Tag: Pringles

What is and is not truly American food is a great debate, but there are some things you just can’t argue.

One such United States staple is the Sloppy Joe, aka Toasted Deviled Sandwiches aka Chopped Meat Sandwiches aka A Loose Meat Sandwich aka my mom was feeling kinda lazy tonight. The Sloppy Joe is a staple of any good American household, marrying ground beef, onions, and classic condiments like ketchup into one sauteed pan of sloppy goodness that gets slop-plopped right on top of a hamburger bun.

On the cusp of celebrating America’s annual Independence Day, Pringles has taken its often experimental seasonal offerings to new patriotic heights with the Walgreens-exclusive Sloppy Joe-flavored crisps.

In short, they taste like meat and potatoes. The first flavor is the distinct taste of ground beef followed by tomato and then the usual Pringles potato. Sloppy Joe’s are like a burger with all of the fixins’ mixed in where the individual notes get a bit blurred, and these chips reflect that. They’re kind of meaty and herbaceous with hints of onion but never really jump out with anything special or memorable.

These remind me of Pringles’ Cheeseburger flavor without the acidic pickle pop. As I continue to eat them I keep anticipating that extra dill zing and it never comes, which disappointing. It actually tastes like it took that seasoning and removed all of the great McDonald’s-y kick. When I think of a Sloppy Joe, I think of a more pronounced sweetness. While the tomato sweetness is there, I’m missing the layer of brown sugar or vinegar I want.

Another key component that seems to be missing is Worcestershire sauce, which is fundamental to any great Sloppy Joe. The sweet and salty sauce made with anchovies brings a layer of depth that’s missing here. They aren’t sweet like BBQ or spicy like Jalapeno or complex like Salt and Vinegar, and ultimately aren’t that exciting for a brand that puts out some wild flavors.

While Pringles tend to deliver on the flavors it promises, like the magic in its Ketchup chips, or the oddly accurate Kickin’ Chicken Taco, the Sloppy Joe lacks the American spirit that makes the sandwich such a great and simple pleasure.

(Nutrition Facts – 15 crisps – 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 220 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: $1.99
Size: 5.5 oz. can
Purchased at: Walgreens
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: It’s a Pringle so it’s stackable and crunchy and good but…
Cons: Not enough distinct Sloppy Joe flavor. Lack of depth, tastes like Cheeseburger Pringle without the pickle and fun.

The new Pringles Extra Hot Chili & Lime is a flavor so familiar that I thought it already existed, but a quick search only yielded Pringles LOUD Fiery Chili Lime and Pringles Chile Y Limon. Hmm. Maybe it was the purple packaging that reminded me of Fuego Takis.

Speaking of packaging, is it just me or is on-can imagery always fun? On the Top Ramen flavor, it’s a particularly sprightly sprig of parsley. For this fuego flavor, it features an Evel Knievel crisp jumping through a ring of chili fire. Let the LOLs ensue. Packaging aside, I had high hopes it would bring some real heat.

I noticed that the crisps looked much like the Evel Knievel crisp on the outside, which was somewhat sparsely sprinkled with red chili seasoning mainly clustered closer at the edges. I appreciate when the actual product reflects the image on its packaging. But they didn’t smell different from the usual Pringles.

The first thing I tasted was the tanginess from the artificial lime flavor, then the chili powder heat came. It was like rapid fire ray guns of flavor: lime, chili, lime, chili (Star Wars sound effects not included). I’ve never noticed this before with other flavors, but the curved crisp shape contributed to getting the flavor effectively and efficiently. I eat Pringles by shoving it whole into my mouth, so the surface of my tongue is completely covered by the crisp. So, my entire tongue felt like it was in a pleasant state of burn.

I also sampled Takis to gauge heat level. They’re spicier and, of course, the corn flavor was very forward. Also, the heavily-seasoned rolled shape delivered a very pungent punch. To be fair, Takis claims to be extreme while Pringles just wants to be extra hot.

I think this Pringles delivers on the promise of extra hot and is well-executed. While Takis may be too extreme for some, these Pringles will keep chiliheads content but might be a stepping stone for those still building their capsaicin tolerance.

This doesn’t dethrone my favorite Pringles flavor, cheeseburger, BUT I’d be more than open to stacking a cheeseburger crisp with this one to make a spicy cheeseburger. Woo, the possibilities are endless! I know this slogan is old, but I think it still rings true – “Once you pop, you can’t stop!”

(Nutrition Facts – 15 Crisps – 150 calories, 9 grams of total fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 grams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of total carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, less than 1 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: $1.39
Size: 5.5 oz. can
Purchased at: Kroger
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Crisp actually looks like the image on the packaging! Rapid fire ray guns of flavor: lime, chili, lime, chili. A tolerable kick that keeps chiliheads content, but also appeals to folks still building their capsaicin tolerance. Curved crisp shape contributed to getting the flavor effectively and efficiently.
Cons: A smidge of artificial lime taste. Still doesn’t dethrone as my favorite Pringles flavor (cheeseburger)!

