Junk Food Nation, I want to address an epidemic. AN EPIDEMIC. And I’m going to call it, UnauthorizedPhoneGrab-itis.  The name is a work in progress. Here’s what I’m referring to:

In this day and age, most, if not all, of us carry photos around on our phones. Our phones are our cameras, because most people don’t even own point-and-shoot-cams anymore. And there comes a time when we want to show one photo to a friend of ours. You say, “Oh hey, [Mike or Shirley or whoever-the-hell] – you’ve got to see this picture I took over the weekend.” And you take your phone out, flip to picture, and hold it out for people to see.  And that’s when it happens.

For some GODDAMN REASON, your “friend” thinks it is normal behavior to take phone out of your hand, and start flipping through all your photos. UM, NO. I told you I wanted to show you ONE photo, grabby. NOT MY ENTIRE PORTFOLIO.  Why the HELL would you think that was ok? If you offered me a chip from your lunch, I wouldn’t eat it and then start sampling all the other parts of your meal. So why would you think that my sharing a photo with you gives you unfettered access to my Albums? This ain’t no backstage pass, you MANIAC.

I actually had a friend take the phone, look at the photo, and muse out loud, “Let’s see what else you got in here” and start to thumb swipe through everything. SLOW DOWN THERE, COLUMBUS. WHAT WORLDS ARE YOU TRYING TO EXPLORE HERE.  Another time, the same friend went for the phone, and I held FIRM onto my phone, and when she couldn’t pull the phone away from me, she looked at me quizzically, asking, “Well….can I see it?” YOU’RE SEEING IT, CRAZY. YOU’RE SEEING WHAT I WANT TO SHOW YOU. And then she looked at ME like *I* was rude. Sorry, grabby – no soup for you.

So let’s end this epidemic NOW. When someone goes to show you a photo, look at how they’re holding their phone – is it being passed to you, casually? Then you can probably take the phone into your own hands. Is it being held out like a mini flatscreen TV? Hands off. And hey – how about BEFORE you go swiping to my crotch shot album, you ASK first?  Let’s all try that from now on.

I dunno, what do you think, Junk Food Nation? Tell me in the comments below.

Today’s junk food: 7 Select BBQ Potato Chips!

7 Select BBQ Potato Chips: The Money Shots

I haven’t reviewed very many 7-11 brand products on this blog, save for the amazing S’mores ice cream sandwich that started it all, and some Big Bite Potato Chips. Despite that, today marks the third day in a row where I’ve reviewed a product purchased at 7-11.  Hmm. Giving you a lot of shine this week, 7-11.

First up: 7 Select Memphis Style BBQ Potato Chips!

7 Select Memphis Style BBQ Potato Chips: The Money Shot

7 Select Memphis Style BBQ Potato Chips: Sweet and Hot

7 Select Memphis Style BBQ Potato Chips: 150 cal per serving

7 Select Memphis Style BBQ Potato Chips: Where’s the smoke?

7 Select Memphis Style BBQ Potato Chips: Red Speckled

When I opened this bag of 7 Select Memphis Style BBQ Potato Chips and sniffed, I got the smell of a faint BBQ chip. Very similar to the smell you might get from a bag of Lay’s or a can of Pringles.  Pretty standard. Memphis BBQ usually focuses on wet and dry ribs. I expected these to be super flavorful.

When I chewed these chips, however, I was extremely disappointed. The flavors on these did not pop at all, and they certainly were not “sweet” or “hot.” I licked the chip – MEH. A faint smokiness, and still not real heat or sweet or whatever.  I was baffled – these were not good. They were barely BBQ.  If there was ANY flavor emphasized, I GUESS it would be a slight sweetness (prob because of the brown sugar) but these were one of the meekest BBQ chips I’d ever had. No, 7-11. NO.

NEXT: 7 Select Carolina Style BBQ Potato Chips!

7 Select Carolina Style BBQ Potato Chips: The Money Shot

7 Select Carolina Style BBQ Potato Chips: Tangy and Sweet

7 Select Carolina Style BBQ Potato Chips: 150 cal per serving

7 Select Carolina Style BBQ Potato Chips: VINEGAR!

7 Select Carolina Style BBQ Potato Chips: Barely any powder

When I opened this bag of 7 Select Carolina Style BBQ Potato Chips, I smelled a strong sweet mustard smell.  North Carolina style BBQ is more vinegar based, which is not what I smelled…so I’m guessing these are more representative of South Carolina BBQ, which in some regions is characterized by “yellow ‘Carolina Gold’ sauce, made from a mixture of yellow mustard, vinegar, brown sugar and other spices.”

When I chewed these chips, I was more pleased than when I ate the Memphis ones, but only slightly.  The honey mustard flavor was there, but wasn’t bold enough. There still was some decent tang from the sugar and spices, and there was a tiny bit of smokiness.  Still in today’s trend of super bold flavors, these registered at, say, a 5 out of 10. Tangy and Sweet? Just sort of.

Both of these BBQ flavor chips were underwhelming, and I probably wouldn’t buy them again. Sorry, 7-11.

PURCHASED AT: 7-11

COST: $1.00 each

Thoughts? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. I also have Google+!! Let’s hang out.

Sincerely,

Junk Food Guy