Tag: Chips

REVIEW: Ruffles Double Crunch Potato Chips

Tiffany 7 Comments

Ruffles Double Crunch Potato Chips

UPDATE: We also reviewed the Sweet & Smoky BBQ, Honey Mustard, and Spicy Cheddar Jack flavors.

As an ice chewer, I am all about crunchy goodness. So, Ruffles “new” Double Crunch chips are right in my wheelhouse.

The “new” is in quotes because Ruffles launched very crunchy chips a couple of times before with Ultimate and Deep Ridged lines. It even secured two U.S. patents for the “chip’s ornamental design,” and 24+ prototypes were created to land on this specific crunchy form that incidentally looks like the chevron design on Charlie Brown’s shirt.

Full disclosure, I haven’t tried the previous iterations. But, I see it as it as a blank slate!

It seems like Double Crunch is closer to Deep Ridged because of the similar flavors AND because Ultimate seemed more wannabe macho with its pseudo-metal pattern on the packaging and tailgate-inspired varieties like Kickin’ Jalapeno Ranch, Sweet & Smokin’ BBQ, and Loaded Bacon & Cheddar Potato Skins.

This version even leans into the same “2x” claim but instead of saying “Ridges 2x As Deep,” it reads “2x The Crunch.” The fine print indicates that it’s only versus original Ruffles, so that’s kind of disappointing.

Ruffles Double Crunch Potato Chips Ridges

But, it is dang crunchy though. It’s so much so that you probably don’t want to eat this in class or work cubicle because someone will side-eye you for being too noisy. The chip itself is very kettle chip-like down to the smell (slight stale oil eau de parfum), which makes sense because that’s how it’s cooked as noted on the back panel. I don’t smell either the Zesty Cheddar or Hot Wings seasoning. Take that at face value based on your own preferences! I don’t mind either way.

Ruffles Double Crunch Potato Chips Open Bags

The Zesty Cheddar is basically like a saltier Cheddar & Sour Cream. I was so surprised by the saltiness that I immediately went to check the nutrition facts but learned that both flavors have the same amount of sodium. Unless the salt was supposed to be the zesty part, I didn’t get a kick either. Disappointing.

Ruffles Double Crunch Potato Chips Closeup

On the flipside, I enjoyed the Hot Wings variety! It’s like a true buffalo wing flavor dancing on my taste buds with a touch of tanginess followed by this creaminess that I can only describe as eating a side of celery with ranch. I don’t know if my mind was playing tricks on me because it tasted so similar to actual wings that I imagined the actual eating experience with sides and all. I didn’t find it THAT spicy but could see folks finding this a bit on the spicier side.

These Ruffles do indeed have some crunchy r-r-r-ridges, but not quite consistent flavors!

Purchased Price: $3.00 each
Size: 7 3/4 oz. bag
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Zesty Cheddar)
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Hot Wings)
Nutrition Facts: (about 10 chips) Zesty Cheddar – 150 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 1 gram of sugars, and 2 grams of protein. Hot Wings – 150 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, less than 1 gram of sugars, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Flamin’ Hot Nacho Doritos

Tiffany 5 Comments

Doritos Flamin Hot Nacho

What are Flamin’ Hot Nacho Doritos?

The new Flamin’ Hot Nacho Doritos are when “Nacho Cheese Gets Lit,” as denoted by the back of the pack. But really, it’s Chester the Cheetah lending his creds for Doritos’ latest spicy flavor.

How are they?

Doritos Flamin Hot Nacho In Bag

They’re spicy, salty nirvana!

They smell like regular nacho flavored Doritos, but when you eat them, they’re seriously LIT. There are two hits of heat; the first hits your throat with some tolerable fire and the second is the afterburn on your taste buds. This compounding of hot is what will get ya.

Doritos Flamin Hot Nacho Fingers

After a few chips, your nose will definitely be running and your eyes a-waterin’. But, don’t touch your face with your hands because you’ll get the thick Flamin’ Hot residue everywhere. I am amazed that it’s not just blind, overpowering heat. The nacho flavor is still somehow prominent as well.

Is there anything else you need to know?

Doritos Flamin Hot Nacho with Cheetos

I don’t think it’s the same Flamin’ Hot seasoning that’s on Cheetos. Even though the red color looks very similar, it’s much spicier. However, it’s still complementary, so I’ve been eating them together like a Flamin’ mix.

Conclusion:

Doritos Flamin Hot Nacho Closeup

These are so fuego that it caught me by surprise and I almost feel the need to defend my spicy tolerance (I can eat spicy foods, I swear!). This new flavor is the hero in Frito-Lay’s new multi-million-dollar Super Bowl ad, so you best believe that it knows this is a winner too! Takis better watch out!

