Why are Walkers the best selling crisps in the UK when....

[Earl Aelfheah]

... is there actually such a thing as a bad crisp? The only variety which comes to mind is the 'cheesy footballs' which had a crispy shell and a soft creme cheese type concoction in the centre. A soft 'crisp' makes no sense and indeed was disgusting. Otherwise though, I'm struggling to think of any other really bad ones.

[Nigello]

Rancherors

Discos

Spicy Nik-Naks

Monster Munch (yellow packet)

[Earl Aelfheah]

I'm definitely thinking that all the worthwhile crisp action is at either end of the price spectrum. The cheap crisps are good and the high end ones are pretty good. Walkers are OK, but nothing to write home about. It's a bit of a case of the squeezed middle.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Nigello Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Rancherors

> Discos

> Spicy Nik-Naks

> Monster Munch (yellow packet)

All excellent - although I'm ashamed to admit that I am not familiar with Rancherors.

I'm not a huge fan of the pickled onion MM, but the yellow Beef ones, as you rightly point out, are excellent. As are the Flamin' Hot.

[Nigello]

Rancheros

[Earl Aelfheah]

I wasn't picking you up on your spelling - I've not tried Rancheros.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I used to really like the Brannigans Ham & Pickle crisps, but haven't seen them in years. Does anyone know if they're still sold anywhere?

[DovertheRoad]

Yes they are still sold....just harder to find...

Re earlier points Golden Wonder were bought by Tayto the Irish crisp giant back in 2006 I think. GW were massive in Scotland when I grew up there in the 80's and I still prefer them tbh.

Pepsico now own Walkers but also the Smiths and Tudor brands. The latter they discontinued as a brand a while back. Smiths is still used on the salt n shake and a few other brands.

[Earl Aelfheah]

This is the podcast I was thinking of: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0543b11

Radio 4s Bottom Line, with an analysis of what went wrong at Golden Wonder. Featuring Paul Allen, CEO of Tayto - who bought them out after they went bankrupt.

[Otta]

Can't understand anyone saying Walkers are / were better than Golden Wonder. Walkers have always been really greasy / oily. Until recently I could still get C&O Golden Wonder in a local shop, but they seem to have disappeared now :-(

KP C&O were also a favourite. Very similar in flavour (IMO) to Tayto.

But yeah, Walkers had Gary Liniker, initially when he was doing very well on "They think it's all over". And they added Michael Owen when he was the huge young star.

But C&O in blue is unforgivable. Stupid bastards. I'll never forget the day I shoved a load of green wrappered crisps in to my gob, only to get a harsh hit of Salt & Vinegar. I thought the world had gone mad.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

I often (not so often now right enough) have Tapas in The Gowlett which consists of a pint of Guinness and a bag of Roast Beef Monster Munch.

[red devil]

Well done MrD, you've inadvertently found out rah's weak spot. Political/socio-economic debates will never be the same again on the Forum. Just one mention of Monster Munch and rah will be reduced to a gibbering wreck...

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Twiglets. A different genre to crisps in my book.

I love them but more snack than crisp.

Crisps added to a cheese roll is a thing of rare beauty. Plain crisps for me in my roll. Peanut butter and plain crisps in a white roll. Amazing scenes.

[BrandNewGuy]

I always liked Snaps at the cheap end of crisps. Made by Smiths I think. Spicy tomato flavour, friendly dragon on the packet. Yum.

[red devil]

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> But yeah, Walkers had Gary Liniker, initially when

> he was doing very well on "They think it's all

> over". And they added Michael Owen when he was the

> huge young star.

Walkers were initially just popular in the Mids, then they discovered branding...Salt 'n' Linekar...Cheese and Owen...and Gazza crying

[Help-Ma-Boab]

My work is banging out the holy trinity of Frazzles, Chipsticks and Wheatos for 39p each or 3 for a pound.

ETA: Sadly Bobbies Salt N Vinegar Twists are not available

[Earl Aelfheah]

I'm pretty sure that Salt N Vinegar Twists are sold in the aforementioned Centra on the Corner of Hindmans Road

[Earl Aelfheah]

@RedDevil - I am indeed a sucker for crisps

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Advert for Walkers just popped up on my FB timeliness. ..

[titch juicy]

I lament the sad demise of the Worcester Sauce crisp.

Very occasionally you'll see a lonely Walkers Worcester Sauce on a rack, or even more rarely these days a French Fries Worcester Sauce (they stopped putting them in their multi pack) but that's it.

Also, the biggest crisp crime in this country is the lack of Paprika flavoured crisps. On the continent they're everywhere.

I can't help feeling that UK crisp manufacturers are missing a trick here.

[Nigello]

WigWams

[Otta]

Mmmm Roast Beef Monster Munch.

In fact all Monster Munch do it for me, but beef are king!

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Spicy Nik Naks. So much promise, so much disappointment

[Louisa]

Who remembers Tavern Snacks? Pub crisps from the 1980's. My snack of choice when I was a regular in the Oglander back in the day! Also, Branigans crisps are still available in Poundland, ham and mustard flavour.

Apparently a new restaurant specialising in crisps, has recently opened on Compton Street in Soho. I kid you not!

Louisa.

[Otta]

Tavern snacks were still going a few years back. Their C&O were also along the lines of KP / Tayto.