Men's Journal's Blog, page 66

This Cheap Walmart Breakfast Is Giving McDonald’s a Wake-Up Call

Walmart just pulled off a stealth move that'll hit McDonald’s where it counts—the drive‑thru breakfast. The retail giant’s new Great Value Sausage, Egg & Cheese Griddle Cake Sandwich delivers all the flavor of a McGriddle for a fraction of the price.

Inside each sandwich: sweet, maple‑flavored griddle cakes sandwich fluffy scrambled eggs, melty cheese, and a sausage patty—a dead‑ringer for McDonald’s signature item. The taste isn’t just close. It delivers that same sweet‑savory punch, but it’s coming from your freezer.

At just $5.78 for a four‑pack (roughly $1.45 per sandwich), it undercuts the McGriddle by more than half, according to The Street. Microwavable in about 70 seconds, it’s ready faster than you can pull into a drive‑thru lane.

Walmart has quietly been building out a fast-food-inspired lineup under its Great Value brand—think nuggets, sauces, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast items. But this frozen breakfast entry could be its most ambitious yet, meeting the McGriddle head on with a price tag designed to convert fans.

Related: McDonald’s Just Brought Back a Legendary Dessert Without Telling Anyone

Media outlets are already calling it a breakthrough. Reports highlight the surprising appeal, noting its “sweet and savory profile similar to its fast‑food counterpart” and convenience that makes it hard to pass up allrecipes.com. Early shoppers are buzzing: praise for flavor, affordability, and ease has lit up social media.

Of course, McDonald’s purists may argue that nothing beats the fresh‑made original. But for anyone who’s hit the snooze button one too many times or is cutting back on fast food, this frozen knockoff delivers the essentials: hot, familiar, and ready in under two minutes, without sacrificing cash.

It’s a savvy play by Walmart as consumers look for quality and value amid higher cost pressures. Why wait in line when you can stock your freezer, save big, and still enjoy the classic fast-food vibe?

In the grand food‑court face‑off, McDonald’s still dominates the drive-thru. But Walmart might just be the one to wake it up, with a sandwich that’s cheaper, quicker, and available all day at home.

Related: The Surprising Crime Costing Walmart and Target Shoppers Thousands

Idaho Sheriff Says, 'We Are Actively Taking Sniper Fire' on Canfield Mountain

The magnitude of the tragedy unfolding on Idaho's Canfield Mountain is still unclear, and the situation is an active one. 

In fact, the Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said in a news conference on the evening of June 29 that first responders were taking active fire as he spoke.

He described law enforcement taking "rapid fire."

"We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak," Norris said in the news conference, providing the few details that are clear. 

After the sheriff's news conference, Fox News reported that authorities found a deceased man with a firearm. There was no immediate confirmation that it was the suspect.

He said in the news conference that firefighters were shot after responding to a wildfire on Canfield Mountain in Idaho on June 29. Two people are dead, and they are believed to be firefighters.

The number of dead is not clear, Norris said.

In fact, he said in the first news conference that it's not even clear yet whether there is only one suspect. He indicated that there might be as many as four, but authorities just don't know. The motive is not clear, either.

According to Norris, authorities are trying to "neutralize" the suspect, and he also indicated that there might be civilians who are stuck on the mountain.

"Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken," Gov. Brad Little wrote on Facebook.

Northern Lakes Fire Protection Chief Pat Riley told the Spokesman-Review that the firefighters were attacked by an “ambush-style active shooter.”

“Gut-wrenching news coming from Coeur d’Alene,” Rep. Mike Simpson posted on X. “As the situation develops, our thoughts and prayers are with the brave firefighters and all first responders on the scene.”

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino wrote on X, "FBI assets are headed to the scene in Coeur d’Alene to provide tactical and operational support. It is an active scene."

Related: Idaho Firefighters Shot in 'Heinous' Ambush by Active Shooter

Beloved Buffet Chain Making a Resurgence 4 Years After Bankruptcy

When it comes to restaurants, the pandemic was difficult for the industry, in general. According to the National Restaurant Association, nearly one in six restaurants, meaning around 100,000 restaurants, closed either permanently or long-term six months into the pandemic, by September of 2020.

