REVIEW: Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza

/ / Reviews / Leave a Comment

Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza whole

Happy 30th Birthday, Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust Pizza!

Thanks to Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza and my desire to create a decent introduction for this review, both of which prompted me to look up the history of the stuffed crust pizza, I wouldn’t have known Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust had reached its thirtieth year of existence. So let’s celebrate the best way I can think of, which is by reviewing a stuffed crust pizza from a Pizza Hut rival.

To be honest, over the past 30 years, I’ve gotten tired of regular stuffed crust pizza. It was innovative back then, but now it’s just cheese and bread. By the way, why hasn’t anyone put cheese, sauce, and meat or vegetables into the crust, creating a pizza stuffed crust pizza?

Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza side

Little Caesars isn’t new to stuffed crust, and this is an upgrade that, according to the pizza chain, features “a toasted, cheese-stuffed crust brushed with buttery garlic flavor and finished with herbs and breadcrumbs.” As you can see from the photo above, my order’s crust looks a little naked, or maybe it didn’t spend enough time in the oven to make it all golden brown, but I assure you that despite how it looks, it’s gosh darn good.

Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza cheese in crust

Even though there’s no mention of cheddar in the description, the thing that instantly popped into my head after my first bite into the crust was that its flavor reminded me of Papa Johns Cheddar Crust Pizza, which was surprisingly tasty when I tried it a few weeks ago. Actually, it’s one of my favorite things I’ve had this year. So I’m excited that I’m tasting something similar with this pizza, and I’m also wondering where the mozzarella flavor went. As for that buttery garlic flavor, I didn’t taste it with the end crust, but I did notice it with the rest of the pizza, which it enhances.

Little Caesars Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza crust closeup

However, it’s not just the flavor that has impressed me; it’s also the crunchy texture. Although now that I think about it, crispiness would be a better way to describe what the breadcrumbs add to the end crust. As I was biting into it, I thought its crispiness was like what I get with French fries. However, while the texture was delightful, it’s also fleeting if the pizza sits out for too long. So eat it fresh.

From tip to crust, I enjoyed every bit of Little Caesars’ Stuffed Crunch Crust Pizza. It’s a limited-time offering, but I really hope it becomes permanent and a staple so that 30 years from now we can celebrate its birthday.

Purchased Price: $11.99*
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 slice) 365 calories (no other nutritional information is available on the Little Caesars’ website).

*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.

REVIEW: Papa Johns Grand Papa Pizza

/ / Reviews / 2 Comments

Papa Johns Grand Papa Pizza size

“I love it when you call me Grand Papa…Throw your pizza (dough) in the air if you a true playa.”

Probably not what Notorious B.I.G. had in mind. But honestly? Fitting for the absolute swagger of this new pizza.

Papa Johns just launched its biggest pizza (and biggest box) ever with the new 18-inch Grand Papa. While bigger isn’t always better – Papa John’s is my Number One, so I went in optimistic.

The pizza chain also dropped a Salted Caramel Blondie the same week. However, the star here is the debut of Papa Johns’ savory deli-style pepperoni – larger slices, milder and more savory than the standard pepperoni, and very Italian-sub energy.

Papa Johns Grand Papa Pizza box size

To compare, I ordered the Grand Papa alongside a regular mushroom pizza.

First: the box. It was massive. The kind of massive that doesn’t fit in your fridge, which felt like Papa John’s way of saying “finish this in one sitting.” (Half kidding. Mostly.)

Papa Johns Grand Papa Pizza big pepperoni

The pizza itself was noticeably huge and thin-crusted. The first bite was a flavor bomb. The three-cheese blend and Italian seasoning hit totally differently than with a regular Papa Johns pie, and the crust was perfectly thin with zero soggy spots. The new deli pepperoni? Legit. I’m usually a cup-and-char girly, but I’d absolutely love to taste this pepperoni in other menu items, like a Papadia.

Papa Johns Grand Papa Pizza slice next to normal slice

Papa Johns Grand Papa Pizza slice doing horizontal mamba with normal slice

It was so flavorful I didn’t even reach for the garlic butter – even though there was basically no crust to dip anyway. After tasting my two orders side by side, the regular pizza tasted bland and much more tomato-forward to me. Hard to believe they use the same “original” dough.

At $19.99 vs. $16.99 for a regular large, it isn’t even that big of a premium.

And honestly? For the size, flavor, and the deli pepperoni glow-up, it felt completely worth it.

My only hesitation is whether this thin crust can handle my usual topping chaos (your girl likes more than just pepperoni, even if it is deli pepperoni) – but time, and a few future orders, will tell.