Purchased Price: $2.50
Size: 9.76 oz. bag
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (about 12 chips) 150 calories, 8 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, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Pringles Wavy Crisps

Vin 7 Comments

Pringles Wavy Crisps

Is Pringles having a moment?

Not only did it just release a new line of Wavy flavors – “Flavys” as the kids call them – but earlier this month a Texas woman was banned from Walmart for drinking wine out of a Pringles can.

Quite frankly, I think she was the more innovative one in this situation.

Wavy Pringles are, well they’re Pringles with Ridges. The Ruffle to your regular Lay’s chip. I don’t know if this development is moving the snack needle for you in the era of endless Oreo cookies, Sour Patch Kids cereal, and Lay’s Do Us a Flavor, but maybe the four “new” Pringles Wavy varieties will strike a chord.

Since there are four flavors, I’ll review them on an “Inability to stop once popping” scale. I’ll hit you with the worst to first. Meh to yeah! Least to BEAST! Boo to, get on with the damn review already dude!

Classic Salted

Pringles Wavy Classic Salted Crisps

Have you ever had Original Pringles? Well, if you wanna try those with waves, now’s your chance. I think the ridges make these slightly worse than Original Pringles, as it makes them taste a bit stale – more stale really, Pringles always have a “these might be old” kinda texture. Still, these are fine. I guess.

Purchased Price: $1.44
Size: 4.5 oz. can
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 oz./12 crisps) 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

Applewood Smoked Cheddar

Pringles Wavy Applewood Smoked Cheddar Crisps

These tasted almost exactly like those bags of TGI Fridays Potato Skins. The cheese flavor was identical to me, to the point I was tricking myself that there was an “Applewood Bacon” flavor too, despite there being no signs on that. These were the saltiest of the four, but still pretty poppable.

Purchased Price: $1.44
Size: 4.8 oz. can
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 oz./12 crisps) 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 310 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

Fire Roasted Jalapeno

Pringles Wavy Fire Roasted Jalapeno Crisps

After one chip I was ready to crown them the Wavy Kings. Before the heat kicked in, there is actually somehow a refreshing burst, like literally biting into a pepper you just ran under the tap.

The heat is a bit overwhelming, so once I popped it was pretty easy to stop. These are sinus clearers for sure. Not only that, transitioning from a super salty flavor to a hot flavor wreaked havoc on my tongue. All that said, these are very true to jalapenos.

p>Purchased Price: $1.44
Size: 4.8 oz. can
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 oz./12 crisps) 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 210 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

And the winner for “Most Poppable Pringles Wavy Flavor” is:

Sweet and Tangy BBQ

Pringles Wavy Sweet Tangy BBQ Crisps

I won’t lie, I pretty much knew these would win because I’ve loved BBQ Pringles since I was a kid. These are a well-done spin on the regular BBQ, almost smelling and tasting like they lean more towards that “Carolina” vinegary BBQ sauce.

They have a perfect level of kick to them, with a sweetness that masks the heat nicely. The tang sets them apart from what you are used to. These hit on all the best elements of the previous three flavors without the negatives.

p>Purchased Price: $1.44
Size: 4.8 oz. can
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 oz./12 crisps) 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

So, in the end, do you know what Pringles Wavy chips taste like?

Pringles.

These are kinda non-starters, but tasty. I’d say the BBQ and Jalapeno chips were the flavors that improved on the similar Pringles I’d had before.

Pringles Wavy Crisps 2

To answer the question posed in the opening sentence, I don’t think Pringles are having a moment at all. They can use an exciting brand extension. Bad enough they’re usually buried by the Chex Mix in the supermarket. They need to get their name back out there in a better way than just adding ridges. Each of these flavors would have been as good if not better without the waves.

Maybe they’ll start selling Pringles Wine Glasses on Etsy.

REVIEW: Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner

Marvo 5 Comments

Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner

Snack scalpers.

They’re the only way you’ll be able to get your hands on a Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner Set. Because it sold out in under an hour after it became available for purchase exclusively on the online Kellogg’s Store.

That’s crazy, right?

It’s crazy there’s a Kellogg’s online store. I had no idea. You can get a box of Frosted Flakes or Pop-Tarts with your photo on it, Eggo waffle socks, Tony the Tiger slippers, and so much more. I want to get a box of Frosted Flakes with a photo of me holding up a box of Frosted Flakes that also has a photo of me holding a box of Frosted Flakes.

