REVIEW: Pizza Hut The Edge Pizza (2021)

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PIzza Hut The Edge Pizza Box

I was, admittedly, a late bloomer when it comes to Pizza Hut. Between a VERY Italian father and great local pizza joints, Pizza Hut was reserved for classroom parties and that one friend’s house that had a thick layer of dust in their kitchen from non-use.

I liked it fine, but it was just never part of my childhood. As an adult, it’s become a fairly common staple of my diet. Between the ease of getting it and some late in life rebellion against my Dad, it has become a once a month meal for me. While I usually stay within my same order, the large banner advertising the return of The Edge Crustless Pizza caught my attention.

The Edge isn’t a new item but a rerelease of a product that debuted in 1997. Described as a “tavern style, cracker thin crust pizza,” it sees the toppings go all the way to the edge (get it, like the name?), making each slice 100% covered in toppings. It’s cut into squares, aka “party cut,” giving you 16 pieces. The tavern style was actually created in Chicago, which was news to me as I only thought of the deep dish style as the only popular pizza from Chicago.

PIzza Hut The Edge Pizza Whole

When you order, you are given an option of four recipes: Ultimate, Carnivore, Vegetarian, or Pepperoni Lover’s. For what it’s worth, it appears like you can change the toppings once you select one of the recipes, but for the sake of trying it as it’s presented, I went with the Ultimate. The Ultimate includes pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, and Roma tomatoes.

The first thing I noticed was the branding of The Edge on the box. Upon opening it, the consistently comforting smell of Pizza Hut pizza filled the room. However, looking at it, I noticed an issue immediately: the lack of sausage. After debating if I should get it fixed, I decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. There were more than enough toppings to judge it fairly, and (after trying it) I can say the sausage most likely wouldn’t have moved the needle much in either direction.

PIzza Hut The Edge Pizza Thinness

PIzza Hut The Edge Pizza Seasoning

Even though I knew it would be a thin crust, it was still shockingly thin. Despite its thinness, it stood up very well. There was a good balance of the sauce, cheese, and toppings that worked with the crust making each bite balanced in flavor and crispiness. The box bragged of a “garlic & herb seasoning” sprinkled on top, but was inconsistently present.

PIzza Hut The Edge Pizza Pieces Image

Beyond the missing sausage, my only other criticism was the pieces themselves. Technically, it is 16 pieces, but it’s more like “12 normal size pieces and four random bits.” Oh, and because it’s thinner, I could easily polish off a whole one which is incredibly dangerous.

Overall, it’s a nice change of pace, but nothing I’d make a regular order. It dawned on me how this will be a nice summer pizza. It’s light, so you don’t feel heavy after eating half of it, but it satisfies that pizza craving. The Edge is only around for a limited time, so I’d try it sooner than later.

Purchased Price: $12.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 “slice”) 180 calories, 10 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 680 milligrams of sodium, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Little Caesars Pepperoni & Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

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Little Caesars Pepperoni Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza Whole

According to a 2015 University of Michigan study, pizza is the most addictive food in the United States. Sitting proudly atop of chocolate, potato chips, cookies, ice cream, and cheeseburgers, the study of more than 500 people’s eating habits officially handed the craving crown to pizza’s undeniable combination of sweet sauce, fatty cheese, and fluffy (or crispy) crust.

And you know what?

I can’t argue that point. I’m not sure there’s been a single time in my life when I thought to myself, “Yeah… I’ve had enough pizza,” unless my stomach was on the verge of bursting. I have never grown tired of pizza’s immaculate flavor trifecta, and if it wouldn’t kill me, I’d eat it every day.

So, in 2021, how can it be made even more addictive? Stuff that crust. And not just with cheese, that’s so Pizza Hut circa 1995. Stuff it with more salty, fatty, and crave-able stuff, like pepperoni. Cue the applause for Little Caesars, who has graced us with its latest innovation, a large ExtraMostBestest pepperoni pizza with pepperoni and cheese stuffed in a parmesan and butter-flavored crust.

For those unfamiliar with LC’s lingo, an ExtraMostBestest takes its standard $5.99 pepperoni pizza and adds extra cheese and “the most” pepperoni for only $1 more. The new limited-time double stuffed offering ups the price to $10 but promises nine feet of pepperoni and three feet of cheese in the bread. Spoiler alert: it’s worth every extra (most bestest) penny.

