I spent some time in New Jersey for work. I wasn't there, too long, but it was definitely a memorable experience! Every morning I'd awake at 4 am to catch the subway from Jersey City into Newark. The main thing that struck me as odd was how nobody acknowledged anybody else. I hold the door open for someone, 50 people walk through without saying anything. Sure, that happens in California. But usually at least one out of every 3 people will say thanks or at least acknowledge your presence. Once a rabbi sat next to me in the only available seat on the train and put his groceries in my lap. Didn't ask. Didn't even look at me. He was elderly so I didn't say anything. I just smirked to myself at how he gave absolutely no fucks about putting his bags full of groceries on a strangers lap. Either that, or how unimposing of a figure I must've casted wearing a suit and tie listening to Hi-C and DJ Quik in my earbuds. Trying to talk to chicks on the train was also damn near impossible. I asked a girl how she was doing and she put her purse on the opposite side and just looked out the window. She eventually opened up and explained that nobody really talks to anybody in the subway. Maybe my opening was all wrong. I guess I should've slammed my bag down on her lap then said hi. All in all it was a cool experience, but I was glad to get back to the sunshine and traffic of California.

These chips are weird. Upon opening the bag, you get a strong smell of rye bread. So strong that if you leave the bag open, you can smell them from a few feet away. There are very distinct levels of flavor on this chip. First being the flavor of rye and pickles finishing off with the unmistakable flavor of thousand island dressing. The flavor was so strong that I didn't want to like these initially, but the more I ate them, the more I liked them. If you don't like rye bread, you probably won't like these. The rye flavor is the most prominent flavor. The thousand island flavor borders on off putting, but there's such a savory component to these that I keep eating them. Enjoying them more with each bite. I almost love them. I almost hate them. 3.5 on the chip mack scale.

Grits can be a passionate subject. Just ask Al Green (Google it, you won't be disappointed). One morning, I made my country ass girlfriend and I some grits for breakfast. I prepared mine like I have always done, butter/salt/pepper and I like to put scrambled eggs on top because I'm a thug like that. I served hers plain so she could put her own personalized amount of butter/salt/pepper in her grits. To my utter shock and horror, this chick proceeded to put butter and sugar ALL UP IN HER GRITS! My eyes bulged. My heart raced.  I wanted to grab her bowl and throw it across the room!  A voice screamed in my head "bitch, what are you doing?!" Luckily, I'm more of a gentleman so I calmly asked "bitch, what are you doing?" She told me her family always put sugar and butter in our grits and only country people put salt and pepper in their grits. Seeing red and beginning to sweat, I informed her that it was indeed backwards country bammers that put sugar in their grits, not the other way around. Grits caused a chasm in our relationship that led to its demise a year later. Go into any room with 10 or more Black people inside and ask everybody how they like their grits. I promise you a fight will break out.

On to the review! Upon first bite, I get a strong herb-chicken/sausage-like flavor with a subtle cream base. These remind me of the Chicken and Waffle Flavor from a few years ago minus the maple syrup. Once again, perfectly balanced flavors! Lay's is always consistent with balance of flavors. The sour cream base mutes the strong herb flavors just enough to create an enjoyable creamy, smooth experience in your mouth. I like these! Strong 4 outta 5 on the chip mack scale.

I've been a lot of places, but there's no place like home! From the gas lamp of San Diego, to the Raincross of Riverside, to beaches of Orange County, to the city where people come from all over the world to achieve their dreams...I'm proud to call Southern California my home. Every freeway has a memory for me. Every city it's own personal story. It's more than just about the weather for me, it's also about the people...the ambience that unless you grew up here, is hard to put into words. When I tell my clients that I'm familiar with most cities in California, I'm sure they find it hard to believe. Growing up in a city where I'm literally 45 mins from all the above places I mentioned, I made sure to venture out and experience my surroundings. One of my favorite things to do before gasoline required a credit check or co-signer was to jump in my car, throw in some DJ Quik or Above The Law and just drive. Often my journeys would lead me down the California coast, others, I'd discover a new gem of a mom and pop sandwich spot. I can go on and on. For the sake of the length of this post I'll keep it short.  Just know that long before I was the Chip Mack, I was the West Coast Villain.

On to the review! Upon first bite, I'm surprised at how subdued the flavor is on this chip. I immediately get a subtle  hint of that pungent, earthy truffle flavor supported by a salty garlicky parmesan cheese flavor. As usual with most Lay's chips, the flavors are prefectly balanced. They were right to put this flavor on the more robust wavy chip. The texture is complementary to the flavor. My only issue is the flavor is too subtle. I almost had to eat half the bag to get a good analysis of the flavors. I wish that familiar pungent umami flavor of the truffle was more in the forefront. Good chip, but because the flavors are more on the dull side, I rate these a 3.5 outta 5 on the chip mack scale.

Walking in the wee hours of the late night/early morning on the Streets of San Francisco a few years back, my chick at the time and I stumbled in to one of the few establishments that were still open at 2 am. This greek restaurant that was obviously closed, but allowed us to come in as they were putting chairs up on the table and cleaning up for the night. I was drunk, my girlfriend was drunk, and what we didn't know was the whole staff of this humble greek restaurant made up of cousins and uncles were about to join us in inebriation and tear shit up! The guy who let us in happened to be the owner of the restaurant. He sat us down, brought out a plate of curly fries with ranch dressing (that we didn't order), and proceeded to give us a shot of some horrible flavored liquor I'd never had before along with a story. He began to tell us this libation was the source of Greek beauty. This libation was the reason all of the homeless winos in Greece are tanned and look like Olympic sprinters. This potent liqueur was called Fernet...and because of this night, would soon become a staple in my liquor cabinet. Two shots later, my body felt warm and numb. Three shots later, this black liquid I was tossing down my throat became wonderfully delicious! Five shots with him and his family later, a celebration broke out typically only reserved for weddings. Greek music blared, the short order cooks and waitresses started smashing plates and dancing around the shards of sharp porcelain. Old and young were partying and dancing like someone won the lottery!  They treated us, two random strangers from out of town, like family they haven't seen in years.  Looking for a bite to eat after the club with my hyna turned into one of the funnest nights I've ever had with complete strangers!  On the way out I asked him what the celebration was for. With a wink and a smile he answered. ""It's Saturday."

On to the review! As I was walking into Costco, my keen eyes fixated on this lady's shopping cart that contained a thirty seven pound bag of Lay's potato chips with coloring and lettering I've never seen before on a bag of Lay's. I knew I had to find out what this flavor was up close! As I got up close...Greek Tzatziki! As soon as I got in the car I took a picture for my review and ripped into the bag. These are incredible! They taste exactly like that sauce on top of the gyros I get from The Lucky Greek. Onion, cucumber held together with a light tangy almost blue cheesy yogurt flavor. I'm not a fan of blue cheese, so don't let that sway you if you're not either. I happen to know that  "gyro flavor" Lay's will be released this summer as part of the Lay's Do Us A Flavor contest. This flavor will be on a kettle chip as part of the contest, but I love the flavor on the wavy ruffled chip I tested. 5 outta 5 on the chip mack scale.