Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

I like it that fast food restaurants keep trying to come up with something new.  Some should stick with what they know best and others occasionally come up with something that works.  Thanks to Carl’s Jr. for giving us the opportunity to try their hits and misses.  This time we tried the new Grilled Cheese Bacon Burger and unanimously deemed it one of Carl’s hits.  As pictured, our Burgers were nicely gooey and perfectly toasted.  If all are made as good as this one, it should remain on the menu.  Read more Carl’s Jr. food reviews here — We’re equal opportunity tasters.

Next month is March Mania at Chick-Fil-A.  What that means is… Visit a participating Southern California Chick-Fil-A on any Friday in March, keep your original receipt, then return with your receipt to receive the exact order FREE any day within the month.  For example, buy the pictured Nuggets and Sandwich on Friday, March 5th, then return any day after that in March for the same.  Pay nothing extra — Just save your receipt!

Why would you grab lunch elsewhere on a Friday in March?  One meal becomes two, thus four Friday meals become eight during March Mania.  It’s a super deal.

* I’ve been a long-time fan of Chick-Fil-A’s Chicken Sandwich with extra Pickles, Nuggets with all Sauces, Chicken Biscuit Sandwich and Cole Slaw.  They run a remarkable corporation, provide superior service and are closed every Sunday.  God bless Chick-Fil-A.

We were full and we lived and it wasn’t horrible and we might get it again.  It’s the Jumbo Deal at Jack in the Box.  For $3.49 you get a Jumbo Jack, (2) Tacos, French Fries and a 20oz. Beverage.  It truly is a Jumbo Deal.

* Cheese on the Jumbo Jack is extra — They always get you with that.

It’s always fun to try something new, even though some things we like and some we don’t.  We thank Carl’s Jr. for the opportunity to try their new menu items.  We recently tasted their 100% Black Angus Beef Burger (aka Original Six Dollar Burger), which they purport to be “better than the new McAngus Burger from [the] clowns down the street.”  Although we haven’t tasted the referenced competition, we’d most likely agree, since our preference is largely every Burger over a McAnything.  Also pictured above, we tried Carl’s Jr.’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hand Scooped Ice Cream Shake and their Chicken Parmesan Sandwich.  Although there’s real Ice Cream in the Shake, our preference is for a hard serve scoop, rather than a soft serve Ice Cream — Carl’s Shake is too rich and creamy.  While that doesn’t sound bad to some, we’re not a fan of their “hand scooped” Shakes.  And finally, the Chicken Parmesan Sandwich isn’t bad.  We hoped for more Sauce on ours, like in the commercials, but ultimately we’d choose the Charbroiled Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich over it — That’s our favorite.

FYI:  We were surprised to learn that Carl’s Original Six Dollar Burger, recently marketed as the 100% Black Angus Beef Burger comes with Sweet Pickles instead of Dill Pickles.  We’d want to swap ’em for Dill next time.

If interested, be sure to mark your calendar to try Taco Bell’s New Black Jack Taco FREE on Halloween.  After dark (6PM to be exact), Taco Bell will be giving away its spooky black shelled Taco – (1) per customer.  Since we’ll hopefully be enjoying a costume party during that time, we tried one on our own dime ($0.89 to be exact) and it’s not bad.  Three of us tried one this day and all thought it was relatively good.  Aside from the shell that doesn’t taste any different than a tan one, the Sauce makes it different and flavorful.  We may have another before its limited time expires.

Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill currently serves more than (12) different Tacos.  We’ve tried most, but feature only (4) here.  They’re not necessarily our favorites, but what’s photographed thus far.  We’ll be adding to this post, as we sample others.  Pictured above is the Grilled Portobello & Poblano Taco — It’s pretty messy, but is one of our favorites

This day we also tried the Grilled Mesquite Shrimp Taco, the Carnitas Rajas Taco and the All American Taco (R.I.P.), no longer on Rubio’s menu.  The Carnitas was good and the Shrimp was okay (a little tasteless).

