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REVIEW: Jack in the Box Tiny Tacos

January 16, 2020January 20, 2020 Marvo 8 Comments

If you believe Jack in the Box’s tacos are a culinary abomination that makes Taco Bell’s food look and taste like something from the finest taquerias in Mexico, then you will not enjoy Jack’s Tiny Tacos.

An order comes with 15 miniature tacos that are about 1/6th the size of Jack’s regular taco. Even though they look like smaller versions, right down to the crunchy edges and the grease stain in the middle, they are not perfect scaled-down replicas. Each is filled with just seasoned ground ground beef. They lack the shredded lettuce and cheese the original has.

The Tiny Tacos have a flavor that’s similar to their much bigger brother???, which is why Jack in the Box Taco Haters need not apply. But I’ll admit because they taste the same, it’s a little boring.

Fortunately, with every order, there’s a container of a new dipping sauce — Creamy Avocado Lime. It’s pretty much a guacamole-flavored dipping sauce, and it makes these noticeably different from the original and tastier. Unfortunately, I received only one container, which, even with conservative double-dipping, didn’t last for all 15 in the box. Four of them never got the chance to be dipped into the sauce that has a color I’ve seen way too many times dripping, oozing, or squirting on Rick and Morty.

As I mentioned earlier, regular Tiny Tacos don’t contain lettuce and cheese. If you want some, you have to get the Loaded Tiny Tacos. But they’re dumped on top of the 15 mini tacos along with taco sauce, turning the finger food into fork food (the utensil is included, and the grease stain makes an excellent soft target for a fork’s prongs).

The added sauce amps up the flavors that already exist with the regular Tiny Tacos. But the cheese doesn’t do much to really differentiate the flavors between the two offerings or a regular taco. And that is why I’d recommend getting the regular version over the loaded one. The tasty Creamy Avocado Lime Sauce makes the difference here. Of course, you could ask for a container of the sauce with your order of the loaded one, and that would be even more ideal.

While these are minuscule munchies, I found myself a bit full after eating half of the loaded version and most of the regular one (I stopped after running out of the sauce).

Jack in the Box’s Tiny Tacos are cute, but I can’t help but think I’m paying a lot for that cuteness. Jack’s price for two tacos is one of the best deals in fast food, and what’s in an order of this new menu item is equivalent to roughly three full tacos, but at three times the price of two regular tacos.

But I suggest you order them just once so that you can let out an “awwww” when you see how small they are in real life. And then, if you’re craving Jack’s tacos again, get the two tacos deal and ask for a container of the Creamy Avocado Lime Sauce.

Purchased Price: $4.99 (Regular), $5.99 (Loaded)**
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Regular), 6 out of 10 (Loaded)
Nutrition Facts: Regular – 350 calories, 13 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol, 780 milligrams of sodium, 45 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein. Loaded – 470 calories, 22 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 75 milligrams of cholesterol, 1340 milligrams of sodium, 51 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 17 grams of protein.

**Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

SPOTTED: Doritos Cool Ranch now with More Cool Ranch Flavor

January 16, 2020January 15, 2020 Marvo 6 Comments

To be honest, I’ve never thought Cool Ranch Doritos needed more Cool Ranch-y flavor. Also, full disclosure, Doritos sent me a bag of this and I have to say I don’t notice difference. (Spotted by Robbie at Five Below.)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email (theimpulsivebuy@gmail.com) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if the product is old, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

If you’ve seen the product, help out your fellow readers by letting them know in the comments what city and store you found it in.

FAST FOOD NEWS: Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp

January 16, 2020January 15, 2020 Marvo Leave a comment

Panda Express usually rolls out its new shrimp entrees in March. Last March, it was Wok-Fired Shrimp. In March 2018, it was the Wok-Seared Steak & Shrimp. In March 2017, it was Five Flavor Shrimp. And in March 2016, it was Pacific Chili Shrimp. But this year, the chain has rolled out its new Firecracker Shrimp in January.

Why the early release? To celebrate the Lunar New Year that happens this month, of course. Firecrackers are part of the Lunar New Year celebration.

The Wok Smart menu item features large shrimp, hand-chopped red and yellow bell peppers, onions, string beans, whole dried chilis, and a savory black bean sauce.

A 4.5-ounce serving has 110 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 85 milligrams of cholesterol, 630 milligrams of sodium, 7 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 11 grams of protein.

If you’ve tried it, let us know what you think of it in the comments.

(Image via Panda Express.)

SPOTTED: Cheez-It Extra Big Crackers

January 16, 2020January 14, 2020 Marvo 4 Comments

Extra Toasty. Extra Cheesy. Extra Big. I wonder what could come next. Extra thin? Extra salty? (Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)

Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if the product is old, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

If you’ve seen the product, help out your fellow readers by letting them know in the comments what city and store you found it in.

REVIEW: Yoplait Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Trix Smoothies

January 16, 2020January 14, 2020 Ann 1 Comment

What are Yoplait Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Trix Smoothies?

More cereal-themed crossovers! This time, yogurt drinks! Actually, no, technically this time “cultured dairy beverage”! YUM!