Even by August of that year, when things were starting to open back up, "consumer spending in restaurants remained well below normal levels in August," the National Restaurant Association notes, adding that sales were down 34 percent. In a separate study by the National Institutes of Health, 15.2 percent of restaurants in their sample closed in 2020.

So, the pandemic was hard on the restaurant industry, and that includes local spots and big chains. Now, one popular buffet chain that filed for bankruptcy protection in 2021 is making a comeback.

According to Chow Hound, back in 2021, Cicis Pizza, a Texas-based pizza restaurant, filed and emerged from bankruptcy after being sold to D&G Investors. "Cicis Pizza has closed over 100 locations since it filed for bankruptcy, leaving over 300 locations still in operation," they note.

Now, Cicis Pizza is making a comeback. "Cicis Pizza was designed for dine-in, and this is why the pandemic hit the franchise chain so hard," Chow Hound notes in a June 23 feature. The good news is that lately, as Chow Hound describes, "the chain has focused on some digital upgrades, like more robust call‑ahead and pick‑up ordering systems, as well as third‑party delivery."

So, moving forward, Cicis Pizza, is also going to now offer "larger arcade and game sections to draw in more families." Chow Hound adds that with Cicis now having 273 locations across the U.S. instead of 600, "tightening operations with fewer locations allows the franchise chain to come back better and stronger than before, repositioning itself from a bankrupt buffet concept to a family food and entertainment establishment."

Related: Taco Bell Announces Major Change for Customers. And It Starts Now

Costco Rolled Out a Food Court Menu Change and Fans Are Split

Costco has officially completed a food court beverage shake-up, and depending on your soda loyalties, it’s either a sweet victory or a disappointing loss. After years of pouring Pepsi products, the retail giant has finished rolling out Coca-Cola across its food courts nationwide, according to The Street.

The move brings back classics like Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Sprite, beverages many longtime members remember fondly from before the Pepsi partnership began. Earlier this year, Costco announced it would be swapping soda brands by summer, and now the transition is complete.

Fans of Coke have been vocal in their excitement. “Coke just tastes better with the $1.50 hot dog,” one member posted. “It feels like Costco again.” 

The hot dog-and-soda combo, long considered one of the best deals in retail food, remains untouched in price, an iconic part of Costco’s brand that hasn’t budged since the 1980s.

Related: Costco Hints at Checkout Shake-Up, Borrowing from Sam’s Club Playbook

But the return to Coke hasn’t landed well with everyone. Pepsi drinkers, and especially fans of Starry, Pepsi’s lemon-lime option, have voiced frustration. 

“Sprite is no match for Starry,” one person wrote on Reddit. “I’ll bring my own drink next time.”

The backlash echoes reactions to other recent food court changes. In the fairly recent past, Costco replaced its beloved churro with a chocolate chip cookie, and swapped out the popular strawberry banana smoothie for a frozen strawberry lemonade. In each case, the company saw pushback from members used to the routine of their go-to orders.

And while the Coca-Cola switch may seem minor, it’s a reminder of how deeply attached many shoppers are to even the smallest aspects of the Costco experience. For loyal members, the food court isn’t just a place to grab a bite. It’s part of the ritual.

Costco hasn’t commented further on whether additional menu changes are coming, but one thing is clear: even subtle updates can stir passionate responses from the warehouse faithful.

Related: Costco Just Challenged Amazon With a Delivery Move No One Saw Coming

'Suicide Squad' Star Gives Perfect 2-Word Response to Surprise Franz Ferdinand Collaboration

At the Glastonbury 2025 festival on Friday, the Scottish band Franz Ferdinand did a massive victory lap. Not only has the band just released a new album this year, The Human Fear, but it's now been 21 years since the release of the band's biggest hit song ever, "Take Me Out," from their self-titled debut album.

