favorite potato chips

[laur76]

flavored or not based on crispiness, greasiness, flavor etc...

[FAB]

I'm addicted to kettle chips for some reason I cant explain so.....Cape Cod.

[Bob W]

Cape Cod's "light" chips are really good and you can almost convince yourself you're being good as you devour a Costco-sized bag.

[JayVaBeach]

When I was a child (early 70s) my Mother had not just our milk delivered, but our Charlie Chips too.

Today I like OLIVE OIL BRAND potato chips - particularly along with Ina Garten's pan-fried onion dip (with shallots in place of onions though).

[bison french onion]

wise and bison french onion dip mmmmm the best !

[FoodieKat]

Those Cape Cod chips must have a secret dose of crack included in every bag, because they're so addictive. I also love Walker's cheddar cheese and Marmite potato crisps (chips) from England, but I haven't been able to get them in the US.

[katp]

Zapp's Cajun Crawtaters

[Hungry Celeste]

Have you tried the Zapp's Steak flavor or Creole Tomato & Tabasco flavors? Z's produces a variety of seasonal/short run flavors that are pretty damn good. I like the Dill chips with chicken or tuna salad, and the Salsa flavor rocks, too. Can you tell that I have a Zapp's problem? Z's also makes the "Dirty Chips" brand as well.

[katp]

I live in Lafayette so I've been through pretty much all of them. Isn't there supposed to be a Bloody Mary flavor out now? Or is that the same as the Creole Tomato & Tabasco?

[Becca Porter]

Those Creole Tomato chips are killer good. I get so happy when they come out with a special edition flavor. I think they should make this one permanant though. They are the perfect ratio of vinegar and sugar. Yummy!

[Kelli2006]

Grandma Shearers kettle-cooked variety.

Cape Cod salt and vinegar chips are also very good.

[cackalackie]

YES: Cape Cod Salt & Vinegar - Tastes just like a real bag of chips....

[discerning_palate]

Cape Cod Salt & Vinegar. First they got me hooked then they stopped selling them in Vancouver, Canada. I emailed them and they said they just don't distribute them out west anymore! Now I rely on Lay's salt and vinegar but still not the same.

[Sean]

Try UTZ Sea salt and Malt vinegar kettle chips, they are even better than Cape Cod's...

[Infomaniac]

Humpty Dumpty Barbecue

[uman]

I love to indulge in the humpty dumpty bbque. But they don't sell it in MA(that I've seen). I usually eat them when I'm in Maine.

[jennjen18]

I 3rd that. YUM.
Though I also like Sun Chips..

[SnackHappy]

Miss Vickie's Lime & Black Pepper

[donnaaries]

Second that. The flavor is addicting! Too bad it's another Frito-Lay product.

[Bob W]

those are very good. Our local "Tropical Smoothie" joint offers Miss Vickie's chips as one of the choices with their wraps.

[icey]

i love miss vickie's jalapeno, sweet chili and sour cream, and salt & vinegar...YUM YUM!!! perfect crispyness and thickness.

[CPunches]

all of those are my all time favorite chips! i love miss vickies!

[ghbrooklyn]

spict thai kettle chips.

[scrapcatb]

Oh yeah! They are SO good! My newest addiction!

[himbeer]

Wise potato chips; cuz they are darker than most. Since they aren't available on the west coast, my dad once sent me a care package of them; lol the cardboard box was grease-stained.

eschew flavored chips

[coll]

We used to like that Wise came in a bag with a window in it, so you could search for the darkest ones. Once we got an entire potato that was sliced but still attached at the bottom, and fanned out. I guess we ate it, if it was nowadays I'd sell it on Ebay!

[linlinchan]

Kettle chips salt and vinegar flavor.
I am not a huge fan of regular unflavored chips... I'll eat them but in general, I prefer the really crispy, thick chips, but the unflavored ones tend (in my mind...) to have this turkey-ish taste. (Don't ask, they just taste like turkey coldcuts to me...)

So yeah, salt and vinegar flavor.

[laur76]

a result of too many school picnics i suspect :)

[cooknKate]

Kettle Krunchers

Annies Naturals

[Nutritious Jane]

For those who like the Cape Cod chips, try cassava/yuca chips.

[emmie]

mmmmm, yuca chips with garlic salt....I can eat a whole bag "by accident".

I also love the Cape Cod Jalapeno cheddar. And Walkers prawn cocktail or ketchup crisps.

[frankiii]

Zapp's Salt and Vinegar or Cajun Dill

they make some good chips in gramercy

[frenetica]

Brannigans Roast Beef & Mustard

Walkers "Posh chips" - Lamb & Mint, Roast Chicken & Thyme

Sadly these are from back in the day, when I was living in the UK. Can't seem to find these in the States anywhere.

[SLO]

Walkers (owned by Pepsi) is starting to be available in the states .. at least I'm pretty sure I saw it and not just a package of the Thai Sweet Chili or the lime pappadum I brought back from the UK!

[Scott]

Walker's = Lay's. When the unusual flavors have turned up in the US, I've always seen them under the Lay's name.

Scott

[ciaobella]

salt and black pepper Kettle chips! Speaking of chips, does anyone remember Charles Chips? I remeber a van delivering barrels of their chips when I was a kid...they had a ketchup flavored potato chip that was the bees knees.

