Some industries are inherently more lighthearted than others. Not everyone can save lives every day; some people have to go to work and invent new potato chip flavors!
Okay, maybe “have to” isn’t the most accurate verbiage. But when I think of these industry professionals, specifically at Frito-Lay, my biggest hope and expectation is that somewhere within that company is a running list of EVERY variety they’ve ever commercialized. “The List” of everything from the all-star favorites like the day they stumbled upon Sour Cream & Onion perfection to the more recent cringe marketing stunts like Cappuccino…whuff.
Something about the idea of this compiled data set makes me grateful for humanity and our quirks. The latest additions to The List are the 2021 summer flavor line-up of Summer BLT, Chile Mango, and Wavy Jerk Chicken.
My first impression of this line is that the bags are gorgeous. Maybe a blend of food illustrations and actual images isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I thought they were vibrant. There were WAY more images of the ingredients on these bags than other Lay’s varieties which made me wonder if I should expect bolder flavor profiles overall.
Summer BLT
I’m not sure a “summer” BLT is really a thing, but maybe this is Frito Lay’s attempt to designate between the Classic BLT chips of 2012, the BLT reboot of 2017, and this latest endeavor. Overall, I would categorize these as delicate. The flavor is light, and if I were eating anything else at the same time, I don’t think I’d taste much.
I was obviously expecting to taste bacon, but oddly there wasn’t really much of it or any smokiness. Actually, these chips tasted like mayonnaise and lettuce. There was a sweetness that might have been an attempt at tomato, but overall these were subtle and underwhelming.
Purchased Price: $3.79
Size: 7 3/4 oz bag
Purchased at: Jewel-Osco
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (about 15 chips) – 150 calories, 10 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.
Chile Mango
These were certainly not lacking in flavor. The mango comes through bright and sweet, possibly too sweet for some, but definitely on the nose. These chips are TASTY. Usually, my biggest issue with spicy fruit combos is the heavy-handed use of lime, but that’s not the case with these chips. Could they be spicier? Definitely, but overall these are a fantastic blend of sweet mango and savory spice, and I intend to crush at least half the remaining bag while sipping a margarita in the sunshine.
Purchased Price: $3.79
Size: 7 3/4 oz bag
Purchased at: Jewel-Osco
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (about 15 chips) – 150 calories, 10 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.
Wavy Jerk Chicken
Last but certainly not least is the Wavy Jerk Chicken chip, and let’s just say there’s A LOT going on here. I tasted brown sugar, a floral spice, heat, savory garlic, and that smoky and brothy flavor that Lay’s has used multiple times to deliver the taste of charred chicken. They didn’t really meld together so much as each one shows up in a flash before the next comes barreling in.
The aftertaste is like I just ate jerk chicken, but I’m not sure the chips taste that way. They are full of flavor, though. Possibly so much so that I wouldn’t want to eat much more than a serving.
Purchased Price: $3.79
Size: 7 1/2 oz bag
Purchased at: Jewel-Osco
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (about 15 chips) – 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.
Overall, I think these new flavors show a wide range of trendy complex flavors, but they each miss the mark by enough in their own way that I would be surprised if they stuck around longer than a single season. Not to worry, though, I’m sure Frito-Lay is already cookin’ up the next flavors to add to The List.
Wish they would develop and sell the Old Bay flavored ones (ie Cape Cod) in the summer. THAT says summer to me, not BLT.
Take it a step further and develop a straight up “clam bake” chip, hehe.
Herr’s has a deal with Old Bay already for chips, while Utz has a “The Crab Chip” flavor “with Chesapeake Bay crab seasoning.” I don’t know how close that is to genuine Old Bay, however.
I am notorious in my immediate family for being a *huge* fan of Utz’s Crab Chip variety. I first discovered them when I went to Annapolis, MD, for my sister and now-BIL’s wedding, 10 years ago. After that, every time I would go out to the East Coast to see them, I stocked up…and every time they came here, to visit, they brought me several bags…as they were not available in my market area (Chicago).
About a year or two ago, however, they somehow made it out to my local grocery stores. Hooray! My dad literally just texted me, the other day, in fact, saying that he saw an abundance of them at Jewel-Osco (one of our major local grocery chains), and that I should grab a slew of them. 🙂
Those sound amazing! I don’t know if we get Utz chips anymore around here.
One of my favourite crisps flavours of all time is “prawn cocktail.” Always pick some up when I go to Jungle Jim’s, local international market. And of course some fruit pastilles (the bag with just strawberry and blackcurrant if it’s in) and many other treats! I don’t allow myself to go in with a cart or basket anymore because I walk out with too much! Treat yo’self!
I had to Google Jungle Jim’s, as I’d never heard of it before (and because both of the food items that you mentioned buying there sounded delicious)…and, holy moly, do I wish we had that place here! It looks awesome; I’d go nuts buying stuff there! Sooo jealous…
I’ve had the BLT and Jerk chips reviewed. I enjoyed both of them more than the reviewer did here. I do agree on the BLT , though…they need more bacon flavoring for sure.
Does anyone remember the Dieffenbach Coney Island hot dog chips? They had the hot dog, chili, and onion seasoning. I think they also had one that had the pickle flavoring, too. Those were my absolute favorite chips, but, as with many things, they were discontinued.
Dang, that just made my mouth water…
I do. Got them at Big Lots once, then could never find them again.
On the one hand, I was disappointed to read about the lack of sufficient BLT flavor on that namesake chip. That one, by far and wide, held the greatest appeal to me. I mean, how difficult would it have been to add proper levels of bacon flavor? I’d still happily try them, mind you; I would just have to prepare myself for disappointment.
On the other hand, I was pleased to see one of my biggest local grocery-store chains (Jewel-Osco) finally “represented” on here. Never seen their name appear before. Woop, woop! haha
Represent! Hehe.
The reason why I think it would be hard to get sufficient “bacon” flavour is because I imagine that they are just using a form of artificial “smoke” seasoning. And too much of that is never a good thing hehe.
come on sweet thai chili
I think they’ve done that before? Or at least some other chip company.
Er, Dorito’s?
i want it in lays kettle thought
I am surprised that you don’t detect much bacon flavor from the BLT – it is very strong to my palate. Husband gets heavy bacon tomato and mayonnaise but a very little bit lettuce at the end of it.
I adore the jerk chicken and I will be stocking up before they disappear.