Which Chip Pairs Best with a Cheesesteak?

Peanut butter and jelly. Bacon and eggs. A burger and fries. Some foods (and flavors) are meant for each other. But which flavor of potato chip goes best with a Philly cheesesteak, or a BLT or a meatball sub?

To settle that lunch dilemma, Herr’s and its flavor development team have created potato chip pairing guidelines for a variety of sandwiches — and, yes, there’s actual flavor science and expertise behind the recommendations. These findings come just in time for National Sandwich Day on November 3rd. This is the perfect opportunity to put these results to the test.

“You’ve got a sandwich, and you’re staring at a rack of chip flavors, but which one do you choose?” said Pete Graziano, Herr’s Research & Development Manager and Corporate Chef. “It’s a challenge everyone has experienced at some point, and it’s not always an easy decision.”

Some pairings, like a ham sandwich and Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar Chips, are all about contrast, while others, like tuna fish and Kettle Cooked Old Bay Chips, are more complementary.

Despite the pressure of picking the right crunchy snack, Herr’s notes that there are no wrong choices.

“In the end, just like wine-and-food pairings, it’s really all about your personal preference,” said Graziano. “But the right combination, with similar tastes and perfectly balanced flavor profiles, can make the difference between a good lunch and a great one.”

SANDWICH: Cheesesteak
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Jalapeño
The hearty combo of meat and cheese blends seamlessly with bites of the spicy jalapeño-flavored snack.

SANDWICH: Turkey
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Sour Cream & Onion
One of the most popular sandwiches pairs perfectly with one of the most popular chip flavors.

SANDWICH: Ham
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar
Contrast is the name of the game in this battle between a powerful, salty-snack flavor and a lighter, classic sandwich staple.

SANDWICH: Italian
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt
In Italy, salt and pepper are often the only addition to meats and cheeses, and this chip-and-sandwich combo pays homage to that tradition.

SANDWICH: Roast Beef
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Cheddar Horseradish
Roast beef plus cheddar or roast beef plus horseradish? Take your pick of perfect pairings, but either way, this math adds up to the perfect lunch.

SANDWICH: BLT
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Mesquite BBQ
The smoky combo of the mesquite barbeque sauce in the chips and bacon go together like, well, two delicious smoky things.

SANDWICH: Bologna & Cheese
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Original
Simple, tried-and-true and reliable, Kettle Cooked Original is a classic, no-nonsense chip for a classic, no-nonsense sandwich.

SANDWICH: Meatball
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Ripple Chips
The extreme crunch of the Ripple Chip is the perfect textural contrast to the meat, cheese and sauce of the meatball sub.

SANDWICH: Tuna
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Old Bay
The aromatic and flavorful punch of Old Bay is the ideal partner for a sandwich packed with flavors of the sea.