So, if you read the entire multi-post thread about our recent trip to Wisconsin and back, you'll notice that there were a lot of snacks that got purchased, but never eaten. After I picked up either the second or third bag, we thought it would be fun to save them all and try them once we got home. After that decision, it became a quest to find snacks we'd never heard of down here in Florida, or at least to get snacks we've never tried. Hindsight being what it is, I love that we did this, but I sure wish we made a note of where we bought these things!
 |
| It's a lot of snacks! The drinks will be in a separate post. (Bonus Ziti recipe if you can read it!) |
I think we succeeded.
Without further ado, take me to the snacks!!!!!
Rap Snacks Sour Cream with a Dab of Ranch
This was the purchase that really started the whole thing. We found them at the Florida/Alabama state line when I used the bathroom and wanted to pay the Tinkle Tax™. Unfortunately, neither of us liked these chips. We felt they were too sweet, and Hubby called them "Crap Snacks." They were bad enough that neither one of us wanted to finish the bag.
Hubby - 1 Star
Me - 2 Star
Average - 1.5 Star
 |
| They could have been a lot better |
Grippo’s Bar-B-Q Potato Chips
This brand of chips started in Cincinnati, Ohio, so chances are we bought them somewhere in that area, either when we were nearer to Metropolis, or up by Lake Erie.
My first thought is that they are very brown. But it didn't seem like it was the seasoning that made them brown. The texture felt natural, like a less-processed chip. And there was a weird flavor at the end I couldn't ascribe to BBQ; possibly the type of oil it was fried in? I liked them enough to finish them with lunch a few days later.
Hubby - 3 Star
Me - 3 Star
Average - 3 Star
 |
| Brown doesn't always equal more flavor |
I'm about 95% sure we picked these up at a Kwik Trip while still in Wisconsin. They sounded good, because it was similar, but different, from Sour Cream & Onion type potato chips. Unfortunately, it's very garlic forward and light on the onion. Ironically, it needs sour cream or something similar to lend a "creamy" flavor. Neither one of us wanted to finish the bag.
Hubby 2.5 Stars
Me 2 Stars
Average - 2.25 Stars
 |
| Maybe dipped into Dean's French Onion dip? |
These are Kwik Trip's store brand of chips, so obviously we picked them up at a KT in Wisconsin (maybe on the way back to snow tubing?) They were okay, but had an odd aftertaste we couldn't get over. Texture was also good.
Hubby 3 Stars
Me 3 Stars
Average 3 Stars
 |
| If meh could be summed up in a photo |
Another store brand, from Casey's convenience stores. Of the states they're located in, these could have been picked up in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, or Wisconsin... As for the snack itself, it's hard to describe. There was too much chip and not enough flavor. The chip itself is bright orange, but it's extremely under-seasoned, and very potato-ey. Neither one of us finished the bag.
Hubby - 2 Stars
Me - 2.5 Stars
Average - 2.25 Stars
 |
| Looks can be deceiving |
Surprisingly, these kettle chips were not teeth-breakingly crunchy, and I am so happy about that! I love a crunchy chip, but I've put $10,000 worth of dental work in my face over the years, and I don't want to jeopardize any of that! It was too sweet, and neither smokin' nor spicy. The label promises "Spicy Heat with a Kiss of Sweet," but all we got was the sweet. I'd pass on these and stick with Utz Red Hot chips if I'm craving something hot.
Hubby - 2.5 Stars
Me - 2 Stars
Average - 2.25 Stars
 |
| Easy to eat, for a kettle chip |
These were amazing. So yummy and different from other spicy or BBQ chips. The Jack cheese gives it a creamy quality that I've never gotten in another chip. There is no spiciness to the chip, despite the chipotle (Hubby could eat it, and he's a notorious Spicy Wuss). I devoured these with lunch the next day.
Hubby - 3 Stars
Me - 3.5 Stars
Average - 3.25 Stars
 |
| Can I have more of these, please? |
Per the Slim Jim website: On the prowl for a spicy snack full of sass? Then you'll love the bold flavor of these... Toss one back and yell 'Fire in the hole!'
How about we just toss them all out? They were TERRIBLE!!! Hubby literally spit his out in the trash can. I finished mine... somehow. I get that they're trying to enter the Hot Fries market, but all I could think of was what the actual fuck IS this??? while I ate it. The flavor was horrendous - we wondered if there was supposed to be meat in it (there's not), the texture was indescribable. For being described as "Inferno" and supposedly the hotter of the two options, it was only mildly spicy. I was so offended by how disgusting they actually were that I threw the entire bag and plate directly into the trash can.
