Lay's Limited Edition Holiday Flavors Potato Chips

 

I first spotted these at the self-checkout impulse aisle a couple weeks ago and decided I was not going to take the bait. At least at that time. But, as usually happens, my will wore down and while grabbing last-minute snacks for our neighborhood happy hour, I bit.

Much to my surprise, both the Lay's Roasted Holiday Turkey and Cheddar Scalloped Style Potatoes were among the better flavored potato chips I've sampled in some time and were met with universal approval.

Other brands like ALDI and Trader Joe's have offered Thanksgiving-centric snacks over the last couple years, including an ALDI cracker that tasted just like the Chicken in a Biskit of my youth. I was hoping the Roasted Holiday Turkey flavor would mine similar territory, but it leans more heavily into "what if we took Stove-Top Stuffing Mix and put it on a potato chip?" territory.

Though I'm a big fan of all things Stove Top (I recently had to explain to a friend that the appeal of Stove Top was that it was ready in like 10 minutes), flavored chips can be a little heavy-handed. Instead, the chips have a flavor that conjures up sticking your face in a just opened bag of Stove Top mix with a hint of turkey lunchmeat.

Meanwhile, the Cheddar Scalloped Style Potatoes (which caused another pal to joke "potato-flavored potato chips ... what will they think of next?!") trod familiar ground for those of us that regularly purchase "cheese flavored" chips. These have the a creaminess that brings to mind the illegitimate love child of sour cream and onion chips mixed with cheddar chips.

The small bags are not cheap (I believe these were almost $3 each at my local Giant), but I'm also averse to shelling out bigger bucks for — and being stuck with — chips that often suck.

These do not suck. — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet, which is soliciting submissions for its upcoming 14th issue (Spring 2027). Visit hungovergourmet.com/contribute for more details or email editor@hungovergourmet.com.

Lighthouse Bistro (Annapolis, MD)

A warm October afternoon seemed like the perfect chance to meet up with friends who were moving out of the area, so we made our second visit to this small, but busy restaurant located off Annapolis' bustling main drag. 

Without fail, the first beer I ordered was no longer available, so I settled for a crisp, light Delco lager. (This happens so often that it's a running joke with my wife and me.) A side of Crab Dip with a Kick (pictured) came with crisp house-fried tortilla chips perfect for holding the creamy dip filled with crab and jalapeno, plus some fried jalapeno on top. The plentiful crab justified the $16 price, and there was plenty to go around.

I had been eyeing up the Meatloaf Hash (meatloaf, two eggs, onions, scallions, potatoes) but decided on a burger with Swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms and fried onions. While cooked the way I like it, the burger was kinda bland and in need of a sturdier roll, as the crappy Maryland roll disintegrated on my first bite. Also, serving tomatoes after Labor Day should be like wearing white — just don't do it.

The rest of the group enjoyed the Chicken Salad, Bistro Club, and Eggs Benedict with pork over biscuits. Aside from the food and atmosphere, Lighthouse Bistro gets high marks for a mission focused on providing hands-on training, job experience and living-wage employment to individuals facing barriers to work, especially those transitioning out of homelessness. — Dan Taylor

Doritos Ultimate Garlic Parm Snack Chips

I am not entirely sure what Ultimate Garlic Parm flavoring has to do with America's 250th Birthday, but okay. Unfortunately, these were pretty bland and tasted more like regular Doritos than anything. Happy Hour taste testers were equally unimpressed. I don't even think the group of us finished off the tiny, impulse purchase bag. – Dan Taylor

March Madness and Filet-O-Fish with The Hungover Gourmet

 

The Hungover Gourmet celebrates the start of March Madness with his annual Filet-O-Fish from McDonald's. Are they still great? Are rumors of shrinkage true? Will Cosmo make another appearance?

Watch and find out — plus all the details on this weekend's BaltoZine Fest with The Hungover Gourmet, Saltbox Concern, and Kinema at Atomic Books from 6-8 pm.

VIDEO: The Hungover Gourmet Tries the McDonald's Big Arch Limited Time Sandwich

 

Longtime readers of The Hungover Gourmet know that I'm a sucker for a limited edition fast food offering. So, when The Big Arch finally arrived on our shores after years of international availability, well, you know I had to give it a try.

What's the verdict? Watch and find out!

REVIEW: ALDI Fremont Fish Market Sweet & Spicy Crispy Battered Shrimp

It's an ALDI Thing: I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with ALDI shrimp products. Sometimes they're great, like the Tempura Shrimp, Shrimp Skewers and the Wild Caught Argentine Red Shrimp. Sometimes they're not, like the Boom Boom Shrimp, Dynamite Shrimp, Popcorn Shrimp, and Creamy Wonton Stuffed Crispy Shrimp. I could go on.

So, when my daughter and I swung into ALDI to grab brownie ingredients, something for dinner, and a quick appetizer for that evening's neighborhood happy hour, these caught my eye. They're not even on the ALDI website yet, so I think my store might have been a little premature in putting them out in the case. (It wouldn't be the first time. They jumped the gun a couple weeks ago and had the faux Filet-O-Fish patties out a few days ahead of time.)

Anyway, I knew I was risking my Happy Hour Appetizer Guy reputation by bringing something that I hadn't tried or read any reviews of, but I wasn't bringing the stuffed clams (might as well just make some Stove Top), the Reuben Bites scared me a little, and while the Chicken Momos were excellent, they would have required too much work.

Turns out the Fremont Fish Market Sweet & Spicy Crispy Battered Shrimp were far easier to make than to say. (What a mouthful!) I bought two boxes, preheated the oven while I cracked a beer, and saved half a box since my wife wasn't going to make it to happy hour. (After I have a few random bags of leftover uncooked apps in the freezer, I'll throw them all on a pan for an appetizer assortment.)

After ten minutes in the oven I turned the shrimp over, warmed up the sauce packets (two per box), and got my serving tray ready. 10 minutes later the resulting shrimp were definitely crispy and battered, but hidden inside were plump, tasty shrimp and the chile dipping sauce gave them the promised sweet and spicy kick. So, in retrospect, I guess the product needed all those words in the name after all.

Verdict: The Fremont Fish Market Sweet & Spicy Crispy Battered Shrimp (whew) were a big hit and were quickly devoured by our Happy Hour Crew. Even the most judgmental attendees gave them a raised eyebrow, appreciative nod, and a return visit to the tray. Leftover sauce was also used for dunking whatever else was around the table. – Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet (new issue out now!) and his Happy Hour Appetizer Guy reputation remains intact.

REVIEW: ALDI Journey to Nepal Chicken Momos

IT'S AN ALDI THING: Bought these Journey to Nepal Chicken Momos on a whim yesterday while picking stuff up for dinner. We love dumplings, pot stickers, etc., so I figured these would be right up our alley. 

Turns out I was correct! I didn't feel like pan frying them or hauling out the air fryer, so I ended up steaming these (half a bag at a time) for the recommended 12 minutes. 

The resulting momos were tender and delicious, and they are as packed with ingredients as the packaging suggests. Also, it's super fun to say "momo". 

Naturally, these are an ALDI Find so grab them while you can. They're also available in a vegetable version and they come with a sesame dipping sauce. 

$6.50 for a bag of 12 with dipping sauce. 

Momo. – Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. Get your copy of our latest issue at our store!