Every year, Lay's sponsors the “Do Us A Flavor” Contest in which Americans submit their ideal potato chip flavor. Lay's then takes the four submissions they think sound the most appealing and produces them, giving consumers the opportunity to vote on their favorite chip. At the end of voting, the creator of the flavor with the most votes takes home the million dollar grand prize.
While still an eclectic group, this year’s flavors were a bit less outlandish than those of years past (such as Wasabi Ginger and Chicken and Waffles.) I tried all four of them so you don’t have to. Although they weren’t terrible, none of them was particularly great either, and I think I can honestly say that this was one of the most bizarre food experiments I’ve tried in quite a while.
New York Reuben
These chips actually taste a good deal like the sandwich they are named after. The sourdough bread flavor is dominant, but after a few chips the sauerkraut flavor really shines through. Hints of corned beef and Swiss cheese can be detected on occasion, but the chip winds up being overpowered by the sourdough taste. After a small handful, these chips just begin to taste like marginally stale bread and finishing a whole bag is nearly impossible.
NY Reuben chips are completely packed with interesting flavors, just like the city that inspired it! #VoteReuben to show your love!
— LAY'S (@LAYS) September 13, 2015
Greektown Gyro
Of the four flavors of chips I tried, I would probably say this one was the most interesting. Not my favorite nor my least favorite, these chips were just a fascinating experience to try. The flavors here are surprisingly complex for a potato chip. Immediately, the zing of the Tzatziki sauce hit my palate, a taste that for the first few chips was off putting to say the least.
After this though, the lamb/beef/mystery meat flavor dominates and actually mixes nicely with the other flavors. The chip's spices blend everything together and makes it probably the best overall tasting experience of the four.
Southern Biscuits and Gravy
My expectations for these were the lowest of any of the four flavors because of how simple they sounded. I guessed they would be the most palatable of the four, but did they taste like biscuits and gravy? An aroma of rosemary and sage erupted from the bag when I opened it, an unexpectedly pleasant scent from something such as a potato chip.
Unfortunately, the chips tasted less like the biscuits and gravy they were intended to be and more like a creamier version of a salt and pepper chip. The creaminess of the gravy is absolutely there and the seasoning is quite nice, but unfortunately the breakfast sausage flavor was just missing for me. These were absolutely a valiant effort, but they just missed the mark for me.
Pleasepleaseplease #VoteBiscuits. Every vote is so incredibly important. #DoUsAFlavor @LAYS http://t.co/ryx4uz7bWP
— #VoteBiscuits (@VoteBiscuits) September 9, 2015
West Coast Truffle Fries
I have to say that of the four flavors, these were by and large the biggest disappointment. I’ve been a truffle fry junkie ever since they got popular a few years back, and unfortunately the truffle flavor here just fell completely flat.
Lay's was smart enough to make these chips wavy, but unfortunately they taste less like truffle fries and more like a roasted potato with an odd, creamy dairy finish. It had more of a sour cream and cheddar potato chip vibe than something flavored to taste like a truffle fry.
While certainly not a bad chip by any means, they fell more in the realm of a loaded baked potato taste without the bacon flavor than anything else.
Contact this reporter at: seweinst@asu.edu or on Twitter: @S_Weinstein95
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