Tag: Fast Food

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam

Vin 4 Comments

Dunkin Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam Full

What is Dunkin’s Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam?

Ever wanted your cold brew to taste more like a cold brewski? Well, Dunkin’s got you covered.

How is it?

I drink more stouts than I should admit.

Seriously, here’s a list of stouts I’ve had since Christmas – Coffee, Cacao, Russian Imperial, Chai, “Rainbow Cookie,” Peanut Butter, “Almond Joy,” S’mores, Coconut, Peppermint, Banana, Maple Cinnamon, Cookies n’ Cream, and one with hot peppers. Yup, I’m one of those annoying craft beer guys.

Does that make me an authority on stouts? Yes. It absolutely does. I felt it was my duty to review Dunkin’s new Chocolate Stout Cold Brew for you good folks.

Dunkin Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam Top

It actually started out looking like a nitro stout, with syrup streaks cascading down the side of the cup. I tried the cold foam before mixing it in, and it tasted like a very light typical cream topping with a hint of saltiness. Weird start.

The first full sip tasted like some prankster bartender put ice in a chocolate stout and let the cubes melt before serving. It was like a watered-down ghost of a chocolate stout.

The stout-flavored syrup insisted on clinging to the bottom, so it did get more and more stouty as I sipped on but never really came close to the flavor I was hoping for.

Dunkin Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam Bottle

I wasn’t expecting it to be spot on, as “stout” is an acquired taste, but it wasn’t malty or even very roasty, which caught me off-guard because it’s coffee, after all.

The chocolate flavor wasn’t bursting either. I kept tasting a Fudgesicle, but not even a good one, like one of those reduced-fat Fudgsicles.

Anything else you need to know?

The cold brew itself got lost. It definitely didn’t taste like a chocolate coffee stout to me. The coffee may have been the least discernible flavor. I love a sweet cold brew, but I still wanna taste the coffee. This was neither too sweet nor too coffee forward. It landed in a watery limbo.

Conclusion:

If you want chocolate, just get a pump of mocha. If you wanna pretend you’re drinking booze at Dunkin’, just get a shot of Irish crème flavor instead.

I can appreciate the effort, but this is not replacing my usual Dunkin order, or furthering my stout obsession.

Purchased Price: $3.00
Size: Medium
Purchased at: Dunkin
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (with cream) 270 calories, 11 grams of fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 35 mg of cholesterol, 85 milligrams of sodium, 39 grams of total carbohydrates, 37 grams of total sugars, 0 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Starbucks Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso

Heather 5 Comments

Starbucks Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso Full

What is the Starbucks Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso?

Starbucks recently released new shaken espresso beverages, and the Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso is one of the two. (Here’s the review of the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.) This one pairs Starbucks Blonde espresso with almondmilk and chocolate malt powder.

How is it?

Um, yum.

I was pleasantly surprised with how tasty it is. This thing tasted like a melted candy bar – and I loved it. The most notable thing with this drink compared to its Brown Sugar cousin is the espresso was more muted, perhaps masked by the chocolate malt powder. With a smooth finish, this is a delightful dose of caffeine if you like your morning java to have some flavor.

Starbucks Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso Top

Now let’s talk about that chocolate. I was super intrigued to see the drink used malt powder as opposed to a sauce or syrup. But I am here for it! The malt powder made it sweet, but not too sweet, and reminded me of a milkshake you might have gotten with your grandpa when you were a kid. Since the baristas shake these ingredients in a shaker like you would a cocktail, I’m thinking the malt powder mixes more evenly.

The other thing I really enjoyed is how “shaking” the beverage really mixed the almondmilk with the espresso. Sometimes I find almondmilk and coffee can separate easily, but that was not the case here.

Anything else you need to know?

Is the chocolate malt a little strong for you? Or just want a hint? As with most other ingredients, you can request different levels of the powder – extra or light powder are also options.

Conclusion:

Cannot wait to have this one again. If I’m feeling fancy, I might even add some whipped cream on top to take it to the next level.

Purchased Price: $5.45
Size: Grande
Purchased at: Starbucks
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 110 calories, 3 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 grams of dietary fiber, 16 grams of total sugars, 2 grams of protein, and 255 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Blueberry Iced Matcha Latte

Marvo 10 Comments

Dunkin Blueberry Iced Matcha Latte Cup

What the Dunkin’ Blueberry Iced Matcha Latte?

It combines Dunkin’s Iced Matcha Latte with pumps of its blueberry flavor shots. Pimple dimple simple.

How is it?

I enjoy Dunkin’s Iced Matcha Latte, which I reviewed when it debuted. And, to be honest, I thought adding some blueberry flavor wouldn’t make that much of a difference. But holy moly, while it just lingers in the background, the fruitiness totally enhances the sweet matcha. The blueberry flavor makes this taste as if it has a blueberry muffin essence.

Dunkin Blueberry Iced Matcha Latte Syrup

It’s a simple addition, but the flavor shots make an already tasty drink even better. If you love the original, then definitely give this flavored version a try.

Although, now that I think about it, maybe my mind is blown a little because all the matcha lattes I’ve ever had have been just matcha with no other flavor. So perhaps the slight change is impressing me more than it should. Still, this is a mighty tasty beverage.

Anything else you need to know?

After drinking this, I wondered if there has ever been a Blueberry Matcha Kit Kat in Japan. I did a lazy Google search and found nothing. Maybe it’s time to get on that, Nestle Japan. Or if you’re feel courageous, Hershey’s, perhaps you should make it here.

Also, this drink makes me want to bake some blueberry matcha muffins. Although, I’m not very good at baking, which was proven when I did not add eggs to brownie batter. So maybe I’ll find a local bakery that does make them.

