It's sad that we live in a time when the cheap knockoff is infinitely better than the original product...
Pretty much off topic, but that reminds me of that Only Fools... episode:
Sid: This group do a tribute to Robson and Jerome.
Rodney: Why?
I can't quite put my finger on it, but I find it hilarious when Rodney says that as he looks incredulously at Sid. It's just the perfect answer and facial expression. Sadly, can't find the clip. It's the Sleepless in Peckham episode.
I've come to the conclusion that Walkers crisps are rubbish but they've taken over the market. I prefer Golden Wonder as their crisps are a slightly thinner and have a much better flavour but they are harder to find and don't do as many flavours as they used to.
Anyone remember the days when crisps packs came with a window in them?
I remember when there was a clear window in the pack yes. :)
Golden Wonder, they do do quite a large range all in all but here (for me at least) it seems quite difficult to find them, not having a normal supermarket within walking distance (no wheels at the moment) does not help matters too much as various online groceries seem to vary wildly in what they offer "in store" compared to "online" too. For two completely random examples here some 'sharing' vs 'multipacks' online only offer the 'sharing' but the multi's are in the shop. Same for things like Ginsters, only the 'twin pack' things are online but in shop the singles are there. Confusing and annoying. I guess they have their reasons.
Tesco also do a big bag of those Bacon Rashers that can easily be consumed on a 20 minute walk home.
Got to admit I do have these on my 'try' list when I eventually do a Tesco's online shop, as the local 'mini' one is not that near and do not appear to stock many of their own brand things. I wanted some of their soup actually at the time but they don't do it. The main Tesco is about 7 miles away, too far. Having said that the Sainsbury's 'rashers' multipacks used to be awesome, IDK if they still are or not but they were well worth the £1 or so for the big bag.
Talking about off topic. Findus Crispy Pancakes. I loved um!!
Not had one of these for years. Its a shame they are not (sensibily) microwavable otherwise I may try again. Its funny you mention this as I was talking to someone a couple of weeks ago, and I'm almost sure about 10 years ago a supermarket had their own variant on these and it was almost the same (mincemeat type) but it was maybe something like Somerfield / Gateway or Fine-Fare, cannot really remember, unless my mind is playing tricks but there was something "quite similar" available years back from elsewhere. Not like the modern "meat slice" things it was very similar to the Findus one.
Off topic I have been researching various major brands in what they offer elsewhere too, it is quite surprising what is available either further overseas and/or in the rest of the EU actually. I thought about posting my thoughts/findings on this, might do this as a new topic in a day or three. :)
I bought Findus Crispy Pankcakes recently and was really disappointed, not only were they really small but there was hardly any filling in them (it was the cheese ones). Not the way i remember them from the 80's. Not buying them again.
I bought Findus Crispy Pankcakes recently and was really disappointed, not only were they really small but there was hardly any filling in them (it was the cheese ones). Not the way i remember them from the 80's. Not buying them again.
A couple of reviews I've seen say quite similar things. Their 'rest of EU' range is actually quite large in the different products they sell.
I'm still half trying to figure out who did the 'very similar' crispy pancake years back, I think it may of been Fine-Fare own brand or something. I do recall they were just as good or so it seemed.
Funny thing is about Findus Crispy Pancakes they were really only even slightly crispy because of the crappy orange coloured breadcrumbs on them, or if you massively overcooked them.
Imagine if they'd not had the crappy breadcrumbs on them? What would they have been called? Findus soggy pockets? Findus Crap Crepes? They certainly wouldn't have been crispy. They weren't even really that crispy in their "crispy" form...
I was going to suggest microwave but I don't think that's recommended (its not listed) probably not a brilliant idea.
Talking of microwaves, I noticed in Sainsbury's the other week a bag of the usual 'french fries' type crisps. I picked one up just out of interest and nearly put it back until I noticed it said you can microwave them ( ! ) to have them hot. Have tried some 'as is' and they are reasonable but a bit greasy, not tried nuking them yet. They do taste OK to be fair its not like eating 'cold fries' or chips.
I've just read this thread from about page 3 to the end. I had genuinely forgotten about Smith's Crispy Tubes, but if they were just a curled-up version of Square crisps, I can get the Squares (salt & vinegar only, mind) at the Bargain Booze over the road... where I will also find Wheat Crunchies (good), Snaps (also good, though there's not much to them) and Chipsticks (well, I like them) at three for a quid.