[J T]

Salt and Black Pepper Kettle Chips for me too. Spicy Thai KC are also good.

[devin8351]

Yup, Salt and Cracked Black Pepper. Makes my mouth water thinking about it.

[Scampi]

I remember Charles Chips very well. They came in one of those big metal cans, like you buy popcorn in at Christmas. Charles Chips were really good. Nowadays, I'm sort of partial to dill flavored chips, or to bbq flavored.

[chef chicklet]

Oh if you like that, do this. Take two nicely sized bbq chips,and place a dill pickle in the middle. I have gotten so many friends hooked on this!

[RShea78]

Charles Chips (big tin) are still around along with Grippo's (big boxed), a competitor.

I cannot get a decent homepage link on Charles Chips but http://www.vermontcountrystore.com is a start.

Grippo's are still vendor delivered so online isn't all that pressing as far as a link being needed.

++++

Best chips I ever had was fresh made from a local diner topped with some fine grade of salt. (Probably just plain popcorn salt) Now these were not potato peeler thin, but sliced from her well maintained food slicer in a dash or two above a shaved meat setting. I kind of suspect her secret was frying them in lard.

She went out of buisness 10 years ago and that flavor hasn't been matched anywhere else.

[brattenheimer]

I Love Charles Chips! We used to have a Charles Chips rep come to the office with a big cart of bad/good-for-you-goodies to buy from once a month. I miss that.

And ditto on the black pepper Kettle Chips, those are mighty fine. They're also a nice addition inside a tuna salad sandwich - get it right in between the lettuce and the tuna salad.

[ctflowers]

Yes, I remember the metal barrels of Charles Chips? They used to deliver to our house (just like the milkman of years gone by!)

-R

[PDeveaux]

Oh, my gosh. I haven't thought about Charles Chips in so long. We used to live with an aunt back when I was 3 or 4 years old. And I remember those cans being delivered! They were so good.

[Bob W]

Chiploving hounds, please block out a few hours and proceed to http://www.taquitos.net/

[chilehound]

Cape Cod are okay, but Trader Joe's are terrific

[ilikefood]

IMO TJ's are overcooked and too greasy.

[Wolfy_sm]

Grandma Utz Handcooked
Jays Kettle Cooked
Tim's Wasabi

[Pegmeister]

I love an unsalted thick potato chip. They are perfect for dipping! Can't find them for the life of me. Bordens at one time had cottage fries. I could find them in New Hampshire but no place else. Then Wise took them over and started marketing them as cottage cuts. Loved them, and found them exactly once at a Shaws Market in Quincy, Mass. With all the varieties of salted chips I can't understand why we don't have more unsalted versions. Unfortunately, I just don't like the Cape Cod Chips!

[ctflowers]

Pegmeister, Utz makes unsalted potato chips. I've never seen the thick kind (unfortunately) though. I live in the northeast (CT), and you can find them at Price Chopper, Big Y, or usually Stop&Shop.

-R

[CDouglas]

The entire Blair's Death Rain line:
Cajun
BBQ
Cracked Crab
Buffalo Wing
Parmesan-Habanero
Jalapeno-Cheddar
Habanero

The crunchiest kettle cooked chips out there.

[mi2ca2mi]

Downey's - only available in Michigan

[meb903]

there used to be a potato chip maker in hawaii by the name of Maui Potato Chips - we used to FedEx them into New York. They were the absolute best, very greasy but FABULOUS! other than that, i like plain old wise.

[dd992emo]

Used to get Maui Wowie potato chips in San Francisco. Expensive there, but worth every penny!

[FAB]

"Dirty" makes a pretty good kettle chip too.MMmmmmmm.

[Hungry Celeste]

Dirty is another brand cooked and packaged by the same people who produce Zapp's Chips: The Little Chippery in Gramercy, LA.

[FelafelBoy]

I'm no chip expert, but I'll chip in here ...

I prefer plain dry chips. I do not like oily greasy chips that leave a film on my skin or an aftertaste of oil in my mouth.
Therefore, I declare my love for plain reduced fat Pringles.
I like the dryness, plain potato taste with full presence of saltyness and some satisfying sweetness. Eaten in excess the saltiness becomes overbearing and turns good tasting chips into overly salty distasteful food. (If left uneaten for more than a few days, the crisp chips turn soft and soggy and lose their bite! I have only run into this problem only once or twice in my life, since most 5oz cans of Pringles are a one serving portion for my taste.)

Regular Pringles are too heavy and salty to my liking. Fat-free Pringles are a disgrace to the product name, inedible, tasteless, with bizarre texture. I once tried some flavored Pringles chip and was reminded of my preference for just a plain potato taste. If I want some added flavoring, I'll dip the chip into salsa or something else.

I like the clean taste of baked Lay's potato chips, also. (I especially like to eat baked Lay's or reduced fat Pringles with a Subway tuna hoagie!! Something about that combination that compliments each other.)

And for what it's worth... I haven't had corn chips in years and was given a bag of Frito Lays' Tostitos. I'm sure there are better chips than these, but for someone who hasn't had such a chip like this in years, it was like finding a lost love. I was hoping the 9oz bag packaging said "one serving", but I didn't dare to look after I devoured the bag in one sitting.

