Fast Food Friday

A couple of food notes for all of us on the go (and neither are your typical "fast food"):

Pepsi is starting to promote two new versions of its signature cola, looking to capitalize on the "natural" movement. And both aren't that bad.
But before we get to them, I like that the idea of "natural" for all these companies is code for "no high-fructose corn syrup." That's pretty much it. After all the bad press HFCS has gotten in causing the obesity problem in this country, I can imagine why these companies want to try and get as far away from it as they can.
But, of course, nothing that tastes good like that comes without a cost. They're replacing it all with SUGAR! Sugar, which will rot your teeth faster. Sugar, which is seemingly as bad for your waistline.
Oh well. At least they seem to be trying.
The two Pepsi products out there are Pepsi Throwback and Pepsi Natural, both touting the idea that there's no HFCS in them. Throwback has been getting the advertising dollars on your TV, while Natural had more of a soft launch.
We tried the Natural soda not long after it was released, and I have to say it is amazingly good — but expensive for the amount you get. It only comes in 12-ounce glass bottles, sold in four- and 12-packs (only seen them at Costco), and it'll cost you about a dollar per bottle.
Using sparkling water (instead of carbonated water), the Natural Pepsi has a nice bite to it, not unlike a handcrafted root beer. It also lists under its ingredients "kola nut extract," which sounds better than a regular Pepsi's "natural flavors."
Of course, just because it's "Natural" doesn't mean it's all that better for you. The calorie count is the same as a 12-ounce can (150 each), as is the amount of caffeine (38 mg). But it does come in with less grams of sugar (38 grams vs. 41 grams), and less carbs (39 vs. 41).
The Throwback version is more readily available at this point. It's taste is pretty close to the Natural version, but you can tell the little differences between the two (at least I could).
Nutritionally, it comes in pretty equal to the other two. The biggest difference: it's sodium count. Regular Pepsi (with the HFCS) has 30 grams of sodium per 12-ounce serving, versus 35 for the Natural and 40 for the Throwback.
The only problem I had with the Natural was that it was so darn good. It's become a nice change from the taste-bud numbing diet colas out there.
But the nice trade-off is it's packaging and price. By going in glass bottles, it makes it a little easier to stick to one of these a day (or less). Meaning you can space out your soda drinking, and drink more water (well, at least that's my justification).

The most evil fast food item I've had recently was at Farmer Bros.
Funnel Cake Fries.
It's hard to go wrong with fried anything, especially batter. And they were good.
But a funnel cake is something you get when you're at the fair or the amusement park. They're a nice diversion while you're having a good time, walking around and able to burn off all that fried goodness covered in powdered sugar.
At the dinner table? Not as much. If you're getting them on their own, I'd say go ahead. But when you've already had a sandwich with fries or rings, it's a bit much.
(What, you want nutritional information? It's fried batter covered in powdered sugar. You've gained two pounds just reading about it.)

One more quick thing. I've been getting a little burned out on all the chain restaurants, and have been trying to go try the independent fast food place.
Actually found a really good one in Grand Terrace, right off the 215 (the name escapes me). And I hit up another in Moreno Valley on my way to work recently. And you know the only place to get a really good, authentic burrito or taco is by going to somewhere without Del or Bell in their name.
So, let's hear some suggestions. You got a favorite, share it with us — either here or on Facebook.
Help everyone break out of the boredom of ordinary drive-thru fast food.

That's it for this week. Catch ya next time.