Subway is one of the largest global chains, but its ubiquity hasn't necessarily led to an overly positive public opinion.

I'll admit that I've been let down by the restaurant more than once, but nonetheless, I count myself among its fans. Because Subway has over 30,000 locations globally, it's still nice to know I can probably grab something familiar at one, no matter where in the world I am.

I ordered a 12-inch roast-beef sub for $16.28, which breaks down to about $1.36 an inch.

Subway employees can sometimes go a little heavy on the sauce, but the few stripes of mayo I got were well-portioned.

The bread and cheese were nothing special, but the roast beef was actually pretty tasty — I just wish there was more of it.

The produce truly stood out here. The tomatoes were thickly cut and actually had good flavor, and the lettuce tasted fresh and crisp.

I'd argue that roast beef should be the star of a roast-beef sandwich, but I'm certainly not mad at the Subway sub.

Jimmy John's is a Midwest staple that's spread to over 2,000 locations across the US. It's perhaps most famous for its fresh-baked bread.

I ordered a regular (8-inch) Big John but paid $1 extra to add provolone cheese. The total came to $11.41, or about $1.43 an inch.

Sadly, I thought my roast-beef sandwich from Jimmy John's tasted rather bland overall.

It needed a bit more meat, the meat needed a bit more salt, the cheese was all but undetectable, and the veggies faded into the background.

You'd think that would mean I didn't enjoy this sandwich, but that wasn't the case because of one thing: the bread.

Jimmy John's French bread is good enough to be enjoyed on its own with just some butter or perhaps a spread of Dijon mustard. It readily elevates what would've been an underwhelming sandwich into a perfectly decent meal.

New Jersey-based chain Jersey Mikes has over 2,000 locations throughout the US and Canada.

It's famous for building sandwiches with freshly sliced cold cuts, and it was the only chain where I watched an employee slice my roast beef seconds after I placed my order.

My No. 6 (roast beef and provolone) 7-inch sub cost me $12.36, or about $1.77 an inch.

The roast beef piled onto my Jersey Mike's sandwich was well over an inch thick. I pulled a few pieces of meat out to try on its own and found that it tasted high quality, too

The provolone cheese also had good flavor, but I didn't think there was enough lettuce, and the tomatoes tasted a bit bland.

However, the biggest issue I had with the sandwich was the rather sloppy, messy assembly. It was difficult to hold together as a cohesive unit, and the mayo was slapped on too heavily and unevenly.

I haven't ordered this enough to know if it was a one-off problem or a consistent problem with the chain's sandwich assembly.

The generous portion of roast beef and the quality of the meat at Jersey Mike's easily would've made it my favorite sandwich had it been assembled with more care.

However, as it is, there were things I liked and disliked about each sub. Jimmy John's sandwich tasted pretty bland despite its amazing bread, and Subway's felt underfilled but had lovely tomatoes and lettuce.

It would be divine if I could combine the meat from Jersey Mike's and the produce from Subway on the bread from Jimmy John's.

If you're looking for a wine that's super easy to drink and that's enjoyable both on its own or with a weeknight meal, the cabernet sauvignon from Ironstone Vineyards is the one.

At $14, it's also the most affordable option I reach for.

The pleasant, light-red blend offers notes of juicy, ripe fruits on the nose and palate. It has just a touch of residual sugar for those who prefer sweeter fruity notes.

Domaine Bousquet is a family-owned estate in the Mendoza region of Argentina. Its reserve wines are made with hand-picked, certified organic fruit.

I love the brand's cabernet sauvignon because it tastes exactly like a cab should (full-bodied and dark) for only $18 a bottle.

The wine has a nice tannin structure, so it's on the drier side. Additionally, the notes on both the nose and palate are dark and complex.

Juggernaut's cabernet — made from grapes on hillside vineyards — majorly over-delivers for its $20 price point.

Upon first taste, the wine is dark-fruited and herbaceous in nature. Then, a smooth and velvety side comes through with some chocolate notes, giving it a rich and warming impression.

It's the perfect winter cabernet to enjoy with a pot roast in front of a crackling fireplace.

Bonterra, a leader in sustainable winemaking, offers an easier-drinking cabernet sauvignon with little tannin impression, making it less dry and bitter on the palate.

I think it delivers precisely what a cabernet should for $22: A quaffable glass of red everyone can enjoy.

Bonterra is also one of the easiest-to-find brands on the list. It has wide distribution in major retailers such as Whole Foods, Albertsons, and Trader Joe's.

From the sprawling Santa Margarita Ranch on the south side of Paso Robles, California, comes a spicy little number from Ancient Peaks Winery.

The brand's $25 cabernet has a more dramatic nose and palate, with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla.

Although some cabernets can be sipped on their own, this bottle is best enjoyed with food. I think it would shine with a hickory-grilled burger, grilled portabellas, or a spiced pork tenderloin.

Founded and owned by master sommelier Des Echavarrie, Alta Nova highlights wines made from grapes grown at high elevations in Paso Robles, which is located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Its $33 cabernet is deep, dark, and brooding in nature, with a good tannin structure. However, it's still a ripe, fruity crowd-pleaser.

Rodney Strong Winery is a legacy Sonoma producer that showcases beautiful grapes from the Alexander Valley.

Its cabernet is dark-fruited, with a lovely note of sweet spice from the oak influence.

Although it's the most expensive on the list at $35, it's the perfect bottle to enjoy with grilled steak or braised short ribs.

Disney World is known for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a ticketed event at Magic Kingdom, but this is the second year for Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios.

The after-hours event runs for five hours on select nights and includes perks like short ride times, party-exclusive food, and the opportunity to meet rare Disney characters.

It also requires a separate ticket, but it can be slightly more affordable — Magic Kingdom's event costs between $180 and $220 for adults, and Jollywood Nights goes for $160 to $180.

