Clancy's Ridged Potato Chips – Hot Cheddar & Sour Cream and Jalapeno Ranch

Today, Kevin and I are excited to review Clancy's Ridge Potato Chips. We picked up two flavors from Aldi: Hot Cheddar & Sour Cream and Jalapeno Ranch. Each bag cost $2.19. Clancy's is an Aldi-exclusive brand based in Illinois, offering gluten-free chips with no artificial flavors.

Each 9 oz bag contains nine servings, with each serving (28g or 12 chips) containing 150 calories. Let's dive into the taste test.

Hot Cheddar & Sour Cream

The Hot Cheddar & Sour Cream flavor features a blend of red pepper and cheese. The chips have a satisfying crunch and occasional fold-overs, which are a treat for chip enthusiasts.

Taste Test:

• Texture: Crunchy with a rare fold-over chip.
• Flavor: The initial taste gives a tingle on the tongue, followed by a strong, artificial cheese flavor. It’s reminiscent of powdered cheese, similar to what's found in boxed macaroni and cheese.
• Spice Level: The heat is subtle and varies from person to person. Some might experience a light sting, while others might find it almost non-existent.
• Overall: The funky cheese flavor wasn’t appealing. Both Kevin and I agreed that we wouldn’t buy this flavor again. It didn’t meet our expectations for a savory, cheesy chip.

Jalapeno Ranch

Next, we tried the Jalapeno Ranch flavor. Surprisingly, the ingredients list didn’t explicitly mention jalapeno, but the aroma and flavor suggested otherwise.

Taste Test:

• Texture: These chips are softer compared to other ridged chips, making them less suitable for dipping.
• Flavor: The predominant scent is ranch, which is also the primary flavor, with a creamy undertone. Despite the absence of jalapeno in the ingredients, the chips deliver a pleasant green jalapeno taste.
• Spice Level: Mild heat, similar to Miss Vickie’s Jalapeno Chips, but much softer in texture.
• Overall: These chips were a hit. The combination of ranch and jalapeno was well-balanced, making it a flavor we would buy again. They’d pair well with a ranch dip for added creaminess.

Conclusion

In summary, Clancy's Ridge Potato Chips offer distinct flavors that cater to different tastes. The Hot Cheddar & Sour Cream flavor might not appeal to everyone due to its strong artificial cheese taste. However, the Jalapeno Ranch flavor stands out with its creamy ranch and mild heat, making it a recommended choice for spice lovers.