Whole Foods sells some sort of vegetable chips by some company whose name escapes me. The chips are all sorts of colors and are made from exotic vegetables. Sorry to say, but they really didn't do anything for me. Didn't even want seconds. Think they are called Terra Chips or something like that.

[TampaAurora]

Do they still give Terra Chips on Jet Blue?

[devin8351]

Terra Chips are good if you dip them in Hummus or Tabouleh!

[mclaugh]

Grandma Utz's: sliced thick and handcooked in LARD, as any potato chip worthy of the name should be!

[Robert Lauriston]

Those chips are great. Too bad there's no normal-sized mail-order option, only two-ounce packets and three- and six-pound "refills" (for what, I'm not sure).

[monkeyrotica]

I use the refill bags to refill my Charles Chips tin. Grandma Utz taste more like the real Charles Chips than the weak stuff they're peddling online nowdays.

And they're great with clam dip.

[Hungry Celeste]

Holy moly! Are they really cooked in Lard? I'll have to track down these chips and give them a serious taste-test.

[Robert Lauriston]

http://utzsnacks1.stores.yahoo.net/grutzpoch.html
http://utzsnacks1.stores.yahoo.net/2galtinofgra.html
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/ma...

[monkeyrotica]

Be careful. Once you've tried them, you probably won't go back to chips cooked in peanut oil.

http://www.utzsnacks.com/products/gra...

[cwujd1]

My favorite is Terra Chips Yukon Gold. They're a little bit thicker than most and have lots of flavor. Just plain with salt.

[Rick]

Grandma Shearers, plain or salt and vinegar !

[Kelli2006]

Cleveland, Ohio region?

[hill food]

Kelli - not a huge fan of Utz (flavor too dusted and not cooked in for me), but Pennsylvania's not that far from Ohio - but really no sources? we get it all up and down the Mid-Atl.

[Griller]

1. Made Rite Potato Chips(Bay City, MI);
2. Better Made Potato Chips;
3. Better Made Kettle Chips.

[dungadog]

Please, Please, Please tell me where I can get my hands on Made Rite Potato Chips! I grew up in Michigan and they are by far my favorite chips ever! I have been under the impression that they went out of business. Do you know if this is true?

Better Made are good but nothing compares to Made Rite!

[coryrc]

Better Made has been making the Made Rite chips for >10 years. They bought Made Rite for the distributor network and have been, until just this last year, selling the same chips under both labels. Now Made Rite has disappeared except on the side of the old trucks.

[pounce2]

I don't know when the last time you had Made Rite Potato Chips. But, the last time they were sold here in Rhode Island. Was, in the late 50's early 60's. From what I remember, LAYS Potato Chips, bought them out. And, then merged with the FRITO, company. Forming FRITO-LAY. It's to bad. Cause, I loved Made Rite too. Just before they went out of business. They came out with a Pizza Chip, that was Great. I never tasted anything that good in my life.

[davebough]

Made-rite was bought out by Better Made in the 90's. Production was moved to Detroit but they have continued the brand name until recently. The big potato chip trauma that occured in Michigan at the time you are talking about was Lay buying out New Era, which was Detroit's biggest potato chip company. I still miss the New Era lady on the can.
dave

[pepsi7]

That wasn't a lady on the can (or the logo) of new era products. that was a man.

[sewitgoes]

sorry to say Made Rite is no more...Bettermade bought them out and they just aren't quite the same...I used to have them shipped to me overseas in the 70's since no one in Europe has a clue how to make good chips!

[cheri]

YES! I agree. As a native Michigander, I was going to say Better Made. I haven't tried their Kettle Chips. Also, the Lay's Thick Cut and sea salted chips are great, but hate the regular Lay's - too thin and greasy

[Marsha]

Am I the only one who finds Tim's Original potato chips addictive - almost a mystical experience?

[soypower]

i also love tim's original...thick, super crispy, yum yum yummy...i also really like tim's jalepeno chips as well as the salt and vinegar flavor...

[Stew]

Cape Cod dark russets-
Great base for canapes

[juster]

Seconded! I love the too-done/almost bitter/oversweet flavor of dark potato chips and french fries. mmmmmmmm

[QueenB]

My favorite as well.

If I'm shooting for regular (non-dark) chips, I love Utz Rippled.

[ML8000]

"Kitch'n Cook'd" Maui Potato Chips.

There's a few of knock-off including from the big manuf. but not the same.

[meb903]

those are the ones i wrote about fedexing in from hawaii - Kitch'n Cook'd. Are they still around? how do you get them?

[ML8000]

They're still around, although I heard wide rumors otherwise. They don't however have a website and I think the order process is really old school.

295 Lalo St, Kahului, HI 96732
Ph: [phone]

[meb903]

thanks, i'm going to order some for the holidays!

[Brioche For The Girl]

Limon Lays. They're soaked in lime juice and absolutely delicious!

