Glenny's American Fries, Ketchup Flavor
Glenny's, maker of Soy Crisps, also makes American Fries, snacks that "have the great potato taste of French Fries but are baked and have 70% less fat than potato chips!" Available in ketchup, yellow cheddar, and sea salt flavors, they're "krinkle cut for crispy flavor."
I'm not entirely sure what makes these snacks "American"—is it the ketchup flavor? The cheddar? Or were they just afraid to call them "French" fries and wise enough to not call them "Freedom" fries? It's clever marketing, using the Old Glory in the background to rouse up patriotic sentiments of a nation. Somehow, America = fries + ketchup! Or, worse: America = dry, starchy, baked potato matter that stinks of ketchup.
The unmistakable ketchup odor assaults you when you open the bag, and you fear the worst. The ketchup flavor isn't as bad as the odor, but they stray very far from anything remotely delicious. If I have to say something nice: they don't taste nearly as bad as they smell. Glenny's also gets credit for not messing around by adding junk like MSG or HFCS.
The main ingredient is "potatoes"—parentheses inform that they're actually made of delicious-sounding elements such as potato flakes, potato granules, and potato starch. And it sure tastes like it—the texture is awful: dry, granulated, and starchy. Two hours later and I'm still tasting ketchup. Make it stop.
Also, a bag this size really should contain more than 1.2 ounces of potato products. Not only is it gross, it's not even a good value. At $1.79 for a bag, that's $23.87 per pound! Shameful.
Verdict: Don't.
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11 Comments:
Herr's makes a potato chip that claims to use real Heinz ketchup in the flavoring, making it an all-Pennsylvania product, I guess. While it doesn't taste horrible, the bag sure did seem to last a long time, if you know what I mean. Glenny's American Fries sounds awful, though.
ronfrankl at 11:56AM on 09/12/08
@ronfrankl: Ooh, it was awful. I actually like ketchup-flavored chips! But ketchup flavored cardboard-like substance, less so.
roboppy at 12:05PM on 09/12/08
Oh but now I'm so curious...
surplusj at 12:12PM on 09/12/08
warning! don't get the cheddar flavor! its more awful than the ketchup flavor.
Ultrateg at 12:32PM on 09/12/08
@Ultrateg: I'm not sure that's even possible. I have to try them.
Raphael at 1:07PM on 09/12/08
@raphael: NOOO!! NO MOORE.
roboppy at 1:29PM on 09/12/08
@roboppy: It's a service to our readers. It must be done.
Raphael at 2:42PM on 09/12/08
is it weird that i kind of enjoy the ketchup flavor one?
Ultrateg at 4:30PM on 09/12/08
Yikes, I think I may just stick to my plain 'ol fried pork rinds by Wise.
iamon02 at 4:39PM on 09/12/08
What a disappointment! Can someone let me know when there's a good ketchup-flavored junk food product available in the midwest? I loved the ketchup chips I had in Canada and haven't found anything similar at home.
LiveToEat at 5:11PM on 09/12/08
wow. just looking at that makes me nauseous.
kacie at 3:42AM on 09/15/08