Nobody's mentioned Discos, which I'm sure were only brought back from the 80s within the last couple of years, and were quite disappointing - though not as much as Ringos, which resurfaced around the same time, and the beef flavour was just about nonexistent.
Burt's Guinness crisps are quite marvellous, as are Marmite crisps. But where there is Marmite, there should also be the crisp I'd most like to bring back from the past:
The last time I saw those, that I can remember, was in the Co-op in Great Dunmow somewhere around 1983. It's been too long, Smith's. Your brand is back on the shelves (even if it's only the Scampi Fries trilogy so far), do the right thing!
I've never been that fussy about crisps, nowhere near as much as some of the connoisseurs in this thread, which is probably why I'll happily spend 20p on a packet of Space Raiders (beef, of course), twice that on Bobby's Spirals (prawn cocktail) or three times on prawn crackers (Happy Shopper's own) and any of them will see me through. Where I can be picky, though, is in the pub. "Is this a good pub crisp? Does it go well with my beer?" And that's where Brannigans come in. Beef & mustard or ham & pickle, I always thought there was supposed to be a third but it seems the lamb & mint ones are new. Then there's the slightly more upmarket types, the aforementioned Burt's and Piper's, who keep on turning up at every beer festival I go to.
Funny thing is about Findus Crispy Pancakes they were really only even slightly crispy because of the crappy orange coloured breadcrumbs on them, or if you massively overcooked them.
Imagine if they'd not had the crappy breadcrumbs on them? What would they have been called? Findus soggy pockets? Findus Crap Crepes? They certainly wouldn't have been crispy. They weren't even really that crispy in their "crispy" form...
Pretty sure I read on one Blog somewhere ages ago if you did try to nuke them in a microwave instead of oven they would go soggy. Does make sense as fish fingers can do that. Not tried the "put a bit of marg on them" trick to see if it cures it or not yet.
One supermarket years ago did make something "almost the same" as the Findus crispy pancakes but I can't recall who it was, best guess Somerfield / Gateway or something like Hillards / Presto etc, we are probably talking 15 maybe a bit more years ago though from what I can vaguely recall.
EDIT... THis reminds me I need to fire off a complaint ( :( ) as I purchased something on the information from the manufacturers site (not the online supermarket, the manufacturer) saying it was microwavable but its not, or if it is there are no instructions for that on the pack only "oven" ones. Would not of brought it had I known as I was specifically looking for something microwavable in this case.
I just got 60 bags of Cheese n' Onion in the mail.....Where the hell is my Nik Naks variety pack? I ordered it almost 2 months ago now, they'll be inedible by the time they show up.
I just got 60 bags of Cheese n' Onion in the mail.....Where the hell is my Nik Naks variety pack? I ordered it almost 2 months ago now, they'll be inedible by the time they show up.
....and all my Monster Munch is gone :(
The beef M.M are quite nice when I can find them, cheap too. Not a fan of pickled onion. I seem to remember they used to have more flavours offered.
That reminds me the 'Snaps' I'm sure they used to do more than the tomoto and the cheese flavours way back at some point too, as in early 80's I remember I'm sure there were more flavours of these.
Onto something else ( ! ) these are not too bad at all decent size bag and good taste to them, the pepper is not overdone either:
I love Monster Munch, especially the beef ones, i don't eat them much as they tend to be a bit messy. I seem to recall they do a flamin hot flavour but never tried them.
I'm into those Oven Baked crisps at the moment, the ready salted and cheese and onion are nice.
I just got 60 bags of Cheese n' Onion in the mail.....Where the hell is my Nik Naks variety pack? I ordered it almost 2 months ago now, they'll be inedible by the time they show up.
It's always been my opinion that Nik Nak's left the production line inedible, especially the Scampi ones.
I just got 60 bags of Cheese n' Onion in the mail.....Where the hell is my Nik Naks variety pack? I ordered it almost 2 months ago now, they'll be inedible by the time they show up.
It's always been my opinion that Nik Nak's left the production line inedible, especially the Scampi ones.
You should be burnt at the stake for that comment. Or lat least be damn well hung for it! (Anyone picking me up on hanged not hung, can go swing. Its a joke ;) )
I love Monster Munch, especially the beef ones, i don't eat them much as they tend to be a bit messy. I seem to recall they do a flamin hot flavour but never tried them.