And to celebrate that song, and their return to Glastonbury, the band recruited a fellow Scottish legend, actor and musician Peter Capaldi. DC fans will remember Capaldi as Thinker in James Gunn's 2021 film The Suicide Squad, while Doctor Who fans will forever regard Capaldi as the 12th Doctor from that long-running sci-fi series. But, more recently, Capaldi has gone back to his roots of being a rocker, a career he pursued decades ago before becoming an actor. He's just released his second major album this year, and at Glastonbury, Capaldi was brought on stage to play "Take Me Out" with Franz Ferdinand. (You can watch the incredible performance below.)

"Alex [Kapranos] just got in touch with me. We had some mutual friends who are musicians. I had been praising Franz Ferdinand, and I think that got back to them," Capaldi said in an interview with NME. 

When the band asked him to perform their most famous hit, "Take Me Out," Capaldi's answer was simple: "Yes, please!”

If you're wondering if Peter Capaldi is related to much-younger singer Lewis Capaldi, the answer is yes. They are second cousins once removed, which is why when Kapranos introduced Peter Capaldi at Glastonbury, he called him "the original Capaldi." Lewis Capaldi also played the festival.

Related: One 'Suicide Squad' Star Just Made a Major Career Change

Last year, Capaldi told NME that his newest album, Sweet Illusions, was partly inspired by the "fat guitars" of classic Oasis records. At 66, Capaldi is a bit older than the Gallagher brothers — Noel is 58, Liam is 52 — but that doesn't mean he couldn't hang with those guys, too. In fact, maybe, just maybe, Capaldi's performance with Franz Ferdinand is only the beginning.

During the same concert, Franz Ferdinand also continued their collaboration with rapper Master Peace at Glastonbury. Previously, Master Peace played with Franz Ferdinand in Glasgow on June 24.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Thinking of Watching Brad Pitt’s 'F1' at Home? Think Again

Brad Pitt’s latest film is a full-throttle, high-octane tribute to Formula 1 racing—and it’s built to be seen on the biggest, loudest screen available. Shot with immersive race footage and anchored by Pitt’s signature ease and intensity, the film is part sports spectacle, part character study, and all energy.

Critics are already calling it “velociously loud and exceedingly exciting,” with Rotten Tomatoes praising Pitt’s “effortless charisma” as the engine driving the story forward. 

And while there’s no shortage of sports dramas on streaming platforms, F1 isn’t trying to fit neatly into that lane. It’s going for speed and scale.

The film follows a former Formula 1 driver Sonny Hayes (played by Pitt) who returns to the circuit to mentor young rising star, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). It’s classic redemption-arc stuff, but what makes it hit harder is the visceral, ground-level view of the racing world. 

Pitt reportedly trained on actual F1 tracks and filmed during real Grand Prix weekends, which gives the racing scenes a lived-in authenticity that’s hard to fake.

But what really sets F1 apart is how it looks and sounds in IMAX because it was "Filmed For IMAX." In fact, the whole movie is in the 1.90:1 aspect ratio. 

The roar of the engines. The tension of a corner taken just a little too fast. The vibration in your chest when tires peel off the track. It’s the kind of sensory overload that streaming can’t replicate—no matter how nice your soundbar is.

It’s not just a movie; it’s a rush.

Whether you’re a diehard F1 fan or just here for peak Pitt, F1 rewards you for showing up to the theater. And in an era where most action gets watered down into safe, streaming-ready content, this one doesn’t flinch. It floors it.

Watch it big. Watch it loud. Watch it in IMAX.

Beloved Halloween-Themed Restaurant Closing on July 1 After Nearly a Decade

A beloved restaurant that celebrates Halloween year-round is closing on July 1 after nearly a decade in business, unless the public steps in at the 11th hour.

Beetle House, a Los Angeles staple on iconic Hollywood Boulevard where "Everyday is Halloween," has been part of the Los Angeles restaurant, bar, and club community for 8 1/2 years, but the joint has "simply run out of money to operate at the level" they need despite surviving a global pandemic and apocalyptic-like fires that recently ravaged Southern California. 

The restaurant shared on its GoFundMe that its imminent closure "wasn't due to poor planning, and it wasn’t due to just the economic downturn of the city; it was due to third-party theft and broken agreements."

The fundraiser continued, "We had an investor that did not put in the money they agreed to, which left us with a large hole in our finances. In addition, we had a manager steal over $60,000 from us. These two things happened in a short timeframe, immediately followed by the LA fires and the current chaos going on in Los Angeles that has affected our business greatly."

