Duncan Hines Perfect Size Chocolate Lover's

Yes I know this is nothing new. Since I haven't posted about my experience yet here we go. When I first seen the Duncan Hines Perfect Size cake mixes on the shelves, I automatically grabbed a couple boxes of the chocolate cake. Usually when I buy the regular box of Duncan Hines cake mix I'll eat the whole cake in one night. It's bad for my waist line but good in my stomach. I love the idea of a smaller portion size. Although the box says it can feed 2-4 people I couldn't even imagine sharing lol. Inside the box includes a packet of cake mix, frosting mix and cake pan. I've been purchasing this for a few years now and I've never used the frosting mix. I add walnuts to my cake and prefer to eat the cake without frosting. I've purchased the Lemon Bliss flavor in the past and did not use the frosting mix for that as well. I actually purchased a can of lemon frosting. If only they included a pack of ready made frosting it would be so much more convenient. The box does include directions for making the frosting. I've read mixed reviews about how the frosting turns out. My chocolate craving is always fulfilled when I make one of these. You truly taste the chocolaty goodness in every bite!!!
This line comes in other flavors that I've yet to try because I usually stick to what I know and love. I'm thinking I should try the Strawberries and Creme and Red Velvet Dream. Of course I'll update ya'll when I do...

New Spicy Menu items at Chick-Fil-A??

I happened upon this article from the local news station while browsing on my Facebook feed. Apparently Chick-Fil-A is currently testing out two spicy items to possibly add to their menu which are spicy chicken strips and a spicy grilled chicken deluxe sandwich. Of course I was super excited until I read that there aren't any participating restaurants in Virginia being tested out for the spicy chicken strips. I have not tried the regular grilled deluxe because I'm not a grilled chicken fan unless its cut up in some chicken alfredo. I'll definitely be on the look out to see if the strips make it on the Chick-Fil-A menu. 

Here's the link to the article I read for more information: http://wtkr.com/2017/10/28/chick-fil-a-testing-out-new-spicy-chicken-strips-sandwich/

Check out my other Chick-Fil-A Posts 

Chick-Fil-A Freebie: http://evonathefoodlover.blogspot.com/2016/10/chick-fil-freebie.html

Chick-Fil-A Sausage Sandwich/APP: http://evonathefoodlover.blogspot.com/2017/07/chick-fil-sausage-sandwich-app.html

Chick-Fil-A for Vegetarians: http://evonathefoodlover.blogspot.com/2017/09/chick-fil-for-vegetarians.html

Flashback Friday Food Memory

I'm sure there's been a time or two in your life when you've experienced hard times. If you've taken care of all your bills and other necessities more than likely money for food was slim. When you've reached this period of hard times you start to get really creative with food. Here's my flashback food memory of the struggle lol
Share yours down below....

Lunch today 10-17-17 Pizza Hut Chicken Alfredo

Every once in a while I crave for this pasta. Then I binge on it for a few days and stop. It's so good that you have to stop yourself before you get tired of it. I forgot when Pizza Hut first introduced the Tuscani Pastas but I know its been some years. I remember I was just starting to like Alfredo when I first tried the pasta. I also enjoy the fact that this pasta has not changed in taste. The Alfredo sauce is always creamy and the cheese is always melted and tasty. Rotini pasta was the perfect choice in my opinion because it really soaks up the Alfredo sauce nicely and its a nice bite with the chicken and cheese on your fork. One thing I wish corporate would have included with this meal is a vegetable choice of either broccoli or spinach. Today was the second day of my Alfredo binge. Tomorrow may be the last day before I give it up for awhile again lol. Pizza Hut I'm not so much of a fan of your pizza like I used to be but please keep the pasta. Oh yea... I've never tried the meaty marinara pasta. One of these days I vow to!