Little Caesars Pepperoni Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza Closeup

The pizza is adorned with a noticeably admirable amount of pepperoni, and when taking my first bite, I’m immediately reminded of why pizza is the #1 most addictive food; I never want to stop. The topping has a slight curl and nice crunch that erupts with salty bliss made much more intense by the generous sprinkling of green seasoning on the top that amplifies every bite to 11. The seasoning is a combination of oregano, basil, and salt, and I’m sure it’s the same spice blend that comes with its Italian Cheese Bread; it’s delicious.

The cheese is also as advertised: lots of melty mozzarella sitting atop an acidic and slightly sweet layer of sauce that plays third fiddle to the two prominent salty, fatty toppings.

Little Caesars Pepperoni Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza Stuffed

So how’s that groundbreaking new crust? It’s wonderful, with pretty flawless ratios of bread to cheese and little rolled pepperoni slices in every bite. It’s an impressive technique, but for how delicious it is, it’s hard to really taste the pepperoni with the amount of cheese and parmesan butter flavoring added to the crust.

I love every bite but not really getting any meaty or spicy notes because the salt is overwhelming my tongue. I wish I had a little marinara dip cup for the crust because at this point, with pepp and cheese inside, it’s the only thing missing, and I could use some sweet relief from the oncoming sodium overdose.

Little Caesars Pepperoni Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza Slice

The pepperoni in the crust may not have popped as hard as I would like, but that was really only because the flavor throughout the whole pie was so strong that it never took its foot off of the salty flavor accelerator. For ten bucks, you can’t go wrong. Just consider adding a side of their Crazy Sauce to inject some extra life into the crust.

Purchased Price: $10.00
Size: Large Pizza (14 inch)
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 slice) 417 calories, 23 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, less than 1 gram of trans fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol, 1,093 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, 19 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Kellogg’s Mashups Frosted Flakes + Apple Jack Cereal

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Kellogg s Mashups Frosted Flakes + Apple Jack Cereal Box

Last year, Kellogg’s released its first Mashups cereal: Frosted Flakes + Froot Loops. Now, it’s revisiting the concept with Kellogg’s Mashups: Frosted Flakes + Apple Jacks. I did not try the original Mashups, but as a child, I was an expert at mixing random cereals together. As such, I feel qualified to take on this new Mashups rendition.

Throughout my life, I have had ample amounts of both Apple Jacks and Frosted Flakes, so I established solid expectations for what this Mashup would be like. Upon opening the box, I was pleased to see that both cereals seemed to be equally represented. I was able to discern the saccharine aroma of the Frosted Flakes mixing with a hint of cinnamon from the Apple Jacks.

Kellogg s Mashups Frosted Flakes + Apple Jack Cereal Dry

I tried the cereal dry first and it tasted exactly as I expected. It had more flavor than solo Frosted Flakes and more sweetness than Apple Jacks eaten on their own. It tasted pleasant enough, but felt rather anticlimactic.

Kellogg s Mashups Frosted Flakes + Apple Jack Cereal Milk

After adding milk, the flavors blended into a more cohesive presentation. The cinnamon from the Apple Jacks seemed to make the Frosted Flakes taste more complex. The sugar from the Frosted Flakes quickly incorporated into the milk, making every bite a little sweeter than the last. If you have tried both cereals, you can accurately deduce what this tastes like.

The textures of both work well together, at first. The bites seem crunchier than they would be when they are eaten alone. It is a satisfying experience, but it does not last long.

Kellogg s Mashups Frosted Flakes + Apple Jack Cereal Spoon

Unfortunately, Frosted Flakes degrade in milk faster than Apple Jacks. After only a minute or so, the loops remained relatively crunchy, but the flakes were already beginning to turn to mush. Since the Apple Jacks retain crunchiness, this Mashup is texturally pleasant for longer than a bowl of Frosted Flakes à la carte. Conversely, it becomes unpleasant more quickly than a bowl of plain Apple Jacks. Eating this in multiple small portions is highly recommended.