This is all separate from daytime park admission. One-day, single-park tickets for this month start at about $150.

Universal's holiday tour is a must-do for me every season.

My $100 ticket included five hours with a tour guide, special meet-and-greets, dinner, dessert, and more. It's the only way to meet Santa at Universal Orlando, although he does appear nightly in a holiday parade.

The tour is less expensive than the Disney events, but unlike those, it requires a park ticket — a one-day, single-park ticket costs about $120 right now. Luckily, I have an annual pass, so I was able to use that and skip this added cost.

I also spent time at Universal before check-in to explore some of the holiday offerings on my own.

Getting photos with characters is one of my favorite parts of visiting theme parks, so I was sure to line up for some of the party-exclusive meet-and-greets at Jollywood Nights, like Disney's Duffy Bear dressed as Santa.

However, you don't have to have an event ticket to meet holiday-themed characters. Some characters, like Chip and Dale and Woody, are out in their holiday best all day at Hollywood Studios.

Universal goes full Grinch during the holiday season, with offerings like a Grinch meet-and-greet, a character breakfast with the mean one himself, and the "Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular" show.

From sweet treats to merchandise, you'll see the green guy all over the park.

Earl the Squirrel, a Universal character inspired by a real-life squirrel who used to live in the park's Christmas tree, is also a main figure of the season.

There were Jollywood Nights-specific entertainment offerings at my event — like a "Nightmare Before Christmas" sing-along — there are also holiday happenings for daytime park guests.

The popular "Frozen Sing-a-long Celebration" show gets a special holiday revamp, and Santa also greets guests at It's A Wonderful Shop.

There's no greater holiday joy for me than watching the "Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular" show, starring the Grinch, every Who down in Whoville, and a real-life version of Max (the dog).

Anyone with a regular park admission can see the Broadway-quality performance, which features songs by Mannheim Steamroller. It runs several times every day throughout the holiday season.

The park also has a special holiday parade that features Dreamworks characters, floats, entertainers, and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons.

The holiday food at Disney truly can't be rivaled.

I noshed on lots of things you can only get during Jollywood Nights, like kimchi-pimento-cheese dip and tot poutine, but festive foods are available at the park during the day as well.

From a red-velvet holiday shake to a winter-spiced whoopie pie, Disney has plenty of only-seen-at-Christmas foods to try.

Universal has some holiday-themed treats, like Max-shaped cookies and a roasted-turkey-dinner crepe, but I didn't think there were too many options.

If you're looking to really experience delicious festival food at Universal, you'll want to visit during Mardi Gras or Halloween Horror Nights, when the park is filled with stands selling tasty themed bites.

Choosing a theme-park souvenir is tough on any vacation, but it's even harder for me during the holidays.

Almost every Hollywood Studios' giftshop was taken over by Mickey ornaments and cozy holiday sweatshirts. There were also special pop-up areas selling even more festive items.

Like Disney World, Universal goes all out with holiday-themed merch.

This is especially true for the themed lands, like Seuss Landing and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Both "Grinchmas" and "Holidays at Hogsmeade" release fun limited-time offerings this time of year.

Disney goes all out, adorning Hollywood Studios with vintage Hollywood-glam decorations like star-lit lamp posts and sparkly ornaments and lights.

You'll even find fake snow made of soap, dubbed "snoap." It's really beautiful to watch it fall over the decorated theme park without having to feel freezing cold — a win-win.

From the 80-foot tree in the New York area to its Holiday Tribute Store filled with limited-time merchandise, Universal's Christmas decor is truly something to behold.

It also produces plenty of snoap, so you don't have to worry about missing out on that magic.

Disney and Universal hold special places in my heart after years of building family memories in both.

Still, I think Universal is a better value during the holidays since a regular park ticket gets guests way more seasonal activities for their money.

Although I added on the VIP tour and recommend it, it's not actually necessary. Everyone can meet characters like the Grinch and Earl the Squirrel, watch the "Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular," and catch the parade.

Disney keeps many of its best holiday activities in its separate, ticketed events, which can be costly, especially if you're also planning on spending the day at the parks.

A Christmas Eve tradition in my house is to give my kids new pajamas, cozy socks, and a board game we can all play together after dinner.

At Target, I found the softest, cutest holiday socks for about $3 a pair, and I got a few for each kid.

My teenage daughter loves to wear festive accessories to holiday parties and church services throughout December, so I toss new ones into her stocking each year.

At Walmart, I found a display of super-affordable holiday accessories, such as light-up tree earrings and candy-cane-printed hair clips.

Most of the accessories were under $5 — and the display looked a bit picked-through — but I still found cute stuff for me and my daughter.

During my shopping trip, Target was running a sale offering up to half off on board games like Disney Villainous and Tetris.

The sale seemed to be so good that lots of spaces on the shelves had been cleared out, and many games were out of stock.

Still, I was able to snag a few board games at low prices to put away as holiday gifts.

Walmart's board-game aisle was well-stocked, but there weren't any sales going on when I visited.

Still, I appreciated the broad selection, which included everything from dice and card games to a local version of Monopoly specific to my Florida town.

Target had fewer games in stock, but I expected that given the sale that was happening while I was shopping.

Both of my teens have a lot of insulated water bottles, but I know they'll each love getting a new one for Christmas.

At Target, I found lots of popular brands of insulated bottles and tumblers, including Stanley and Owala. I appreciated finding big-name bottles in a variety of colorways — plus, many of them were on sale.

I definitely didn't experience the same Stanley-shopping zen at Walmart as I did at Target.

I struggled to find trendy big-name brands in Walmart's water-bottle section, but I did see unique offerings, like Cirkul ones with flavor pods.

For the most part, though, I was surprised at how disorganized and messy this section felt at my store. A lot of the bottles and tumblers were tipped over or shoved where they didn't belong.

We're big on holiday pajamas in my family, so I couldn't wait to see the offerings at both stores.