Yep the Flamin Hot flavour Monster Munch I remember these first came out in the early 90's. I've fond memories these as I remember buying them Saturday mornings as this was the day I use to get paid £8 wages for being the village paperboy. They were in larger packets originally and cost a little more. Those Saturdays could be extra special if it was that time of the month when my subscription of Your Sinclair was waiting for me behind the counter back at the post office. Good old times.
Seems I was wrong about other Snaps flavours although they did a few. On my research travels for this I noted the following items though:
Vanilla Monster Munch. I do not recall ever seeing these but it seems they were sold in the UK...
Burton's Piglets Very vague memory of these, I seem to think they were tube like shapes ?
Sooner's Wheat Crunchies How they were "way back" before they were purchased by another company. I do not recall seeing them though but likely lack of memory...
Wotsits Waffles I do not remember these ?
Smith's Tubes Something I do remember quite well. Wheat Crunchies are lovely but I did like the "thin" tube of these plus the fact you could get plain salted variety too.
I think one of the best Monster Munch flavours was Giant Prawn, they were out in about 1986, or 1987. They had the little round Orange coloured Monster on the bag if I rememer rightly? Also did they do salt and vinegar ones for a while? Maybe around about the early 90's?
I think one of the best Monster Munch flavours was Giant Prawn, they were out in about 1986, or 1987. They had the little round Orange coloured Monster on the bag if I rememer rightly? Also did they do salt and vinegar ones for a while? Maybe around about the early 90's?
I've seen the Giant Prawn one and yes its orangey with the big 'monster' on the pack. I don't recall seeing a S+V one though (to be fair I don't like this flavour) but a cursory Google did not show anything straight away. Not thinking of Space Raiders maybe ? I sometimes confuse the two for some reason.
Half convinced there were more Skips flavours than I can immediately see but time plays too many memory tricks... :D
That reminds me - didn't the Monster Munch varieties also come in different shapes to match the monster on the front of the pack? Aren't they all the same shape now...?
Comments
Sid: This group do a tribute to Robson and Jerome.
Rodney: Why?
I can't quite put my finger on it, but I find it hilarious when Rodney says that as he looks incredulously at Sid. It's just the perfect answer and facial expression. Sadly, can't find the clip. It's the Sleepless in Peckham episode.
Golden Wonder, they do do quite a large range all in all but here (for me at least) it seems quite difficult to find them, not having a normal supermarket within walking distance (no wheels at the moment) does not help matters too much as various online groceries seem to vary wildly in what they offer "in store" compared to "online" too. For two completely random examples here some 'sharing' vs 'multipacks' online only offer the 'sharing' but the multi's are in the shop. Same for things like Ginsters, only the 'twin pack' things are online but in shop the singles are there. Confusing and annoying. I guess they have their reasons.
Got to admit I do have these on my 'try' list when I eventually do a Tesco's online shop, as the local 'mini' one is not that near and do not appear to stock many of their own brand things. I wanted some of their soup actually at the time but they don't do it. The main Tesco is about 7 miles away, too far. Having said that the Sainsbury's 'rashers' multipacks used to be awesome, IDK if they still are or not but they were well worth the £1 or so for the big bag.
Not had one of these for years. Its a shame they are not (sensibily) microwavable otherwise I may try again. Its funny you mention this as I was talking to someone a couple of weeks ago, and I'm almost sure about 10 years ago a supermarket had their own variant on these and it was almost the same (mincemeat type) but it was maybe something like Somerfield / Gateway or Fine-Fare, cannot really remember, unless my mind is playing tricks but there was something "quite similar" available years back from elsewhere. Not like the modern "meat slice" things it was very similar to the Findus one.
Off topic I have been researching various major brands in what they offer elsewhere too, it is quite surprising what is available either further overseas and/or in the rest of the EU actually. I thought about posting my thoughts/findings on this, might do this as a new topic in a day or three. :)
I'm still half trying to figure out who did the 'very similar' crispy pancake years back, I think it may of been Fine-Fare own brand or something. I do recall they were just as good or so it seemed.
Imagine if they'd not had the crappy breadcrumbs on them? What would they have been called? Findus soggy pockets? Findus Crap Crepes? They certainly wouldn't have been crispy. They weren't even really that crispy in their "crispy" form...
Talking of microwaves, I noticed in Sainsbury's the other week a bag of the usual 'french fries' type crisps. I picked one up just out of interest and nearly put it back until I noticed it said you can microwave them ( ! ) to have them hot. Have tried some 'as is' and they are reasonable but a bit greasy, not tried nuking them yet. They do taste OK to be fair its not like eating 'cold fries' or chips.
