Crisp, Nut & Snack
The Least Favorite Cape Cod Potato Chips Flavor Is Surprisingly Popular
Cape Cod kettle-cooked potato chips are renowned for their high-quality ingredients, coastal charm, and signature crunch. With flavors like Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper and Low-Fat Original earning rave reviews, it’s surprising that one of their more polarizing flavors, Sour Cream and Onion, remains popular despite being widely considered one of the brand’s weakest offerings.
In 2024, Cape Cod generated over $400 million in sales, with its variety of flavors contributing to this success. However, not all varieties are created equal. While the company markets Sour Cream and Onion chips as offering a “satisfying balance of smooth, creamy, and bright,” many chip lovers find the flavor underwhelming. Lacking the bold punch of flavor expected from a sour cream and onion chip, this option falls short of expectations compared to its competitors.
Better Sour Cream and Onion Options
Cape Cod initially offered Sour Cream and Green Onion chips before discontinuing them in 2015. The current Sour Cream and Onion flavor debuted in 2020 but has struggled to impress. Rankings of sour cream and onion chips consistently place Cape Cod’s version behind more robust options, such as Lay’s Sour Cream and Onion and Pringles Sour Cream and Onion. Lay’s offers a tangy, flavorful experience, while Pringles’ version is so popular it inspired an unconventional collaboration with Olipop for a limited-edition soda.
Alternative Cape Cod Flavors
Despite its shortcomings, the Sour Cream and Onion flavor still contributes to Cape Cod’s strong sales, a testament to its brand loyalty and crunchy texture. However, for those seeking a better snacking experience, options like Cape Cod’s Black Pepper and Sea Salt or Low-Fat Original flavors are highly recommended.
Whether you’re snacking solo or adding chips to your favorite sandwich, Cape Cod’s iconic crunch is best enjoyed with its more celebrated flavors, leaving the lackluster Sour Cream and Onion variety as a surprising, yet popular, outlier.