Shopper's Value via "Dig" crafty. Respectable size chip and tasty well seasoned for a budget buy. A much needed pick me up. Rating: B

Hippie Chips White Room Cheddar courtesy Canyon Country Store. Rating: C- Too healthy tasting but a passable nosh in rush hour traffic over the hill.

Poore Brothers Jalapeno Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

Poore Brothers Jalapeno Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

Rating: B+

Purchased in La Jolla on a surfing trip by my now poor brother (thanks to the very expensive surfing vacation to SoCal) these Kettle Cooked chips were a tasty delight that the whole family could enjoy (they're vegan!).  

Not the spiciest of Jalapeno Kettle chips I've stumbled across, but therefore much more munch worthy as you don't really need to slow yourself down for sips of a spice nulling beverage.  Perhaps that was a bad thing.  These guys were a little on the greasy side but had an overall satisfying crunch.  

I really want to try some of the other flavors the Poore Brothers make, despite being generally standard fare of chip flavor, y'know, Salt and Vin, BBQ, Sea Salt...  Great stuff!

-b e x

Lance White Cheddar Cheese Popcorn

Lance White Cheddar Cheese Popcorn

Rating: A


This downtown find is nostalgia from my Gym Dandy Gymnastic Days back in
Southwestern Pennsylvania. The gym's vending machines heavily stocked Lance products
and these cheddar delights often greeted me for only 60 cents, post-bars, beam and floor
routines.


Each popped kernel is generously dusted with a coating of that delectable cheesy powder that begs for a serious finger-lickin' after only a few handfuls.


I recommend some napkins on hand when getting down with this snack.


-B e x

Tropical Gourmet Plantain Chips Spicy flavor

Tropical Gourmet Plantain Chips Spicy flavor


Rating: A-

Another treat from Ecuador via Jon's. This soft crunching chips have that yummy plantain flavor with an added kick (although somewhat disappointing spice level) of natural seasonings. It seems like this brand is no-nonsense and MSG is the last thing with which they would ever mar their wholesome snacks. No cholesterol, artificial colors or flavors, or added preservatives. High in potassium too!

Still delightful and keeps me chompin' without feeling guilty.   I highly recommend this flavor, unless you are a spice enthusiast. This have the right touch for those who want the slightest bit of bite.
Dip?

A little Tapatio to get the spice just right. Maybe a salsa verde.

-b e x

Doritos Late Night All Nighter Cheeseburger

Doritos Late Night All Nighter Cheeseburger

Rating: A

Found at the 7-Eleven on Magnolia and Tujunga on a late morning speed walk with LD. 99 cents and 1 block later I realized this could be my new favorite Dorito flavor.

Tastes like everything on a greasy Carl's Jr. Big Carl: onion, cheese, ketchup, chargrilled burger patty plus the added taste of corn. Truly a delicious treat that I can't wait to taste again. LD and I tore through this bag in one block.

Would I purchase again?:

I need to find more RIGHT NOW.

Best place to eat?:

Strolling down Magnolia Blvd. on a hot day in the Valley.

Dip?

Not this time, but I sure would like to taste these crushed on top of a burger. Perhaps later this St. Patrick's Day...

-B e x

Tropical Gourmet Cassava Chips

Tropical Gourmet Cassava Chips

Rating: A+

Simple, lightly salted, crunchy cassava. Starchy and delicious. Found at Jon's International Marketplace. An unusual chip that has become a new favorite.
Would I purchase again?Without a doubt.
Best place to eat?
Car rides to San Diego.
Dip?
These are pretty amazing on their own but I could chop on these with some mango chutney.

Shearer's Rippled Home Run Hot Dog Potato Chips

Shearer's Rippled Home Run Hot Dog Potato Chips

This was a January selection made on a trip home to Pittsburgh to spend some time with my family. I bought them at a Washington, PA Giant Eagle (where you can now buy beer!).

Rating: B

Mustard, Pickely Relish, Ketchup and Onion plus some oh so delicious Monosodium Glutamate, these chips sure were an interesting flavor melange. I personally prefer heavily seasoned or flavored chips to be without ridges, but these definitely left an impression of a day at a ball game.

