GrubGrade

Chick-fil-A just released Yogurt Parfaits nationwide and today I consumed both.  Not to worry though, the two parfaits combined are only 440 calories and 9.5 grams of fat…I will keep my Kohl’s catalogue model-esque figure, don’t you worry ladies (only kidding ).  I’ve been known to grab the Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait at McDonald’s from time to time so why not give these Chick-fil-A newcomers a taste and do a few comparisons.

Tough for me to pass up some Chick-fil-A Nuggets or one of their Cool Wraps at lunch time but that’s exactly what I did.  Yeah these can be seen as a breakfast menu item but they are available all day.  With a price tag of $2.25 each, I was expecting something a little more substantial.  At about 7 ounces, it’s really kinda small for $2.25. Seeing as though McDonald’s parfaits are only $1.00 and also about 7 ounces, I was disappointed at the CFA price.  The two main components of the CFA Parfait are the vanilla yogurt and strawberry slices.  The Chick-fil-A yogurt and strawberries were tastier and fresher than what I’m used to from the McD’s version so that’s a plus.  Blind taste test on yogurt and strawberries alone makes CFA the easy winner.  I’ve always found the McD’s yogurt to taste a tad off…like an artificial quality that is very noticeable once you have the CFA version.  Also the strawberry slices with the CFA parfait were perfect (I sometimes get strawberries that are still frozen from McD’s).

Now let’s focus on how you can top off your parfait.  You have the granola option and the Oreo Cookie crumble option.  The Yogurt Parfait with Granola will set you back 240 calories and 5 grams of fat. This was my favorite of the two topping options.  Sweet and crunchy clusters of granola are a perfect match with vanilla yogurt and fresh sliced strawberries.  This one was a no-brainer.  The Oreo Cookie topping seemed kind of odd to me. Before I tasted it, I already had it in mind that this medley wouldn’t really work as well.  Of course it’s all a matter of personal preference but Oreo Cookies and strawberry slices kind of clash.  Sure, chocolate covered strawberries are a good match but a crumbly Oreo doesn’t complement a sweet strawberry.  The only advantage I see of Oreo over granola is that the Oreo Parfait is less calories (200) and fat (4.5 grams).

So all it really comes down to is granola or cookie.  The granola works a lot better so that is my recommendation.  When I get a craving for Oreo cookies at Chick-fil-A I’ll be grabbing a hand-spun milkshake .  I was a little turned off by the $2.25 price when compared to $1.00 at McDonald’s, but I also feel that the CFA parfait is a tastier and better quality product. It’s a low calorie and low fat snack that is worthy of a try.

• Pros: Healthy.  Tasty and fresh ingredients.  Two options.
• Cons: Price compared to McDonald’s ($2.25 vs $1.00).  Wasn’t thrilled by the Oreo topping.

Taste: 8.00/10

Value:  5.25/10

Grubbing on the Go: 5.25/10

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GrubGrade: 7.50/10 (w granola) Good

GrubGrade: 6.50/10 (w Oreo) Average

(Overall GrubGrade is not an average)

Price: $2.25

ChickfilA.com

When you get done reading this post, I want you to do two things.

1. Go outside and smell the beautiful Autumn air.
2. Go to your local Einstein Brothers Bagels and pick up their new Pumpkin Bagel Poppers.

I know what you’re thinking: “Adam, you cheap, lazy college student. I thought you hated Einstein’s line of Bagel Poppers?!? And don’t you live in Utah? For goodness sakes, it snowed there the other day. You don’t even have an Autumn!”  Ok, you got me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the bagel poppers when QSR chain Einstein/Noah rolled them out this past spring, and it did in fact snow here in Logan the other day, but October technically is in the Fall, and for me that means Pumpkin. And folks, there ain’t nothing better than Fall foods and especially Pumpkin. (more…)

This is not your ordinary Popeye’s. Located in heart of Dresden, Ohio, this little restaurant was originally opened in 1963 by Dave Longaberger, the founder of the Longaberger Basket Company.  It was originally named the Midway Dairy Bar.  People kept calling it by Dave’s nickname, Popeye’s, so the name became Popeye’s Dairy Bar.  In 1981, the restaurant was sold so that Dave could finance his basket company.   It re-opened in May of 1990 in its current location as Popeye’s Soda Shop.

As you walk through the door, you are transformed back to the 1950’s. The restaurant is set up as an old time soda shop with bright colors.  Teal, pink and white cover the chairs and some of the other decor along with black and white checkers.   Some of the displays include old 45’s, classic pictures and a large gumball machine.   The layout is very spacious with tables in the middle and booths surrounding the outside perimeter.   The back of the restaurant has a small bar with bar stools where you can drool over their delicious desserts which are made fresh and changed up each day.

Popeye’s Soda Shop Menu consists of your normal soda shop fare.  Baskets of fries, sweet potato fries and their signature onion rings made with their homemade batter are available.  You’ll also find soups, salads, sides, cold sandwiches, burgers and chicken sandwiches and desserts.  Some notable items you’ll come across:

• The “Popeye’s Orginial” (Thinly sliced ham stacked on a Kaiser roll. Served with a cup of homemade bean soup and cornbread with red pepper relish on the side.  Price: $8.00)
• “Wimpy Burger” (Two juicy hamburger patties smothered with our own special sauce and melted American cheese.  Served with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion.  Served on a Kaiser roll.  Price: $7.25).

Everything on the menu is under $10.00. They normally serve their coleslaw with your meal, but they were out the day we visited, so they substituted a side salad or applesauce.   The orders at our table were a side salad, Popeye’s Hamburger, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and the Grilled Chicken Salad.

