Starbucks...at war with McDonalds over menu items! Oatmeal never looked so tasty!

 Those with a keen eye probably noticed that two giants in the fast-food industry have been competing neck-in-neck for the almighty dollar in recent days.

The tactics each corporate entity has been engaged in to lure customers includes copy-catting menu items, for starters.

For example, when Starbucks sales started to slump, the trendy coffee-house introduced a "breakfast" sandwhich startling similar to the Egg McMuffin that McDonalds rolls out at the crack-of-dawn each day.

Seattle's "egg & sausage" upstart is tastier, though (because the ingredients are fresher and higher-quality).

But, breakie-lovers at Starbucks pay through the nose for the treat.

Meanwhile, over in Kroc territory, execs started scheming to find a successful way to snag a hefty share of the lucrative specialty java market.

Bingo!

Back at the "breast", McCafe brands started to fly across the counter faster than the pimply-faced overweight servers could rustle 'em up!

Ever-mindful of their client base (and likewise their penny-pinching habits) the brass wisely priced their java beverages a buck-or-so less than those on tap at Starbucks.

Then, shortly after Starbucks started to rake in the cash on "Oatmeal" sales (a nourishing breakfast meal offered up in a snazzy cup with a juggernaut of zesty nuts, chewy raisins, and delicious brown sugar on top) the Quaker dude's product mysteriously showed up on the shelves at McDonalds out-of-the-blue one day.

Imagine that!

Unfortunately - in contrast - the cereal that McDonalds serves up to its customers is usually stone cold and brimming with tasteless apple chips, rubbery raisins, and icky sweetener.

Eugh!

Starbucks is not offering any French Fries on the menu - well - not yet.

But, just betcha, a home-cooked style potato side-dish (like Grandma used to whip up in her kitchen at sunrise) would sell well alongside the breakfast sandwich.

Can't wait!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Denny's...value meal priced @ $4.00!

Occasionally, I get an urge for an old-fashioned breakfast consisting of - eggs, pancakes, bacon - to start the day off right.

But, in Las Vegas, you’ll be hard-pressed to zero in on a local eatery that not only serves up a mouth-watering filling meal at an affordable price, but cooked to delicious perfection as well.

Since I was advised to cut back on salt, and be more selective in my diet choices for the sake of my overall health, I generally tend to by-pass Denny’s which is famous for its grand slam which would normally cost a hungry dude about $5.50 tops (unless he  went hog-wild with selection of tasty extras a-la-carte).

What the heck!

Once I spotted Denny’s logo screaming out at me on Vegas Boulevard, I roared in to make a P-I-G of myself yesterday at the crack of dawn.

What a pleasant surprise.

Denny’s is now offering up a value meal - consisting of eggs (how would you like 'em?), bacon (or sausage), pancakes (or toast) - for the princely sum of 4 bucks!

Gosh, did that hit the spot.

And, if you cut back on the syrup and butter and seasoning, you might just stroll out of there without suffering a heart attack from all the heart-clogging cholesterol and fat.

Pass on the coffee - a diuretic, by the way - and slurp down a hydrating ice-cold glass of water instead.

Your skin will be blemish free, because of it.

http://www.julianayrs.com

A bagel...is a bagel is a bagel. To paraphrase Gertrude Stein...

Spike it with a bit of Philadelphia cream cheese!

Today, I strolled into Starbucks for a hot cup of Earl Grey tea and a toasted bagel, when I noticed something curious.

There was no ubiquitous opening in the center of the fresh breakfast snack.

During the baking process, I expect that the dough got a little too swollen - and thus - sealed the center up tight.

That caused me to wonder.

Is a bagel still a bagel if it has no hole?

Inquiring minds want to know!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Subway...serves up tasty breakfast specials! Win Dodger tickets, eh Phelps?

At the Subway fast-food take-out in Westwood, I spied a banner in the window with bold screaming caps etched on the front which announced that breakfast was being served.

Gosh, I wondered if the "foot long" swim-stud Michael Phelps (who plugs the chain on TV and Radio advertisements around the country) was keen on the idea.

When I strode in and stood at the sparkling-clean service counter (where I normally order up a six-inch veggie on Honey Oat bread) I half-expected the same old same old.

'Ya know!

Eggs (over-easy, scrambled or hard-boiled) with bacon strips (or pricey ham slices) slapped on a paper plate with sides of salsa, onions, and red peppers.

The Latino influence, no doubt!

Or, maybe the smartly-dressed chefs would whip me up a McMuffin or Breakfast Jack rip-off, with subtle changes around the edges so I wouldn't be so wise about the influence of their green-eyed competitors down the street.

Lo & Behold, turns out Subway simply incorporated a handful of their house favorites (which thousands of students @ UCLA chow down on daily) to rustle up a fresh format - er! - delightful culinary delight.

Yes, I am penning this post to spread the news far-and-wide.

I think they got it!

Fortunately, an adventurous streak that swept over me that morning, inspired me to gamble on a breakfast sandwich which proved to be mighty delicious!

On a six-inch Honey Oat bun (my fave), the perky little server first slapped on a couple of slices of American Cheese, and followed that protein choice up with a layer of scrambled eggs.


Then, a jumble of tomatoes, green pepper, lettuce, nutritiously spruced up the upper level.

All for a paltry 2 bucks!

Okay, so got off cheap, because I sipped on water instead of 28 gram soda pop!

Good-bye Jack-in-the-box and the once-filling Breakfast Jack.

And, Michael - if you're perusing my blog site and happen stumble on News Flash about Subway's foray into the breakfast nook - I highly recommend you wolf one down.

Well, maybe you'll spring for 2 or 3, in view of your healthy hungry-man appetite.

By the way, Baseball fans can fill out an entry form to win tickets to a Dodger game.

Dudes, get your nasty bat down there, pronto.

Play Ball!

http://www.julianayrs.com