Fast Food Critic - Reviews, News and Nutrition Information about Fast Food.

Recently, I walked into my local Taco Bell expecting to purchase one of their Cheesy Melts, but I was surprised to find another item on the menu I hadn’t tried. They had a sign up for their new ‘volcano taco’ which featured a picture of a red crunchy shelled taco. I asked the cashier for more info and she said it has a special ‘lava’ cheese sauce. Since the store had just opened it’s doors for the beginning of a new day, my taco was about as fresh as taco bell gets. But on my next trip to a different TB location, things were not nearly as fresh. Photos below are from that second taco trip.

I usually go with the soft tacos at TB, so I was a bit nervous about getting this, but I was definitely surprised. It’s really the cheese sauce that makes the taco. It’s quite spicy. Perhaps I’m just so used to it, but their “Fire Sauce” really shouldn’t be called “Fire”. It doesn’t have any real kick to it. The cheese sauce in the volcano taco however actually has some kick, making it possibly the spiciest sauce on their menu. But it’s also not so strong that it overwhelms things. The spices that are present may seem odd for some. It reminded me of the spicy ranch dressing I’ve bought at the grocery store with the flavors/spices coming in a pouch. I love those, but they can have a grainy unsmooth feel. The same for TB’s lava cheese sauce, to a lessor degree.

The red taco shell tasted like a regular shell, though it made me wonder if they’ll have a red ’soft’ shell. I’ve never mastered eating a crunchy taco. They always fall apart and these were no different. I can’t fault TB, that’s all me. The rest of the ingredients are standard Taco Bell: ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, and lettuce.

Trying the Volcano Tacos at 2 locations, I loved the first one, the staff put lots of fresh cheese on, and things tasted great. The second time it tasted as though everything had been sitting around for awhile. The ‘crunchy’ shell was soft, it wasn’t very warm, and the spiciness wasn’t as powerful (still had a small kick, but not as much). Sadly, it seems as though the volcano taco will be hit or miss depending on the TB you visit and the time you go. I would have given this a solid ‘A’ after my first experience, but finding inconsistency with the second drops a letter grade to ‘B’.

At just 89 cents though, I recommend you go out and buy one. It’s worth spending less than a buck to check it out. Your TB may have the consistency to make this an A taco. They are also currently featuring this new taco in the ‘Big Bell Box Meal’.

Price: $.89 / Website: TacoBell.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Volcano Taco from Taco Bell.

The company has not yet published the nutrition information for this new item. Fast Food Critic makes a point of including the nutrition facts with every food review, and will update this once the facts become available.

Making front page headlines in my country right now is a massive recall on Maple Leaf meats due to a “deadly nationwide bacterial outbreak”. Details are online everywhere, but expect the previously unknown word “Listeria” to enter your vocabulary the same way SARS did. Therefore, I suppose this is a timely review, at least for any Canadians reading this (or brave tourists: “Come to Canada for an X-treme Vacation by Eating Processed Meat-food!”) in that I want to broach the challenge of eating meat-free and OMFG maybe even healthy, within the environment of fast food that exists. Yeah, good luck with that, right? Veggie challenge #1 is the Lick’s Nature Burger.

An institution in Ontario for years, and slowly getting franchised across Canada, Lick’s Homeburgers & Ice Cream is a regional burger chain, complete with the Honest Ed’s-style slogan “You can LICK our ice cream but you can’t BEAT our burgers!” (and if I was in charge, I would replace “Burgers!” with “Meat!” heh heh). All bah-dum-dum drum noises aside, it’s just another way of saying “specialty fast food” so you would expect a bit more than dependably mediocre, which is really what lots of fast food is; at least when it comes to the elusive veggie burger.

Measuring my own veggie burger experience against the putrid offerings of other very popular crayola-colour décor’d chains, I usually find the Lick’s Nature Burger to be not merely serviceable, but a fast food item any vegetarian – and some omnivores – would seek out deliberately. And oh look, this location just opened around the corner from the University of Toronto. And as you would expect from university students, the company Lick’s is keeping indicates it’s a smart neighbourhood.

