Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Have you tried Wendy’s new Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger?  Since I like a good Pretzel Bun (especially the Ham on Pretzel Sandwich at the Corner Bakery Cafe, but I digress), this Burger caught my attention — It’s available at Wendy’s for a limited time, thus we gave it a try.

It was nice to see the Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger look (almost) as good as its photo, unlike many newly advertised fast food items — Generally, actual items are not as neat, large or pretty as their advertised photo.  At the restaurant, food is made and served fast for the customer, but slow and meticulous for the photo shoot that ulitmately helps sell it.  I get it.

No bait and switch here — It’s a good Burger.  I like the Applewood Smoked Bacon and Baby Greens on it.  The Pretzel Bun isn’t bad, but comparably should have more flavor and perhaps be a little thinner.  Two of us think the Pretzel Bun is a bit dense and filling compared to others we’ve had.  We may have it again, but don’t need to.  Visit Wendy’s to learn more about it.

You can’t see the Sofritas under the tasty selection of toppings on my Chipotle Salad, and don’t be afraid when you do — Chipotle’s Sofritas are made with shredded Tofu that’s braised with Chipotle Chilis, roasted Poblanos and aromatic Spices.  Its spiciness makes it desirable.

Sofritas is an option for vegans or anyone who likes its flavor — We eat it all.

It looks like this (below) and probably better in person. 😉

Chipotle Mexican Grill always seems to be busy, but the line usually moves along quickly.

You have to slow the employees down to get exactly what you want, but it’s okay, I guess.

They’re making a Burrito for another and a Burrito Bowl and Crispy Tacos with Sofritas for us.

Guacamole costs extra — I’m going to want a BIG scoop, thank you.

I love Chipotle’s delicate, crispy Taco Shells, but one must eat ’em fast for optimum crunch.

At times I could imagine I was eating Ground Beef Tacos instead of Tofu ones.

Though Sofritas is good, there’s a Barbacoa mountain to climb — I LOVE it, as evidenced here.

Chipotle’s MENU has something for all — It’s easy to have a good meal there.

Did you see our post regarding Miguel’s Jr. Homestyle Mexican Food Restaurant?  We recently discovered it and decidedly liked it after one meal — Now after a few more (Wet Bean & Cheese Burrito and Taco Salad with Shredded Chicken), it’s serious.  We’re in heavy like.

As previously noted we REALLY like Miguel’s Jr.’s Beans and now appreciate their massive Burritos and homestyle flavor of their Shredded Chicken — All is well prepared and well priced.

Miguel’s Jr. Homestyle Mexican Food — It’s on 17th Street, near Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa.  A Taco Bell once occupied the space.  It’s Miguel’s Jr.’s first fast-food-type restaurant in Orange County, and after a quick bite I’m already glad it’s here and want to taste more.

One of Miguel’s Jr.’s listed core values is to ‘Deliver a positive experience that exceeds expectations’ — I didn’t know that walking in, but now see it’s true.  Everyone seemed genuinely friendly, and the Beans on the pictured Tostada with Shredded Chicken were extra good.  I’ll need a Bean & Cheese Burrito there real soon.  Miguel’s Jr.’s prices aren’t bad either.

We Wake And Bake Every Morning — Hhhmmmm, sounds a bit suspicious.  Pushing the envelope again I see, wink wink.  It’s sex, drugs and rock and roll in advertising.  How about some rock and roll, without a cow?  Okay, for now a FREE Biscuit will do.  Thanks Carl’s.

Line up Wednesday morning, November 16th for a FREE Hardee’s Made From Scratch Sausage Biscuit at Carl’s Jr.  During breakfast hours, walk into a Carl’s Jr. and ask for YOUR Biscuit.  No purchase necessary — Eat in or walk out, it’s all yours.  So, how many Carl’s can you hit in the morning?  Puddy says just ask the 8-Ball. 😉

First, thanks for the opportunity to try your stuff Carl’s Jr.  I liked Carl Karcher and I’m happy to see that you’re still serving after 70 years.  It’s quite an accomplishment — Congratulations.

I also want to compliment Carl’s on its creative marketing packages, especially the latest one received for the Steakhouse Burger, since it doesn’t include a girl in a bathing suit eating a messy Burger — How refreshing.  Does it mean they now want chicks to enjoy their Burgers too?  Sex sells, I know, blah, blah, blah.  Anyway, love the addition of A-1 Steak Sauce and Crispy Onion Strings on the Steakhouse Burger, as it reminds me of the Fancy Smancy Steakhouse Burger I created for Hof’s 60th Anniversary.  A happy coincidence.

