Jungle Jim's Has All the Chips!

Over the weekend I took some time to wander the aisles at Jungle Jim's, America's most unique grocery store.  While I was there I saw all sorts of chips. There were too many for me to buy all of them - after all, if I ate that many chips then I'd be a lot rounder than I already am.

Anyways, I took photos of some of the chips I didn't buy. I'm fortunate enough to live close by so I can always go back and get some of them later.

I think these were in the Korean section. It was the "Roadhouse Barbecue" flavor on the lower right that caught my eye.

Utz is a US brand based out of Pennsylvania.  They've got a lot of flavors that sound interesting, such as the "Crab" and "Baby Back Ribs" flavors pictured above.

Zambos is a brand from Central America. While these aren't potato chips, they've still got me curious.

Barcel is a brand from Mexico. With flavors like "Diabla", "Fuego", and "Habanero" I think I'm detecting a theme. I've tried some of their Takis snacks before.

Mike-sell's is local company based out of Dayton, Ohio.  I hadn't realized they were also getting into the funky flavors. I guess that's another brand I'll have to keep an eye on.

I'm going to need a bigger pantry.

Buffalo Chips Doesn't Sound Quite Right

Pringles Buffalo Ranch

I've had these before but hadn't posted about them here. Like their Cheese Burger chips, Pringles does a good job of getting this flavor right. There's a nice, sharp taste of buffalo sauce and even a bit of an afterburn. I'm not at all surprised to see this flavor has stuck around.

Rating: 5/5

Everything?

Lay's Kettle Cooked Everything Bagel

I ended up with three bags of these chips. I got one at the grocery on the way to Gen Con thinking that they might be a good travel snack. Of course I ended up not opening them out of fear they'd spill or get stale. Then I picked up a small back at Subway (turns out they've got all three of Lay's fun flavors). Cindy bought the third bag while I was away as a surprise.

Good thing they're decent chips!

One thing I discovered is that Lay's might have a problem with consistency. The small bag had a lot more salt and flavoring than the large ones, and there was a noticeable difference between the large bags as well.

I mostly tasted garlic and salt with a slightly cheesy undertone. Cindy said all she could really taste was the cream cheese.  I'd been hoping for more flavor of sesame and poppy seeds.

Still, they're pleasant tasting chips. Just not as funky as the Taco or even the Fried Green Tomato chips.

Rating: 3/5

Probably Exactly Right

Lay's Wavy Fried Green Tomato

I know I've had fried green tomatoes before, but I really can't remember what they taste like. That makes it a challenge for me to know how close the Lay's flavor geniuses got on this one.

That being said, these are really tasty chips. They've got enough flavor to keep you eating, but not so much that it's at all overpowering.  I kept tasting notes of pickle and ketchup, which when I think about it sounds pretty much right. Cindy said they tasted more like a mix of vinegar and sour cream & onion.

Not as entertaining as the Crispy Taco flavor, but more like something I'd buy on a regular basis.

Rating: 3/5

It's Taco ... Sunday?

Lay's Crispy Taco

Look what I found at the grocery!

The food scientists at Lay's have worked their magic again. With the very first bite I could taste taco meat, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and even the corn tortilla. Others in the family said they tasted tomato and onion.

On the whole these are a win - I've had real tacos that didn't taste this good.

Rating: 4/5

Cheese!

Lay's Cheddar and Sour Cream

No real surprise with this one. They pretty much taste like the Ruffles sour cream and cheddar chips (they're owned by the same people so it's probably the exact same flavor). These are not bad, but nothing exciting either.

I'm curious about the flavors advertised on the upper left: Crispy Taco, Everything Bagel, and Fried Green Tomato. Unfortunately they're not in the store yet.

Rating: 3/5

Better Burger

Ruffles Flame-Grilled Cheeseburger

Compared to the similarly-flavored Pringles, these taste like a cheeseburger from a much better restaurant. There's bacon, mayo, and tomato in there along with the cheese, and you can almost taste the grill marks.

Rating: 5/5

In a Pickle

Lay's Dill Pickle

I got these at a Kroger-owned gas station. They have a good dill pickle flavor, but not as sharp as most salt & vinegar chips I've had.

Rating: 3/5

The Wurst

Lay's Beer & Brats

At first all I could taste was potato chip with a hint of beer (which is just the right amount since I don't like beer), but the flavor of bratwurst built up. Now, five minutes after I stopped eating them, my mouth tastes like I had a light beer and a big, greasy brat. Rather impressive, really.

Rating: 4/5

In Queso Emergency

Lay's Southwestern Queso

This one isn't bad. It initially tastes like a cross between "sour cream and onion" and cheddar, but there's an afterburn that builds up and gives you a strong queso dip flavor ... about five minutes after you stop eating them.

Rating: 4/5