Lays chips
In Fran And Cameron Eat On The Company Dime, A.V. Club staffers Fran Hoepfner and Cameron Scheetz eat on the company dime. This week, our resident and compulsive snacker critics got their hands on the three finalists from Lay’s 2017 “Do Us A Flavor” contest. This year’s flavors are everything bagel with cream cheese, crispy taco, and fried green tomato.
Fran Hoepfner: FYI, this is my lunch, so I’m glad we’re starting with everything bagel, because it’s essentially a meal.
Cameron Scheetz: I, too, am hungry as heck! And there’s nothing that makes me salivate more than a publicity stunt. I don’t remember a time when Lay’s wasn’t saturating the market with its “Do Us A Flavor” competition, but a quick Google search reminds me that it’s only been going on since 2013. It’s always a—literal—grab bag of flavors, with past winners running the gamut from inspired (kettle-cooked wasabi ginger) to woefully executed (Southern biscuits and gravy).
I recognize we’re “feeding the beast” just by writing about the 2017 offerings, but if there’s one thing the past year has taught me, it’s that democracy is exhausting. So, if Lay’s is going to ask the American public to elect a chip we may have to live with for the foreseeable future, then I feel obligated to help people make the right decision.
Anyway, I’m intrigued by these everything bagel chips! They’re cooked kettle style [lower oil temperature + longer cooking time = crispier chips —Ed.], which always inspires confidence. As we crunch into our first flavor, what’re your initial impressions?
No comments