March 28, 2009
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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March 23, 2009
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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March 21, 2009
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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March 5, 2009
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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