Hubby - 0 Stars
Me - 0 Stars
Average - Negative One Million Stars
 |
| No, nuh-uh, never, no thanks, no way |
This is another snack with roots in Pennsylvania, so we most likely purchased these after we left Niagara Falls on our way home. The bag reminded me of a Hot chip I used to eat as a kid (like in the early 80s) while I was at Dance Camp (yeah, dance camp, what of it). But I think those were Tom's... If it was Tom's, they don't make hot chips anymore, and I can't find anything about them online... Oh well. The nostalgia factor is what made me pick up this bag, plus the fact that I'm always on the lookout for good Hot Chips. Sadly, these weren't even a little bit spicy, when compared to other hot chips. They also tasted bitter, and had an odd aftertaste. I didn't finish the bag.
Hubby - 2 Stars
Me - 2 Stars
Average - 2 Stars
 |
| Hot, but not red hot |
Route 11 is a relatively newcomer to the world of chips, only starting in 1992. I was stoked to find these because I could have sworn that Rhett & Link (from Good Mythical Morning) tried and loved these, but I can't find that video anywhere. I was looking forward to these because I could have sworn that Rhett & Link did a show of spicy stuff, and he was blown away with these, but I can’t find it anywhere… Anyway, when we did our snack testing, Hubby was most worried about these, but they weren't too bad for him. They were too kettle for me (way too crunchy) and disappointing in their spiciness level... I mean, if they aren't too bad for Hubby, then they definitely aren't spicy! Neither one of us planned on finishing the bag, but I think I ended up eating them later in the week with my lunch.
Hubby - 1 Star
Me - 2 Star
Average - 1.5 Star
 |
| +5 Points for awesome package artwork though! |
Middleswarth Bar-B-Q Potato Chips
Another Pennsylvania snack chip, sold only in Pennsylvania, too, this chip had a very light texture and a good generic BBQ flavor. Like, remember back in the day when BBQ chips were just BBQ, not Hickory, or Sweet Heat, or Kentucky, or anything... just BBQ? The orange bag of Lay's BBQ is what I grew up on. This was reminiscent of generic BBQ chips. Hubby called them "LaCroix" spicy - if you close your eyes and think spicy, they might evoke the idea of being spicy, without actually being spicy. I thought that was the best description, because they certainly weren't heavy on actual flavor. However, I did eat them with lunch a few days later.
Hubby - 3 Star
Me - 3 Star
Average - 3 Star
 |
| Might as well have been plain |
Oh, you lied to me, Martin's! I was looking forward to a cool looking, waffle-cut potato chip, lookin' like a Chick-fil-a Waffle Fry, and all I got were some basic ruffled chips! Unevenly coated, some darker than others, they were again the LaCroix of BBQ chips. I told hubby that if I was blindfolded, I would have no idea what flavor it was supposed to be! They were tasty, but I wouldn't call them BBQ. And I certainly wouldn't call them waffle, either.
Hubby 2.5 Stars
Me 2.5 Stars
Average 2.5 Stars
 |
| Waffle-Cut means there's HOLES, people |
We got a lot of stuff at Buc-ee's, because we didn't know what would be good and what would be not-so-good. These have a good texture, and we discovered they're baked, instead of fried. However, fried adds a level of flavor that these lack. The nacho seasoning gave them a lingering burn, and a good flavor. Hubby had to drink a little milk to abate the heat (remember, he's a Spice Wuss).
Hubby - 2 Stars
Me - 3.5 Stars
Average - 2.75 Stars
 |
| These were good with my ham sandwich |
These also had great texture and flavor, and we both liked these as much, if not more, than a typical crunchy Cheeto. One of the two cheeses was Blue Cheese, which gave a nice bit of tang to the curl. Hubby finished the bag with his lunch.
Hubby - 5 Stars
Me - 5 Stars
Average - 5 Stars
 |
| I prefer Cheetos Crunchy, but these are 99% as good |
It wasn't super-crunchy, and while not terribly stale, Hubby said it tasted stale. Lance's White Cheddar Popcorn is the popcorn against which I measure all WCP. This was not even in the same league as Lance. I would maybe say it's comparable to Smartfood (but then again, I'm not much of a fan of them either...). If I saw this on the shelf, I probably would never grab it at the store.
Hubby - 1 Star
Me - 2 Stars
Average - 1.5 Stars
 |
| If I was desperate for a popcorn... |
These are a savory, unglazed version of their famous Beaver Nuggets. After a bite, we nailed down the flavor to be the love child of a Chili Cheese Frito and a BBQ Frito (awww, remember those...). The texture was like a puffy Cheeto with a slightly sweet "underflavor" from the corn puff. I think that "Bold and Sorta Spicy" is dead on... they have a lot of flavor, but no heat. I look forward to eating these with lunch over the next few days (it's a big bag).
