Venom Energy Mango

My coworker returned from a long road trip a few weeks back and told me the new energy drink she consumed had given her a headache and upset her stomach. When prompted for the name of the energy drink, she replied, "Venom." God forbid you suffer the ill effects of drinking 16.9 oz of Venom, I mused. This line of energy drinks comes in four flavors, of which Mango was my first foray. Clearly it made an impression if it spurred me to write my first contribution to Phoood.com. I'd like to think I am judicious in my use of the word "thermonuclear," but that said, nothing less would describe the reactive mango core of this can. Venom Energy Mango is too sweet for its own good. It is more mango than mango. Moreover, something about the way the drink met my tongue made me feel as though, if they pumped two or three more PSIs of carbonation into this canister, it might just blast itself off to the moon. It's certainly tasty, but probably more like liquid candy than any other energy drink I've ever had (but I don't drink many). I think I'll stick with coffee for my kicks. It may stain my teeth, but at least I don't feel like I'm drinking diabetes when I have a cup of joe.

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Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch

Some of my favorite breakfast cereals are Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, Cap’n Crunch, Fruity Pebbles and … Raisin Bran. Weird, huh? I don’t really like bran cereal all that much, and usually just like to eat raisins all by themselves. But, somehow, Raisin Bran is more than the sum of its parts. I usually buy Kellogg’s Raisin Bran (no offense to Post Raisin Bran), but had never tried its sister product, Raisin Bran Crunch, until recently. Raisin Bran Crunch has flakes that are much crunchier than the flakes in Raisin Bran and also has oat and honey granola clusters. The cereal has a delicious, hearty crunch and stays crunchy in milk for a long time. It’s really good, and it’s nearly as healthy as Raisin Bran. My only minor quibble is that it didn’t seem to have as many raisins as Raisin Bran. I was expecting “two scoops” of raisins but noticed that, unlike Raisin Bran, the Raisin Bran Crunch box doesn’t mention anything about having “two scoops.” Nevertheless, it’s a delicious cereal that deserves a spot in my cupboard.

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Pepsi Natural

In case you haven’t heard, Pepsi has introduced several new sodas that are sweetened with natural sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup. One of these sodas is Pepsi Throwback, which recently received a “Good” rating here on Phoood. Pepsi Natural is another of the new sodas. It definitely deserves a “Don’t Waste Your Money” rating. For a short time, I considered giving it a “So-so” rating because the flavor is unique and I think some people may actually like it. I’m not one of these people, however. I found the flavor to be very odd and not at all what I want in a soda. The flavor of cola was definitely there, but not in a good way. Honestly, it reminded me of an old soda that had begun to go bad. The Pepsi web site says that Pepsi Natural is only available in limited markets. If you don’t live in one of these markets, be grateful. You won’t be tempted to waste your money on it. I predict that Pepsi Natural will ultimately suffer the same fate as Crystal Pepsi, Pepsi AM, and Pepsi Blue and become nothing but a brief mention on the List of Pepsi Types Wikipedia page.

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Phoood Hall of Fame: In-N-Out Burger Double-Double

Residents of four western states are extremely fortunate that they can eat at In-N-Out Burger, my favorite fast food restaurant. The highlight of In-N-Out’s sparse menu is the Double-Double, which has two patties, two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, spread (similar to Thousand Island dressing with a mayonnaise base), and fresh or grilled onions (or no onions at all). It’s by far the best fast food burger I’ve eaten, and has had a very special place in my heart since the first time I ate one. The flavor and freshness of In-N-Out's burgers are what makes them so much better than the competition. When I need even more meat and cheese, I order a 4x4 (you guessed it - four patties and four slices of cheese!). In-N-Out will make your burger with as many patties and slices of cheese you want. I’ve been tempted to order a 6x6 or an 8x8, but haven’t … yet. One of my many goals in life is to order a 100x100 someday (see example here). In-N-Out is legendary for their excellent food, clean facilities, and friendly service. If you are one of the unfortunate souls who don’t live in California, Nevada, Arizona, or Utah, what are you waiting for? Get on a plane, train, automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, Segway, skateboard, or pogo stick and get yourself to an In-N-Out. I promise that you will not be disappointed.

