"friendlys" news and stories

When Slashfood first announced the new value meal lineup at Denny's several weeks ago, we had already started planning a field trip to taste test the most extraordinary addition to their menu -- the Fried Cheese Melt, what Denny's refers to as "a grilled cheese with a twist." Here's what it is: Take the classic grilled cheese with sourdough bread and American cheese, then stuff it with four fried mozzarella sticks and serve it with a side of marinara sauce. The $4 value meal is rounded out with a choice of soup or salad and served with a side of French fries.

This sandwich is just the latest addition to the extreme sandwich craze, which has been hitting all kinds of fast-food and restaurant chain outlets. First there was the Double Down from KFC, then the Grilled Cheese Burger Melt from Friendly's, then the foot-long cheeseburger from Carl's Jr. and now this. Due to the extreme nature of this sandwich, we invited Erik Trinidad, Slashfood contributor and creator of Fancy Fast Food, as well as Jake Goodrich, from Asylum.com, along to weigh in and we caught it all on tape.

After reporting yesterday on KFC's Double's Down newest rival, Friendly's Grilled Cheese BurgerMelt, we had to try one for ourselves. This glorified patty melt consists of a Friendly's Big Beef burger with lettuce, tomato, and mayo and, instead of a bun, two grilled cheese sandwiches -- we can't make this stuff up.

The complete review after the jump.

KFC's Double Down sandwich couldn't hold the spotlight forever...we knew it was only a matter of time before someone pushed the envelope even further. And here it is: the Grilled Cheese BurgerMelt from Friendly's.

The name "Grilled Cheese BurgerMelt" hardly does justice to this psycho-brilliant monstrosity, which amounts to three sandwiches morphed into one: First, there's a Friendly's Big Beef burger, but instead of a bun, there are two (count 'em, two!) grilled cheese sandwiches. Open wide.

More after the jump...

A new class-action lawsuit filed Wednesday in Connecticut alleges McDonald's, Burger King and Friendly's failed to warn customers that their grilled chicken could cause cancer.

The suit, filed by two Connecticut residents in the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut: Judicial District of Hartford, claims the chains failed to warn consumers that they're serving grilled poultry containing the compound PhIP, which the state of California considers to be a carcinogen. A similar lawsuit filed in California last month against KFC targeted the Colonel's Kentucky Grilled Chicken.

The Cancer Project, the nonprofit that filed the suit on behalf of the residents, says eating PhIP -- even in small amounts -- can increase one's risk of cancer.

"Consumers deserve to know that grilled chicken from McDonald's and other fast-food chains can increase your risk of cancer," Cancer Project President Dr. Neal D. Barnard said in a statement. "Even a grilled-chicken salad increases the risk of developing some cancers, including breast and prostate cancer."

But a McDonald's spokeswoman said customer "safety and well-being" is a "top priority."

"Scientific research shows that PhIP is naturally occurring, and is created when chicken is grilled -- whether at home -- or in a restaurant. It may be present at low concentrations in oven-broiled, pan-fried, and grilled meats, as a result of normal cooking," Cynthia Goody, McDonald's nutrition director, said. "There is no scientific evidence to suggest the small amount of PhIP that can be created as a by-product of cooking methods humans have employed for thousands of years, poses a health risk.

"Like other restaurant companies and food establishments, at McDonald's, we continue to look to the FDA and USDA for their guidance on PhIP," her statement continued. "Beyond that, because this is a pending legal matter, it would be inappropriate to further comment or speculate."

Ask anyone from New England if she remembers Friendly's and she will probably instantly recount an obsession with their Conehead Sundaes (pictured) or gigantic, thick Fribbles (what Yankees call frappes, or milkshakes).

The Barbie-pink color scheme and 80s cursive script invoke many a memory for folks from the region, so we suspect they'll be in line when the chain gives away free one-scoop cones and dishes on Saturday June 6 (between noon and 5 p.m., the prime sugar-crash zone). It's the second freebie-scooping year in a row and one exec reports, "We want to give away as much ice cream as possible."

Done and done. See you in line, buddy.

[Via Nation's Restaurant News]