Barbecue chips: In search of a killer chip
By JENNIFER VOGELSONG, Daily Record/Sunday News
Barbecue potato chips are a particular favorite among savory snack lovers. Maybe it’s the pull of the orange-colored powder. The sensory jolt of spice hitting saliva. The kick, the crunch, the lingering salty aftertaste.
Whatever it is, when done well, it’s addictive. When it’s not, well, it’s just disappointing.
This month, members of the York Daily Record/Sunday News Teen Takeover staff put four popular brands of barbecue potato chips to the test.
The results indicated that Lay’s KC Masterpiece brand is indeed a masterpiece.
Judging from the teens’ comments, it seems you have to consider a few factors when choosing a chip. Is crunch and crispness the most important thing? Or is it the flavor? The texture? In the case of barbecue chips, should the spice be knock-the-bag-out-of-your-hands strong or pleasantly mild?
Check out their reviews, below. Then, go forth, and choose your chip.
Brand: Lay’s KC Masterpiece barbecue flavor
Price: $3.49
Serving size: About 15 chips
Servings per container: 13
Nutritional information: 150 calories, 10 grams fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 2 grams sugar, 15 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein
Jenna Jenkins, Spring Grove Area Senior High School: 5. This chip is by far the best. It has a balanced amount of crunch, spiciness and barbecue flavor. I already feel like I’m at a summer picnic.
Nick Ryan, home-schooled: 3. These chips break apart a little too easily in my mouth. The “barbecue factor” is moderate, and the amount of barbecue residue remaining on my fingertips is minimal. This chip is decent.
Seth Black, Central York High School: 4. There is a nice blend of the honey-barbecue flavor. Also, the crunch is just enough for it to be considered a good chip.
Lily Kotansky, Susquehannock High School: 3. Black spots sprinkle the outside of these chips. I suppose it’s the illusion of flavoring. However, the barbecue taste dissolved into a bland flavor after a split second.
Average rating: 3.75
Brand: Martin’s kettle-cooked Bar-B-Q
Price: $2.99
Serving size: About 18 chips
Servings per container: 10
Nutritional information: 150 calories, 8 grams fat, 0mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 1 gram sugar, 16 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein
Jenna Jenkins, Spring Grove Area Senior High School: 2. There’s a lot of crunch to this chip and very little barbecue flavoring. Actually, I’m not sure if it even is barbecue.
Nick Ryan, home-schooled: 5. Yes, yes, yes. This is what a barbecue chip should taste like. These chips have the perfect “crunchiness” and the barbecue taste is excellent, leaving a spicy kick in the back of my mouth. I could eat these all day.
Seth Black, Central York High School: 2. This really tastes stale and there is almost too much barbecue. The crunch, also, is too much.
Lily Kotansky, Susquehannock High School: 2. What? These chips are barbecue chip wannabes. They dress in a convincing orange disguise, but they’re really just dressed-up potato chips.
Average rating: 2.75
Brand: UTZ Bar-B-Q flavored
Price: $2.99
Serving size: About 20 chips
Servings per container: 11
Nutritional information: 150 calories, 10 grams fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 1 gram sugar, 14 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein
Jenna Jenkins, Spring Grove Area Senior High School: 3. Very soft to chew. It has a good texture and goes down easy without too much bite, although it lacks the barbecue flavoring.
Nick Ryan, home-schooled: 1. These chips look as if they’ve been infected by some unearthly chemical. Each is bigger than my palm, making easy eating an impossibility. They’re too soft. I could only eat one.
Seth Black, Central York High School: 3. Tastes fair. Not enough barbecue, but the crunch is there. I would recommend this to the moderate BBQ lover.
Lily Kotansky, Susquehannock High School: 4. Now I’ve hit barbecue gold! Not all of the chips have the same flavoring, but once I hit a mine of flavor, it is worth the dig.
Average rating: 2.75
Brand: Middleswarth Bar-B-Q flavored
Price: $1.99
Serving size: About 18 chips
Servings per container: 7
Nutritional information: 150 calories, 10 grams fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 180 mg sodium, 2 grams sugar, 14 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein
Jenna Jenkins, Spring Grove Area Senior High School: 1.5. This chip tastes different. There’s a distinct aftertaste that is almost unpleasant.
Nick Ryan, home-schooled: 4. These chips are massive and just a little soft for my taste. However, the flavor is amazing. Maybe even better than (Martin’s). Physically handling these chips is difficult, but the explosion of taste is well worth it.
Seth Black, Central York High School: 4. This chip also has a good blend of barbecue. It has a nice crunch to it and looks the most appetizing. A very pleasing chip.
Lily Kotansky, Susquehannock High School: 3. I’m giving these chips a three for the spicy factor. But they taste foreign to me. It is extra crispy at first, then feels chewy. I’m confused.
Average rating: 3.125
