Aiming to open this spring, this particular Cousins will be the second reported as serving fries and grilled sandwiches.  In addition, this will be the second location with the company's updated look.

The press release makes it clear there is more to come from the local franchisees:

(Brian) Herczeg and his partners – father Les, sister Christina, and brother-in-law Matt – have signed on with local franchise developer, Cliff Jones, to open two new stores in the next year. Jones will be opening a total of 10 stores in the next three years.

Check out Cousins Subs menu here and additional Arizona locations here.

New Deals at Ruth's Chris & Fleming's Steakhouses

Tenderloin Skewers over Spring Greens

Yesterday, Ruth's Chris Steak House announced their new "Sizzle, Swizzle, and Swirl" Happy Hour.  The new happy hour menu:

...will feature brand new bar bites alongside signature items for $7.00 each, as well as hand-crafted cocktails, premium wines and select beers. After Happy Hour, Sizzle, Swizzle and Swirl menu offerings can be enjoyed at the bar at regular pricing.

The items on the menu include:

• USDA Prime Burger with Fries - Tenderloin Skewers over Spring Greens - New England Lobster Roll with Fries - Three Petite Prime Sliders - Sliced Filet Steak Sandwich with Fries - Seared Ahi Tuna, and Spicy Lobster. 

On the drink side you will find "hand crafted cocktails, such as the Classic Cosmo, the Pomegranate Martini, and Ruth's Manhattan made with premium spirits, and daily fresh-squeezed juices."

You can find the two Ruth's Chris locations in Arizona here.

Filet Mignon & North Atlantic Lobster Tail Dinner

Meanwhile, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse is celebrating spring break by offering Filet Mignon and North Atlantic Lobster Tail Dinner along with an appetizer and a side for $34.95 until April 7.  From the press release:

...guests can start the Spring Break Celebration with their choice of the Wedge Salad with crisp iceberg lettuce with grape tomatoes, red onions and crumbled blue cheese or French Onion Soup baked with gruyere and parmesan cheeses.  The generous filet mignon—Fleming's leanest meat—and broiled lobster tail with drawn butter are accompanied by a choice of French Green Beans with shiitake mushrooms and porcini essence or Fleming's Mashed Potatoes topped with blue cheese, parmesan-peppercorn or roasted garlic. 

Keep in mind that you will not find the Spring Break Celebration selections on the regular menu as they are only available upon request.

Check out one of the five Arizona Fleming's locations here.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/14/2692955/new-premium-happy-hour-at-ruths.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/14/2692955/new-premium-happy-hour-at-ruths.html#storylink=cp

Burger King Offering Free Fries for St. Patrick's Day Weekend

To coincide with St. Patrick's Day, for the second time in a three month span, Burger King will be giving away a free "value" size order of fries with no purchase or coupon necessary:

On Saturday, March 17^th and Sunday, March 18^th, customers can stop in at participating BURGER KING^® restaurants to celebrate the luck of the Irish with some gold of their own – a “pot” of golden-brown, crispy French fries that is!

Also offered with the free fries is a specially colored ketchup by Heinz that Burger King has named "St. Paddy’s Sauce."  

Dollar Menu Changes at McDonald's

Being touted as a to way help customers continuing to struggle in this economy, according to a Fox Business article, McDonald's is altering their Dollar Menu and adding an "Extra Value Menu,"

On March 26, McDonald's also will debut an "Extra Value Menu".  That menu will include 20-piece chicken McNuggets, double cheeseburgers, chicken snack wraps, Angus snack wraps, medium iced coffees and snack-sized McFlurries, plus up to four regional options, that were previously listed elsewhere on its menu.

"The choices have been available for quite some time, we're just making it easier for customers to find them and enjoy them," Golden said, adding that the prices on those items will not change. All Extra Value Menu items will be priced above $1 and many will be below $2.

While prices on those items will not change, there is something that caught the AZFoodDude's eye:

McDonald's will change national advertising for its Dollar Menu, removing small drinks and small french fries and replacing those items with fresh baked cookies and ice cream cones, Neil Golden, chief marketing officer for McDonald's USA, told Reuters in an interview.

