Here's an indication of how chip-centric my life's been lately -- last night on the subway home from work, a man stepped onto the train, and from 10 or so feet away, I could tell, just by spotting a smidge of the bottom corner of his chip bag, that he was enjoying some Deep River Snacks Olive Oil & Rosemary Potato Chips. I've tasted well over 150 varieties of plain and flavored chips in the past two months (and have learned to rely on plain lettuce for all my other sustenance), but in the taste test linked below have no doubt skipped over one of your faves. I wanna know which ones they are, so please shout it out in the comments section. List of chips is after the jump.
Flavored Potato Chip Taste Test
Plain Potato Chip Taste Test
As for methodology, to ensure complete impartiality, we served the chips on several days, grouped by category - Salt & Vinegar, Hot, BBQ, Sour Cream and Wild Flavors, and heaped on numbered plates and napkins, each with a corresponding score sheet. Participants did not see the chip bags, and they were asked to rank each chip from 1-5 on crunch, salt level, grease level, flavor and overall appeal, as well as offering commentary. From this data, I compiled the results, and lo and behold - we had some standout champs.
Chomp on through the listings and let us know what hit and missed, and if you're especially intrigued by any new flavors.
Flavored Potato Chip Taste Test
And here's the list of everything we tried:
| Brand | Style | Flavor |
| Wise | All Natural | Plain |
| Lay's | Wavy Original | Plain |
| Wise | Ridgies | Plain |
| Bachman | Golden Ridges | Plain |
| Ruffles | Natural Sea Salt Reduced Fat | Plain |
| Kettle | Lightly Salted | Plain |
| Lay's | Classic | Plain |
| Lay's | Natural Thick Cut Sea Salted | Plain |
| Ruffles | Baked Original | Plain |
| Poore Brothers | 40% Reduced Fat Original Kettle Chips | Plain |
| Mike Sell's | All Natural Groovy | Plain |
| Good's | Original | Plain |
| Zapp's | Regular | Plain |
| Mike Sell's | 30% Reduced Fat All Natural | Plain |
| Good's | Home Style Potato Chips | Plain |
| Utz | Natural Lightly Salted Kettle Cooked | Plain |
| Ballreich's | Marcelled Original | Plain |
| Ballreich's | Marcelled No Salt Added | Plain |
| Utz | Kettle Classics Crunchy Reduced Fat | Plain |
| Utz | Kettle Classics Crunchy | Plain |
| Utz | Kettle Classics Crunchy Krinkle Cut | Plain |
| Utz | Crisp All Natural | Plain |
| Madhouse Munchies | Sea Salted | Plain |
| Backer's | German Style | Plain |
| Beer Chips | Beer Chips | Plain |
| Shearer's | 40% Reduced Fat Kettle Cooked | Plain |
| Shearer's | Kettle Cooked Extra Crunchy | Plain |
| Shearer's | Unsalted Kettle Cooked | Plain |
| Martin's | Kettle Cook'D | Plain |
| Mrs. Mike's | Always Fresh | Plain |
| North Fork | All Natural Sweet Potato Chips | Plain |
| Spudmaster | Colossal Chips | Plain |
| California Chips | Sea Salted All Natural | Plain |
| Door Country | Kettle Cooked Original | Plain |
| Troyer Farms | Kettle Cooked Original | Plain |
| Ole Salty's | Regular Salt | Plain |
| Utz Natural | Gourmet Medley Kettle Cooked | Plain |
| Mister Bee | Original | Plain |
| Utz | Classic Russets Gourmet Dark | Plain |
| Route 11 | Lightly Salted | Plain |
| J.P.'s Old Fashioned | Extra Crunchy Kettle Cooked | Plain |
| D.W. Mikesell | Kettle Cooked Original | Plain |