Related: Beloved Taco Chain Closes Doors Due to Ongoing Unrest in Los Angeles

On Instagram, Beetle House says being shut down for over a year during the pandemic put them in the hole, as well as an investor pulling out and leaving them with a $500,000 hole, among other unfortunate events. 

"We’re not posting this for sympathy. We’ve never asked for help before—not even during COVID. We’re just tired. As it stands today… Beetle House LA, in its current form, will cease to exist after July," the post read. "Could that change? Possibly. Could we get the miracle we need? Possibly. Could this be the end? Also possible. We’re exploring everything: fundraising, private investors, relocating… but right now, we need people in the building spending money if we’re going to survive."

Beetle House says its New York location is stable but the Hollywood location just can't manage to survive right now without a miracle. 

"We need to raise a significant amount of money to pay our bills and our rent, etc. We still think we have a lot more to offer, and we want to stay alive, but we just don’t have the options right now," the GoFundMe page reads. "We have over 150,000 followers on our social platforms. If 10,000 people gave $100, all of our troubles would be over. So here we are, putting it out there: if you want this haunted hayride to continue, we will need your help. Otherwise, we will have to close our doors and sail off to the afterlife."

Beetle House's "thematic atmosphere is inspired by horror culture, magic, and the artistic, literary, and cinematic works of many revered legends such as Washington Irving, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Wes Craven, Tim Burton and many others."

According to the restaurant, Zach Neil launched Beetle House as a pop-up restaurant in New York City in 2016. He opened the Los Angeles location the following year.

Comedian Anthony Jeselnik Slams Joe Rogan Listeners as ‘F***ing Losers’

A soon-to-be classic clip of comedian Anthony Jeselnik taking a shot at Joe Rogan’s podcast fans is making the social media rounds—courtesy of The Joe Rogan Experience.

Late Friday afternoon, the official “news” page for The Joe Rogan Experience tweeted a clip from Jeselnik 2024 Netflix special, “Bones and All,” in which the comedian rails against Rogan’s listeners.

Related: Judge Issues Order About Joe Rogan in Liver King Arrest After Threats

“Guys, do not get me wrong: I like Joe,” Jeselnik tells the audience. “Joe’s my friend. Joe’s a good guy.”

“But if you listen to his podcast, you’re a f***ing loser,” the comedian continued, then went on to explain that he has some personal experience with the matter. It turns out that Jeselnik’s brother-in-law is “Joe Rogan’s biggest fan. Never misses an episode, doesn’t think that four hours is long enough.”

The comedian said his in-law’s love of The Joe Rogan Experience makes sense, because he is Rogan’s “target demographic: my brother-in-law is a conspiracy theorist. A crazy conspiracy theorist.”

Comedian Anthony Jeselnik: "I like Joe. Joe's my friend. But if you listen to his podcast you're a f*cking loser."pic.twitter.com/ssU8AJAiZi

— Joe Rogan Podcast News (@joeroganhq) June 27, 2025

Jeselnik gave an example of the wild conspiracies that his brother-in-law believes, including that if you register to be an organ donor, paramedics wouldn’t work to save your life in the event of an accident or emergency, “because they want to use your organs to help someone else.”

“It’s insane,” Jeselnik admitted, “but I can’t argue with him. He’s a paramedic.”

The clip has gained a lot of attention since the special arrived on Netflix in November, and seems to gain new attention every month or so since its release. Clearly, Rogan himself approves.

TSA Just Banned This Popular ID at Airports: 'Sorry'

It's likely that there aren't a lot of people who are going to try to use a Waffle House ID card to board a plane, but you never know.

After all, some people tried to use their Costco cards in the place of a REAL ID, so anything is possible.

And, it turns out, one person did show off their Waffle House card at an airport, and their post went viral. But the Transportation Security Administration, otherwise known as TSA, says hold on.

Of course, TSA's post was also a bit tongue-in-cheek.

It all started on X, when the traveler posted a picture of his Waffle House ID card. 

