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■ Taco Bell
This is a very catchy, but dumb, that’s d-u-m, song called “Combination Pizza Hut And Taco Bell” by Das Racist. The lyrics revolves around three lines: I’m at the Pizza Hut / I’m at the Taco Bell / I’m at the combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell

Habit Burger

The California-based Habit Burger & Grill just had a grand opening in Jacksonville (in River City) on September 21, 2026. As far as grand-opening goes, there were no fanfare. No special offering, as far as I could tell. The only thing I noticed is the sign that says “Now Open”… otherwise it’s just business as usual. Foot traffic was terrific, with almost all the tables had guests.

They specialized in Charburgers and in 2014, the brand was named best burger by Consumer Reports. In other recognition, the company has a policy to only use cage-free eggs.

The restaurant has been expanding, but once the original owners (brothers Brent and Bruce Reichard) sold all their locations to Yum! Brands (the owner of KFC & Taco Bell) in 2020, Yum! has been expanding to the East Coast. Currently they have more than 370 locations… including the new one that just opened in River City.

Since there is no Habit Burger in the Midwest, I was excited to stop by the new location for lunch. They had about 8 burgers and 6 sandwiches on their menu. I ordered the Santa Barbara Char (which comes with guacamole) and seemed more like a sandwich. It’s smooth and fresh. Bread was buttered (?) and grilled. I also had the Teriyaki Char, which surprisingly came with a slice of pineapple (which added a sweet taste to the teriyaki sauce). I think what I like is that these are flavors that I normally don’t expect in a burger (especially fast-food burgers). So, it’s different, and I think for the better. Next time I’ll try their famous Charburger (it’s like their version of the Big Mac) or their mushroom burger.

Prices were not bad at all. No burgers over $8, that I can recall. You can also get a family kit (with fries and green beans meal) for a family of four and it’s about $30-$40. Certainly, way cheaper than Five Guys. Sides were $3 or $5, and drinks were about the same. My favorite side is their signature fried tempura green beans. Despite being fried, I think it’s still a healthier choice than French fries (and I think it tastes better than starchy fries).

Comparing to McDonalds or Wendy’s or Burger King, I think Habit Burger offers better food for about the same price (if not cheaper). It’s also just as fast, I placed my order and not more than a minute later did they had my food ready. Given my options, I think I would always choose Habit over these other places.

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■ Wendy’s
This is important because the Femmes had stopped writing music and essentially broke up in 2007 over disputes of selling out “Blister in the Sun” to Wendy’s. When you hear some of these songs like “Kiss Off” and “American Music”, you just have to sing along. It’s so good live… and I hope VF do a normal club tour. You know we will be first in line to see them when they return.

Wendy’s

That’s right, Wendy’s released an emo album called Songs to Listen to in a Wendy’s Parking Lot last Wednesday… the follow-up to 2018’s We Beefin’?, the Wendy’s hip-hop mixtape.

The emo album was created by multi-platinum producer and songwriter Matt Squire (he did productions for Panic! at the Disco, 3oh!3, All Time Low, Simple Plan and Sum 41). He said there is no A.I. and all the artists he collaborated with (Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire and Anberlin, Chloe Kinnon of Winona Fighter, Shane Told of Silverstein, Beau Bokan of Blessthefall, Derek DiScanio of State Champs and Kat Leon of Holy Wars) were eager to take on their Wendy’s combo song.

It is kind of weird that Wendy’s would go after the emo crowd. They’re not really known for late-night drive-throughs (that’s more of a Taco Bell thing). Whenever I think of the iconic redhead Wendy, she seemed too goody-two-shoes. Have you ever seen an emo or goth redhead?

My only complaint is that this album isn’t available for download, it’s streaming-only. I know it’s the modern age, but I don’t use the Spotify or Deezer Weezer. I have Amazon Music, via Amazon Prime, but I don’t use it. It’s just not my thing, I’m sorry. Real emos aren’t online, anyway.

Here’s the tracklisting – I love that title ‘best combo meal on the worst night of my life’.

“She Said She Didn’t Want Fries” featuring Matty Mullins
“Salt in the Wound” featuring Chloe Kinnon
“I Miss the Sunroom” featuring Shane Told
“The Best Combo Meal on the Worst Night of My Life” featuring Beau Bokan
“It’s Not a Phase, It’s a 10PC” featuring Derek DiScanio
“My Frosty’s Funeral” featuring Kat Leon

UNEMPLOYABLE: The Katie Lee Story

Chef Katie Lee, founder of Katie’s Pizza (five locations in St Louis), just published her debut book UNEMPLOYABLE: The Katie Lee Story (Swan Bluff Press). The book is available exclusively at Target stores nationwide from Sept. 27 through Oct. 31. The book will be featured on end-aisle displays along with her line of pizzas, pastas, sauces and olive oil.

In addition to her book, Lee will release a vinyl album to bring in that Katie’s Pizza vibe called One Night at Katie’s. The album will have 14 original tracks composed and arranged by musicians ELPENTHE and Roman GianArthur and features Monica Martin, GianArthur, Tydell and Eric Beenk. The album will be available November 1st.

Book Details

UNEMPLOYABLE: The Katie Lee Story
Author: Katie Lee
Publisher: Swan Bluff Press
ISBN: 979-8-9964877-0-7
Format: Hardcover / $24.99
Publication Date: September 27, 2026

A roadmap for everyone who was told they didn’t have a chance, Unemployable is the inspiring story of Katie Lee – a single mom, formerly homeless, a high school-dropout drug addict who went from living in a halfway house to building a national Italian foods and restaurant company. From scratch. Written in a voice that is as authentic as her spirit and her food, Unemployable is gritty and unvarnished. Poetic and percussive. This isn’t your standard tale of recovery and redemption. It’s a story of addiction, failure, success, more failure, pizza, pasta, Italy, family, death, rebirth, entrepreneurship, hospitality, restaurants, and hustle. So, so much hustle. Mesmerizing, startling, and profound, Unemployable is a moving and meaningful account of how one woman, against all odds, just kept going.