With a monthly $5 foot-long sub special and tons of sandwich combinations to choose from, Subway is now offering a selection of new turkey subs – two of which fit into healthier diet plans and one for those looking for a spicy, cheesy splurge:

• Turkey B.L.T. – bacon and turkey; 320 calories per 6 inches; 7 grams of fat
• Turkey Melt – melted cheese over turkey; 320 calories per 6 inches; 7 grams of fat
• Turkey Jalapeno Melt – melted cheese, jalapeños, and Chipotle Southwest sauce; 430 calories per 6 inches

Subway also offers a special featured footlong for $5 as part of a monthly promotion. In January, the Chipotle Chicken & Cheese is the highlight of the month – melted cheese topping chicken pieces with a Chipotle Southwest Sauce. Other footlongs that are routinely offered for $5 at Subway include Meatball Marinara, Black Forest Ham, Veggie Delight, B.L.T., Cold Cut Combo, and Spicy Italian.

My favorite is Black Forest Ham with tomatoes, lettuce, Provolone cheese, jalapenos and light mayo on 9-Grain bread. What’s yours?

Up for grabs is one $10 gift card to Subway & two (2) Nutella Breadsticks-to-Go packs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Applebee’s went beyond my expectations with their all-you-can-eat soup, salad and bread lunch special – available Monday to Friday for the lunchtime crowd. This lunch special costs $6.99, but for $2 more, the basic salad choices expand to a bevy of specialty salads, including Chicken Caesar Salad and Grilled Shrimp & Spinach salad. It’s worth the extra $2. Each serving comes with a dish of salad, a cup of soup and one breadstick. As you finish, place your next order to receive another helping of the salad and soup of your choice.

The Salads

The basic salad choices include House, Caesar and Spinach. I really like the Chicken Caesar Salad. On my last visit, I discovered the Grilled Shrimp and Spinach salad (only 250 calories). This is a premium salad that joins the Oriental Chicken Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad, and Fried Chicken Salad.

The shrimp/spinach salad is a very interesting combination of ingredients that includes crisp bacon, roasted red peppers, red onions, toasted almonds and hot bacon vinaigrette.

The Soups

Soups include French Onion (or another daily special, like Clam Chowder), a really cheesy Broccoli Cheese, and a creamy Tomato Basil. The soups are extremely filling, especially the Broccoli Cheese because they really pile on the shredded cheese. One cup of the tomato soup is 220 calories, if you were wondering.

The Breadsticks

The breadsticks are hit or miss. I’ve had this special two times already. The first time, the breadsticks were really good with a nice buttery seasoned glaze, and the second time, they were a little on the dry, choke-my-throat side.

McDonald’s tucked a sheet of coupons in the Sunday paper a couple of weeks ago, and I have been using them up a storm – a lot of Buy 1, Get 1 Free products. They even have a coupon for their holiday drinks (Peppermint Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Mocha for 25 cents). One of the coupons is Buy 1, Get 1 Free any McCafe drink. It wasn’t until I spied the Eggnog Milkshake in a McCafe cup on the menu board that I got really excited.

An egg nog milkshake?

Hmmmm – had to try.

The McDonald’s Egg Nog Milkshake comes topped with whipped cream and is smoothly delicious. It tastes just like you would expect – frozen, creamy egg nog. If you are a fan of holiday drinks, holiday flavors, and eggnog, you have to try this. I usually reveal the calories and nutritional facts of the edibles I review, but this is a splurge – something I ‘m not going to let the numbers spoil. I haven’t even checked the damage…and I won’t. Happy holidays to me.

Red Robin is known for their burgers and malts (which are addictingly delicious and very generous in size). I try to eat something different every time I go there.

Last week, I ordered the Burnin’ Love Burger – a cayenne-seasoned patty that comes with lettuce, tomatoes, spicy Pepper-Jack cheese, crunchy fried jalapeño coins, and salsa (which I left off the order).