[Ace_Mclean]

I hearby declare PA Dutch Country the tater chip capital of the world. Home to Utz, Herr's, Groffs, Goods (blue), Goods (red), Zerbe's, Kings, Gibbles, Martin's, Bickels, Snyder's of Hanover, and many more. Some of these brands don't make their way out of PA to often, so most of you are probably most familiar with Utz, which are very good.

The winner, however is Dieffenbach's. Nice thick and crispy, potato-y, with a smidge of lard flavor.

I'd love to try some of the brands mentioned here and will seek them out any time I travel. Have not had a chance to try Zapps yet.

Don't mean to sound like a tater chip snob, but I feel kinda awkward reading about Lays and Pringles in this thread.

[Bob W]

At the York Central Market in York, you can get Martin's Chips in brown paper bags packed to order by little old ladies in hair nets.

Zapps are excellent chips with many good flavor options. Cajun Crawtators is one popular variety.

[tapas gal]

Grandma Utz are great as mentioned many times here. There is also a PA Dutch brand called Gibbles that I grew up on (also cooked in lard). The Plain is good but the Red Hot are the best, your fingers stay red for a week!

I have had Zapps on my visit to Nawlins last year... the do rate highly also. Especially accompanied by a muffaletta!

[mclaugh]

Hey! I grew up practically in Gibble's back yard! In fact, I was practically cut my teeth on Gibbles!

Gibble's Red Hot are indeed quite a tasty tater, but these days, I much prefer Grandma Utz's for plain. I don't know if it was just my memory playing tricks, but it seemed to me that Gibble's started slicing their potatoes thinner sometime around the mid-'80s and their chips started leaving a greasy aftertaste in your mouth instead of that clean, rich, "I can feel my arteries hardening" feeling, and just kind of crumbled when your teeth barely touched them instead of delivering crunch after satisfying crunch as you chomped away on them.

[tapas gal]

Nope! I totally agree on the Gibble's getting thinner awhile back. I thought it was my memory! I left the area in the mid 80's and would only get them at holidays and thought they were "off" but couldn't place it.... I must of grew up in the same back yard as you! Marion Pa?

[mclaugh]

Well, it's good to know I haven't completely lost my mind! :-)

Close enough: Waynesboro.

[nofunlatte]

Yes on the Grandma Utz and Gibble's chips (prefer the plain to red hot, but both are good). I also liked Bickel's and Martin's. I'm no longer living in PA Dutch country, but I sure do miss the lard-cooked chips (oil isn't the same). Agree with the posters who noticed the "skinny-ization" of Gibble's chips.

I have family who bring Utz or Gibbles when they visit me here in the Midwest. And one of my colleagues brings them back too, when he goes back east. We both agree it's the lard.

I think the old joke is that you know you're in PA Dutch country when everyone lives within 3 miles of a plant that produces potato chips, pretzels or bologna!

[AmandaEd]

Lays baked cheddar and sour cream. Can't get enough...3 years later!

[Soup]

My favorite chip on the planet is Tim's cascade potato chips: Jalepeno flavor. I however, cannot find it on the east coast. Anyone knows of a source, I'd appreciate. I used to get it through mail order but buying a whole box, even for me is too much and my wife has put a stop to buying that much chips.

Zapp's and charles chips are great. But here in the DC area, I have to settle for Utz (which is good but can't hol a candle to the other 3).

[Andiereid]

Second the Charles Chips. I remember the Charles Chip man used to come refill the can. Mom still has that can somewhere... Kettle are great too, and Dirty Chips.

[rcallner]

Tim's Cascade. Thick, crunchy, good classic and good flavored, like those wasabi chips....

[TonyO]

Madhouse Munchies, Blair's Death Rain, Cape Cod, and Poore Brothers are all great

[vanillagrrl]

Around here many of us are addicted to Boulder Canyon Salt and Pepper or Salt and Vinegar chips.

[thegolferbitch]

Plain chips, I like Lays (classic Lays). I also can really do damage to Terra Salt and Pepper chips.

[spigot]

Honestly: Lay's Curry. Run don't walk.

In Canada you can buy them at Shopper's Drug Mart, Price Choppers and Dominion. There is also a new Wasabi flavour but it's not nearly as good.

Eat 'em with Trader Joe's chocolate-covered caramels :-)

[piccola]

Try the Pringle's Curry if you can find them. They're the platonic ideal of a potato chip.

[Fuser]

I totally LOVE LOVE LOVE Wise potato chips. Every time I go back east I try to get bags. I even called Bordon's main office in Columbus Ohio to see if I could talk them into distributing them father west. My input was dismissed. Best chips ever, bar none. Salty, greasy, natural looking with flaws, but not thick like kettle chips. Oooooooo I want some Wise potato chips soooo much.

[LisaN]

Contact them. I did last year and they said you could order them.

http://www.wisesnacks.com/index.html

[Fuser]

Thanks. I found them at the Malibu Country Mart in the deli there the other day. I got two big bags. My husband said, "I don't want any chips." I said, "They're not for you." Apparently Bordon no longer makes them. But they taste the same. Yeeeee Ha! I'm a happy chipster, gleefully licking my oily, salted fingers.

[stromboli]

I had these UK chips once, could never find them again called Jack and Ollie's--they were great with a serious variety of flavors. Check them out if you can...

[ncs821]

Bob's Texas Style Jalapeno Potato Chips for those who like a little spice.