Target felt like the perfect spot to grab matching holiday pajamas for everyone in my family … even our pets.

My local store had a huge section filled with pajamas at a few different price points. I passed a well-stocked display with $15 sets for the whole family and found some pricier, super-soft Christmas pajamas for women.

At my local Walmart, I was able to locate a cardboard display that seemed to once have holiday pajamas in a range of sizes, but it was empty.

I found festive pajamas in different sections of the store for women, men, kids, and babies, but no matching sets for families.

My teen daughter and I love to shop at Target for makeup and skincare products, especially since the chain carries nicer lines like Versed and La Roche-Posay.

In its beauty section, I found numerous holiday-themed skincare and makeup sets along with stocking-stuffer-sized minis of face masks, lip glosses, and more.

I picked up a beauty advent calendar and a few different holiday-edition Nyx Cosmetics products for my daughter, and I know she'll love them.

I was excited to find an entire endcap of festive toiletry sets for men at Walmart with products from brands like Every Man Jack and Duke Cannon.

It's rare that I find men's skincare or body-care sets during the holidays, so I picked up a deodorant-and-body-wash set for my son.

I love putting festive versions of candies my kids already love, like Reese's and Swedish Fish, in my kids' stockings.

It's always a bit whimsical to see beloved snacks packaged up in special ways for holidays, and both Walmart and Target had plenty of these kinds of items.

I could stop by either store to fill my kids' stockings, whether I want hollow candy-cane shapes filled with Hershey's Kisses or seasonal Pez dispensers,

In general, I found Target's and Walmart's prices to be pretty comparable on things like pajamas, accessories, and beauty sets.

However, Target had an advantage with its seasonal sales on board games, Lego sets, and video games.

The Lego section of my store looked especially picked-through, but that's probably because sets were 20% off. At Walmart, the Lego sets appeared to be full price.

Although Target changes its offers weekly (or sometimes daily), they appear to be coming up more often than Walmart's right now.

Both stores had excellent offerings, but Target impressed me more.

A lot of people consider Walmart to be the cheaper of the two chains, but I actually found way more sales and deals at Target — many of which made its prices much lower than Walmart's.

Target is also doing a holiday price-match offer that's hard to beat. Shoppers can request a price adjustment if any item they buy there becomes cheaper before Christmas.

Lastly, my local Target felt cleaner, brighter, and better organized than Walmart.

I'll be heading to Target for the remainder of my holiday needs, but I still swear by shopping at Walmart for groceries for the best deals on food.

I paid about $4,000 for a Disneyland vacation in 2023. It was a solo trip with four nights at the Disneyland Hotel and four park days.

Though that cost didn't include my airfare, it included all my meals and ticket upgrades.

While at the parks, I attended the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween after-hours event, which cost about $150. I also took the Disney100, $110, and Walt's Main Street Story, $160, tours.

My seven-day Disney Wonder cruise cost $5,800 for two adults in a veranda stateroom. Like many cruises, this included most of my meals and entertainment options.

Our room was about $1,100 cheaper than a typical veranda stateroom because it had obstructed views. But it was perfect for the cold, windy Alaska weather.

One major hidden cost was the port excursions — we spent about $2,000 for four excursions. We also paid extra for some specialty beverages and a brunch at Palo.

Not including airfare, the total came to about $8,800, or $4,400 a person.

Other than the specialty brunch, all my meals on the cruise ship were included in my up-front cost. Each day, I got breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, and we also had access to 24-hour room service.

My favorite cruise treat was the soft serve.

I'm used to paying theme-park prices for meals on a Disney vacation, which can cost $60 a day. Eating as much as I wanted, whenever I wanted, was a luxury.

Unlike some companies, Disney doesn't offer unlimited drink packages on its cruises. Fountain drinks, coffee, tea, and sparkling water were included, but wine, beer, cocktails, and specialty coffees weren't.

The cocktails were generally cheaper on the cruise. An old-fashioned at Park Wine Country Trattoria in Disneyland cost me $18.50, but an old New Orleans fashion cocktail at French Quarter Lounge on the cruise was $14.50.

I often travel to Disney theme parks solo, so a PhotoPass Package is a must if I don't want a camera roll of only selfies.

At Disneyland, I can download photos individually for about $15. If I get a line-expediting lightning-lane multipass, usually about $32 a day, I can get unlimited downloads.

For longer trips, the PhotoPass+ One Week pass costs $78 for unlimited downloads.

On my Disney cruise, the photo package was more straightforward because there was only one option. But it was expensive — $296 for the seven-day trip, over $200 more than the same package at the parks.

My Disneyland trip was packed with Disney history and unique experiences.

I loved seeing the castle decorated for the 100th anniversary and meeting characters in their Halloween costumes.

Paying extra for the tours and party was worth it. During Walt's Main Street Story Tour, we visited Walt's old apartment on Main Street, USA. I even stood on the same patio Walt did while watching guests enter the park almost 70 years earlier.

At Oogie Boogie Bash, I met characters who rarely do meet and greets in the parks, including Bruno from "Encanto," Lots-o-Huggin' Bear from "Toy Story 3," and Judge Doom from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."

The Alaskan cruise was also packed with unique experiences.

Disney cruises offer activities from morning until midnight. We watched a "Frozen" stage show, met Alaska-exclusive characters like Lumberjack Goofy, and saw amazing scenery from the deck.

Every evening, we returned to our room to find our towels folded to look like different animals, and on the last day, we even learned how to do it ourselves.

One of the most magical experiences was sipping on drinks made with glacier ice while we were within a quarter mile of Dawes Glacier.

The magic continued in the Alaska ports. We saw humpback whales and sea otters at Icy Strait Point, watched a bear wander down Creek Street in Ketchikan, and held four-week-old sled-dog puppies in Juneau.

Every Disney vacation is magical in its own way.