After placing my order at the cashier, I shuffle over to the topping bar where my buns wait to be dressed, and the patty to finish grilling. I do have to mention that the Nature Burger automatically comes with a whole wheat bun, but you can ask for the standard white bun if you want. I am partial to hearty whole-grain action anywhere I can get it, and I appreciate the sandwich developers assumed its clientele would be grain-sluts that way. They know vegetarians.

Amongst the many fresh choices, they have this goo called Guk! sauce which is a mayonnaise / garlic concoction that comes regular or “firey”. I’m not a mayo person (eggs revolt me) but I love heat, so I’m happy to settle for hot peppers to accompany some chopped lettuce, slices of onion and tomato. And for future reference, when presented with the option I will always choose fire.

The beef I have (yeah I said it) with most veggie burgers is that they are simply overcooked. I’m not sure if this is from lack of training or knowledge on the part of the staff, but it’s the one recurring fault. I don’t hear any buzzers and bells in the Lick’s kitchen, so I am assuming that the spatula person has timing authority over the grill, which means my Nature Burger is at their mercy. And upon a quick visual inspection, I see my patty is a bit darker than it needs to be. *SIGH*.

Upon first bite, the dominant flavour note permeating the palate throughout is a pleasing char / grill taste, which comes not only from the patty, but from a quick sear of the bun which got its grill-time as well. The whole wheat bun is hearty without being tough, and it soaks up the moisture bleeding from those beautifully fresh tomatoes and condiments very well. The lunch bag let-down happens with the patty texture, and it’s apparent that it was indeed, left on the grill a bit too long, and surprise, the tender mouth feel that I’ve experienced on past visits, is disappointingly more on the crunch side. Alas, no total happy ending for me on this occasion. Mediocre, score one.

Overall, they’re still a better “burger” than any of the other fast food places serve, and the impeccably fresh components lend brightness to the whole thing. In fact, the first time I had one I thought I had been served a meat patty by mistake; cool, eh? It should be noted that their popular products are available to purchase in select supermarkets as frozen goods, and I’ve bought their patties and cooked them myself. Properly. Next time I’ll try requesting my Nature Burger cooked “rare”, or maybe order one of their other vegetarian offerings, like the Nature Wrap (vegetarian burrito). So I’m over it.

The burger gets a B- on this trip, but I’ve previously had it A, for Awesome. The fries were f-ing fantastic and deserve a review of their own in the future.

Price: $4.89 CDN / Website: LicksHomeburgers.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B-

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Lick’s Nature Burger (patty with whole wheat bun).

Calories - 350
Calories from Fat - N/A
Total Fat - 12.5 grams
Carbs - 34 grams
Saturated Fat - 4.4 grams
Trans Fat - N/A grams
Cholesterol - 0 milligrams
Sodium - 970 milligrams
Protein - 23 grams

Please note these numbers are for the patty and whole wheat bun only. They do not include extra veggies or toppings. At this time Lick’s does not provide those details. Visit this link for more information about Lick’s nutrition.

Hey, G’Day, Eh!

This is Al Hunter reporting from that vast, foreign land sitting atop the USA. Fast Food Critic goes International with this, my first review of the Canadian fast food experience. I’m based in Toronto, which is a bit like living in Florida or Southern California regions of the US. We have most of the big US food franchises (often with modified menus), and also some interesting home-grown restaurants to add variety and exotic flavour (or ‘flavor’ after translation). This is a strange land that superficially looks and feels like America, but every exploration reveals subtle and satisfying differences.

Although an American restaurant chain established 1969 in Columbus, Ohio and now serving at over 6,500 stores worldwide, Wendy’s endeared itself to Canada in 1995 when it bought our iconic Tim Horton’s donut and sandwich chain. For over a decade, Wendy’s and Tim’s could be found cohabiting the same building.

Even now, after they’ve been separated since 2006, you will often find the two working together. On many trips across and around Canada I’d end up in a rustic motel in a smaller town with only a couple restaurants that were open late. Because of that Tim Horton’s connection, I could almost always find a Wendy’s, and when I did it was the Spicy Chicken Sandwich (introduced May 1996) that I chose, along with a side of Chili. The combo was always consistent, somewhat healthy, and very tasty!