Wheat Thins Artisan – Wisconsin Colby

I’m always on the lookout for new crackers on my supermarket shelves, especially cheese-flavored crackers. I recently found new Wheat Thins Artisan crackers in Wisconsin Colby flavor. They attempt to combine a Wheat Thin cracker with a cheese flavor, but don’t succeed very well. Perhaps in an attempt to make the cracker “artisan” (whatever that is), they went with a cracker that is a bit thicker and has a different texture than a regular Wheat Thin. As a result, it doesn’t have the same pleasant crunch that I’m used to from a Wheat Thin. And while the box says that Wisconsin Colby cheese is known for its “mild, gentle flavor,” the cheese flavor has a slightly bitter aftertaste that I wouldn’t call gentle. Wheat Thin Artisan crackers also come in Vermont White Cheddar flavor, but I’m not really inclined to try them after eating the Wisconsin Colby flavor.

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Carl's Jr. Crisp Burritos

We stopped at Carl’s Jr. to pick up some eats for the baby, but I wasn’t feeling incredibly hungry. As a result, instead of ordering my regular double western bacon, I figured I’d try out the Crisp Burrito meal, courtesy of Green Burrito’s alliance with Carl’s. One thing I should have obviously noticed is that these things could not be as remotely large as they are displayed, and they’re not. About two inches long and an inch in diameter, these little morsels should not be the main event in a meal, though they’d be an incredible side order. These south-of-the-border eggrolls are very simple and delicious, filled with a thinly ground, seasoned beef, cheese, and jalapeno mixture. Worry not, fellow jalapeno haters, they’re completely unnoticeable, and they give the burrito a little zest. I thought the guacamole came standard with them, so I didn’t ask directly for it and as a result, received none. I checked online, and apparently guacamole is only available for additional charge. I have no doubt though, that had I been granted a wee tublet of avocado dip, these mini-burritos would have been even more enjoyable than they already are.

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KFC Grilled Chicken

Kentucky Fried Chicken. Let me repeat that: Kentucky FRIED Chicken. Needless to say, I was a little perturbed when I heard KFC (nee Kentucky Fried Chicken, the fried chicken king) was going to start offering grilled chicken. It seemed like the move was simply a marketing ploy to broaden their potential customer base. Fried foods have never been too friendly on waist lines, and adding a grilled entree appeals to diet-conscious consumers. But is this addition of grilled chicken something more than just a way to reach new customers? Is it something that will have people coming back again and again, not because it is a healthier alternative but because it flat-out tastes good? I headed to my local Colonel's headquarters looking for an answer. I ordered a two-piece meal, one of the pieces being their original recipe classic and the other being the new grilled chicken. I ate the delicious original recipe first, all the while thinking: why would anyone come to KFC and get anything else? And then I bit into a piece of the new grilled chicken. I was immediately taken aback. It was so juicy and full of flavor that I needed another bite to confirm what I had just tasted. The second and third and so on until I was finished had confirmed my first taste. The grilled chicken really was that good. That juicy, full flavor piece left me wanting more. The new grilled chicken at KFC is not just a ho-hum offering of a backyard classic--they are Kentucky Fried Chicken, after all, and fried chicken is what put them on the map--but their grilled chicken will make me come back.

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Pepsi Throwback

Finally, the long-awaited Pepsi Throwback has arrived. The last decade has been about cost efficient change for soda companies. Unfortunately, taste is always compromised in the process. They’ve been adding high fructose corn syrup as the sweetener, but for the next few months, Pepsi will be going back to their old recipe that used cane sugar! First off, I was hoping the design of this throwback Pepsi was more original with the white blue and red waves paired with the old font. But that didn’t stop me from opening up the 20 fl oz bottle. The fumes that came out of the bottle had me reminiscing my past already. Who knew cane sugar had such as distinctive smell? Drinking the beverage was not too big of a surprise. The only difference I was able to recognize was the after-taste that followed my tongue down. It also seemed as though the drink was not as carbonated, which was a relief. So the real question, would I buy it again? Sure, the small differences are worth noticing and we may never be able to try this throw back ever again.

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Nissin Souper Meal - Chicken with Vegetable Medley

If there’s one thing I can really get behind, it’s instant ramen. Quick to make, fairly filling, cheap, and oh so tasty. I’ve been picking up bulk packages of Nissin Souper Meal (Chicken with Vegetable Medley), and found them to be rewarding in the extreme. First off, the size is incredible. These babies are probably the biggest ramen cups (or bowls rather) I’ve ever seen. It comes with a packet of dried vegetables and herbs as well as a packet of flavoring. Pour in the packets, toss in a generous amount of water, nuke for 5 minutes, and you’ve got your meal. The ramen noodles are a lot flatter and thinner in Souper Meals, which prevent the incredibly annoying under-cooked texture you sometimes get with Top Ramen or Cup Noodles. The vegetables are an excellent addition for the texture and for variety, but I can’t say they bring a whole lot to the party flavor-wise (excluding the herbs). There’s also an amusing little packet of liquid called “The Finishing Touch Flavoring” that you add once the bowl is cooked, and interestingly enough, REALLY makes a difference in the taste for the better. I’ve only tried this one flavor so far, but as many times as I sit down to it, I don’t get sick of it. Two thumbs up, 10/10, whatever you wanna call it, this is some tasty ramen.

