REVIEW: Taco Bell Loaded Nacho Taco

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Taco Bell Loaded Nacho Taco 1

What is the Taco Bell Loaded Nacho Taco?

The Bell continues its recent trend of Loading up just about every item on its menu, now delicately doctoring up its tacos with the tight and tangy addition of seasoned red chips and nacho cheese along with seasoned beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese in a warm flour tortilla. It’s as good as it sounds.

How is it?

In a word, majestuoso. Taco Bell really makes the hungry diner feel like nacho cheese sauce has always been the one element missing from most tacos in existence, especially those of a faux-Mexican descent.

Taco Bell Loaded Nacho Taco

On the Loaded Nacho Taco, the seasoned red chips are fine to be sure, but it’s the comforting amount of gooey nacho cheese that makes this taco variation a definite must-try. A deliciously necessary coating for the rapturous seasoned beef — a mixture T.B. always does right — with its soft flour tortillas completely sealing this culinary deal.

Taco Bell Spicy Loaded Nacho Taco

Even better is the mouth-warming Spicy Loaded Nacho Taco, which is basically like the original version with the welcomed bonus of fiery jalapenos to turn the heat up. Mine was practically overloaded with the hellish green discs.

Is there anything else you need to know?

The best thing about these? They’re dollar menu items, allowing even someone with merely a handful of pocket change to enjoy one or, someone with even more cash on hand, to enjoy both of them, possibly even more.

Conclusion:

True to form, Taco Bell’s dollar menu delights continue to amaze with the amount of food and flavor it can pack into a buck’s worth of grub; this duo of Loaded Nacho Tacos are absolutely no exception. They’re, of course, a limited time offer, so you better get them while the getting’s good, hombre.

Purchased Price: $1.00 each
?Size: N/A
?Rating: 8 out of 10 (Loaded Nacho Taco)
Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spicy Loaded Nacho Taco)
?Nutrition Facts: Loaded Nacho Taco – 280 calories, 14 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 670 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of protein. Spicy Loaded Nacho Taco – 290 calories, 14 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 800 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dairy Queen Brownie Dough Blizzard

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Dairy Queen Brownie Dough Blizzard

What is the Brownie Dough Blizzard?

One of Dairy Queen’s new summer Blizzard treats. Refusing to be categorized as cookie dough or brownie batter, brownie dough is, as far as I can tell, basically a chewy brownie ball of no special significance. Dairy Queen is serving them blended with soft serve, choco chunks, and cocoa fudge to complete the chocolate trinity.

How is it?

Two words: Wonderfully chocolatey.

Also, chewy and crunchy.

Dairy Queen Brownie Dough Blizzard Spoonful

To be sure, there’s no difference in the Blizzard’s flavor or composition from Dairy Queen’s Choco Brownie Extreme Blizzard Treat, which, instead of “brownie dough,” uses “chewy brownie pieces.” The dough balls in mine were chewy and modestly fudgy, punctuated by bursts of crunchy and sweet chocolate thanks to a plentiful supply of choco chunks. Unfortunately, there were no extra-chewy end pieces. But there was ice cream, which, blended with fudge, made a classic chocolate and vanilla twist base.

Is there anything else you should know?

Dairy Queen Brownie Dough Blizzard Brownie Chunk

If you’re the kind of person who cannot refrain from leaving a comment about how these dough balls are in no way, shape, or form as good as the brownies you made after watching Alton Brown’s 2002 Good Eats episode “Art of Darkness II,” I’m going to preempt you and tell you that you’re right. But they’re still pretty okay.

Conclusion:

Semantics aside, if you like brownies, which most human beings do, you should like this Blizzard. It’s a good mixture of crunchy and chewy chocolate textures swimming in an ocean of creamy soft serve — in other words, the perfect summer treat.

Purchased Price: $2.89
Size: Mini
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Mini) 400 calories, 17 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 57 grams of carbohydrates, 2 gram of dietary fiber, 46 grams of sugar, and 8 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins Affogato

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Dunkin and Baskin Robbins Affogato Sign

What is the Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins Affogato?

An affogato is a classic Italian dessert featuring gelato “drowned” (direct translation of the word) by warm espresso. In this version, it’s naturally Dunkin’s espresso poured over Baskin-Robbin’s ice cream.

How is it?

Better than expected!

This combination isn’t new to me, but Dunkin’ isn’t really a place where I would think to order this because it sounds fancy and frou frou. But, if you haven’t tried one yet, it basically tastes like a coffee milkshake (if ordered with vanilla like I did).

Dunkin and Baskin Robbins Affogato Brains

However, because ice cream is less dense than gelato, the pour-over created a weird looking texture that I can only describe as brain-like. Appetizing, I know.

Also, the vanilla ice cream was a bit too icy for my liking. Baskin-Robbins used to the gold standard for me as a kid! Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Is there anything else you need to know?