Would I purchase again?
Probably not for myself but for my sister and my brother-in-law who's house I left these at for their devouring.

Best place to eat?
In a wonderfully warm kitchen (even though it's actually 49 degrees) on Thomas Blvd with my favorite couple and favorite nephew, making other delicious things. Also good for a picnic.

Dip?

As Michael pointed out, some french onion dip would be awesome. I also would try crumpling this on a nice Hebrew National with a some chopped pickles on a poppyseed bun.

Boulder Canyon Rice & Adzuki Bean Snack Chips Chipotle Cheese Flavor

Boulder Canyon Rice & Adzuki Bean Snack Chips Chipotle Cheese Flavor

Rating: A

Here are some chips selected for me by my love that I have to admit, I would easily walk right past, as they are not my typical chips of choice. A marvelous, healthier alternative with just as much kick, flavor and satisfying crunch offered in their junk food brethern, the Spicy Dorito. A super cheesy, savory, lip-smacking delight that goes a long way. Who knew healthy was so delicious? Not this chipper...

Would I purchase again?
You bet your bippy.

Best place to eat?
Stored in a zip lock baggy along side some other health food on a long summer hike. Or in the backseat of a car at the only drive-in in L.A.

Dip?
Corn and Black bean salsa, yes!

Miss Vickie's Smokehouse BBQ All Natural Kettle Chips

Rating: B-

These tasty morsels are a sub brand under the Frito-Lay snack umbrella and they certainly taste like a member of the family. The tangy BBQ flavored chip has a pretty weak crunch for chips claiming to be "kettle cooked", and quite small in size, but they are satisfying nonetheless. They remind me very much of the classic Lay's BBQ Flavor but with a slightly more scrumptious aftertaste.

Would I purchase again?
I think Miss Vickie certainly deserves another shot, especially with the other exciting but safe flavors offered.

Best place to eat?
Dur, at a BBQ. Or a campfire...

Dip?
Bush's Baked Beans. Imagine dipping these little babies in a batch of bacon-y beans!

Studio City Farmer's Market Kettle Korn (Ma + Pa's)

Rating: C

The county fair and farmer's market staple, Kettle Korn, is an old favorite of mine. Popcorn in general can satisfy me anytime of the day, any meal. Perhaps because of all the weekends spent at the cinema with a bucket in my lap...

This kettle korn was a little too sweet. The perfect kettle korn must have the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with the smallest hint of butter. Ma and Pa's delivered a sugary crunchy corn that left me craving the hot out of the kettle treats at the county fair.

Would I purchase again?
If I'm getting it straight from the kettle, maaaaybe.

Best place to eat?
Waiting in line for the Zipper, or on the car ride home from a long day at the amusement park.

Dip?
Usually best by itself.

Dorito's Blazin' Buffalo and Ranch

Rating: B-

Doritos have always been a reliable purveyor of odd flavors. My latest corn tortilla chip endeavor included these yummy dudes. The flavor started off decidedly Ranch and then the Buffalo kick crept up to say hello. Kind of the opposite of what it should be. They could be better balanced, but I'll just resign myself to enjoy the satisfying finger-licking of the spicy-cheesy residue left all over my fat little fingers.

Would I purchase again?

Yes, if accompanied by other spicy chip enthusiasts on a late night jaunt to Ralph's.

Best place to eat?

Zoned out in front of Planet Earth on the Big TV.

Dip?

A little fresh avocado to splice the spice would be nice.

Trader Joe's Cheddar Cheese Pita Chips

Rating: A-

Yum.  After a my first trip down the Trader Joe's Pita Chip collection, the Cinnamon Sugar variety, I moved onto the Cheddar Cheese Flavor. An extra crunchy, real strong cheddar experience was in store.  A satisfying munch that reminds me of Goldfish crackers topped with baked parmesan.  Similar to the perfect crispy crust I top my homemade Mac n' Cheese.  The only downside was occasionally coming across a pita that was toasted slightly too much.  

Would I purchase again?