This is not a revolutionary cereal, but it is enjoyable enough to eat. I can certainly see children getting a kick out of it. Personally, I would like to see Kellogg’s try a slightly more daring combination for the next version of Mashups. That could be more fun for everyone.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product sample. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 9.8 oz box
Purchased at: Received from Kellogg’s
Rating: 7 out of 10
?Nutrition Facts: (1 1/4 cup) 160 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 220 milligrams of sodium, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 14 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Tropical Mango Pop-Tarts

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Tropical Mango Pop Tarts Box

What are Tropical Mango Pop-Tarts?

Forget the taste of charred hot dogs on a sweltering July evening, the feel of ice cold watermelon juice dripping down your chin as you stand on a gently swaying boat dock at the lake, or almost choking to death by the pool because you’re eating your Doritos too fast and your cousin shoots you in the face with his Super Soaker, the REAL taste of summer is the new summer line from Pop-Tarts. Joining Tropical Mango are Creme Pies of the banana and lemon variety, as well as Peach Cobbler.

How are they?

A little lackluster.

Tropical Mango Pop Tarts Crust

As you can see in the pictures, the jacket icing is nothing more than a drizzle. While most Pop-Tarts are fully iced, and a handful are naked, only a couple are adorned with a thin doodle like this Tropical Mango version. I can’t help but think these Tarts — which are very mildly flavored to begin with — would be better fully covered.

Tropical Mango Pop Tarts Filling

The filling itself is extremely, almost jarringly sweet, but it does bear a distinct mango flavor. Unfortunately, it’s just barely noticeable.

Anything else you need to know?

Of the four new flavors, mango is the only one with the Spanish word for new — “Nuevo” — on the box. That’s fine and all, but as we are all well aware, India actually produces and consumes more mangoes than any other nation on Earth. Therefore, I’m petitioning Kellogg’s to add “naveen va” — which is Hindi for new — to the other side of the box.

Conclusion:

Though mangoes are a perfectly delightful fruit, they don’t translate well into the realm of toasted pastries. I’d be surprised if these become anyone’s favorite. Or stick around. Even in India, where folklore says that mango trees can grant wishes. (I’m serious, they love their mangoes.)

Purchased Price: $2.29
Size: 13.5 oz box (8 count)

Purchased at: Sun Fresh
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 pastries) 380 calories, 11 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 400 milligrams of sodium, 68 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 23 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Limited Edition Team Cheerios Cereal (2021)

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Limited Edition Team Cheerios Cereal Box

What is Team Cheerios Cereal?

Three preexisting flavors of Cheerios have joined into one team: strawberry, frosted, and blueberry.

How is it?

Limited Edition Team Cheerios Cereal Dry

I could tell from the box that these wouldn’t truly be red, white, and blue, especially since there’s no artificial food coloring. But I didn’t expect them to be positively pallid. Oh well. It’s the flavor that matters, right? I’m glad these aren’t just plain Cheerios with food coloring.

I tasted each individual flavor dry. Frosted is just sweet. Strawberry is generically fruity, like Trix or Fruity Cheerios. Blueberry actually uses blueberry puree, so it has the most authentic flavor. All three have that satisfying oatiness to them.

Limited Edition Team Cheerios Cereal Milk

When I put them all together in milk, blueberry is the dominant flavor. There is some hint of the strawberry, but the frosted is just along for the ride. What little color they had washes off in milk, leaving a purplish liquid.

I was surprised at how much I liked this cereal. I don’t always love blueberry things, but the flavor here is authentic without being overpowering. But I haven’t had plain blueberry Cheerios, so I don’t know how this mixture compares.

Anything else you need to know?

According to our friends at Cerealously, there was a previous version of Team Cheerios back during the 1996 Olympics, but that was just regular, multigrain, and frosted Cheerios. I gotta say, in 2021, we tend to have more creative flavors.

Conclusion:

Limited Edition Team Cheerios Cereal In Milk

This Team Cheerios Cereal doesn’t deserve a gold medal, but it deserves a silver or bronze. I just hope we don’t have to wait until the 2024 Olympics for this to come back.

Purchased Price: $3.50
Size: 18.5 oz. box
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup) 140 calories, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 0.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of dietary fiber, less than 1 gram of soluble fiber, 11 grams of sugar including 11 grams of added sugars, and 3 grams of protein.

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