Chip Review’s Honorable Mentions – 2016

25 Chips to Christmas – 10 Honorable Mentions

These chips nearly made our Top 25 of the Year, and deserve some recognition too!! (alphabetical order)

Burt’s – Guinness Rich Chili Hand Cooked Potato Chips

“If there is one thing we want you to take away from this review it is that these chips are savory.  SUPER-DUPER SAVORY.”

Dale Jr Foods – Hot and Spicy Fries

“…leave it to a small town Minnesota gas station to surprise us with these ‘new’ (to us at least) Hot and Spicy Fries!  And to that, all we really have to say is ‘Chip lovers start your fry chompin’ engines!!’”

Herr’s – Chickie’s & Pete’s Famous Crabfries seasoned Potato Chips with White Creamy Cheese Sauce flavoring

“While these chips may include (although we cannot confirm) many of the same spices found in Old Bay… they also include a touch of heat to spice things up, and a good dash of tangy cheese powder to smooth things out.  In other words, they improve upon the iconic East Coast seasoning!”

Ikea – Potatischips Satade (Salted Potato Chips) & Potatischips GRÄDDFIL LÖK (Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips)

“It seems like so many people who shop at Ikea always make a stop at the cafeteria for a bit, but we will be making a decision to grab a bag of these prior to our future shopping excursions!”

Keogh’s – Sweet Chilli & Irish Red Pepper Potato Crisps

“The Sweet Chilli & Irish Red Pepper seasoning is fantastic!  Love, love, love the addition of ginger and coriander, and also what appears to be licorice root – all adding flavor notes that are uncommon in most seasoning combos.”

Lieber’s – Barbecue Potato Chips

“Having been in this game for quite some time now, we can tell you that it is a very rare occurrence when we grab a $1 dollar buyout special bag of chips on the way up to the cash register and it turns out that those chips are actually tasty.”

Meijer – Grilled Pineapple and Jalapeño Potato Chips

“Who knew that grilled pineapple and jalapeño worked well together??  Well, apparently anyone who has enjoyed one of these pizzas.  Or, anyone who loves some good al pastor tacos with some spicy jalapeños in there, that’s who.”

Rachel’s – Sriracha Sour Cream Gourmet Kettle Chips

“Wow Rachel, been a long time.  And what’s this…you’ve changed your look, haven’t you?  Well, just wanted to let you know that we like what you’ve done with your style!”

Ten Acre – The Day Sweet and Sour Became Friends Hand Cooked Crisps

“Probably the best way that we can describe this seasoning to you would be picture a salt & vinegar chip crossed paths with a ranch flavored chip who had brushed up next to a BBQ flavored chip.”

Uncle Ray’s – Roasted Garlic Potato Chips

“We can really appreciate the simplicity of these potato chips. There is not one shred of doubt regarding what the intention of these chips really is. Plain and simple, garlic flavored potato chips.”

**Chip Review’s Top 25 list of the Year consists of chips that we tasted and reviewed during the 2016 calendar year for the first time.  The chips are not necessarily new to the industry, but they were new to Chip Review in 2016!

Chip Review’s 25 Chips to Christmas – 2016

Well, that wraps up another year of 25 Chips to Christmas at Chip Review! 

Chip Review has once again done our due diligence, sifted through hundreds of our reviews, and narrowed down 2016’s long list into a great group of this year’s best.

It’s that time of year when new reviews take a back seat, and we sit back and reflect on how thankful we are for another great year of chip reviewing.  We really must say how it has been a true pleasure sharing our thoughts with all of you as we chomped our way through hundreds of bags, and countless calories.  Thanks to all of you who follow us each and every day.  We really, really appreciate it!  Also, a very special thanks to those snack companies who graciously provided their products for us to review this year, and of course all of those friends of Chip Review who care enough to share their snack discoveries.  It’s a tough job, but someone has got to do it.

Please enjoy as we count down our 25 most favorite salty (and sweet, and spicy) snacks of the year.

