Product Review: Lay's Sriracha

So I tried the Chicken & Waffles, and the Cheesy Garlic Bread.  Now, I finally got my hands on the Sriracha.

I've had quite a few people lately tell me they don't know what Sriracha is, so I'll try to explain.  Sriracha sauce is a thick, red, spicy sauce made from chili peppers.  You may have seen it in Thai restaurants, in a clear plastic bottle with a green top and a picture of a rooster.


The chips are coated in a red powder.  The first bite reveals the chili peppers, followed by a little vinegar and a slightly sweet aftertaste.  Then, after the second or third bite, the heat kicks in.  WOOOOOOH!!!!  Nice and spicy!  Not quite as blisteringly hot as the Doritos Dinamita (which we refer to as "the devil's chips") but a good lingering afterburn.

 What can I say?  I'm one of those guys who likes a little pain from my snacks.  The Sriracha have my vote for the Lay's Do Us A Flavor contest.  But, the Cheesy Garlic Bread are definitely a close second!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 ghosts.

Product Review: Lay's Cheesy Garlic Bread

My second foray into the Lay's Do Us A Flavor contest finalists is Cheesy Garlic Bread.

I'm pleasantly surprised!  The cheese tastes like a rich mozzarella blend, and garlic is not too strong, striking the  perfect balance of the cheese and garlic flavors.

So far, these beat Chicken & Waffles by a landslide.  But there is still Sriracha to try...  Exciting times.

I would definitely buy these again, should they win.

Rating: 4 out of 5 ghosts.

Product Review: Lay's Chicken & Waffles

The three finalists of the Lay's Do Us A Flavor contest were announced recently.  As a chip connoisseur, I of course want to sample each of the three flavors.

The first flavor I am starting with is Chicken & Waffles. 

This is one of those times when I have to put my personal feelings aside and try to be professional.  What am I talking about?  I'm talking about how one of my Lay's Do Us A Flavor suggestions was Sriracha.  But is my name on the bag?  No, it is not.  Do I get a shot at the million?  No, I do not.  Is this a giant conspiracy on par with JFK and fake moon landing?  Time will tell, my friends.  Time. Will. Tell.  They are wise to fear the French Ghost.

On first bite they have a mostly bbq flavor (the chicken, I guess), followed by a sweet maple taste on the finish (the waffle's syrup?)

I am dissapointed.  They actually tasted like burnt waffles.  I don't know if that was on purpose, or if the chips themselves were actually burnt.

Again, let me stress this is not retaliatory.  This flavor just isn't doing it for me.  Stay tuned for more reviews!

Rating: 2 out of 5 ghosts.

The Friendly Beasts - Sufjan Stevens' version.

This is probably my second favorite Christmas song.  Enjoy... and Merry Christmas!

I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day

As we are getting closer to Christmas, I wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas songs.  "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, as arranged and performed by one of my favorite singer-songwriters, John Gorka.  Here is the poem in it's entirety:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
'There is no peace on earth, ' I said
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.'

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Product Review: Pringles Pumpkin Pie Spice

These were given to me today by a co-worker who knows my affinity for unusual potato chips.  I'm pretty sure she is at least part elf, as she is very short, and wants to put maple syrup on everything.

I definitely taste the pumpkin pie spice right away, nutmeg and a little cinnamon.  The potato and salt hit my tongue on the finish.  After eating on this canister sporadically throughout the day, I have reached this conclusion:  I don't like them.

To be fair, I just don't like mixing sweet and salty very much.  I don't like kettle corn style popcorn, for example.  I like my chips to be salty.  I'm also not a pumpkin pie enthusiast either. 

My wife really likes them, so I guess it is subjective.  If you like sweet and salty mixed, or if you really like pumpkin pie, these are good for you.  Not for me.

Rating: 3 out of 5 ghosts. 

Shameless Self Promotion

I got my first bass guitar when I was sixteen years old.  My best friend Adam Randall had been learning to play acoustic six-string guitar the year before.  As soon as I could play a little, I called him up and said, "Wanna jam?" Ever since then we have played music together in some form or another. Dozens of songs, and 4 independently released albums.

What's my point?  Well, we're working on a new album and looking for financial help via www.kickstarter.com. Think of it as a way to pre-order a great indie folk-rock album, as well as supporting a talented local Florida artist.  Watch this and enjoy!

(note: if the video below is not working, click HERE.)