REVIEW: Limited Time Only Nashville Hot Chicken Pringles

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Limited Time Only Nashville Hot Chicken Pringles

To get an idea of what the Dollar General-exclusive Nashville Hot Chicken Pringles tastes like, you can look at the front of the can that features a sandwich with a sauced up piece of fried chicken topped with pickles. There are also cowboy hats involved, but I’m 100 percent sure there won’t be any cowboy hat flavor.

We can probably thank KFC for this, which rolled out its version of Nashville Hot Chicken two years ago and put the dish, which has been around for decades, into our culinary conscious.

While KFC’s Nashville Hot Chicken is spicy, greasy, pickle-y, and finger lickin’ good, these Nashville Hot Chicken Pringles are a little spicy with a mild pickle flavor, not greasy at all, and did cause some finger lickin’.

The pickle is the most striking, not because it’s the most pungent, but because it gives me flashbacks of Cheeseburger Pringles and all the other cheeseburger-flavored snacks I’ve had. I can’t get that out of my mind as I eat each crisp, which kind of messes with my head trying to wrap itself around the idea that these are Nashville Hot Chicken-flavored Pringles. The vinegar and onion powder don’t help either, as they also make it taste more like a burger.

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The only ingredients that prevent me from thoroughly thinking these are Cheeseburger Pringles are the cayenne and paprika, which do well to represent the chicken dish’s spiciness. The mild heat doesn’t instantly hit me. It takes eating a few before it builds up to a simmer, which is as high as it goes.

There’s also a bit of bread flavor, but I don’t get any poultry or fried flavoring initially. I like what I taste, especially the tickle of pickle mixed with some spice, and it’s worth a try. But I don’t know if does authentic Nashville Hot Chicken justice. My only experience with the dish is what KFC offers, and these crisps don’t exactly taste like that.

With all that said, I wrote most of this review before I ate two-thirds of the can. Since passing that mark, I’ve noticed the crisps I’ve eaten since then have an almost negligible pickle flavor, a stronger hot sauce flavor, and a little chicken/meatiness comes though.

I don’t know if this is some production error or something, so your can may vary. But I enjoyed the crisps a lot less this way because I want to taste the pickle’s tang.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Pringles to review. Being given samples did not influence my review in any way.

(Nutrition Facts – about 15 crisps – 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 240 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 5.5 oz. can
Purchased at: Available at Dollar General
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Decent tasting flavor. Nice combo of spicy and tangy. Not as messy as actual Nashville Hot Chicken.
Cons: Inconsistent seasoning with the can I received — 2/3 of the can have a strong pickle flavor, while the last 1/3 has barely any pickle flavor. Dollar General exclusive.

REVIEW: McDonald’s Signature Crafted Recipe Bacon Smokehouse

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McDonald s Signature Crafted Recipe Bacon Smokehouse

McDonald’s newest Signature Crafted Recipe features a slice of white cheddar, in-house fried onion strings, Applewood-smoked bacon, a layer of bacon onion sauce, and a layer of sweet mustard sauce on an artisan bun with your choice of a beef patty, buttermilk crispy chicken, or grilled chicken.

Here on this rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we don’t have fresh beef at our McDonald’s locations like most of the country does. Since that’s case, I thought it would be best to eat it with the buttermilk crispy chicken to experience what everyone else can order.

Before stuffing my mouth, I thought the two different sauces would clash with each other, but they work well. The combo is like an original barbecue sauce. However, as I ate my sandwich, I was also tasting something familiar. It took me awhile to put my finger on it, but I finally realized it reminds me of Van Camp’s Pork and Beans with hot dogs.

I know it sounds strange, but if I break it down, it might make sense. Pork and beans are sweet and savory, and there’s a little bit of vinegar and onion mixed in. The bacon onion sauce is porky, onion-y, and a little sweet, while the sweet mustard sauce is vinegar-y and sweet.

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With the sauces and slightly sweet artisan bun, there’s a noticeable sweetness with every bite. The not crispy Applewood-smoked bacon and the bacon in the sauce help cut through that sweetness with a bit of smokiness. The buttermilk crispy chicken adds a slight tang to complement the mustard’s tang, which is something the other two protein choices can’t provide. As for the fried onion strings, I’m not sure they bring much to the party. When eaten separately, they don’t have much of an onion flavor. But they do provide some crunch, much like the chicken’s breading.

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Some folks might find the two sauces weird, but I love the combo, and in turn I very much enjoyed this sandwich. I think it’s one of the better and more unique tasting Signature Crafted Recipes.

(Nutrition Facts – 920 calories, 45 grams of fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1980 milligrams of sodium, 81 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 18 grams of sugar, and 46 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $5.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Two sauces give this recipe a different flavor from the McDonald’s kitchens. Flavor reminds me of Van Camp’s Pork and Beans, which might be a good thing. Fried onions strings and chicken breading provide some crunch. Buttermilk coating enhances flavor in ways that the beef patty and grilled chicken can’t.
Cons: Bacon not crisp, which was not a surprise. Fried onions strings were bland. Sauces might be weird for some.

QUICK REVIEW: Limited Edition Summer Splash Skittles

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Limited Edition Summer Splash Skittles

What is it?

