Hey there, snack buddies. Welcome to the November edition of Snack Chat. I know that we’re all on the verge of stuffing our faces with a ton of food on Thanksgiving, but how about we take a few minutes to go over a smorgasbord of food news from the past month?
And if all this food had tuckered you out, you can relax on your couch and do some good for a charity while you’re at it thanks to Tito’s Turkey Rot. The vodka brand is running “a tongue-in-cheek ‘race’ to the couch” this Thanksgiving to raise money for Meals on Wheels America. They even had some sweet gear to get you into the (imaginary) race spirit.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably already started some of your holiday shopping, but it’s not too late to take advantage of the Pepperidge Farm Holiday Cookie Courier. I know I’d love to receive a bunch of cookies in the mail, and starting on Dec. 4, you can go to PepperidgeFarmHoliday.com to send “a festive box filled with two full bags of the holidays’ most iconic cookies — Chessmen and Milano Mint Chocolate — and complete with a personalized note.”
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Pepsi Prebiotic Cola Goes on Sale Nationwide This Black Friday — for a Limited Time Only(PR Newswire): “Pepsi is once again raising the bar on great-tasting cola. This Black Friday, the brand is dropping a limited online release of Pepsi® Prebiotic Cola – the boldest evolution in cola in more than two decades — before it hits store shelves early next year.”
🍪 Snackology Review: Pepsi Prebiotic Cola brings a true cola taste to a prebiotic soda: “I gotta give Pepsi credit on this one. While pretty much every prebiotic soda brand, Pepsi’s own Poppi included, have been trying to make prebiotic sodas that are flavored like a cola, Pepsi Prebiotic Cola gets it right by being a cola that also happens to be a prebiotic soda.”
Coca-Cola Launches NEW Holiday Flavor(Coca-Cola): “For the first time in five years, Coca-Cola is unwrapping a new limited-time holiday offering: Coca-Cola Holiday Creamy Vanilla. This seasonal twist on the iconic Coca-Cola taste delivers comfort, refreshment and festive joy – just in time for the holidays. Also available in zero sugar, Coca-Cola Holiday Creamy Vanilla is a delicious taste of Coca-Cola infused with smooth, creamy vanilla flavor that captures the joy of the holidays.”
🍪 Snackology Review: Ring in the holidays with Coca-Cola Holiday Creamy Vanilla: “If you’re looking to solve the mystery of Coke Zero Holiday Creamy Vanilla, you’re gonna be out of luck on this one. But if you’re a fan of Vanilla Coke Zero and also enjoy stocking some cans with a “seasonal twist” to share with your friends and family during the holidays, you won’t be disappointed with this flavor.”
Mr. Pibb is Back and Bolder than Ever(Coca-Cola): “‘When Mr. Pibb first launched, the packaging didn’t tell consumers what it was — it told them what it was not,’ Callis said. ‘Not root beer, not cola. It’s something unique and original, a bold rebel in a category of norms. Nothing fans know and love about Mr. Pibb has gone away, but we took steps to modernize its look for new consumers’ tastes and preferences.’”
The Mountain Dew Baja Blast Pie. / Taco Bell
Fast food
The Wait Is Over: The Mountain Dew Baja Blast Pie Is Finally Here(Taco Bell): “Friendsgiving isn’t just a holiday, it’s a cultural loophole. A break in the calendar where creativity is encouraged, traditions get tossed and the most surprising dish takes the spotlight. That’s why, after years of fan obsession, Taco Bell is finally dropping a dish made for this moment: Mountain Dew Baja Blast Pie.”
🍪 Snackology Review: I bought Taco Bell’s Mountain Dew Baja Blast Pie. (Yes, this is real.): “This is a tasty piece of pie. It’s bright. The ingredients all stand on their own, even the whipped cream, which Taco Bell could’ve very easily phoned in. Do I love it because I love Baja Blast? It’s too late in my life to make that distinction, but I think the Mountain Dew Baja Blast Pie will be a hit at any Friendsgiving celebration.”
Taco Bell Launches the Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla, Featuring a New Star Ingredient(PR Newswire): “Known for its fire-roasted profile and mild heat, Taco Bell's newest hero ingredient delivers even more Mexican-inspired flavor in a way fans have never tasted before on the menu. The Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla layers roasted poblano peppers, marinated steak, a blend of melty cheese and Spicy Ranch sauce — creating a symphony of flavor that's both comforting and anything but ordinary.”
By the Fans, for the Fans: Taco Bell Launches the Fan Style Menu, Bringing Fan Creations Nationwide(Taco Bell): “Taco Bell just added three new items to its national menu — with one twist: they were all dreamed up by real fans. After the inaugural launch of Fan Style, Taco Bell loyalists were invited to share their most inventive custom orders, more than 40,000 orders were submitted. Now, three fans, dubbed Taco Bell honorary ‘Fan Chefs,’ are stepping into the spotlight with their bold creations: the California Crunchwrap, Burrito Bliss, and Cantina Craze.”
