Published March 17, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by KEN HOFFMAN

This week I reached out for a new Bacon & Blue Burger from America's No. 1 burger blaster, Wendy's, with 6,700 restaurants all over this great land.This is a pure indulgence. It's not a slider or miniburger for delicate eaters who hold their pinkie out and ask for 10 extra napkins as...

Published March 10, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by KEN HOFFMAN

This week I reached out for a new Smoky Cheddar Steakhouse XT, one of three "X-tra Thick" burgers from Burger King, the second-biggest burger slinger in the world, with 12,000 restaurants in 73 countries, all 50 states and on your way to work.We're picking on the Smoky Cheddar Steakhou...

Published March 10, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by PERVAIZ SHALLWANI

In recent years all manner of unassuming foods have endured high-end makeovers. Mac and cheese was spiked with lobster and truffles, hamburgers got serious slider treatment, and cupcakes morphed into an industry dripping with retro-cuteness.Now pizza is enjoying its own crafting moment.Though high-e...

Published March 3, 2010, 7:13 AM EST

by CLAUDIA W. ESBENSHADE

There are some cuts of meat and fish that just call out for a little something extra, then there are those that can stand on their own. Knowing what can bring your dish to the next level may be confusing.There are some flavor enhancements that can help, but they should be used the right way, accordi...

Published March 3, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by KEN HOFFMAN

This week I reached out for a Bacon & Egg Cheeseburger, which is finally getting some notice at America's all-night flapjack-flipper, IHOP, with 1,433 restaurants in all 50 states.IHOP quietly introduced the Bacon & Egg Cheeseburger in 2006 but only now is running national commercials fo...

Published February 24, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by KEN HOFFMAN

This week I reached out for a dish of new Blueberry & White Chocolate Chip Pancake Puppies — America's first breakfast appetizer — exclusively at America's 24-hour breakfast barn, Denny's, with 1,500 restaurants just about everywhere.Breakfast appetizer? I didn't know...

Published February 17, 2010, 7:22 AM EST

by TOM KNAPP

Chick-fil-A, a well known fast-food chicken franchise, is attempting to make its first inroads into Lancaster County.Representatives for the franchise asked East Lampeter Township to rezone three unoccupied residential properties into a single, 1.9-acre C-2 commercial tract along Lincoln Highway Eas...

Published February 17, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by KEN HOFFMAN

This week I reached out for a new NBA Five Buck Box, a bushel basket packed with fill-'er-up favorites from America's No. 1 Mexican-style drive-thru, Taco Bell, with 5,600 restaurants coast to coast and top to bottom.You may have seen Charles Barkley and Lamar Odom waxing eloquent about the ...

Published February 10, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by KEN HOFFMAN

This week I reached out for a cup of new Light Dulce de Leche ice cream, part of the BRight Choices line of fat-free, reduced-fat, no-sugar-added or dairy-free (I'm getting depressed) ice creams and treats from Baskin-Robbins, the world's biggest dessert cart, with 5,800 shops.Normally, I ru...

Published February 3, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by KEN HOFFMAN

This week I reached out for a $10 Any Pizza in the Joint at Pizza Hut, the largest pizza slinger, with 13,000 restaurants around the world … and around your corner. That's any crust, any topping and any size … for a sawbuck, an Alexander Hamilton, a Ten Spot.This isn't a pizza ...