Food

Consumer Reports rates the best frozen treats for summer
[Jun. 7, 2012] When it comes to taste, offerings from 365 Everyday Value, Häagen-Dazs, Dove, and Walgreens led the pack in Consumer Reports latest tests of strawberry fruit bars, ice cream bars and sandwiches. The report is available online now at www.ConsumerReports.org and in the July 2012 issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale Tuesday, June 5.

Subway’s Egg White and Cheese on Mornin’ Flatbread tops taste-tests of fast-food egg sandwiches
[Apr. 29, 2012] Egg sandwiches that are tasty and nutritious are hard to come by in most fast-food chains. Consumer Reports tried egg sandwiches from Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Subway—and deemed Subway’s Egg White and Cheese on Mornin’ Flatbread most tasty. Consumer Reports also evaluated the nutrition of egg sandwiches from those chains and Wendy’s to see if any could combine good taste and nutrition. The tastiest sandwich from Subway also had decent nutrition and while breakfast sandwiches from Burger King and McDonald’s rated good for taste, none of them scored better than fair for nutrition.

Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Publix & Fareway top Consumer Reports supermarket ratings
[Apr. 5, 2012] Consumer Reports subscribers rated Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Publix and Fareway tops among 52 of the nation’s major grocery stores. While most respondents were quite satisfied with their experiences, the survey also revealed even some of the high-rated chains gave plenty of shoppers something to complain about.

Consumer Reports gives high marks to bagels made by Dunkin’ Donuts, Lender’s Original, and Costco
[Mar. 21, 2012] There’s nothing quite like a New York bagel but there are some store bought varieties that come close. Consumer Reports recommends four store bought bagels: plain varieties from Dunkin’ Donuts, Lenders Original (frozen), Kirkland Signature (Costco) and Dunkin’ Donuts’ “everything.”

Wines that will go well with turtle soup
[Sep. 13, 2011] I am responding to Tony's enquiry regarding wine pairing with turtle. You do not say what your recipe is, so I am assuming it is turtle soup. If the recipe is calling for sherry or Madeira wine, then I would also serve either with the soup. However, I think wine is a personal taste and fully endorse the "drink the wine you would prefer" approach. By Colin Coxall

Consumer Reports taste tests the best cups of joe
[Aug. 21, 2011] Consumer Reports brewed over 1,000 cups of coffee to deem two new champs among Colombian varietals in the latest issue available on newsstands today. Gloria Jean’s Colombian Supremo Medium Roast and Newman’s Own Organics Colombian Especial Medium Roast beat Consumer Reports top pick from the March 2009 report, Eight O’Clock Coffee. The former champ delivered less flavor than in past tests even though their slogan claims, “New Look, Same Great Taste.” While America’s best-selling brands, Folgers and Maxwell House, scored only Fair far from perfect taste profiles.

Consumer Reports tests the top blenders for summertime soirees
[Jul. 15, 2011] Consumer Reports’ latest Ratings of 46 blenders have found that they not only blend, but will chop, juice, process food and even make soup. While some of the multitasking machines rose to the occasion, others could fail to impress at the next summer poolside party. The full report on blenders appears in the August issue of Consumer Reports.

McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, and Taco Bell lose in a Consumer Reports fast food survey
[Jun. 30, 2011] McDonald’s popular slogan may be "lovin it" but consumers beg to differ, the fast food icon was joined by Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell among the lower ranked chains in Consumer Reports first ever major fast food ratings.

We love to eat at Virlie's and San Filipe in Pittsboro
[Mar. 28, 2011] Virlie's restaurant just keeps getting better. There are now on-line reviews from people in other counties that say things like "Virlie's breakfasts rock!" And they do. The service at Virlie's is awesome too, even when they are bombed with customers. And the meatloaf on Thursdays is great old fashioned comfort food. Virlie's is a habit kinda place. By Leela Ellis

Consumer Reports taste test finds the best wings for NFL playoff season
[Jan. 6, 2011] As football fans gear up for the NFL playoff season, Consumer Reports’ taste tasters sampled seven frozen buffalo chicken wings to find the best bunch to please the crowd. Consumer Reports found that while many of the wings were quite tasty none of them had enough fried crispiness to be excellent, but Bell & Evans, $6.99, topped the list for the best overall quality.

Consumer Reports finds that worried consumers may make reluctant shoppers during final weeks of December
[Dec. 22, 2010] While retail spending was strong this November, consumers are feeling the pain of a weak employment picture and increased financial troubles. Americans are showing signs of waning confidence, increased stress and reluctance to spend more in December than a year ago, according to the Consumer Reports Index December report.

Consumer Reports names DiGiorno Rising Crust Four Cheese a Best Buy in tests of frozen pizzas
[Dec. 21, 2010] Can frozen pizza truly satisfy? After buying and baking more than 100 cheese pies, Consumer Reports found that, yes frozen pizza can satisfy with Amy’s Cornmeal Crust 3 Cheese, Home Run Inn Classic and DiGiorno Rising Crust Four Cheese, a CR Best Buy, leading the ratings.

Consumer Reports finds store-bought mashed potatoes that are tasty
[Oct. 20, 2010] Thanksgiving cooks may have one less dish to worry about preparing for their guests this holiday season—mashed potatoes. Peeling, chopping, boiling and smashing is no longer necessary to achieve tasty taters, according to Consumer Reports latest tests of store-bought mashed potatoes.

If you catch them, eat them
[Jul. 5, 2010] If you catch them, eat them. It is beneficial to the fish population to remove caught fish and make room for others to grow larger. By John Dykers, MD