There are plenty of experiences from both these trips that I don't think I'll ever forget — from exploring Walt's Disneyland apartment to meeting Alaska Fisherman Mickey.

But when it comes to breaking down the value of each trip, I got more out of the Alaskan Disney cruise.

It was a bit more expensive, but my cruise was filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, unlimited food, and unique Disney activities.

The first croissants I tried were from Key Food, an NYC-based chain with locations across the East Coast. A pack of four was $4.99, or about $1.25 each, which is a great deal.

The croissants were huge — easily the biggest I bought or saw at any store.

They were also slightly flat, with a pale golden-brown color.

The Key Food croissant hardly had any lamination — thin layers created by folding butter into the dough.

There weren't many distinct layers, and it didn't have the crispy, airy texture I expect from a croissant.

Trader Joe's croissants are regulars in my shopping rotation because I frequent the chain a lot.

The store sells a three-pack for $3.99, or about $1.33 each. I think that's a great price for the quality.

The croissants were medium-sized and had a nice golden-brown color.

Trader Joe's pastries have a lovely buttery texture and slightly more lift and airiness than the Key Food ones.

However, they still lack the crackly, messy quality that is so identifiable when it comes to croissants.

I enjoy these from time to time with just some jam, but they're not the crème de la crème.

The last croissants I tried were from Whole Foods, where a pack of four cost $7.49, or $1.87 apiece.

Despite being the most expensive of the bunch, they were absolutely worth it.

The croissants were the perfect size — exactly as big as my hand — and had nice domed tops that gave me a peek at the layers underneath. The deep-brown exterior was also tantalizing.

When I bit into the beautifully layered croissant from Whole Foods, I truly felt like I was eating a pastry, not just a piece of bread.

The flavor had a nice butteriness, but there was still that nice, slightly sour taste from the yeast.

Whole Foods was my clear and obvious winner. I'd rather have a nice pastry that's so good I'm guaranteed to eat the whole thing than opt for a cheaper version that's unsatisfying.

Without a doubt, I'll be returning to Whole Foods' bakery section for the four-pack. On weeks when I'm on a tighter budget, though, Trader Joe's pack of three is my runner-up.

With other, better options available, I don't think I'd buy the Key Food croissants again.

Walking into Hobby Lobby felt like entering a home fully adorned in its holiday best.

The entrance had a bed with seasonal quilts and throw pillows and large ceramic figurines of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The displays were so beautiful that I immediately felt inspired to try new things in my holiday decor this year.

My local Michaels' entryway didn't feel festive at all. Although there were some artificial wreaths and garlands, there wasn't much else.

I like to feel enveloped in holiday spirit as soon as I enter a store during this time of year, so I was disappointed.

Hobby Lobby had several entire aisles dedicated to tableware, all grouped together for easy shopping. The variety was nice, too, with items ranging from poinsettia table runners to wine glasses adorned with cardinals.

We're big entertainers during the holiday season, so I love stocking up on different cloth napkins, kitchen towels, and other items that add to my kitchen and dining-room decor.

At Hobby Lobby, the options felt endless, and the displays felt organized.

Michaels had seasonal tableware, but it felt harder to find.

Many aisles at Michaels were divided by theme, from nutcracker ballet to reindeer. Each section grouped all items from a certain theme together, from serving plates to wall decor.

This layout would be fantastic if you were shopping for lots of pieces that matched a certain aesthetic, but I prefer to see all of the plates or dish towels together so I can pick the ones I like.

My family has used the same Christmas stockings since my kids were small. Still, Hobby Lobby made me feel tempted to buy a new round of stockings just because.

I found designs with ballet slippers, snowmen, unicorns, candy canes, and so much more. It felt like there was truly a stocking design for every member of the family.

There's something quaint about those traditional chocolate-filled advent calendars with little doors that open each day leading up to Christmas to reveal a tasty prize.

Michaels had a pretty impressive selection of themed advent calendars featuring recognizable characters from Marvel, Nintendo, and other huge franchises.

Since Hobby Lobby is a Christian-owned retailer, it's no surprise that it had a huge selection of more faith-based holiday decor.

I found beautiful angel tree toppers and ornate nativity sets on display. Michaels had a few nativity items, too, but not nearly as many as Hobby Lobby.

Another iconic part of the holiday season, Elf on the Shelf was on full display at Michaels.

My store had several varieties of elfs, plus accessories, books, and other merchandise to pair with them.

If your family is big on Santa's scout elves and their antics, Michaels is the place to shop for everything you need this year.

Hobby Lobby's holiday-craft section was really impressive.

There were aisles upon aisles of supplies perfect for holiday crafters, from beads and glitter glue to scented markers and stickers.

Michaels had a few endcaps set up with holiday crafting supplies, from colorful jingle bells to beads to craft kits for kids.

Although I didn't spot as many festive supplies at Michaels as I did at Hobby Lobby, both stores carried enough of a selection that any holiday crafter could keep busy all season long.

Hobby Lobby excelled at stocking entire collections of merchandise for beloved characters.

I found full sections filled with linens, crafts, baking supplies, and more adorned with the familiar images of iconic characters, like the Grinch and Hello Kitty.

Michaels had an endcap that contained a few Hanukkah items like chocolate gelt coins and themed paper goods.

Hobby Lobby had nothing of the sort, making Michaels the winner for representing other winter holidays besides Christmas.

Since discovering the @blacksantaexists Instagram account several years ago, I've tried to diversify my own Santa collection at home, so all of my guests see themselves represented in my holiday decor.

Although I didn't find many Black Santa items at Hobby Lobby in 2023, the chain seemed to improve on its selection's diversity this year.

I was pleased to find mugs depicting Black Santa and Mrs. Claus and Black angel tree toppers.

Michaels also sold numerous Black Santa items as well, from throw pillows to wooden signs.

