McDonald's Gilroy Garlic Fries

Although still regional at the moment, McDonald's is test marketing a new fry item, something they don't do very often. Usually when there's a new Mickey D's product, it's a sandwich of some kind, but this time it's the fries.

Joining with the folks at Gilroy Garlic Fries from Gilroy California, the garlic capital of the world, McDonald's have introduced their new Gilroy Garlic Fries - their classic golden shoestring fries, tossed with a special mix of Parmesan cheese, parsley, olive oil, salt, and chopped Gilroy Garlic.

Gilroy Garlic Fries, sans McDonald's golden fries have been a favorite at ball parks in California for quite some time.

These fries proved so popular in the San Francisco and San Jose test areas that McDonald's restaurants ran out of the garlic mix. More on the story can be found here. I hope these new fries come to our area soon. How about you?

Special thanks to Peggy, Andrew, and the bro-in-law who were among the first to hip me to this ongoing fry situation.

French Fry Diary 677: Carolina Blue Smokehouse and Taproom

Way off the beaten path, or at least my beaten path, is the Carolina Blue Smokehouse and Taproom, all the way in Pitman NJ. I went there for a surprise birthday party for good friend, author, and current president of the South Jersey Writers' Group, Amy Holiday, so it was worth it.

Despite the outside appearance of the restaurant as a barbeque place, the food's appearance has more of a very simple Californian cuisine vibe. I got my usual, a cute little burger that was delicious, moist, and incredibly filling. I felt so stuffed after this little morsel. As a side, and also as an appetizer for the whole table, were house cut chips. Very much like the crispy thin slices in an order of fried breakfast potatoes, these were chips with just the right crisp, very good. The appetizer came with melted blue cheese crumbles that everyone loved.

While I didn't have (I know, blasphemy) the regular fries, I did get a chance to try the sweet potato fries, stylized on their menu as "SWEET! Potato Fries," dusted with a cinnamon sugar and served with vanilla cheesecake dip. These were to die for, even cold. These quite possibly some of the best sweet potato fries I've had, and I'm really not all that fond of them.

All in all, it was a great night out with friends, good friends and good discussion, and Amy was surprised, so it was all good. Thumbs up for the Carolina Blue Smokehouse and Taproom.

Burger Lounge for Hurricane Relief

We've talked about California-based Burger Lounge, home of the original grass-fed burger, here before. Today, and this week, they're doing something very special for folks in this geographical area.

“Hurricane Sandy’s wrath has left thousands of people in New York, New Jersey and surrounding areas without shelter, power and water. Many of us here in Southern California have friends and family in these devastated areas. Our heart goes out to all whom have been affected by this terrible storm. As thousands of individuals and business generously reach out by donating to the relief effort, we at Burger Lounge will donate to the American Red Cross a full week’s sales revenue from our two newest stores located in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. It is also our hope that this donation encourages others to make contributions, small and large to help get these people back on their feet.”
– Dean Loring, President & CEO, Burger Lounge

Thank you, Dean, and Burger Lounge, and to the folks dining at those two locations this week. You rock.

Free Fries at Burger Lounge

Here's an excellent deal from our friends at Burger Lounge in California...

Watch their Twitter all day tomorrow for a special code that will get you free fries with the purchase of an entree order at any of their locations. Here's the Tweet:

Stay tuned tomorrow! We'll be releasing a 'code' on Twitter to use for FREE fries (w/ an entree order) All locations apply!

Hey Burger Lounge, so when are you going to come to the east coast? Those fries look delicious! Mmmm... fries... and even better when they're free...

Eat + Run Onion Rings

Rachel Ray Magazine chooses the best onion rings to get on the go.

Among the best, our Twitter friends, Burger Lounge.

Check it out here.

Twitter Fries

Burger Lounge, a healthy burger place with three locations in California, is taking advantage of the promotional technology of the internet, and offering free fries today for the followers of their Twitter account.

From their Twitter: "Come in to any BL location tomorrow from 2-5 pm and receive a FREE order of fries! Just mention that you follow us on Twitter!"

And when they say 'tomorrow,' they mean today - Thursday, March 5th, so if you're in the area, go get some free fries.

Mmmm... Twitter fries...