REVIEW: Burger King Big King XL

Burger King Big King XL

What is the Burger King Big King XL?

Well, as the name implies, the newfangled BIG King XL from Burger King is pretty much a jumbo-sized variation of its Big King burger — which, itself, is basically Burger King’s rebuttal to the Big Mac.

For the uninitiated, we’re talking more than 1/2 lb. of flame-grilled 100 percent beef, a double serving of gooey American cheese, a smattering of sliced onions, a crown of lettuce, a deluge of pickles, and a heaping helping of the proprietary Stacker sauce underneath the topmost sesame seed bun.

How is it?

In a word? Heavy. Literally, metaphorically, figuratively and phonetically. I’m not quite sure how much the sandwich weighs, but this thing has to be at least a solid pound with all the accoutrements included. Indeed, it’s so big that it might prove a challenge to eaters with smaller mouths, so keep that in mind before you shell out the moolah for this one.

Burger King Big King XL Top

As for the overall taste and texture, it’s pretty much exactly what’s advertised — a humongous, sumo-wrestler-sized version of the tried and true Big Mac imitator, which is definitely more than enough to fill up just about anybody who doesn’t have the metabolism of a hummingbird.

Burger King Big King XL Patties and Toppings

Burger King Big King XL Lettuce

Is there anything else I need to know?

I thoroughly enjoyed the Big King XL, even though as a limited-time-only offering it’s rather staid. Personally, I would’ve enjoyed having some bacon in there, or it would’ve been cool to see the King give the plus-sized burger a more unique hook — perhaps one of the more esoteric toppings, like jalapeno rings or mushrooms, or even an all-new sauce. But as is it’s still a perfectly fine, flavorful and filling hamburger that ought to satiate anybody with a craving for high-calorie mega-fast-food.

Conclusion:

You know exactly what you’re getting into with the Big King XL, and that’s mostly a good thing. There’s no denying it’s a tasty burger, and if you’re on the prowl for a fast food offering that will stick to your ribs, look no further.

Purchased Price: $5.29
Size: XL… what else?
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 980 calories, 63 grams of fat, 27 grams of saturated fat, 3.5 gram of trans fat, 215 milligrams of cholesterol, 1660 milligrams of sodium, 51 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, and 56 grams of protein..

REVIEW: Oreo Drink Mix

Oreo Drink Mix

What is the Oreo Drink Mix?

Oreo Drink Mix is a chocolate flavored powdered mix with Oreo “crumbs” that can be added to your favorite milky beverage.

How is it?

Oreo Drink Mix 2

As a new addition in the mixable drink category, it turns out that Oreo Drink Mix creates a delightful beverage that can be enjoyed as a quick snack or even as breakfast.

The instructions suggest adding the mix to “lowfat Vit A & D milk or your favorite dairy alternative.” As a vegan, I chose unsweetened almond milk as my base and I was glad to see that Oreo Drink Mix is also dairy-free.

Oreo Drink Mix 4

The mix complemented the almond milk without being too sweet. The chocolate taste was a delicate cocoa flavor with a hint of vanilla cream. Though I stirred vigorously, the Oreo bits quickly rose back to the top of my glass. They provided a minimal amount of texture while intensifying the cocoa taste.

Oreo Drink Mix 5

As time passed, the bits dissolved and the milk was more chocolatey, truly reminiscent of how a glass of milk tastes after being dunked with a dozen Oreo cookies. However, unlike eating and dunking a bunch of the classic cookies to get this same taste, when mixed with almond milk, this Oreo creation was a relatively healthy 100-calorie snack.

The next morning, I decided to try the mix in my usual morning smoothie. I added two tablespoons of the mix to a cup of almond milk, along with one tablespoon of peanut butter powder, a half cup of coconut milk yogurt, and banana. The verdict? I think I have a new favorite morning drink!

Is there anything else you need to know?

Oreo Drink Mix has 32 servings in a solid plastic container that can be reused. Plus, you can tell your kids their milk has cookies in it and they’ll love you even more, for a few minutes at least.

Conclusion:

Oreo Drink Mix has a higher quality taste than its longstanding competitors and is a cheaper alternative to higher end “smoothie” mixes. Bonus: watching your Oreo Drink Mix settle into your glass of milk is added entertainment!

Purchased Price: $3.99
Size: 16 oz.
Purchased at: Food Lion
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 tbsp) 50 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 25 milligrams of sodium, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 11 grams of sugars, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Oreo Thins Bites White Fudge Dipped Original Cookies

Oreo Thins Bites White Fudge Dipped Original

Every holiday season Nabisco rolls out its Limited Edition White Fudge Covered Oreo Cookies, and every holiday season I push my cart right past them as if they’re kale.

I tried them when they first came out years ago and liked them. But when I bought another box a few years later, I learned a valuable lesson: my sweet tooth now has limits. Again, they’re good, but just one makes my taste buds feel as if it’s the ledge of a sugary waterfall. The combination of the white fudge plus white creme is too cloying to me, and that prevents me from wanting to go 80s Cookie Monster on them.

