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!

Baltozine Fest at Atomic Books in Baltimore on March 21

 

Join The Hungover Gourmet and other Baltimore independent publishers for the Baltozine Fest on Saturday, March 21 from 6-8 pm. 

We'll be joined by publishers from Salt Box Concern and Kinema: A Japan Travelogue at Atomic Books in Hampden.

Come on out, mingle, buy some zines, and support local retail and indie publishing!

VIDEO: What's The Hungover Gourmet #13 All About? Watch and Find Out!

 

It didn't make the cut for the Super Bowl—they said I had to pay to air it—but here's a new promo video for our latest issue.

You Know it's Almost Lent When...

You know it's almost Lent when Popeyes puts out the "Seafood is Back!" banner. 

Besides McDonald's Filet-O-Fish, what's your favorite meatless fast food meal?

Herr's Kettle Cooked Spinach & Artichoke Dip Flavored Potato Chips

Well these were a big disappointment. Had you not told me they were supposed to taste like Spinach & Artichoke Dip I'd have never guessed that was the flavor. Crisp and salty as the roads around Baltimore, but not worth the price ($2.69 per small bag). – Dan Taylor

The Hungover Gourmet 13 — Order Your Copy Today!

Get ready to feast your eyes on Issue #13 of The Hungover Gourmet! 

The offbeat journal of food, drink, travel, and fun returns with a potluck of supermarket nostalgia, culinary chaos, and pop culture deep dives. Whether you're a coupon-clipping cost-cutter, a roast beef romantic, or a congealed salad connoisseur, this issue has something for every flavor of foodie and retro renegade. 

• Supermarket Report Card: THG calls it like he sees it with an honest grading of grocery giants like ALDI, Lidl, Wegmans, and more. 
• Origins of THG: How childhood grocery runs turned one man into a cost-conscious gorehound with a love for fig bars and film tie-in novels. 
• Sci-Fi Potluck: Kevin M. Flanagan serves up a genre-bending buffet of interstellar eats. 
• Roy Rogers Returns: A nostalgic pilgrimage to the home of the Double R Bar Burger. 
• Can I Get an Amen?: Louis Fowler contemplates the healing powers of frybread. 
• The Grocery Store of My Youth: Douglas Waltz waxes poetic about Skedgell’s IGA, comic spinner racks, and wild cherry cough drops. 
• Aspic "Appreciation": Leigh Anne Moriarty celebrates her dear mother-in-law, and ponders her devotion to congealed salads and food suspended in aspic. 

Plus: 

• An interview with the man behind PANMAN 
• Pouring one out for our dearly departed beer fridge 
• Retro ads, comics, and meat department memories 

Whether you're hungover, hungry, or just hunting for a good read, THG #13 is your ticket to a world where food meets fandom and nostalgia never expires. Grab your thimble of tomato juice and dig in! 

40 pages, 5.5" x 8.5" digest size, black and white. 

Pre-order now from the Page and Screen Shop!

NOTE: This issue is currently being printed. Anticipated ship date for pre-orders is 1/16/26.

Chick-Fil-A Chicken and Waffle Sandwich Review

You know me, I loves me some limited edition fast food. And when you're one of two (!) regions in the country offering said sandwich, well, wild horses couldn't keep me away.

So, on a COLD December afternoon, I ventured out to the local Chick-Fil-A to try the Chicken & Waffle Sandwich. Also available in a slightly smaller breakfast version, this twist on the classic Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich features a traditional Chick-Fil-A fried chicken breast between two fragrant, sweet waffles (which immediately began to fall apart as soon as I picked up the "sandwich"). 

Crisp, actual bacon—not that fast food stuff that looks, tastes, and smells like dog treats—subs in for the pickle, and the whole thing is served with a syrup packet and a Wet-Nap. 

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to pour the syrup over or on the sandwich, but had I done so it would have been impossible to eat with my hands. (Maybe that's why the nice, freezing young woman at the drive-thru gave me a packaged knife and fork.)

Politics aside, I do love a Chick-Fil-A sandwich every now and then, and the chicken was the definite highlight. The limp waffles fell apart, though I did like the bacon, but even the usually-dependable waffle fries were lukewarm and limp. Considering how the drive-thru was humming you would expect a volume mover like fries to be hot and crispy. Alas...