Although Michaels seemed to have more Santa representation last winter, both stores seemed to have pretty equal footing this year.

Both stores had a great, broad selection of ornaments for gamers, home cooks, and even shark enthusiasts like my 14-year-old daughter — I got her two glittery glass sharks at Hobby Lobby.

In addition to themed glass ornaments, there were also large packs of shatter-resistant ball ornaments at both stores.

Both stores also stocked many options for artificial Christmas trees.

Either retailer would be a great place to look if you're in the market for one this year. I found a variety of options for heights, widths, price ranges, and colors.

Although I certainly don't need another holiday item to collect, I was tempted by the cute display of gingerbread people at Hobby Lobby.

Gingerbread characters in different poses and outfits were scattered throughout the store in all sizes, styles, and heights.

I love buying a nutcracker at Michaels each year since I've found the retailer typically has unique collections of them.

This year, I spotted nutcrackers skiing, wearing biker jackets, and even holding cookies. I added a zebra nutcracker with a pink jacket and drum to my collection.

As a huge fan of Hobby Lobby's holiday decor, I only wish the store was a bit closer to my home. The nearest one is about 40 minutes away, so I don't visit as many times as I'd like to during the holiday season.

Still, whenever errands take me to that part of town, you can bet your candy cane I'll be stopping into Hobby Lobby to peruse its gorgeous aisles of holiday decor and pick up a few new items.

Although my local Michaels' selection of holiday decor felt less organized and a bit smaller than what I found at Hobby Lobby, it's still a great spot to shop this season.

In fact, since my side-by-side comparison visit to both stores, I've run back to my closest Michaels (a five-minute drive from my home) twice for some last-minute items I needed to put up this year's holiday decor.

A serving of four bite-sized apple pies cost $2.91, excluding tax and fees, at my local KFC in Manhattan, New York. When I tried these in August, the pies also came in a 10-count serving.

The apple pie poppers were only added to KFC's menu in April, so I was excited to try them. KFC's menu no longer lists the apple pies, but it did add a cherry pie version in October. The brand did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

I placed an online order through DoorDash and received my pastries within 14 minutes. Despite the quick delivery, when I opened the packet, the pastries were barely lukewarm and already slightly soggy.

Three bites into the tiny pocket pie, I still hadn't gotten the gooey apple taste I love. Instead, I felt like I was eating fried flour.

While these weren't my favorite apple-pie dessert, I could see how they could be a good snack option because of their size. Given that they came in packs of four or 10, I thought groups might enjoy ordering them.

The pie roll cost $2, excluding tax and fees, at a Panda Express I visited in Chicago.

The chain's first-ever dessert option, introduced in 2023, was created to combine the flavors and textures of an American apple pie and a Chinese egg roll.

It's made using a wonton wrapper and apple filling, topped with cinnamon sugar.

I was impressed with the freshness of this roll and liked that it is always served hot. Before I even took a bite, I could tell the pastry had a nice crunchy exterior.

A dessert doesn't need to be doused in sugar, but this one was, putting it fifth in my ranking.

However, I loved the crunch of the pastry, and the serving had the fewest calories of all the pies I tried — 150 calories — so it may be a good sweet option for some diners looking for lower-calorie options.

The cinnamon-coated dessert cost $1.89, without taxes and fees, at the Popeyes I visited in Chicago.

Unlike the pies from KFC, this 240-calorie pie has no slits or holes on either side. It comes wrapped with a few fork-like impressions on its corners to prevent the filling from escaping.

I think spices like cinnamon are less for taste and more for their fragrance — if you add just the right amount, it can be a game changer, but overdo it, as in the case of this Popeyes pie, and it can really throw the whole recipe off-balance.

The one thing Popeyes got right was the flavor of its filling, which had just the right hint of lemon and some apple chunks. I'm obsessed with mixing tangy and sweet flavor profiles, and I think it helped this pie stand out from the rest.

It cost $2.40 at the Arby's I visited in Chicago, excluding tax and fees.

The turnover came in a regular, white-colored pastry packet with no branding. The basic packaging and the sugary drizzle didn't appeal to me at first, but when I did take a bite, I was pleasantly surprised.

The inside had the perfect layer of apple filling, which was molten but still a bit thick. It was encased in crisp pastry.

Despite having only one layer of apple filling, this 430-calorie pie did not taste doughy and was well-balanced.

Most importantly, the apple chunks were missing. The jam-like texture in the filling meant there was a hint of artificialness, which took away from the spirit of the season and the pie for me.

At $1.89 — excluding tax and fees— this apple pie from a Chicago McDonald's was priced similarly to the one at Popeyes.

First launched in 1968, the brand's apple pie was fried in its early days. Over the years, though, it has undergone several transformations. The most significant of these was the switch from frying to baking in 1992. It's now 243 calories.

Although the shape of the pie was pretty standard, I was happy to see McDonald's added patterns to the pastry.

This pie had the right ratio of apples to dough, and I enjoyed the warm and soft interior and its crispy biscuit-like exterior.

At $3.65 — excluding tax and fees— this apple pie from my local Taco Bell in New York, which I ordered via DoorDash, was the most expensive on the list.

Last month, Taco Bell unveiled a new "Decades" menu featuring old favorites. The menu included popular items that had been previously discontinued from each decade since the brand launched.

Four items have been available since Halloween, but the brand recently added its 2004 hit, the caramel apple empanada.

The empanada was first introduced as part of the brand's Big Bell Value Menu but was discontinued in 2019 until now.

As soon as I held the pastry's paper sleeve, I noticed how warm it felt. It had remained hot even though I was trying it about 15 minutes after I received it on a cold day.

As I took my first bite, I could immediately taste the warm and velvety filling alongside the crispy pastry. Its freshness stood out, and unlike the other pies I'd tried, this one got to the star of the dish — the filling — right from the start.