If you want an inexpensive, crunchy snack that tastes like Chicken Top Ramen, you could take the dried block of instant noodles and sprinkle the broth seasoning onto it and enjoy. Or you could buy a can of these Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Pringles.

Nissin Top Ramen and I go way back.

It was the first food I prepared on a stove when I was ten years old, and it was also the first food I ruined on a stove when I was ten years old. It got me through lean times during college. It got me through lean times after college. It got me through lean times last week.

And through all those times it’s been the chicken flavor, because, let’s face it, the traditional beef and shrimp flavors are THE WORST. Okay, they’re not horrible, but I’ve always considered the chicken one to be far superior to the other two.

Even though I’ve eaten over 1,000,000 milligrams of sodium-worth of Chicken Top Ramen, I’ve never gotten sick of it. It’s a cheap comfort food and a decent soup replacement when you’re too sick to go out and get a can of chicken noodle soup. I love it and will never forget its flavor.

So it’s awesome that these Pringles smell and taste EXACTLY like the sodium saturated broth made from a flavor packet and boiling water. For those sophisticated palates who have never crossed paths with chicken flavored instant ramen, it’s like a cheap, herbaceous chicken broth. And I get to experience that flavor without burning my mouth, overcooked noodles, undercooked noodles, or wondering what’s wrong with my life.

As enjoyable as these crisps are, after eating several of them, I felt they were beginning to be a bit too salty. But then I thought, “THAT’S JUST LIKE CHICKEN INSTANT RAMEN!” And that brought smile to my face.

Now if you think about it, we could make these seasoned potato crisps at home. We just need to dump the seasoning powder into a can of Pringles and gently combine the two. And I might just do that because these Pringles are awesome and they’re available for only a limited time.

Sure, there’s a much cheaper way to enjoy Chicken Top Ramen, which is to buy an actual package of the instant ramen that costs a fraction of these Pringles. But if you don’t want to deal with flavor packets, boiling water, bowls, or lots of sodium, these Pringles are the next best thing.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 ounce (about 15 crisps) – 150 calories, 80 calories from fat, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: A lot since I had to buy it on eBay
Size: 5.5 oz. can
Purchased at: Dollar General (by eBay seller)
Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: Tastes and smells just like Chicken Top Ramen.
Cons: Currently a Dollar General exclusive flavor. Cheaper to buy actual Chicken Top Ramen. Limited time only.

I have a confession to make: I love eating ketchup on Pringles. I love it to the point where my posture is currently italicized just thinking about it.

Pringles and ketchup is a tradition passed down in my family for generations. I’ve made intricate catsup illustrations on Pringles canvases that would make a Subway sandwich artist‘s cold cut craftsmanship look like a kindergartener’s elbow macaroni picture frame.

Heck, I even have the family record for most ketchup-squelched Pringles stacked and eaten in one bite (thirteen).

So imagine the personal offense I take when people scoff —- if not outright wretch -— at me for sharing this tasty tradition with them. Sure, some rational souls agree that, since ketchup on French fries is good, it should work on Pringles, too. And sure, Ketchup Pringles exist in Canada. But most Americans react like I just sneezed unshaken ketchup water on them.

Thankfully, Pringles seems to be on my side, as two of their five new LOUD Crisps varieties prominently feature the humble tomato. This line of “bolder flavored” and “epically crunchy” crisps also includes Spicy Queso, Super Cheesy Italian, and Fiery Chili Lime, but I’m here to tell you about the ones that will (hopefully) bring glory to the “ketchup and Pringles” name: Mighty Margherita Pizza, which swaps the brand’s traditional “potato-flavored crisp” base for one made of grains and more vegetables than a Biblical children’s show, and Salsa Fiesta, which builds its flavor party on a dance floor of corn flour.

From Ducks to Morphin Power Rangers, “Mighty” things tend to be pretty great, and original Pizza Pringles are my all-time favorites, so I expected big things from Mighty Margherita Pizza.

These new crisps smell just like Pizza Pringles, but their taste is a bit more artisanal. They open with a familiar pop of tomato paste, garlic, and onion, but quickly fade into a more complexly sun-dried and herbal tomato back end. These late flavor notes also smack of tangy basil and spinach, making it feel like Julius Pringle gave a Godfather-esque Kiss of Death to my taste buds. Pleasant at first, this aftertaste becomes peppery and bitter enough over time to make my tongue “sleep with the fishes”—by which I mean, “yearn for a glass of water.”

What really irritates Don Dan about Mighty Margherita Pringles is their supposed “LOUD” crunch. Despite being made with a grain and vegetable blend that gives them a subtle carroty finish, these Pringles LOUD Crisps are no louder nor crunchier than normal Pringles.

Instead, they just feel like the hipster, organically cauliflower-crusted pizza version of original Pizza Pringles. If plain Pizza Pringles are Papa John’s, Domino’s, or Little Caesars, then Mighty Margherita Pizza is Father John Misty, Settlers of Catan, and Little Hannibals —- you know, the guy who crossed the Alps to invade Rome before it was cool.

Oh well, at least they make great hyperbolic hors d’oeuvres when you top ‘em like Lunchables.