Summer Splash is a limited edition Skittles variety, sold exclusively at Dollar General. The bag includes Blue Raspberry, Orange, Kiwi Banana, Strawberry, and Watermelon.

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How is it?

Before I tried this, I thought about what a “summer splash” might taste like in candy form. Tropical flavors like piña colada, tropical punch, mango, and key lime first came to mind. I was somewhat surprised that they were not the typical beach-y varieties after all.

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After I tried my first handful, it hit me…Summer Splash Skittles have just a “splash” of flavor! D’oh. The orange one was the most muted of the mix. It vaguely reminded me of a Creamsicle with its subtle orange notes. The yellow kiwi banana was also mild, with an inconspicuous banana taste and only a slight kiwi taste. I would not have guessed either of them in a blind taste test.

The pink strawberry piece tastes just like a pink Starburst, only crunchier. Blue raspberry was the tartest in this exclusive collection with crisper fruit flavors than the others. The strongest was the green watermelon one, though it was still notably less pucker-inducing than its other watermelon Skittle predecessors.

A bonus was that the “splash” of flavor in each piece allowed for combinations of different Skittles to be nuanced without being overpowering. Overall, these were quite enjoyable.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Summer Splash Skittles are only available at Dollar General (where everything is not a dollar) and for a limited time, so if you like these, I’d recommend stocking up on them while you can. Also, pairing them with other Skittles varieties would be fun.

Conclusion:

With a splash of subtle fruit flavors, Summer Splash Skittles are a lighter tasting candy treat when you need a sugar fix while you’re enjoying the other splashes of summer from the pool or beach.

Purchased Price: 85 cents
Size: 2 oz. bag
Purchased at: Dollar General (Exclusive)
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 oz. bag) 230 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 10 milligrams of sodium, 52 grams of carbohydrates, 42 grams of sugars, and 0 grams of protein.

QUICK REVIEW: Dunkin’ Donuts Donut Fries

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Dunkin Donuts Donut Fries

What is it?

Dunkin’ Donuts’ Donut Fries are individual pieces of buttery croissant style donut dough that are tossed in cinnamon sugar and served warm with just the right amount of crisp. Five pieces come with an order that’s currently selling for $2. The photo above makes it look as if I’m collecting Muppet fingers, which I assure you those are not. I wouldn’t store Muppet fingers in a bag. I’d store them in a jar like any self-respecting Muppet finger collector would.

How is it?

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It’s a neat concept and, after biting into one, it’s cool to see the layers are similar to the donut chain’s croissant donuts, but its flavor is adequate.

I’ve gotten more satisfaction from a regular glazed donut than what I got with these. When warm, they’re a little crisp, but like regular fries, if you let them sit out for a bit, they get limp. The cinnamon sugar is okay, but it’s not as if they taste like mini churros. Also, the seasoning seems to be inconsistent. While two-thirds of the bites have that undeniable sweet and cinnamon flavor, the other third is mostly dough, which is an odd greasy flavor that even underlies the strong cinnamon sugar bites. Overall, they aren’t something I feel compelled to buy again.

Is there anything else I need to know?

It doesn’t come with any dipping sauce. I mean, come on, Dunkin’ has a plethora of fillings and icings to pick from. But none of them can be put into a small container as an option? Also, because there are just five pieces, it looks like a sad amount in the large bag they come in.

Conclusion:

Dunkin’ Donuts’ Donut Fries are okay. I wouldn’t repurchase them unless they came with some a dipping sauce. But since a serving is only two dollars, they might be worth a try.

Purchased Price: $2.00
Size: N/A
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 240 calories, 14 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 220 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

QUICK REVIEW: Wendy’s Buffalo Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich

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Wendy s Buffalo Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich

What is it?

Wendy’s latest budget sandwich fix. The Buffalo Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich is a lightly breaded chicken patty smothered in Buffalo ranch sauce, topped with lettuce and a slice of Monterey Jack cheese, and served on a warm bun.

How is it?

My initial reaction when picking it up was that it felt very substantial for a buck, and indeed, it delivers. Wendy’s didn’t skimp on the sauce, which has a balanced creamy and spicy presence to it that comes through on every single bite.

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The chicken tastes more “real” and authentic than the coveted McChicken, and while the sauce does most of the driving on the overall flavor, the patty is moist and crisp and does everything it should to bring the protein foundation for this spiced up cheap thrill.

Is there anything else I need to know?

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As is the case with a lot of fast food sandwiches, the cheese didn’t add much and wasn’t fully melted sitting against the cold crisp lettuce. Initially, I was stoked to get a sandwich with cheese for such a cheap price, but I couldn’t really taste it and, in the absence of melty texture, it’s pretty unnecessary.

Conclusion:

While it’s a far cry from Wendy’s fantastic Homestyle Chicken Sandwich, that deep fries a whole chicken breast, the Buffalo Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich is a terrific chicken sandwich for the price.

It’s salty and creamy with enough spice to be satisfying without needing ample cups of water to survive. Wendy’s continues its tradition of offering some of the best chicken in fast food land and have a solid soldier to put forth in the budget battle of value menu supremacy.

Purchased Price: $1.00
Size: N/A
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 360 calories, 19 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 1020 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 17 grams of protein.

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