| Utz | Kettle Classics Sweet Potato | Plain |
| Rachel's | Naturally Baked | Plain |
| Kettle Classics | Natural Kettle | Plain |
| Vitner's | Plain | Plain |
| Rusty's Island Chips | Hand Crafted | Plain |
| Rusty's Island Chips | Hand Made | Plain |
| North Fork | All Natural Kettle Cooked | Plain |
| Tri-Sum | Original Style | Plain |
| Deep River Snacks | Original Salted | Plain |
| Better Made | Original | Plain |
| Terra | Yukon Gold | Plain |
| Terra | Red Bliss | Plain |
| Boulder Canyon | Totally Natural | Plain |
| Fox Family | Plain | Plain |
| Michael Season's | Reduced Fat | Plain |
| 365 Organic | Organic Classic Sea Salt | Plain |
| 365 | Lightly Salted Homestyle | Plain |
| Brand | Style | Flavor |
| Rachel's | Naturally Baked | Cheddar & Sour Cream |
| Ballreich's | Marcelled | Cheddar & Sour Cream |
| Mike Sell's | Groovy | Cheddar & Sour Cream |
| Rachel's | Naturally Baked | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Utz | Ripple Cut | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Ballreich's | Marcelled | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Door Country | Kettle Cooked | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Route 11 | Hand Cooked | Sour Cream & Chive |
| Bachman | Regular | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Dieffenbach's | Regular | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Stewart's | Regular | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Michael Season's | Reduced Fat | Yogurt & Green Onion |
| Madhouse Munchies | Kettle Cooked | Creamy French Onion |
| Utz | Regular | Salt & Vinegar |
| Herr's | Regular | Salt & Vinegar |
| Dirty | All Natural | Salt & Vinegar |
| Ballreich's | Marcelled | Salt & Vinegar |
| Kettle Classics | Kettle | Salt & Vinegar |
| Better Made | Regular | Salt & Vinegar |
| Route 11 | Hand Cooked | Salt & Vinegar |
| Utz | Old English Style Kettle Classic | Salt and Malt Vinegar |
| Madhouse Munchies | Kettle Cooked | Sea Salt & Vinegar |
| PopChips | All Natural | Sea Salt & Vinegar |
| Utz | Regular | Honey BBQ |
| Ballreich's | Marcelled | Bar-B-Q |
| Better Made | Regular | Sweet BBQ |
| Better Made | Regular | Cathy's Creamy BBQ |
| Better Made | Regular | Barbecue |
| Madhouse Munchies | Kettle Cooked | Fire Sweet Mesquite BBQ |
| Wise | Regular | Honey BBQ |
| Cape Cod | Regular | Beachside BBQ |
| Lay's | Kettle Cooked | Mesquite BBQ |
| Lay's | Regular | Barbecue |
| Utz | Ripple Cut | Bar-B-Q |
| Good's | Home Style Potato Chips | Bar-B-Q |
| Utz | No Salt Added | Barbeque |
| Door Country | Kettle Cooked | Seasoned BBQ |
| Mike Sell's | Regular | Honey Bar-B-Que |
| Ballreich's | Marcelled | Smokey Sweet Mesquite |
| Martin's | Waffle | Bar-B-Q |
| Mike Sell's | Kettle Cooked | Bold Bahama Barbecue |
| Dirty | Kettle Cooked | Mesquite BBQ |
| Utz | Kettle Classics | Smokin' Sweet BBQ |
| Kettle Classics | Regular | Mesquite Barbecue |
| Golden Flake | Regular | Sweet Heat Barbecue |
| Rachel's | Naturally Baked | Barbeque |
| Middleswarth | Regular | Bar-B-Q |
| California Chips | All Natural | Honey BBQ |
| Better Made | Sicilian Style | Parmesan & Garlic |
| Dirty | Kettle Cooked | Roasted Garlic & Herb |
| Route 11 | Hand Cooked | Garlic & Herb |
| Shearer's | Regular | Parmesan Garlic |
| PopChips | All Natural | Parmesan Garlic |
