BEST OVERALL
North Fork
Among the classic salted potato chips, one batch stood out
from the rest. North Fork’s plain chips "look like they aren't
made in a factory" and "appear dirty—in a good way,"
according to tasters. The panel also praised the crunch: "These
babies make noise." Martin and Carol Sidor started making
the golden kettle chips three years ago on their 150-acre Long
Island farm, and since then, sales have tripled: A staff of five
now produces more than 200,000 bags a year. ($2.25 for a
6-ounce bag, northforkchips.com, 631-734-2243)
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BEST BARBECUE
Mike-sell's Kettle Cooked Bold Bahama Barbecue
A 96-year-old purveyor blew away 31 competitors in the
barbecue category with these Caribbean-inspired chips,
cooked in peanut oil. Our tasters loved the "rustic, burntorange"
color, serious crunch and unique spicy-sweet
flavor, but they couldn't agree on exactly what they were
tasting. Correct answer: molasses, allspice, chile pepper,
lime and rum. ($3 for a 9-ounce bag, mike-sells.com,
937-228-9400)
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BEST SOUR CREAM AND ONION
Ruffles Sour Cream & Onion
We tasted several variations on this classic flavor—including
one yogurt and chive version—but the supermarket staple
Ruffles came out on top for its "classic sour cream and
onion taste." Panelists appreciated the slight crunch and
the balance of sweet and salty flavors; one judge said the
chips taste "like chicken soup." ($3.20 for an 11.5-ounce
bag, at grocery stores)
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BEST SALT AND VINEGAR
Better Made Salt & Vinegar
We thought less would be more; vinegar can be
overpowering. But our tasters were drawn to these
intensely flavored chips, saying they "pack some
serious pucker power." Tasters also praised the
76-year-old Detroit manufacturer for slicing the chips
just right: "They're not too thick or too thin." ($12 for
four 11.75-ounce bags, bettermadepotatochips.com)
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BEST SALT AND PEPPER
Utz Salt & Pepper
This flavor is a relative newcomer in the snack aisle—Utz
introduced it in 2002, after 81 years in the business. You
can find other, fancier varieties, made with sea salt and
specialty peppercorns, but Utz wowed our tasters with
"simple fresh pepper flavor" and an even distribution of
flecks. Panelists praised the delicate texture, too; the chips
"shatter when they hit your tongue." ($3 for an 11-ounce
bag, utzsnacks.com, 888-744-7889)
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BEST ODDBALL
Old Dutch Dill Pickle
We tried chips flavored with bacon, ginger, mustard,
ketchup and Thai spices, but these tickled our taste
buds more than any other wacky flavor. We're not alone:
Dill Pickle is Old Dutch's top-selling flavor (out of 23).
Described by our tasters as "refreshing" and “tangy
but not overwhelming," they taste "like chips that have
been soaking in pickle juice on your plate—but with a
crunch!" ($3 for an 11-ounce bag, olddutchfoods.com,
800-989-2447)
Prices and other details were accurate when we published this article in February 2007.
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