Jersey Mike’s has dethroned Chick-fil-A as America’s favorite fast-food chain in the latest 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey of about 16,000 customers. The sandwich chain earned an 84/100 score, narrowly edging out Chick-fil-A’s 83, marking the first time in 10 years that the chicken giant has fallen from the top spot. The report credits Jersey Mike’s success to its rapid expansion, strong customer demand, efficient operations focused on throughput and digital/off-premise convenience, and a relatively narrow menu that supports franchisee success.
Category: Food
Dirty Mountain Dew
A Creamy Citrus Twist on the Dirty Soda Trend
Mountain Dew launched its first ready-to-drink take on the dirty soda craze in 2026 with Dirty Dew (and its Zero Sugar counterpart). This permanent flavor blends the brand’s signature bold citrus taste with a smooth, creamy finish. Official notes highlight vanilla-forward creaminess layered over lemon-lime and orange citrus, creating a bright yet indulgent profile. Many tasters describe it as cream soda meets Mountain Dew, with hints of key lime or vanilla float.
I recently tried the Zero Sugar version. It delivers flavors of key lime pie topped with whipped cream. The creamy vanilla hits first, followed by tart citrus that feels like a lighter, fizzy dessert. It’s refreshing and fun, though like most zero-calorie sodas, it carries a slightly unpleasant chemical aftertaste from the sweeteners. Overall, I rate it a solid 4.5 stars—strong enough to repurchase, but that tail keeps it from perfection. The full-sugar version is reportedly smoother for those who can handle the calories.
What Are Dirty Sodas?
Dirty sodas originated in Utah around 2010, popularized by shops like Swig. They typically start with a soda base and “dirty” it up with cream, flavored syrups, or fruit purees—offering customizable, indulgent drinks in a state with a large Mormon population that often avoids alcohol and coffee. Thanks to TikTok, the trend exploded nationwide. PepsiCo is jumping in with Dirty Dew to capture Gen Z’s love for bold, shareable flavors and beverage customization, turning a regional phenomenon into mainstream packaged convenience.
If you enjoy creamy citrus combos, Dirty Dew is worth a try. It’s a clever evolution of Mountain Dew for the dirty soda era.
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May the Fourth Be With You
There is a party at work today, so I made this Tatooine “Blue Milk” Berry Trifle for the potluck.
The Only Way
Local Baptist Careful To Fully Immerse Chick-Fil-A Nuggets In Honey Mustard Sauce
“Lots of people just pour or sprinkle,” local Baptist Ryan Etherton says as he slowly lowers his fourth chicken nugget into his tub of honey mustard, careful to cover all surfaces of the fried chicken product entirely.
Culinary Crime
Ketchup on a cheesesteak should be a felony. No warnings. Straight to processing.
Government Cheese
The Origins: A “Cheesy” Crisis
In the late 1970s, the U.S. government (under President Jimmy Carter) significantly increased subsidies for dairy farmers to prevent a shortage. This worked too well. Farmers produced so much milk that the government had to buy the surplus to keep prices stable. Since milk spoils quickly, the government processed it into massive amounts of butter, powdered milk, and 5-pound blocks of orange processed cheese.
The Missouri Caves
By 1981, the government had stockpiled over 500 million pounds of cheese. It was stored in massive refrigerated underground limestone caves, mostly in Missouri. When the public learned that the government was sitting on mountains of aging cheese while people were hungry, it became a political scandal.
Reagan’s Giveaway
In December 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to release the surplus. The cheese was distributed to:
- Low-income families and welfare recipients.
- Senior citizen centers.
- Food banks and school lunch programs.
Why It’s Famous Today
- The Look: It is iconic for its “no-frills” packaging—a plain brown or white cardboard box with simple block lettering (e.g., “PASTEURIZED PROCESS AMERICAN CHEESE”).
- The Quality: Despite its humble status, many who grew up with it remember it as being “the best melting cheese ever.” It was similar to Velveeta but firmer and saltier.
