This is the first review in a one-off bonus series covering the items in a Snack Crate subscription box, which found its way to my parent’s mailbox. For more details on this, check out the introductory post.
I feel like ketchup chips are one of those sought-after items that people clamor for, yet I am out of the loop on. I like ketchup, and I like chips, but the thought of blending the both of them is just absolutely disgusting to me. My wife, on the other hand, is firmly on the ketchup chip bandwagon: she loves ketchup, and doesn’t typically like chips. Hmm…it will be interesting to see what she thinks of these.
Anyway, after cracking open the bag, you’re met with the scent of…ketchup mixed with chips. I have to say that it’s quite disgusting, and further reason that I can’t see the appeal in such a combination. However, I guess now that I think about it I’m not really a fan of ketchup smells in general, so I guess that’s not really too much of a knock against it, at this point.
The chips themselves are uniformly flat and ultra-thin potato chips, with a generous helping of red seasoning that recalls many barbecue chips. They actually look pretty good; it’s the first evidence I’ve seen hinting at the idea that these might not be half as bad as every other trait seems to insinuate they will be.
With a slight bit of hesitation, I dig in and…mmm, they aren’t half-bad. I still don’t quite get the full appeal of them, but they are definitely edible, which is a good thing. Wait…actually I feel like the flavor profile has changed somewhat. The first two or so chips I tried, I got a pretty strong tomato flavor, but as someone not sold on the idea of putting ketchup on a chip, it more reminded me of a barbecue chip without the added smoky taste. It’s like something was missing. However, digging a little deeper into the bag, I get a strong hint of vinegar combining with the tomato to create something that also doesn’t appeal to me whatsoever; it’s like salt and vinegar chips, but with tomato flavor added. They are edible, though, and they’re definitely different—I would have no problems eating a few if I were in some weird situation where I had to, or where they were the only chip available.
As “undecided” as I am on the flavor, one area that does impress me is the texture: I usually prefer wavy chips, but these super-thin and extra-crunchy chips are uniformly excellent, offering up a nice crunch that approaches kettle cooked. Put almost any other flavor on them, and I’d probably be chomping at the bit to finish them off; I’ll definitely have to keep my eyes out for other Old Dutch varieties here in the U.S.
RATING: 5/10. These aren’t my cup of tea, but after a few bites I can kind of see why other people are crazy about them: a tomato powder base combines with vinegar to create a kind of tomato-y salt and vinegar style chip. As much as the flavor failed to impress me, however, there’s one area where these are phenomenal: texture. The ultra-thin chips provide a crunch reminiscent of kettle chips, but without the excessive teeth-breaking pressure of those; I’d gladly seek out other varieties of Old Dutch chips because of this, only you know, in better flavors.