At $12 for the sandwich and waffle fries—no drink—this is no value meal. The sandwich needs a BBQ mayo or something, but I fear that any kind of sauce/condiment would have just rendered the whole thing a sloppier mess.

Back to the drawing board, Chick-Fil-A. If you expect to keep pace with Raising Cane's, Popeyes, Slim Chicken's, Dave's Hot Chicken, etc., you're going to need to step up your game. Or stick with the one that brung ya. — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet and issue #13 will be heading to the printer after Christmas. Stay tuned to this blog as well as HungoverGourmet.com for ordering details.

REVIEW: ALDI Bremer's Frozen Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Okay, I was skeptical. Frozen grilled cheese sandwiches? How lazy am I? So it turns out that on a dreary football Sunday with nothing in the fridge that appeals to me I can be pretty lazy. 

These are an ALDI Find so once they show up at your local store there's no telling how long they'll last. And once they're gone, well, better luck next time. (If there is a "next time.") 

Prep is simple. Remove plastic (duh), microwave, and pop in the toaster. The result is a tasty, perfectly acceptable grilled cheese sandwich in a quarter of the time it'd take you to make one and with no muss, no fuss. 

I'm not gonna lie. I might pick up another box. (B+) — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. He is a proponent of mayo on the outside of his homemade grilled cheese sandwiches.

Happy National Nachos Day!

It’s crunchy, it’s cheesy, it’s National Nachos Day! 

As legend tells it, nachos were invented in 1943 by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya when a group of hungry military wives showed up at the Victory Club after hours. Spying some freshly fried corn tortillas, Anaya cut them into triangles, heaped on some cheese and jalapeños, and heated the simple dish. The original recipe for the snack was published in a 1954 cookbook, but it wasn’t until Frank Liberto introduced “ballpark nachos” at Arlington Stadium in the 1970s that the dish caught on as a national phenomenon. 

In 2024, the nacho market in the United States clocked in at $1.7 billion, with a projected market size by 2034 of $3.09 billion, driven by innovative product offerings and changing consumer preferences. 

What are your favorite nacho toppings? — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet and he prefers cheese, pico, avocado, sour cream, and ground beef on his nachos.

Happy Birthday, Chef Tell!

Before Guy Fieri had frosted tips. Before Gordon Ramsay threw his first Beef Wellington. There was Chef Tell. 

Today we raise our whisks to Friedman Paul Erhardt, better known as Chef Tell. Born on this day in 1943, Tell—nicknamed as such due to playing William Tell in a school production—made his television debut on the Philadelphia-based game show “Dialing for Dollars” (I know my Philly peeps remember that one). Working as chef at the Marriott Hotel on City Line Avenue at the time, Tell parlayed the appearance into a cooking segment on the syndicated “PM Magazine” and “In the Kitchen with Chef Tell” on PBS, among others. 

Famous for his thick accent, catchphrases and “very quick” recipes, Tell is rumored to be the inspiration for the Swedish Chef of Muppet fame, though the creators deny it. Erhardt passed away on October 26, 2007, days short of his 64th birthday. Happy birthday, Chef Tell! Your legacy lives on in every flamboyant flourish, celebrity chef, and dramatic garnish.

Check out Chef Tell at work in this video. — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. He grew up watching Chef Tell on local and syndicated shows, and frequently drove by his restaurant in Upper Black Eddy, PA.

Happy 152nd Anniversary to the Meat Slicer!

Today we salute the unsung hero of sandwich perfection—the meat slicer! 

 

On this date in 1873, Anthony Iske of Lancaster, PA (aka "The Edison of Lancaster") received patent number 144,206 for improvements in machines for slicing dried beef. The hand-operated design featured a mounted mandolin-like slicer with a platform for holding the meat in place. The device could be adjusted to create thick or thin slices. 

So next time you're biting into that perfectly layered turkey sandwich or savoring a salami-stacked Italian hoagie, give a little nod to the Pennsylvania inventor who made it all possible.