The current trend is towards wraps rather than sandwiches, so I thought I’d check out my old favourite in a new package. The first time I tried the Spicy Chicken Go-Wrap without any personalization, just the default version. It was basically the well known sandwich chicken breast fillet cut in half, with iceberg/romaine lettuce, shredded mild cheddar cheese, Ranch dressing, all wrapped in a soft tortilla. Only the chicken fillet is heated, cooked with a nice mix of spices that are not mouth-searing hot but will remind you that you’ve just eaten the wrap up to 15 or 20 minutes later. The chicken breast coating is light and crispy and complements the tender white meat.

All the rest of the ingredients are cold, including the soft wrap. The combination of tastes, temperatures, and spices is quite nice but not easy to duplicate if you try to reheat it later. I became a little excited when I started to look at the personalization that could be applied to the wrap. To cut down on the calories somewhat, I ordered my next wrap with a fresh tomato slice and replaced the Ranch dressing with Mustard. It saved 30 calories and the result is way excellent! Other choices/substitutions include a light mayonnaise, two dill pickles, two onion rings, or ketchup to complete the wrap.

Sometimes a single wrap or sandwich is not quite enough to satisfy, and those times I add a side order of Wendy’s Chili. It makes me happy to know that I’m getting some significant fibre in my meal and really enjoying it too. The chili is especially yummy during the colder months. A plentiful mix of red kidney and navy beans with ground beef, tomato, onion, celery and green peppers. Occasionally I’ve found the chili to be a little watery, but most often it is a perfect mix of flavours and textures.

I often add a package of hot chili seasoning to boost up the spiciness and a couple of broken up Premium Plus salted crackers to extend the meal (both are available at no extra charge). You can also add shredded cheddar cheese on top but I’ve found it makes very little difference to the taste despite adding more fat and calories.

If you’re Canadian and want to sign up for the WendyMail Program you’ll need to be patient for another month or so until their website is updated to accept our quaint foreign addresses. Americans can sign up now to receive discount coupons!

Price: $1.99 Can + tax / Website: Wendys.ca

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

(standard menu item - Spicy Chicken Go Wrap)

Nutrition Facts - Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Go Wrap (standard).

Calories - 310
Calories from Fat - 130
Total Fat - 14 grams
Carbs - 28 grams
Saturated Fat - 4 grams
Trans Fat - 0.3 grams
Cholesterol - 40 milligrams
Sodium - 860 milligrams
Protein - 16 grams
Fiber - 1 gram

Price: $1.99 Can + tax / Website: Wendys.ca

Fast Food Critic Score: A

(custom - No Ranch Dressing, add Mustard, Tomato)

Nutrition Facts - Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Go Wrap (custom).

Calories - 280
Calories from Fat - 100
Total Fat - 11 grams
Carbs - 29 grams
Saturated Fat - 3.5 grams
Trans Fat - 0.3 grams
Cholesterol - 35 milligrams
Sodium - 840 milligrams
Protein - 16 grams
Fiber - 1 gram

Price: $1.59 Can + tax / Website: Wendys.ca

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

(small side order - Beef Chili)

Nutrition Facts - Wendy’s Beef Chili (small).

Calories - 190
Calories from Fat - 60
Total Fat - 6 grams
Carbs - 19 grams
Saturated Fat - 2.5 grams
Trans Fat - 0.3 grams
Cholesterol - 40 milligrams
Sodium - 830 milligrams
Protein - 14 grams
Fiber - 5 grams

Click here for rating system details.

It seems that wraps are slowly but surely taking over the world of fast food. The trend McDonald’s started, by wrapping a chicken strip with lettuce, cheese and sauce inside a warm flour tortilla, has been followed by similar items from KFC, Wendy’s and Sonic. Recently Burger King joined the game too, but instead of using chicken they’re offering a breakfast wrap with egg, bacon, cheese and hash browns.

A few days ago, John reviewed the Cheesy Bacon Wrapper from Burger King, and last month I reviewed McDonald’s Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap. A couple weeks ago I also reviewed a side order of the same Red Beans and Rice used in this new item.