🍪 Snackology Review: Taco Bell spices things up with the Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla and Fan Style Menu winners: “Whoa whoa whoa — why didn’t anyone tell me that you could add Taco Bell’s seasoned fries to a Crunchwrap?! My mind was blown here. The California Crunchwrap 100 percent needs to be a permanent Taco Bell menu item. In addition to fries, this Fan Style winner upgrade the ground beef to, yet again, marinated steak and squeezes in guacamole. It’s so, so good.”
Serving Holidays with a Side of Chaos: Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Meal Is Coming to McDonald’s(McDonald’s): “CODE PICKLE: Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch has successfully slipped into the Golden Arches and on Dec. 2, he’s unleashing The Grinch Meal. The meal, made in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and McDonald’s, will be available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time, while supplies last. His diabolical culinary debut features Dill Pickle ‘Grinch Salt’ McShaker Fries, arriving for the first time in the U.S.”
Wendy’s Declares First-Ever “Frosty Day” Holiday on November 15(Wendy’s): “Save the date! Wendy’s is declaring the first-ever worldwide Frosty Day — a new, annual celebration dedicated to the iconic frozen treat cherished for decades. Fittingly, Frosty Day falls on the anniversary of the very first Wendy’s restaurant opening back in 1969, so this celebration spans generations of Wendy’s fans.”
🍪 Snackology Roundup: Happy Frosty Day!: “I’m a big fan of a Frosty. Especially if it’s a chocolate Frosty. To properly celebrate the first ever Frosty Day, here’s Snackology’s coverage of the classic frozen dessert. Now, who do I complain to about Wendy’s getting rid of the Frosty Fusion that had Pop-Tarts Crunchy Poppers?”
Pizza Hut Helps You Holiday Harder with the Return of the Iconic Triple Treat Box(PR Newswire): “Pizza Hut’s partnership with Pepsi and quarterback Josh Allen continues with Allen returning to screens this holiday season as he celebrates the return of the Triple Treat Box, reminding fans to go hard for the holidays from pizza sweaters to spreads.”
‘Treat Yo Self’ to Domino’s New Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza(Domino’s): “‘Typically, specialty pizzas come with premium prices, but at Domino’s, we’ve proudly partnered with the “Treat Yo Self” queen, Retta, to tell customers they don’t have to wait for a great deal to treat themselves to our most delicious, craveable pizzas — they’re $9.99 every day of the year!’”
Goldfish’s The Little Float. / Goldfish
And more!
Goldfish Returns to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Smallest Float in Parade History(Goldfish): “For the first time in over a decade, Goldfish is rejoining the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and they’re making history doing it with The Littlest Float (ever in the Parade) measuring just 14 Goldfish crackers long!”
Pop-Tarts Ups the Ante with ‘The Biggest Sacrifice Ever’ as Six Edible Mascots Take the Field at the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl(PR Newswire): “After two unforgettable years, the Pop-Tarts Bowl has cemented itself as the ultimate fan-favorite, post-season matchup. So much so that fans have declared it should be the most elite game of the season. Answering fan demand with more of what they love, Pop-Tarts is dialing up the ambition to deliver just that, dubbing this game The People's National Championship.”
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to Welcome the Return of Prince Cheddward with Epic Homecoming Celebration (PR Newswire): “He's back. The beloved mascot Prince Cheddward will officially return to the 2025Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. With his crown polished and signature swagger restored, he's ready to revel in a triumphant homecoming celebration built for the college football fans who live for every can't-miss moment of the season.”
A New Condiment Has Entered the Chat: Meet Butternaise(PR Newswire): “Butternaise is an artful blend of Tillamook Extra Creamy Unsalted Butter, newly released KEWPIE Organic Mayonnaise and zesty spices and is an integral ingredient in how Tillamook Executive Chef of Culinary Development Josh Archibald creates the Tillamook gold standard grilled cheese. This silky spread is meant to be liberally lathered all over the bread of your choosing to create the perfect golden crust on your grilled cheese sandwich masterpiece.”
Dave’s Killer Bread launches Supreme Sourdough(PR Newswire): “‘Sourdough bread is one of the most popular homemade bread varieties, but not everyone has time for that!’ said Cristina Watson, senior director, brand management at Dave's Killer Bread. ‘Dave’s new organic Supreme Sourdough lets you save time on baking bread and focus on breaking bread with your friends gathered around the table.’”
Snackology is written and produced by Bill Kuchman. Copyediting by Tim Kuchman.
The Omnicosm founder. Popculturology, Deep SNL Thoughts and Snackology writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.