| Dirty | Kettle Cooked | Craked Pepper & Sea Salt |
| Shearer's | Kettle Cooked | Salt & Pepper |
| Golden Flake | Wavy Cut | Salt & Pepper |
| Utz | Regular | Salt & Pepper |
| Mike Sell's | Old Fashioned | Salt & Pepper |
| Zapp's | Kettle Cooked | Cajun Dill Gator Tators |
| Deep River Snacks | Kettle Cooked | Rosemary & Olive Oil |
| Utz | Regular | The Crab Chip - Chesapeake Bay Seasoning |
| Golden Flake | Regular | Dill Pickle |
| Vitner's | Regular | Tangy Triple Cheese |
| Intoxi-Tators | Regular | Muy Mucho Margarita |
| Deep River Snacks | Kettle Cooked | Sweet Maui Onion |
| Herr's | Regular | Steak & Worcestershire |
| Shearer's | Regular | Pepperoni Pizza |
| California Chips | Regular | Earthquake |
| Door Country | Kettle Cooked | Salsa & Cheese |
| Herr's | Regular | Heinz Ketchup |
| TGIFriday's | Potato Skins | Cheddar & Bacon |
| TGIFriday's | Potato Skins | Chili Cheese |
| Michael Season's | Reduced Fat | Honey Barbecue |
| Dieffenbach's | Regular | Bar-B-Q |
| Miss Vickie's | Kettle Cooked | Smokehouse BBQ |
| Miss Vickie's | Kettle Cooked | Sea Salt & Vinegar |
| Miss Vickie's | Kettle Cooked | Hand-Picked Jalapeno |
| Miss Vickie's | Kettle Cooked | Creamy Buttermilk Ranch |
| Ruffles | Regular | Cheddar & Sour Cream |
| Lays | Regular | Cheddar & Sour Cream |
| Cape Cod | Regular | Cheddar Jack & Sour Cream |
| Cape Cod | Regular | Buttermilk Ranch |
| Kettle Chips | Kettle Cooked | Sour Cream, Onion & Chive |
| Miss Vickie's | Regular | Country Onion with 3 Cheeses |
| Cape Cod | Regular | Honey Dijon |
| Lay's | Regular | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Kettle Classics | Kettle Cooked | Buffalo Bleu |
| Lay's | Regular | Salt & Vinegar |
| Ruffles | Regular | Sour Cream & Onion |
| Lay's | Kettle Cooked | Sea Salt & Vinegar |
| Brand | Style | Flavor |
| Poore Brothers | Regular | Habanero |
| Zapp's | Kettle Cooked | Spicy Cajun Crawtators |
| Utz | Kettle Classics | Jalapeno |
| Zapp's | Kettle Cooked | Spicy Creole Tomato with Tabasco |
| Backer's | Regular | Red Hot Potato Chips |
| Vitner's | Regular | The Original Louisiana The Perfect Hot Sauce |
| Better Made | Regular | Red Hot! Barbeque |
| Intoxi-Tators | Regular | Especially Spicy Bloody Mary |
| Hot Potatoes | Regular | Spicy Bloody Mary |
| Kettle | Kettle Cooked | Death Valley Chiptole |
| Shearer's | Kettle Cooked | Jalapeno |
| Mike Sell's | Regular | Good'n'Hot |
| Mama Zuma's Revenge | Regular | Habanero |
| Mama Zuma's Revenge | Regular | Green Chile Enchilada |
| California Chips | Regular | Creamy Chipotlet |
| Old Vienna | Regular | Red Hot Barbecue |
| Kettle Classics | Regular | Jalapeno |
| Cape Cod | Regular | Jalapeno & Aged Cheddar |
| Miss Vickie's | Kettle Cooked | Hand-Picked Jalapeno |
Second Helping of Slashfood - June 19
Competitive-Eating Contest to Pit Humans Against Elephants
The Backyard Boom - The Hungry Bride
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
5-23-2008 @ 7:06AM
TBG said...
Zapp's Chips, baby...
Cajun Crawtater and Tabasco are my current favorites.
The Dill will take a layer of skin off your tongue...
Gotta love them Zapp's.
TBG
www.listen2unclejay.com
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 7:07AM
allan said...
Uncle Rays potato chips should have been on the list. Their Hot chips and Barbeque chips are excellant.