To begin with, if your McDonald's is only offering SMALL drinks for $1 you should know there is probably a good chance you can drive a mile in any direction and find one of the many McDonald's that offers ANY size drink for $1.  Also, pulling small french fries and the small drink off the Dollar Menu (raising the prices) and replacing them with cookies and ice cream cones?  Just a thought, but are you more likely to drive to McDonald's because you want fries and a drink or cookies and ice cream?  Finally, at the risk of being nitpicky, aren't ice cream cones currently under a dollar?  Not for that much longer it seems.

Freddy's Scottsdale Location Revealed

Freddy's Mint 'n Cookie Concrete

After almost 10 months of reporting on a promised Scottsdale location by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, the AZFoodDude can now report that the restaurant will be located at 9890 N. 90th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85258.  In the same shopping center as IHOP, Schlotzsky's, Taco Bell, etc, Freddy's is hoping to take its own share in an area busy with food options.

An opening date is not known at this time, however, providing the Scottsdale location opens before the proposed Mesa location mentioned here, this will be the eighth Freddy's in the state.  Stay tuned for updates.

You can check out other stories on previous Freddy's openings here and here.

Update (7-15-12): Freddy's has removed the upcoming(?) Scottsdale location from their website with no further details available.

New Mesa Restaurant to Serve Hot Dogs, Bratwurst, & More

Photo by Fritz's Footlong

Opening at 10am this Friday, February 17, Fritz's Footlong is taking over the former location of Smokey's Bar & Grill at 1734 E. Main St. #5 Mesa, AZ 85203.  Fritz's will be serving Johnsonville bratwurst, all beef Sabrett hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, soda, beer, and according to their Facebook page, will have over 20 toppings to choose from.

Please note, as you can see from the photo to the right, Fritz's is open from 10am to 10pm daily and does not accept credit cards or debit cards, they are cash only. 

JITB News: New Bacon Milkshake, Phoenix Misses Out On Fish Promo

The first new promotion at Jack in the Box is the Bacon Shake...I'll let that sink in for a second...

Made with real vanilla ice cream, bacon flavored syrup, whipped topping and a maraschino cherry.

Okay, so if you are brave enough to order one, there are a few things you should know.  First, get there fast since the quantities being delivered to Jack in the Box restaurants are said to be "as limited as limited can be." Next, according to a spokesman for the restaurant, "The shake is not listed on our menus in the restaurants, so it's more of a 'secret item' that people can order."  Finally, the nutrition of the 16 oz. Bacon Milkshake includes 773 calories, 40 grams of fat (28 saturated), 75 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein. 

Next we have a promotion that is specifically skipping over the Phoenix metro area.  The $2.99 Fish Sandwich Combo includes small fries, a small drink, and "two lightly battered fillets of Alaskan Pollock topped with lettuce and tartar sauce and served on a warm sesame seed bun"  Along with this, for $4.59, Jack in the Box is Jack "offering Fish & Chips, which includes three fish fillets and small order of fries along with a side of tartar sauce and malt vinegar."

Sadly for those of you that enjoy something fishy in the Phoenix area, at the bottom of the press release, Jack in the Box points out, "These promotions are not available in Phoenix."  If the AZFoodDude is not mistaken, these items are on the menu, so why is it that they can do the promotion in Tucson, Flagstaff, etc. but not in Phoenix?  And if they are not on the menu anymore and this is a special limited time deal, then what's preventing the distribution trucks from stopping in Phoenix when they are moving along the I-10 from California to Tucson and further east?  What's even better is the fact that we have a distribution center in Phoenix.  Not cool for the fish-loving folks in Phoenix, Jack.

Free Onion Rings at Burger King This Weekend

This Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5, Burger King's around the country will be giving out free value sized orders of their "new signature" onion rings with no purchase necessary.  This offer will begin at lunchtime so do not expect to pick up a free order of onion rings for breakfast.  If you are wondering why this somehow sounds familiar, it's probably because it was just this past December when Burger King was giving out free fries as part of their new recipe roll out. 

In terms of nutrition, the value sized onion rings come in at 150 calories, 8 grams of fat and 1 gram of protein.    

