Brian Boone

Ashland

Articles for Grunge, The Takeout, and Vulture; editor at Humorist Books; writer for Uncle John's Bathroom Reader since forever; Mortdecai jokes here

Articles

13 Discontinued Mountain Dew Flavors We Want Back In Stores ASAP - The Takeout

1 week ago | thetakeout.com | Brian Boone

Mountain Dew often leans into the sublimely ridiculous. This is evident in its many advertising campaigns that feature extreme-sports stunts and absurd humor — speaking of which, Mountain Dew's 2025 Super Bowl ad seriously freaked us out. But the ever-evolving flavors of this soda line are equally surreal. The original flavor of Mountain Dew is a vague blend of citrus fruits.
13 Discontinued Mountain Dew Flavors We Want Back In Stores ASAP

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Brian Boone

Mountain Dew often leans into the sublimely ridiculous. This is evident in its many advertising campaigns that feature extreme-sports stunts and absurd humor — speaking of which, Mountain Dew's 2025 Super Bowl ad seriously freaked us out. But the ever-evolving flavors of this soda line are equally surreal. The original flavor of Mountain Dew is a vague blend of citrus fruits.
How Walmart's Great Value Chocolate Bars Compare To The Name Brands

1 week ago | thetakeout.com | Brian Boone

Walmart's entire, stated reason for being is to save its customers money whenever possible. In that vein, it operates like so many other grocery and retail chains do by offering store brand, or private label, versions of name brand products. Often no-frills, low-key takes on well-known foods, treats, and snacks, the Great Value line is the name listed on Walmart's unfailingly cheaper versions of national, famous products.
The Best And Worst Trader Joe's Chocolate Bars

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Brian Boone

As part of its identity as an importer and self-brander of world goods, Trader Joe's sells a lot of chocolate. Not even counting all of the cookies, treats, and little candies, the chain stocks an abundant assortment of bars, comprised of many of the different types of chocolate. Most are made from cacao or chocolate sourced from historical hotbeds of crop production or craftsmanship and are either sold pure and simple or loaded with enhancements like nuts, oats, crispy rice, and coffee.
Signs Jack In The Box Is Struggling

3 weeks ago | finance.yahoo.com | Brian Boone

Bag of food, burger, fries, and a drink from Jack in the Box - FOOD PHOTO STOCK/Shutterstock Jack in the Box has survived in one form or another since the 1950s. While it initially started out as a hamburger stand, it later toyed with the idea of being an upscale and mature chain called Monterey Jack's before finally taking its place among the icons of fast food. How did the company do it? Part of its success comes down to the fact that it has always been willing to try new things.
Signs Jack In The Box Is Struggling

3 weeks ago | thetakeout.com | Brian Boone

Jack in the Box has survived in one form or another since the 1950s. While it initially started out as a hamburger stand, it later toyed with the idea of being an upscale and mature chain called Monterey Jack's before finally taking its place among the icons of fast food. How did the company do it? Part of its success comes down to the fact that it has always been willing to try new things.
Grocery Store-Bought Donut Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

1 month ago | thetakeout.com | Brian Boone

Some of the best donuts ever can be procured almost anywhere in the U.S. From the best grocery store chains for budget shoppers to upscale food emporiums, there's a bakery on the premises where the donuts come out hot every morning. Chains like Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, and a resurgent Tim Hortons dot the landscape with hundreds or thousands of locations. And yet still, there exists a preference, and a huge market, for packaged, shelf-stable donuts.
Review: Arby's Almost Gets It Right With Two New Smoked Meat Sandwiches

1 month ago | thetakeout.com | Brian Boone

As its commercials boldly proclaim, Arby's "has the meats." In recent years, the chain has expanded beyond its unique to fast food menu of mostly thin-sliced roast beef sandwiches to include premium chicken and fish sandwiches, and meatier, restaurant-quality beef and pork options.
The Biggest Butter Recalls Of All Time

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Brian Boone

No matter what kind of butter you buy, there's really not much to it. First, cream gets separated from milk, and then it's churned until it's a soft solid. From there, it's ready to make magic as either a toast or popcorn topping, cooking fat, a vital ingredient in baked goods, to list just some of its uses. Whether it's used at home or in a restaurant, where it tastes so much better than store-bought for some reason, butter is a universal culinary must-have.
Discontinued Skittles Flavors We'll Probably Never Get To Eat Again

1 month ago | thetakeout.com | Brian Boone

In the world of candy bars, or portioned and bagged bite-sized candy, loyalties and favorites are established when customers are young and remain in place for decades. Skittles are a relatively new brand, hitting store shelves in the United States in 1979 and quickly becoming one of the bestselling and most popular candies around. Imploring customers to "taste the rainbow," Skittles initially were presented in a red package of mixed flavors, such as grape, lime, strawberry, lemon, and orange.