French Fry Diary 614: Walkers Ranch Raccoon

Over in the UK, Lay's Potato Chips are known as Walkers Crisps, and they have the Do Us A Flavor contest there too. Several folks, including a recent episode of The Nosh Show (it's also the episode where they try the US DUAF competitors), have brought one of those flavors to my attention.

It's called Ranch Raccoon. Yeah. Let that sink in for a moment all you who thought Cappuccino and Chicken & Waffles were a bit much. Ranch. Raccoon.

Here's how the fine folks at Walkers describe this flavor: "A delicious combination of gamey meat flavour, with accents of sour cream and a garlic kick. They compliment one another beautifully."

The flavor came from the mind of one Robert Gibson, who initially rejected ideas like 'Doughnut Burger,' and decided that if Cajun Squirrel (apparently a real flavor) worked, why not Ranch Raccoon? Wow. I have no words.

Ranch Raccoon is up against some pretty stiff competition in this year's Walkers Do Us A Flavor, including Pulled Pork in a Sticky BBQ Sauce, Chip Shop Chicken Curry, Hot Dog with Tomato Ketchup, Sizzling Steak Fajita, and Cheesy Beans on Toast.

Well, if there's one thing I can say for the Brits, it's at least they had some fun with the contest. And I think it's also worth mentioning that Pickled Onion, Roast Chicken, and Prawn Cocktail are all regular flavors for Walkers Crisps. Would you try any of these flavors?

French Fry Diary 597: Bacon Pringles

I heard about these on one of my favorite new podcasts, The Nosh Show. Bacon, being one of my favorite things, along with potato chips, the hunt began for Bacon Pringles. The Bride finally found them for me at, of all places, Walmart.

Much like Pringles' bizarre holiday flavors, this exclusive flavor is available for a limited time only. But alas, it's only artificially flavored. I was expecting some sweet bacon aroma when I popped the top of the Pringles can, but I got nothing.

I'm also not really getting a bacon taste from these crisps either. There is definitely some good smoke flavor, and unlike the bacon, that's in the ingredients. They do have that addictive quality that most Pringles have, and are quite good... but on the bacon scale, this is a fail.