Food & Drink

Proof, if you needed it, that this year called for carbs of various shapes and sizes.

If you've been following the fried-chicken wars over the past two years, you might've noticed that a crispy, perfectly seasoned bird can make people lose their actual minds. Fast-food giant Chick-fil-A had already established its pickle-dressed chicken as an icon, but when Popeyes launched its new crispy chicken sandwich in 2019, it resulted in all-out brawls and even a fatal stabbing. McDonald's recently announced a new trio of chicken sandwiches to join the competition, too, but today, KFC—one of the world's preeminent poultry authorities—levels up its game with a massive newcomer. RECOMMENDED: Here’s how KFC’s new sauce stacks up to its predecessor, the Finger Lickin’ Good Sauce Weighing in at a quarter pound (and 20 percent larger than the brand's already popular Crispy Colonel Sandwich), the new KFC Chicken Sandwich is massive, meaty, double breaded and only $3.99. The meat? All white. The bun? Brioche. It's the end result of a wildly successful test run in Orlando last year, not to mention countless recipe trials (the KFC kitchen team collaborated with six separate bakeries on 10 bun recipes alone). It's reportedly crispier than its earlier counterpart, and the pickles are thicker, too. You can get it slathered in classic mayo or spicy sauce, and every sandwich is more or less guaranteed to be piping hot and crunchy, as these babies are made to order. "Many customers hadn't considered KFC as a part of the chicken sandwich conversation," says KFC U.S.'s chief marketing officer, Andrea Zahumensky. "But anyone who tastes this sandwich will know, without a doubt, that we're playing to win." Of course, there's a slight catch: You won't be able to order the KFC Chicken Sandwich in various flavors, à la the smaller Crispy Colonel Sandwich, and not everyone can try it today. The newbie launches in select stores in Chicago, Kansas City, Louisville, Portland, St. Louis, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle and Tulsa, but rest assured: All 4,000 KFC locations in the U.S. are set to offer the latest contender in the fried-chicken wars by late February. Want to see if your local KFC is offering it? You can check this website, which will be updated with new locations daily, and even sign up for email notifications. Just, please: No brawling. Most popular on Time Out - Starbucks just added two (extra-sounding) new winter drinks to its menu- Shake Shack has launched Korean-style Fried Chick‘n in the U.S.- Take a closer look at McDonald’s three new fried chicken sandwiches- Did you know you can donate your recycled Christmas tree to a goat to eat?- 'Bridgerton' on Netflix is what the U.S. needed this holiday season

Let's be honest here: any Starbucks drink that isn't a relatively simple black coffee is a burst of flavors (and calories) that not everyone finds delightful. That being said, hordes of people anxiously await the chain's seasonal menu updates year in and year out, hoping to discover some new combination of caffeine, syrup and milk that will tickle all their senses. Perhaps, this winter's additions might do the job: Starbucks just announced two new beverages that we bet some of you have already indulged in. RECOMMENDED: Did you know you can donate your recycled Christmas tree to a goat to eat? First up: the Pistachio Latte. Boasting the brand's Signature espresso, steamed milk, pistachio flavoring and a salted brown buttery topping, the drink likely sounds familiar to those who have visited a Starbucks Reserve Roastery since 2019. The destination has been serving the treat for over a year now.   The second addition caters to the dairy-free crowd: the Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew is a slow-steeped cold brew stirred with honey and topped with almond milk. Vegans, rejoice! Photograph: StarbucksHoney Almondmilk Cold Brew The drinks join a list of novel food options that the chain recently announced as well: from the kale and portobello mushroom sous vide egg bites to the earth cake pop and the return of the velvet loaf. And if it just so happens that none of these treats tickle your fancy, you might want to browse through our list of the 11 best Starbucks secret items out there (yes, we tell you how to order each one as well!).  Most popular on Time Out - Fall in love all over again with these unexpected, romantic getaways in the USA- The most stunning castles in the U.S. for pretending you're in Europe- The darkest, clearest places to stargaze in the U.S.- These U.S. cities will make you feel like you're in Europe- The most romantic, under-the-radar honeymoon destinations in the U.S.

If they're good enough for the Child, they're more than good enough for us.

It’s the ultimate festive detox: wallowing in warm, spiced wine.

The new short film stars Mario Lopez as a sexy Colonel Sanders.