Even though Mighty Margherita Pizza was pretty good, I hoped Salsa Fiesta would be better. These crisps’ feverish appearance made me think they’d have more tomato taste, and I was right. While M.M.P. oozes the vine-ripened juiciness of a wise old tomato, Salsa Fiesta strikes fast with the aggressive and salty zest of a sassy vine-dropout.

This punchy tomato taste fades quickly into notes of tongue-prickling red onion and mouth-watering green chile. On their own, these flavors might be spicy, but their burn is tempered by Salsa Fiesta’s delightful aftertaste of roasted corn and black bean dip. It’s a very tasty re-creation of the “tortilla chips and salsa” restaurant ritual, but it’s also over far too soon, as the airy crisps completely dissolve into the ethereal Pringles beyond before I can say “holy frijoles!”

And even though a mild salsa makes a great pairing for these zippy Salsa Fiesta Pringles, their fragile paraboloid slopes tend to crack under the pressure. Be sure to have a platoon of rescue chips handy to fish these fallen chips out of their juicy graves.

Overall, if you’re a fan of tomatoes ‘n’ taters like me, the respective veggie and corn bases of Mighty Margherita Pizza and Salsa Fiesta will bring starchy satisfaction to your catsup-coated carb cravings. The sweet ‘n’ tangy sauciness and contemplative herbs of Mighty Margherita Pizza make for a great evening snack, while the peppery jabs of Salsa Fiesta are perfect for a bustling party.

But if you hate tomatoes and oxymoronically quiet “LOUD” Crisps, you might want to pass these up for something with more bulk —- or extreme nacho cheese.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have two new Pringles flavors to shamelessly slather with Heinz.

(Nutrition Facts – 14 crisps – Mighty Margherita Pizza – 140 calories, 60 calories from fat, 7 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 200 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Salsa Fiesta – 140 calories, 60 calories from fat, 8 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 310 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $1.40 each
Size: 5.1 oz. can (Mighty Margherita Pizza)
Size: 5.4 oz. can (Salsa Fiesta)
Purchased at: Meijer
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Mighty Margherita Pizza)
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Salsa Fiesta)
Pros: The savory French kiss of a Pringles Mafioso. The taste bud-smacking sadism of juvenile salsa delinquents. Elegantly stacking Pringles with feta and Chipotles. Ancient pizza elephant warfare.
Cons: Crunching not with a bang, but with a whimper. Herbs that overstay their welcome. Crisps more fragile than a leg lamp. Un-elegantly cramming a stack of 13 Pringles and ketchup into my mouth.

The sugar cookie.

It’s one of the Four Horsemen of the Christmas Apocookielypse, along with gingerbread men, snickerdoodles, and, for some reason, Winter Oreo Cookies with red colored creme. These cookies get their name because they will annihilate any chances of you maintaining your current weight during the holiday season.

Sugar cookie is also one of the three flavors Pringles has put out for this year’s holiday lineup, joining Salted Caramel and Pecan Pie.

If you think about it, sugar cookies look like bloated Pringles. Or Pringles look like skinny sugar cookies. Or I need new glasses. Because they look similar with my outdated prescription glasses-covered eyes, it seems like a fitting flavor for Pringles to sell this holiday season.

The potato crisps look like Original Pringles, but maybe paler. I’m not sure if whatever seasoning is added makes them look the way they do, but if poured them into a bowl, I think most people will think they’re regular Pringles. But they don’t taste like regular Pringles. Well, for a few moments they don’t. I’ll get back to that a bit later.

The ingredients that attempt to make these crisps taste like sugar cookies don’t work well. It has a nondescript sweet flavor that leans more towards the white stick that comes with Fun Dip than actual sugar cookies. I thought there might be a slight butteriness, but there isn’t. If this flavor was called powdered sugar, I wouldn’t argue. It’s okay, but far from being addictive.

Also, like Fruit Stripe Gum, the flavor fades fast. After the sweet seasoning melts away, the crisp tastes like unsalted Original Pringles. Some of the holiday flavors also experience this sweet tooth crashing reality, but I can’t recall one that does it so quickly.

The one thing that stands out about these Pringles is the holiday sweater can design. It’s cute. It even came with its own gift tag in the design, just in case you want to be the first person on the face of the Earth to give a can of Pringles as a gift that has actual Pringles and not toy snakes that jump out when one opens the can.

If you want to guarantee a lump of coal from Santa or to be hoof stomped by Rudolph, I’d leave out a can of these Sugar Cookie Pringles. They disappointed me and I’m sure they’ll disappoint Santa.

Disclosure: I received a free sample of Sugar Cookie Pringles in return for my honest thoughts about them. I’m sure the folks who sent them to me are as disappointed as I am about these Sugar Cookie Pringles.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 ounce – 150 calories, 80 calories from fat, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: N/A
Size: 5.96 oz can
Purchased at: Received for free, but available at Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Pros: Not gross. The deliciousness of the Four Horsemen of the Christmas Apocookielypse. Pringles still churning out new holiday flavors.
Cons: Will disappoint Santa. Flavor doesn’t remind me of sugar cookies. Whatever flavor it has fades quickly. The weight gain caused by the Four Horsemen of the Christmas Apocookielypse.