- Cultural Symbol: It became a shorthand for poverty in the 80s and 90s, frequently referenced in hip-hop lyrics (e.g., Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar) and stand-up comedy as a symbol of “making it” from humble beginnings.
While the massive “giveaways” of the 80s are over, the government still distributes “commodity” foods to those in need today, though the packaging is usually a bit more modern than these classic bricks.
Lemon Blueberry Dutch Baby
A Dutch baby is the perfect “lazy-sophisticated” breakfast. It’s essentially a giant, puffy popover that looks like a culinary masterpiece but takes about five minutes of actual effort.
This recipe is for two, so we’ll use a 9-inch or 10-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron is king here).
Ingredients
The Batter
- 2 large eggs (room temperature is best!)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk (slightly warmed)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
The Flavor & Fat
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
Topping
- Powdered sugar
- Squeeze of lemon juice.
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Place your skillet in the oven and preheat to 220°C (425°F). You want that pan screaming hot.
- Whisk the Batter: In a blender (for maximum fluff) or a bowl, combine eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, salt, and half of the lemon zest. Blend until smooth. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes if you have the patience—it helps the flour hydrate.
- The Sizzle: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using a mitt. Drop the butter in and swirl it until melted and bubbling.
- The Pour: Pour the batter into the center of the pan. Quickly scatter the blueberries and the remaining lemon zest over the top.
- The Rise: Bake for 15–20 minutes until the edges are tall, puffy, and golden brown. Do not open the oven door during the first 15 minutes, or it might deflate!
- Serve: It will begin to sink the moment it hits the cool air—that’s normal. Dust heavily with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
Quick Tips for Success
- Room Temp Ingredients: If your eggs and milk are cold, the “leap” in the oven won’t be as dramatic. To speed this up, put cold eggs in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
- Don’t Overmix: If using a whisk, a few tiny lumps are okay. Overworking the gluten can make it chewy rather than airy.
What’s In It?
Okay, fellow 70s and 80s survivors, this one is for you.
Looking at this vintage photo of a perfect kitchen setting, I had a sudden flashback. Who knows exactly what was kept in this iconic harvest orange pitcher, sitting on that classic table? If you saw this pitcher, you already know the potential answers. 🧡
Let me know what your mom (or grandma) always had ready to pour. I’m guessing two very specific, colorful, and very powdered answers. 🥤 Comment below and let’s go on a trip down memory lane!
2nd Visit to Rock Hill Swig! 🥤
This time, I tried the Buttery Beer, and my wife went with The Tropic. She said, “I like this one better than the one I got the other day.” 🌴
Pro tip: We scored another free drink just for writing a quick review on Google. Definitely worth doing if you stop by!
What should we try on visit #3? See the menu.
Flourless Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies
Tried a new recipe today. It sounds strange at first, but I promise, these brownies are fudgie and delicious.
– Prep time: 10 mins
– Cook time: 30 mins
– Yields: 9 brownies
Ingredients
– 1 cup Cooked sweet potato, mashed (approx. 1 large sweet potato)
– 1 cup Creamy nut butter (I used peanut butter)
– ½ cup Pure maple syrup
– ¼ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 Large egg
– 1 tsp Vanilla extract
– 1 ½ tsp Baking powder
– ½ cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
– Optional: A pinch of sea salt for topping
Instructions
Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Make the Batter: In a large bowl (or food processor for a smoother texture), combine the mashed sweet potato, nut butter, maple syrup, egg, vanilla, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Mix until completely smooth and combined.
Fold in Chocolate: Stir in the chocolate chips by hand. The batter will be thick.
Note: If the batter is difficult to stir, you can add a tablespoon of 2% milk to loosen it slightly.
Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
Check: A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
Cool Completely (Important): Unlike regular brownies, flourless brownies are very soft when hot. Let them cool completely in the pan (at least 30-45 minutes) before slicing to ensure they hold their shape.
Nutrition
Calories: ~300
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrates: 32g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Sugars: 20g
Protein: 9g