Even the apples had a nice tart and juicy crunch to them and paired nicely with the caramel.

As far as fast-food pies go, this was by far the best I'd tried.

The filling struck a perfect balance and was not overly sweet, and it paired beautifully with the crispy, lightly salted dough. I had every intention of sharing a few bites with a friend but ended up eating the entire pastry myself.

It also felt slightly larger and more satisfying than the other pies on this list, which perhaps explains why it's also the priciest option.

Overall, each pie I tried had a unique flavor profile and varied textures, ranging from crispy and toasted to soft and molten.

But Taco Bell's caramel apple empanada stood out for its well-balanced flavors: a warm, crispy pie with juicy whole chunks of apple complemented by creamy caramel, setting the perfect tone for the cozy days ahead.

The foot-long sandwich came to $11.89. When combined with the other items, my total meal came to $17.17, not including taxes and fees. 

I decided to compare the sandwiches alone since I couldn't order the same drink or chips from both chains.

I thought the sandwich was a good size for the price.

The 6-inch sub would have been more than enough to satisfy me for lunch, but I was happy the sandwich was large enough to split with a friend or for me to save the other half for later.

It definitely looked like a lot of care went into crafting the sandwich to ensure that each bite contained all of the ingredients.

As I predicted, I could taste every part of the sandwich in each bite. The ingredients, especially the lettuce, tasted fresh, though I thought the tomato slices could have been a little thicker.

There was a lot of sauce slathered on the sandwich, which I liked, and the mustard added a lot of flavor. 

However, I thought the bread felt on the lighter side and didn't have a lot of flavor to it.

The sandwich came to $13.69, making it a little more expensive than the sandwich from Subway.

I also added chips and a drink, so the entire meal cost $21.57, putting it at $4 more than Subway's.

The two sandwiches couldn't have looked more different. Whereas the Subway sandwich (pictured left) came on flat-looking multigrain bread, the bread Potbelly used was crusty and appeared to be of a higher quality.

I was excited to see how the actual taste of the sandwiches would compare.

The ingredients were laid out less methodically, and I worried that each bite wouldn't include all the ingredients at once, which is what I prefer.

There was also a generous serving of lettuce, onions, and tomato that really helped make the sandwich stand out. However, I thought it was a little light on the sauce — I couldn't really taste the mayonnaise or mustard.

The sandwich delivered on price, size, and flavor — and I loved how they weren't afraid to hold back on the sauces. 

As a professional baker, I know how to make a solid pumpkin pie at home — but sometimes grabbing one from a local grocery store is the best option. 

To find the best store-bought pumpkin pie, I put four desserts — from Costco, Safeway, Kroger, and Walmart — to the test.

There are plenty of pies on display at most grocery stores in the fall, so I didn't call ahead at any of the places I went to and just walked in and grabbed the seasonal treat.

Because pumpkin pies are typically made with a custard filling, which contains milk and eggs, the USDA recommends keeping them refrigerated. At the Costco and Safeway, I went to, the pumpkin pies were kept in a refrigerated area.

At Walmart and Kroger, they were on display at room temperature, which means they likely contain preservatives or artificial ingredients to make them shelf-stable.

With all of these factors in mind, I judged each one for flavor and texture.

Walmart had a huge display of pumpkin pies sitting out at room temperature so I grabbed a 10-inch one.

The pie came in an aluminum pie pan for easy serving and was packaged in a cardboard box.

Walmart's pumpkin pie was easy to cut at room temperature so it was simple to get a clean slice that didn't fall apart. The crust was nice and light with a tasty flavor and the filling had good structure while still being smooth.

The balance of flavors was ideal, as the pie itself wasn't too sweet and the pumpkin-spice flavor wasn't overwhelming.

I found this pie on display at room temperature, which meant that Walmart's pumpkin treat likely had some added ingredients to make it shelf-stable.

Kroger sells pumpkin pies under the store's Bakery Fresh Goodness brand. According to the employees working at Kroger's bakery, the pies are baked and frozen prior to arriving at the store.

I bought an 8-inch pumpkin pie, which was packaged in an aluminum pan and a plastic container.

Kroger's pumpkin pie was the smallest of the four I tried, but it sliced beautifully at room temperature and looked appealing. However, I couldn't enjoy more than one bite.

In my opinion, the crust was lackluster without much flavor, and the taste of the filling was overpowering, with an odd combination of spices. I thought it had a slightly artificial taste to it as well.

Because this pie was shelf-stable, I'd guess that some of the preservative ingredients added to the mixture changed the classic pumpkin-pie taste I was looking for.

I used to work at Safeway's bakery, so I already knew the chain sells pumpkin pies that come prepared and frozen and are then baked in the store.

I had the option to grab pies with or without whipped cream, both of which were kept in a refrigerated case in the bakery section. According to the label on the pie, the whipped cream is made fresh on-site from real heavy whipping cream.

I bought an 11-inch pumpkin pie, which was packaged in an aluminum pan and placed in a plastic container.

By the appearance of Safeway's pumpkin pie, I definitely could tell it was baked fresh in the store. It had a great structure and was easy to slice at room temperature.

The crust was light and flavorful, with a hint of salt that paired well with the filling, which was absolutely delicious. The balance of the pumpkin filling with the cinnamon and other spices was spot on.

You'll need a Costco membership to grab one of the jumbo pumpkin pies, which can be found in a refrigerated case in the bakery section.

When I asked the employees at the bakery, they told me Costco's pumpkin pies are baked at the warehouse.

I bought the 12-inch pumpkin pie, packaged in an aluminum pan and plastic container.

The pumpkin pie I got at Costco was over 3 pounds, so I knew it would certainly dish out plenty of servings. Notably, I found it difficult to get a clean slice out of the Costco pumpkin pie at room temperature, but I had an easier time when it was chilled.

