For the last three years, we have waited on bated breath for Frito-Lay to announce the blessed finalists in the (perfectly named) “Do Us a Flavor” chip competition. After such “greats” like 2013’s “Cheesy Garlic Bread” and 2014’s “Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger” took the top spot in previous incarnations, we knew that something truly special was going to be in the works for 2015. Thankfully, the chip company revealed the four final contenders last month through a strange cross-country road-trip video featuring “restaurateur and foodie” Nick Lachey surprising the lucky contestants with their potato chip creations. The flavors that have been considered worthy by Frito-Lay for mass production are as follows: West Coast Truffle Fries, Greektown Gyro, Southern Biscuits & Gravy, and New York Reuben.
Before the chip gods come down and shine favor on one insane flavor later this year, the FLOOD editorial staff bravely tasted the novelty chips and shared their thoughts on each. Below, read our immediate reactions to tasting the Do Us a Flavor final four, from best to worst.
We’re sorry in advance, Frito-Lay.
Southern Biscuits & Gravy
“Apparently the wizard Bertie Bott now works for Lay’s, because the authenticity of this flavor is straight magic.” – Christian Koons
“The ultimate hangover food turned into a dust and sprinkled onto a chip. Plus you can eat them without having to take a nap afterwards. Like Waffle House, they’re way better than they should be, and will be very popular on SEC campuses.” – Marty Sartini Garner
“What’s amazing is that they were able to capture not just the flavor of biscuits and gravy, but the post-meal stomachache as well.” – Nate Rogers
“I don’t eat biscuits and gravy, well, ever, but I will keep eating these strangely meaty chips. So dusty, so delicious.” – Bailey Pennick
West Coast Truffle Fries
“Truffle oil has been used to anoint pretty much every food under the sun. You’d think that Big Potato could spring for a bigger jar of the stuff; this just tastes like sour cream and onion to me.” – Marty
“I don’t think that you can win a ‘crazy flavor contest’ with something that’s base is potato itself. It just seems like a cop-out. A pretty delicious cop-out, but a cop-out nonetheless.” – Bailey
“It’s easy to see why this slightly truffley redux of the classic sour cream chip is popular, but it just doesn’t feel ambitious or risky enough to qualify for a competition of this caliber.” – Christian
“This is like the chip equivalent of betting one dollar on The Price Is Right.” – Nate
New York Reuben
“When you open the bag, it smells like a pickle, but there is no pickle taste. Where did the pickle essence come from?!?” – Bailey
“Hmmm, not really reuben-esque, but not too bad either. For some reason I taste SpaghettiOs.” – Christian
“I’ve never been so delighted by the taste of stale rye bread.” – Marty
“There’s very little meat in these gym mats.” – Nate
Greektown Gyro
“The Greek people really don’t need an insult like this right now.” – Nate
“This tastes like dried paste mixed with a packet of ranch-dressing spices.” – Marty
“I don’t know where this ‘Greektown’ is, but, my lord, I never want to go there.” – Bailey
“I’m not getting as much spiced lamb flavor as I am…moldy gym sock. Shut it down. SHUT IT DOWN.” – Christian
