Some say oil companies run our country. Others say it’s those on the forefront of new technology. We submit that the true corporate engine moving our daily lives along are the potato chip makers. From routine meals to work breaks to cherished events, a bag or bowl of the popular snack will always fit in perfectly. Although they come in many tastes, it is the classic, regular flavored variety that has caught our attention. With so many brands of potato chips to chose from, here we rank them from bottom to top. Try not to get chippy yourself if your favorite brand didn’t wind up winning the day.
The Definitive Ranking Of Brand Name Potato Chips (Original Flavor Only):
Try not to get chippy yourself if your favorite brand didn’t wind up winning the day. However, we’d still love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Snack foods aren’t the only thing we rank around here: The Best And Worst Films Of Bruce Willis
Definitive Ranking Of Potato Chips
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13. Munchos
The first chip on our list isn’t even officially a chip, but a crisp, as it says on its bag. Munchos get props for their uncommon flavor and makeup. Ultra thin, very crispy, and a bubbly texture are qualities that also make them stand out in a crowd of potato snacks. But they are also too salty, and the uncommon flavor isn’t exactly delicious. Around since 1969, Jim Henson created the first commercials that featured an early version of Cookie Monster whose appetite mustn’t yet have transitioned from savory to sweet.
Photo: memoriesarecaptured (Getty).
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12. Wise
More prevalent along the East Coast and surrounding states, Wise potato chips were a ubiquitous addition to many a school kids lunch box living in that region. Born to a Pennsylvania delicatessen owner in 1921 who was looking for some way to dispose of potato scraps, their success made that sandwich maker into a potato chip mogul. Today, compared to other brands, Wise potato chips are a bit bland, with an unremarkable aftertaste that fades away into something even less tasty.
Photo: memoriesarecaptured (Getty).
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11. Ruffles
Around since 1958, Ruffles are definitely a crowd favorite. Their ridges give them a singular appearance, a sturdiness for reliable dipping, and a sizable claim to the brand’s catchy slogan. Be careful repeatedly shoveling these into your mouth with both hands, though, as tempting as that might be. They are overly salty and possess a greasiness that neither benefits those hands or their owner’s stomach.
Photo: memoriesarecaptured (Getty).
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10. Herr’s
Known for its foil packaging -- like Wise potato chips -- Herr’s was also born in Pennsylvania and are most commonly sold throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. While not too salty -- which sinks many competitors on this list -- they aren't very flavorful, either. Although they do have an appealing aftertaste. Their greasiness reminds us that there are better options here to snack on.
Photo: memoriesarecaptured (Getty).
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9. Lay's
There's no doubt that Lay’s potato chips set the standard for look, crunch, and popularity. Around since the ‘30s, their renowned slogan, “Betcha can’t eat just one,” introduced in 1961, helped them become an international brand and grocery store staple domestically. But the Lay’s Classic is way too salty to earn a higher ranking on this list. You may not be able to “eat just one,” but whatever amount you settle on will likely need to be accompanied by a hefty beverage.
Photo: Frito-Lay
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8. Charles Chips
As a snack, what set Charles Chips apart from the others was its packaging in distinctive cans. In 1946, just a few years after their creation, home delivery of their product in nifty commercial vans was also a nice touch. Novelty is indeed entrenched in their history. They boast an admirable crunch and, as for taste, have exactly the right amount of salt. This perks up what might otherwise be a disappointing blandness.
Photo: Charles Chips
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7. Kettle
A relatively new entry into the snack market, in 1982 Kettle joined a growing contingent of companies using a new kind of cookware for potato chip production. In addition to being thicker and crunchier than a classic potato chip, its shape was no longer flat, but randomly folded and curvy. Kettle brand chips have a definite, hearty crunch, a very bold flavor, but perhaps too much salt for its own good.
Photo: memoriesarecaptured (Getty).
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6. Lay’s Kettle Cooked
Like any reputable corporate behemoth, when a competitor sees success with untapped innovation, that innovation must be mimicked as quickly as possible. We imagine that was the impetus behind Lay’s Kettle Cooked, as the brand’s gagillion other snack varieties didn’t completely corner the market. They needed to get into the kettle game, too. Again we have another hearty crunch and just the right amount of salt, but its greasiness prevents it from ranking higher.
Photo: Frito-Lay
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5. Hawaiian
Full disclosure: they’re produced in Washington State, as far Northwest as you can get in the US from Hawaii. But the two hula dancers on the package hold a hypnotic sway and transport you to the tropical islands even before you open the bag. Inside you’ll find a full, rich color covering the typical kettle style chips. They possess a truly superior crunch and great flavor, but maybe just a tad too much salt and grease.
Photo: Hawaiian Snacks
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4. Cape Cod
The pioneer in mass market kettle chip production, the creators of Cape Cod noticed something very special about how this chip was cooked in Hawaii, particularly in an effort to offer healthier food alternatives. So in 1980, they transported the recipe to Massachusetts and founded a brand new snack company. A near-perfect chip resulted -- not too salty, not greasy. Just the trademark kettle crunch with some pure potato flavor.
Photo: Cape Cod Chips
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3. Pringles
Pringles were designed in 1967 with distinct purpose: make the ultimate chip that doesn’t break in the bag, get stale, or suffer from greasiness. One scientist began the important work of creating its saddle shape -- known as a hyperbolic paraboloid to math geeks or nerds in general -- and the innovative hand-trapping can. Another scientist was brought in to give Pringles its distinctive taste. How it got its name is multi-theoried and better left for another time and place. What was devised was an uncommon chip -- or crisp, as the package clarifies -- and one of the most addicting on this list. There is something about a Pringle that is uniquely satisfying. In fact, we’ve now discovered, it's a feat of science.
Photo: sewer11 (Getty).
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2. Dirty
It seems back in the day they were dirtier -- a result of residual skin perhaps -- but today they are a shiny and polished chip. Born at the end of the ‘80s in Tennessee, they gained popularity in neighboring states soon after before branching out to become more widely known. This is the best kettle chip on our list -- with all the usual trappings: the hearty crunch, twisted shape, and bold flavor without being too salty. Dirty is more flavorful than Cape Cod -- a superior chip in its own right -- and it’s that flavor that makes it so memorable.
Photo: Dirty's Chips
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1. UTZ
Here's yet another chip from Pennsylvania, and the very best potato chip of all on our list. Branded with a young bow-haired girl on the bag with a similar expression, Utz, founded in 1921, has been producing close to a century’s worth of smiles on the faces of their satisfied customers. Their potato chips are exceptional for many reasons: it’s somehow got a soft crunch (not a firm one), but still completely satisfying. They are not overly salted or too greasy by any measure. This is pure potato flavor: subtle, but uniquely delicious. Their prevalence at major and minor league baseball stadiums across the country are further evidence that, like the sport itself, enjoying an Utz potato chip is a beloved national pastime.
Photo: UTZ Quality Foods
