FAST FOOD NEWS: Krispy Kreme’s Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnut Returns

Krispy Kreme Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnut

Krispy Kreme is bringing back its Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnut for four days this month — October 6, 13, 20, and, on National Pumpkin Day, October 26. Here’s our review of it.

For the first three dates, which all land on Fridays, the doughnut will be available at participating Krispy Kreme shops after 6 p.m. during “Friday Night Spice.” On National Pumpkin Day, it’ll be available all day, while supplies last. To find a participating shop in the U.S. or Canada, visit krispykreme.com/pumpkinspiceog.

One doughnut has 190 calories, 100 calories from fat, 11 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 85 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 10 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

If you’ve tried it, let us know what you think of it in the comments.

(Image via Krispy Kreme’s website.)

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Pumpkin Spice Shake (2017)

Jack in the Box Pumpkin Spice Shake  2017 1

If you decide to share your purchase of Jack in the Box’s new Pumpkin Spice Shake on social media, Jack would like you to use the hashtag — #OMGPumpkinSpice.

This new shake shouldn’t be confused with Jack in the Box’s Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Shake that we reviewed in 2013 or the Pumpkin Pie Shake that we reviewed way back in 2004. #OMGThisBlogIsSoOld

This updated pumpkin spice shake features real ice cream blended with pumpkin spice syrup and is topped with whipped cream, gingersnap cookie crumbles, and a cherry (mine didn’t come with one). The cookie crumbles appear to be the only difference between the 2017 Pumpkin Spice Shake and the one that came before it.

Jack in the Box Pumpkin Spice Shake  2017 2

The ice cream and pumpkin spice syrup in my cup weren’t mixed well. But after some intense stirring, I got it to the color in its promotional photo. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make me think of pumpkin spice. Instead, it reminds me of the walls at my doctor’s office.

The shake’s flavor is almost as non-festive as it looks. There’s a wisp of pumpkin spice, but I don’t want a wisp. Also, the whipped cream doesn’t help. It dilutes the flavor even more.

But the doctor’s office-colored cloud has a silver lining.

Jack in the Box Pumpkin Spice Shake  2017 3

The ample gingersnap cookie crumbles amp up the flavor of the shake with ginger and cinnamon. Although they move it away from being a pumpkin spice shake and move it towards being a gingerbread shake. But they also take it from blah to rah and kind of make up for the fact that the pumpkin spice flavor isn’t strong.

The ones that topped mine weren’t crumbles. Instead, they were straw-clogging chunks that surprisingly maintained their crunchiness as they sat in the dairy.

Full disclosure: I prefer Jack’s original Pumpkin Pie Shake over the version that came out in 2013 because its pumpkin spice popped. This latest iteration might be even weaker than the previous version, but the cookie crumbles add that punch I want. Although, if I think about it, maybe the shake itself is light because it might be overpowering if both it and the cookies provide strong flavors.

Overall, thanks to the cookies, I do think this version tastes better than the previous one, and I’d buy it again. But I don’t think it beats the original. #OMGItsGood

(Nutrition Facts – Regular – 860 calories, 41 grams of fat, 30 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 85 milligrams of cholesterol, 310 milligrams of sodium, 112 grams of carbohydrates, 92 grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $4.19*
Size: Regular
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Gingersnap cookie pieces take this shake from a blah to rah and kind of make up for its lack of pumpkin spice flavor. Cookie pieces maintain their crunchiness.
Cons: Shake base has a weak pumpkin spice flavor. Its color reminds me of my doctor’s office. Whipped cream dilutes the already weak pumpkin spice flavor. Gingersnap cookies make it taste more like a gingerbread shake than a pumpkin spice shake.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES (FROZEN FOOD EDITION) – 10/5/2017

Here are some interesting new or limited edition frozen foods found by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.

Screamin Sicilian Pizza Co I m Single Pizza  Manbo Italiano and Holy Pepperoni

Screamin’ Sicilian Pizza Co I’m Single Pizza (Manbo Italiano and Holy Pepperoni)

Screamin Sicilian Pizza Co I m Single Pizza  Bessie s Revenge and Supremus Maximus

Screamin’ Sicilian Pizza Co I’m Single Pizza (Bessie’s Revenge and Supremus Maximus)

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart)

Farm Rich Limited Edition Meatballs with a Hot Honey Glaze

Farm Rich Limited Edition Meatballs with a Hot Honey Glaze

Farm Rich Special Edition Pimento Cheese Bites and Fiesta Chicken Roll Ups

Farm Rich Special Edition Pimento Cheese Bites and Fiesta Chicken Roll Ups

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart)

Sara Lee Dutch Apple Pie with Orchard Picked Apples  Crunchy Streusel

Sara Lee Dutch Apple Pie with Orchard Picked Apples & Crunchy Streusel

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart)

Birds Eye Steamfresh Superfood Blends  Black Rice  Edamame and Quinoa  Spinach

Birds Eye Steamfresh Superfood Blends (Black Rice & Edamame and Quinoa & Spinach)

(Spotted by Jarred at Walmart)

New World Farms PB Fit Chocolate Banana Smoothie Mix

New World Farms PB Fit Chocolate Banana Smoothie Mix

New World Farms Pina Colada Smoothie Mix

New World Farms Pina Colada Smoothie Mix

New World Farms Spicy Strawberry Margarita Smoothie Mix

New World Farms Spicy Strawberry Margarita Smoothie Mix

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart)