And though I’m not a Turkey Burger fan, Carl’s Turkey Burger isn’t bad.

Another coupon redeemed with a tasting crew on hand to try Carl’s Jr.’s new food items.

And thumbs up go to the Hand Breaded Chicken Tender Wrappers, our favorite of Carl’s Jr.’s newest menu items.  Continued research and development will always be appreciated.

The 3-Piece Hand Breaded Chicken Tenders are pictured below.

Hope I didn’t bite the hand that sometimes feeds me, but will always tell it like it is.

I’m not sure how to accomplish it or what will pass for looking like one, but if YOU dress up like a cow and go into a Chick-fil-A restaurant this Friday, July 9th, you’ll GET A FREE MEAL.  We’re still contemplating the idea.  Below is Chick-fil-A’s Press Release regarding this crazy annual event — They’re celebrating Cow Appreciation Day!

Chick-fil-A is issuing a cattle call! On Friday, July 9, Chick-fil-A® restaurants nationwide will celebrate the company’s annual Cow Appreciation Day event by offering a FREE meal to any customer who visits one of the chain’s mall or stand-alone restaurants fully dressed as a cow.

Customers dressed “head to hoof” in cow attire will be rewarded with a free Chick-fil-A Meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner), which includes an entrée of choice, a side item and a Dr Pepper® (or other beverage choice). For those “too chicken” to wear full cow costumes, Chick-fil-A will award a complimentary entrée to customers partially dressed in cow attire, such as a cow-spotted scarf, purse, hat or other accessory.

Chick-fil-A has launched a special website dedicated to the occasion, http://www.cowappreciationday.com/. In addition to providing further details about the event, the site offers cow costume ideas and tips, as well as downloadable cow spots, masks and other bovine-themed accessories for customers to use to create their costumes. For the first time, the Chick-fil-A “Eat Mor Chikin®” Cows will embrace social media by tweeting, checking in on Foursquare and providing Facebook updates throughout the day from their profile pages.

Two online photo contests are also part of the festivities. A photo contest for adults is hosted on the Chick-fil-A Facebook page. A second photo contest for kids 10 and under called Show Us the Cow is available at http://www.showusthecow.com/. Both contests will award free Chick-fil-A products for a year to the best cow-dressed customers, and children will also have the opportunity to win a $1,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond and a digital camera through the “Show Us the Cow” photo contest.

Now in its sixth year, Chick-fil-A’s Cow Appreciation Day continues to build momentum. Last year’s event – and the resulting turnout – confirmed that Chick-­fil-A has a strong following of customers willing to go to great lengths to show their appreciation for cows. More than 300,000 cow-clad customers stampeded Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country. Costumes ranged from simple cow-spotted t-shirts to full cow suits complete with furry ears, cow bells and homemade sandwich boards with personalized renditions of the “Eat Mor Chikin®” Cows’ quirky messages.

“Cow Appreciation Day continues to be one of our best indicators of the great passion our customers have for our brand,” said Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A’s senior vice president of marketing. “It takes a loyal fan to dress like a cow for a free meal and, based on the stories we hear from our restaurant Operators around the country, we have quite a large – and growing – base of Chick-fil-A fans. Cow Appreciation Day is our way of thanking them for their loyalty, not to mention a day simply to have fun!”

The additional excitement around Cow Appreciation Day each year offers further proof that the passion for Chick-fil-A’s beloved bovines is stronger than ever. For the past 15 years, the renegade “Eat Mor Chikin” Cows have entertained consumers with their desperate, self-preserving antics in an effort to convert beef eaters into chicken fans. The Chick-fil-A Cows and the “Eat Mor Chikin” campaign have enjoyed such widespread public success that the chain has evolved the campaign into a fully integrated marketing program. In addition to clever roadside billboards, the “Eat Mor Chikin” Cows are the focal point of Chick-fil-A’s in-store point-of-purchase materials, promotions, radio and TV advertising, and clothing and merchandise sales.

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.

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.

I finally tried one of Carl’s Jr.’s Six Dollar Burgers – The Guacamole Bacon Burger, which sells for about $5.00.  I’m not impressed.  It tastes more like a $3.00 Burger, and frankly I like their less expensive Burgers better.  It certainly doesn’t taste like a restaurant Burger, but more like a fast food Burger, which it is.  Don’t be fooled by their advertising.  It’s priced too high and doesn’t deliver what it boasts.  This Burger is smaller and less attractive than the one currently featured on Carl’s Jr.’s website.  If you haven’t tried it yet, be warned, it’s not worth the money and isn’t what it claims to be.

Related Link:

http://www.carlsjr.com/

Here’s a good looking Burger in real life – http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=270