I can hardly believe it’s Saturday, again! The week has flown by in a wink and It’s time to serve up the crème de la crème of the most recent take-out and take-along treats. The spotlight this week is on Burgers and Sandwiches, with dispatches from McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and Sonic…
See how some tasters responded to the ‘Impossible Whopper Taste Test…
Mr. Potato Head NOT retiring!
Hasbro pulled an ace April Fool’s Day prank, announcing that its iconic Mr. Potato Head toy was retiring after 67 years in the business, entertaining kids at home and starring as a member of the ensemble toy cast of a couple of Toy Story movies. Head first appeared in 1952 – a year before I did – as a set of shoes, hats, clothes and facial features you could attach to a real Potato (supplied by you). Sometime in the 70s or 80s, the original version was discontinued for child safety reasons; the features attached to the Potato via little spikes, like you see on a set of Corn Picks. A plastic Potato was henceforth included in the kit.
Now, Hasbro announced, Head was passing his torch to a younger, hipper successor: Mr. Avo Head (see pic at top of page). That’s right. A more up-scale, edgier, bearded Head that better reflected the lives and times of the millennials and those who come after them. But an Avocado? How’s a kid supposed to relate to a head covered in green, bumpy skin? Backlash from generations of Mr. Potato Head fans was swift and bitter. I, for one, am very glad Mr. Avo Head was just a poorly conceived April Fool’s joke…
Ben and Jerry’s Cookie Dough now available solo, as a Snack
Ben and Jerry’s knew they had something good when their Cookie Dough Ice Cream became a runaway best-seller. Now, they’re selling just the Dough, in bite-sized chinks, as a Snack. The bagged bites come in Vegan, Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter, and they’re formulated without Eggs so they’re safe to eat raw. I wonder if you could bake them up like regular Cookie Dough?
OREO releases Special GoT and Easter versions…
OREOs have been appearing in every conceivable colour and flavour over the past couple of years as the age-old favourite seeks to maintain its brand profile leadership in the Cookie space. This m onth they’re promoting limited time Game of Thrones OREOs, with GoT-imprinted Cookie wafers, and Easter OREOs that – and this is a first for them, in spite of all the playing around they’ve done with flavours ans colours – are oval-shaped, apparently to mimic the presence of Eggs. Get ’em while they’re here…
…Partners with Sonic on Ice Cream Sandwiches
Sonic is offering a dreamy Ice Cream Sandwich for Spring: Two oversized, 3 in. / 7.5 cm stuffed with Sonic’s own Chocolate Chip Soft Serve. You can also get this dairy delight with what Sonic calls ‘Bakery-quality’ Chocolate Chip Cookies. It’ll be available through September 2 of this year.
Taco Bell testing Plant-based Protein Substitutes
Taco Bell stores in the Dallas, TX, area are test-marketing Vegetarian Quesaritos and CrunchWrap Supremes, part of a promo to spotlight their Vegetarian menu. It already features a 7-Layer Burrito. And don’t forget that the Bell already lets you substitute Black or Refried Beans for any Meat ingredient in any regular menu item. The folks at the Bell’s test Kitchen say they’re already looking at other possible additions to their Vegetarian/Vegan menu, including plant-based versions of meat, cheese and eggs
Burger King introduces ‘Stacker’ King…
Youi’re no doubt familiar with Burger King’s Stackers: A regular Burger upon which you can order extra Patties Now you can get your Whopper with 1, 2 or 3 big Patties – clocking in at 700, 1050 and 1370 Calories respectively. If you’re only going to have one real ‘meal’ today, fine. Get the Tripple Stacker. But just remember: your total daily Calorie allowance is 2,000. Choose your additional snacks carefully…
…Tests ‘Impossible Whopper’ in St. Louis
Burger King is testing a new vegan Whopper at 56 St. Louis, MO, locations this month. The Impossible Burger folks were the first to actually put a plant-based Burger substitute on the market a couple of years ago. Since then, other have followed them, creating both plant-based and lab-grown ‘Meat’ products. The Impossible Whopper has already passed preliminary taste tests with flying colours and the chain is eager to hear what its fans think. The Burger Patty itself is Vegan, but the sandwich is not, since Real Mayo (incorporating Eggs) is part of what Sandwich aficionados are now calling ‘the build’.
McDonald’s expands Quarter Pounder Family
McD’s is launching a new Quarter Pounder Deluxe, a younger sibling for the well-established regular Quarter Pounder and the Quarter Pounder with Cheese. The Deluxe features: A 1/4 lb. / 114 g fresh Beef Patty, two slices of American (Process) Cheese, slivered Onion, Pickles, Leaf Lettuce, Tomato, Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo, all stuffed in to the good old, familiar Sesame Seed Bun. Not to be outshone, The Quarter Cheese gets a little sister as well. The Quarter Pounder with Cheese Bacon does just what it sounds like: adds Bacon the the original Quarter Cheese. Unlike so many new Sandwiches that appear these days, these new Quarter Pounders are permanent additions to the regular McD’s menu.
And that’s the skinny…
…On what’s going to make some of us (not me, I hope!) fatter over the coming weeks. See you back here in seven for another edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.