Now there’s another player in this war of the wraps, as Popeyes has just entered the contest with their brand new “Loaded Chicken Wrap”. After eating it the past two nights in a row, I’m comfortable saying they have a winner on their hands. Featuring a spicy chicken strip, red beans and rice, wrapped inside a cheddar cheese tortilla. This wrap tastes great, and it’s filling, with more food than a snack wrap from McDonald’s.

Don’t adjust your monitor, the tortilla is indeed yellow. Despite the color, it doesn’t actually have a very strong cheese flavor, and I was hoping for a bit more cheddar goodness. That’s my only real complaint. The chicken is juicy, tender and flavorful, with a crisp breading on the outside. It has a slightly spicy kick, and the strip itself is a good size. The red beans and rice are very good, a great compliment for the chicken, and make this wrap surprisingly hearty and satisfying for being relatively small.

On both occasions, there was plenty of red beans and rice surrounding the chicken, creating a noticeably bigger, thicker wrap than some of the competitors offer. They’re wonderful as-is, without any sauce, but I found that adding Popeyes hot sauce (which comes in small packets) pushed these over the top into mouthwatering territory.

The new Loaded Chicken Wrap from Popeyes is excellent. Not just another wrap, but something with a unique flavor and combination of ingredients. Like the Chipotle BBQ wrap from McDonald’s, I enjoyed every bite and wanted more. They’re both great, and I’d have trouble picking one over the other, though Popeyes has an edge in size.

Price: $1.49 / Website: Popeyes.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Popeyes, Loaded Chicken Wrap.

The company has not yet published the nutrition information for this new item. Fast Food Critic makes a point of including the nutrition facts with every food review, and will update this once the facts become available.

What is a boneless chicken wing? It’s not a wing at all, but a chunk of breast meat. So why do they call them wings? I suppose because traditional wings (actual wing pieces from a chicken, that also include the bone) have become such a popular item over the past few years, it’s more fashionable than calling them nuggets or something else. They even cut and shape them to look like real, natural wings. Personally I find it odd, but most people I’ve talked to don’t share my fascination with it, so I will move on.

These chunks of chicken are marinated in KFC’s own blend of seasoning, then lightly breaded and deep fried. The meat inside is almost always tender and juicy, and I’ve rarely had any wings I would consider to be dry. After their cooked, they get smothered in sauce. In this case, it’s Fiery Buffalo, a tangy and spicy flavor with a medium amount of heat. KFC says — “it’s a blend of 7 different peppers with a hint of vinegar”.

If you’ve eaten spicy buffalo wings at other restaurants, there’s no real surprises here, but I should warn those who haven’t experienced such a sauce before, that the first couple bites can be a little shocking. If your taste buds were asleep, they will definitely be awoken after you’ve eaten your first wing. There’s also an aftertaste that can linger for hours, and sometimes even numb your mouth to other flavors.

The chicken itself tastes good, with the same flavor and character as the strips used on the snacker sandwiches. However, this sauce can be overpowering at times, and not a good choice for those who want a pure and natural chicken eating experience. And like so many other items in the fast food world, there can be a difference from store to store, as to how strong or thick the sauce is. I believe the source is the same, so the variation is likely due to the period of time it’s kept sitting around.

The Boneless Fiery Buffalo Wings from KFC are very good, but I personally cannot eat more than a few at a time because the sauce tends to dominate the chicken, as well as anything else I eat that day. If you like walking on the wild side, you’re in luck. Those folks with a taste for lighter, milder flavors should proceed with extreme caution.

Price: $6.19 (10 piece) / Website: KFC.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Boneless Fiery Buffalo Wings from KFC (10 piece).