Purchased Price: $19.99
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 slice) 380 calories, 17 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 960 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of total carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar, 0 grams of dietary fiber, and 17 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box

/ / Reviews / 2 Comments

Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box

I feel super uncool about not knowing what the heck Five Nights at Freddy’s is. And I feel even worse that this Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box promotes Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.

TWO! I didn’t even know there was a ONE!

So absolutely no Five Nights at Freddy’s references in this review. Wait? Is this a movie, YouTube thing, TikTok thing, video game, or a sequel to that Tom Green movie? See, that’s how lame I am. I didn’t even look it up beforehand to make myself look cool and knowledgeable. I’m being totally transparent about my ineptitude with popular culture. Heck, I’m being so lame that I called it “popular culture” instead of “pop culture.”

Before I admit to worse things about myself, let’s discuss this fast food box. The meal comes with three pieces of signature chicken tenders topped with a savory garlic parmesan rub, warm Garlic Cheesy Bites with a marinara sauce, a Cupcake Cup, and a drink of your choice. There’s also a non-deluxe version of the box that comes with only the chicken tenders and Cheesy Bites.

Despite all the garlic that’s promised in this treasure chest of golden fried foods, I can’t say I taste a lot of it.

Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box chicken tenders

The chicken tenders had a weak garlic parmesan flavor. I really had to really focus to notice it. But for the most part, it tastes like plain Popeyes chicken tenders with the Cajun seasoning. Maybe not enough garlic parmesan rub? As for the “garlic crusted” Cheesy Bites, they tasted like standard mozzarella sticks to me. There’s a hint of garlic, but “garlic crusted” made me believe it would be more prominent.

Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box Cheesy Wads

Oh, as you can see, my Cheesy Bites were a cheesy mess. Obviously, something went wrong in the kitchen with my order, and instead of Cheesy Bites, I got Cheesy Wads (feel free to use that fast food companies). But whatever happened didn’t affect their flavor. Besides, it came with a side of marinara, which masked the breading’s seasoning, making them taste even more like standard mozzarella sticks.

Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box marinara sauce

Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box Cupcake Cup

The meal’s most colorful part was the Cupcake Cup, a moist strawberry-flavored cake topped with sweet pink icing, which would’ve been great to promote the Barbie movie. The cake is chilled, and it’s probably the highlight of the Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box. Despite the thick layer of icing, I didn’t find the dessert overly sweet. The strawberry flavor in the dense cake was artificial, but still quite delicious. However, my wife thought it was too artificial.

To recap, the Cheesy Bites were mid, the chicken tenders had an underwhelming garlic parmesan flavor, and I can really only recommend the Cupcake Cup. So while not as lame as I am, Popeyes’ Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box was disappointing.

Purchased Price: $16.99*
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: Garlic Cheesy Bites – 620 calories, 50 grams of fat, 24 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1120 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 24 grams of protein. 3Pc Garlic Parmesan Classic Tenders – 390 calories, 20 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 65 milligrams of cholesterol, 1590 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 34 grams of protein. Cupcake Cup – 370 calories, 12 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat (that can’t be right), 0 grams of trans fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 260 milligrams of sodium, 60 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 29 grams of sugar, and 3 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.

REVIEW: Starbucks Cinnamon Pull-Apart

/ / Reviews / 3 Comments

Starbucks Cinnamon Pull-Apart closeup

Starbucks may be synonymous with coffee, but the chain isn’t exactly known for its less drinkable menu options. With the holidays in full swing, the java giant is trying to change that perception with offerings like the Cinnamon Pull-Apart, which is basically a product that’s half croissant and half mini-cinnamon rolls fused together. In essence, it’s a monkey bread pastry in a fancy little sleeve.

Starbucks Cinnamon Pull-Apart pulled apart

The Pull-Apart itself is kind of hard to describe. Or at least harder to describe than I anticipated. To the untrained eye, it might be confused for a slightly larger muffin than normal. It’s not until you’re actually holding it in your hand that you realize the item is actually multiple baked goods in one package, and even then, you may not immediately recognize it as a cinnamon roll-like comestible. Of course, the scent is unmistakable — it may not look like a regular old cinnamon roll, but it definitely smells like one.

Starbucks Cinnamon Pull-Apart closer up

As for the taste, it’s a lot of good and a few minor quibbles. For starters, it’s a pretty hefty little croissant, with a nice speckling of sugar and a hearty smattering of streusel — which you might know by its less artistic culinary namesake, “crumb topping.” My Pull-Apart had about five, maybe five-and-a-half little croissant balls wedged together, and I was actually surprised by how filling the seemingly lightweight snack was. This thing has some weight to it, so if you’re eating it as a post-breakfast tide-me-over, don’t be surprised if it wipes out the need for lunch altogether. It’s hearty stuff, especially when you pair it with a venti dark roast with four protein shots and extra oat milk.

