Famous Death Row Last Meals
Debunking Beer Can Chicken: A Waste Of Good Beer, And Dangerous
Photo: Elizabeth Hait, AOL
We're not exactly making a New Year's resolution to count our calories, but when we saw that both Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts were launching two new "healthier" breakfast sandwiches this week, we took the bait. Here, the details and our panel's scorecard:
The Contenders: Starbucks' New Veggie Artisan Breakfast Sandwich vs. Dunkin' Donuts' Wake-up Wraps varieties (Egg White Turkey Sausage and Egg White Veggie).
The Claims: Starbucks' new Veggie, Egg, & Monterey Jack sandwich is, "an ... omelet with fire-roasted green and red peppers and diced onion topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese nestled in a hand-scored oven-toasted artisan roll." (350 calories)
Dunkin's Wake-Up Wraps "feature a five-inch tortilla filled with egg whites, turkey sausage, spinach, and reduced-fat cheddar cheese," and the Veggie Wake-Up Wrap has "egg whites, peppers, onions, mushrooms and reduced-fat cheese." (150 calories)
The Price: From January 4 (yes, that's today) through the 10th, Starbucks has a deal going: Buy one of their handcrafted beverages and get a Breakfast Sandwich for $2. Dunkin' Wraps sell for $1.29 each.
The Verdict: Starbucks Veggie ABS (Grade B-): Although the sandwich was fresh, and the bread was a better quality than the Dunkin' Wake-Up Wraps' tortillas (which were kind of hard), our panelists thought there was just too much bread, not nearly enough vegetables (we only had two or three peppers buried in each sandwich's egg), and it was bland. "More salt," begged one panelist. "More flavor!" When it came to the cheese, though, the Monterey Jack of Starbucks had an edge over Dunkin's low-cal cheese, which, said one panelist, "tasted like fake cheese food." Starbucks, add more vegetables and amp up the spice, please.
Dunkin's Wrap (Grade B+): Everyone on the panel agreed this wrap (which isn't really a wrap at all) had the kick you want in a breakfast sandwich. It was more highly spiced than the Starbucks Veggie ABS, and the sausage had good flavor. The tortilla, though, could use a remake. It tasted just a touch stale. Dunkin', we'll come back for the spice, and the low-cal ease, but freshen up the tortillas, please.
PHOTOS: Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction
Live from Microsoft's New Generation Xbox event!
Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Xbox Reveal liveblog on Joystiq
Dozens Killed in Oklahoma Tornado; Death Toll to Rise
Police END Search For Susan Powell
Justin Bieber Booed, Gets Standing Ovation at Billboard Music Awards
2013 Billboard Music Awards Best and Worst Dressed
PHOTOS: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc On Central U.S.
Watch: Kansas Meteorologist Seeks Shelter From Tornado
Xbox One architecture panel liveblog!
Oklahoma Senators Face Difficult Options On Disaster Relief
Two Pilots Fired After Brazilian Pop Star Takes Captain's Seat Mid-Flight
Oldest Water on Earth Found Deep Underground
PHOTOS: This Is The Best Response To Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries We've Seen Yet
2013 Billboard Music Awards: All the Winners!
PHOTOS: Tornado Devastates Moore, Oklahoma
CBS Pulls 'Mike & Molly' Tornado-Set Finale
WATCH: Tornado Victim Finds Dog During CBS Interview
JODI ARIAS WANTS LIFE
PHOTOS:Eva Longoria's Almost Wardrobe Malfunction At Cannes
Justin Bieber BOOED While Accepting Award
Guess Who?
15 Incredible Cat Photobombs
PHOTO: LARGEST Python Ever Caught In Florida!
Student Expelled, Charged With Felonies For Same-Sex Relationship
PORK BELLY: OJ Can't Get Enough Beans
LOOK: Dolphins Make Rare Underwater Find
Stefon Marries Anderson Cooper In Final Show
OUCH: Singer Jumps, Lands On Fan's Neck
Powerball Jackpot Winning Ticket Purchased In Florida
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson Reportedly Split
1-04-2011 @6:08PM Seth said... Just an FYI - An Egg McMuffin has 50 less calories and 6 grams less fat than the Starbucks "healthy" artisan veggie sandwich. Your much better off with their reduced fat turkey bacon egg white english muffin, or their spinach feta wrap.
Reply
1-06-2011 @11:24AM Joel said... Seriously, why would anyone want to eat all the processed and artificial crap they serve at the big chains?. Instead ,,why not opt for your locally owned independent cafe or coffeehouse.
The Coffee Club Cafe near my house in a Cleveland suburb has fantastic egg sandwiches!
They use REAL eggs, REAL cheese and the bagels and croissants they come on are fresh baked right out of of the oven. Absolute heaven. !! Boycott the corporate chains!!!l
3-31-2011 @7:48AM KELLI2L said... But the Starbucks breakfast egg and ham or bacon sandwich (with that wonderful bread square) is DELICIOUS. . . .
Plus, I'm sick of these fast-food places that serve horrible bread buns that are like paste in you mouth and ever so flimsy and non-healthy. I've been waiting years for these places to up the bread quality, so I'm very pleased that Starbucks has stepped up to the plate..... and no one can beat their coffee in my opinion......
