I have to admit it’s more gluttonous fun using whole cookies as spoons for pudding. (Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)
BACK ON SHELVES: Banana Creme Pie Pop-Tarts
Technically, this came out last year and was a Walmart-exclusive, but from what I’ve read, it wasn’t available at most Walmart stores. So if you weren’t able to find it last year, you’ll have an easier time this year. Maybe. (Spotted by Nick M at Walmart.)
BACK ON SHELVES: Lay’s Cheetos Cheese Potato Chips (2022)
This came out last year as part of the Lay’s Flavor Swap line, but I heard, due to running out of ingredients, it was difficult to find. So if you weren’t able to find it last year, you’ll have an easier time this year, if you have a Sam’s Club membership. Not sure if it’ll be available at other retailers. (Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)
REVIEW: Doritos Twisted Southwest Ranch
Frito-Lay seems to be slacking.
(Drops mic)
Well, if I’m on the company’s holiday card mailing list, I’m definitely off it now. Or maybe I’ll be on a different list that’ll get lumps of caked Flamin’ Hot seasoning.
Why do I think they’re slacking?
Well, recently, they seem to be slightly tweaking flavors that already exist. The Doritos Tangy Tamarind I reviewed the other day tastes like a less spicy version of Doritos Flamin’ Hot Limon. And after eating these Doritos Twisted Southwest Ranch, my taste buds think they’ve been eating a significantly less hot version of the Doritos Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch that came out early this year. I guess you could say this new flavor is a Smolderin’ Warm Cool Ranch Doritos, if you will.
Doritos Twisted Southwest Ranch is currently a Sam’s Club exclusive in a pillow-sized 19.375-ounce bag. While looking to see if my local Sam’s Club had this in stock (it didn’t), I noticed a review for it that said there’s no ranch flavor and another that said it was gross. However, much like the Doritos Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch, I thought the ranch seasoning sticks out the most. While it may not have the trademarked “Cool Ranch” in its name, it could be mistaken as a Cool Ranch cousin.
But along with the ranch’s tang, there’s an added sour cream tanginess that’s surprising. It was odd at first, but then it grew on me. Also, a faint sweetness comes from the brown sugar in the seasoning. According to the back of the bag, these chips have a “desert heat with a tangy twist.” So I guess that added tang on top of the ranch is the “twisted” part.
Or maybe the “twisted” part is that even though there’s fire on the packaging, the heat is paltry. The warmth from the chips is the equivalent to what you’d get from standing in front of your TV while Netflix’s Fireplace For Your Home plays on it.
Overall, Doritos Twisted Southwest Ranch is a chip I’m willing to eat 19.375 ounces of. But I think that extra tanginess, sweetness, lack of heat, or a combination of the three might turn off other taste buds. My wife grimaced the first time she tried a chip, but after eating a few more she admitted the flavor grew on her. Your amount of grimacing may vary.
Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay*
Size: 19.375 oz bag
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (about 12 chips) 150 calories, 7 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.
SPOTTED: Limited Edition Sour Patch Kids Cherry
From what I can tell after spending 30 seconds on Google is that this cherry flavor has been available in Canada, but it’s the first time it’s been in the US. (Spotted by Josh G at 7-Eleven.)