Cookie Dough Blizzard + Club Sandwich

Rating: 7/10

Nothing like Dairy Queen to finish off a road trip. And can't stop at DQ without getting a ice cream Blizzard, cookie dough all the way. The crispy hot sandwich with all its melted chewy savoriness gives stark contract to the cold, creamy, sweet Blizzard. Really brings out the best in each other. Although the cookie dough of the Blizzard became a bit overpowering and tiring after awhile. So really half a Blizzard plus a whole club sandwich would be the perfect portion.

Nutrition:

• Dairy Queen Small Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard = 710 Calories, 75g sugar, 1g fiber, 35% of daily Calcium, 25% of daily Vitamin A, 15% of daily Iron
• Dairy Queen Iron Grilled Classic Club Sandwich = 560 Calories, 1790mg Sodium, 2g fiber, 15% of daily Calcium, 15% of daily Vitamin A, 15% of daily Iron

Total Calories = 1270
Typical fast food. Chock-full of Calories, sugar and Sodium. Still, got in some vitamin and minerals along with all the junk. That's something.

Pierogies + Soup Noodles

Rating: 8/10

Instant noodles and pierogies in a bowl. Addicted to pierogies I am and eating it in any form imaginable. Was in need of a quick noodles and soup fix, so thought I'd combine the three and savor the possibility. Turned out rather delectable, abeit not the most interesting in flavor sensation. Spicy, salty, chewy noodles with chewy, soft, potatoey pierogies.

Nutrition:

• 6 Peter & Pat's Pierogies Potato & Onion = 390 Calories, 450mg Sodium, 1.5g fiber, 15% of daily Iron
• Six Fortune Instant Broad Noodles = 500 Calories, 2000mg Sodium, 2g fiber

Total Calories = 890
Wow that's a shitload of Sodium, and really not much else of nutritional value.

Pesto + Steamed Buns

Rating: 9.5/10

Sliced Chinese steamed bun slathered with pesto and pan fried. Like garlic bread but awesomer! I'm so in love with this creation and myself for coming up with the notion of uniting this unlikely duo. It's rare when I'm this self-satisfied about food, I'm going to savor this moment. Ah... Okay so the oily, savory, fragrant punch of pesto plus the fluffy, light bun over fire and pan equals crispy, flavorful fried goodness surrounding a soft, warm, chewy core. Words don't do this thing justice.

Nutrition:

• Trader Joe's Genova Pesto (1/2 cup) = 520 Calories, 2g fiber, 270mg Sodium, 40% of daily Vitamin A, 20% of daily Calcium, 16% of daily Vitamin C
• Chinese steamed bun = 160 Calories, 5g fiber

Total Calories = 680
Basically a meal's worth but worth it.

Popcorn Chicken + Sauerkraut + Relish

Rating: 6/10

Popcorn chicken topped with sauerkraut and relish. Why not? I was debating between the chicken and a hotdog with the works before I realized the only reason I wanted hotdog was for the toppings, so best of both worlds here. The juicy-stringy, sour and sweet sauerkraut plus relish combo added an extra pow of flavor to the salty, crunchy, chewy chicken. The strength of taste was a bit overwhelming without something creamy to lighten it like maybe mashed potatoes or alfredo pasta. But it was interesting and I don't mind this outcome much. I'll take it over hotdog any day.

Fennel Arugula Salad + Rice Krispies Treat

Rating: 8/10

Fennel arugula salad eaten with Rice Krispies Treat. I haven't had Rice Krispies in maybe a decade now. But somehow it found itself on my counter top when I was stir frying the fennel, so I figure why not combine. The sweet, chewy, crunchy treat just adds another layer to the already tasteful, leafy salad. Taste buds a-tingle!

Beef Chili + Chocolate Eclair

Rating: 8/10

Beef chili eaten with chocolate eclair. I was debating between the eclair or a red velvet cupcake, but the eclair won out. I figure the light creamy custard and crunchy-chewy shell goes better than the heavy cream and cake taste/texture with the already heavy chili with its hot, savory, spicy, chunky taste/texture. Good call on my part. The chili could be better but this combo is killer.
(eaten @ Sculpture Garden Restaurant, Washington DC)

In-N-Out Cheeseburger + Thai Iced Tea

Rating: 9/10

I heart In-N-Out burgers, it was love at first bite. Why eat it with Thai iced tea? Why not? I'd eat it with anything. And I heart Thai iced tea too, order it every time it's on any menu. Besides, the sweet, chalky smoothness of the iced tea flows nicely with the chewy, toasty, savory burger. Just can't go wrong with these two. Good every time. 

In-N-Out Animal Fries + Wendy's Frosty

Rating: 9/10

Can't beat In-N-Out when you do fast food, and I'd say Wendy's totally runner-up. The awesomeness of In-N-Out animal fries dipped in Wendy's chocolate frosty is beyond. Some would say that the animal fries with all it's salty, sour, savory, creamy, chewy, and crispy taste combos stand alone, but I say have it join forces with the frosty's sweet, frozen, creamy goodness and they're unstoppable.