Salt and vinegar has always been my go-to chip flavor.
And if you’re a committed S&V fan, you understand that the more your lips pucker — I mean that mildly painful, “50 Shades of Lay’s”-level zing — the better the chip.
When it comes to brand loyalty, I don’t have much. I’ll happily devour whatever salt-and-vinegar option lands in front of me.
That makes this the ideal chance to skip pricey name brands I usually reach for and give store-brand contenders a shot in the pursuit of salty, vinegary bliss.
We purchased two national brands and two private-label options, then ran a blind taste comparison in the name of frugality and flavor.
Round One: Kettle-Cooked Chips
As a self-declared chip connoisseur, I’d be remiss not to separate kettle-cooked chips from their standard — what do you even call “regular” potato chips? — counterparts.
We sampled two choices: our national-brand pick was Cape Cod Sea Salt & Vinegar, while the store-brand was Target’s Archer Farms Sea Salt & Vinegar.
Here’s how they fared.
Cape Cod
If you love a crunch, these are easy to enjoy: “Really, really, REALLY crunchy,” as my coworker and taste panelist Lisa McGreevy put it.
I assume that if you grab a bag of kettle chips, you want a crunch loud enough to drown out your thoughts. These deliver on that promise. Bonus: they were the only ones we sampled that contained no lactose.
(Our vegan photographer appreciated that detail.)
Another tester, Kelly Anne Smith, called the Cape Cod chips a tad “plain,” but overall the verdict was that they were agreeable.
That said, at $3.29 for a family-size bag, you have to decide if “agreeable” justifies the price.
Despite the cost, in an impromptu staff poll, these chips claimed the top spot among our Savinly readers. Apparently, we have refined—and somewhat pricey—palates.
Archer Farms
This is Target’s in-house brand, and frankly, Target should be embarrassed.
If “pleasant” describes Cape Cod, I’d call Archer Farms Sea Salt and Vinegar “unpleasant AF.”
My fellow tasters largely concurred. Social media designer Pareesa Khwaja said it felt like Target was “trying too hard… but not in a good way.”
The chips were oversized but lacked snap. On flavor, McGreevy nailed it: “This tastes like socks.”
Skip these. If you somehow find a gratis bag, put it down and walk away.
The sole upside is price: at $2.79, they’re cheaper than Cape Cod. But honestly, it’s preferable to have no chips than these.
Round Two: Regular Potato Chips
Kettle chips announce themselves with a thunderous crunch; regular potato chips are eaten with near silence. Meaning: fewer witnesses.
We pitted Lay’s, a classic, against Publix’s store-brand salt and vinegar to determine which one is worth sneaking away with.
Lay’s
Although the bags were hidden during the blind test, everyone recognized these as soon as they saw the chips.
While iconic, they’re rather uninspiring.
These are the perfect companion for a lonely Friday night of Netflix and chilling.
When you snap out of your streaming stupor, you discover your bag of Lay’s is empty and you’re left pondering where the chips — and the previous hours — disappeared.
Perhaps that’s all you expect from potato chips. But given they cost about the same as the Cape Cods, you might expect more bang for your buck.
If I had to sum up Lay’s Salt & Vinegar in one word, it would be “meh.”
Publix
These. Chips. Transformed. My. Snack. World.
It feels like there might be more salt and vinegar than actual potato in these. (I’m exaggerating, but only a little.)
Unlike the others, you can visibly see the salt coating. The first bite usually prompts an emphatic “Oh my God.”
I can’t overemphasize how tasty these are, but there’s a caveat: they’re not for the faint-hearted. Unless you genuinely enjoy S&V chips that verge on painful, this intense bag might be too much.
If you’re game to try them, there’s one more perk: at $2.69, they’re the least expensive option.
Round Three: The Ultimate Pick
My recommendation depends on the situation.
If you’re hosting a gathering, the Cape Cods are your best bet. They’re tasty without being overwhelming, and your vegan guests can snack safely.
If you’re flying solo and crave a chip that can practically knock your teeth out (because you’re a true S&V fanatic), go for the Publix salt and vinegar. Those chips are a game changer.
Curious about how Aldi stacks up against other grocery giants? Check out aldi vs walmart groceries and aldi vs trader joes for more grocery comparisons.
Jordan Hale is a staff writer at Savinly.