#1 Broad Ripple Chip Co. – Sweet & Spicy Potato Chips

#2 Alaska Chip Company – Katmai Volcano Jalapeño Potato Chips

#3 Paqui Tortilla Chips – The One Chip Challenge – Carolina Reaper Madness

#4 Fritos – Chorizo & Chipotle (Mexico)

#5 365 – Tamarind Baked Naan Chips

#6 Late July – Buffalo Queso Tortilla Chips

#7 7 Select – Hot Italian Sausage Potato Chips

#8 Ruffles – Poutine

#9 Zapp’s – VooDoo Heat New Orleans Kettle Style Potato Chips

#10 Intl. Popcorn – ‘Jersey Mix’ Taylor Ham & Cheese – and – Jersey Dog Popcorn

#11 Popchips Potato Ridges – Cheddar & Sour Cream

#12 Beanfields – Jalapeño Nacho Bean & Rice Chips

#13 Spicy Chex Mix and Bugles Snack Mix – Cheddar Hot Buffalo

#14 Deep River Snacks Limited Edition – Ninja Ginger Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

#15 Cape Cod – Roasted Black Garlic Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

#16 Kettle Brand – Korean Barbeque – and – Moscow Mule – and – Chili Lime Potato Chips Potato Chips

#17 Snyder’s of Hanover Sweet and Salty – S’mores Pretzel Pieces

#18 Cheetos – Avocado Cheese (Japan)

#19 Terra – Sharp & Spicy Wasabi

#20 Trader Joe’s – Bollywood Popcorn (Vegan Tikka Masala) – and – Somewhat Spicy Dill flavored Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

#21 Brew Foods – Salsa Verde Corn Tortilla Chips

#22 Cheetos Sweetos Limited Edition! – Cinnamon Sugar Puffs

#23 7 Select – Spicy Guacamole Thin Tortilla Chips

#24 Neal Brothers Foods – Extremely Tasty Montreal Steak Spice Kettle Chips

#25 Lay’s – Passport to Flavor: Greek Tzatziki – and – Chinese Szechuan Chicken – and – Brazilian Picanha (Steak & Chimichurri Sauce)

2016 Honorable Mentions

**Chip Review’s Top 25 list of the rear consists of chips that we tasted and reviewed during the 2016 calendar year for the first time.  The chips are not necessarily new to the industry, but they were new to Chip Review in 2016!

Chip Review’s 25 Chips to Christmas – 2015

Another year, and another new notch in our belts here at Chip Review!

It’s that time of year again when we just need to say that it has been a true pleasure sharing our thoughts with all of you as we chomped our way through hundreds of bags.  Thanks to all of you who follow us each and every day.  We appreciate it, and we wouldn’t be here without each and everyone of you!!  Also, a very special thanks to those snack companies who graciously provided their products for us to review.  It’s a tough job, but someone has got to do it.

Stay tuned for new reviews beginning in 2016, but until then please enjoy as we count down our 25 most favorite salty (and sweet, and spicy) snacks of the year.  That’s right, one snack everyday until Santa delivers next year’s bounty!  This year is far and away our most uniquely diverse list of snacks yet!!  Who would have thought one year ago that 2015’s Top 25 list would include: not only one, but two rolled tortilla/taquito-style snacks, and not one, but two waffle/criss-cut potato chips.  As well as chips, sorry we mean crisps, from across the pond, and more bags of popcorn than we can count with one hand!!  Get ready for the wild ride!

#1 Fire Corn – Jalapeño -&- White Cheddar Jalapeño Popcorn – AND – Chef’s Shoppe – Sriracha -&- Beer Popcorn

#2 Rusty’s Island Chips – Potato Chips

#3 Barcel Takis – Xplosion (cheese and chilli pepper)

#4 Doritos Dinamita – Mojo Criollo

#5 Keogh’s – Shamrock and Sour Cream Potato Crisps

#6 Manomasa – Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper – and – Green Lemon & Pink Peppercorn Tortilla Chips

#7 Hot-Headz – Chipotle Mustard Mildly Spiced Potato Chips

#8 Old Dutch Appetizers on the Go Ripples – Jalapeño Cream Cheese Poppers Potato Chips

#9 Lay’s – Do Us a Flavor Finalist – New York Reuben Potato Chips

#10 Trader Joe’s – Ghost Pepper Lattice Cut Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