Hubby - 3 Stars
Me - 4 Stars
Average - 3.5 Stars
 |
| They're no BBQ Frito, but it'll be okay |
These are your basic puff, comparable to a Cheetos Puff. They are a great alternative to Cheetos because they are much less expensive and, dare I say it, more flavorful. Both of us would definitely eat again.
Hubby - 3 Stars
Me - 3 Stars
Average - 3 Stars
Buc-ee’s Chees-ee Curls Barbecue
We both really liked these, and even more than the Double Cheese flavor. They're also baked. The seasoning is very reminiscent of a generic BBQ Pork Patty, like the generic McRib patty you'd get in middle school. That's not a slam; I love those things!
 |
| Yeah, I like these more than regular Cheetos! |
We both really liked these, and even more than the Double Cheese flavor. They're also baked. The seasoning is very reminiscent of a generic BBQ Pork Patty, like the generic McRib patty you'd get in middle school. That's not a slam; I love those things!
Hubby - 4 Stars
Me - 4 Stars
Average - 4 Stars
 |
| Crunchy and porky |
Buc-ee's Ranchin' Saltines and Sizzlin' Saltines
Both varieties of these are supposed to be like the "crack" crackers that Southern meemaws make for potlucks and fellowship dinners, and I've never had any, but always heard how yummy they are. Well... we weren't impressed. But on the upside, I don't have to lie to anyone's meemaw about how much we liked them!
First up, the Ranch version reminded me of crouton flavors. The cracker was very thick, and kind of hard. I bet it would be good with chicken noodle soup, though? It'd stand up to the hot broth, and still have lots of flavor.
Hubby - 2.5 Stars
Me - 2 Stars
Average - 2.25 Stars
The Sizzlin' version was worse. They were very spicy, but not in a flavorful way - Hubby wussed out and spit it in the trash. Again, the texture of the cracker is just so off-putting.
Hubby - 1 Star
Me - 2 Stars
Average 1.5 Stars
 |
| Ranchin' (for soup) and Sizzlin' (for trash) |
I am a hard devotee of Wawa's Pepperoni & Cheese Cups, but recently they've changed the set up (thicker pepperoni, less product for more money), so I was interested to see what Buc-ee's could offer. They have a few different options, and I picked up Peppered Turkey. Unfortunately, the meat was dry and kind of hard. The cubed cheese - Monterey Jack and Cheddar - was good and fresh. But for the price I paid, I wasn't impressed with the Meat Cup. Also, the pretzels were too hard for me. I think I'll be sticking with my Wawa cup if I want meat with my cheese.
Me - 2 Stars (Meat Cup)
Me - 3 Stars (Cheese Cup)
(Hubby didn't try)
 |
| Pretzels on top; Cheddar & Jack Cheese, Peppered Turkey |
 |
| +5 Points for the OCD Preparation of this container |
Sheetz Hot & Spicy Peanuts
This tube is huge, more than double the size of the Lance nuts I usually get from the gas station. Two Lance tubes equals the same cost as these, so this tube is a better value, too! The nuts are nice and firm in my hand, not squishy like some other nuts I've handled. They're spicy and salty and a good size (nobody likes small nuts). I would definitely pick up a few of these again if I were in a Sheetz in the future.
Hubby - 3 Stars
Hubby - 3 Stars
Me - 5 Stars
Average - 4 Stars
 |
| Baby, let me hold these nuts in my hand |
Clark Cups
This is my first time trying anything from Clark's, and I'm glad we only spent a buck on these. The chocolate was very viscous; I didn't like it. It tasted like a Butterfinger inside of a peanut butter cup (and looking at the label, well, that's pretty much what it is...) Not a huge fan, but if someone put one inside my trick-or-treat bag, I'd eat it. From the fridge, I liked them more, but they'd be too hard to eat if frozen. Hubby - 3.5 Stars
Me - 3 Stars
Average - 3.25 Stars
Butterscotch Smoothie Peanut Butter Cups
Whoa, Nellie! These were very sweet, almost cloying! Hubby loved these. I wasn't a fan, but again, if they were in my trick-or-treat bag, I'd eat it.
 |
| Glad we only got 6 |
Whoa, Nellie! These were very sweet, almost cloying! Hubby loved these. I wasn't a fan, but again, if they were in my trick-or-treat bag, I'd eat it.