Oh, you’re wondering why I’m not amazed by Thanksgiving-flavored Pringles and the fact that it sold out in less than an hour? Well, there have been Thanksgiving-flavored chips before, I reviewed one. And, as someone who tried to purchase Perfect Pepsi from Amazon on October 21, 2015, I have experienced first-hand what it’s like for something to sell out in a matter of minutes and then later see snack scalpers on eBay sell it for 10-20 times more than its retail price. So I expected the quick sellout.

But, is it worth spending (checks eBay) $50-$100 to get your hands on these cans?

Um, no.

But you can experience these chips vicariously through me, which is completely free. Okay, not entirely free. If you think time is money, then this review will take up 3-5 minutes of your time/money.

Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner 2

The Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner Set features three flavors — Turkey, Stuffing, and Pumpkin Pie. Sadly, no cranberry, corn on the cob, candied yams, mashed potato, or tears shed from another Thanksgiving dinner fight. But the three in the set taste like what I’d expect from the obligatory portions of a Thanksgiving dinner.

Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner Turkey in Can

Turkey Pringles are savory and herbaceous with the flavor of the bird lurking in the back. While they’re tasty and remind me of turkey, a couple of other thoughts popped into my head. Why do I sometimes think of soup while chewing on them? And, they could also be mistaken for Stuffing Pringles.

Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner Stuffing in Can

The Stuffing one is a little herbaceous with a slight poultry-ness and tastes exactly like that popular stove top-prepared dish — Nissin Top Ramen Chicken. It’s as if Pringles took last year’s wonderful Nissin Top Ramen Chicken flavor, did absolutely nothing to it, and relabeled it “Stuffing.” To be honest, I have no problem with that because the ramen Pringles are one of my all-time favorites.

Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner Pumpkin Pie in Can

Finally, we come to Pumpkin Pie, which has already exists in the Pringles universe. It hits all the right pumpkin spice notes — cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, etc. The spices hide the fact they are delivered on a potato crisp, but the pumpkin spice facade quickly fades, leaving your taste buds to deal with the underlying potato flakes. The flavor is good, but it’s too fleeting.

Besides daring you to spend $15 (its retail price) for what equals to the same amount of Pringles you can get for $1-$2, Pringles also dares you to stack all three into THE ULTIMATE THANKSGIVING STACK. Is it gross? Since turkey and stuffing being in the same bite is common at Thanksgiving, and the Pumpkin Pie spices are fleeting, it’s not.

Overall, Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner has some Willy Wonka-like magic on them. If it ends up in stores next year, it’s worth a try.

So there, I saved you $50-$100. You’re welcome. Happy Thanksgiving!

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of the product. Doing so did not influence my review in any way. After seeing the prices it was going for on eBay, I thought about selling it, but Kellogg’s would’ve been upset with me if I did.

Purchased Price: Received from Kellogg’s
Size: 3 1.4 oz. cans
Purchased at: Was available on Kellogg’s online store
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) Turkey – 210 calories, 13 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 250 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Stuffing – 210 calories, 13 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 260 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Pumpkin Pie – 210 calories, 13 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

QUICK REVIEW: Bugles Hot & Spicy

Tiffany 4 Comments

Bugles Hot Spicy

What is Bugles Hot & Spicy?

The new Bugles Hot & Spicy is what it sounds like — a new hot and spicy flavor of our favorite finger hats! If you don’t know what Bugles are – what rock have you been, er, I mean they’re cone-shaped corn chips.

How is it?

I opened the bag, and the first two smells I could identify were permanent marker and BBQ flavoring. I’m guessing the permanent marker smell was coming from the packaging and the BBQ from the chips themselves. Thank goodness it didn’t taste like a marker.

Bugles Hot Spicy 3

Of course, I followed the Bugles eating ritual: I put one on each finger and ate it off one-by-one, like I did back in elementary school. They didn’t fit my finger as well though.

Anyways, there was a sweet BBQ-esque flavor that reminded me corn nuts (but without the tooth-chipping crunch) followed by heat from the hot and spicy flavoring. The corn tempered the spiciness and it added a sweetness. All the salty, hot, and sweet flavors made for an addictive combination.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Bugles Hot Spicy 2

The lingering spiciness was fantastic! But, I was taken by surprise as I kept huffing and puffing from the snack even when I stopped eating them. Yowza!

Conclusion:

Usually, chips don’t deliver on hot or spicy, but this new Bugles does both! If you’re like me and haven’t had the classic snack in a while (and you like spicy foods), it’s worth a try!

Purchased Price: $2.98
Size: 14.5 oz. bag
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (30 grams) 160 calories, 9 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 280 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.