And we love the idea of the All American Taco, a Cheeseburger in a Taco, but the meat served in it was way too tough.  It appears this Taco didn’t sell well, since it’s no longer on the menu.  With a few improvements, we wouldn’t mind having it again.

At most locations, Rubio’s “World Famous Fish Tacos“ are $1.25 every Tuesday from 2:30PM to close.  We also like the price of Rubios Street Tacos, but they’re sure tiny.  View their full menu here and be sure to check back for a sampling of Rubio’s other Tacos.

Enter TODAY ONLY to win FREE Chicken from El Pollo Loco for an entire year — Translated it means (52) 2-Piece Meal Certificates.  All you have to do is become a fan of El Pollo Loco on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.  And while you’re there, tell them why you think flame-grilled Chicken is better than oven “grilled” Chicken.  From all entries received on 10/26/09, El Pollo Loco will randomly draw the name of the lucky winner on 10/27/09.  It’s a one day Sweepstakes, which makes for better odds and a short wait for the tasty prize.  Enter now and good luck.

Or you can stand in line at KFC for one FREE piece of their oven-grilled Chicken today only — I’d rather win a years worth of flame-grilled Chicken from EPL without standing in line.  In fairness, I enjoy KFC’s Fried Chicken on occasion and their Apple Turnovers, Wedge Cut Fries and Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, but they can’t compete with EPL’s truly grilled Chicken.

UPDATE 10/27/09:  EPL announces the winner of the free Chicken — Congratulations to Theresa Wilson Goldman.

I like Buffalo Sauce, Original Ranch Dressing and sometimes Fried Chicken Sandwiches, but don’t like these, nor the repetitive song played to advertise them.  Since I usually like the combination of all, I had to try the Jack in the Box Mini Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwiches, but they’re just not good — Unsure why (perhaps quality) and don’t need to analyze it.  Three people agreed during this tasting.

A few days a week I work in an office building that happens to house the Wienerschnitzel Corporation (Galardi Group).  The aerial view of the Wienerschnitzel Mobile is from my office on the 7th floor.  Today they gave away their New 100% Angus Beef Hot Dog (and French Fries) to all occupants of the building.  Our office consensus of 7 (today) is they’re very good and perhaps Wienerschnitzel’s best Hot Dog.  Thanks for the free try.

Rumbi Island Grill is opening with a bang in California.  Its first restaurant here is in Mission Viejo and they’re having a Grand Opening Party to celebrate.  The first 100 guests in line will receive a free meal card.  And a drawing will be held to giveaway a free meal card for a year.  The festivities are detailed below and will be followed by music and fire dancers.

WHEN: Monday, September 21, 2009 (11 – 11:30AM).

WHERE: 24000 Alicia Parkway Boulevard, Mission Viejo — The Gateway Center, near Jeronimo and Via Fabricante.

WHAT & WHO: 
• Welcoming remarks from Ron Brown, Rumbi Franchise Owner.
• Welcoming remarks from Kat Vermelis, representing State Senator Mimi Walters.
• Welcoming remarks from Mission Viejo Council-member Trish Kelley.
• Welcoming remarks Chamber President Dennis O’Connor.
• Remarks from Margaret Pendleton, President of Saddleback Valley Educational Foundation.
• Ribbon cutting by Mission Viejo Chamber Ambassadors.

Nibbles of Tidbits was invited to attend a pre-grand opening cooking demonstration at Rumbi’s new Mission Viejo location — We sent guest blogger, Bonnie to cover the event.  She’s an OC Interior Designer, foodie, International Surfing Museum Board Member and friend, and always provides a unique perspective.  Unfortunately her camera didn’t deliver the food photos we were hoping for, but you can read her report below.

GO TRIBAL. EAT TROPIC.  That’s the tag line of the brand new Rumbi Island Grill, according to co-founder and Vice President of Operations Deven Moreno, who hosted the hour long event. Deven is passionate about this new restaurant and stated that Mission Viejo is the first of 8 planned “fast casual” Island cuisine restaurants for Orange County. It is the 25^th restaurant in the chain which started in Utah in 2000 and has since expanded to Colorado and Arizona.

