Review: Flamin’ Hot Ruffles & First Bite: Entree or Sides?
JFG Nation, over on Deadspin someone posed an interesting question: when you get a meal at a restaurant, what is your first bite? Is it the entree or the sides?
It got me thinking: I think I ALWAYS go for a side bite first. When I get a burger and fries, a fry goes into my mouth before I touch the burger. Steak and mashed potatoes? I always scoop a bit of mashed potato before I cut into that steak.
Why? Because I am usually so hungry when the food arrives that I need to feed the beast a little bit to take the edge off before I jump into the title card event. I think that’s it – I don’t want to blindly hunger-crush my main and not enjoy it, so that bite of lobster mac and cheese needs to put out the fire.
Of course, it really depends on how you identify “sides” right? I don’t count celery on the side of wings or ginger on the side of sushi. Asian food doesn’t really have “sides” and I don’t count the dozen dumplings you ordered on the side of your vat of lo mein. I’m talking an actual traditional side item of food which is intended as a small flavor bomb in and of itself.
What say you, JFG Nation? Comment below.
Today’s junk food: Flamin’ Hot Ruffles!!
Let me just say this: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are the JFGal’s favorite snack. Ever. EVER. So these Ruffles have high standards to live up to. Of course, Cheddar Sour Cream Ruffles are one of MY favorite snacks, so I have high hopes.
DO THESE TASTE GOOD? Yes, great googly moogly YES.
WHY OR WHY NOT? These are delicious. Potential new addition to favorite snack pantheon. Dangerous.
The flavor profile is simple – amazing crispy Ruffles. Flamin’ Hot seasoning – that Latin combo of spicy chile flavor and burn coupled with tang that makes your mouth water. Probably because of the chip format, but I didn’t feel these were as spicy as Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Still, decent burn.
On top of that, these chips had a bit of cheese flavor to add to the Flamin’ Hot taste, giving just a tad bit more flavor and savoriness to the entire chip. Really really good. I wouldn’t go so far as saying this was like a spicy Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffle, but there were enough of those notes to keep the chip balanced.
Just a good crisp spicy savory chip. Ruffles, you’ve done it again. Should’ve released these sooner!
ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW? These aren’t new but I avoided them because I didn’t eat them because I figured nothing could top Hot Cheetos. MISTAKE!
Also, the JFGal gave these a thumbs up. JFGAL ENDORSED, PEOPLE!
PURCHASED AT: Walmart, Frederick, MD.
WHERE FOUND IN STORE? Chip aisle.
COST? $2.88 on sale.
Sincerely,
The JFG
Discuss - 9 Comments
I also eat the side first, and the main entree second. My rationale is different though. I like my side to last throughout the duration of my main entree as I am eating. So I think of it as doling out the side in small bits to see me through the main entree. Generally the side is generous so I start with it first and stretch it out. For example, fries are ample at Five Guys. I eat fries, burger, fries….and generally end with fries too. Now they have shakes (which are super yummy) so I can end with dipping fries into my shake as a dessert 🙂
I too have always been a Flamin’ Hot fan. But my favorite was the original… Flamin’ hot Doritos. I ate these 20 years ago in college daily. Do we know why they ended that flavor? Spicy Nacho Doritos doesn’t quite capture the flavor or FH.
I had no idea those existed! I wish those still did and that Flaming Hot Fritos came in bigger bags.
It depends too much. If I’m waiting for someone else, I’ll nibble sides. Otherwise I’ll dive right in to the good stuff.
Of course, I also not infrequently order the entree salad. Unless you count the crackers and if I eat those I eat them last, there are no sides.
I don’t really have a standard procedure, except that I will eat all salad first. When I eat at home, unless the main dish contains a large amount of vegetables, I’ll always have a salad. So I eat that first. And if I’m out and have a side salad with me entree i’ll eat that first
Side first, usually.
I always eat the nastiest/least good thing on my plate first. Just prefer to really enjoy my ,ain event (sometimes the side is the best thing).
If it’s a potato side, I eat it first, because I love potatoes. I’d be perfectly fine with potatoes as a main with something else on the side.
I’m? not a fan of Frito-Lays potatoes — its corn is just way too good — but those do sound good.
It’s wonderful that you are getting ideas from this article as well as
from our argument made here.
All I can say is these look epic!