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 7:09AM
Nancy said...
The best Bar-B-Q chips I've ever had was Herr's Bar-B-Q Potato Chips, very light, crispy and very Bar-B-Q'd.
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 7:18AM
margo said...
the best chips EVER ( and boy, do i like chips) are MRS. GIBBLES and KAY-RAY'S. Ever have the urge for DARK CHIPS this is the place to go..........YOU WONT BE SORRY!
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:09AM
Scott said...
For some reason your taste providers again chose to ignore one of the finest chips in the land. That being Golden Flake, out of Alabama. Their Sweet Heat chip is truly the finest BBQ chip in the nation. Also missed was Mike Sells BBQ chip out of Ohio, another standout. The Poore Bros. Habenero chip is quite good though. Not having tried Stewarts, but enjoying everything else these mini stores produce, I'd have to trust they are probably quite tasty. Most of the others, and I have tried most of them, are so overly spiced, that their is not much harmony between the potato and the seasonings.
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:13AM
Jolson said...
You really missed a great chip! I think you had better try Dakota Style Chips based in Clark So, Dak. Many flavors and really great taste.
Julie
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:17AM
cheryl colby said...
I think you may have missed trying Maui's Kettle Cooked, to my knowledge only available in Hawaii. The chips are made from potatos with the skins left on,and a few simple ingedients. These chips are terrific and worth the trip to Hawaii just to try them!
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:26AM
Ollie said...
I think you people did a great job and should be commended. I'd like to know how to get ahold of some of these chips especially the "HOT" ones here in the moutains of upstate NY? Also I know you can't cover everything but Stewart's chain makes a great simple chip one of my favorites. Kettle cooked "Salt & Pepper".
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:33AM
Susan said...
Try Kettle Chips Tuscan Three Cheese chips. They are so delicious you can easily finish off the whole bag if you're not careful!
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:38AM
Gobo said...
My fave: Montgomery Inn Kettle Chips, formerly available in Cincinnati Oh. Incredibly thick chips covered with so much BBQ spice powder it was caked on. Really amazing stuff.
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:39AM
Neeser said...
Kettle brand Cheddar Beer Chips(a match made in heaven) absolutely ROCK! Dark, crunchy, and rich with flavor - they're addictive. Yum!
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:41AM
thesteinman said...
theres this brand of plain chips that a little old lady i know gets me they are called "Goods" they are the best along with "Gibbles"
As far as BBQ chips "Middleswarth" are the best
Hot chips would have to go to "Herr's® Buffalo Wing Kettle Cooked Potato Chips"
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 8:43AM
Janet said...
Old Dutch Brand dill pickle chips, very good, salty dilly and a bit of vinegar. There made in the midwest. Can't remember if its Minn., Mich. or Wisc.
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 9:03AM
Max said...
Wise Onion and Garlic Potato Chips....THE BEST THING GOING IN A CHIP
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 9:16AM
Ed said...
Middleswarth Bar-B-Q potato chips are by far the best ever. Apparently the panel overlooked them. They are made in Central Pennsylvania and distributed throughout central and northeast PA.
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 9:42AM
loveschips said...
Kitchen Cooked from Farmington, Il are absolutely addictive!
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 10:07AM
CCC said...
You missed Archer Farms....especially the tomato flavored. Target has a winner.
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 10:10AM
Bonnie said...
My flavor faves are: Wise - Onion and Garlic, Middleswarth - Barbeque, and Bickles - Jalapeno. All three brands are from Pennsylvania. I moved to western NY 3 years ago and I miss these chips. Everytime I am "home" I stop at the local grocer to pick some up.
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 10:29AM
LSLE said...
I really like potato chips, but can't eat much sodium. The perfect answer was Terra Chips' Sweet Potato Chips. Crunchy, tasty, and no added salt!
Reply
5-23-2008 @ 10:58AM
PAIGE WARD said...
My favorite BBQ chips are Grippo's based out of Cincinnati, OH. They are the best BBQ chips I have ever ate!!!
Reply