Hubby - 5 Stars
Me - 3 Stars
Average - 4 Stars
 |
| You wouldn't think Butterscotch and Peanut Butter would go together... and you'd be right |
Ahem... Anyway, automatic fail. I despise coconut. I had to spit this out - I cannot handle the texture of coconut in my mouth. Suffice it to say, Hubby gets to eat the other 5 and a half cups.
 |
| NOWHERE in the description does it say coconut (only in the ingredient list) |
The Banana Pudding Cup was tasty; it's definitely more of a "someone's meemaw's in the back makin' puddin'" type treat, than a "someone opened a can of pudding" type treat. It has Nilla Wafers, whipped topping, fresh sliced bananas layered parfait-like. For me, the pudding part was delicious; very smooth and tasted real. I am turned off by all of the 'extra' stuff, so I wouldn't enjoy eating more of it. Hubby loved it.
Hubby - 5 Stars
Me - 4 Stars
Average 4.5 Stars
The Chocolate Pudding Cup was my favorite of the two. It's delicious chocolate pudding layered with crushed Oreo and whipped topping. The pudding is nice and thick, but I hate having chunks in something smooth. If it were just a parfait of pudding/topping/pudding, I'd like it a lot more, but the chunks ruin it for me.
We forgot to rate it, but I'd say it's at least 3 Stars (Hubby liked this one over the Banana Pudding, so he'd probably give it 5 Stars).
Buc-ee’s Original Beaver Nuggets
The treat known 'round the world (or something), I was stoked to finally get to try these. First impressions? It's like someone dipped Cap'n Crunch into crunchy caramel coating. The first two or three bites were meh, but as I kept trying them, they got better and better, and I saw quickly how easy it is to just eat and eat and eat... Aesthetically, they're ugly, and reminded me like glazed popcorn shrimp. It's also a big bag, so there's a lot to eat. I might get tired of it before I finish the bag (spoiler alert: I did.)
 |
| Top: Banana Pudding Cup Bottom: Chocolate Pie Cup |
The treat known 'round the world (or something), I was stoked to finally get to try these. First impressions? It's like someone dipped Cap'n Crunch into crunchy caramel coating. The first two or three bites were meh, but as I kept trying them, they got better and better, and I saw quickly how easy it is to just eat and eat and eat... Aesthetically, they're ugly, and reminded me like glazed popcorn shrimp. It's also a big bag, so there's a lot to eat. I might get tired of it before I finish the bag (spoiler alert: I did.)
Hubby - 5 Stars
Me - 5 Stars
Average - 5 Stars
 |
| Yes, they are crack. They live up to their reputation. |
Buc-ee’s Cinnamon Sweet Beaver Nuggets
These are like the more refined, high-falutin' cousin of Beaver Nuggets. They come in a much smaller bag, which is actually a win, because these were very sweet, and there's no way I could finish an entire bag in one sitting (it took me about 3 days to finish the small bag). Hubby loved these, as did I; the taste was like the crunchy edge of a Cinnabon roll (not the inside, but the little bits that bubbled at the bottom of the pan).
Hubby - 5 Stars
Me - 5 Stars
Average - 5 Stars
 |
| Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Sweet Nuggets |
There is an off flavor here, but I don't know if it was the caramel or the chocolate, but it wasn't good. The texture of the caramel was good - chewy like a Rolo, not runny like a Caramello. Unfortunately the sea salt completely overpowered this treat. 50% less salt and this would be much better.
Hubby 2.5 Stars
Me - 2 Stars
Average - 2.25 Stars
Buc-ee’s Dark Chocolate Caramel with Sea Salt
OMG!! This one is even saltier than the Milk Chocolate one - it was so salty I had to spit it out because the flavor was so terrible. The chocolate and the caramel were both completely overpowered.
Hubby - 1 Star
Me - 1 Star
Average - 1 Star
Bucee's Cheesecake Slice w/Strawberry Glaze
Hello, my name is Lazy, and I am a cheesecake Purist. I don't want anything on my cheesecake - no chocolate, no fruit, no whipped topping, no nothing. I don't even want a graham cracker crust! I am in love with Publix's NY Cheesecake, a beautiful round concoction of all cheesecake filling, and no crust. This cheesecake has a crust, and something I greatly appreciated - a tiny cup of strawberry glaze on the side, contained so that it won't in any way violate my cheesecake goodness. The texture of the cheesecake is on point, thick and creamy (not fluffy like a French-style cheesecake). Unfortunately, the cinnamon graham cracker flavor seeped into the cheesecake itself and gave the custard a weird flavor. I kind of picked at it, but eventually gave up; the weird flavor was too much for me to deal with. It's not bad; if you're a person who likes a graham cracker crust, you'll be fine with this.
Me - 2 Stars
 |
| Cheesecake (with crust) with side of glaze |
So there you have it! These are all the treats that we brought home*. I think I gained another five pounds just by writing all of these reviews!
Stick around; my next post is a review of the bottled sodas we picked up at Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha!
*We also brought home Cheese Spread, Cheese Curds, and a Kringle, but we forgot to rate them. They were good, though!
No comments:
Post a Comment