"TSA might want Real ID, but I have the realest ID," wrote Matthew Cappucci on X. The card was stamped with the words "Waffle House," declaring that its holder is a metereologist.

TSA might want RealID, but I have the realest ID. pic.twitter.com/T8f1VAOzpT

— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) June 22, 2025

Cappuci's post generated more than 2 million views, so TSA got involved.

"Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry)," TSA wrote on X on June 24, sharing the man's post.

Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry). https://t.co/3LwUQnCJJk

— TSA (@TSA) June 24, 2025

People filled up TSA's comment thread. 

"Respectfully, I trust Waffle House more than the TSA," wrote one person.

"People are literally trying to fly with Costco & Waffle House cards. TSA had to come out & say those aren’t Real IDs. How are people this stupid?" another person wrote on X.

TSA posted about the Costco ID situation too. "We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not," the TSA wrote on X on June 4.

We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not.

— TSA (@TSA) June 4, 2025

"A REAL ID has your address and all of that jazz on it, Costco and Waffle House membership cards do not. No more presenting those to the TSA," another person wrote.

TSA has posted a list of acceptable REAL ID alternatives, but they're pretty limited. For example, a passport suffices.

Related: TSA Announces REAL ID Alternatives Before Deadline

Jason and Travis Kelce's Garage Beer Created BeerBed™ and You Can Win It

The team behind Garage Beer—the crisp, no-nonsense lager co-owned by Jason and Travis Kelce—has officially outdone itself. Meet the BeerBed™, a custom-built bed complete with a working kegerator in the headboard. It’s absurd, it’s real, and yes, you can win it.

Starting July 1, Garage Beer fans can enter to win the only bed in the world that literally pours beer by simply commenting on the brand’s Instagram post or retweeting it on X. The giveaway runs through July 15, and the winner will walk away with the full setup: the BeerBed frame, a brand-new Casper mattress, and a functioning tap system that pours cold Garage Beer from two glorious headboard-mounted taps.

Think of it like a waterbed... but way better.

“Honestly, this was a stroke of genius,” Corey Smale, Garage Beer’s VP of Marketing, told us. “We’ve already put beer in hot dogs and on people. Sleep felt like the next logical step.”

The idea may have started as a joke, but thanks to longtime collaborator Jordan Phoenix, the guy Smale calls their director/problem solver/sometimes actor, it quickly became real. “If I can think of it, he can usually make it happen,” Smale said. “I’m still amazed at how dumb something can become when our brains work together.”

Garage Beer Creates First Ever BeerBed™ (1:10)

But what’s actually inside this thing?

While the mattress may or may not be designed to hold liquids, Garage Beer’s team isn’t giving away all their secrets. What we do know is that a legit kegerator is built into the handcrafted wooden headboard. Push the tap handle, and golden beer flows. That’s the BeerBed in action. And yes, someone will actually be sleeping on it soon.

Garage Beer has made a name for itself by walking the line between performance art and product promotion. From retro fridges with White Castle to marketing sunscreen for your beer, the team thrives on ideas that are both hilarious and somehow tangible.

“Beer should be funny. Full stop,” Smale said. “Our number one job is to make the best light beer on the planet. Our number two job is to entertain people and create content we’d want to see ourselves.”

Garage Beer BeerBed.

Garage Beer.

So why go all in on something as weird and wonderful as the BeerBed?

“This one had to be real,” Smale said. “We’ve made silly stuff before that was just for content’s sake, but this time, the idea wasn’t good enough until it actually existed. That’s what puts it over the top.”

And it’s not just about going viral.

The campaign is meant to reflect Garage Beer’s core identity: a brand that takes light beer seriously and everything else lightly. 

According to Smale, this is a once-in-a-lifetime promo. “You’re not going to get another shot at winning a bed that pours beer out of the headboard,” he said. “Only one beer brand would dare to be this dumb. And we couldn’t be more proud.”

So if you’ve ever wanted to nap near your own personal tap system—or just want bragging rights for owning the world’s most over-the-top beer setup—now’s your chance. Keep an eye out on Tuesday, July 1, for Garage Beer's post on Instagram and X.

One comment. One retweet. One legendary BeerBed.