We know everyone is familiar with the Famous Krystal Burger, Krystal Chiks, Pups, MilkQuakes and Freezes, but what about menu items like Chik ‘N Bites, the side salad and the B.A. Burger?

Well, that’s why we’re going to start a new series of post around here where we feature and review some of the lesser known products at Krystal.

Now we know there are many Krystal connoisseurs out there who are familiar with the ins and outs of the entire Krystal menu and tend to mix things up at each visit.  And we see emails all the time from folks raving about products such as the Lemon Ice Box Pie or the Chili Cheese Fries, but what about the rest of us that are stuck in a rut and tend to order the same Krystal combo meal each and every time?

What are we missing out on?

Well, that’s what this series is for.  We’re going to order up a different product here and there, then we’ll post our photos and our review for your reading pleasure.

So, let’s not waste anytime.

Our first featured product: Krystal Chik ‘N Bites.

Never having tried the Chik ‘N Bites before (but a huge fan of most chicken nugget items in general), we decided to start our series out with this snack option.

Served in a traditional french fry holder, these bite-sized chicken nuggets are deliciously crispy and juicy.  The breading, which is thick, has a zesty, peppery flavoring that is perfectly seasoned - not bland in the least.  The chicken is all white meat and has been cooked to perfection, leaving it juicy and not dry.

Smaller in size, these are definitely a great option for those looking for an afternoon or late night snack. They’d also make for a great lighter lunch option.

Priced at $1.49 at our local Krystal (keep in mind, prices may vary) Chik ‘N Bites are also a great children’s menu alternative, one that will have you stealing bites when your kid isn’t looking.

——————————————————————————————————-

Rating: 4 out of 5 Krystals

Will we order it again? Yes, but we don’t think it will replace our standard order of a Number #1 Combo with Cheese.  We’ll just keep it in mind the next time we want something a little less filling.

Insider Tip: Ask for a packet of ranch dressing to dip your Chik ‘N Bites in.  It adds an extra dimension of flavor that makes the bite-sized chicken even more delicious.

As you may have already read in this morning’s Times Free Press, the Krystal restaurant in Hixson, Tenn., will host its second sampling event this Saturday, giving local residents the chance to taste for free the restaurant’s expansive menu options.

In addition to the free food samples, everyone will be able to enter a drawing for a $100 gift card from the fast food icon.

Simply stop by the Krystal on Hixson Pike this Saturday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.  There you’ll have the opportunity to taste test Krystal menu items such as MilkQuakes, Krystal Chiks, Krystal Pups and various Krystal Freeze flavors.

And don’t worry if you can’t make it this weekend, there will be one more free sample event next Saturday.  Yay for free food!

Krystal is kicking off Fall with another installment of its popular Sample Saturday series, and this go-round it’s the Hixson, Tenn. restaurant that will dish out the freebies and a $100 Krystal gift card each week.

Beginning this Saturday, Sept. 13 and taking place the next two Saturdays (Sept. 20 and Sept. 27), guests visiting the Krystal at 4850 Hixson Pike between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. will have the opportunity to sample for free Krystal’s expansive menu options as well as enter a drawing for a $100 Krystal gift card.

Menu items that will be available for guests to sample include Krystal Chiks, the company’s signature, small, square chicken sandwich, Krystal Pups, the iconically small hot dogs, Breakfast Scramblers, Krystal’s one-of-a-kind breakfast line, Krystal Freezes, the company’s new line of gourmet slush beverages and MilkQuakes, Krystal’s premium milkshakes made with real ice cream.

Beginning today, two new flavors will be available for Krystal Freeze lovers to enjoy - Island Punch and Purple Fusion.

As the name implies, Island Punch is a delicious blend of tropical fruit flavors. A perfect indulgence for the dog days of summer, the frozen beverage offers up a fruity taste that’s not too sweet.  This, of course, is thanks to the fact that it’s made with premium flavorings containing pure cane sugar.

