The measure of a good Salt and Vinegar chip can be boiled (or baked) down to one variable that encompasses all others... How many can I eat before my tongue starts to hurt. The HEB Kettle cooked salt and vinegar chip is the only bag of salt and vinegar chips whose bag I cannot eat in one sitting. HEB spares nothing in coating the chip with S&V flavoring that defines the "hurts so good" feeling of the culinary world.

I know what you're thinking. Lays? Believe me, this chip has achieved a level of consistency at such a high level that if you are casually snacking them while watching TV, you fall into a hand-to-mouth pattern of gluttony you can't escape. The bottom of every chip in this can has the S&V flavoring perfectly applied to give you that vinegar kick simply by placing the chip on the tongue. No chewing required.

Deep River was a late player to my S&V journey, but it came in the form of a Costco sized bag. It was an annual item at costco, only coming during the holidays, which was presumptuous on Costco's part since they assumed I didn't want it year round. These chips are kettle cooked to perfection and coated generously in their glorious S&V flavoring, but frankly its the quality to volume ratio that really gets puts them above the rest. Sadly, this Costco item was discontinued. I could only buy so much volume.

More or less the first mainstream kettle chip you could find anywhere, this chip took my heart by storm ( or Nor'easter given the chip's origin). Immaculate crunch and dialed in flavoring, this chip makes a great compliment to a sandwich or burger because its flavoring is less a punch in the face and more suitable for normal humans.

This gas station chip was introduced to me by my older brother, and, coupled with a beer in hand, hits in all the right ways. Being a traditional chip, the crunch is lighter and the pace of eating can get to shameful levels much easier. Tom, who I assume is the maker, clearly also had the masochistic tendencies of an S&V lover, as this brand does not shy on its kick. Any gas station that has this option has clearly put a lot of effort into its culinary procurement.