The whole burger is served between a jalapeño-cornmeal kaiser roll with chipotle mayo. I was very pleased with the combination of this burger. All of the ingredients melded together well – especially the cheese and fried jalapeno coins. So, if you like your hamburgers with a little bit of kick, this is one to try. Burgers come with bottomless (unlimited refills) of fries – I always choose the Garlic Parmesan.

Thank you Red Robin for offering smaller, nicely priced appetizers on your menu (called Jump Starters) because with the exception of some drinks, you could literally get nothing under $7 at your restaurant. My brother ordered the Fried Jalapeno Coin appetizer for $3.49 and I sampled a couple. These little appetizers pack a nice amount of heat. They are crunchy, hot and the perfect size for a starter to a meal. They also come with a cool ranch sauce. I will definitely order this again.

Other appetizer options include Onion Rings, Cheese Sticks, Sweet Potato Fries, Zucchini, and Mushrooms. A single order is $3.49 while a double combo (pick any two) for $6.49.

Doesn’t the commercial for the Wild Berry Frosty Parfait at Wendy’s look tantalizingly delicious? I finally got a chance to experience the combination of fresh fruit chunks, vanilla Frosty, and swirls of pureed fruit. Usually, commercials like this rarely live up to what you expect the food to taste like. This is not the case with the Wild Berry Frosty Parfait – it is really good! You get a nice amount of blueberries and strawberries dance in between the creaminess of vanilla Frosty.

By the Numbers

One serving of Wild Berry Frosty Parfait only sets you back 320 calories (70 fat calories).

Other healthy details include:

• 7 grams of fat
• 1 gram fiber
• 8 grams protein
• 56 grams of carbs
• Vitamin A – 15%
• Vitamin C – 15%
• Calcium – 30%
• Iron – 2%

I’m a calorie counter who is not afraid to splurge, but I am terrified at the possible scale-shattering tally of Denny’s Hawaiian Tropical Pancakes…so I’m not looking it up. What I don’t know won’t hurt me. For someone who loves nutty tropical combinations, the pancakes are well worth the calories. I tried the pancakes when they first came out, and ordered them a second time when Denny’s sent me a buy 1, get 1 free entrée coupon to promote their Tour of America menu. Both times, they were served differently, but still delivered a satisfying taste.

The tropical pancakes use a macadamia nut batter with substantial pieces of nuts. A scoop of thick coconut whipped topping sits atop each pancake, or is placed on one pancake while more is spread between the two pancakes – depending on the chef it seems. While the topping isn’t overly sweet, I still passed on using syrup because it just wasn’t needed.  A couple of lightly grilled pineapple chunks serve as decoration more than anything else. I still ate them, but it wasn’t a make-or-break part of the meal.

Try the Hawaiian Tropical Pancakes if you love coconut and don’t mind generous pieces of nuts in your food. You can order the pancakes alone or as a full breakfast with eggs and bacon. The Tour of America menu also offers a Philly Cheesesteak Omelette for the meat lover and tasty fruit smoothies and milkshakes. If anyone has tried the Georgia Peach French Toast, I’d love to hear your opinions!

Chuck E. Cheese has been around for a long time (since 1977, in fact) and it’s still going strong. It’s always been a fun place for kids, but I’m not embarrassed to admit that I may have had more fun than my nephew when we enjoyed a guest pass to try out the Chuck E. Cheese’s new and improved pizza. Don’t get me wrong, he had a ball, but it definitely turned out to be a lot more fun than I expected. Plus, ALL games are now only 1 token. We played football, basketball, skee-ball, Mario Kart (lots of fun), and some grotesque insect shooting game.

The New Pizza

Accompanying me on this taste-test adventure was my 6-year-old nephew and mother. We ordered a pepperoni pizza – half of which had olives (my mother’s suggestion). The first thing I noticed when the pizza came out was that they didn’t skimp on the sauce because I do not like cheesy desert pizza. The sauce was good, the cheese flexible, and the toppings were fresh. The crust had a pleasant crisp to it. I was pleased with the new pizza – a much better improvement. My mother liked it so much; she asked how much it was to purchase a to-go order.