Wholeheartedly.  

Best place to eat?

Anywhere but I enjoy it in the office mostly while working away on the computer.

Dip?

Perhaps a perfect companion for some Veggie Chili.  For a simpler addition, sour cream straight up as not to over power the delish Cheddariness.

Luck o' the Papas Fritas

I've now been in L.A. officially for over a year. I am using St. Patrick's Day as an anniversary date as it is one of the most memorable days of my first few weeks in L.A.  I was driving over an hour everyday to my job in Santa Monica, I wore Lakers colors (purple and gold) by accident, I had tea and sandwiches with my Aunt Sybil(not really my Aunt), and I went downtown to a shitty Irish barf-fest with my male roommates where beer was green and it cost 8 dollars.

This year I played things my way. Now I drive one mile to work.  I wore a delightful combination of mint and forest green to work.  I ate a DELICIOUS Philly cheese steak at Cafe Al Dente. I hung at my favorite place, Bar One, with some lovely Jewish American Hos, Tiffany and Lauren. Oh and Beau too.

The highlight of the evening was the walk home from the bar (what a luxury) and a stop at one of the four in a 1 mile radius 7-Elevens by my house where Beau bought me Sabritas Habanero Limon Papas Fritas. Oh dear St. Patrick.  What a treat of potatoey goodness.  

These babies brought the heat with a twinkle of lime.  I need a glass of H2O near by to fully enjoy them as I am a wuss when it comes to spice.  Overall they are a surprisingly flavorful chip that I fully intend on adding to my 7 Eleven jaunts every now and then.  

All in all I had a pretty spectacular St. Patrick's Day, followed by a beautiful, warm day at Pointe Dume in Malibu.  I'm happy to be L.A. 

Reduced Guilt

 Had a Game Night last night since I'm too broke to go to bars for companionship.  In my manic preparation of impending guests in my home, I didn't really eat anything thing all day aside from some pizza after seeing "The Watchmen" with Mike and some other Nerds.  Luckily, many of my very giving friends brought some goodies to nosh on.  

Among the favorites were Audie's spectacular Chocolate Chip Cookies and Tiffany's Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Lightly Salter Kettle Cooked Potato Chips.  These lightly salted bad boys were the perfect companion with Audie's cookies.  A decent crunch and scrumptious taste for diet chips.  They went far too quick as I could use a little pick me up out of my hangover this very moment.  My head is throbbing a bit too much to blather on.  

La la la la Bamba!

Bamba happens to be one of my favorite Israeli treats. I bought a bag in a gift shop along the Banias, thinking they were Israeli Cheetos (I found actual Israeli Cheetos later at a gas station and bought about 5 different varieties), however, these little puffed out corn meal noshes are covered in a peanut flavored coating.  

A little salty, the tiniest bit of peanut butter sweet, Bamba tastes like peanut butter crackers that come 6-8 in a cellophane pack, which I LOVE.  

Couldn't really buy enough Bamba while I was over there, especially with all the flavors(Chocolate Bamba is a peanut/cocoa delight that resemble Combos's snacks) but luckily I live a stone's throw from an amazing Kosher supermarket, Cambridge Farms.  The past two Shabbats I've made my way to the cluttered and insanely busy store to purchase Krembo (malo mars), Burekas, and Herr's Potato Chips and this time I picked up some Bamba to soothe my hunger pangs.  

The only thing I don't like about Bamba is the Bamba Baby.  Just a frightening image.  He reminds me of the Baby in the "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" short.  *shudder*

Of course!

Jason Clearfield.  The giver of gifts.  The deliverer of chips.  Dear friend and former sweetheart.

Thank you for the most excellent mystery (now solved) of the Zapp's Box of Deliciousness.

My Sour Valentine

I love Valentine's Day.  I always have, even when I'm a single lady (oof, I don't like that phrase anymore), and I always will.  Truthfully any holiday with the promise of food, candy and dressing up in specific colors or outfits to identify that you are indeed celebrating that holiday is alright by me.  

