We crunched, munched and blind taste tested our way through more than 100 bags in search of the tip-top flavored chip in all the USA. In the end, we selected three runners-up and one winner each in the categories of Salt & Vinegar, BBQ and Sour Cream, and ten each for Hot and Wild Flavors. Flip through to find a new fave, or see if we gave the thumbs up to (or skipped!) your favorite chip.
Get snacking!
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: BBQ
DIEFFENBACH'S BAR-B-Q
(Womelsdorf, PA)
An appealing combo of sweet heat and a whisper of smoke makes this cult chip worth seeking out.
Buy these chips at Anchor's Chip of the Month
Did we miss or hit your favorite chip? Shout it out on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: BBQ
LAY'S BARBECUE
(Nationally available)
Nearly every taster used the word "subtle" in their description of this chip's flavor, but also noted that the light BBQ spice, minus any overpowering heat, would make it oh so easy to munch one's way through an entire bag at a picnic.
Blogger Bob Sassone shared his Lay's thoughts on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: BBQ
MISS VICKIE'S SMOKEHOUSE BBQ
(Dallas, TX)
This chip lives up to its "Smokehouse" title with a sweetly fire-kissed 'cue taste and a tangy, crunchy, full-mouth feel. We just can't seem to quit loving you, Miss Vickie.
Blogger Bob Sassone shared his Miss Vickie's thoughts on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
Winner: BBQ
BETTER MADE RED HOT BARBECUE
(Detroit, MI)
We were almost put off by the unnatural hue of the chip's surface, but gosh are we glad we blazed on through. This is one standout chip, with a lingering, yet not overpowering sweet heat that creeps up and warms the ears, and leaves the tongue a-tingling. Of all the BBQ chips we sampled, this is the one with the most potentially addictive appeal.
Buy these chips at Anchor's Chip of the Month
Did we miss or hit your favorite chip? Shout it out on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: Salt & Vinegar
KETTLE CLASSICS SALT & VINEGAR
(San Francisco, CA)
An avowed kettle chip disliker on our tasting panel loved the interplay of explosive acidity and unapologetically applied salt so much, she grudgingly used the word "perfection." We could hardly disagree, and boy, did we love the crunchy texture.
Buy these chips at Anchor's Chip of the Month
Did we miss or hit your favorite chip? Shout it out on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: Salt & Vinegar
MISS VICKIE'S SEA SALT & VINEGAR
(Dallas, TX)
Quality potato flavor stands up to a slightly sweet vinegar sting for an especially well-balanced and quite crunchable chip.
Blogger Monika Bartyzel shared her Miss Vickie's thoughts on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: Salt & Vinegar
LAY'S KETTLE COOKED SEA SALT & VINEGAR
(Nationally available)
This chip's a major mouthful, with a pleasing tease of malty flavor, and slightly briny salt. Since they're a cinch to find on grocery store shelves, wow the crowd at your next big shindig.
Blogger Bob Sassone shared his Lay's thoughts on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
Winner: Salt & Vinegar
DIRTY SALT & VINEGAR
(Gramercy, LA)
Ka-POW! This chip knocked us in the kisser so hard one of our tasters claimed she popped straight to a London pub for a sec. A solid crunch matches the initial vinegar and unsubtle salt burst for a truly vibrant chip experience.
Buy these chips at Anchor's Chip of the Month
Did we miss or hit your favorite chip? Shout it out on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
Runner-up: Sour Cream
STEWART'S SOUR CREAM & ONION
(Saratoga Springs, NY)
After an initial salt kick, a subtle, sweet, creamy flavor underpins an onion essence present enough to please the palate, but light enough not to leave any aftertaste.
Did we miss or hit your favorite chip? Shout it out on our blog at Slashfood.
Rachel Been, AOL
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