YumSugar

Yummy Links: From Fall Desserts to Taco Bell's Cupcakes

partysugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:50:32 -0700

21 desserts that celebrate Fall. - Bon Appétit
Why are doctors selling out to Coke?- The Atlantic
Learn how to paint your kitchen. - The Amateur Gourmet
Scenes from the 2009 Los Angeles Chocolate Salon. - Daily Dish
Andrew Carmellini was crowned the Meatball King at the New York Wine and Food Festival. - Grub Street NY
Scary or practical? Coasters that detect if a drink is spiked with date-rape drugs. - Eat Me Daily
Ferran Adria is rumored to be opening a restaurant outside of Spain. - Eater
Taco Bell is currently testing cupcakes and smoothies.- OC Register

Taco Bell's New Focus: Drinks, Premium Food, and Breakfast

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:00:44 -0700

Turns out McDonald's and Burger King won't be the only fast food chains focusing on premium products. So will Taco Bell.

On Tuesday, Yum Brands Inc., which operates Taco Bell, held an investor meeting and announced dramatic plans to shake up the menu at the Tex-Mex chain. Among other things, the game plan includes zeroing in on premium foods, highlighting healthy options, and testing a new line of breakfast offerings.

This year the company launched a nine-item Fresco menu, filled with healthier alternatives that have less than 9 grams of fat, that will be the focus of a "Drive-Thru Diet" campaign in January. It also has plans to extend its selection of beverages, based on the current success of its Frutista Freeze drinks. On top of everything else, the corporation is about to enter early market testing on a breakfast menu, slated to launch in 2012, that'll feature cobranded foods from brands like Seattle's Best, Cinnabon, and Jimmy Dean.

Do you think the fast food corporation's marketing tactics will bring in more diners? Have you sampled anything from Taco Bell's new menu? If not, would you be willing to give it a try?

Source

Will You Scoop Up "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" Collector's Items?

PetSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:27:31 -0700

With the passing of Gidget, I'm wondering if there will be a rush to claim a piece of her past in the form of key chains, talking toys, and t-shirts all over the Internet. Take these tees for example, the doggie-sized shirts come in three colors ($15) and commemorate the classic commercial on your own pets.

My quick search found a pretty big selection still up for grabs on eBay and, if you're interested, there are open auctions to bring the original merchandise to your house. So are you?

VINTAGE ! YO QUIERO TACO BELL T-SHIRT SIZE XL - eBay (item 280374987766 end time Jul-27-09 18:16:34 PDT)	TACO BELL TALKING CHIHUAHUAS - Yo quiero taco bell - eBay (item 280266946173 end time Aug-09-09 20:13:44 PDT)
1998 TACO BELL Key Chain Yo Quiero The DOG TACO BELL - eBay (item 270416910613 end time Jul-27-09 19:05:06 PDT)	Yo Quiero Taco Bell - The Famous Taco Bell Dog For Sale
TACO BELL CHIHUAHUA CHICKEN CHANNEL WHITE T-SHIRT LARGE For Sale	TACO BELL TALKING CHIHUAHUAS - Yo quiero taco bell - eBay (item 280266946173 end time Aug-09-09 20:13:44 PDT)	TACO BELL DOGS WITH CARRIER For Sale

Gidget Goes to Heaven: RIP, "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" Chihuahua

PetSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:30:53 -0700

Arguably one of the most recognizable commercial celebripups, she's best known for a voice that's not her own. The infamous male voiceover of "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" starred none other than the female Gidget, whose huge ears and bright eyes charmed a country in the late '90s, despite the controversial ad campaign itself.
Now, sadly, PeoplePets.com reports that the 15-year-old Chihuahua suffered a stroke on Tuesday night and lives no more. Although Gidget was "mostly retired," she would still accompany her trainer, Sue Chipperton, as recently as a February "Hollywood Animals" shoot for People:

Gidget's happy to sleep for 23 hours and 45 minutes a day. She'll lay outside when it's 105 degrees. I like to joke it's like looking after a plant.

Seems like she lived a happy life right up to the end, just relaxing and hiking but her alert expression always knew where the camera was - rest in peace, little superstar!

Wedding Bells at...Taco Bell

GiggleSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0800

A wedding should reflect the personality of the couple, and in this case, I would say Paul and Caragh Brooks are a cheesy, crunchy and spicy good time! In addition to not sweating the insane details that go into weddings, and saving a lot of money, as a result of their decision to wed in the hallowed halls of Taco Bell, their guests get to graze on Bacon and Cheddar Gordita Crunches and cheesy burritos! Awesome.

Taco Bell Promotes World Series With Free Tacos Again

YumSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:00:57 -0700

When it comes to the World Series, it seems everyone is rooting for a different team, but there's one thing that all of America can get behind: free tacos.

Mexican fast food chain Taco Bell's "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" campaign is back again this year. The promotion, which the fast food chain first launched last year, gives out free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Tacos to all customers if and when a player from any team during any game captures the first stolen base of the 2008 World Series.

There's only one way to find out if this year's World Series will crown a new Taco Bell hero. Will you be tuning in and rooting for your free taco?

Source

Moving at the Speed of Deliciousness

GiggleSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Advertising agencies pay their creatives good money for this, Taco Bell lover, don't give it away for free!

Source

Burger King Turns Trans Fat Free

YumSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:16 -0700

Yesterday, Burger King announced that all of its restaurants in the US and Canada have made the switch to cooking with trans fat free oils. The second most popular fast food chain also announced that all of its menu items, including baked goods, will contain zero grams of trans fat by Nov. 1 - earlier than the company anticipated.

According to a statement issued by Burger King, customers who tried the new trans fat free foods were either unable to tell a difference in the taste of menu items or felt that the products tasted even better. The hamburger chain attributes this to its two proprietary blends of three oils.

The company has fallen under criticism for taking so long to cut out trans fat oils: Both KFC and Taco Bell switched in 2007, and Wendy's a year before that. Number one fast food chain McDonald's is now one of the last to make the complete switch, promising a menu free of trans fats by the end of the year.

Source

Quiz: Taco Bell's Volcano Taco

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

I had so much fun quizzing you all on Wendy's Baconator, I thought I'd "think outside the bun" for this quiz. Taco Bell's menu features a new item, the Volcano Taco. It comes with lava cheese sauce and a red hot colored taco shell. Let's see how this fiery item measures up nutritionally.

Take the quiz

Do You Eat Fast Food?

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:45:32 -0700

When we heard about the newest addition to the Jack in the Box breakfast menu, some of us at the office got into a heated discussion. I was completely shocked to hear that DearSugar rarely eats fast food and has never been to a Taco Bell in her life!

I, on the other hand, can let loose and enjoy a drive-thru burger every now and then, especially when a late-night craving strikes.

What's your opinion on fast food? Are you willing to eat it?

Source