The crust was thin, without much flavor or texture, and the filling was incredibly fluffy, as opposed to other richer, denser pies.

It had a sweeter taste, with notes of vanilla, but it didn't have as much pumpkin-spice flavor as the other pies did. Though it tasted good, I also wanted a bit more cinnamon.

As a baker, a homemade pie will always be at the top of my list. Still, I think some of the store-bought versions I tried were pretty tasty.

The textures of both Costco's and Safeway's pumpkin pies were very good. However, I thought Safeway's was the best store-bought pumpkin pie. Its flavor gave it an edge over Costco's famed dessert.

Though Costco's pie was really good and a great deal, in comparison to Safeway's, it was just a bit dull.

Next time I'm in a rush and want to grab a pumpkin pie, I'll head to Safeway's bakery section.

This story was originally published on November 18, 2022, and most recently updated on November 25, 2024.

I always get milk for the house, and no matter where I shop, it has to be organic.

A half-gallon carton was $4.39 at Whole Foods, which isn't too far off from the $4.29 I usually spend at Trader Joe's.

Some sort of fruit makes it into my basket on every grocery trip, and when the weather cools off, it's usually citrus.

A bag of mandarins at Whole Foods cost a whopping $6.49, but luckily, I got it on sale for $4.99.

Unfortunately, that's still quite a bit more than the $3.49 bags I usually get at Trader Joe's. I balked at the $3 difference of the regularly priced oranges.

Avocados go quickly in my house, which is tough because they can be pricey.

At Trader Joe's, a bag of six organic avocados costs me $4.49, or about $0.75 apiece. At Whole Foods, however, they were $4.99 for four, or $1.25 each.

I can't justify that price difference, especially considering that the fruit tends to go bad quickly, making it hard to use it all up.

Seaweed packs are an essential part of our snack arsenal.

I get individual packs for $0.99 at Trader Joe's, so I was shocked to see the same-sized packs go for $2.99 at Whole Foods.

I like buying the 1-pound bags of organic brown rice and quinoa fusilli at Trader Joe's for $3.49. They're a great gluten-free starch option for any given week.

The only gluten-free pasta option I found at Whole Foods was a half-pound box of organic chickpea shells for $3.19. That's almost double the price I pay at Trader Joe's.

I love picking up a block of cheese for the week for snacking, grilled-cheese sandwiches, and eggs.

My block of choice is the Trader Joe's store-brand truffle cheese. It comes from Italy, isn't too truffley, and costs $13.99 a pound.

I found a similar store-brand truffle option at Whole Foods. Though the block I picked up was similarly priced to what I tend to get at Trader Joe's, this one went for $22.99 a pound, so it was quite a bit smaller than I'm used to.

Plus, I like the taste of the Trader Joe's brand more.

I make stir-fried tofu at least once a week. It's a reliable protein source I know the whole family will eat.

A block of Whole Foods organic firm tofu cost me $2.29 — a jump from the $1.99 pack I typically get at Trader Joe's.

I buy breaded chicken cutlets when I don't have time to prepare them at home. It's easy to crisp them up in my air fryer for lunchboxes and salads, so I'm happy to spend $8.99 for nearly 2 pounds of frozen tenders at Trader Joe's.

At Whole Foods, all I could find was a less-than-1-pound bag for $11.99.

It was a name-brand offering made with a cauliflower coating, so I'm not that surprised it was pricier than a standard store-brand option. I also enjoyed that it was gluten-free, and the meat was a little juicier than my usual Trader Joe's bag.

Still, I'm not sure I'd spend that much again.

Garbanzo beans are another trusted source of protein in my house — my daughter will eat them just rinsed out of the can. I also like to get them crispy in a pan with seasonings and some oil.

The $1.39 can of organic chickpeas at Whole Foods was more expensive than I expected, especially since I get the same thing for $1.09 at Trader Joe's.

I like having tortillas on hand so I can quickly make cheese quesadillas or breakfast tacos.

Trader Joe's sells a store-brand pack of eight tortillas for $1.99, or $0.24 a tortilla.

The 10-pack I found at Whole Foods from the Vista Hermosa brand was staggeringly more expensive at $4.59, or about $2 apiece. But the quality of the name-brand bag was noticeably better, and I'd buy them again if I had room to splurge.

I stock up on butter each week because I love baking and spreading it on toast.

A pound of unsalted organic was $6.29 at Trader Joe's and $7.39 at Whole Foods. I found them to taste virtually the same, so the $1.10 difference isn't worth it for me.

Mini cucumbers are another must-have in our fridge. My daughter loves snacking on them, and I like them as an addition to any meal.

At Trader Joe's, a pack is usually $2.49, and the same size pack at Whole Foods was $2.99.

The $0.50 jump isn't that much, but again, Whole Foods' consistently higher prices add up.

I couldn't help chuckling as I walked out of Whole Foods with my $60 haul — the price differences were that staggering.

The same list of groceries would cost me only $48 at Trader Joe's, and I would've been able to grab the frozen dumplings and chocolate-covered pretzels I like without breaking my budget (those items at Whole Foods were too expensive for me to include on this trip).

Plus, that price difference doesn't even take value into account. I got considerably less food at Whole Foods, largely because many of my items cost more for noticeably less product.

To be fair, some basic items were fairly close in price, and this was ultimately only comparing one list on one specific shopping trip. The things you buy every week may be a different story.

There are even a couple of higher-quality items I'd go back to Whole Foods for every once in a while. For a casual essentials run, however, Trader Joe's is still much more economical for my family.

Jersey Mike's started serving sandwiches in the 1950s, and as its name suggested, the original location was in New Jersey. Now, however, it has over 2,000 shops across the US and Canada.

Jersey Mike's club sub consists of turkey, ham, provolone, applewood-smoked bacon, and mayo. I added lettuce and tomato since they were also included in the photo on the website.

My 7-inch sub cost me $11.57.