But with these Oreo Thins Bites White Fudge Dipped Original Cookies, which are basically tinier versions of the cloying cookie, I seem to have no problem eating one, two, nine, 13, 21, or the entire bag, if my sweet tooth so desires, which it oh so desires. I think it’s safe to assume these are easier on my taste buds because there’s not that much fudge and creme.

Oreo Thins Bites White Fudge Dipped Original Closeup

The two white components are obviously not made with all of the same ingredients, but the exterior coating seems to have absorbed some of the inner creme’s flavor. So, when I eat these, I can’t help but think these tiny cookies taste like what would happen if there was a whoopsy version of Oreo that involves chocolate wafers coated with white creme.

Oreo Thins Bites White Fudge Dipped Original Middle

It’s not surprising to me that I want to keep popping these into my mouth because it’s what I want to do with regular Oreo Thins. Within the coating is the same crispiness that I get from the thinner cookie, which I think are superior to the original. Don’t @ me. They have the right flavor balance between chocolate wafer and creme. While the white fudge does skew that, it does it in a way that doesn’t make them overly sweet.

This bag of Oreo Thins Bites White Fudge Dipped Original Cookies, which I wish was bigger, is hard to put down. If I didn’t have to pause in order to take the photo above and then throw the bag across the room so that it’s out of sight and out of mind, I might’ve eaten all of them in one sitting.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 6.4 oz. bag
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (8 pieces) 150 calories, 7 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, and 1 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf Cake

Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf Cake

What is the Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf Cake?

It’s one of Starbucks’ new winter food items, vanilla cake meets red velvet cake in this bakery treat, with a white chocolate icing. It’s served by the slice, and I was not disappointed with the size. The cake slice was even larger than I anticipated.

How is it?

I love red velvet, but I’ve always felt it’s something people either really like or don’t like. So as someone who adores it, this loaf cake was pretty darn good. On first bite I made sure to get the vanilla, red velvet, and icing all in one, and the red velvet was definitely the most flavorful. It was rich without being too sweet. I also appreciated the denseness of the loaf cake. But I will say the density makes it more of a dessert than a quick snack.

Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf Cake Icing

Now let’s talk about the white chocolate icing: A thin layer with nice flavor. I do wish there was more – my husband and I agreed we wish the icing-to-cake ratio was the same in every bite.

Is there anything else you need to know?

I would have a beverage on hand, because the loaf cake was just a teeny bit dry (hence my 8 out of 10 rating). Not enough for me to make a stink about it, but I was hoping it would be super moist. The red velvet portions of the cake were more moist than the vanilla. (Side note: My apologies for using the word moist. I know people dislike that almost as much as red velvet.)

Conclusion:

I would definitely order again – this was a nice treat that paired well with my latte for my afternoon pick-me-up.

Purchased Price: $2.95
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 370 calories, 16 grams of total fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 90 milligrams of cholesterol, 470 milligrams of sodium, 51 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 grams of dietary fiber, 29 grams of total sugars, and 5 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Kellogg’s Limited Edition Banana Creme Frosted Flakes

Kellogg s Limited Edition Banana Creme Frosted Flakes

Banana Frosted Flakes is one of my favorite cereals of all time. ALL TIME. I miss it dearly.

So much so that I’ve written about them and have a recurring dream where I fight Tony the Tiger to enter the discontinued cereals vault, which he is guarding, so that I can eat another bowl of my beloved cereal. But he always defeats me and right before the knockout blow he says, “You’re gr-r-reatly mistaken that I’ll allow you to enter this vault.”

But now, there’s Limited Edition Frosted Flakes Banana Creme. Will it be the reason why I no longer have to write cereal odes or fight Tony the Tiger in my sleep? Unfortunately, the written and violent pleas will have to continue.

The flakes have a faint pleasant banana aroma mixed with the familiar scent of Frosted Flakes. They’re coated with a layer of frosting that makes them look similar to the original variety. There aren’t any dried fruit bits on them or the word “banana” in the ingredients list.

Kellogg s Limited Edition Banana Creme Frosted Flakes Closeup

There’s an adequate amount of banana flavor at first. But, by the fifth or sixth spoonful, it changes into something different from the first few dips into the cereal bowl. The fruitiness takes a backseat, and the frosting’s sweetness takes control. This happened whether I ate them dry or with milk. But those first spoonfuls brings a smile to my face.

While there’s sufficient flavor, I can’t help but think Kellogg’s could’ve added more, which might’ve helped make it a little more lasting. It could’ve taken the dried fruit from its Banana Raisin Bran (one of my favorite cereals of 2018) and added them to this. That addition might’ve made this one of my early favorites of 2019. But they weren’t so this ends up being a little disappointing to me.

If I weren’t a child of the 80s and 90s who got to experience the Golden Age of Breakfast Cereal that included Banana Frosted Flakes, I’d probably like this more than I do.

I do like it because I LOVE banana flavored products and there are traces of it. But its lack of a lasting flavor makes me go bananas.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of the product. Doing so did not influence my review in any way.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: N/A
Purchased at: Received from Kellogg’s
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (3/4 cup w/o milk) 110 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 30 milligrams of potassium, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 10 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

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