#11 Pop Art – Thai Coconut Curry Gourmet Popcorn

#12 Late July – Bacon Habanero Clasico Tortilla Chips

#13 Kettle Brand – Red Curry Potato Chips

#14 Dakota Style – Cayena Chips de Caldera (Cayenne Kettle Chips)

#15 The Original Charley’s Chips “Famous” Fresh Tortilla Chips

#16 Diego’s Hot & Spicy – Red Chile Potato Chips -y – Fuego Potato Chips

#17 It’s Freakin’ Awesome Nosh Bag – & – Wicked Mix – Chocolate-Laced

#18 Broad Ripple Chip Co. Potato Chips

#19 Cape Cod – Kettle Cooked Waffle Cut – Farm Stand Ranch – & – Barbeque Ranch

#20 Alaska Chip Co. – Theatre Style Buttered Popcorn – & – Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn

#21 Nick’s – Flamin’ Hot Sauce Crunchy Cheese Curls

#22 Lay’s Kettle Cooked – Do Us a Flavor Finalist – Greektown Gyro Potato Chips

#23 Larry The Cable Guy – Hollar-Peño Popper Potato Chips

#24 Hometown Bagel – Chicago Style Jalapeño Bagel Chips

#25 Doritos JACKED 3D – Jalapeño Pepper Jack

2015 Honorable Mentions

**Chip Review’s Top 25 list of the Year consists of chips that we tasted and reviewed during the 2015 calendar year for the first time.  The chips are not necessarily new to the industry, but they were new to Chip Review in 2015!

Chip Review’s Honorable Mentions – 2015

25 Chips to Christmas – 11 Honorable Mentions

These chips nearly made our Top 25 of the Year, and deserve some recognition too!! (in alphabetical order)

Beanfields – Nacho Bean & Rice Chips

“These are really good!  Not – really good for a bean and rice chip – sorta good.  NO!  Really good for any type of nacho cheese flavored chip!”

Cobs – Sour Cream & Chives Popcorn

“The onion presence is sweet and pungent, without being too pronounced.  The cool, sour cream is really enhanced with a good touch of tangy cheese.  All of the flavors work harmoniously, and surprisingly enough, do not overwhelm Cobs delicious popcorn one little bit.”

D’vour Tortilla Chips made with Real Coconut – Sea Salt

“And some of us at Chip Review were even excited to try the chips with nachos; melting a whole bunch of cheese all over them and seeing how the sweet, salty and cheesy combo works out.”

Herr’s – Peppered Bacon Potato Chips

“Seems like no matter how many times we try another poorly executed bacon flavored snack, we still get excited for the next one!!”

International Popcorn – Everything Bagel Popcorn

International Popcorn – Cheddar Ranch Popcorn

“Has popcorn replaced chips as the international favorite salty snack?!?  Well, we’re not sure if popcorn is as popular around the rest of the world but right now, here in the U.S.A. popcorn is booming!!”

Popsalot – Honolulu Aloha

“The few moments when we actually landed a mix of both the caramel corn and the macadamia nuts were, lights-out fantastic.  Those precious, porcelain, roasted half nuggets of unctuously rich macadamia nuts were amazing! WOW!”

Pringles – Exclusive Flavor Wasabi & Soy Sauce

Pringles Limited Time Only! – Salted Caramel

“Turns out that it has been nearly 3 months since we reviewed any new Pringles!  THREE MONTHS!  While three months may not seem like that long of time to many of you, let us just tell you that in Pringles’ months we’re talking about a very long time between new reviews!!”

Snacks 101 – The First Baked Popcorn – Less Mess White Cheddar

“Apparently, Snacks 101 has created “The First Baked Popcorn”….  Are they messing with us?  Can this be right?  Well, we can’t find any evidence to dispute them so let’s roll with it.”

Trader Joe’s – Partially Popped Popcorn …with Butter & Sea Salt!

“Trader Joe’s Triple P embodies a real strong corn essence, and flavor.  They do in fact look like those partially popped kernels you find at the bottom of the popcorn bag or bowl, except that they don’t break your teeth when you chomp down on them.”

