Regional Potato Chips Brands the Whole Country Deserves

Published: February 21, 2024 by Colman Andrews

The first published recipe for something that sounds pretty much like modern-day potato chips appeared in an English cookbook back in 1817, and instructions for making them are given in the early American culinary classic “Virginia House-Wife” by Mary Randolph, published in 1824.

Those predecessors aside, the commonly told story is that potato chips were actually invented at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1853 by a cook of Mohawk ancestry named either George Crum or George Speck. The story is that a customer at the restaurant — possibly business magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt — kept sending back his fried potatoes because they weren’t crisp enough and so, in a fit of pique, the chef sliced the spuds super-thin before sending them back out.

To the chef’s surprise the crisp potato slices were well received, and they became a staple on the menu — originally under the name “potato crunches.” George Whatever started making them in large quantities and selling them by the bag, eventually christening them “Saratoga Chips” — the name by which they were to be known for some years. (Here’s a look at the most iconic food from every state.)

Potato chips remained restaurant fare for decades, becoming packaged goods for sale in grocery stores only around the turn of the century. Two potato chip manufacturers from that era — Tri-Sum in Massachusetts, founded in 1907, and Mikesell’s in Ohio, dating from 1910 — are still in business. (Mikesell’s actually closed down last year, but the brand was immediately revived by another Ohio chip-maker, Conn’s.)

As the century progressed and potato chips grew ever more popular, regional producers set up shop all over the country. The first flavored chips, however, came from across the Atlantic. In 1954, an Irish company called Tayto marketed the first example, a cheese and onion version. Later the same year, a U.S. snack food firm called Herr’s in Nottingham, Pennsylvania, made the first American flavored chips. The flavor was the all-popular “barbecue” (or “BBQ”).

Today, the global potato-chip market is valued at well over $30 billion, and big companies predominate. Pennsylvania-based Utz Brands, for instance, markets chips under its own name and also owns such regional makers as Zapp’s, Boulder Canyon, Hawaiian Island Gourmet, and Tim’s Cascade Snacks (see below). The largest chip producer by far, however, is Lay’s, whose total sales as of April 2022 were $3.6 billion, more than twice as much as the second-place company, Ruffles — a brand produced by Lay’s parent company. (Lay’s is one of the most valuable food brands in the world.)

Small regional potato chip manufacturers, both veteran and newly established, and whether independently owned or part of a larger operation, still play an important role in the potato chip world — often offering unusual flavors and producing their chips with their own methods.

Based on consumer reviews and first-hand tasting experience, 24/7 Tempo has identified 26 of the best regional potato chip brands in America, from 23 different states in every part of the country, and recommended some of their signature specialties.

Scroll below to see regional potato chip brands the whole country deserves.

None of these brands have national distribution. Some may be found across a several-state region, while a few are sold primarily in a single state. Almost all of them are available by mail order, however, and all deserve the attentions of anybody who enjoys this iconic snack.

Alaska Chip Company

Source: Wonderlane / Flickr

Home state: Alaska
Flavors to try: Bering Sea Salt and Vinegar, Volcano Jalapeño

Ballreich’s

Source: Mbrickn / Wikimedia Commons

Home state: Ohio
Flavors to try: Honey Butter, Steak & Brisket

Better Made

Source: Public Domain / Flickr

Home state: Michigan
Flavors to try: Red Hot BBQ, Wildfire Chili Lime

Boulder Canyon

Factory interior. Chips production. Factory equipment, product manufacturing process. High quality photo

Source: Bittv1975 / Shutterstock.com

Home state: Colorado
Flavors to try: Olive Oil with Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper, Limited Edition Grillo’s Pickles Avocado Oil Classic Dill Pickle