The second flavor, Purple Fusion, isn’t quite as obvious in the name department, but we think it may be the best Krystal Freeze flavor to date.  The first time we tasted it, we couldn’t quite put our finger on the flavors but the second time around (and after asking our chef in the Krystal Test Kitchen) we found out that it’s actually a fusion of pear flavors - namely desert pear.  The taste is clean, crisp and decidedly refreshing.  If you liked the Pomegranate flavor, our bet is Purple Fusion will become your new favorite.

So go out and try the new flavors today.  Oh, and if you’re a die-hard Banana Freeze or Strawberry Freeze (or Banana-Strawberry Freeze) fan, don’t worry - those flavors will be available for the rest of the year.

Even though it’s Monday, today is a great day. Not only are we are coming to you from Florida’s Emerald Coast (a little family vacay trip), but two new Krystal Freeze flavors debut today.

The new flavors are Banana and Strawberry and they’re sure to be the perfect summertime treat.

Like all Krystal Freezes, the two new flavors are made using premium syrups which contain only pure cane sugar, ensuring a refreshing and natural flavor.

And just in case you can’t decide which flavor you want to try first, don’t worry, Krystal suggests mixing the two and making a Strawberry-Banana Freeze.

In fact, that sounds so good we’re heading out to our nearest Krystal now to grab one so that we can sip it by the beach.

Seeing how temperatures are already soaring into the 90s here in Krystal Country, we know many of you are turning to icy beverages to help you cool down (us included).

And while we’ve warned you about what can happen while slurping down a Krystal Freeze or MilkQuake too quickly, we thought we’d share this story about brain freeze, which provides some recent research as well as a scientific look at the painful condition.

Remember - please drink your MilkQuakes and Krystal Freezes responsibly.

Photo by Flickr user Alison Chains’

Just a quick reminder for all you Krystal lovers in Springdale:

Tomorrow between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Krystal will be handing out free samples of Krystal Chiks, Krystal Pups, MilkQuakes and the brand new Krystal Freeze as a part of “Sample Saturday”.

So don’t miss out!

Following the heels of the first and highly successful “Sample Saturday” in Springdale, Krystal will host a second free tasting event for area residents this Saturday, June 21.

Those that stop by the Krystal located at 1503 S. Thompson Rd. between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. will have the chance to try out select menu items for free, such as Krystal Chiks, Krystal Pups, MilkQuakes and the brand new, premium slush beverage - the Krystal Freeze.

In addition, a third date has been added to the “Sample Saturday” series. The final menu tasting event will take place July 5, and along with giving out free food samples, Krystal will help guests give back by hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive at the location.

We’ll post more details as the date approaches, but what could be better than helping a worthy cause and getting free Krystal samples in the process?

As we told you earlier this week, Krystal will kick off its first summer in Springdale with “Sample Saturdays”, giving residents a chance to try out select Krystal menu items for free.

The first “Sample Saturday” will take place tomorrow between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Krystal located at 1503 S. Thompson Rd.

Those stopping by will be able to try out Krystal Chiks, Krystal Pups, MilkQuakes and the brand new Krystal Freeze, which is a premium slush beverage perfect for summer.

And as if you need any additional convincing - did we mention you’ll get to taste these delicious menu items for free?

First it was this. Now Taco Bell is advertising a new drink called the Frutista FREEZE. It’s a FROZEN, SLUSH-looking beverage, which appears to be similar to our own Krystal FREEZE (except the Frutista is only available in two flavors - strawberry and mango.)

We also have no idea what Taco Bell’s Frutista Freeze is made with (a Krystal Freeze contains premium, gourmet flavorings made with pure cane sugar).

We do, however, find it curious they left out the “i” before the “t” so as not to spell “fruit”. Hmmm.

Here’s Taco Bell’s Frutista Freeze site. It’s nice and all, but too bad it doesn’t make us want the drink as much as it makes us want a vacation.