Happy Birthday to Sandwich Creator John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich

Sandy says "Happy Birthday" to John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich. Born on this day in 1718 (or maybe November 13), Montague is credited with inventing the sandwich because he needed a quick meal that would not interfere with his gambling. In addition, the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii) were named for Montague by Captain Cook. 

What's your favorite sandwich? — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. His favorite sandwiches include Roast Beef & Swiss, Turkey & American,  Grilled Cheese, Tuna, Egg Salad, and Liverwurst.

The Fill 'Er Up (Parkton, MD)

As someone who grew up in The Land of Diners (aka New Jersey), I have long bemoaned the dearth of decent cheap breakfast and late night eats here in the Baltimore area. The two closest to our home are flat out terrible, and shall remain nameless. The Bel-Loc Diner closed back in 2017, only to replaced by a Starbucks, and Baltimore's 24/7 landmark The Sip & Bite is only open from 7-3 most days (and is a bit of a haul for some runny eggs and toast).

But is it possible that the best diner in the Baltimore area is at a gas station near the Pennsylvania border?

In search of some pre-golf eats on a beautiful mid-October morning, we zeroed in on The Fill 'Er Up (21307 York Road, Parkton, MD), a gas station and convenience store that offers everything from coffee, soda, chewing gum, snack chips, lottery tickets, and jerky to a home cooked meal brought to one of the tables that dot the store's floorspace.

There were pre-made homemade sandwiches available for those in a rush (egg and cheese with a variety of breakfast meats, alas no pork roll), but we had time to kill before our tee time and besides, wanted to soak in the ambience.

We ordered our food (eggs over easy with sausage and grilled hash browns, mushroom and steak omelette), grabbed coffees and took seats in a small dining area. A group of middle-aged guys who looked like regulars took up another table and we enjoyed FOX's breathless coverage of the upcoming 'No Kings' rallies as we waited for our grub.

Big plates followed featuring perfectly cooked eggs, lightly spiced pork sausage, and hash browns with nice crunchy burnt bits of potato and onions mixed in, alongside a mound of buttered toast. My friend's omelette was large and stuffed to the gills, leading to a debate about the best steak to use when making cheesesteaks. (The answer, of course, is rib eye.)

Everything ran less than $10 per plate and filled us so much we eschewed the traditional "hot dog at the turn" during our round at nearby Greystone. Add in a super-friendly staff and an inviting menu board filled with specials (I almost wanted to come back for the meatloaf dinner) and I can see why The Fill 'Er Up has earned the glowing reviews from faithful regulars and newbies like me. — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet and can't wait to try The Fill 'Er Up's famous cream of crab soup.

Lighthouse Bistro (Annapolis, MD)

This was our second visit to this small, bustling restaurant located off Annapolis’ busy main drag. With the Eagles getting bumped off local tv and assuming the Ravens would get slaughtered by Houston (44-10, how prescient!), we decided to drive down and meet friends on a warm, October afternoon. 

Without fail the first beer I ordered was no longer available, so I settled for a crisp, light Delco Amber Lager. (This happens so often that it has become a running joke with my wife and me.) An appetizer of Crab Dip with a Kick ($20) arrived with crisp house-fried tortillas sturdy enough to hold the creamy, crab-filled, jalapeno-spiced dip (garnished with bonus fried jalapeno slices), and the plentiful lumps of crab justified the price. 

Though I was initially drawn to the Meatloaf Hash, I’d already had breakfast and went for a half-pound burger topped with Swiss cheese, mushrooms and onions ($18). The meat was a little bland and the whole thing was in desperate need of a sturdier bun (classic Maryland), but it was juicy, filling and accompanied by a bounty of delicious skin-on fries that my wife and I couldn’t finish.

However, I’d like to suggest to restaurants that if it’s late-summer/early-fall and you no longer have access to local tomatoes, you can skip the anemic, industrial adornments to my burger. It’s just sad after eating so many juicy, delicious, garden-fresh slices for the last few months. Quibbles aside, the rest of the group enjoyed the Pulled Chicken Salad, Bistro Club, and Eggs Benedict with pork over biscuits. 

In addition to the good food, friendly staff and lively 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

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. Stay tuned to this blog and our website for details about the upcoming issue 13.