[danhole]

Yes! Bob's! There is a new flavor that rocks - Bob's Texas Style Three Cheese Jalapeno Kettle Chips. They are a little greasy, not too much, a bit thicker and very crunchy with a definite spicy tang to them. And they look hand cut, no uniform shapes or sizes.

I also like Pringles, but that doesn't count as a "potato chip" since they even say on the can that they are "potato crisps."

[marmite]

Pringles! Yes please! Paprika flavor or salt and vinegar.

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

It wasn't until I read this thread that I realized the Bob's brand had been reactivated.

Bob's chips were available in Texas for several years in the mid-'80s, and I was addicted to their cheddar and jalapeno flavor, but the company went under and the owners moved from Houston to Arizona and founded Poore Brothers. Still a good chip, but just not the same. However, I just looked at the company's website and apparently they brought back the Bob's brand in 1998. Go figure.

Although currently, my passion is Herr's ketchup chips. Happily, Shaw's only carries them sporadically, because I truly have been known to eat entire large bags in the course of an evening.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

I just tried the Kettle Spicy Thai.

Oh. My. God.

I've had some good potato chips before, but these are just horrifically addictive. I couldn't stop munching on them, they're so wildly flavorful and delicious and oh I'm gonna have to buy them four bags at a time like I do with the Barbara's Bakery baked cheesy poofs.

I'm a huge fan of the LantChips available at IKEA. They're some of the potato-iest potato chips I've had, and ultra crunchy.

[Janet from Richmond]

Welcome to the dark side JK. For me there is no such thing as eating only a portion of the bag of the Thai Spicy chips....it's all or nothing.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Try those Barbara's Cheese Puff Bakes, they're in the same category of "You mean this isn't a single serving bag?" Those Spicy Thai chips are the first time I've been tempted to rip the bag open and lick it clean, though. And to think, they might be releasing Jamaican Jerk chips on the world in the near future. But if they get rid of the Spicy Thai I'm writing to the company.

[enbell]

I had a bag (not a type-o, I ATE THE WHOLE friggin bag) of the Jamaican Jerk Kettle Chips last week. Boy they have a strong flavor. They were great on a Sunday afternoon with my sandwich while I was cleaning the house, but probably not the best idea for a pre-date snack :)

[sillyrabbit]

Kettle's Salt and Vinegar Chips.... Lip-smackingly tangy!

[RiJaAr]

PC kettle chips- sea salt and balsamic vinigar...

[pork_chop]

I'm having trouble coming up with a solid favorite, but lately I've been hooked on Utz Carolina BBQ chips. The flavors of vinegar, paprika and smoke without being too salty or greasy. They have been increasingly hard to find lately in New England, though.

[lynnlato]

I've not heard of the Carolina BBq Utz chips... whoa. I'm certainly going to search for these. I noticed that my Harris Teeter just put up about 15 different flavors of Utz chips... they never carried them previously. I was thrilled as I am originally from PA.

[Justpaula]

Honestly. I am not a chip person.

However, my MOTHER is a life long addict. So, while I choose to not indulge, I do value her opinion on the subject, quite deeply. And for the last year or so, she has been totally devoted to the Archer Farms brand at Target. I think it is their house brand. Everytime I go to my parents' there are at least three bags in the cabinet (I go looking in the cabinet for the cheet-ohs my Dad might have snuck in!). I think she might actually go to Target JUST for the chips. I wouldn't put it past her. ;)

[tapas gal]

Your mother is a smart lady... The Thick Cut Rosemary and Olive Oil and the Sea Salt chips are fantastic. Actually the entire Archer Farms brand is quite good. The Black Pepper Flatbread Crackers are AMAZING! Also they have these Scallion and Cheddar cheese twist crackers that are great. I have no problem admitting that I do go to Target JUST to buy Archer Farms products...!!

[rHairing]

Mike-sells from Dayton, Ohio. Grew up with them. BTW for anyone in the DC region, you can get small bags of Zapps at wegman's these days...sold in the food court.

[Ace_Mclean]

I'm a thick lard "homestyle" or "kettlecooked" kind of guys, so as I mention above there are a lot of choices in my home state of PA. One of the bigger local brands that distribute regionally is Herrs. But for years there were really not a whole lot better than lays.

Recently, they started with a thicker kettle cooked like that is actually quite good and will make it into my pantry rotation. This past weekend, however, I tried their kettle salt and vinager and they are easily the best s&v chips I've ever had.

Where can I get Thai Spicy chips?

[Janet from Richmond]

Here in Virginia I can get them at most grocery stores and all of the natural/organic stores. They are often with the blue chips and the organics rather than with the Frito Lay products on the big chip aisle.

[Kelli2006]

I live in N-E Ohio and I haven't seen Herrs chips for ages. They used to be quite popular, but they seem to have fallen out of favor locally. Shearers and Snyders seem to be the current favorites.

I own stock in Pepsico, but I have never thought Lays products were all that good. I'm glad that other people don't feel the same way, and the dividend have been quite healthy lately.