Cousins Subs Opens 9th Arizona Location

Cousins Subs recently opened up their newest spot over at 2100 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85224. Franchisee Cliff Jones decided to open another location after he found his Mesa restaurant doing so well.  In addition to being the first Arizona restaurant with the company's new look and according to the Cousins Subs website, the first in the state to allow online ordering:

Not only will Jones’ newest store offer deli-style sandwiches with freshly sliced meats and vegetables, the store is the first in the area to serve-up fries and grilled sandwiches.

According to the press release, multiple other stores are in the works over the next few years.  Check out Cousins Subs menu here and other Arizona locations here.

Freddy's Opens 2 More Restaurants, Promises Mesa Location

Photo by Freddy's - Marana, AZ

Just this past November, the AZFoodDude updated you on the newest upcoming Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers locations in the state.  Now, the AZFoodDude can report that the two Freddy's locations mentioned in the previous article, one at 3476 W. Frye Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226 and the other in the Tucson area at 3725 W. Orange Grove Rd. Marana, AZ 85741 are now open. 

While still having no further news on the previously noted Scottsdale location, Freddy's has announced the opening of their first spot in Mesa.  At this time however, there are no address details.  Stay tuned for updates.

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.

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.

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.

Raising Cane's Opens First Arizona Location, Second Spot Coming

If you like chicken fingers, this place is for you. Don't believe me? One look at the Raising Cane's menu (PDF format) and you will have absolutely no doubt. In addition to chicken fingers, Raising Cane's has french fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, a chicken sandwich, a special Cane's Sauce as well as fresh squeezed lemonade and sweet tea.

The first location in the state opened this morning at 2715 W. Peoria Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85051 and is listed to be open from 10am until midnight everyday.

No date is set just yet, but the chicken finger purveyor is now looking to open their second spot in Arizona at 4325 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85008, which looks to have previously been a Burger King location.

The Louisiana-based chain began in 1996 and is said to have over 110 locations across the country. A special Raising Cane's website can be found for the Arizona locations run by the Micatrotto Restaurant Group.

Two New Items and a Possible Change Coming to the Arby's Menu

A recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has made some news about items and changes soon to hit the Arby's menu. One of the first things mentioned is the next in a ongoing line of Angus sandwiches, the Philly Cheesesteak. Set to hit stores in October, The Philly Cheesesteak is said to be priced at $4.99 in the article.

Another new product is described in the article as, "a sweet potato product." Could it be anything other than sweet potato fries?

In addition, a change coming to the menu involves relaunching the Market Fresh sandwiches with whole wheat flatbread. Does this mean the current bread will no longer be an option or the customer will have the chance to decide?

There is no reported time, as of yet, for the, "sweet potato product" or the flatbread versions of the Market Fresh sandwiches coming to a restaurant near you and me.

In case you missed it, earlier this month the AZFoodDude reported on Arby's two new chicken sandwiches.

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.

Is The Heart Attack Grill Closed, Remodeling, or Moving?

I came across a report by our local Fox affiliate here in Phoenix that mentioned the closure of the highly publicized Heart Attack Grill in Chandler. According to the report, the phone number to the restaurant is disconnected and the owner could not be contacted.

So, FOX 10 is reporting the restaurant closed two weeks ago, yet the website for the Heart Attack Grill claims the restaurant is closed until June 15th due to remodeling. After doing one last check, I've come across an Arizona Republic article posted a few hours ago which quotes the owner, Jon Basso, as saying he is fighting with the city of Chandler about the color of the building, which is alluded to on the company website. In addition, he claims he is negotiating with the landlord for rent and lease changes. In the article he criticizes the city of Chandler and says he may move the business to Phoenix or Scottsdale by the end of the summer.

"Chandler has threatened to seek criminal action against me because they don't like my shade of white," he said. "I bring more tourists to city of Chandler than any other business . . . .I don't need Chandler," he said. "The Texas business environment is so darned friendly that it makes me question the wisdom of ever returning to Arizona."

This all comes after the ABC affiliate in Dallas reported the botched opening day just a few weeks ago in the new Dallas, TX location, where an hour and fifteen minutes after opening, they had to close due to reported issues in the kitchen.

The Heart Attack Grill, known for its incredibly unhealthy menu and servers dressed up as nurses, was in the news recently due to the death of its 575-pound spokesman back in March.