The new changes that Chuck E. Cheese has made to their pizza include:

• Fresh, non-frozen dough
• 100% mozzarella cheese
• Zesty pizza cheese
• Wider variety of toppings
• Crispier crust

Wanna try the pizza for yourself and have a blast at Chuck E. Cheese?

Giveaway

Up for grabs is a Guest Pass for three winners for:

1 large pizza, 4 sodas, and 30 tokens.

Mandatory Entry

(must be completed before extra entries)

Be my Google Connect Friend.

Extra Entries

(leave separate comments for each entry)

1. What pizza topping really turns you off? [1 entry]

2. What is your favorite thing about Chuck E. Cheese? [1 entry]

3. Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post [2 entries each]

4. Enter the “I’m with Cupcake $25 GC giveaway” [5 entries]

The Fine Print: For every entry that you complete, let me know in the comments section. For example, 2 entries = 2 separate comments. Contest ends August 15, 2011 at 11:59pm (ET).  The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Please leave an email address so I can contact winners, who will have 48 hours to tell me where to send their prize. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

If you didn’t win my previous Wendy’s gift card giveaway, there’s still a chance to snag a Berry Almond Chicken Salad and Wild Berry Tea, or a bunch of Frostys for free. But first, I’d like to tell you about what the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) is doing this Father’s Day weekend. They will donate 50 cents from every Frosty purchase made on June 18 and 19. The money will go towards Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, a program that helps foster children in need of a loving home. There are many different ways to participate this weekend.

• Twitter – Use the hashtag: #TreatItFwd to spread the word. Wendy’s will make a donation for every designated tweet or re-tweet made from Treat it Forward.
• Facebook – You can send a Facebook friend a “virtual” Frosty, or tell friends about Father’s Day Frosty Weekend through the Facebook application on the Treat it Fwd tab. Wendy’s will make a donation.
• Foursquare – For every person who ‘checks in’ to a Wendy’s during Father’s Day weekend only (June 18 & 19), Wendy’s will give a donation.

Basically, buy Frostys at Wendy’s, send out your Tweets or virtual Frostys on June 18 and June 19, and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption will make a donation.

Giveaway

Up for grabs is a $7 Wendy’s Gift Certificate.

Mandatory Entry

(must be completed before extra entries)

Be a Google Connect Friend.

Extra Entries

(leave separate comments for each completed entry)

1. If you entered my $25 Wendy’s gift card giveaway that ended on June 15, you get [2 entries]

2. Enter the Granite, Marble and Tile Cleaner giveaway [3 entries]

3. Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post [3 entries]

3. Copy, paste, and send out one or more of the following Tweets. Come back here and tell me that you did with your Twitter username [3 entries] UNLIMITED:

• Buy a @Wendys Frosty to #TreatitFwd and donate 50 cents to @DTFA this Father’s Day! RT to donate!
• Want to help foster kids find homes? RT this to donate 50 cents to the @DTFA!!! #TreatitFwd!
• I’m donating to @DTFA by enjoying this YUMMY Frosty from @Wendys. 50 cents from a purchase are donated! #TreatitFwd
• Go to @Wendys on June 18 & 19 and buy a Frosty! 50 cents will be donated to @DTFA! Help #TreatitFwd by RT!
• Share a @Wendys Frosty with your FB friends! http://on.fb.me/mjFgBL Each frosty is a 50 cent donation to @DTFA! #TreatitFwd

The Fine Print: For every entry that you complete, let me know in the comments section. For example, 2 entries = 2 separate comments. Contest ends June 21, 2011 at 11:59pm (ET).  The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Please leave an email address so I can contact winners, who will have 48 hours to tell me where to send their prize. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

National Doughnut Day is June 3, 2011, which means you can score free doughnuts at some of your favorite sweet and coffee shops. So far, I see the following deals. If you come across anything in your neck of the woods – feel free to share.

• Free Dunkin Donuts Doughnut – when you purchase a beverage.
• Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut – no need to buy anything. One per person.
• Free Doughnut at Price Chopper Supermarkets with printable coupon