REVIEW: Wendy’s Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger

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Wendy’s Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger whole

When I first saw promotional pictures of Wendy’s new Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger, I thought the chain was offering a value menu item—something that doesn’t take a big bite out of your wallet. However, after looking at its price in the Wendy’s app, my jaw dropped enough to fit two of these Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburgers stacked on top of each other into my mouth simultaneously, because this value-looking burger cost me $7.69.

Yes, like many of my fast food reviews, you’ll see a disclaimer that things are pricier here because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. But I was curious about how much other regions were paying for this burger, with a quarter-pound beef patty, Applewood-smoked bacon, two slices of American cheese, and cheddar cheese sauce on a premium bun. It can also be ordered with two or three patties, if you want to pay even more.

So I did some digging, and here’s what people around the country are paying for this thing:

  • $7.79 Seattle, WA
  • $7.69 Los Angeles, CA
  • $7.49 New York City, NY
  • $7.39 Philadelphia, PA
  • $7.29 Portland, OR
  • $6.69 Dallas, TX
  • $6.69 Des Moines, IA
  • $6.49 Kansas City, MO
  • $6.49 Miami, FL
  • $6.39 Ann Arbor, MI
  • $6.29 Chicago, IL
  • $6.19 Bountiful, UT
  • $5.99 Percell, OK
  • $5.79 Durham, NC
  • $5.29 Phoenix, AZ

Wendy’s Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger meat and cheeses

The $7.69 I paid lands near the top of that list, but I look at the cities paying in the five- and six-dollar range, and I still feel like it’s too much for a burger that looks so unimpressive in person. Yes, it has a quarter-pound beef patty, three bacon slices, a cheddar cheese sauce, and two slices of American cheese, which justifies Wendy’s price for it, but all of them stacked on top of each other creates a menu item that makes me feel like I got pickpocketed by Wendy.

Wendy’s Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger split

If it had a second patty, it might look more reasonable. If the cheese sauce elevated the burger’s flavor mightily, it might’ve made this taste a bit more worthwhile. While there’s a smidge of cheddar flavor, it’s not enough to make this something you must try while it’s on the menu. Overall, its flavor is pretty much what you’d expect from the bacon cheeseburger: cheesy, meaty, smoky, porky, and savory. But it’s also dinky and pricey.

Purchased Price: $7.69*
Size: Single
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 560 calories, 33 grams of fat, 15 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 95 milligrams of cholesterol, 1180 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 34 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. Or not, Seattle.

REVIEW: Starbucks White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew

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Starbucks White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew

I’ve decided Starbucks’ new game is to fit as many words into their drink titles as humanly possible. Here’s another mouthful, just in time for Valentine’s Day: the White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew. This one pairs the signature cold brew with vanilla syrup, then adds a white chocolate strawberry cold foam and chocolate curls on top.

Well, let’s just get right to the verdict here. This drink was fabulous. The strawberry flavor in the cold foam was fantastic – it was very authentic. I didn’t really get any white chocolate feel, but it didn’t bother me since the strawberry was so good. The best way I can describe this cold brew is light and fluffy. Went down easy, tasted great, and the cold foam melted beautifully into the drink. If you want a drink that tastes pretty, this is definitely it.

Starbucks White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew foam
I always love a vanilla syrup in the cold brew, so that didn’t disappoint either. Overall, the sweetness level was perfect – both in the cold brew and cold foam. Everything was perfectly balanced.

I took this down one point in my rating because the chocolate curls were nowhere in sight. In case it might have been a fluke, I got a second one of these at another location in my area and, again, no chocolate curls. I asked the barista at the second stop, and she told me they were completely out of the curls. The Midwest recently had a slight snowmaggedon, so I’m wondering if it’s a supply chain issue. I went as far as to chat with a customer service rep online who said there wasn’t any information available on whether the chocolate curls were a standard part of the drink… even though it’s in the description. If anyone else gets them, I would love to know how they are in the comments!

Without the missing chocolate curls, I would have given this a 10 out of 10. But I’ll certainly be getting this one again. I’m hopeful that Starbucks keeps up the fruity additions in the months to come, as they’ll be perfect for spring and summer.

Purchased Price: $5.25
Size: Tall
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 170 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 40 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 22 grams of total sugars, 2 grams of protein, and 145 milligrams of caffeine.

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

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Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza Box

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!

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza full pizza

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza crust

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.

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza crust underneath

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.

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza crispy cheese

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.

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza top closeup

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.

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

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Little Caesars Detroit-Style Slices-N-Stix two slices four breadsticks

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).

Little Caesars Detroit-Style Slices-N-Stix thickness

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.

Little Caesars Detroit-Style Slices-N-Stix share it with your significant other!

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…

Little Caesars Detroit-Style Slices-N-Stix Crazy Sauce

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.

REVIEW: Starbucks Truffle, Mushroom & Brie Egg Bites

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Starbucks Truffle, Mushroom & Brie Egg Bites

I love Starbucks’ Egg Bites—every single flavor. Even though a chef friend once told me they’re mostly cottage cheese (rude, but not wrong).

After trying the new Truffle, Mushroom & Brie Egg Bites, what I really want next is an egg bite flight. One of each, please.

Starbucks has flirted with “bougie” before, but that always felt like a condiment-level commitment (hello, Truff hot sauce). This is different. Starbucks goes full truffle here.

And truffles are bougie indeedy. People typically hand-forage them during a short season, sometimes with dogs or pigs, and some have sold for eye-watering prices. A white truffle has gone for as much as $330,000 for 3.3 pounds!

Important clarification: truffles are not the chocolate kind. They are intensely pungent and aggressively mushroom-forward. If you don’t like mushrooms, do not eat this. Stay far away. Leave it for us shroom lovers.

Before I even took a bite, the aroma was unmistakable. Yep, that’s black truffle. I had a brief moment of hope that it wouldn’t tip into truffle-oil territory.

Starbucks Truffle, Mushroom & Brie Egg Bites bite

Flavor-wise, it was clearly black truffle to me, not white truffle. Black truffle tastes bolder and earthier, and the flavor came through strongly here. When I checked the ingredient list after, I saw that Starbucks uses an actual truffle base rather than just truffle oil, which checks out.

While “Brie” appears third in the name, it barely played a role. The egg bites did not taste particularly cheesy; the truffle completely dominated. If you expect creamy, mild Brie vibes, this is not that. Truffle leads first, second, and third.

Texture-wise, this felt fluffier than some of the other egg bites. It avoided the puck-like density you sometimes get with the egg white versions and landed softer and lighter overall. The diced mushrooms didn’t compete with the truffle flavor, but seeing and feeling them helped the texture line up with what my nose was picking up.

One unexpected miss was the coffee pairing. I ordered a Pistachio Cortado, and together the flavors went full earthy mode. While I love mushrooms, I do not love savory mushrooms colliding with sweet pistachio sauce. That one’s on me, but it’s worth warning.

As with all egg bites, eat them warm unless you want a silicone-adjacent puck.

Purchased Price: $5.45
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 240 milligrams of cholesterol, 620 milligrams of sodium, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 14 grams of protein.

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