Author: Sonia

REVIEW: KFC Sauce

Sonia 6 Comments

KFC Sauce Container

What is KFC Sauce

It’s KFC’s new and improved special sauce.

How is it?

KFC Sauce Closeup

Apparently, chicken places are becoming my schtick. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate a crispy chicken tender, so it’s all good. As I mentioned in my last review, there just so happens to be a KFC along my normal route home. When I heard about the new sauce, I was definitely interested, as sauces really make the meal when it comes to chicken-based finger foods.

KFC Sauce on Chicken

Traditionally, I’m a honey mustard type of girl. Something about that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy just makes me happy. I’ve been known to slather it on everything from burgers to salads. I even got some as back up just in case I wasn’t a fan of the new KFC Signature Sauce and was left with an abundance of tenders to finish unadorned. I am still somewhat surprised to report that it went entirely untouched. The new KFC Sauce is so good that it made me forsake my beloved honey mustard without even realizing it. Yep.

In terms of flavor, it’s reminiscent of barbecue sauce. A little sweet, a little tangy, a little sharp. But it differs distinctly from your standard barbecue sauce in that it’s also creamy.

I think I’ve finally figured out why I love dipping my fries and onion rings in Thousand Island dressing. That creaminess factor just rounds out the flavor profile and adds that subtle silky mouthfeel that you didn’t know what you were missing.

KFC Sauce on Fries

The generous employees at KFC gifted me with two little sauce cups, so I used the other one to test out how well various things went with it. Pretzels, potato chips, and corn chips are all a resounding thumbs up.

In comparison to the previous incarnation of the sauce, it’s literally as if they turned the flavor dial up juuuuust enough. It’s sweeter, it’s tangier, it’s all around kicked up a solid notch.

Anything else you need to know?

The new KFC Signature Sauce replaces KFC’s Finger Lickin’ Good Sauce.

Conclusion:

The new sauce is a total upgrade.

Purchased Price: Included with my chicken tenders combo meal
Size: 1 cup (28g)
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (28g) 130 calories, 12 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Popeyes Raspberry Cheesecake Fried Pie

Sonia 10 Comments

Popeyes Raspberry Cream Pie with Sleeve

What is the Popeyes Raspberry Cheesecake Fried Pie

It’s a single serving deep-fried pie with raspberry and cheesecake filling that joins the classic apple on Popeyes’ dessert menu for a limited time.

How is it?

I’ll level with you here – Popeyes isn’t the first place that comes to mind when I think “dessert.” To be fair, it’s also not the first place that comes to mind when I think “chicken” despite the fact that there’s a Popeyes closer to my house than KFC.

It’s not that I have anything against Popeyes. As a matter of fact, I think its spicy chicken sandwich is amazing. It’s really more that it’s in the opposite direction from everywhere else I usually travel. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess.

Regardless, this pie is pretty dang good. Now, fast food pies are kinda my jam. I started ranking fast food restaurants by the quality of their pies as a kid, so believe me when I say that this one is definitely worth seeking out.

Popeyes Raspberry Cream Pie Coating

It has everything there is to love about a single serving pie, all wrapped up in a cute paper sleeve. You’ve got a flaky, perfectly tender, crisp exterior surrounding smooth, creamy, sweet filling. The raspberry flavor comes through loud and clear and is excellently complemented by the rich, creamy cheesecake accompaniment.

Popeyes Raspberry Cream Pie Innards

If I have one criticism, it’s this: If this pie had been billed as “Raspberry Cream” rather than “Raspberry Cheesecake,” I wouldn’t have known the difference. There wasn’t enough tang to qualify as cream cheese. While there was nothing wrong with the pale side of the filling (side note, the line down the middle was perfect in my pie, ensuring an equal and even distribution of both flavors), it just didn’t read as “cheesecake” to me. If that’s a big detractor for you, keep it in mind but don’t let it stop you from giving this pie a shot.

If I have another, quasi related criticism, it’s that a hint of acid would’ve taken this pie from an 8 to a 10. Just that little tart bite you get from a raspberry or a kiss of lemon to round out all that sweetness and cut through the richness of the filling would’ve made all the difference.

Anything else you need to know?

This sweet treat is only available for a limited time at participating locations.

Conclusion:

Popeyes’ Raspberry Cheesecake Fried Pie is a deep-fried pocket of deliciousness sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Unless you hate raspberries.

Purchased Price: 99 cents
Size: 1 pie (87g)
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (87g) 310 calories, 19 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 60 milligrams of cholesterol, 290 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 1 grams of fiber, 22 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

ANNOUNCEMENT: New Reviewer Sonia

Sonia 10 Comments

Hi! I’m Sonia! I’m a liiiiiittle bit of a food nerd… ok, ok. I’m a super-mega-hyper-gigantic food nerd.

Basically, I’m the kind of person you can ask what the difference is between shoyu and tamari (shoyu has wheat in it, tamari doesn’t), or what that weird-looking fruit you found at the local Asian market is (rambutan, probably), or maybe what on Earth to do with a surplus of tomatoes from your garden (pickle them!)?

Ahem.

I’ve been called “the perfect consumer,” but really, I just love to try new things. If the label says “New!” or “Limited Edition!” on it, I am *so* there! Few things make me as school-girl giddy as the seasonal displays at my local grocery store.

From red, white, and blue gummies to eggnog flavored jelly beans, pink and red snack cakes shaped like hearts to Christmas tree-shaped everything, the best part of every season is the magical selection of thematic treats that accompany it. (I’m especially fond of McDonald’s Holiday pie and have been known to cross state lines in search of them come the day after Thanksgiving).

Every year for Halloween, I make a Quest List (TM) of seasonally appropriate items, mostly of the edible variety, to hunt down between September and October. Those searches, some fruitful, some not, have resulted in some of my favorite memories.

As much as I love to buy (and of course, eat!) things, I love to make them, too. I’m an avid cook and baker, and I can’t remember a birthday or holiday where a new cookbook wasn’t at the top of my list.

Given those facts, it should come as no surprise at all that I have some *very strong opinions* about food in general. I know what I like and what I don’t, and I’m more than happy to share my reasons with anyone who will listen.

That’s precisely why I’m so excited to become a reviewer for The Impulsive Buy. Now you can join my dog in being subjected to my rantings and ravings about the newest flavor of Blizzard or the latest trendy pizza topping.

So grab a can of your favorite soft drink and get comfortable. We’re going to have some fun!