The turkey and ham were stacked high on the club sub — the pile was easily an inch thick, and that didn't even include the bacon strips. The meat was shaved thin and tasted fresh.

The tomato slices were a good size, and the mayo wasn't slathered on too heavily.

Unfortunately, the wheat bread didn't seem particularly fresh or soft to me. I also wasn't thrilled with how readily the finely chopped lettuce fell out of the sandwich.

Despite those minor flaws, I'd 100% order Jersey Mike's club again.

Like Jersey Mike's, Jimmy John's has more than 2,000 locations, but its roots are in the Midwest. The first shop opened in Illinois in the 1980s.

Jimmy John's country club features turkey, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. My 8-inch sandwich cost $11.97.

Jimmy John's French bread, which is the default unless you change it, is sublime. Maybe it was made shortly before I placed my order, but it seemed unusually fresh for a fast-food joint.

I could've enjoyed it with a pat of butter instead of toppings, but I was glad for all the other ingredients.

Although it didn't have bacon, the meat and cheese were cut thicker than Jersey Mike's, and the cheese was more flavorful.

I also appreciated the fresh veggies. The lettuce was chopped but not veritably minced, so it didn't slide off the sandwich as easily.

My country club had a bit too much mayo, so if I ordered it again, I'd definitely specify the amount. Aside from that, the sandwich was pretty much perfect.

Unlike the other two chains, which only operate out of the US and Canada, Subway is a global sandwich behemoth with tens of thousands of locations.

I'm an unabashed fan and take comfort in knowing that wherever I travel, there's probably some familiar food nearby.

That said, I don't usually order its oven-roasted turkey and ham sandwich, which is the closest thing it has to a club. You pick your own toppings at Subway, so I added mayo, provolone cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Subway's standard sub was the smallest of the three, at 6 inches, but it was also cheaper. I paid $8.68.

I wish I'd added a lot more toppings because this was the most diminutive sandwich of the trio by far.

There wasn't much meat, just two pieces of cheese, and the veggie portions were modest. In my opinion, the meat was also a bit less flavorful than the others.

Adding bacon would've helped, but it wasn't on the basic sandwich and it would've cost extra. I think I'd rather stick with one of my usual Subway orders anyway.

Although none of the sandwiches ticked all of my boxes, Jimmy John's and Jersey Mike's came pretty close.

Both chains offered substantial subs loaded with meats, which were particularly flavorful at Jersey Mike's. Plus, Jimmy John's had the best bread.

The club I made at Subway, by comparison, fell flat. It was smaller, had fewer toppings, and didn't pack much flavor, so I probably wouldn't order it again. However, I'll still return to the chain for other subs.

The Crate & Barrel I visited didn't feel overly festive when I walked in, but I found its simplicity to be charming.

At first glance, its decor was minimal and chic. The entryway had a simple holiday display with greenery and lights. A few large shelves had white or clear trees, tiny houses, and reindeer on display — I didn't see a lot of color.

Once inside, the holiday decor felt spread out. I had to really look around to find displays that evoked the vibes of the season.

I felt West Elm's inviting holiday ambiance as soon as I stepped inside and saw three blinged-out trees with silver, red, and gold ornaments.

The store's entrance felt warm and welcoming with its soft lighting, sparkly accents, and holiday-themed decor.

Each display seemed to have thoughtful, festive touches that immediately set a cozy tone for my shopping experience.

As I walked around Crate & Barrel, I found minimal, elegant holiday tablescapes.

Most had neutral accents and featured white napkins, neutral table runners, and simple glassware. The vibe seemed perfect for those who love a streamlined look and pieces that can easily stay on the table past December.

West Elm's tablescapes seemed to prioritize richer, warmer tones.

Festive napkins, gold accents, and vibrant centerpieces made the displays feel ready for a festive gathering.

The tablescapes had a coziness to them, and I could picture the setups in a real home. One had mauve-colored trees and sparkly placemats that felt like they could easily transition from Christmas to New Year's Eve.

Crate & Barrel had a selection of cozy, holiday-themed blankets and pillows sprinkled throughout the whole floor.

I liked that every sofa I passed had some type of subtle holiday-themed accent, like beige pillows with simple-yet-elegant reindeer silhouettes.

Many of the accessories here felt like they'd be a nice way to add holiday cheer to a home without the loud vibrancy of red and green you typically see this time of year.

Because the pillows and throws were mostly neutral, they felt like they could be on your couch past Christmastime without feeling dated.

In my opinion, the throw pillows at West Elm were quite the opposite of the ones at Crate & Barrel.

Although the store did have some more neutral pillows with subtle designs, it mostly seemed to embrace the popular red and greens of the season.

I especially loved one rectangular green pillow covered in abstract-looking images of Santa Claus — so cute and festive.

The stockings at West Elm were some of my favorite finds. Many featured clean lines and traditional motifs that would complement a modern home, and a few had pops of color.

A lot of the designs felt like a fresh twist on a traditional holiday stocking.

On the other hand, the only stocking I found at Crate & Barrel was a small, decorative one meant for a tablescape — not one fit for a mantel.

In both stores, I found a great selection of holiday ornaments, including glass Santas, photo-frame designs, and other classic holiday motifs.

Although both chains' ornaments seemed to lean more traditional, I found a few fun designs at West Elm.

The store's squirrel-shaped glass ornaments, in particular, were a huge highlight of our shopping trip. My fiancé ended up buying a few for his family tree.

Although both stores offered beautiful decor, I felt West Elm had a wider variety of holiday pieces with a cozy, classic appeal. Walking through the store made me feel like I was in a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Crate & Barrel excelled in modern and elegant holiday decor but ultimately felt less festive to me than West Elm.

If you're looking to create a warm, inviting holiday atmosphere, West Elm is the store to visit this season. If your holiday style is more understated and neutral, you may prefer Crate & Barrel.