SmashBurger Triple Double

If you haven't checked out my other SmashBurger reviews click below

Burger: http://evonathefoodlover.blogspot.com/2017/04/smashburger-hampton-va-peninsula-town.html?m=1

Chicken: http://evonathefoodlover.blogspot.com/2017/08/flashback-friday-smashburger-buffalo.html?m=1

Last week I went to SmashBurger on my lunch break with the intention of buying a chicken sandwich. I had a craving for that sandwich with blue cheese crumbles. When I came in, I looked at the menu and noticed the Triple Double special I was sold. Of course I had to first ask what was all on it. The burger is advertised as a double cheeseburger with two slices of American cheese and melted cheddar cheese in the middle of the two burgers topped with their burger sauce. Very interesting and something I've never seen before. The burger also comes with your typical burger toppings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup). I decided to have my burger with melted cheddar cheese only. I will eat a burger with American cheese if I have no other choice. Cheddar cheese has more flavor to me.  Their burger sauce was on point. Think McDonald's Mac sauce but on the tangy side of flavor. The best part is that this is a burger to celebrate their 10 year anniversary so it's only $4!! This burger was messy 😂 definitely have your napkins ready. IT WAS SOOOO GOOD. Hurry and try one before this deal ends... Oh yea check out this interesting article about In & Out's lawsuit against SmashBurger about this burger 😲😲
https://www.eater.com/2017/8/29/16219944/in-n-out-smashburger-lawsuit-triple-double

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

Last weekend was a long overdue ladies night with my sister, cousin, momma and myself. We were making up for my mom's birthday which was last month. We had a great time. My mother and sister has never been to this restaurant before. My cousin and I have visited in the past. I've actually only been here once almost two years ago. I will say in advance that I should not have expected things to be the same exact way. I realize now the stupidity of those expectations. We all had a wonderful night. The drink were awesome. I was writing this review in the restaurant so that's why you see every item broken down.  If you have IG check out my vid of us sing Happy Birthday to my momma: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ_waNIA3Ym/  S/O to Cheddar's for liking the video

Passion punch: Very tasty. You can taste the alcohol but its so fruity that if you're not careful it'll sneak up on you and you'll end up drunk before you know it lol. I love the slushiness of it all lol

( Moms Appetizer) Crab and Shrimp dip: I tasted some. I love the bite size pieces of crab. Very creamy and was warm. It was delightful to eat on a tortilla chip


Mac & cheese sample: the cheese sauce was flavorful. The shell noodles were overcooked so unfortunately I decided not to go with this as my side. 





Chicken and Shrimp combo: The first time I ate at Cheddar's this menu item is what I ordered. This meal was so filling. The shrimp and tenders were juicy. I can't remember the name of the sauce I had on the side last time but it was homemade and sooooo good. Unfortunately this wasn't the case this time. I did misinterpret what our waiter asked when we were talking about how I wanted the tenders. I'm just going to blame that on the drink. I thought we were talking about the sauce choices to have on the side. They had only bbq sauce, honey hot and ranch. They must have gotten rid of the home made in house sauce they had before. When my meal came to me the tenders were covered in buffalo sauce. I wasn't happy since I intended to have dry tenders (no sauce) but again it was my fault so I wanted to work through it. I didn't like the taste of the tenders because they didn't have any crispiness to them. The shrimp didn't taste the same. It didn't have that real shrimp taste.  The breading was bland. I did send the meal back. A manager did come over to ask me for feedback and I informed him of why I sent the meal back.I love that he was really listening.  I ordered another menu item. I went with the bacon cheese burger. After I ordered that my cousin let me taste her salmon and rice and OMG!! Sooo good. Instantly I regretted my decision but my burger was good.




Bacon Cheddar burger: I ordered another menu item. I went with the bacon cheese burger. After I ordered my cousin let me taste her salmon and rice and OMG!! Sooo good. Instantly I regretted my decision but my burger was good. It was well done like I asked but not dry at all. I kept my cole slaw from the last meal. Although it was good, you did have to stir the slaw around in order to get it moistened. All the sauce was at the bottom so if you're bite came from the top the slaw tasted dry. 



Cousins appetizer I believe this to be some cheese nacho's with chicken. Her and my sister munched on these. No complaints. 

Moms entree shrimp and fries with cole slaw: She was not a fan of the shrimp either but she was hungry after drinking some of her alcoholic beverage. Fries were good. Me and her shared the same thoughts about the cole slaw. 

