Your home for all those culinary delights, anomalies, and misfires that live on only in our memories...You may know me from Twitter, trying things out here now, too!
Animee (2011-2012): A UK-only release, made by Molson-Coors, this line of beer was marketed as "beer made for women," noting that it was "bloat-resistant" and "unexpectedly sophisticated." Available in "clear-filered," "crisp rose" and "zesty lemon" varieties
Lay’s Kettle Cooked Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese (2017-2017): Thick-cut chips meant to taste like an everything bagel--onion, garlic, poppy & sesame seeds--with a hint of cream cheese. Had a brief 2021 revival exclusively at Sam's Club
Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon (1989-2019): A chain of casual dining steakhouses with a western "roadhouse" aesthetic. At it's peak, there were 267 locations, including in Australia. Currently, one independently operating location exists in Guam.
Banana Fruit Roll-Ups (1987-1987): Banana-flavored candy/sweets can be polarizing, which might explain why this variant of classic Fruit Roll-Up didn't stick around, despite the fact that it boasted it's "real banana" and vitamin C content!
Ben & Jerry's Willie Nelson's Country Peach Cobbler (2007-2013): Released as a tribute to the country music legend, this concoction featured peach ice cream with peach chunks, a peachy swirl, and pieces of cinnamon shortbread. For a brief time was their #2 best-selling flavor in the country
Don't even bother opening your twee board games bar that serves craft cocktails and "cHiLdHoOd cOmFoRt fOoDs wItH a TwIsT" unless you offer "Adventures in Turtleopolis" from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal
Jordy's Farm Fresh Flakes (2016-2017): Green Bay Packer's fan-favorite WR Jordy Nelson received his own cereal-frosted corn flakes-with a name and box aesthetic that honored both his background as a farmer, and the film "Field of Dreams." Corn!
Burger King Fiery Chicken Fries (2015-2016): A variant on BK's classic breaded, fried chicken batons, this version was marinated in cayenne pepper and other spices, and marketed as "offensively spicy." Sold in packs of nine with a choice of dipping sauce
Quaker Chocolate Chip Instant Oatmeal (2011-2016): Classic instant oatmeal, but with the addition of a smattering of real semi-sweet chocolate chips in each pouch.
RE-CONTINUED FOOD NEWS:
Arby's beloved potato cakes are back, this summer, for a limited run at participating stores!
Here's their incredible announcement video, featuring Kyle MacLachlan x.com/Arbys/status...
Presto Pasta (1987-1989): Released for those late 80's families on this go, this product from Betty Crocker offered a complete pasta dinner in 12 minutes. The all-in-one package came with a "Fresh-Flo Pouch" of cheese-filled pasta and "Boil'n Pour Pouch" of meat sauce
McDonald's Mac n Cheese (2015-2016): In December of 2015, McD's began testing macaroni and cheese as a side dish and Happy Meal entree, primarily in Ohio. The dish featured elbow macaroni in a cheese sauce, and came in frozen. It did not catch on.
Aztec Bar (1967-1978): A UK-only release from Cadbury, featuring layers of caramel and nougat, covered in milk chocolate. Had a brief revival at the turn of the millennium as "Aztec 2000" (as was the style at the time).
Just because it's my birthday week, and I think we could all use some levity today...
What are your favorite depictions of food in children's books or media? (could be written, could be illustrated/animated, could be "real")
Freshen Up (1975-2019): A line of chewing gum that contained a flavored gel center, which would provide a burst of flavor while being chewed. Available in peppermint, original bubble, cinnamon, and spearmint, as well as a a "fruit" flavor
Coca-Cola Vio (2009-2010): A carbonated mixture of milk and flavored water, marketed as a "vibrancy drink". Available in Citrus Burst, Peach Mango, Very Berry, & Tropical Colada, it never caught on.
Kashi TLC Happy Trail Mix Cookies (2006-2021): A line of soft baked cookies, meant to provide the trailmix experience in cookie form. Packed with whole grains, shredded coconut, peanuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, and dried cranberries
Slam Duncan O's (2017-2018): Tim "The Big Fundamental" Duncan received his *second* licensed cereal with this H-E-B exclusive, featuring honey nut cheerios "hoops" and cocoa puff "basketballs"
Lay's Cappuccino Chips (2014-2014): Part of the "Do Us a Flavor" contest, this infamous variety featured classic-style Lay's chips meant to taste like a cup of cappuccino, complete with coffee, cream, and cinnamon notes
Hulkster Cheeseburger (2007-circa 2011): Frozen, pre-cooked burgers on a bun, endorsed by Hulk Hogan in the classic red and yellow. The burger itself was dubiously beef, and the "cheese" was listed in the ingredients as "melt." Food engineering, brother!
Reptar Crunch (1999-1999): A promotional tie-in for the "Rugrats" direct-to-DVD movie, "Rugrats Go Reptar!", this sweetened cereal featured purple rice krispies and green dinosaur/Reptar-shaped cereal pieces. Available only from August to mid-September of 1999
Milk Chocolate Pringles (2014, 2015): A limited time release for the holiday season, these Pringles potato crisps were covered with a "cocoa dusting" that provided a vaguely chocolate taste to each bite
ESPN Zone (1998-2018): A chain of sports bar/restaurants, carrying the ESPN branding, featuring a stadium-style layout, wall to wall TVs with sports coverage, memorabilia, and games.
Lay's Kettle-Cooked Indian Tikka Masala Chips (2016-2016): Part of the "Passport to Flavor" lineup, these thick, kettle-style chips featured spices such as cumin and turmeric, meant to evoke a tikka masala dish
Hull-O's (1999-2000): Following the 1999 Stanley Cup finals, Dallas Stars' RW Brett Hull received his own cereal--essentially frosted Cheerios, with proceeds supporting a camp for children with special needs.
Howdy, friends! It's a lazy summer morning, and I'm stuck in my office with no appointments for the next three hours, so if anyone wants to pass the time with a little Q&A (food, music, movies, TV, random topics) have at it!