Evol Garden Vegetable Pad Thai

evol Garden Vegetable Pad Thai

(Spotted by Jarred at Walmart)

Boston Market Tortilla Crusted Fish Fillet

Boston Market Tortilla Crusted Fish Fillet

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart)

Jafflz Breakfast Salsa Frittata Breakfast G Day and Barbeque Sloppy Joe Jaffles

Jafflz Breakfast Salsa Frittata, Breakfast G’Day, and Barbeque Sloppy Joe Jaffles

Jafflz Mexican Fiesta and Sky High Apple Jaffles

Jafflz Mexican Fiesta and Sky High Apple Jaffles

(Spotted by Amanda Y at H-E-B)

Suji s Korean Cuisine Beef Bulgogi Bento with Rice and Chicken Bulgogi Bento with Vegetables  Rice

Suji’s Korean Cuisine Beef Bulgogi Bento with Rice and Chicken Bulgogi Bento with Vegetables & Rice

Suji s Korean Cuisine Chicken Bulgogi Bento with Udon Noodles and Kimchi Rice Bento with Bacon

Suji’s Korean Cuisine Chicken Bulgogi Bento with Udon Noodles and Kimchi Rice Bento with Bacon

(Spotted by Carla at Walmart.)

Sunkist Cransations Snack Packs

Sunkist Cransations Snack Packs

New World Farms Melon Balls and Watermelon Balls

New World Farms Melon Balls and Watermelon Balls

(Spotted by Carla at Walmart.)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email (theimpulsivebuy@gmail.com) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES (GREAT VALUE FROZEN FOOD EDITION) – 10/4/2017

Here are some interesting new or limited edition frozen foods found by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.

Great Value Brunch Burgers

Great Value Brunch Burgers

Great Value Red Velvet Sweet Treats and Pumpkin Spice Sweet Treats

Great Value Red Velvet Sweet Treats and Pumpkin Spice Sweet Treats

Great Value Southwest Style Chicken Bites and Sweet Potato Mini Pie Bites

Great Value Southwest-Style Chicken Bites and Sweet Potato Mini Pie Bites

Great Value Fiesta Chicken Poppers and Chorizo Sausage  Shrimp Corn Cakes

Great Value Fiesta Chicken Poppers and Chorizo Sausage & Shrimp Corn Cakes

Great Value Florentine Mini Quiche

Great Value Florentine Mini Quiche

Great Value Spanakopita

Great Value Spanakopita

Great Value Sweet  Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Great Value Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Great Value Variety Pack Bites  Brie  Apple Fig and Brie  Blueberry Chipotle

Great Value Variety Pack Bites (Brie & Apple Fig and Brie & Blueberry Chipotle)

Great Value Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

Great Value Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

Great Value Sausage  Shrimp Jambalaya Bites

Great Value Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya Bites

Great Value Puff Pastry Party Pack  Caramelized Onion Mushroom Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Puffs

Great Value Puff Pastry Party Pack (Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, Roasted Red Pepper, and Spinach Puffs)

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email (theimpulsivebuy@gmail.com) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

QUICK REVIEW: Panda Express Peking Pork

Panda Express Peking Pork 1

Panda Express’ new Peking Pork is everything I wish the chain’s original Sweet & Sour Pork was years ago — breaded pork, onions, and green bell peppers in a sweet and sour sauce, without hot pineapples.

Because hot pineapple is THE WORST!

But, oddly, hot acidic fruit chunks didn’t stop me from choosing the chain’s Sweet & Sour Pork when it was available. I’d just move the fruit to the side, eat the rest of the entree, and then, after they’ve cooled down, let my fortune cookie’s fortune decide their fate.

“Treat yourself to something of quality.” Trash the pineapple.

“Stop searching forever, happiness is next to you.” Eat the pineapple.

“Keep your expectations reasonable.” Trash the pineapple.

“You will find hidden treasures where least expected.” Eat the pineapple.

The Peking Pork’s breaded pork chop pieces remind me of Chicken McNuggets, but thinner. I don’t know how long the batch I ate from sat before being served to me, but the breading didn’t have a crispy texture thanks to thick, goopy sauce around each breaded piece. The pork itself is a bit dry and firmer than any of Panda Express’ chicken dishes, but it’s still easy to chew.

Panda Express Peking Pork 2

It’s been awhile since I had Panda Express’ Sweet & Sour Pork, so I don’t exactly remember what it tastes like. But I feel as if the Peking Pork’s sauce is less sour, which I don’t mind. It’s tastes great, but because it’s sweet, it kind of reminds me of other Panda Express dishes. Cutting through the sauce’s sugariness are the onions and bell peppers, which also add a bit of crunch that I wish the breading provided.

Overall, Panda Express’ Peking Pork is tasty addition to the chain’s lineup of sweet sauce dishes. Sadly, the hot pineapple-less sweet & sour pork dish I’ve always wanted from Panda Express is only available for a limited time.

Purchased Price: $10.70
Size: Large Entree Container
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (5.6 oz. serving) 400 calories, 180 calories from fat, 20 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 960 milligrams of sodium, 35 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 19 grams of sugar, 20 grams of protein.