Dunkin and Baskin Robbins Affogato Bite

You can get any one of the 31 flavors as the base for your affogato! The gal working mentioned that she tried it with the Jamoca Almond Fudge and didn’t love it because it just tasted like a “less sweet version.” So, it’s probably better to stick with a more plain flavor.

Conclusion:

I would order this again! I think this new offering makes the combo stores a bit more exciting for me. I like less-sweet flavor profiles, so next time I’ll get it with a chocolate ice cream for a mocha version!

Purchased Price: $3.49
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: Not available.

REVIEW: Dairy Queen Oreo Cookie Jar Blizzard

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Dairy Queen Oreo Cookie Jar Blizzard

What is the Oreo Cookie Jar Blizzard?

Dairy Queen’s Blizzard of the Month for April brings together three veterans of the Blizzard universe — Oreo cookie pieces, chocolate chip cookie dough, and fudge — which of course is all blended with vanilla soft serve.

How is it?

It’s not life-altering, but this one ranks solidly in the upper echelon of tasty Blizzard combinations. I’ve never met an Oreo-infused Blizzard that I didn’t like, and the one-two punch of that classic chocolate cookie crunch and fudge is always good, and then the cookie dough adds another level to the experience.

Dairy Queen Oreo Cookie Jar Blizzard Swimming

This has a complex and satisfying flavor combo, especially considering it has only three things mixed in. Plus, the blending of textures here is a bit unique in that is has the crunch of the Oreo wafers and the soft chewiness of the dough. A good number of other Blizzards have just one consistency — be it crunchy, gooey, or chewy — so having two together is a nice change of pace. The cookie dough also prevents this one from hitting the point where there’s too much chocolate, even though that’s a difficult threshold to achieve.

Dairy Queen Oreo Cookie Jar Blizzard Spoonful

It’s not the most creative concoction, but props to DQ for not over-hyping the name like they sometimes do by adding “extreme,” “ultimate,” “awesome,” or “blizztastic.” (OK, so it never used that last one, but I wanted to get that term out there so if it ever does, then I can file a frivolous lawsuit for theft of intellectual property.)

Is there anything else you need to know?

This Blizzard might be the record-breaker for the longest gap between the original introduction and re-introduction. According to TIB’s handy dandy Blizzards of the Month chronology, this one was first unveiled back in September 2009 and has since been in hibernation. Nearly a decade later, it’s back. Why now? I have no idea. Maybe because it debuted before Instagram, so the Blizzard wizards at DQ simply forgot they’d already done this flavor.

Conclusion:

If I were a teacher and my job was to grade Blizzards, then I would never take a vacation or even complain about the low pay. And I would give this one a high B or low A, depending on what other Blizzards were in my class and if I was using the flawed bell curve system.

Will I be sad when April is over and the Oreo Cookie Jar Blizzard is gone? Yeah, somewhat, but I’m sure the Blizzard of the Month for May will cheer me up, especially if by some miracle DQ brings back the Nerds Blizzard (Google it, and I dare you not to run out and make it yourself after reading about it).

Purchased Price: $3.89
Size: Small
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Small) 710 calories, 27 grams of fat, 14 grams of saturated fat,
0.5 gram of trans fat, 45 milligrams of cholesterol, 430 milligrams of sodium, 106 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 75 grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Chocolate Cherry Cold Brew

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Dunkin Chocolate Cherry Cold Brew

What is the Dunkin’ Chocolate Cherry Cold Brew?

It’s Dunkin’s ultra-smooth, full-bodied cold brew coffee with chocolate and cherry-flavored syrup. It’s available for a limited time.

How is it?

Dunkin Chocolate Cherry Cold Brew Top

Its cherry flavor reminds me of what’s in flavored colas. As someone who adores cherry colas, I find the artificial fruitiness to be pleasant. But the cherry is totally chocblocking the chocolate flavor. Sometimes it’s there, but faint, and other times I can’t taste it. Whatever flavor there is, it doesn’t overwhelm the cold brew coffee, and it’s not overly sweet. Even though I’m disappointed it’s cherry-heavy, I still enjoyed drinking it.

Is there anything else you need to know?

Dunkin Chocolate Cherry Cold Brew at 715 PM

I drank this a little after 7:15 p.m. and a small Dunkin’ Cold Brew has 174 milligrams of caffeine. So I guess I’ll be watching The Late Show, then the Late Late Show, then whatever infomercials that follow them, and then the morning news.

At home, I added a splash of sweet cream-flavored creamer, which enhanced the fruitiness and stomped out whatever chocolate flavor there was.

Throughout April, Dunkin’ customers can get this flavor, or any Cold Brew flavor, as part of a special offer of any medium-sized Cold Brew for only $2 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Conclusion:

Dunkin’s Chocolate Cherry Cold Brew is a decent tasting beverage, but I do wish the chocolate stood out more. It’s definitely worth a try if you can get it for just $2.

Purchased Price: $3.49
Size: Small
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Small w/o cream) 70 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 16 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

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