This year was a single affair, although I did expect at least a giant heart shaped cookie cake out of the day, and courtesy of my work Valentine, Mair, I had a frosting covered rainbow chip delight, along with a festive pack of Airheads candy.  I gave out Valentine's bearing the image of my 2008 obsession, a Waste Allocation Load Lifter *Earth class and a Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator.  The Sweetheart candies produced by the same people who bring you Necco wafers that were part of the folded valentines, were not as popular as the homemade treats delivered by my co-workers.

My night ended up the opposite of what I expected (although I really had few expectations)

and I found myself wandering around my neighborhood 7-11 at about 11:30pm in search of my much craved for comfort chip, Lay's Sour Cream and Onion. I had already finished the bag of Zapp's Spicy Creole Tomato Spiked with Tabasco early on in the week.  A true delight in the Zapp's flavor line-up.  My worries of too much spice to make for an enjoyable chip were silly.  It was a perfect, tangy and savory, crunchy kettle chip with the most enjoyable kick of spice.  Zapp's, will you be my post-Valentine?

At first, it appeared the 7-11 did not carry my much needed crisps, and considering I had just walked 3 blocks in the

 frigid Los Angeles night air (it was at least 40 F, haters!), I was facing the fact that I just might need to compromise on the 7 Select Brand of Sour Cream and Onion Kettle Potato Chips.  Then at long last, I found my savior taters, the Lay's Sour Cream and Onion, and I knew the night would be less lonely, especially with the three bags I stuffed in my 7-11 bag.  I also brought the 7-11 in house brand home with me, to accompany the 7-11 staple, the Double Gulp, mixed inside, Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper.  

When my Valentine's and I arrived home, we cozied up to the PowerBook with my over watched DVD copy of 'Gone With the Wind' and a much smaller than the afternoon's cookie cake covered in Valentine themed icing.   I finished all those bags within 12 hours.  

The 7-11 Select Sour Cream and Onion Kettle Chips weren't too nice,  they reminded me of french onion powdered soup mix with the tiniest flecks of green onion in the aftertaste.  The Lay's, however, remain my all time favorite, widely available potato chip.

As long as I have the foods that erase my sadness, and a metabolism that keeps me from acquiring a fat ass, Valentine's Day will remain satisfying, despite my relationship status.

Kittens Inspired By Kittens!

This is completely relevant.  Just wait for the :50 time mark.

The Lonely Life.

Companions for my loneliness the weekend 2.6.09 - 2.8.09: 'Coraline in 3D', 'Gavin and Stacy', and M.I.A. at the Grammy's.

I'd throw in some Big Sugar cookies eaten in there too.  This rainy February weekend in L.A. has been pretty full of delicious food and entertainment.  It helps to have my mind focused on gorging on yums and not thinking about other things.  

'Coraline', the meticulous stop motion picture, geeked me out! The 3D was graceful and complimented the picture rather than detracting from the children's story.  It was also terribly frightening.  If I was cruel, and I did take a child under the age of ten to see this, I probably would have been chasing a wailing crybaby out of the cinema.  

'Gavin and Stacy'! Not having cable bums me out when I end up missing out on gems like this.  The BBC delivered such an adorable, funny show that I am fully obsessed with now.  Saturday night I spent the night in watching the first two episodes that made me turn into jelly.  

Watched the Grammy's at Nick's home on Sunday, partly because pizza was involved.  I honestly couldn't care less about that awards show.  Who does, really?  You are lying.  The only interesting moments of the night were M.I.A.'s 'ready to drop dat babay dance' and the rumor of Chris Brown beating down Rhianna in a rented Lambo.  Craaazy. Also, I was able to share with the group, the latest from my mystery box from Zapp's.

Zapp's Mesquite Bar-b-que. A crunchy tater, however quite lackluster in flavor. I suppose I prefer a tangy, slightly spicy BBQ chip, and this one just didn't cut it for me.  Sometimes it's nice for a chip using the best potatoes to keep it simple and not let the added flavor overtake the crisp, however I thought Zapp's would surely keep up the good work after sampling the INCREDIBLE Cajun Dill flavor.  I wish I had another bag of those.