The Rumbi concept centers on “gourmet” rice bowls. The bowls are combined with salad and then topped with chicken, steak, pork, veggies, tofu or shrimp.  A variety of signature sauces and dressings are then added for a unique, customized dining treat. For this special Media event, Moreno cooked two of Rumbi’s most favored dishes – the Aloha Chicken Salad and the Volcano Blackened Mahi. Both are grilled or fried in 7 minutes or less using a small amount of sesame oil, which makes them not only fresh but healthy too.

Moreno emphasized that this is “Island” food rather than Hawaiian, and this theme is carried over and translated very well in the interior design.  The interiors vary at each restaurant. At the new Mission Viejo store, there is a bit more emphasis on the surfing theme, with a picture of “Duke” Kahanamoku and other old time surfers in one corner. Other elements such as spears, arrows and palm trees are more universal, but the over-all look is both fun and family-friendly.

Whatever tropical island it invokes, the Rumbi concept is unique to Southern California and will surely catch on quickly. With all entrees priced under $10, their prices and attention to quality cannot be beat. It’s highly recommended that you mosey on over to Rumbi Island Grill to experience this brand new taste sensation!

Thanks  Bonnie and welcome to California Rumbi Island Grill.

There’s an unnecessary ingredient in Long John Silver’s New Baja Fish Taco.  They call them “crumblies” — Cute, but they’re basically just fried pieces of batter.  The addition doesn’t make sense on this Taco.  If the Fish is crispy, why add the crumblies?  It’s just more fat.  And if the Fish isn’t crispy, the crumblies seem to emphasize the fact, which was the case with this Taco.

Long John Silver’s INFO: http://www.longjohnsilvers.com/

For some reason, many like and love Jack in the Box Tacos.  They’re unlike any other, which seems to give ’em a place amongst fast food Tacos.  The taste is reminiscent of grammar school lunches and miniature Tacos from the freezer section, I had several years ago.  And although they’re often too greasy, I enjoy a Jack in the Box Taco every now and then myself, with lots of Hot Sauce.  Their Taco Nachos are made with (2) Tacos cut in thirds, and then topped with a Cheese Sauce and Jalapenos.  They were fun to try, but (2) Tacos for $0.99 is a much better deal.  It costs a little over a dollar more to add Cheese Sauce, Jalapenos, Salsa and a bed of Lettuce — Back to an occasional Taco.

Jack in the Box INFO: http://www.jackinthebox.com/

We’ve just added Pink’s Chili Cheese Fries to our Chili Cheese Fries Comparison Post — And they’re now our second favorite, next to Original Tommy’s Chili Cheese Fries.  ALL are linked below.

Chili Cheese Fries Comparison Post & Photos:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2008/11/06/orange-county-chili-cheese-fries-comparison/

Pink’s of HOLLYWOOD: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

Pink’s Chili Cheese Dog & OC Fair Booth Photos:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/07/15/more-food-fun-at-the-orange-county-fair/

Today our family taped the Family Feud show and had a BLAST!  It was an all day event with Subway Sandwiches in between.  I don’t think we saw the “Green Room?!”  Although its defining factor isn’t that it’s green, the room we lunched in was all burgundy, otherwise we were in the studio taping shows the entire day.  I cannot report if we won, but will report the air date (when known) for you to find out.  A big thanks to the Family Feud Crew and John O’Hurley for a great time, oh and the Subway Sandwiches too.  Now we’re ready for Spam.  

How to be on Family Feud:
http://www.familyfeud.tv/beonshow.shtml

Subway DIRECT: http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/index.aspx

Spamalot Musical (John O’Hurley’s current show with a food and story angle):
http://montypythonsspamalot.com/LA2/?gclid=CNjeyMOn1JsCFRYiagodQylfLA

We love Seinfeld too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld

* Photo is of a previously enjoyed Subway Sandwich.

