As sure as fireworks on the Fourth, Herr’s has brought out a new trio of Philly-themed chip flavors for us to vote on.
Like last year, the Chester County-based company’s Flavored By Philly asked the public to suggest potato chip flavors based on their favorite local spots, for a chance to win $5,000 and a year’s supply of chips, plus $10,000 for the spots themselves.
Three finalists were chosen. Now the public gets to decide which cheap wins this summer through an online vote. The flavor options this year are:
- Special Hot Stromboli, inspired by Romano’s Stromboli in Essington
- Potato Pierogi, inspired by Mom Mom’s Kitchen in Southwest Center City
- Cheese Ravioli and Marinara, inspired by Talluto’s in South Philly
Last year, the Corropolese Tomato Pie chip came out on top over a Roast Pork Sandwich chip based on John’s Roast Pork and a Korean BBQ Wings chip, modeled off the wings at Mike’s BBQ.
So, for the third straight year, we grabbed a couple bags of each flavor and the Billy Penn team, along with some of our WHYY colleagues, gave them a try.
The 34 taste testers picked their favorite, shared feedback and rated each flavor based on general enjoyability, accuracy to the dish they were trying to imitate, and originality.
We also paired this anecdotal data with an Instagram poll to get the public’s perspective on its favorite flavor.
Like previous years, the results showed the wide spectrum of the building’s diverse palates.
Special Hot Stromboli: “Like eating a hoagie”
These chips seek to recreate the “savory, cheesy and mild heat flavor” of the sandwich created by Nazzereno Romano here in Philadelphia in 1950, per the product description.
The chip flavor was the clear favorite in the building, getting 14 votes, with positive feedback highlighting the flavors of banana peppers, pizza dough and oregano “accurately.” Many compared the taste to a hoagie.
The “perfect blend of chip and sandwich,” one taster wrote.
“The most distinctive part is a little bit of somewhat vinegary hot-pepper flavor,” wrote another.
The major criticisms were that the chip was a little “bland” and “underwhelming.” One taster said the taste reminded him of a Subway sandwich, but not in a good way.
“Might just be me, but tasted a bit too close to processed meats,” another taster wrote.
Despite being the office favorite, the Special Hot Stromboli finished second in the Instagram poll with 21% of the votes.
Potato Pierogi: “Basically sour cream and onion”
Herr’s aimed to recreate the “sweet, creamy, and tangy flavors” of Mom Mom’s scratch-made Polish dumplings. Feedback showed they may have strayed closer to another popular chip flavor, though.
“It’s from the sour cream and onion factory, they just changed the label,” one taster said.
This made the chip “acceptable,” “solid” and “passable” for many, landing the chip at second in the office voting with 11.
The biggest gripe with the chip was that it didn’t taste distinctly enough like a pierogi. One taster, who was of Polish descent, said it was “my pick, but I’m mad about it.”
“I’m offended, this is not the food of my people,” the person added.
“Technically my favorite, but disqualified because it’s basically sour cream and onion,” another person said.
Potato Pierogi was the hands-down favorite in the online poll, with 58% of the votes.
“Mom Mom’s is the bomb bomb,” wrote one of the office tasters.
Cheese Ravioli and Marinara: Accurately tomatoey
This flavor aims to recreate the “robust cheese ravioli and bright marinara sauce” of the Italian Market restaurant’s dish, and the feedback showed it got pretty close.
“Tomatoey” was the main reaction, with comparisons to last year’s Tomato Pie chip.
“I can definitely eat this without dip,” said one taster.
“Reminds me most of the food, but not the chip I would eat,” another remarked.
The common critiques were that the chips tasted a little too sweet to be a good marinara and people weren’t picking up the cheese flavor.
Cheese Ravioli and Marinara came third in both polls, but only two votes behind Potato Pierogi in the office vote and 1 vote behind Special Hot Stromboli on Instagram.
One particularly picky taster — who began by saying “every year, regret doing this” — finally found one they like in this flavor.
“Actually not bad,” they admitted. “ Maybe the first Herr’s special chip that I like.”
Perhaps the most curious reaction was that, while the chip doesn’t need a dip to go with it, “it will definitely do a job on your breath.”
Winner(s)?
As with previous years, each chip had its lovers and haters, strengths and weaknesses. While Special Hot Stromboli was the office favorite, Potato Pierogi ran away with the online polling. Cheese Ravioli and Marinara was highlighted as the most accurate to its culinary inspiration.
What’s clear every year is this: each individual is their own best judge. So, please, compare them for yourself and vote officiailly for your favorite. The chips are available in the usual stores (we got ours at ACME) or can be ordered from the Herr’s website. Voting for the winning restaurant ends August 9.