Nobody's mentioned Discos, which I'm sure were only brought back from the 80s within the last couple of years, and were quite disappointing - though not as much as Ringos, which resurfaced around the same time, and the beef flavour was just about nonexistent.
Burt's Guinness crisps are quite marvellous, as are Marmite crisps. But where there is Marmite, there should also be the crisp I'd most like to bring back from the past:
The last time I saw those, that I can remember, was in the Co-op in Great Dunmow somewhere around 1983. It's been too long, Smith's. Your brand is back on the shelves (even if it's only the Scampi Fries trilogy so far), do the right thing!
I've never been that fussy about crisps, nowhere near as much as some of the connoisseurs in this thread, which is probably why I'll happily spend 20p on a packet of Space Raiders (beef, of course), twice that on Bobby's Spirals (prawn cocktail) or three times on prawn crackers (Happy Shopper's own) and any of them will see me through. Where I can be picky, though, is in the pub. "Is this a good pub crisp? Does it go well with my beer?" And that's where Brannigans come in. Beef & mustard or ham & pickle, I always thought there was supposed to be a third but it seems the lamb & mint ones are new. Then there's the slightly more upmarket types, the aforementioned Burt's and Piper's, who keep on turning up at every beer festival I go to.
I also fondly remember the Smiths Tubes too, the 'Wheat Crunchies' I do like but they are not the same, the Tubes were a bit thinner and crisper.
I do hear good things about Seabrook's crisps although I've yet to try any, the ready salted and beef flavours seem to get decent reviews at least.
Serious answer: No idea :(
@luny@mstdn.games
https://www.luny.co.uk
Findus Crusty Flaps.
- IONIAN-GAMES.com -
One supermarket years ago did make something "almost the same" as the Findus crispy pancakes but I can't recall who it was, best guess Somerfield / Gateway or something like Hillards / Presto etc, we are probably talking 15 maybe a bit more years ago though from what I can vaguely recall.
EDIT... THis reminds me I need to fire off a complaint ( :( ) as I purchased something on the information from the manufacturers site (not the online supermarket, the manufacturer) saying it was microwavable but its not, or if it is there are no instructions for that on the pack only "oven" ones. Would not of brought it had I known as I was specifically looking for something microwavable in this case.
....and all my Monster Munch is gone :(
The beef M.M are quite nice when I can find them, cheap too. Not a fan of pickled onion. I seem to remember they used to have more flavours offered.
That reminds me the 'Snaps' I'm sure they used to do more than the tomoto and the cheese flavours way back at some point too, as in early 80's I remember I'm sure there were more flavours of these.
Onto something else ( ! ) these are not too bad at all decent size bag and good taste to them, the pepper is not overdone either:
I'm into those Oven Baked crisps at the moment, the ready salted and cheese and onion are nice.
You should be burnt at the stake for that comment. Or lat least be damn well hung for it! (Anyone picking me up on hanged not hung, can go swing. Its a joke ;) )
@luny@mstdn.games
https://www.luny.co.uk
Yep the Flamin Hot flavour Monster Munch I remember these first came out in the early 90's. I've fond memories these as I remember buying them Saturday mornings as this was the day I use to get paid £8 wages for being the village paperboy. They were in larger packets originally and cost a little more. Those Saturdays could be extra special if it was that time of the month when my subscription of Your Sinclair was waiting for me behind the counter back at the post office. Good old times.
- IONIAN-GAMES.com -
Vanilla Monster Munch. I do not recall ever seeing these but it seems they were sold in the UK...
Burton's Piglets Very vague memory of these, I seem to think they were tube like shapes ?
Sooner's Wheat Crunchies How they were "way back" before they were purchased by another company. I do not recall seeing them though but likely lack of memory...
Wotsits Waffles I do not remember these ?
Smith's Tubes Something I do remember quite well. Wheat Crunchies are lovely but I did like the "thin" tube of these plus the fact you could get plain salted variety too.
I've seen the Giant Prawn one and yes its orangey with the big 'monster' on the pack. I don't recall seeing a S+V one though (to be fair I don't like this flavour) but a cursory Google did not show anything straight away. Not thinking of Space Raiders maybe ? I sometimes confuse the two for some reason.
Half convinced there were more Skips flavours than I can immediately see but time plays too many memory tricks... :D