I mostly appreciated the Fresh Pineapple received in launch of Carl’s Jr.’s New Teriyaki Burger — That was fun.  The Teriyaki Burger is good too, because I usually choose a Hula Burger aka Hawaiian Burger aka Teriyaki Burger, that’s generally served with a Pineapple slice or two and a sweet Sauce.  Shown is the Six Dollar Teriyaki Burger on the house, but I subsequently purchased another with a regular Burger and think it’s better.  And the Pineapple actually has a grilled taste to it, which is nice.  I’ll take the Fifth regarding their commercials.  Aloha.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/04/01/we-liked-carls-new-kentucky-bourbon-burger/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2008/10/16/carls-jrs-so-called-600-burger-for-real/

Have you seen our Chili Cheese Fries Comparison post?  We just added these Chili Cheese Fries from SONIC Drive-In to the post.  The report is linked below.  ALSO, we still need an address from two SONIC Drive-In Gift Card Giveaway Winners.  Hurry and get back to us or we’ll need to draw two new winners on July 10th, 2009.  All prizes need a home.

Chili Cheese Fries Comparison Post:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2008/11/06/orange-county-chili-cheese-fries-comparison/

SONIC Drive-In Gift Card Giveaway:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/06/25/congratulations-sonic-drive-in-gift-card-winners/

This is a good Sandwich and the Bread is excellent for it.  We stopped in for a quick Italian Torpedo from Quiznos.  It’s only $4 — Love that.  And since I walk by a Quiznos a few times a week, I was bound to try one at some point.  It’s thinner than I thought it would be, which I liked.  And it’s made on very soft Ciabatta Bread, which makes a Toasty Torpedo tasty.  We highly recommend it.

First, thanks to ALL who entered.  I wish I could give each of you a $25 Gift Card to SONIC Drive-In.  It was my pleasure hosting this contest and I hope to present more great FOOD Giveaways in the future on Nibbles of Tidbits — Keep checking back.  Until then, this time the (10) lucky WINNERS are…

 
1.)  Katie D. (Reno, Nevada)
2.)  Shannon C. (Bondville, Illinois)
3.)  J (Bakersfield, California)
4.)  JC (Norwalk, California)
5.)  E-Dawg (Cypress, California)
6.)  Kristen (Gilbert, Arizona)
7.)  Erin DiCarolis (Melbourne, Florida)
8.)  Pam (Rancho Cucamunga, California)
9.)  Richard Halvorson (Graham, Washington)
10.) Andrea Bohn (San Clemente, California)

We’ll be contacting you to learn where to send your Gift Card.  It’s time to eat.  Thanks to all participants and sponsors.  It’s been fun.

Related Link: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/06/18/win-a-25-gift-card-to-sonic-drive-in/

Nibbles of Tidbits is giving away (10) $25 Gift Cards to SONIC Drive-In.  Have you ever been to one?  If you haven’t, we’re giving you a few reasons why you should — If you have (and many would say of course), we would like to give you a $25 Gift Card to enjoy your next meal there.  All can enter to win by simply leaving a comment on this post.  On June 25th, we will randomly draw (10) winners from all who commented.  For better odds, you may enter/comment once a day, but you can only win once.  GOOD LUCK!

SONIC Drive-In is now in South Orange County looking a little different after passing a few stepford regulations imposed by the City of Mission Viejo.  Although the exterior isn’t traditional, they’re serving the same food by carhops on roller skates.  I LOVE that about SONIC — It’s nostalgic and fun.

Although SONIC has been around for more than 50 years and has over 3,500 locations, I had yet to pass one during my travels, until its appearance in Mission Viejo just over two weeks ago.  This was my first visit.  You can consider the items below as potential prizes in the $25 on the 25th SONIC Gift Card Giveaway.

These days all fast food restaurants are working to serve healthy choices.  SONIC is serving a Grilled Chicken Sandwich on a Wheat Bun — It was one of the better ones I’ve tried.  We also appreciated the Fresh Apples with the Low Fat Caramel Dipping Sauce and a Banana as a Side option.  On their website is an itemized calorie meal builder, which can be helpful too.

A few of us gathered to try a lot of food and were happy to learn that Breakfast is served all day long.  The Texas Toast options are different — We chose the Bacon Cheeseburger Toaster, which comes with an Onion Ring.

