tostitos

taste test

Get Your Snack On With Tostitos Cantina-Style Chips and Salsa

Few pairings work better than crisp corn chips and fiery salsa; unfortunately, this classic Mexican-restaurant starter rarely translates well to supermarket offerings.

Few pairings work better than crisp corn chips and fiery salsa; unfortunately, this classic Mexican-restaurant starter rarely translates well to supermarket offerings. Tostitos aims to change this with its latest line of restaurant-style chips and salsa, so naturally we felt compelled to see if they could stack up to this oft-insurmountable task.

Tostitos Cantina Chipotle Restaurant-Style Salsa

Fans of smoky heat were smitten with this option, praising its prominent chipotle punch and perfect level of heat that tingles taste buds without lighting one's mouth on fire, making it all too easy to come back for seconds. One taster even noted that it lived up to its promise, as it reminded her of her favorite cantina's salsa. That said, it was a touch too smoky for some, so if you're not a chipotle super fan, skip the jar.

Tasters' average rating:


Tostitos Cantina Roasted Garlic Thick & Chunky Salsa

This roasted garlic-laced salsa left some tasters uninspired, citing a slightly too-sweet flavor and watery texture as its undoing, though most found it better than standard supermarket salsa. Those who enjoyed it touted its just-right level of punchy garlic, tanginess, and balanced saltiness. All in all, try this one for yourself: essentially, it came down to a matter of personal preference.

Tasters' average rating:


Keep reading to learn how their tortilla chips fared.

Rant

Fittingly Mad: MultiGrain vs. Restaurant Style Tostitos

I made an interesting discovery at the grocery store the other day.

I made an interesting discovery at the grocery store the other day. Chips and salsa are something I like to have on occasion and I typically buy some au natural chips. My husband, however, prefers Tostitos, and is relentless about voicing his preference.

This time I gave into him, but then I noticed Tostitos is now making a Multigrain variety made with whole oat, whole wheat and buckwheat flours - this was written in a nice font on the front of the bag. So, my hubby got his Restaurant Style, I got my Multigrain - both of us satisfied that we got our way.

The problem happened when I got home and actually read the label -- Not only is the main ingredient of these chips still corn, but the Multigrain chips actually have more calories, fat, sodium and sugar (10 more calories, 1 g fat, 15 mg sodium and 1 g sugar per ounce) than the Restaurant Style chips. I realized that while the Restaurant Style chips are probably more healthy, better tasting and cheaper, Tostitos is marketing toward people who, like me, are easily drawn (like a moth to a flame really) to labels like 'Multigrain' even if it is not in fact healthier. Sure, there is a bit more fiber (1 gram) in the Multigrain chips, but let's be honest; I am NOT eating tortilla chips for their fiber content. What's even worse? Now my husband thinks he is the authority on eating light. Twist the knife even more....

I have decided to take this incident, as I did my tequila to wash down all those chips, with a grain of salt. I should have known better, but I have learned once again to always read the label. And that when I want tortilla chips, I will just stick to the regular tortilla chips from here on out and eat them in moderation.