If I want something I will usually do anything to get it, even if it is just for potato chips. After work today I went to EIGHT different stores in search of the new #DoUsAFlavor Lay’s potato chips. The first seven locations on my trek through convenient stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets ended in failure as I was shut out at each one. However, I experienced semi-success when I hopped in a Kangaroo store just about a mile away from my apartment.

I was only able to take photos of 7 of the 8 places I went to because a creepy guy was standing outside one of the convenient stores and I didn’t want to do anything to get him angry. The Kangaroo store in the bottom right hand corner was the location that had the chips.

I say “semi-success” because unfortunately the gas station did not have one of the four flavors, the much heralded Cappuccino potato chip. The employee working the counter told me that the truck driver who brought in the cargo found that potato chip so disgusting that he didn’t even bother to bring it to the Kangaroo stores on his route. What could I do? After getting in and out of my car almost ten times in the humid heat just to be disappointed all but once, I considered myself fortunate to have even gotten my hands on three of the flavors. When I eventually do come across a Cappuccino bag I will add it to this post.

I got my hands on three of the #DoUsAFlavor Lay’s potato chips.

The last time Lay’s let fans create potato chip flavors I did the same thing. I sampled the Cheesy Garlic Bread, Chicken & Waffles, and Sriracha flavors and blogged about it. I agreed with America that the Cheesy Garlic Bread chip was the best (it is now a permanent flavor). But that was then and this is now! I am ready to sample three fresh flavors. Here are the reviews:

Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger

Here is a look at the Wasabi Ginger chips. I wanted to make sure to give you a look at the packaging and chip itself.

I tried this chip first and I almost thought it was a joke because it was so bad. The taste itself was mild but still enough to repulse me. I kid you not, the chip tasted like chemicals! After the first chip I tried another one to confirm the nastiness. It was still there. That was enough for me, I rolled up the bag and shook my head. Initially I hoped for a spicy chip with a unique taste but chalk that notion up to wishful thinking. The Wasabi Ginger chip was worse than the Chicken & Waffles chip.

Wavy Mango Salsa

I present to you the Wavy Mango Salsa chips.

After the terrible experience with the Wasabi chip a bad feeling started to come over me. What if these other two flavors were busts too? Luckily my fears went unfounded. The Mango Salsa chip, the one I thought I would dislike the most, was an amazingly pleasant surprise. My first thought when I put the chip in my mouth? It tasted like Trix cereal! In a good way, of course. The initial Trix taste gradually went away and was replaced with a semisweet, satisfying taste. I immediately started to eat more chips. A completely fresh taste in wavy form I was impressed. As I was eating I kept thinking that these chips would taste even more incredible with some actual mango salsa to dip them in.

Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese

No #DoUsAFlavor chip was more anticipated than the Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese one.

Probably no other chip in the #DoUsAFlavor promotion came out with more fanfare than the Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese chip. I mean who can say no to that flavor combination? I know I couldn’t. The chip definitely did not disappoint. It is the most flavorful chip out of the three. The bacon taste definitely overpowers the cheddar and mac & cheese flavors. Then again, I don’t know that I ever tasted a mac & cheese flavor to begin with although the cheddar flavor was surely there. I would say that the chip tasted more like a bowl of potato soup rather than a bowl of macaroni & cheese. But it still tasted good and I found myself eating several more chips until I told myself to stop chowing down and start writing.

The Verdict:

In the end my favorite chip in the #DoUsAFlavor promotion was the Wavy Mango Salsa flavor.

My favorite chip out of the three was the underdog, the Wavy Mango Salsa chip. The flavor was just so different and refreshing. Like I said, pair it with some real salsa and it will be magical. The Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese chip landed closely behind in the second spot. Do yourself a favor and pass on the Wasabi Ginger chip, it doesn’t even deserve a third place ranking.

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Hope you enjoyed my #DoUsAFlavor review. I went to great lengths to bring it to you. Although I am sad that the cookie dough flavor never came to fruition I can say that Lay’s did pretty good for itself with the Mango Salsa chip. However, my prediction is that American votes for the Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese chip to become a permanent flavor. Can’t wait for the next flavor competition to come out so I have yet another excuse to eat multiple bags of potato chips. Don’t Blink.