[wawajb]

Oh the Herrs Kettle cooked Salt & Vinegar!...I have an additiction that is only barely under control. I buy one bag every other month and then have to restrain myself from ripping into it in the car. I barely make it home and then somehow the entire bag magically disapears and I'm left with a VERY full belly and painfully tingly lips and tongue. I can't be around them any other time, my mouth is actually watering right now just thinking of them. I might drool on my keyboard.

That being said, I never realized that I was growing up in Chip and Pretzel Heaven until I left eastern PA (Right on the Berks/Lancaster county line) and suddenly found out that most people just eat Ruffles and Lays and Pringles and that's all they have ever seen. My friends at college thought I was crazy complaining about the lack of choices...and that was only out in Pittsburgh.

[marlie202]

Wise potato chips --I'm sorry to say that I have never eaten most of the other original flavored ones-never have come across them-

[dpvettech]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Ballreich's in mid-ohio.
The tenderest, tastiest chip I ever had and I compare all new chips to them. All are marcelled and as the saying goes ' betcha can't eat just one"

[Seldomsated]

I grew up around Toledo, and Ballreichs were the chip to beat, in the day. Had some recently, and they weren't quite the same - used to have a certain aroma out of the bag, but that was gone. Have they changed the type of cooking oil, do you think?

[childofthestorm]

YES to Lay's curry flavour. Seriously, fly to Canada for a bag.

[twodales]

I adored Terra Olive Oil and Rosemary Chips. These were so much more than potato chips but alas, I don't think they make them anymore. I've tried other brands but they just don't cut it.

[spades]

Humpty Dumpty Dill Pickle - the best chips hands down!!! Also work as a sandwich stacker. A distant second would be the Miss Vickie's sea salt and malt vinegar.

[brattenheimer]

Sure, I love all of those flavored chips. But I think I'm just a really boring purist. If I have my choice, I always go for plain Lays or Ruffles. Though I much rather prefer Granny Goose. Do they still make Granny Goose??? Those are my ALL TIME FAVORITES. To me, they are the best, plain potato chip that actually tastes like a real potato.

[amopdx]

Tim's Cascade is my favorite brand. jalapeno, sea salt and vinegar are my fav flavors. haven't tried wasabi yet but they look good.

I also like Kettle Chips roasted red pepper with goat cheese :)

[Withnail42]

I used to love Groffs(sp) in high school. But I've moved and haven't had any in years.

[Withnail42]

I must correct myself I belive they may in fact have been Gibbles.

[Panini Guy]

I keep going back to Wise, mostly for the burnt chips. Here in Western PA, the chip scene is bleak. Shearers, Sniders of Hanover and Lays seem to be the big brands. All pale in taste to Wise. In the case of Shearers/Sniders, the taste of the oil overwhelmed the potato taste.

However, I recently bought some Troyers Farm chips that were every bit as good as Wise. Just that I can't remember where the heck I bought them.

[recordkitten]

When I want a chip fix- i go for Route 11 sweet potato chips. I am lucky enough to live in an area that has Utz, Herrs, Martins, Gibbles, Snyders of Hanover and other tasty chip options!

[rich in stl]

I'm from NYC so every mention of WISE brought a smile to my face - but I have also spent time in the Berkshires - didn't see State Line chips mentioned Good Stuff.

Does anyone remember O'GRADY's Au Gratin chips?? Just a bit of chip heaven!!

[PDeveaux]

Lay's regular (not those baked things) with all the salt and oil. Yum!

[Uncle Ira]

The Archer Farms Thick Cut Sea Salt with Olive Oil Chips are, hands down, the greatest chip I’ve ever tasted in my life. I never would have believed how much I could love a potato chip. I went crazy after having them the first time. I bought bags for everyone I know and brought them to their homes, left them on their doorstep, their mailbox, with their newspaper.... And everyone loved them as much as I did.

Of course, they all may have thought that I’d lost my mind and were just humoring me. But I choose to think not.

They’re just soooooo good.

;-)

Uncle Ira

[tapas gal]

Next time... venture out and sample the Rosemary and Olive Oil ones also... also extremely addicitve... I buy several bags of both when I am at a Target... also, mosey over to the cracker aisle and get the Cracked Black Pepper crackers... yum

[Uncle Ira]

I have tried the rosemary chips and liked them very much, though not quite as much as the sea salt. But I’ll make a point of picking up some of cracked pepper crackers next time I’m there...

Thanks

Uncle Ira

[twodales]

Thanks for the tip. Terra used to sell these but they discontinued them and replaced them with an herb chip. Not good. Everyone loved those R & OO chips. I'll look for Archer farms Rosemary & Olive Oil chips next time I'm at Target.

[mariekeac]

Archer Farms Wasabi Mustard are very good!!! so are Pringles Paprika from back home... very nice....oh and Bolognese Chips from back home..... oh, got me going now, hahaha!!!
and always plain Lays... or Ruffles, depends on my mood!

[revsharkie]

I'm not a real big potato chip fan; I prefer Nacho Cheese Doritos to just about everything else. But when I'm in the mood for potato chips I like Old Dutch Dill Pickle chips. (NOT Lay's--they're just not the same.)

The big brand where I grew up was Guy's, but I think Wise bought them out somewhere along the line.