Ziggy’s Kettle Corn – Kickin’ Buffalo Wing with Himalayan Pink Salt

“Great combination of tangy, sweet, salty, zippy, spicy, zingy, sour-y, and did we mention spicy-spicy-spicy?!?  Seriously, lots of heat – WHOA!!”

** And here are 5 additional dishonorable mentions that we hope to never mention again… **

(in alphabetical order)

Old Dutch – Cheddar Bacon Popcorn

“First, the bacon aspect was not reminiscent of bacon but rather of standing in front of a camp fire.  Smoke, and smoke alone, does not make popcorn taste like bacon.”

Old Dutch Ripples Appetizers On The Go – Chicken Artichoke Flatbread

“But, as for the taste – uhhhh…. we do not taste any chicken, artichoke or flatbread (not that we were expecting to actually taste the flatbread).”

Pop! Gourmet Popcorn – Extravagant White Truffle Bliss Popcorn

“But, maybe it’s difficult to capture and accurately deliver the deliciously aromatic flavors of truffle onto popcorn?  Nope, we’ve tasted and reviewed a handful of truffle flavored snacks (predominantly popcorn), and most of them have actually been lip-smacking!”

Snyder’s of Hanover – Raspberry Creme Sweet Pretzel Sandwiches

“Plain and simple these pretzel sandwiches are a sweet dessert treat that should not be included anywhere among salty snack section for any rhyme or reason.  These belong on the shelf next to cookies!”

Trader Joe’s – Popcorn in a Pickle

“Popcorn in a Pickle is not only not better than Trader Joe’s Baconesque, but it makes Joe’s cheddar bacon popcorn seem lip-smacking in comparison.”

**Chip Review’s Top 25 list of the Year consists of chips that we tasted and reviewed during the 2015 calendar year for the first time.  The chips are not necessarily new to the industry, but they were new to Chip Review in 2015!

Chip Review’s 25 Chips to Christmas – 2014

Well Chip Review readers, that wraps things up for another great year of chip reviewing!

We would like to say that it has been a true pleasure sharing our thoughts with all of you as we chomped our way through hundreds of bags, and countless calories this past year 🙂  Thanks to all of you who follow us each and every day.  We appreciate it, and we wouldn’t be here without each and everyone of you!!  Also, a very special thanks to those snack companies who graciously provided their products for us to review.  It’s a tough job (especially for our waistlines), but someone has got to do it.

Stay tuned for new reviews beginning in 2015, until then enjoy our list of the Top 25 Chips we reviewed this year below.  Agree or disagree, we’d love to hear it!!

#1 Kitchen Cooked – Cheese Kettle Kurls

#2 Vitner’s – Sizzlin’ Hot Tangy Triple Cheese Potato Chips

#3 Jenny’s Old Fashioned – Hot Cheese Popcorn

#4 Lay’s – Copa de los Sabores (Flavor Cup) – Brasil Feijoada

#5 Cobs – Cheddar Cheese Popcorn

#6 Trader Joe’s – Potato Chips with South African Style Seasoning

#7 Archer Farms – Jalapeno Homestyle Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips

#8 Covered Bridge – Montreal Steak Spice Seasoning Old Fashioned Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

#9 Deep River Snacks – Peach Habanero Tortilla Chips

#10 Funyuns – Chile Limón

#11 Michael Season’s Unsalted Boldness – Balsamic Vinegar & Cracked Pepper Reduced Fat Potato Chips

#12 Burt’s British Potato Chips – Bursting With Spicy Chorizo

#13 Larry The Cable Guy – Biscuits & Gravy Potato Chips

#14 Pringles Tortillas – Southwestern Ranch – & – Cinnamon Sugar

#15 Primizie – Classic Italian 7-Herb & Cheese Smoked Dutch Gouda and Garlic Thick Cut Crispbreads

#16 Diego’s Hot & Spicy – Habanero Potato Chips

#17 The Original Saratoga Chips – Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Potato Chips

#18 Doritos JACKED – Test Flavor: 855 / Spicy Street Taco – & – Test Flavor: 404 / Caribbean Citrus Jerk

#19 Snyder’s of Hanover – Hot Chili Lime Korn Krunchers

#20 Brad’s Organic – Salsa Verde Tortilla Chips

#21 Kettle Brand – Hot! Sriracha Potato Chips

#22 McClure’s – Bloody Mary Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

#23 Crave Canyon – Wasabi Ginger Kettle Corn

#24 Utz – Baked Cheese Curls Spiked with Tabasco

#25 Popchips – Parmesan & Black Truffle Oil Risotto Chips

2014 Honorable Mentions

**Chip Review’s Top 25 list of the Year consists of chips that we tasted and reviewed during the 2014 calendar year for the first time.  The chips are not necessarily new to the industry, but they were new to Chip Review in 2014!

