If your favorite wasn’t on the list last time, here is part 3 of the Top 10 Iconic
Junk Foods. From cookies to potato chips, you're bound to find something that hits the
spot.
Lay's Chips
Ok, be completely honest, is there anything better than getting cozy on the couch in your
pyjamas with a bag of chips, to watch a movie on a Friday night? Probably not, and what's
the perfect potato chip brand to do this with? Well, of course, it's Lays! With a crispy
and a perfect level of saltiness, they are the ultimate definition of "iconic." Invented
in 1932, Lay's chips were first sold out of the back of a car. Today, they can be found
at practically every store in America - and around the world - and they come in over 200
flavors. Of course, these flavors depend on where you go, as some of the many varieties
are regional only. From the traditional salt and vinegar and barbecue to more unusual ones,
like cappuccino and vegetable soup, we dare you to find a boring flavor. The company has
even held contests in the past allowing people to submit crazy ideas for new Lay's flavors,
and whoever thinks of the best can win $1 million dollars. So, if you think you've got the
flavor, taking a shot clearly wouldn't hurt! There's also this new trend where you can take this
already delicious junk food and turn it into something even better - if not a little weird
- mashed potatoes. All you need is a bag of lays, some water, smoked paprika, and plenty
of cheese, and voila! A steaming yet slightly disturbing pot of mashed potatoes. These really
are resourceful chips!
Slim Jims
If you go to just about any gas station or convenience store, chances are you're going
to see an array of beef jerky and meat sticks available. These are the perfect snack for
those long road trips when you need to fuel your body for just a few miles longer. However,
as much as there are endless brands available, there is one that deserves special attention,
Slim Jim. Around since the 1920s, Slim Jims have become quite the staple in the quick-and-easy
snack world. These encased tubes of processed meat come in over 21 flavors, including mild
original, Tabasco, and Jamaican Jerk. Of course, you probably wouldn't be surprised if we told
you these were unhealthy - because they are - extremely. Sure, the label reads "meat sticks,"
but let's just say there's a very small percentage of quality meat inside. Usually made from
a combination of cheap meat parts from chicken, beef, and pork, Slim Jims contain a disturbing
amount of salt and chemical preservatives like sodium nitrite. Those ingredients are
added to make sure it stays red rather than gray. But, then again, everyone knows junk
food is called junk food for a reason.
Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies
Arguably one of the best things to find in your lunchbox as a kid, Cosmic Brownies are
definitely the perfect snack for any occasion. Colorful, gooey, and delicious, you never
wanted to trade these away. Introduced in the late 1990s, Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies
were actually created to celebrate the Cosmic Bowling trend. You know, those out-of-this-world bowling
alleys with the flashing lights popular back in the day? We bet those rainbow-colored,
candy-coated chocolate chips make a lot more sense now, don't they! Cosmic Brownies are
the perfect size to bring with you just about anywhere, and according to Little Debbie's
website, they are supposed to be fun to share. Don't worry, though; you don't have to share
if you want to eat the whole thing! Whether you enjoy it as it is or with a scoop of ice
cream, every way to eat these little treats is a good way. These galactic sweets are
basically the textbook definition of an ultra-processed snack - they might not be good for your health,
but they are more than good for your soul. Ok, it might be sugar on top of more sugar,
but at least eating one will make you happy. This chocolate brownie covered in fudge icing will
probably never go out of style and will always have a special place in the pantry.
Ruffles Chips
Yes, we already talked about another great potato chip owned by Frito-Lay, but these
chips are so special, they deserve their own entry. When you're craving something crunchy,
salty, and ready to dip, Ruffles are the potato chips to go with. They're so delicious; even
the creators can't explain why they taste so good. It's most likely because of their
unique shape. When creator Bernhardt Stahmer applied for a patent on "sliced, corrugated potato
products" in 1955, no one had ever seen such a flavorful chip before. Stahmer asserted
his ruffled chips tasted better due to specified dimensions and ridged shape with which they
were sliced. He went on to link the effect of the ruffled potato chip to the effect of
a bruised apple, stating that once the apple is bruised, it begins to taste different.
Stahmer still says that he had no idea why this phenomenon was occurring, especially since
Ruffles were made the same way other chips were and had no added flavors. No matter why
Ruffles chips are so good, the important part is, today, they have made their mark as one
of the top choices among chip eaters. With dozens of new and inventive flavors released through
the years, from Sour Cream & Onion to All Dressed to Flamin' Hot, there is bound to
be a perfect Ruffles for you!
Pepsi
If you're in search of a refreshing and bubbly way to quench your thirst, look no further
than an ice cold Pepsi. Of course, there's still that whole debate about whether you're
team Pepsi or team Coke, but maybe it's time to let bygones be bygones and accept that
both are pretty fine options - and that Pepsi has the most bubbles. While obviously, soda,
in general, isn't exactly the healthiest thing to drink on a daily basis, a little bubbly
drink once in a while has never hurt anybody. Created in 1893 by Caleb Bradham, Pepsi was
even first marketed as a "healthy" cola that helped with digestion. Pepsi-Cola and Frito
Lay Inc merged together in 1965 and recognized what they called “a marriage made in heaven:
one single company delivering perfectly-salty snacks served alongside perfectly-bubbly drinks."
For over 50 years now, PepsiCo has been ruling the world with its various products and its
growing soda company. PepsiCo is one of the world’s largest and most respected companies,
with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories and 22 brands that generate
over $1 billion dollars each. Needless to say, it's more than an empire. So, next time
you're hesitating between the blue or the red, you know which one to get!
