Summertime/Limited Time fast food treats

Hello there.  You have found mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog that shares random food-centric posts.  Today, Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are relaxing and researching.  Cathy is writing.

According to the calendar, Summer is less than three weeks away from becoming Autumn.  The Labor Day weekend is sometimes considered the end of summer, but food-wise, the stone fruits, ears of corn and tomatoes on the vine are still growing and available in the stores.  

At some local and mostly chain restaurants, there have been some Summer-only treats which will be slipping off of the menu soon. We enjoy trying the seasonally special treats, enjoying the 'rare' rather than the 'usual'.  Here's a small compilation of what was found this year.IMG_6765IMG_6770IMG_6807IMG_6760IMG_6810IMG_6983IMG_6977Stopping at the oldest operating McDonald's Restaurant, in Downey, which has a museum of McDonald's memorabilia, to try the fried apple pie once a year is a Summer splurge.  At any McDonald's, the baked peach pie was a special item this Summer.  Not only peaches, but a layer of cream cheese, which cuts the sweetness and adds a richness. A great treat. 

Another note- ALL McDonald's have "Filet o Fish Friday" all year (not just during Lent) with reduced prices ($1.50) on those delightful sandwiches on Fridays.  It's not advertised but usually the bottom item on the 'Value Menu', or just ask. Website
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IMG_6880The Starbucks Window decals this Summer have been concentric circles, symbolizing bubbles.  They have been advertising not only adding carbonation to ANY beverage (for a mere fifty cents) but also have had "Fizzio" beverages available in three flavors (root beer, ginger and ginger-lemon).  All three flavors are caffeine free, hand made with a combination of syrups and the carbonation and contain cane sugar.  The  flavor is very close to Vernors Ginger Ale in taste point (not like Canada Dry or Schweppes at all). The root beer- you can almost taste each ingredient, from the cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses and anise to the vanilla. Very different and refreshing on some of our warmer/humid days. Also this summer, the San Diego area Starbucks were 'retrofitted' to display and sell (Starbucks-owned) La Boulange pastries.  The stores just North of us began serving La Boulange more than a year ago.  Some of the pastries are excellent.  The ham and cheese and egg breakfast sandwich on this croissant-like bun is very good and different from the 'artisan' ham and cheese also available.  WebsiteIMG_7069IMG_7081IMG_7079IMG_0795
In honor of it's 50th anniversary, Del Taco brought back their 'Classics' this summer, and the **Bun Taco** revived a craving.  I remember we purchased both a Bun Taco and a Taco Salad and ate those on the floor of our new home when unpacking from our cross country move…a 'California Meal', we said…  WebsiteIMG_6453

A new item available at 85C is a lemon iced tea, which is made with a whole sliced lemon.  Ordered without any added sweetener, this is really tasty; both the tea and lemon are standouts.  WebsiteIMG_5648IMG_5641IMG_5647IMG_7406Jack In The Box had a few new items available.  The 'croissant donut', made to order was so promising.  As you can see, the texture is nothing like the ad.  It was pretty much the churro dough fried into another shape, topped with the churro cinnamon sugar topping.  Disappointing.  The banana sundae though was very nice.  A layer of banana puree topped with soft serve, hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry was refreshing.  WebsiteIMG_0459IMG_0467Another cinnamon-sugar flavored dough was at Carls, Jr.  The 'cinnamon pull apart' seems to be made of balls formed from biscuit dough (which is very good) rolled in cinamon sugar then baked into a large roundish shape.  It tastes like something mom made at home with leftovers. websiteIMG_0739Rita's, an East Coast frozen custard-Italian ice franchise has finally made it to San Diego, opening five locations as of this date, with more slated.  We've stopped at the Chula Vista location and have tried various daily-made ices as well as custards.  So far, a gelati (layers of custard and Italian ice) made with Florida orange ice and vanilla custard is a favorite.  The Swedish Fish flavor is really good too.  I first found out about Rita's from cc , who has visited here many times since April. WebsiteIMG_0451IMG_0449IMG_0448Paris Baguette has been having mid-month deals for a while now.  The 11th of each month is interesting in that you get a fairly large container of pastry cream when you purchase a baguette.   This summer, banana and pineapple pastries were available in a few variations; a change from mango everything I've seen around town. If it were the 12th of the month, pastries and desserts are 20% off.  If here on the 13th of the month and purchase $10 of items, two slices of multigrain bread would be the bonus…  Website

IMG_0957Waffles are becoming a 'thing' now; I could do a week of posts about waffle sandwiches. Vons grocery store has been selling 'Waffle Donuts' this summer. Kirbie and Mary each wrote a whole post about these waffle shaped, not donut dough-ed items which have been on sale, two for $1. The Mister brought these home…the glaze has the vary-ing flavors, the size was dependent on the glaze, the dough is not waffle, nor is it a doughnut…it confused me. Website  IMG_0772IMG_5738IMG_0773IMG_0245Tastee Freez, located inside most Weinerschnitzel locations, has had daily specials for almost a year now.  Since you never know when that might end, we tend to drop in for a snack.  The pink dipped flavor is cotton candy, and it is surpsisingly accurate. The part carmel part chocolate dip is excellent. Mary  mentioned the Tastee Freez items in her recent Weinerschnizel post.  WebsiteIMG_1171IMG_1186IMG_1188Northgate Gonzalez Market added a small booth in the center of the 'Deli' section, making Tostilocos and Raspados to order.  For $1.99, ice is shaved and topped with your choice of concentrated, fresh toppings (prune, strawberry, pineapple, coconut, apple, jamaica and mango).  I chose jamaica and coconut- there were fresh coconut shavings and the jamaica was not too sweet.  Another refreshing treat. Website

It's been fun trying some new and limited items.  I hope you've had a chance to partake before Autumn choices and coolness sets in.