Calories - 840
Calories from Fat - 360
Total Fat - 40 grams
Carbs - 66 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 130 milligrams
Sodium - 4520 milligrams
Protein - 56 grams

Between breakfast at McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, and Burger King, when the choice is up to me, I usually go for Burger King. Don’t get me wrong though, I still enjoy the McDonald’s McGriddle and I usually spend the extra money to add bacon to the sausage version. (It is definitely worth it.) I also like the sausage egg and cheese on a croissant from Dunkin Donuts. I just find myself going to Burger King more often for breakfast. I can remember the first time I had the ‘Enormous Omelet Sandwich’. I bit into it and said out loud ‘Oh My God this is amazing’. The Cheesy Bacon Wrapper is yet another item on BK’s breakfast menu that leaves me wanting another.

It features egg, cheese sauce, American cheese, hash browns, and bacon wrapped in a tortilla. The wrap is perfect for those who do a lot of eating while driving. I am one of those people, and have found some breakfast items too messy or hard to handle while trying to drive at the same time. The wrap though wasn’t messy aside from a slight cheese sauce drippage at the end, but that wasn’t too bad.

The first bite gives you a nice surprise with the added ingredient of the hash browns. Usually, you’ll just enjoy your hash brown as a side item, but added to the wrap is a nice touch. Another difference for this wrap was the cheese sauce. This article calls it a ’smokey cheese sauce’ but I found it to be sweet. It balances well with the saltiness of the bacon and other ingredients. Together with the bacon, American cheese, egg, and tortilla, it all works well, making a nice breakfast snack.

The only issue I have is the distribution of ingredients. On both of my experiences, there were problems. The first time it didn’t have a lot of American cheese at the beginning, but too much at the end. The second time (pictured here) gave me bacon at the end instead of throughout the entire wrap. This definitely takes some points off the grade, but overall the wrap was a positive experience.

At $1.49 each, or $4.49 for a value meal which comes with 2 wraps, coffee, and hash browns, I would totally get this again. It is definitely worth trying at least once with such an affordable price. If that’s all you get, you may still feel hungry afterwards so consider it more of a snack then your entire breakfast. I give this wrap a B plus. It would have received higher if the distribution was more even throughout the wrapper.

Price: $1.49 / Website: BurgerKing.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Burger King Cheesy Bacon Wrapper.

Calories - 390
Calories from Fat - N/A
Total Fat - 24 grams
Carbs - 29 grams
Saturated Fat - 8 grams
Trans Fat - 1.5 grams
Cholesterol - 150 milligrams
Sodium - 1080 milligrams
Protein - 14 grams

After living in and around Philadelphia for the past 8 years, I still do not consider myself a ‘cheesesteak expert’. I’ve visited quite a number of cheesesteak places, but still have to visit a lot more. It seems like all my friends and family members each have their favorite place, whether it’s Jim’s, Pat’s, Geno’s, Tony Luke’s, Delassandro’s, or Steve’s. Of course, there are LOTS of other places where people claim have the best cheesesteak. Of all the places I’ve been, so far my favorite is Tony Luke’s. I always get the ‘provolone with’ which is steak, provolone cheese, and fried onions on a roll.

While driving to work recently, I noticed a billboard for the Subway Philly Cheesesteak, so I decided this would be my first review for FFC. Subway claims: “The Big Philly Cheesesteak is every meat lover’s dream. With lots of steak smothered in melted cheese, it’s easy to see why this classic is the taste that Philly is so proud of.”

Lots of steak it does not have, and it certainly is not smothered in melted cheese. When I tried the cheesesteak for the first time, I wondered if I’d be able to order mine with whiz. Typically, you’ll find American Cheese, Provolone Cheese, or Cheese Whiz on a Philly Cheesesteak. I don’t usually order the whiz, but I was curious to see if that would be an option since many of my friends do. Sadly, it was not an option.

I decided that I would order my Subway cheesesteak with the same ingredients, or as close as I could get to a cheesesteak I’d normally buy. I got the provolone cheese, and had to go with red onions, because they don’t offer fried, sweet onions. They heated my steak on a paper dish in a microwave, then put that on top of the cheese and onions. I did not get my sandwich toasted because I never get them toasted when I’m in the city. I can’t even remember having that option at other cheesesteak shops.