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut butter and chocolate: a match made in heaven. The perfect compromise between
sweet and salty, and the best way to enjoy both. Creamy peanut butter covered in smooth
milk chocolate, fashioned into that famous circular disk shape, Reese's Peanut Butter
Cups are one of the most popular candies in the world. Named the third most popular candy
in the US, these cups have been an outstanding success ever since they were created back
in the 1920s. Sure, they contain a lot of unnecessary added sugar, but that's part of the charm,
right? Today, even though the cups remain the superior candy, Reese's has introduced
more than two dozen variations over the years, with varying degrees of success. These variations
include the Big Cup, Caramel, Crunchy Cookie, as well as E.T.’s favorite, Reese’s Pieces. Here's
a fun little historical fact. In the summer months of the 1930s, because of the unbearable
heat and the lack of air-conditioning, Reese's chocolate was not able to be made. Everything would
simply melt away. So, to stay afloat and pay the bills, employees had to start canning
vegetables. Who knew that without canned tomatoes, there may not be a Reese's today?
Pizza From Dominos
Whether it's because you're too busy to cook or to feed an entire party, pizza is the way
to go. As a true fast-food legend, pizza is always guaranteed to bring a smile to almost
anyone's face. With endless possibilities and places to get your pizza from - frozen,
homemade, or pizza joints - Dominos is probably one of the best options. Dominos's story began
in the 1960s in Michigan when two brothers opened their first pizzeria. What started
as a smalltown pizzeria evolved into a multinational, worldwide company. Today, there are over
17,000 stores – including more than 10,000 outside the United States. So, what makes
this particular pizza joint so special? With various offerings of delicious pizza options,
from cheeseburger pizza to the classic pepperoni, you can always find something that suits your
taste. But, if you're worried, just know that there are around 34 million different ways
to customize your pizza, so you should be okay. You can get a garlic-seasoned crust, BBQ
Sauce as the spread, and an array of cheese and meat options to top off your creation.
Plus, if you decide to have it delivered, you can easily track your order, thanks to
the revolutionary technology of the Domino's Tracker - a first in the fast-food industry.
Chips Ahoy! Cookies
Homemade chocolate chip cookies will always be superior to the store-bought packages - it's
just a fact. However, there is one brand, in particular, that might just be able to
measure up, Chips Ahoy! Cookies. Around since the 1960s, Chips Ahoy has become somewhat
of an icon in the world of cookies. They were advertised as the first factory-made cookie
to taste as good as homemade, and it's safe to say they have lived up to that name ever
since. Nabisco has said that Chips Ahoy's name was inspired by the nautical term "ships
ahoy," a phrase used in Charles Dickens’s The Uncommercial Traveller. They quickly became
a fan favorite, helped along by the impressive number of chocolate chips found in each cookie. While
the original Chips Ahoy Cookies are still the most loved of the bunch, when the chewy
cookies came on the market, people had a hard time maintaining their loyalty. A lot of brands
were trying to come up with the absolute best soft cookie, but the crown went to Chips Ahoy
in 1983. With a perfectly soft and yummy taste, it's no wonder they've become the second-highest
selling cookie in the US - after Oreos, if you hadn't guessed. As one of those go-to
comfort foods, Chips Ahoy Cookies are one of the best store-bought cookies out there,
and absolutely nothing can beat dunking one of these in a cold glass of milk!
Trolli Sour Gummy Worms
When it comes to sour candy, it's always a hit or miss situation. Either you hate it,
or you go crazy for it. One of the most iconic gummy shapes - apart from the bears, of course
- is worms. Not always the most visually appetizing, sure, but oh so fun to eat! So, imagine taking
this fun and epic shape, and turning it into something even more fun and epic, a sour gummy
worm! Gummy worms are now among the most popular gummy candies out there. So as not to miss
out, a lot of candy brands have released their own versions, but Trolli has got to be one
of the best at it. After all, the original idea did come from them. Trolli Sour Brite
Crawlers are multi-flavored gummy worms that come in neon-colors to make the experience
even more enjoyable. With flavor combinations like Cherry-Lemon, Strawberry-Grape, and
Orange-Lime, the German confectionery brand has been able to stand out in a sea of other
candy makers trying to take the crown for the best sour candy. The sour gummy worms
were first introduced in 1981 and have since made their place into the candy Hall of Fame.
With the tongue-twisting sugary goodness striking the perfect balance of sweet and
sour with every bite, no wonder they're among some of the most popular brands of gummy worms. Even
though sour candies are considered to be extremely bad for your teeth and your health in general,
a little worm once in a while can't really hurt that much, can it?
Totino’s Pizza Rolls
What we wouldn't do for pizza. A tasty, classic, cheesy staple that pretty much everyone loves.
And to think, someone actually stopped and said: "what could make pizza even better?"
and came up with the next best thing: pizza rolls. While Totinos might make the most popular
brand of pizza rolls, they didn't actually come up with the idea. A man named Jeno Paulucci
is the one to thank for this delicious invention. It's said that they were first made by replacing
the inside filling of an egg roll with pizza toppings, and it was so tasty that Jeno decided
to turn it into an actual thing. After selling to Pillsbury, it was rebranded as Totino's
Pizza Rolls. Today, it's considered America’s #1 selling hot snack. It goes without saying
that Pizza Rolls aren't exactly a sophisticated food; however, there are always ways to elevate
this classic snack. Especially to make it more interesting for those who don't like
to eat frozen food. Like making Pizza Rolls Nachos. These sound pretty amazing and would
make it pretty easy to forget their prior frozen form. Or, better yet, you can make
these little pockets of cheesy, meaty goodness yourself. You just need to find the perfect
recipe and adapt it to your taste to make your very own personal junk food!
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