Junk Food Nation, we are on OFFICIAL SANDY WATCH! And I must say, local news networks are getting good at ratcheting up the panic.  Last night, I was all, “Oh, it’s just going to be a little rain.” Then schools were cancelled.  Then the entire subway and bus system was suspended.  Then the government and courts shut down! Even then, my only concern was “Let me park away from some trees, and let this goulash I’ve been slow cooking for several hours be delicious tomorrow.”

I woke up this morning, prepared to blog about some more Halloween schtick, and decided to briefly turn on the local news. Bad idea. Not only am I now creeped out by the shouting talking heads and the large weather system images, (like a big swirling red thing moving over the DC area), but the footage from the coastlines is quite frightening.  Here in DC proper, there’s a little rain and mild wind.  On the coast, piers are being ripped apart and people are evacuating!  And while most DC-ers I know are sarcastically fearing the storm via social media…every news reporter is looking ominously at the camera and saying, “YOU’RE NEXT.”

Well, EFF THAT.  Lucky for me, my condo is in a building so old I’m pretty sure there’s asbestos still in the walls, and that means all the power lines are embedded in five foot thick concrete.  I’m hunkered down here with plenty of junk food and water and booze – Halloween schtick will have to wait. I gots Slim Jims to eat and NFL Films to watch.

I will say though that some of my favorite costumes I saw on Facebook from the weekend were people dressed up as “blind” NFL replacement refs and a girl who dressed up as a laundry basket, complete with socks stuck to her shirt and dryer sheets tying up her hair.  Cute.

Stay dry out there, East Coast Junk Food Nation!

Today’s Junk Food: a smorgasbord review of all the Pop Chips Tortilla Chips flavors: Nacho Cheese, Ranch, Salsa, Chili Limon!

I love Pop Chips generally, and have had the chance to review several of their regular chip line flavors.  When I saw that at my local Walgreens they had Pop Chips Tortilla Chips in four different flavors (Nacho Cheese, Ranch, Salsa, Chili Limon), I was EXCITED.  I really didn’t know what to expect – Pop Chips making tortilla chips??? – but I grabbed them anyways.  So without further ado, my review of all four flavors!

First up, the Pop Chips Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips!

Pop Chips Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips – DELICIOUS.  First, great texture – light and crispy, this chip is reminiscent of a tortilla chip but more…well, puffy and airy.  Each chew gives off that great corn tortilla flavor – this does not taste like a popcorn chip or anything.  Also, because these are so light and airy, the crunch allows the seasoning to almost literally burst off the surface onto your taste buds.  Always liked this aspect of Pop Chips.

Second, the flavor.  Nacho cheese – REALLY strong flavor, and it reminded me indeed of the flavor you get from a plate of nachos.  Strong cheese taste, mixed with nice tomato powder and what seemed to me to be a tiny chili powder flavor.  Combined, it produced a nice healthy nacho cheese flavor.  Tasted great.  Really liked these.

Next – Pop Chips Ranch Tortilla Chips!

Whereas I really liked the Nacho Cheese variety, I did NOT enjoy these Pop Chips Ranch Tortilla Chips…which is a shame because I like ranch things!  While the ranch flavor was there, it (1) wasn’t strong enough, and (2) had a very VERY strange bitterness to it.  I can’t really describe it.  It was like the cream was off, or these was too much onion powder, or something.  Maybe this is what ranch tastes like and I’ve been fooled by Doritos all these years…but I doubt it.

Moving on to Pop Chips Salsa Tortilla Chips!

Pop Chips Salsa Tortilla Chips were decent – this chip didn’t have any cheese as a component, so these didn’t have the same creaminess as the previous two varieties.  Instead, this chip was just an all out blast of powdered seasoning.  I tasted onion, garlic, chili powder, paprika, parsley – all good and topped off by a nice strong proportion of tomato powder.  Altogether, a very nice spice combo.  Did it remind me of salsa? Not really…but I still liked the flavor.  Kind of tastes like the Nacho Cheese flavor, but with no cheese (same spice profile).

And finally, Pop Chips Chili Limon Tortilla Chips!

Pop Chips Chili Limon Tortilla Chips were good!  I wasn’t scared off by the limon part of it like in so many snacks.  As soon as I placed the chip in my mouth, I could taste the lime, but these chips tasted nice and savory – plenty of onion and garlic powder and turmeric.  The lime seasoning was muted and actually sour enough to make it taste like an actual lime squeezed on these.  Overall, a great version of chili limon.  Really tasty with the corn tortilla chip crunch.

So that’s my quick rundown!  If I had to rank them:

1) Nacho Cheese

2) Chili Limon

3) Salsa

4) Ranch

You should try these if you haven’t already – definitely worth it.

PURCHASED AT: Walgreens

COST: $1.00 each

Thoughts? Please comment below (I always reply) or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. Also, you can always email me at junkfoodguy@junkfoodguy.com. Let’s hang out.

Sincerely,

Junk Food Guy