My sisters entree Steak with Mac & Cheese, Mashed potatoes and gravy: My sister was given a sample of the mac and cheese before she order it with her meal. She liked it more than me and our mom at first impression. After she ordered it with her meal she did come to the same conclusion. She was very surprised that country gravy was served on top of her mashed potatoes. She expected brown gravy. She did ask if that was an option but was told that was the only gravy served. Her steak was a little on the rough side. She did ask for it well done. 

My cousins entree Salmon over rice with green beans: She had no complaints about her meal. As stated before I enjoy the taste of her salmon and rice. Very flavorful. I think the fish was pan seared. 

#Flashback Friday : White Castle (Frozen Food)

I was born in NYC and grew up eating a lot of White Castle burgers. I remember my mom taking me to the restaurants. When I left NYC and moved to WNY (Lockport, NY) I was so devastated. I had to leave everything I knew and loved behind. Imagine my dismay when I found out there were no White Castle restaurants around.

I don't remember exactly what year this happened but I was so happy when I saw white castle burgers in the frozen food section. I saw them for the first time while food shopping with my mom at Aldi. Immediately I grabbed at least five boxes with cheese. I had to grab a couple of boxes with no cheese for my brother. The concept is perfect. Pop them in the microwave for sixty seconds and you have a hot and ready white castle burger. All was well with that simplicity until one day the microwave stops working and we have to throw it away. My mom told me to just make them in the oven and the rest is history. I started to actually enjoy them better this way. I'd put them in a frying pan and cover them with a lid for about 10 minutes. The burgers would come out a little bit on the crisp side with that cheese just oozing out. Perfect!! And yes I ate all six burgers in one sitting. I do have to say that I've eaten white castle so much over the years that I've been on a break for about almost a year now lol. Check out the #Throwback pic of me down below with the big box of white castle burgers.

2010

#Flashback Friday

#TBT Dinner Idea: Gorton's Grilled Tilapia w/ Velveeta Rotini & Cheese

Disclaimer: I have so many old food pics in my phone. I should be ashamed but I'm not. I decided to share this #ThrowbackThursday easy meal with ya'll. I'M IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM A COOK! Ya'll know I love to eat though. I was not the type of girl in the kitchen trying to learn how to cook. I just came in to inquire if it was ready yet. When I do cook the meal is super simple. I'm sure there's people out there in the world who can relate lol. 

On this day I was craving baked fish. I had to go grocery shopping to pick up some stuff and decided to try this grilled tilapia by Gorton's. I love the portion size pieces that they provide which is perfect for a single person. The fish tasted pretty good. The only con I have is that although the fish was soft and flaky, it was a little on the watery side. As you see in the picture I did not cover the fish at all. I will buy again because of the taste. The fish wasn't overly seasoned and paired well with the Velvetta rotini and cheese. Velvetta rotini and Velvetta shells and cheese are my staple. I swear I can eat it with anything.

#TBT Dinner Idea: Hamburgers and Gravy

Disclaimer: I have so many old food pics in my phone. I should be ashamed but I'm not. I decided to share this #ThrowbackThursday easy meal with ya'll. I'M IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM A COOK! Ya'll know I love to eat though. I was not the type of girl in the kitchen trying to learn how to cook. I just came in to inquire if it was ready yet. When I do cook the meal is super simple. I'm sure there's people out there in the world who can relate lol. 

My first true experience living on my own with a lease in my name was the first time I really had to put my big girl draws on and cook. This meal is one of my all time favorites. My momma makes this meal with home made gravy but ummmmm..yea... I had to find an alternative. McCormick gravy packets are literally so perfect and tasty. I still purchase a lot of Uncle Ben's ready rice packs because its so easy to throw in the microwave and Boom in 90 seconds you have cooked rice. To make my burgers I use Lipton onion soup mix. I did learn that tidbit from my momma. I just love how flavorful the burgers taste. It's so effortless. I don't have to be scared about over seasoning. So here I present to you Hamburgers and gravy over rice and corn. I had to make some biscuits as well for this meal to come together.