[Chocolate Toe]

These aren't "chips" but I love Pirate's Booty white cheddar booty. SO good. Used to get Veggie Booty but i dont see it anymore... wasn't it recalled for some reason?

[diablo]

No, Toe. I saw veggie booty at the Shoprite near me. I live in Ocean County NJ.

[danhole]

They were recalled, because of salmonella, a few months ago, but they are back. Look at the packaging and if you do NOT see the bones at the top left and right corners, they are safe. If you do see the bones tell the store manager.

[jinxed]

Marks & Spencer's Shrimp Cocktail Chips (aka Prawn Cocktail Tapioca Snacks)
- always excited when someone is heading out to HK or Europe, since M&S closed shop here in Canada =(

Lay's and Ruffles All Dressed
Kettle Chips Sea Salt & Vinegar

[afoodieslife]

I have to go with Kettle Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips. Although Zapps makes some interesting chips these days. Has anyone had their hint of tabasco chips? They are awesome. And not very spicy.

[Chew on That]

Terra's Yukon Gold potato chips! So great...dip them in ketchup and you'll be hooked.

[Kajikit]

Cape Cod and Kettle 'naturals'... I like my chips to be thick, crunchy, and naturally-flavoured, and not over-salted. (if they're too salty I can't eat enough to be satisfied!) We just tried the Cape Cod BBQ and Salt-and-vinegar on Monday while we were out on a car-trip. Mmmmm, they were good!

[twodales]

Is it true that Chicago-based Jay's potato chips is going out of business??? Say it isn't so!!!

[Oh Robin]

Trader Joe's Salt & Vinegar. My lips burn just thinking about them.

And I'll always be a sucker for plain lay's with lipton onion soup dip... with extra Knudsen sour cream. Yeah baby!

[lucyis]

Potato chips, what a wonderful topic. I don't know how I missed this thread! MY husband and I were in Vancouver a few years ago and found a shop that made fresh potato chips around the clock. The next time we went to Vancouver it was gone and now it seems like I only made it up in my fervent wishful thinking.Since there is no place like that here in Westchester, I will be happy munching on Trader Joe kettle chips and Terra sweet potato chips.

[danhole]

"And I'll always be a sucker for plain lay's with lipton onion soup dip... with extra Knudsen sour cream. Yeah baby!"

I agree except I like the dip with Ruffles, and I make my own onion soup dip.

[ajs228]

Poore Brothers kettle chips. Salt n' Vinegar and Jalapeno flavored. MMMmmmm.

[laurenmarie]

I came across this thread accidentally! I had no idea what I would be in for! However, here's my two cents... I was born & raised on Cain's potato chips, but more recently have been a kettle chip fanatic. (I'm the one picking out all of the folded-over chips in the bag and eating those before any of the others,) However... I purchased a bag of Archer Farms Garlic Rosemary Potato Crisps last week at Target. They are soooo addictive, even though I'm such a kettle chip fan, with the grease and all. The flavor is just to die for!

[johndalek]

jay's potato chips

have to get them in chicago, although i ran across the barbecue chips out in phoenix once.

[Pincus]

1) Old Dutch Smokey BBQ
2) Kettle Salt and Pepper

All the rest I've had are all right to good. But these two are my top favourites for crunch and taste.

[gloria216]

Best potatoe chip "Diffenbach's" cooked in all natural lard. Manufactuced in Womelsdorf, PA.

[MissMethuselah]

Any Midwesterners(or Wisconsinites, in particular) out there for De-lish-us chips?!? These are the business! Mmmm...cheddar cheese, sour cream and chive...who am I kidding, I could wolf down bags of any flavor. These are so perfectly thin, airy, crisp and not at all greasy and I love the fact that all of the flavored chips are really subtle. So great!

[Fydeaux]

Miss M--You are in Milwaukee, right? Where around here do you get them?

[roro1831]

Zapp's Creole Tomato too bad they are seasonal

[crt]

Weighing in way late on this discussion, but without a doubt Kettle Brand Potato Chips. And of their eight varieties Spicy Thai is tops on my list!

[Emma01]

Walkers crisps from the UK, all the flavours, esp. cheese and onion. ( I must specify the regular range not the posh crisps. In the US Kettle chips, salt and vinegar or salt and back pepper.
I love a crisp/chip sandwich - sliced white bread, butter, lots of chips squished down!

[MacTAC]

Grown up with, and really like Wise, but my favorite for a few years now, is Grandma Utz Handcooked...

[lynnlato]

Unequivocally, without-a-doubt, Middleswarth BBQ chips from Middleburg PA. I'm originally from central PA and every family consumed these things in mass quantities. So much so that they came out w/ a big barrel package. The top popped open and inside was a wax paper bag w/ a twist tie. No vacuum packaging! I believe that's testimony as to how quickly these things sell... cuz they were always fresh!

Throw in some Hellava Good french onion dip and it's a par-tay!

(Honorable mention goes to Kettle Cooked Thai Spice chips... good in small quantities)

[chipman]

Are you sure the outer packaging wasn't vacuum packed? Because no matter how fresh the chips are they will go stale immediately. Just as a bag would after you open it.

