Better Made Special Barbecue flavored potato chips: This brand of chips was founded in Detroit, which is where I ate a bag during a conference snack break. The chips are thin and slightly crispy but mostly saturated with oil. Seasoned with a sweet tangy vinegar-based powder, it has all the classic flavorings of a bbq chip. It falls squarely in the middle - just so so. 3.0/5.0
potatochips junkfood bettermadespecial barbecue flavored potato chips 3.0
Pressed Juicery Apple lemon ginger cayenne pressed juice: Up to this time in my life, I have completely avoided the pressed juice craze, opting for fruit in the flesh. In fact, more generally, I haven’t bought a carton of juice from the grocery store in years. This particular bottle from Pressed Juicery was a freebie, given to patrons of the Nordstrom pop up on Melrose in LA. I was surprised by its potency, with an impressively spicy ginger and cayenne kick that will almost certainly catch most off-guard. The apple and lemon flavor was also clean t... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks fruit spicy pressedjuicery apple lemon ginger cayenne pressed juice 3.5
Detroit Water Ice Mango and watermelon ice: Seeking a local treat, I found myself at Detroit Water Ice, a store specializing in flavored ice that falls somewhere between Italian ice and Icee. After sampling their intensely and unappetizingly sweet cinnamon horchata, I inquired about their least sweet options. With a Kiddie combo of watermelon and mango in hand, I left with a not-so-kid-sized cup of generally smooth shaved ice - soft but not watery, and fully saturated with fruit concentrate. Reminded me of otter pops in flavor, rather... (read more) 3.0/5.0
frozen sweet dessert detroitwaterice mango watermelon ice 3.0
La Croix Passionfruit seltzer: As someone who hates beer, I’m so glad that La Croix has enough social currency to pop up as a non-alcoholic beverage option at social events. I think at every get together I’ve gone to over the past few months, I’ve grabbed a can of La Croix in place of a can of soda. This passionfruit La Croix is one of the better ones, with a concentrated tropical fruit flavor that doesn’t leave a bitter or overly sweet aftertaste. And as always, the level of carbonation is good - not overly sharp and fiz... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks lacroix passionfruit seltzer 3.5
Smash Mint chocolate chip marshmallow rice treat: The good thing about this snack is that it is not overly sweet and is fairly substantial for a rice crispie. It has small morsels of mint chocolate chips scattered throughout. However, when mint flavored foods are strong, they sometimes verge into artificial / medicinal / mouthwash territory, and this snack bar comes close. Texturally, it’s a bit tougher to bite into than other marshmallow treats. Overall, this one was just ok. 3.0/5.0
smashmarshmallow mint chocolate chip marshmallow rice treat 3.0
Trader Joe’s Rice Cracker Medley: This rice cracker snack from Trader Joe’s doesn’t taste exactly like those you get at any Asian grocery store. The crackers have a glazed coating that tastes more strongly of rice vinegar than any other rice cracker mix I’ve had before, giving it a uniquely tangy and sharp flavor. Tossed in with the rice crackers is the occasional wasabi pea. Overall, a solid snack priced reasonably - would purchase again. 3.5/5.0
recommended ricecrackers wasabi asian traderjoes rice cracker medley 3.5