What little steak was on the sandwich, actually tasted pretty good. It was juicy, but not greasy. It was very soft, and thinly sliced. Whatever they used for flavoring the steak was awesome. It was a bit salty, but was just enough where it wasn’t overload. The red onions were at times a bit overwhelming and I found myself asking where the cheese was because the onions and steak overpowered the provolone. The Italian bread was even pretty decent. In past Subway experiences the bread has been rather stale, however both times I’ve tried this sandwich the bread was OK.

Why it’s not a ‘Philly’ Cheesesteak - It wasn’t very greasy, which I tend to enjoy. I like when it soaks into the bread. I had to use red onions instead of fried. There was not enough cheese. (of course I could have paid an extra 60-cents for more) There was not enough meat. The six inch was a bit smaller than ones I’ve had elsewhere.

At a price of $4.99 for a six-inch and $8.49 for a foot-long, it’s an expensive sandwich. I’d prefer to stick with the 5-dollar foot-longs they’re offering. I give this a score of C, because that’s what it was, average. If the price was a bit lower, or they put more meat and cheese on the sandwich, perhaps it would earn a better grade.

Price: $4.99 - $8.49 / Website: Subway.com

Fast Food Critic Score: C

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Subway Big Philly Cheesesteak (six-inch).

Calories - 520
Calories from Fat - 170
Total Fat - 19 grams
Carbs - 50 grams
Saturated Fat - 10 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 100 milligrams
Sodium - 1390 milligrams
Protein - 40 grams

Seafood from a fast food place? Just the thought of it makes some people cringe, and turn up their noses in disgust. After all, the best way to enjoy seafood is when it’s fresh, which is just not possible in this market. But the situation is not completely hopeless, and that’s why Long John Silver’s has survived for almost 40 years.

Today I’m going to talk about the $6.59 Super Sampler Platter. It’s a big meal, and guaranteed to fill you up, even though each item is not really satisfying on it’s own. What’s included in this mini feast? 1 large fish filet, 3 large shrimp, 10-12 smaller sized popcorn shrimp, 1 large chicken plank, 2 hush puppies and a large pile of french fries. And of course, everything is battered or breaded, and deep fried.

The fish is a nice filet of Alaskan Pollack, battered in wheat flour and mild spices. It’s crunchy outside, tender and flaky inside. This is what LJS is best known for, and it’s a good tasting piece of fish considering it’s not a fresh catch. No complaints. [ A ]

The shrimp is a hit and miss situation. The small popcorn shrimp are quite tasty, but the large shrimp leave me totally unsatisfied, and lack any real shrimp flavor. It’s odd, because you’d think it would be the opposite. I’m not sure what’s going on. The coating is different on the two, with the popcorn shrimp getting a more crumbly breading, while the large variety shares the same batter as the fish, but this is not the problem. The large shrimp are simply too bland. Popcorn [ A ] Large [ D ]

The chicken “plank” (as they call it) is a tenderloin with a batter similar to the fish, only lighter and thinner. It’s OK, but doesn’t come close to the natural chicken flavor of the current batch of breast strips from the fast food competition. It’s juicy enough, and a nice big hunk of meat, however the taste is definitely leaning toward the bland side. Granted, it’s a fish / seafood joint doing chicken so that’s not a shocker. [ C ]

The hush puppies are delicious. I could eat an entire box of these wonderful little balls of deep fried corn meal goodness. They’re great on their own, and they’re even better when dipped in ketchup or Long John’s cocktail sauce. Dark golden brown and crispy outside, soft and fluffy inside… this is good stuff. I love them. Period. [ A+ ]

The french fries are crisp and cut thin, with a solid potato flavor, lightly salted and satisfying overall. They’re nothing special, but still above average, better than many burger joints. If McDonald’s fries had a little brother, this would be it. [ B ]

The Super Sampler Platter from Long John Silver’s is a mixed bag indeed. The fish, popcorn shrimp and hush puppies are great. The fries are good. The large shrimp and chicken are disappointing. I suppose it’s too much to ask for one restaurant to do everything, but overall it’s still a good choice for those who enjoy variety.

Price: $6.59 / Website: LongJohnSilvers.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B-

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Long John Silver’s Super Sampler Platter.

