Let’s not waste time — the Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap from McDonald’s is delicious. This innocent looking little tortilla packs a flavor that’s much bigger than it’s size.

I reviewed McDonald’s chicken selects breast strips back in April, and found them very good overall. But when you add spicy chipotle barbecue sauce, a pinch of shredded lettuce, jack and cheddar cheese, then wrap everything up inside a flour tortilla, things are transformed into something even better. I’ve found it impossible to eat just one, not just because of the small size, because of the big and satisfying taste.

The combination of flavors, textures and temperatures are in a near perfect balance. Soft tortilla gives way to crunchy breading, cool crisp lettuce, tender warm chicken, a small taste of cheese and a fantastic BBQ sauce that’s sweet and tangy, with just the right amount of mild spicy heat. The sauce is a great partner for the chicken.

There’s not much lettuce, and very little cheese. That would be a problem with many items, but not here. Things are working together in harmony. The chicken and sauce are the stars of the show, while the lettuce and cheese are shredded very thin, and serve as light accents to the main attraction. It’s a small item to begin with, and the balance would be disrupted if they were thicker or larger in quantity.

Don’t expect to get full eating one of these, after all it’s called a “snack” and it’s only a single chicken strip. However, with a $1.49 price you can grab 2 plus large fries for under $5. That’s a nice meal, equal to a sandwich or burger in the same range.

McDonald’s Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap (”Crispy”) has a new fan. I’m impressed with this item, and will definitely have it again. Please note there’s also a “Grilled” version available with less fat and calories, without the breading on the chicken.

Price: $1.49 / Website: McDonalds.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A-

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - McDonald’s Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap.

Calories - 330
Calories from Fat - 140
Total Fat - 15 grams
Carbs - 35 grams
Saturated Fat - 4.5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 30 milligrams
Sodium - 810 milligrams
Protein - 14 grams

Sonic Drive-In is introducing the Fried Ice Cream Blast, a new version of the company’s popular frozen dairy treat. Soft serve ice cream, cinnamon crisps, caramel and whipped cream topping are combined to create the new sweet summer special. It’s scheduled to be available on August 1st, however you might find some locations already serving it. When I first heard the name, I thought it was actually a type of fried ice cream. I was ready to be shocked and amazed. As it turns out, “fried” is simply a reference to the cinnamon crisps, which are in fact deep-fried.

Apparently I’m not the only one confused by the title, as they’ve added the following disclaimer to their advertising and website — “Product consists of soft serve, rather than fried ice cream”. — Frankly I find this type of labeling to be silly and misleading, but they don’t consult me on these things. Visit SonicDriveIn.com to learn more.

Over the years there’s been quite a few strange rumors and scary stories regarding the roast beef served at Arby’s. The most common of these tall-tales would have us believe the meat is not “real”. Some have said it’s made from a mixture of powder and beef drippings (fat or grease), others claim it arrives in the form of a gelatinous blob, and transformed into a solid substance by heating, or using chemicals and additives. All of these are false. It’s not imitation meat. It’s very real. Enough of the silliness.

That being said, I suppose one could argue the quality of the beef is not the highest, but we’re talking about mass produced fast food here, not a plate of prime rib at a fancy restaurant. You’ve got to keep things in perspective, and this is perfectly good, tender and tasty roast beef. It won’t impress those with an appetite for the finer things in life, but it will definitely satisfy fast food eaters looking for a quick fix.

If you haven’t eaten at Arby’s before, or it’s been a while, this is a good time to pay them a visit because the Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwiches are on sale, 2 for $4.

No regular burger bun here, instead it’s a toasted onion roll that’s fairly big and thick. It’s firm and maintains it’s shape while being eaten, unlike some lighter breads that collapse and flatten once you grab them and take a bite. The flavor of toasted onion pieces on the top is a very nice compliment to the beef and cheese, but it’s not strong enough that people who dislike onions will be bothered by it.

The roast beef is sliced very thin, and it’s tender enough to almost melt in your mouth. It has a good flavor, is lightly seasoned with a bit of salt and cooked in what Arby’s calls a self-basting solution that keeps the meat juicy and moist. Large pieces of beef are roasted on-site for 3 hours before cooling and heading to the slicer. Topping the beef is a thick cheddar cheese sauce. I’m not a fan of most ‘liquid’ cheese, but this is quite tasty, and has never played tricks on my stomach like so many others.

Finally, the bottom of the onion roll is coated with Arby’s red sauce. The ingredients list actually calls it “Red Ranch Dressing” however it doesn’t contain any mayonnaise, buttermilk or sour cream, so don’t let the name fool you. I’m not a fan of mayo, and you would never catch me eating this if it actually resembled ranch dressing in any way. The sauce is made from tomato paste with spices including paprika, onion and garlic. It’s mild but still has a little kick to it. Arby’s says it’s “zesty”. Sounds right to me.

The Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwich from Arby’s is a winner, mixing the classic flavors of roasted beef and cheddar cheese, with a light spicy undertone, packed inside a nice tasty roll. I’ve been eating these since I was a kid, and except for the occasional store who’s quality and preparation was below average, they’ve not disappointed me.

Price: 2 for $4 / Website: Arbys.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A-

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar Sandwich.

Calories - 445
Calories from Fat - 185
Total Fat - 20 grams
Carbs - 44 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 1.5 grams
Cholesterol - 51 milligrams
Sodium - 1275 milligrams
Protein - 22 grams

Mars Corporation, makers of Snickers, has pulled it’s latest advertising campaign for the peanut filled candy bar after complaints that it was homophobic. But thanks to the Internet and YouTube, you can still view the commercial and decide for yourself.

Now that you’ve watched the video, head over to UTalkMarketing for the details on why the advertisement has been cancelled, and what the company is saying about it.

I think the basic idea of Mr.T firing Snickers bars at people from a Snickers machine gun is pretty funny, but is this version of that concept Anti-Gay? I suppose the remarks “Disgrace to the man race” and “Time to run like a real man” were too much for people to handle. The slogan “Get some nuts” probably didn’t help. What do you think?

Do you notice anything unusual about this “Drive-Thru Speed” survey? Before I tell you the problem, see if you can figure it out yourself by looking at the chart below.

So what’s wrong? — The #1 and #3 rated restaurants DO NOT have drive-thrus.

How can a company be considered tops in their class, when they don’t even offer the service they’re rated so highly for? This is what I kept asking myself this morning after reading the survey. I’ve never seen a Quiznos with a drive-thru. The same for Chipotle. In fact, I remember hearing somewhere that Chipotle was against the whole drive-thru concept, fearing it would negatively affect their image and customer’s experience.

But, maybe I missed something, so I decided to contact the companies. Sure enough, both confirmed they have “zero” drive-thrus. Something is definitely wrong here.

The survey is done by a group called “Corporate Research International” which can be found at CorpRI.com and also MysteryShops.com. You can read the entire fast food results at their other website: RealPeopleRatings.com, along with many other surveys from various industries like Airlines, Hotels, Electronics and Convenience Stores.

I’ve used the CRI website contact form to send a message attempting to clarify this puzzling issue. As soon as I hear back something, I will post an update.

Carl’s Jr. has just introduced a new breakfast item called the Monster Breakfast Sandwich. It’s big, featuring two eggs, two strips of bacon, a sausage patty, Swiss and American cheese, all stacked inside toasted sourdough bread. This also begins a new advertising campaign for the company using the tagline “Breakfast as big as our burgers”. The new sandwich will sell for $2.89 on it’s own, or $4.49 as part of a breakfast combo. For more information, or to find a restaurant location near you, visit CarlsJr.com.

Whataburger makes excellent burgers and chicken strips. They also have french fries that are capable of going head to head with the legendary fries from McDonalds, and solid onion rings. In my opinion, they’re one of the best all-around fast food chains in the country, so it shouldn’t be surprising they also make a good fish sandwich.

The “Whatacatch” is an Alaskan Pollack filet served inside a plain white toasted bun, with a bit of shredded lettuce and tartar sauce. The fish filet is not very thick but extra long, sticking out both sides of the bun. You’ll get a bite of pure fish on either end before meeting the bread. The coating is thin, but still manages to provide a decent crunch, and the tasty cornmeal base is a very nice accent to the flavor of the fish.

The fish tastes very good. It’s light and flaky, with a hint of lemon. No ‘fishy’ aftertaste, and very comparable to the sandwich from Jack in the Box reviewed not too long ago. Unlike Jack’s similar item which goes heavy on the lettuce (using whole leaves), the Whatacatch goes extremely light on the green veggie, using only a few tiny shredded pieces. Finally, a spoonful of rich and creamy tartar sauce to top things off.

It’s rather odd looking, having the filet so mismatched in size to the bun. Despite the length, there’s a section of empty bread that’s left at the end with nothing in between, because the fish is not wide enough to fill it up. On one hand, it’s too long. On the other, it’s not wide enough. The result is that a couple bites are all fish, and a couple are mostly bun. It would be better if they cut the filets in a different shape, so everything fit together properly, getting equal parts fish, bread and toppings with each bite.