Of course, since it’s been possible to customize the matcha latte since it was introduced, I could’ve been getting this drink all this time. Speaking of customization, I got mine with whole milk, but you can get it with any dairy or non-dairy milk Dunkin’ offers.

Conclusion:

If you’re not into super sugary matcha drinks and prefer the green tea’s bitterness, then this is not for you. As for myself, I think I may get all future Dunkin’ Iced Matcha Lattes this way.

Purchased Price: $4.59
Size: Large
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Large w/whole milk) 350 calories, 12 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 45 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 43 grams of sugar (25 grams of added sugar), and 13 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

Heather 5 Comments

Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Cup

What is the Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso?

Non-dairy friends, rejoice! Starbucks now has oatmilk! The chain is using it in the new Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. This drink takes shots of espresso – Starbucks Blonde espresso, specifically – and shakes it up with brown sugar and cinnamon. Baristas top it off with oatmilk and you’re good to go!

(Editor’s Note: We also reviewed Starbuck’s Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espress.)

How is it?

On first sip, I noted a strong espresso taste with a tiny hint of sweet – almost like a burnt sugar. I definitely got more of a cinnamon flavor coming through over the brown sugar, especially in the aftertaste. Side note: I’m interested in trying the Brown Sugar Syrup used in this drink in a latte or cappuccino, to really see what that tastes like on its own, too!

I described the shaken espresso to a co-worker as being rather mellow, since it didn’t taste like a sugar bomb. It’s smooth with an oat-y foam on top from the oatmilk. Unless you’re used to a lot of espresso at once, I’d recommend sipping this one slowly to really enjoy the flavor.

Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Foam

The oatmilk paired with the syrup flavor and cinnamon very well in my opinion, and I’m wondering if it will do the same with other combinations. Now off to conduct that research!

Anything else you need to know?

This drink is not for the caffeine faint of heart. A grande packs a punch of 255 milligrams, and let me tell you, I felt it the entire day (I had mine first thing in the morning). If that’s too much for you, I’d advise lowering the total number of espresso shots, or simply sizing down. A tall has two shots, a grande has three, and a venti has four.

I also thought the price was a little steep for this drink – one my usuals at Starbucks is a venti iced latte with various syrups, and it costs roughly the same even though it’s one size up. The new oatmilk is likely driving the price up on this one.

Conclusion:

While this isn’t my most favorite Starbucks drink, I enjoyed it enough to add it into my regular rotation, especially as the weather gets warmer (I’m in the Midwest and we’re patiently – or not so patiently! – waiting for spring!)

Purchased Price: $5.45
Size: Grande
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 120 calories, 3 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 120 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 13 grams of total sugars, 2 grams of protein, and 255 milligrams of caffeine.

Click here to read our previous Starbucks reviews.

REVIEW: Sonic Mesquite Butter Bacon Cheeseburger

Brandon 20 Comments

Sonic Mesquite Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Whole

While not a lightning rod of conversation like, oh, say, pineapple on pizza, or ketchup on a hot dog, there are plenty of passionate parties on both sides of the “BBQ sauce on a hamburger” debate.

If you are on the oppositional side — believing that the “devil’s ketchup” has no place on a hamburger — this review probably isn’t for you. Nothing I have to say will convince you that it is a fine and just condiment to top your sandwich. If, however, you are staunchly on the “pro” side of the aisle, or are at the very least willing to keep an open mind and “see how things go,” you’ll want to read on.

Though this isn’t the drive-in chain’s first foray into buttered patties — it’s had a garlic butter version on at least a couple of occasions — or its first dance with BBQ sauce on a burger (its “hickory” variety of the sauce is still a customizable addition on the app). It is its first attempt at melding the two.

And so does it work?

In most ways, yes.

Sonic Mesquite Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Top

I’ve always been a fan of Sonic’s bacon. It feels like it runs a little thicker than most of their competitor’s, and it fits in well on this sandwich, adding some much needed chew. The BBQ sauce is described as a “honey” sauce, and it is, indeed, sweet. Because of the sauce and the “smoky mesquite butter” that tops the patty, you should know that this is a sloppy affair.

Sonic Mesquite Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Closeup

Additionally, I’ve always been a fan of Sonic’s American cheese. It melts well and tastes perfectly American. (Though I will say, two slices on a burger this size feels like a bit much; one would likely suffice.) The patty itself is juicy and definitely less dry than most other fast food burgers.

Though the toasted brioche bun isn’t anything special, it held up nicely to the onslaught of liquids. And while I am typically a “take-it-or-leave-it” connoisseur of pickles on a burger, these ones really stood out. Their tart acidity melded beautifully with the sauce’s sweetness, and their crunch added yet another excellent texture to the proceeding.

Sonic Mesquite Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Split

So what didn’t I like about this burger?

Really, my major complaint was with the lettuce. Quite frankly, I’m not sure lettuce even belongs on this style of burger. Even if you can make an argument that it does, you’re not likely to prove your point with the limp, wet, and warm shrubbery found here. Nor did the grilled onions add much, except to provide an arsenal of more small things to slide out of the burger’s bottom on a flume of butter with each bite. And finally, there wasn’t much of a “smokiness,” either, which, if you’re crowning your burger as “mesquite,” feels like a bit of a miss.

If you’re a BBQ burger fan, I’m confident you’ll like this. Just, you know, hold the lettuce. And maybe the onions. And what if you got a side of onion rings and slapped a couple of those fried halos under the bun? Hey Sonic, give me a call and let’s talk product development.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 690 calories,41 grams of fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 17 gram of saturated fat, 1780 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of total carbohydrates, 18 gram of total sugars, 3 gram of fiber, and 33 grams of protein.