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Arizona Breweries Claim Eight Medals at 2026 Great American Beer Festival
2 hours ago•Source: Phoenix New Times
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8.31 min•15 hours ago
50 Top Pizza 2026: NYC’s Una Pizza Napoletana Retains Crown Amid Expert Skepticism
The 2026 50 Top Pizza rankings place Una Pizza Napoletana in New York City at number one for the fifth consecutive year. The list, released on Columbus Day, features a tie for second place between Pizzeria Sei in Los Angeles and Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco. While the rankings highlight Italian-influenced styles, food historian Colin Caplan questions the universality of such lists, noting that 'best' is subjective and that the organization may favor Neapolitan traditions due to its Italian chef-led structure.
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Hormel Launches SPAM Hot Honey, Sparking Debate Over Sweet-and-Spicy Trend
Hormel Foods has released SPAM Hot Honey, the first permanent addition to the brand's lineup in two years. The new variety, which blends sweet and spicy flavors, is now available at select grocery retailers nationwide. To promote the launch, Hormel partnered with New York City's Win Son Bakery for a limited-time collaboration featuring a breakfast sandwich and a fan tuan. While the product taps into the popular 'swicy' food trend, consumer reactions are mixed, with some fans expressing enthusiasm and others rejecting the flavor change.
Benchmark Single Barrel Delivers Blanton's-Like Flavor for a Fraction of the Price
A Tasting Table roundup highlights Benchmark Single Barrel from Buffalo Trace as a $25 alternative to Blanton's, with a similar sweet, honeyed palate, oak and warm spices, and a smoother, easier finish. While not exactly Blanton's, it provides solid flavor at a fraction of the price and is recommended as a great intro bourbon for those on a budget.
Elijah Craig Small Batch Emerges as Blanton’s Budget-Friendly Rival
Elijah Craig Small Batch offers a Blanton’s-adjacent bourbon around $26–27 for a 750 ml bottle, matching a 47% ABV and 8–12 years of aging, with a robust vanilla, caramel, oak profile and a round mouthfeel. Blanton’s Single-Barrel remains more expensive and single-cask with slightly more pronounced fruit and char and a crisper finish. The piece emphasizes Elijah Craig as a strong value for sipping or cocktails and explains the difference between small-batch and single-barrel bourbons.
From shipyard to dessert: Finland's pine tar goes gourmet
In Oulu, Finland, pine tar—a smoky byproduct once used to waterproof boats and treat wounds—has become a culinary signature, appearing in chocolates, syrups, breads, and ice cream as chefs and locals celebrate a heritage flavor that’s both nostalgic and addictive.
SF Duo Lands on Bon Appétit’s 2026 Best New Restaurants List
Bon Appétit names two San Francisco spots—Jules and Maria Isabel—in its 2026 Best New Restaurants list, signaling SF’s national dining comeback; Jules earns praise for daring, free‑wheeling pizza (notably the Fun Guy with black garlic‑tamarind), while Maria Isabel is lauded for its coastal Mexican cuisine and inventive cocktail program; the feature highlights chefs with clear perspectives taking risks, and the SF scene continues to attract national attention even as it faces staffing and cost pressures.
Bayley's Seafood Closes After 30-Year Run in Scarborough
Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant in Scarborough has closed after 30 years in operation, with its last day of service on Aug. 20; the eatery, which opened in 1995, was a longtime staple for fried seafood enjoyed by locals and summer visitors.
Pop-Tarts meet BuzzBallz for toaster pastry-inspired cocktails
BuzzBallz and Pop-Tarts have teamed up for a limited-edition line of ready-to-drink cocktails inspired by Frosted S’mores and Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon. Each drink is 15% ABV and is rolling out nationwide for a limited time at a suggested price of $3.99, aimed at millennials nostalgic for Pop-Tarts from the 90s.
Tiny, High-ABV Pre-Game Craze: Gen Z’s $3 BuzzBallz Go Viral
Facing higher nightlife costs, Gen Z is turning to tiny BuzzBallz canned cocktails (15–20% ABV) that cost about $3–$4 to pregame, delivering a strong buzz in a small package and fueling a viral social-media trend. RTDs like BuzzBallz and Cutwater are riding this wave, while brands tout authenticity and responsible enjoyment even as some fans chase high-intensity predrinking experiences. The movement reflects broader growth in high-ABV, convenient predrinks that appeal to budget-conscious partygoers.
The Mess Hall Debuts a Trio of Eateries at Presidio Tunnel Tops
The Mess Hall opens August 15 at the Presidio Tunnel Tops Park (Building 201) with three concepts—Boda, Dayboat Seafood, and Breadwinner—plus a full bar, cafe, and an all-day market, all under one roof with a shared kitchen and QR/counter order system; 88 indoor seats and 120 on an outdoor patio, operating 7am daily with extended weekend hours.
Chick-fil-A marks 80th anniversary with all-day chicken & waffles and s'mores desserts
Chick-fil-A is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a limited-time fall lineup, including all-day Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches starting Aug. 24 (with a smaller chicken filet for breakfast 6:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. and a larger version for lunch/dinner 10:30 a.m.–close), available in original, spicy or grilled. The menu also brings back S’mores Milkshake and S’mores Frosted Coffee for all-day enjoyment, as part of a Newstalgia celebration that plugs nostalgic fall flavors into a limited-time lineup.