Starbucks Cinnamon Pull-Apart single part pulled

There’s not that much variation between fast food cinnamon rolls (and let’s be real, they can call these things whatever they want, they’re still cinnamon rolls), and I’d contend that this is one of the better ones I’ve tried from a big-name, national brand. Obviously, it’s not as good as something you’d get from a “real” bakery, but it’s pretty respectable stuff all the same. It nails just the right balance between crispy and chewy, which has always been the Achilles’ heel of similar products. It’s got a lot of flavor without being too overwhelming, which makes it a solid choice for a (relatively) low-calorie fast food snack.

As for the product’s biggest downside, let me sum it up in one word: frosting. Or more accurately, the lack of frosting. I can understand why Starbucks would’ve taken a “healthier” approach with these things, but if you’re buying cinnamon rolls from a drive-thru window, you don’t just expect adequate amounts of icing, you demand it. The lack of dipping sauce here is just unconscionable — especially with so many holiday tie-in flavors to take advantage of this time of year.

And yes, I know that monkey bread is traditionally served sans frosting. But if you’re gonna sell a baked good with “cinnamon” in its name, be prepared for customers to inevitably compare it to a cinnamon roll.

The Pull-Apart is good, perhaps even better than I expected. But it’s nothing you haven’t tried before. The concept’s got promise, though — a PSL glaze on these things would be awesome.

Purchased Price: $3.25
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 300 calories — 13 grams of total fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 mg of cholesterol, 350 mg of sodium, 38 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 13 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein

REVIEW: Wendy’s Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion

/ / Reviews / 1 Comment

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion sign

What better way to celebrate the chilly holidays than with a cold, refreshing treat? While that may be a controversial statement to those who think frozen desserts are only for when it’s hot outside, my love for ice cream knows no winter break. That’s why I was thrilled to hear that Wendy’s has released a new limited-edition Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty, a flavor that balances the chilliness of the beloved dairy dessert with the cozy, toasty vibe of the classic cinnamon-sugar cookie.

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion cup

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion top

Anyone who is overwhelmed by choices might want to sit this one out, because on top of selecting either chocolate or vanilla for your ice cream base, this Frosty also requires you to pick from two additional options: the Swirl, which is more of a loose pile of soft serve and snickerdoodle sauce (try saying that five times fast!), and the Fusion, which doesn’t just throw on cookie pieces but blends them in, making the whole treat more dense and Blizzard-esque. I’m well-acquainted with this difference because I ordered a Fusion but the Wendy’s employee originally made me a Swirl; frankly, either one sounded delicious, so I was prepared to just happily accept my fate, but then he realized his mistake with a charmingly enormous Kevin-from-Home-Alone “OH NO” face and, a few moments later, my Frosty was looking a lot more compact and cookie-y.

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion cookies

The first thing I noticed was that the cookie pieces (which ranged in size from what I’d describe as “bits” to what were undeniably “chunks”) were way crunchier than I had expected. I’d assumed that they either would have been from a cakier soft-baked cookie or would have just become soggy in the ice cream, so the crispness was a pleasant surprise.

I chose the vanilla base, and I liked how the plainer flavor emphasized the ice cream’s creaminess in contrast to those cookie pieces. The thick swirls of snickerdoodle sauce added extra, slightly caramel-tinged sweetness without being too over-the-top. While each on its own was fairly simple, the combination of these three elements felt—and tasted—downright decadent.

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion syrup

Each ingredient had a distinct flavor, but they mixed well. I particularly appreciated the dynamic drama of the eating experience—some bites were creamy and others more cookie-filled, certain spoonfuls let the sauce shine, and then there were meltier mouthfuls… though I had expected to consume my Frosty ravenously, the smorgasbord of different tastes and textures encouraged me to slow down and be more mindful of each separation sensation, which was stimulating and satisfying.

Whether you’re a Swirler or a Fusionist, the Snickerdoodle Frosty is a luxurious treat. While you may not be able to use it to warm up after playing in the snow or leave it by the fireplace for Santa, its high-quality execution of an appealing premise still makes it a gift I’d love to find under my Christmas tree.

Purchased Price: $4.99

Size: Medium

Rating: 9 out of 10

Nutrition Facts: 580 calories, 16 grams of fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 440 milligrams of sodium, 96 grams of carbohydrates, 76 grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein.

Scroll to Top