Calories - 1850
Calories from Fat - N/A
Total Fat - 102 grams
Carbs - 180 grams
Saturated Fat - 25 grams
Trans Fat - 29 grams
Cholesterol - 310 milligrams
Sodium - 4470 milligrams
Protein - 58 grams

Editor’s Note: Wow, these are some monster numbers! The highest of any review I’ve done yet. Keep in mind, it’s a very big meal, and everything is deep fried. Those who are watching their weight should stay away. For that matter, the high trans-fat content is concerning in this day and age. Eat at your own risk.

Just a quick review today - Whataburger’s lemon pie, available for a limited time only during summer months. It’s a refreshing treat this time of year, despite being deep fried and served hot. The 99 cent price and 230 calories make it almost guilt-free.

The crust is extremely crispy and flaky, with little chunks and pieces breaking away as you munch. If you’ve ever had the hot apple pies that McDonald’s used to serve (before switching from fried to baked) you will know exactly what I’m talking about.

The filling is smooth, thick and creamy, almost like eating warm pudding. There’s a strong zesty lemon flavor, just a bit of tartness and a mildly sweet quality. It makes a wonderful dessert after eating a burger and fries, or a terrific snack by itself.

The Lemon Pie from Whataburger is a tasty, affordable way to add a little summer sweetness to your next meal. Crunchy on the outside, rich and creamy on the inside, and ultimately quite satisfying. If you’re a lemon fan, your fast food pastry is here.

Price: $.99 / Website: Whataburger.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Whataburger Deep Fried Lemon Pie.

Calories - 230
Calories from Fat - 110
Total Fat - 12 grams
Carbs - 35 grams
Saturated Fat - 2.5 grams
Trans Fat - 1 grams
Cholesterol - 0 milligrams
Sodium - 280 milligrams
Protein - 3 grams

When I was a child, my Grandmother would often prepare red beans and rice. She made it because we liked it, but also because the ingredients were inexpensive and easy to purchase in bulk. Money was tight and it was a great way to stretch the dollar. It’s a simple dish, and it’s filling. As Grandpa said so often - it sticks to your ribs.

Popeyes version of this classic is not as tasty as what Grandma used to make, but it’s still pretty good. Long grain rice is cooked and seasoned with salt, onion, garlic and paprika. It’s smothered with red kidney beans and a sauce made with pork-fat that’s been cured with (among other things) brown sugar and natural smoke flavors.

In my experience, the rice is always cooked right, firm on the outside and tender on the inside. The beans are plump and hearty, but sometimes there’s not as many ‘whole’ beans as I’d prefer. The sauce is thick and has a good smokey flavor, but unlike many of Popeyes items it’s not spicy at all. Those with a preference for the hotter side of the menu will likely find this rather bland. That’s just the nature of the dish.

For instance, one time I ate several pieces of their spicy chicken beforehand, after which the beans and rice barely made an impact on my taste buds. Again, this is not Popeyes fault, it’s the dish itself. If you really want to get the most enjoyment from this, I suggest not eating anything spicy with it. Allow yourself to appreciate the soft and subtle flavors on their own. A big bowl will make a wholesome satisfying meal.

If I had one request, it would be for some cornbread to go with it. That’s the way I grew up eating. We would dunk it, and sometimes just break it up and mix it all together. But alas, Popeyes does not have cornbread on the menu. Their buttermilk biscuits are very good, and do a decent job as a substitute, but it’s not the same. If you’ve ever had beans and rice with cornbread, you know it’s a match made in heaven.

Popeyes Red Beans and Rice has a pleasant mellow flavor, and does a fairly good job of recreating the taste I loved growing up in the South. If you’re like me, and you ate the same (basic) dish for years, it will make you feel right at home. But if you’ve never been satisfied by such simple food, it’s unlikely to impress or change your mind.

Price: $1.99 and $3.99 / Website: Popeyes.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Popeyes Red Beans and Rice (regular).

Calories - 320
Calories from Fat - N/A
Total Fat - 19 grams
Carbs - 31 grams
Saturated Fat - 6 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 20 milligrams
Sodium - 710 milligrams
Protein - 10 grams