The Impulsive Buy

SPOTTED: 2/6/2026

Marvo / February 6, 2026 / Spotted on Shelves / 3 Comments

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

(Spotted by Bryan C at Safeway.)

(Spotted by Sarah R at Target.)

(Spotted by Robbie at Target.)

Doritos Sun Chips Cheetos Minis Snack Size Cups Variety Pack

(Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)

Ellenos Raspberry Cheesecake Greek Yogurt

(Spotted by Sarah R at Target.)

Chobani 20g Protein Lowfat Plain Greek Yogurt

(Spotted by Sarah R at Sprouts.)

Marianne's Avocado Oil Regenerative Organic — Marianne’s Avocado Oil Regenerative Organic

(Spotted by Sarah R at Sprouts.)

Ottavio Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray

Ottavio Chili & Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray

(Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED: Nature Valley Protein Balls

Marvo / February 5, 2026 / Spotted on Shelves / 2 Comments

This is going to very embarrassing to admit, but this product makes the 10-year-old in me giggle. I apologize. There’s also a Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip variety. Update: added Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip variety. (Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B and Sarah R at Target.)

REVIEW: Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza (2026)

Tiffany / February 5, 2026 / Reviews / 10 Comments

You know the current viral trend that 2026 is the new 2016? That’s exactly what Papa Johns’ new and improved Pan Pizza is like.

Yes, because it’s a noticeable upgrade from the 2016 version TIB reviewed, not just a quiet tweak or a nostalgia cash-in.

Let’s start with the box. Papa Johns kept the fancy PANS packaging (bringing back Kelley’s pun), but swapped the shiny black for a sleek matte green. The front of the box is interestingly designed with written descriptors of “reasons to believe” in this new pan and improved version: crispy garlic parmesan crust, Italian seasoning, and six cheeses, edge-to-edge cheese and sauce. Normally, that kind of copy makes my eyes glaze over, but in this case, it got me hyped!

When I opened the box, the first thing I noticed was the cheese lace along the edges—strong Detroit-style vibes. Unlike the 2016 version, this one wasn’t burnt at all. Instead, I got a clean, crispy cheese shatter.

As I ate, I peeled off some of the pizza cheese so I could focus on the dough underneath. The crust was softer and fluffier, exactly what you want from a pan pizza.

Then came the real delightful surprise: cheese baked into the bottom of the pan. When you get a bite with crispy crust and caramelized cheese (or cheese doily, as I like to call it) underneath, it delivers a savory, umami punch that honestly reminded me of how Cheez-It crackers hit. That sharp cheese tang that makes the sides of your tongue water and immediately makes you crave the next bite.

Full disclosure: the Midwest was hovering around zero degrees, with wind chills hitting negative fifteen, when I took this home. Despite my best efforts, the bottom cheese lace softened a bit in transit. Still good, and honestly, nothing an air fryer couldn’t easily fix.

Halfway through, I realized why I hadn’t once reached for the garlic dipping sauce. Papa Johns bakes the Special Garlic Sauce directly into the pan, along with the parmesan cheese lace, underneath the crust. I could see the lace on top, but the garlic flavor was quietly doing its thing below, seasoning every bite without needing an extra dip.

Papa Johns’ New and Improved Pan Pizza was dang good, and I’m impressed by how consistently Papa Johns keeps delivering innovation. My only wish is the option to swap in its new NY-style deli pepperoni in the app. If that ever happens, this would be a no-notes pan pizza for me – but honestly, that’s just a nice-to-have. If “2026 is the new 2016,” this pan pizza gets it right this time.

Purchased Price: $11.99
Size: Only available in medium
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 slice) 350 calories, 20 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 950 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 17 grams of protein.

Fast Food Papa John's Pizza

REVIEW: Little Caesars Detroit-Style Slices-N-Stix

Jenna / February 5, 2026 / Reviews / 8 Comments

Little Caesars created Slices-N-Stix for anyone unable to choose between pizza and cheesy breadsticks, and now they’ve brought out a new variant for anyone who thought, “Okay, I love the concept, but could you make it a little more rectangular?” That’s right: Slices-N-Stix have officially gone Detroit-Style.

That means one big, chewy rectangular “pie,” except half is prepared as pizza slices and the other half is prepared as breadsticks, creating a pleasingly quirky visual. The breadstick side is cut into four thin, cheese-topped pieces, while the pizza side is cut into two wider slices. The meal is also served with a side of Crazy Sauce—a seasoned marinara—presumably for dipping the otherwise sauceless breadsticks.

When I explained to my husband what I had ordered for our dinner, he was slightly underwhelmed. “So it’s just… normal Detroit-style pizza and normal breadsticks, except you get less of each?” And sure, that’s not inaccurate, but I thought this offering exceeded the sum of its parts. Plus, even for a chain known for its affordability, the price is a steal! Just know that that low cost means a more diminutive size—Little Caesars’ regular Detroit-Style pizza consists of eight slices, but the Slices-N-Stix is only the equivalent of four. I wouldn’t have minded doubling the portion (though I guess that’s my mistake for not ordering two).

I arbitrarily decided to start by sampling a breadstick, and the note that I made about my first impression: “Very salty, like so salty.” It wasn’t just a sodium bomb, though—there was a wonderful garlickiness, the crust was rich and buttery, and the cheese tied everything together well. Plus, the Crazy Sauce added a nice zing to keep things from being too plain. While I enjoyed it all, after a few bites I found myself eying the slices covetously.

Upon switching over to a slice, I was indeed satisfied; mine was extra zesty because of the pepperoni I opted for, though you can also order the Detroit-Style Slices-N-Stix meatless. The edges were crispy with burnt cheese that gave a nice crunch and savory flavor, and I appreciated that the sauce was present without me needing to dip. But then something funny happened—as I enjoyed my pizza, I began to miss the simplicity (and dippability) of the breadsticks, and couldn’t wait to jump back…

I greatly appreciated the texture of both the pizza and the breadsticks, which I would describe as “compact.” In both, the dense, bready crust gave way seamlessly to the thick, solid layer of cheese; part of this may have just been that my pizza cooled down slightly and thus congealed on its way from the store to my home, but regardless, I appreciated the cohesiveness. (Runny cheese is my pizza pet peeve!)

Little Caesars’ Detroit-Style Slices-N-Stix were a fun little magic trick, making me appreciate each of the unique halves more through their contrast with each other. They offer familiar food in a novel (and cheap) format, and if that’s enough for you, I suggest picking this limited-time offering up before it’s gone.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Size: 2 slices of pizza and 4 breadsticks
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Pizza breadsticks) 1410 calories, other nutritional information unavailable.

Fast Food Little Caesars Pizza

SPOTTED (SEASONAL EDITION): 2/5/2026

Marvo / February 5, 2026 / Spotted on Shelves / 4 Comments

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