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Coke Freestyle Fountain Dispenser

If you think about it, fountain drinks dispensers haven’t really changed much over the years. They’ve been pretty much the same as long as I can remember. Get ready for a change, because the future of fountain drinks is coming soon from Coke. The Coke Freestyle fountain dispenser will offer up to 120 types of different drinks, including waters, juices, and teas, some of which have never been sold in the U.S. It uses higher-concentrate ingredients that allow the machine to dispense so many varieties while only occupying as much space as current dispensers. I can’t wait until the Freestyle comes to my area because it is new and high tech, but honestly, I’ll probably just get a Diet Coke every time. The machines will be tested in Atlanta and Orange County, California in 2009. The rest of the country won’t see them until at least 2010.

Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bar

I’m not a massive fan of granola bars, but I’ve been stuck packing them in lunches for some time now as a result of there being nothing of superior (i.e. deliciously junky) in the pantry. Nature Valley’s “Sweet and Salty Nut Bar” (Peanut Edition) was, for a brief period, one of my favorite granola treats when I wanted something to stuff in my face quickly in lieu taking time to prepare a decent meal. These bars consist of your standard granola coated together with sugary glaze, with an added bottom layer of sweet peanut butter dip the make the whole formula an unoriginal, twice-as-large version of Chewy Peanut Butter Bars. I enjoyed the bars greatly… at first. I can’t place the exact reasoning behind it all, but I became sick of the things with incredible speed. Sweet and Salty Nut Peanut Bars are a tasty snack and I would suggest picking them up for yourself or the kids’ lunches, just don’t buy them in bulk.

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U-NO

I’ve never met a candy bar that I didn’t like – until now. After seeing the U-NO candy bar in stores for as long as I can remember, I finally bought one for the first time. It was the shiny, silver wrapper that caught my eye and the description of “Rich Creamy Chocolate” that convinced me to buy it. I was surprised to find that the candy bar is neither rich, creamy, nor very chocolaty. The center of the candy bar, which the manufacturer describes as “truffle-like,” is the real problem here. Its dry, crumby texture tasted like chalk in my mouth and had a weak chocolate flavor. It’s a mystery to me why this foul substance would be at the center of a candy bar. You might want to use it to scrub your kitchen sink, but you certainly don’t want to ingest it. My only consolation was that the U-NO was on sale, so I didn’t waste too much money on it. Even if someone offers you one for free, politely decline and go eat some dirt instead. It will taste better.

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Oreo Fun Stix

Recently I tried Oreo Fun Stix on a whim, as they happened to be resting uneaten in my pantry. As I removed the interesting straw-like wafers from the wrapper, I was immediately reminded of Pepperidge Farm's Pirouettes, my favorite of all snacks, which set my expectations a little higher. The similarity was very close, except the Oreo Fun Stix contained a membrane of classic Oreo fill in its hollow. I poured a cold glass of milk and took a swig. I was impressed by the way the inner fill created the perfect straw, but it did not change the taste of the milk as I had hoped. After downing the glass, I bit into the nicely sogged crumble wafer and found it to be just like the original Oreo in taste, which I had predicted and hoped for. A tasty treat if you love your Oreos and milk, but mostly just a novelty for a younger demographic. Not a must-buy for hardcore snackers, as the Oreo Fun Stix amusement does not quite meet up with its price and lack of versatility. Want a true wafer? Pick up some Pirouettes.

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Fast Food: Ads vs. Reality

It’s been one of my pet peeves for years, and now someone has documented it with pictures. I don’t expect the fast food I buy to look exactly like the pictures in the advertisements. After all, there's a reason I'm only paying 99 cents for that burrito. But, it would be nice if the companies put just a little more effort into serving items that resemble the picture they are showing us – or stop showing unrealistic pictures of food we’ll never actually see in real life.