However, I believe there’s a logical reason for it. They have a fish “combo” meal, that includes two of the same filets and french fries. The fish looks more natural in this shape when it’s served naked without a bun. So I think it’s just a matter of not wanting to make two different products. The fish was meant to be presented and eaten on it’s own, but they can toss a single piece between a bun and call it a sandwich.

The Whatacatch from Whataburger is tasty and satisfying. Fish lovers will not be disappointed. Those people who swear by ‘fresh’ fish probably won’t be impressed, and it’s unlikely to cause anyone who already has a favorite fish sandwich to make a switch. But it’s still above average for fast food, and it’s made from quality ingredients. I’d like to see more lettuce, and wish the fish filet better matched the bun, however these complaints are not enough to keep it from earning a good review score.

Price: $2.69 / Website: Whataburger.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B

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Nutrition Facts - Whataburger, Whatacatch Fish Sandwich.

Calories - 460
Calories from Fat - 250
Total Fat - 29 grams
Carbs - 38 grams
Saturated Fat - 5 grams
Trans Fat - 1 grams
Cholesterol - 41 milligrams
Sodium - 878 milligrams
Protein - 15 grams

If you’re like me, you were probably excited and intrigued when you heard about Jack’s new menu item. The thought of deep fried macaroni and cheese is pretty darn cool. But unfortunately, not all ‘cool’ ideas result in great products. Such is the case with the Cheesy Macaroni Bites. My initial excitement has turned to overall disappointment.

Size-wise, they’re a little bit larger than a chicken nugget, but thinner. They look good enough. In fact, the coating is a thing of beauty, with just the right color and texture you would expect from a tasty deep fried snack. It’s crispy, golden brown, and breaks away with a satisfying crunch, revealing the soft noodles and cheese packed inside. The shell is nice, no doubt. The problem — crust to filling (flavor) ratio is way off.

You cannot taste enough Mac N Cheese! More specifically, cheese. The coating is simply overpowering. The end result is a snack that’s not very cheesy, doesn’t remind me of the traditional dish, and tastes pretty bland. I wanted to like these. I really did. Heck, I was ready to LOVE these. But I’m sorry, they’re not worthy of the love.

I’ve tried them 3 times, at 3 different locations. There were slight differences in how well-done each order was cooked, with some being darker brown and more crunchy than others, but the bottom line was always the same — crust steals the show.

The photo above was taken after slicing one in half with a knife, after my attempts to photograph a bitten piece proved too sloppy. As you can see, the noodles are plentiful and everything appears in order, but looks can be deceiving. What you can’t detect from the picture is the lack of richness or strong flavor in the cheese sauce. And between the thick coating and the pasta, the cheese is muted and doesn’t stand a chance of making much of an impact on your taste buds.

I still believe in the basic idea. I’m sure there’s a way to make this work, but this is not the right balance. They need a thinner shell, and to increase the cheese content.

The Cheesy Macaroni Bites from Jack in the Box failed to deliver the beloved taste of the classic favorite I was hoping for. The flavor of macaroni and cheese is not strong enough, or satisfying enough for me to desire eating them again. They don’t taste bad, they’re OK, but the ‘average’ label is totally appropriate here. Nothing special.

Price: $2.99 (6 piece) / Website: JackInTheBox.com

Fast Food Critic Score: C

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Jack in the Box, Cheesy Macaroni Bites (6 piece).

Calories - 440
Calories from Fat - 230
Total Fat - 25 grams
Carbs - 41 grams
Saturated Fat - 10 grams
Trans Fat - 4 grams
Cholesterol - 30 milligrams
Sodium - 1220 milligrams
Protein - 13 grams

My apologies for the post earlier today. I’m NOT closing FFC.

I’m having a bad week, and I let some things get under my skin. I’m going to take a couple days off from posting, to regroup, refresh, and work on some coding and other stuff on the technical side of the site that I’ve fallen behind on. I will be back posting and reviewing again within a few days, stronger and better than ever.

My sincere gratitude to those who’ve sent and posted messages of support. I have deleted my rant on the fast food industry. Perhaps I will re-post and expand on those thoughts at another time, but for now I just want to move on and forget it.

Jack in the Box has contacted FFC to announce the introduction of an interesting new item, Cheesy Macaroni Bites. They’re calling it a tasty twist on the traditional dish. Featuring wedges of macaroni noodles and real Kraft cheese enveloped in a crunchy tempura-style coating. Easy to eat on the go, and a perfect snack or side order.

“Mac ‘N’ Cheese is an American classic that’s universally loved,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box Inc. “Our new Cheesy Macaroni Bites offer the same great flavor of the original dish, but in a unique, finger-food style that’s very convenient and portable.” Jack’s new Cheesy Macaroni Bites are priced at $1.69 for three pieces and $2.99 for six pieces. Available today!