Side Salad

Hamburger and Fries

• Popeye’s Hamburger: A 6 oz. hot and juicy beef patty right off the grill topped with lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles.  Served on a Kaiser roll.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Fries

• Popeye’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich: A juicy grilled chicken breast topped with lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles.  Served on a multi-grain bun.

Grilled Chicken Salad

• Popeye’s Grilled Chicken Salad: A bed of salad greens, topped with slices of grilled chicken, parmesan cheese and croutons.  Served with crackers and your choice of dressing.

Popeye’s has a famous sundae called the “One-Bite Sundae”. The One-Bite Sundae is described as “A Miniature sundae topped with chocolate, whipped cream and sprinkles.”   You may think that this isn’t very big for a sundae, but the trick is that it comes with a mini spoon.  Taking the mini bites helps make it feel as though you are eating a regular sized sundae.   See the picture below, the sundae compared to a glass of tea.  This is a great sundae for those wanting to indulge yet are still watching their weight.  The One-Bite Sundae will only set you back $0.50.

Although times have changed, the great food and fun atmosphere that Dave created 40 years ago continues.  If you are ever in the Dresden area, stop by to experience this wonderful flashback to the 50’s.  Popeye’s Soda Shop is worth the stop.

• Recommendations: The Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich, Any Burger, Grilled Chicken Salad, The One Bite Sundae
• Food: 7.25/10
• Menu Variety:  8.00 /10
• Atmosphere:  Casual/Family
• Price: $$ Moderate $7.01-$14.00
• GrubGrade: 7.50/10 (Good)

I finally stepped away from my favorite Chick-fil-A shake, Cookies and Cream, and tried the New Peach Milkshake. First let me tell you that I have never had a peach milkshake.  I normally stick with the basics.  When I heard that Chick-fil-A came out with this new Summer treat, I had to try it.  After all,  Chick-fil-A headquarters are in Georgia, and who better to make a peach milkshake than a place that is located in the state of the Georgia Peach!?!

Georgia Peach

Anyways, the best word to describe this milkshake is AMAZING! I was totally impressed.  Anyone who has ever had a Chick-fil-A milkshake knows that they come in a styrofoam cup with whipped cream and a cherry on the top.  Hand-spun the old-fashioned way, these are tops among fast food shakes.

New Peach Milkshake from Chick-fil-A

Therefore, the pictures do not do this milkshake any justice.  But let me tell you, this was one of the best milkshakes I have ever had from a fast food place. It was smooth and creamy, as all of their milkshakes are, but it was not an overpowering peach flavor.  Very naturally sweet and appropriately subtle.  There were literally little chunks of real peach throughout this milkshake.  Every other sip I took produced a little bit of peach.

Peach Milkshake from many angles

This milkshake is only available for a limited time, so you should try one while you can.  If you are wary, you don’t have to commit to a 20oz shake anymore, Chick-fil-A now has a smaller 14oz choice.

I know this is just a quick first impressions but let’s give it a rating anyways…

GrubGrade:  9.25/10  (Exceptional)

Price: 14oz Small ($2.49)  720 calories and 19 grams of fat and 118 grams of sugar.

Price: 20oz Large ($2.89)  850 calories and 21 grams of fat and 144 grams of sugar.

Remember, they are only available until August 22nd!

There’s always room for dessert, right?  Well this one came recommended by a friend of mine who loves the Strawberry Shortcake Dessert from Roy Rogers.  I’ll admit, when I first heard of the contents of this, I didn’t have high expectations.  I’m someone who likes to try new and different things, so I decided to give it a fair shot.

The strawberry shortcake dessert treat in my mind has always consisted of strawberries and whipped cream over a pound cake or sponge cake.  I guess I’ve lived a sheltered life, because I didn’t know about the strawberry shortcake over a biscuit.  I thought it was a strange combo, but maybe it’s a regional thing.  Anyways, after a little research, it turns out that I’m the strange one.  Strawberry shortcake over a biscuit isn’t that bizzare after all.  Granted the strawberry shortcake isn’t a typical fast food dessert menu item, but luckily, my first experience with it was a positive one.

It’s pretty basic.  You’ve got a warm Roy’s biscuit in a small cup, topped with syrupy strawberries, all covered up by a nice heap of cool vanilla frozen yogurt.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised about what a nice combo the biscuit and soft serve made.  Who am I to judge?  I have been guilty in my youth of dunking my french fries in a Wendy’s Frosty.  I know there are some of you out there who do the same.  Yes, you.

The Roy’s biscuit is more crusty than it is flaky.  The biscuit tastes fresh, but is a little on the dry side.  The other ingredients helped me quickly forget that the biscuit wasn’t as moist as a sponge cake would be.  The soft serve is your typical vanilla frozen yogurt that melts from the warm biscuit and blends the ingredients together, taking away the dryness of the biscuit.  The syrupy strawberries add a sweet flavor to the dessert.  Each bite I took consisted of a piece of biscuit, soft serve and strawberries.  Overall, I was pleasantly suprised.  The Strawberry Shortcake was a delicious dessert to finish off my meal.

• Pros:  The combination of the warm biscuit and the cold soft serve work well together.  Good size for the price.
• Cons:  Biscuit was a little on the dry side.

Taste:  8.00/10

Value:  7.50/10

Grubbing on the Go:  6.00/10

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GrubGrade:  7.75/10  (Good)

(Overall GrubGrade is not an average)

Price:  $2.49

RoyRogersRestaurants.com