Fast Food: Ads vs. Reality [via Lifehacker]

Doritos Tacos at Midnight

Recently, I’ve spotted a few new flavors of Doritos here in Sacramento. I’ll get around to trying them all eventually, but the first one I bought was Tacos at Midnight. It's one flavor in the new “Late Night” series, which also includes Last Call Jalapeño Popper. It appears that by “tacos at midnight,” Doritos was thinking tacos from a taco truck or taqueria (or maybe from Tacos Tacos Tacos Tacos) rather than Taco Bell, Del Taco, Taco John’s, or Taco Bueno. The flavor is heavy on the onions and cilantro and much spicier than the regular Taco flavor of Doritos. You also get some tomato and sour cream flavor. Overall, I like the flavor and would definitely buy Tacos at Midnight over many of the other lesser Doritos flavors. Now, if they can only come up with a Carne Asada Burritos at Midnight flavor…

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Häagen-Daz Five Passion Fruit

Häagen-Daz has taken the “less is more” approach with their new line of ice cream. Each variety is made with only five ingredients: milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and a main flavoring. The result is delicious, intense flavor with nothing to get in the way. Lots of other ice creams are made with things like guar gum, carob bean gum, cellulose gum, and carrageenan, which makes me wonder: if these aren’t really needed to make a good ice cream, then why put them in there? One of the flavors in the lineup is Passion Fruit. I typically like my ice cream to have lots of big chucks of chocolate or fudge or caramel or brownies or peanut butter or cookie dough or candy bar or chocolate covered pretzels or ... well, you get the idea. So, I wasn't expecting to enjoy the Passion Fruit ice cream as much as I did. It explodes with tropical fruit flavor so intense that it almost overwhelms the taste buds. You’ll think that you are eating an actual passion fruit, not ice cream. If the incredible flavor wasn't enough, the ice cream also has the smooth, creamy texture that you expect from Häagen-Daz. It is really, really delicious. Häagen-Daz Five comes in six other varieties: Mint, Ginger, Vanilla Bean, Milk Chocolate, Brown Sugar, and Coffee. Each is delicious (yes, I’ve tried them all) and deserves to be in your freezer - but not for long!

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How to Make a Choco Taco

The Choco Taco is one of the finest ice cream desserts you’ll ever eat. The only problem is that they can be difficult to find. You might find them in gas stations, convenience stores, or the ice cream truck driving around your neighborhood. Years ago, they were sold in Taco Bells but I haven’t seen them there for a while. Serious Eats has an article about how to make a Choco Taco from scratch. It’s a labor-intensive process but the end result looks delicious, maybe even tastier than a real Choco Taco.

How to Make a Choco Taco [Serious Eats]

Mountain Dew Voltage

In 2008, Mountain Dew let the public vote to decide which of three flavors would be added to the Mountain Dew lineup. One of the candidates, Revolution, was reviewed on Phoood and was found to be pretty good, but not revolutionary. The winner was Voltage, which is flavored with raspberry, citrus, and ginseng. It has a nice flavor and is easy to drink, but has a sweetness that kind of reminded me snow cone syrup. Not that this is a necessarily a bad thing, but I’m not seven years old. Ultimately, the name Voltage doesn’t really fit very well. I was expecting something that would electrify my taste buds but instead got a pretty tame flavor that will appeal to lots of people, most of them under the age of 18.

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Cheez-It Pepper Jack

If you don’t already know, I am a diagnosed Cheez-It addict who is unable to control his Cheez-It consumption despite the risk of health problems and negative social consequences. So naturally, I get excited when there is a new flavor of Cheez-It. Cheez-It Pepper Jack is a new addition to the Cheez-It family of crackers that appeared on my grocer’s shelves recently. I avoided buying a box initially because pepper jack is one of my least favorite types of cheese. I’m not really sure why I don’t like it, but assume it’s because there are tiny flecks of vegetables in there. After a few weeks, I just couldn’t resist trying them and bought a box (on sale, of course). My initial impression was that they tasted very similar to regular Cheez-Its. Then slowly, the flavor of the peppers started to appear. The crackers don’t have a lot of heat but the jalapeño flavor is definitely noticeable. The overall flavor is well-balanced between the cheese and peppers, with a pleasant aftertaste that lingers long after you are done eating them. The more of the crackers I ate, the more I liked them. Cheez-It Pepper Jack is a solid addition to the Cheez-It family and should appeal to many people, including other Cheez-It addicts.