1-05-2011 @9:16AM Elizabeth said... I'm a big fan of the Starbucks breakfast sandwiches, especially the black forest ham one. They're warm and tasty, and have enough protein and carbs (without overloading on calories) to carry me through my morning. I'm definitely planning on checking out the $2 sandwiches this week!
Reply
1-06-2011 @7:40AM Cervelli said... I just fell into the trap of the Starbuck's... I bit.... no veggies... I went back to the store and asked. "the veggies are inside", I was told... Hmmmm cracked it open in front of the barista.... Yep... inside alright.............ONE LONELY green pepper.... that was it, nothing more... good thing it was only $2... Not buying THAT again..
Reply
3-31-2011 @7:57AM KELLI2L said... (imo) Sometimes the server or preparer is not watchful of what is tossed inside each food item; but I wouldn't blame this matter on Starbucks as a whole. You just got unlucky this one time. If this were to happen consistantly at the location you visited - - then complaints need to be made so they can make improvements......
1-06-2011 @7:58AM robert said... went to my local starbucks and found that they are not offering the breakfast sandwiches saying they don't have an oven..maybe I could bring them a toaster over to heat the sandwich in...come on, lame excuse for not having a promotional item to offer
Reply
1-06-2011 @8:03AM Koz said... The first time I had Starbucks coffee was back a few years ago in Chicago s O Hair airport. It took me a few minute to explain what a coffee was and then they gave me a cup of black water and told me the cream and sugar was over there. That was the last time I ordered a Starbuck. I said ordered because one sip and I through it in the trash.
Large decaf extra extra at Dunkin get me just what I want.
Reply
1-06-2011 @9:02AM Tony Carlos said... If you take your coffee with "extra extra," it's no wonder you don't like Starbucks. The reality is you don't like coffee. You are drinking a coffee-flavored sweetened milk drink.
3-31-2011 @7:57AM KELLI2L said... I never order plain coffee at Starbucks because they are 'known' for their Latte's etc., and in my opinion those Latte's are the best (a real 'treat'). . . . only once was I disappointed - when I was visiting in Georgia (and in a big box store) where they had a Starbucks. The server shorted the coffee shot - so the Latte was like tea. I complained - - they made me a new one - - and I never went back to that particular location ever again. But as a whole, Starbucks is consistently great on Latte's and the other specialty coffee drinks......
1-06-2011 @9:38AM Nicole said... Did you taste the DD Wake-up Wraps or the Veggie Flatbread sandwich? From your post, it sounds like you tested the Veggie Flatbread, which is much more substantial than the wrap.
I love the DD Veggie Flatbread sandwich and have never been even remotely interested in trying the similar sandwich from Starbucks.
Reply
1-06-2011 @9:58AM PeanutButter&Jenny said... The D&D wake up wraps are a completely different menu item (which are actually wraps.) The items you reviewed are their egg white flatbread sandwiches (which are actually flatbread sandwiches.) Stellar journalism!
Reply
1-06-2011 @10:41AM GENE KANOFSKY said... For a good, tasty breakfast sandwich, one should try Subways new menu. I don't know about calorie counts, but it taste good and has fresh veggies and eggs whites only.
Gene
Reply
3-31-2011 @7:59AM KELLI2L said... Sorry, but Subway's breads are awful in my opinion. . . And I'm equally non-interested in the questionable fillings they call meat. . . I can't recall ever having such a tasteless sub !!! I tried a few different choices but all were void of taste or health.....(imo)
1-06-2011 @11:31AM joey3quarters said... First both of these things stink nothing but 5 or 6 $ artery cloggers. Both stores stink over priced , big money for a littile sandwitch.
Reply
3-31-2011 @8:04AM KELLI2L said... I beg to differ with you on price. While traveling and hungry - - I checked out the food area of the fuel stations / fast-food store. What a culinary disappointment and $pricey$ too. . . . everything was pre-packaged and pricey and the choices were deficient..... I think it was a shell station.
Luckily down the road a piece just before I hit the highway again, there was a tiny drivethru Starbucks. I checked out the menu and prices and order the ham and egg sandwich. The price was less than the fast-food (prewrapped) gas station choice AND bigtime delicious too...... I would have been willing to pay more for the fresher and healthier sandwich from Starbucks anyday. . .
1-06-2011 @12:18PM iBombshell said... Subway is healthier honestly and for the same price you get basically the same thing on your choice of bread and choice of cheese veggies ect. not to mention at the price of $2.50 you also get a 16oz of Seattle's Best coffee :]
Your argument is irrelevant, Starbucks robs you of money :]
Reply
1-06-2011 @2:52PM Egglectic Cafe said... Looking for a cozy Wheaton breakfast restaurant? I recommend Egglectic Cafe.
Reply
2-08-2011 @8:34AM Checkers said... Did anyone bother to check the sodium on these sandwiches? North Americans consume FAAAAAR too much sodium in their diet. The Starbucks sandwich contains 25% of your daily sodium intake. The D&D contians 32%. My bet is it's in that so-called healthy turkey sausage. Turkey and chicken bacon and sausages contain far more salt than the same amount of pork bacon.
Reply
3-31-2011 @8:05AM KELLI2L said... (imo) Subway subs would be greatly improved if they used a better quality BUN (sourdough, pumpernickle and rye sub breads); and Bore'sHead meats. . . . with a better tastier choice of cheese's AND I'd like to see meatballs, tuna and chicken salad filling added. . . If they made these changes I would try them again, if not - - they have lost me forever as a customer.
Reply