Chip Review’s Honorable Mentions – 2014

25 Chips to Christmas Honorable Mentions

These chips nearly made our Top 25 of the Year, and deserve some recognition too!!

(honorable mentions, in no particular order)

Archer Farms – Habanero Ranch Homestyle Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips

“First wave of flavors includes an impressively rich and creamy, sour, buttermilk flavor.   Then a wave of powerful garlic and onion!  And we do mean POWER. FULL!”

Jay’s – Nacho Rings

“After popping one Nacho Ring into our mouths we immediately knew what we were really dealing with there.  You can’t fool us, Jay’s Nacho Rings are the amazing hybrid offspring of a Bugle and a cheese puff!”

De-lish-us – Ripple Potato Chips

“De-lish-us just seems to consistently put out products that we are impressed with.  Simple, and straightforward.  Nothing flashy or over the top.  Simply good old, quality products!”

chipz Happen – Spice-Z Parmesan Garlic Gourmet Tortilla Chipz

chipz Happen – Cinnful Sweet Heat Gourmet Tortilla Chipz

“First and foremost, is that these gourmet tortilla chips taste real.  They taste homemade.  In fact, they trigger tasty memories of those delicious, freshly fried, mom and pop’s Mexican restaurant tortilla chips that find their way to the table as soon as you are seated.”

Deano’s Jalapenos – Ranch Jalapeno Chips

“These chips are not for spicy food amateurs, so don’t say we didn’t warn you!!  In fact, if we are being honest here, Deano’s Jalapeno Chips are very close to being too spicy for even us to enjoy!”

“Dirty” – Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips

“Apparently, we are not the only ones who have wondered why these chips are called “Dirty”?  According to “Dirty’s” website: “The name “Dirty” comes from the process we used to prepare our chips. The potato slices are not washed, leaving more of the potato flavor….”

Pop! Gourmet Popcorn & Huy Fong Foods – The Original Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Popcorn

“This popcorn is really delicious!  D-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s, delicious; but with a surprisingly subtle seasoning when compared directly against the real hot sauce.”

The Better Chip – Chipotle & Sea Salt Tortilla Chips

“A fine textbook definition of the saying: less is more.  The Better Chip keeps it simple, and merely conveys chipotle essence to the smoky chile maximus!”

Cosmos Creations – Crushed Sea Salt Vinegar with Pepper Premium Puffed Corn

“We’ve tried a lot of different types of puffed corn in our time.  We’ve crunched our way through corn puffs, puffers, crunchies, kurls, doodles, dittos, and nuggets; and in the end, they are all sort of the same corn-y snacks.”

Pringles – Sriracha Asian Chili Sauce

“Zippy and spicy, tongue tingling, Thai chili flavor, combined with a very generous dosage of powerful garlic, and rounded out with a heavy splash of nose burning vinegar!  These are tasty, tasty potato crisps.”

**Chip Review’s Top 25 list of the Year consists of chips that we tasted and reviewed during the 2014 calendar year for the first time.  The chips are not necessarily new to the industry, but they were new to Chip Review in 2014!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

From all of us here at Chip Review we just want to wish you a Happy 4th of July!

Take a load off, have some fun, be safe and enjoy those chips!  And, just in case you are looking for substitutes for those usual grilled dogs and burgers check out these alternatives below!

Hot Dog

7 Select – Big Bite Hot Dog Potato Chips

Herr’s – Classic American Hot Dog Potato Chips

Herr’s – Limited Tailgate Flavor Stadium Dawg! Potato Chips

Burgers

Doritos Late Night – All Nighter Cheeseburger

Cheetos – Cheeseburger

Pringles – Limited Time Only Cheese Burger