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Carl’s Jr. Kentucky Bourbon Burger

I like bourbon and I love burgers so I had to give this one a try. This sandwich is made up of a single, double, or "Six Dollar" patty, pepper jack cheese, two strips of bacon, (my favorite vegetable) garlic-pepper onion straws, lettuce, tomato, and, obviously, Bourbon sauce. I had mine without cheese or tomato. The bacon and bourbon sauce combine for a wonderful smoky-sweet taste reminiscent of Memphis-style barbecue. The onion straws were a really tasty and unusual addition. They’re like a flavored version of the french-fried onions used to top green bean casserole. The Kentucky Bourbon Burger definitely lives up to "If it doesn’t get all over the place, it doesn’t belong in your face." I had to excuse myself after finishing to wash my hands and my face. I definitely enjoyed this burger. Try one soon!

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Bergers Cookies

I had never heard of Bergers Cookies until a Phoood reader, Sebastiano, recently sent me an e-mail in which he lavished praise on them. I later found out that the cookies have been produced in Baltimore, Maryland since 1835 and are distributed in the greater Baltimore region. I was able to get my hands on two boxes of the cookies and immediately knew why Sebastiano liked them so much. These cookies are certainly one of the most unique desserts that I’ve ever eaten. Yet, the cookies are incredibly simple: a buttery, soft, vanilla wafer-type cookie drenched in chocolate fudge. In fact, there is so much chocolate on them that it’s hard to tell if it is a cookie topped with chocolate or a glob of chocolate with a cookie hidden inside. This is not a subtle cookie that you would serve at a tea party. They are heavy, dense, and deliciously decadent. Think of it as the Hummer of cookies. Don’t bother trying to eat more than a couple of them at a time, because you’ll likely give yourself a stomach ache. If you don’t live in the Baltimore area, you can still enjoy the cookies by ordering them through the Bergers Cookies web site. They are a delicious piece of American history that I highly recommend you try.

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Round Table Big Vinnie Pizza

Round Table pizzas are some of my favorites, but the prices have become so high that I rarely buy them any more. I have seen the television commercials for the Big Vinnie pizza and it looked really good. When I got a coupon for the Big Vinnie in the mail yesterday, I knew that the time had come to finally try one. The Big Vinnie is billed as an extra large, New York-style pizza. The pizza is pretty big, so the “extra large” description is accurate. I’m just not sure if calling it “New York” style is appropriate. I’ve eaten pizza in New York a couple of times and it really wasn’t anything like the Big Vinnie. This isn’t to say that the Big Vinnie wasn’t tasty, however. I really liked that it had very little sauce, my least favorite part of a pizza, and a thick, chewy edge on the crust. The cheese and pepperoni were also delicious. I actually think that I like the Big Vinnie more than I do the regular Round Table pizzas. Unfortunately, the Big Vinnie is not a regular menu item and is only available for a limited time. Get one while you still can.

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Pepsi and Mountain Dew Throwback

Get a taste of nostalgia with Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback, to be released in April 2009. Rather than being made with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), they will be sweetened with cane sugar like they were in the good ol’ days. Soft drink aficionados swear that drinks made with cane sugar taste far superior to those made with HFCS. It’s been so long since I drank a non-HFCS soft drink that I can’t attest to this personally, but I’ll take their word for it. Best of all, the bottles will not have the awful new logos. The drinks will reportedly be available only for a couple of months, so be sure to stock up on them.

[via Uncrate]

Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan

If you are like me and prefer the crispy, chewy goodness of brownie edge pieces, then the Baker’s Edge brownie pan should be in your kitchen cupboard. Its ingenious design allows each brownie piece to have at least two edges, and you get three delicious edges on the end pieces. The design also allows the brownies to cook evenly throughout. I received the pan as a Christmas present and have used it several times. Each batch of brownies I made cooked perfectly. The edges had the crispiness and chewiness I love and the centers were just right. Another great feature of the pan is the non-stick coating. The brownies came out easily and the pan was extremely easy to clean. The pan is made from heavy gauge cast aluminum and is extremely sturdy. I suspect that it will last a very long time. The only potential shortcoming of the pan is its price. It currently sells for between $35 and $40 depending on where you buy it. If you can afford it, or you can convince someone to give it to you as a gift, the pan is well worth the price.

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This is Why You're Fat

This is Why You Are Fat is a very simple blog. It has only photos and short descriptions of the most fattening and overindulgent food creations you'll ever see. Just looking at the photos may make you hungry, give you a heart attack, or both.

http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/