There’s no question that Doritos are one of America’s favorite snacks. If Popchips hadn’t rallied the vote for Snack Madness, I’m fairly confident Doritos would have gone on to win. Whether you prefer one of the classics, Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch, or one of those weird flavors that keep popping up, like Tacos at Midnight or Pizza Supreme, you have licked Doritos chip dust off your fingers, and liked it.

Personally, I’m a Cool Ranch guy. Really I just like ranch and anything with ranch flavoring. But Nacho Cheese is definitely the most popular flavor. It’s my mom’s favorite, and that’s all that matters (Hi Ma!). Over the last few years, I’ve seen a number of different flavors in grocery stores, but none of them sounded very appetizing. Late Night Cheeseburger? No thanks. Hot Wings/Blue Cheese? Meh. In fact I’ve never tried anything besides the two standards (unless you count the unseasoned kind). Until now!

Doritos recently re-released two flavors that I’m not old enough to remember: Salsa Rio and Sour Cream & Onion. When Eick suggested the Sour Cream and Onion variety as a product to review, my first thought was, “Cool, I like Sour Cream and Onion stuff.” My second thought was, “Hey wait, that probably tastes just like the Cool Ranch flavor…”. You know, what with ranch having sour cream and green onion in it. Of course, that would mean I’d like this flavor. So I went to the one place that always has new products: Wal-Mart. And there they were, in their retro packaging, next to another flavor  I had never heard of, Tapatio. So I grabbed a Family Size bag, and headed home to try them.

As I mentioned in last week’s review, the best place to test out a new kind of junk food is on the couch, watching TV. This week, the selection was my go-to murder mystery show, The First 48. It’s way better than procedurals like CSI, because it’s real. After one episode, two homicides, and zero commercials (thank you, DVR), I figured half a bag was enough to make a decision.

The verdict: Doritos Sour Cream & Onion taste a lot like Doritos Cool Ranch. They had a little less seasoning than Cool Ranch, but the flavor was much the same. The flavor doesn’t really pop, but it was adequate. In a blind taste test, I’m not sure I would have guessed Sour Cream & Onion. I don’t know what I would’ve said. Ranch, maybe. There was a hint of onion, definitely some garlic as well, and even a little tomato. A quick check of the ingredient list confirms the presence of all three, in powder form. I also saw that cheddar and romano cheeses are included, which I found interesting.

I can’t say with any confidence that I’ll buy Sour Cream & Onion Doritos again, because I still like Cool Ranch better – but only by a little, and maybe only because I’m more used to the flavor. That said, I do like this new (old?) variety. The package says “Limited Edition,” so that’s exciting, I guess. So if you like Doritos, or Sour Cream and Onion-flavored things, or you just want to try something new, go with Sour Cream and Onion Doritos. They’re kinda good!

Seacrest out.

(Did I just write that? Yes, yes I did.)

19 Responses

  1. John

    I like them waaaay better than Cool Ranch. Hope they keep them around, as well as “Salsa Rio”.

    Reply
  2. Angela

    I just found these today. I felt like I found the Holy Grail and I remember these when I was young. Loved them then. You are right, though, they taste a lot like the Cool Ranch. I remember a more “onion-y” flavor in the late 70s and 80s. I was a little disappointed because I was prepared to stock up like Elaine on Seinfeld with the Today Sponge. I like seeing the bag though, wish they were made like before.

    Reply
  3. Lilah

    I just found these the other day, and when I first spotted them, I REALLY got excited! I remember eating these things when I was a kid back in the late 70s and early 80s, and I always wished FritoLay would bring them back. As a matter of fact, I called FritoLay several months ago and requested them to reintroduce the sour cream and onion flavor. It looks like they finally listened!:)

    Reply
  4. flockTHIS

    if youre really the type of person that wont try something just cuz it doesnt sound good youre missing out, the cheeseburger doritos taste exactly like a cheeseburger, an actual cheeseburger that is, not the sorry excuse mcdonalds offers, you can taste grilled burger so well, mmmmmm, and the cheese flavor is great, hell, you can even taste pickles, and a hint of ketchup and mustard, and slight onion flavor, but not too much to turn off someone who doesnt favor onions…you should review them, seriously, if you dont like them thats cool, everybody likes different things, but i think youll like them, if you like cheeseburgers of course..i wouldnt recommend the late night tacos if you havent tried them…but review the cheeseburger ones…theyre grrrrrrreat!!

    Reply
  5. Anthony Marino

    Im located in Pgh and can’t find these anywhere! Where are you located and did a chain supermarket carry them?

    Thanks

    Reply
  7. Sonja R.

    Hey Anthony. I’m also in the Burgh and I just picked up a bag today at Sam’s Club. They are out there. Keep looking! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Christal

    Oh My Go-shh! I just found a bag of Sour Cream Onion Doritos in North Carolina!! I love these, they were the best in my childhood days. It was the last bag in the convenient store and cashier said they only for a limited time. Please don’t temp us, bring them back to stay! “Love Them”! Sour Cream & Doritos, I’m So Happy, Happy, Happy!! 😉 😉 😉

    Reply
  9. Wheew

    Totally agree, they taste the same as cooler ranch. Also the salsa rio ones taste the same as the original cheese doritos. It’s all just marketing.

    Reply
  10. Theresa

    Oh no, did I miss them? I’m in the Nashville, TN area and have been waiting for these to come back FOREVER!!! I remember them from my childhood and they were my absolute favorite. I checked the website above, and sour cream & onion is not even listed. I’m going to be so devastated if I’ve been looking for these for so long and then missed them!!!!

    Reply
  12. nikki

    These were my favs in the 80’s but they had more garlic in them. I wished for these to come back. I don’t like cool ranch at all please keep these around and add more flavor like in the 80’s.

    Reply
  13. Jay McIntyre

    I remember Sour Cream and Onion Doritos from my childhood. They are spicier than the Cool Ranch (which I also like) and WAY better than Nacho cheese! I definitely want them back for good!

    Reply
  14. Crystal

    LOVE sour cream and onion Doritos. Wish they were back for good! Loved them as a kid and still do. Thanks

    Reply
  15. zappafrank

    I tried some. Either there was a mistake at the plant and my bag was filled with Cool Ranch Doritos, or the company didn’t try very hard.

    Reply
  17. Cmacc01

    These chips are bomb diggity man I hope they bring these back and never go away after that.

    Reply
  18. davon mays

    I love the sour cream and onion doritos…keep them in stores please.

    Reply

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