With all these branded crossovers, 2020 has me wondering, are cereal brands and candy brands the consumer goods version of The Avengers? Is this the year we get so fully inundated by crossovers that the only remaining option is an Endgame-style product that contains them all? Did I just make such a weakly constructed comic reference that caused half of you to angry? POSSIBLY!??

How are they?

The Trix smoothie is remarkably close in flavor to its cereal counterpart. I suppose we have the magic of modern flavor technology to thank for that. Although it LOOKS like a glass full of Pepto Bismol (maybe there’s a fun April Fools trick buried in there somewhere), the smoothie has a pleasant strawberry lemon fruity flavor and an enjoyable Trixmilk after taste.

The tangy cultured yogurt works really well with the fruit flavors, in my opinion. The texture is smooth, creamy, and very drinkable. My only qualm is that its so sweet you’d think you were gulping down Trix-flavored frosting.

The Cinnamon Toast Crunch beverage smells exactly like opening a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal and has delightful little visible specs of cinnamon. I’m also a sucker for the psycho/adorable cinnamon toast square cartoon characters the brand has adopted recently.

The flavor isn’t as strong in cinnamon as I would have expected, and because of that, I don’t think it matches the cereal flavor as well as the Trix version does. This one is sort of like a yogurt horchata. There’s a stronger, blander, vanilla yogurt taste.

Is there anything else you need to know?

SHOOGAARR!!!

Both smoothies are surprisingly tasty. However, each drink has nearly double the sugar as a serving of their cereal counterpart. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to sugar guilt anybody. I just think I’d rather have a double serving of either cereal than drink one of these smoothies again. Maybe if you like, can’t chew things and still want to taste your favorite cereals? Yeah, that works.

Conclusion:

These drinks were, for the most part, accurate in flavor, but incredibly sweet. They’re certain to give you a sugar rush, which might be what you’re looking for to propel you into 2020 and the inevitable cereal flavor mashups we have left ahead of us to taste.

Purchased Price: $4.99 each
Size: 4 – 7 fl oz bottles
Purchased at: Mariano’s (owned by Kroger)
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Trix), 4 out of 10 (Cinnamon Toast Crunch)
Nutrition Facts: (1 smoothie) Trix – 160 calories, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 115 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 22 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein. Cinnamon Toast Crunch – 160 calories, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 115 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 22 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein.

SPOTTED (YOGURT EDITION) – 1/16/2020

January 16, 2020January 14, 2020 Marvo 1 Comment

Here are some interesting new yogurt (or yoghurt) products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

*Chobani Limited Batch Caramel Mocha Layered Greek Yogurt*

(Spotted by Sarah R at Safeway.)

Noosa Hilo Strawberry Yoghurt — *Noosa Hilö Strawberry Yoghurt*

Noosa Hilo Blueberry Yoghurt — *Noosa Hilö Blueberry Yoghurt*

Noosa Hilo Vanilla Bean Yoghurt — *Noosa Hilö Vanilla Bean Yoghurt*

Noosa Hilo Peach Yoghurt — *Noosa Hilö Peach Yoghurt*

Noosa Hilo Mixed Berry Yoghurt — *Noosa Hilö Mixed Berry Yoghurt*

Noosa Hilo Plain Yoghurt — *Noosa Hilö Plain Yoghurt*

(Spotted by Sarah R at Safeway and Tommy at Shaw’s.)

*Silk Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative Maple Chocolate Banana*

*Silk Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative Apple Cinnamon*

*Silk Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative Mixed Berry Chia Granola*

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Target.)

*So Delicious Pairings Spiced Blueberry Coconutmilk Yogurt Alternative*

(Spotted by Rachel C at Target.)

Siggi s 2 Apple Cinnamon Skyr with Almond Butter — *Siggi’s 2% Apple Cinnamon Skyr with Almond Butter*

Siggi s 2 Vanilla Skry with Almond Butter — *Siggi’s 2% Vanilla Skry with Almond Butter*

(Spotted by Sarah R at Safeway.)

Activia Less Sugar More Good Pear Ginger Probiotic Yogurt — *Activia Less Sugar & More Good Pear & Ginger Probiotic Yogurt*

Activia Less Sugar More Good Fig Cinnamon Probiotic Yogurt — *Activia Less Sugar & More Good Fig & Cinnamon Probiotic Yogurt*

Activia Less Sugar More Good Blueberry Cardamom Probiotic Yogurt — *Activia Less Sugar & More Good Blueberry & Cardamom Probiotic Yogurt*

(Spotted by Tommy at Shaw’s.)

*Oikos Greek Yogurt Orange Cream and Banana Cream Variety Pack*

(Spotted by Alisa P at Piggly Wiggly.)

(Spotted by Sarah R at Safeway.)

(Spotted by Tommy at Shaw’s and Rachel C at Smiths.)

If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email (theimpulsivebuy@gmail.com) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you’ve tried the product, share your thoughts about it in the comments.

Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if the product is old, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Tiny Tacos

SPOTTED: Doritos Cool Ranch now with More Cool Ranch Flavor

FAST FOOD NEWS: Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp

SPOTTED: Cheez-It Extra Big Crackers

REVIEW: Yoplait Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Trix Smoothies