And we had to get the Tots, since that’s one of the Sides they’re appreciated for.  The Tots were perfectly crispy, but we really liked the Onion Rings that are freshly battered each day.  They’re not frozen — That’s a good thing. 

We were completely stuffed after the Sausage Biscuit Dippers & Gravy, Frito Chili Cheese Pie Wrap, Turtle Pecan & Caramel Bundt Cake and famous Cherry Limeade (aka giant Shirley Temple).  In addition to what’s pictured here, there was more and we particularly loved the Banana Cream Pie Shake.  SONIC’s Drink options are crazy good.  How can you pick one?  We all left with three each, HA.  It appears many will drive for miles to eat at a SONIC.  One pictured below drove all the way from Connecticut.  Okay, she didn’t drive to California just for it, but she did pass many along the way.

Overall, I found SONIC Drive-In to be more than just a fast food restaurant.  It’s a fun experience.  You can sit on the patio or stay in your car parked in one of the Drive-In stalls, to be served by a skating carhop — Or just drive through.  They have a Happy Hour (2-4 PM), $1 Menu and more, but you’ll need to learn the rest from them.

FYI:  The SONIC Drive-In $25 Gift Card Giveaway closes at 11:59 PM (Pacific) on June 24th, 2009.  Enter a comment on this post NOW for a chance to win.  The lucky winners will be notified via e-mail on June 25th and we’ll mail out the Gift Cards the same day, or as soon as an address is provided.

Have you heard about Rubio’s New All American Taco?  It’s a Burger in a Taco.  I fell in love with the idea and Rubios’ photo of it.  My Taco wasn’t as pretty as the model, but it tasted good.  I especially like the Soft Flour Tortilla and Smokey Garlic Chipotle Mayo, but the Burger Meat on the Taco I had was pretty darn tough — That’s not good.  Overall, with a better Burger the All American Taco could be a home run.  And it’s worth trying again to see if the next one is less chewy.  I hope so.

I like the novelty of Del Taco’s Jalapeno Rings, but you can only eat so many.  A few of us ‘spicy food lovers’ recently tried this new menu item at Del Taco.  The consensus of 3 was that — They’re too hot and greasy.  As you may or may not know, some Jalapenos aren’t hot enough and others are way too hot, and you never know what you’re going to get.  Our taste included most of the hot ones, HA.  And we thought we were so tough.

As for the “Secret Sauce” they serve with the Jalapeno Rings, it’s best that it be kept a secret, since it’s basically just Mayonnaise — Yikes.  That’s what they told me.  Now we know why it’s called Secret Sauce.  And $1.99 is too high for this item — For $0.99, in conjunction with a Sauce change, we might include them in a future meal.

Quiznos Sammies are mini Sandwiches on Flat Bread.  There’s not much Meat nor anything else, but the Bread and Sauces make ’em pretty tasty.  I especially liked the Chipotle Mayo on the Sonoma Turkey (below) and Basil Pesto on the Italiano (above).

Quiznos currently offers 7 different Sammies at $1.99 each.  There are a couple others I’d like to try — Overall, Sammies seem like a girl’s (or kid’s) menu item.  I don’t see many guys being satisfied with these two for lunch.  And it’s a little embarrassing ordering a Sammie.

Quiznos DIRECT: http://www.quiznos.com/subsandwiches/

It’s our second visit for lunch at The Veggie Grill at The Irvine Spectrum.  This time we tried the Sweet Potato Fries served with Chipotle Ranch and loved both.  And the “Bali Bliss” which is Indonesian styled Tempeh that’s sauteed and grilled, then served on a Bun with Chipotle Ranch, a tasty Relish, Lettuce, Tomato and Onion — It’s best with a side of their yummy Pesto.  And “Steamin’ Kale” with a Ginger Miso Dressing and Roasted Sesame Seeds.  As previously reported on Nibbles of Tidbits, the service is friendly and the food is fresh.  There’s a couple interesting Burgers we’d still like to try.  Check back soon.

Last time we had the Baja Fiesta Salad and Bean Me Up Chili.  See Review HERE: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=4617

The Veggie Grill: http://www.veggiegrill.com/