SPOTTED ON MENUS – Jack in the Box Jack’s Blazin’ Chicken Sandwich

Jack's Blazin' Chicken Sandwich

Ryan at Grub Grade tells me Jack’s Blazin’ Chicken Sandwich, which is being tested in limited markets, has Ghost Peppers, which is one of the hottest chili peppers in the world. Someday, I hope this sandwich burns my taste buds and makes me cry like a little boy who dropped his ice cream cone. (Spotted by Steve.)

If you’re out getting some fast food and see a test product on the menu board, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Menus post.

REVIEW: Pizza Hut 3-Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

Pizza Hut 3 Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

Pizza Hut knows we all have the internet, right?

Because how can they consider their new 3-Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza to be the latest and greatest they can offer in the United States when many of us know about–via the internet–a pizza they introduced in the Middle East last year with cheeseburgers as the outer crust, which still hasn’t made its way here. I mean, if this was the 1980s and they released a pizza with cheeseburgers as the outer crust in the Middle East, I’m pretty sure no one in the U.S. would’ve found out about it, unless someone was fortunate to have a Middle Eastern pen pal.

But it’s not the leotard and leggings 80s, it’s 2013 and information spreads easily. When actresses climb out of a car awkwardly, their upskirt photos are posted all over the internet within minutes. When the Boston Red Sox won the World Series, their Wikipedia page was updated within seconds after the final out.

Yes, I’m upset.

This should be a review about a pizza with frickin’ cheeseburgers, but instead I’m writing about a pizza with three cheeses in its crust. I mean, that would be impressive if that was the most cheeses they ever put into a crust, but it’s not. Remember their Crazy Cheesy Crust Pizza? Well, that had five.

But enough of my desire to see that pizza-cheeseburger hybrid in the United States. And it’s not as if other countries now have it…

Wait! What the fu…! Ugh. Seriously? Whatever.

Pizza Hut 3 Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza Closeup

The three cheeses stuffed into the outer crust of this pizza are mozzarella (boring because it’s all over the rest of the pizza), white cheddar (the albino brother of regular cheddar), and provolone (my first cheese option at Subway). The Pizza Hut 3-Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza is a hand tossed-style pizza and you can get whatever toppings you want on yours, but I ordered mine with pepperoni because I’m as boring as the mozzarella, white cheddar, and provolone stuffed into the crust of this pizza.

Let me move away from the stuffed crust for a moment and talk about the rest of the pizza, which won’t be much because it’s just the normal hand-tossed Pizza Hut pizza. If you’re not familiar with their hand-tossed pizza, it’s thinner and not as crispy as their pan pizza. As for the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, it’s the typical stuff you’d find on any Pizza Hut pizza.

Now back to the stuffed crust.

Pizza Hut 3 Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza Super Closeup

Seeing the large puffs on the edge of the pizza, might make you think that each one of them is stuffed with cheese, but they’re not. If you’re an optimist, you’d say they’re half-full of cheese. But if you’re a pessimist, you’d say they’re half-full of air. The combined flavor of the three cheeses is a nice change of pace from the typical mozzarella in the original Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Pizza. Each cheese has a mild flavor so one isn’t going to overwhelm the others. When combined they have a decent flavor that does entice me to eat the crust instead of throwing it away, feeding it to birds, or use them as horns on my head while my friends and I play pizza crust bull and pizza box matador.

However, I don’t see myself ever buying this pizza again. Yes, it’s an improvement over the previous stuffed crust pizza, but I can’t help but think they could’ve done more to encourage non-crust eaters to scarf down the additional carbs. Maybe include a dipping sauce, like they did with their oddly familiar looking Pizza Hut Cheesy Bites Pizza? Or, since the stuffed crust is half-full of air, why not stuff a little sauce, meat, and veggies. Or maybe do something crazy, like attach cheeseburgers.

(Nutrition Facts – 1/8 of a pizza – 300 calories, 160 calories from fat, 17 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 880 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 16 grams of protein.)

Item: Pizza Hut 3-Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza
Purchased Price: $16.99* (for one topping)
Size: Large
Purchased at: Pizza Hut
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: Flavor of the three cheeses is a step up from the usual mozzarella in the original Stuffed Crust Pizza. Ample pepperoni. If you enjoy Pizza Hut hand-tossed pizzas, this one will not offend you. The internet. The Pizza Hut cheeseburger crust pizza. Playing pizza crust bull and pizza box matador.
Cons: Stuffed crust is half-full of air; could’ve used that space to fit more ingredients. Could’ve also used a dipping sauce. Still waiting for Pizza Hut’s cheeseburger crust pizza in the U.S. Doesn’t beat the record for number of cheeses in a Pizza Hut crust. Looks like a Pizza Hut Cheesy Bites Pizza. Having my upskirt photos posted on the internet.

*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.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Nosh Show #16

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In this episode, we tackle Ben & Jerry’s Ron Burgundy flavor; Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups; Gingerbread Twix; and cheap, new McDonald’s sandwiches. We also converse about our shopping habits, admit how we learn about new products, and, of course, share our Noshes of the Week.

You can subscribe to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, or, if you want to listen in the podcast player of your choice, subscribe to the show’s feed. If you enjoy the show and subscribe to it on iTunes, we would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to rate us.

You can also download the episode or listen using the player below:

Thanks for listening!

QUICK REVIEW: Weight Watchers Smart Ones Classic Favorites Loaded Potato Soup

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Classic Favorites Loaded Potato Soup

Purchased Price: $2.49
Size: 8 oz.
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Flavor is similar to a loaded potato with more emphasis on the chives, sour cream, and cheese. Lots of potatoes, chives, and turkey bacon. Surprisingly filling. 4 PointsPlus (I think that’s a good thing). No need for a can opener. When heated and eaten, it can warm the body during the cold months.
Cons: Some of the potatoes were still a little crunchy. Turkey bacon didn’t have much flavor. Not a thick soup. Not a better value than most canned soup. When not heated and not eaten, it can cool the body during the hot months.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Classic Favorites Loaded Potato Soup Closeup

Nutrition Facts: 150 calories, 50 calories from fat, 6 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1 gram of polyunsaturated fat, 1.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 55 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, 8 grams of protein, 8% vitamin A, 15% calcium, and 4% iron.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 11/4/2013

Here are some interesting new and limited edition products found on store shelves by us and your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.

Cap'n Crunch Chocolatey Peanut Butter Snack Mix

I wonder how this will taste in milk. I also wonder if I attach some kind of strap to the bag, can I eat it hands-free. (Spotted by Leah at Walmart.)

Kroger Deluxe Bubble Gum Candy Ice Cream

Kroger Deluxe Churned French Silk Ice Cream

Kroger Deluxe Jammed Cupcake Party Ice Cream

Kroger Deluxe Chocolate Cookie Crumble Ice Cream

“Try it, you’ll love it”? I’m not going to bet against ice cream and frozen dairy dessert, unless we’re living in another ice age. (Spotted by Sylvia at Ralphs.)

Archer Farms Honey Dijon Potato Chips

Archer Farms Jalapeno Potato Chips

Another season, another bunch of new Archer Farms potato chip flavors. How about kickin’ it old school and put out a sour cream and onion version? (Spotted by Marvo at Target.)

Utz Certified S'more to Love Dark & Daring Coffee

Coffee for kids in need!? Oh wait. It’s just coffee that donates 10 percent to charity. I would’ve known that sooner if I read the email that accompanied this photo. (Spotted by Sylvia at Ralphs.)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new or limited edition product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.