[lynnlato]

I am absolutely certain... nothing is sealed/vacuum packed. a barrel made of cardboard w/ an unsealed lid holds a twist tied bag. That's it. Now, they do sell regular vacuum-packed bags also. But the barrel is just as I described. I know, it's crazy.

[jsebasovich]

i also lived in central Pa, and grew up on middleswarth chips. lynnlato is correct- the chips that are sold in the cardboard barrels are not vacuum sealed. The weekenders (the second largest size that i know of) and the other size bagged chips are vacuumed sealed just like any other chips, but people go through them so quickly anyways. Where they sell middleswarth chips, they greatly outsell Lays, and you can tell that by how much space the grocery stores alot for their displays. Often i've seen the middleswarth chips having a 20-30 foot section, with lays on an end-cap. LOL. and YES! the bbq's are without a doubt the best tasting chip i have ever eaten

[dukiedoo]

Terra's Red Bliss Potato Chips with garlic, parmesan & olive oil...absolutely delicious!

[lynnlato]

I just tried Utz's "The Crab Chip". They are seasoned with Old Bay seasoning and they are yummy!

[Gingerleen]

Snyder's of Berlin (I think it's a midwest product) Salt and Vinegar...the very best I've tasted.

[Sean]

Terra: Yukon Gold Yogurt and Green Onion
Snyders of Berlin: Hawaiian Sweet Onion Kettle-Style Chips
Bachman or Utz: Red Hot Potato Chips

[sd4life]

Tim's salt&pepper.

[ginger7949]

ok new favorite! since i've been trying to watch calories, I have been trying baked chips. The new Archer farms baked potato crisps at target are mindblowing! The Jamaican Jerk flavor is so authentic and so addicting! just enough spice to keep me from eating the whole bag - my tongue started to burn! The curry flavor is amazing as well!! yummm.

but - I'm a CT implant in TX and I can't forget my heritage. Cape Cod dark russet, nicely burnt, Herr's Ketchup flavor - so addictive, better than french fries with ketchup! Utz crab chips, the old bay seasoning is so good with a lobster roll and a homebrewed rootbeer.
I like the red bliss olive oil chips too. spicy thai kettle chips, red pepper and goat cheese kettles too.
but these target ones are pretty amazing for $2.29
mmmmm

[Miami Foodie Girl]

When we were in Alaska over the summer we had chips from the alaska potato chip company, cooked in 100% peanut oil. Now the fact that we were eating them while hiking in Denali national park may of had something to do with it, however they were some of the best chips I have every had. If they were not so expensive, I would ship them all the way back to Miami

[hill food]

wow, just when you think there are few options outside of the trans-national corporations...

or maybe these are all subsidiaries with regional twists, but I don't think so (some are yes).

I remember the stories of the potato chip guy coming by once or twice a week and even better, my grandmother and her friends making batches at home to take to high-school parties. (you just know they must have used suet, schmaltz or lard...)

[michele cindy]

Mama Zuma's Rt 11 Potato Chips. Really spicy, between the spice, the crisp, and the grease, you can't stop eating them.

[HunterJay]

This is a local brand (store) but Stew Leonards (CT & NY) makes some awesome sweet potato chips. I don't know why I love them so (probably just because they're sweet & salty at the same time). They make them right there in the store so they're pretty fresh.

[jhopp217]

Just realized this htread started 2 years ago, but anyway. I'm a strage bird when it comes to chips. They are my weakness. I am about 292 lbs, and if potato chips were never invted I'd be about 210. I love chips. I can't open a bag withou eating the whole thing. it's a sickness. I like Salt & Vinegar, Onion & Garlic, Sour Cream & Onion, Doritos, Cool Ranch Doritos, Habanero Doritos, you name it. I like Wise, Ruffles, Tostitoes, Utz, Cape Cod, Kettle, whatever.

But honestly, my favorite chips of all time I can't find. They were Ruffles Unsalted. Despite my chip fetish, I actually don't love salt. These unsalted chips with a nice salsa, onion or horseradish dip, or just some malt vinegar. Delicious!

[thew]

lays original

[tjr]

Calbee Pizza with the globs of fake cheese.

[Whosyerkitty]

JAY's (NOT "LAYS"). I think they're local, We had Beer Potato Chips a few days ago, they were awesome.

[smalt]

Oooh yeah....I like the salt and crunch of the Beer Chips....doesn't taste really beery, but has a really nice feel to it....

Also like the Kettle Spicy Thai as well as the Kettle Chipotle....

Alas, I've never seen the Terra General Tso's.....

Have just had the Food Should Taste Good jalapeno chips, too, altho these are tortilla, not tater chips.....

[arifa]

resurrecting this old thread to add terra yukon onion and garlic chips as well as the terra general tso's chips. i've eaten WAY too many.

[HotMelly]

I grew up in Xenia , Ohio. It was always Mike-Sells Potato Chips. There was also a local chip company called Kuntz Potato Chips

[laliz]

I grew up in western PA ~~ Wise (original) Potato Chips. Blue bag with an owl on it.

After being away from PA for many (over 20) years, DSister and I had checked into a motel just outside Erie PA. We were just settling in after a long flight, and then a drive from Cleveland when I remembered WISE. Went to the vending machine and there they were. DSister thought I was crazy as she is not a CH in any way.