Fritos. They’re always the last kind of chip left in that giant Costco variety pack you see at barbecues and catered lunches. It’s rare you find them in a bowl at a party, or at any social event, really. Why are Fritos always an afterthought or a backup plan? Is it because people don’t like them? Or find them boring? Or simply because every other type of chip in that variety pack (and the chip aisle) comes in more brightly colored packaging and is coated in some sort of flavor powder? I have a theory.
I believe most people don’t like Fritos simply because they haven’t had them in a while. I think we all got so used to fighting over the Cheetos and Doritos and Sour Cream & Onion Lay’s as kids that we just started believing those were better options. It’s a simple supply and demand issue: The scarcity of the other more “interesting” chips made us want them more. Because there are always Fritos available, we forget they are actually bomb, and should by no means be considered a last choice. I believe there is power in the plain salted chip, and that applies to Fritos. No fluff, no flavor powders, no Mesquite BBQ. Just oil, salt, and corn, my three favorite food groups.
Seriously, I’m tellin’ ya, try Fritos as an adult. Just try them! For me. Not because I have some vested interest in boosting Fritos’ business (I would guess Frito-Lay is doing alright monetarily), but because they are aggressively good. What else can you eat that embodies the taste of pure unadulterated corn and packs more salt than the Pacific ocean in a chip the size and shape of an acrylic nail? Not to mention that Fritos, unlike a lot of store-bought tortilla chips, actually taste fried (fitting, given their name). They almost seem to gush oil when you take a bite, creating a greasy, salty explosion that makes these lil’ chips as addicting as they are satisfying. Also, they are small, so you get more of them in a bag and you can eat them by the handful. Or you can use them to top hotdogs, throw them as a crunchy layer on top of chili, and more. What other chip can make all those claims?
Now I’m not telling you to throw out your Cool Ranches or your Sour Cream & Cheddars or your Chile Limóns. Alls I’m sayin’ is GIVE FRITOS A CHANCE! GIVE FRITOS A CHANCE! GIVE FRITOS A—
No one’s joining in? That’s fine. I didn’t want you to anyway, whatever. Harumph.
If there’s one thing I want you take away from this, it’s that, next time you see one of those infamous chip variety packs, consider choosing Fritos. If you are in any way a fan of the flavor of fried corn and salt, you won’t be disappointed. Their awesomeness may surprise you. And if not, the stakes are low—you can always go back and choose a different chip variety. I won’t be mad, just disappointed. And, hey, more Fritos for me!
