You’re in your local grocery store and desperately need to buy the best cola and the best flavor of Lays Chips. Wait a minute, don’t panic! The Journalism class is here to help you with your situation. We tested every cola and Lay’s potato chip flavor that Kroger had to offer. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it, and this is the level of dedication we here at the Paw Print possess. Here’s our rankings.
Colas
In 1885, the first cola, Dr. Pepper was created. Followed by Coca Cola a year later, and Pepsi 7 years later in 1893. Now, 131 years later, in 2024, they’re being ranked by some (very certified) high school students.
At the very bottom of the pack, in 8th place, is Pepsi Zero. This zero-calorie cola is a great option for those looking to cut back on sugar and calories. However, many find its taste to be absolutely atrocious.
In 7th place, Diet Coke. One of the original diet colas, Diet Coke has a distinct taste that some people love and others can’t stand. And we at Journalism can’t stand it.
For 6th place we picked Coke Zero, a zero-calorie cola that can be a good option for those looking to cut back on sugar and calories. While it was better than the others, we just aren’t looking for that cut back.
In 5th place we have Cherry Coke. This cola has a sweet cherry flavor that many people love but not as much as Cherry Pepsi, which is placed only slightly higher. Some people think Cherry is the best version of cola, other than original, and it is interesting that both of the cherry colas ranked so close to each other.
In 4th place for those who love cherry flavor, Cherry Pepsi is a great pick. It has a sweet, fruity taste that many people enjoy, and clearly that they enjoy a little better than Cherry Coke.
In 3rd place is the classic cola that started it all in 1886. Coca Cola has a distinct taste that many people love. It’s a great option for those who want a classic cola flavor, and we generally liked it. Will Simpson thought this should be ranked higher, saying that “Coke is like the older brother, and Pepsi is like the forgotten middle child.”
In 2nd place is one of the most popular diet colas on the market: Diet Pepsi. It has a taste that many people enjoy. Pepsi is said to be slightly sweeter than Coke, which many people like.
In 1st place, Dr. Pepper. It’s unique flavor sets it apart from other options on the market, making it our top pick for the best cola. Students liked it so much, one classmate said, “It’s the best pop ever.” This was the first 2 liter that we finished–we liked it a lot more than any other flavor.
Lays Chip Flavors
Next, we ranked all the available flavors of Lay’s potato chips, and boy, did we have opinions.
Chile Limon flavor has a spicy and tangy taste that is very unpopular in our class, it even brought 47.1% of us to put it in its place, 9th place specifically, the flavor is so disliked that one student said, “That was the most horrible thing I’ve tasted, I don’t wish to taste that ever again.”
Barbecue is in 8th place on the list. This flavor is loved by many around the world but the only top 3 list it got on is for the worst flavors. Other barbecue flavors ranked higher, but this one was just not good.
Sweet and Spicy Honey is the seventh best flavor and the third worst flavor on the list. This flavor has a perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness. The honey adds sweetness, while the spices give it a kick. With a stale and canned Chef Boyardee flavor, Ms. Evanson said it “tasted like child neglect.” However, editor-in-chief Ashlyn Fuhrmann said it was “a good balance of sweet of spicy” that she has bought again since the taste test.
In 6th place, we have Limon. It is a good flavor for those who want to try something different from the classic flavors. This one was really polarizing–some said it was overwhelmingly bitter and tasted like feet, while others said it was an underrated gem. Also, whose feet smell like limes?
Sour Cream and Onions is the fifth-best flavor on our list. This flavor is liked by many for its creamy and savory taste. Most people liked this one, even if they didn’t rank it higher because they liked something else more.
The fourth best flavor on our list is Lightly Salted. This flavor is perfect for those who prefer a classic, just less salty taste, “Made with 50% less sodium than our original recipe.” according to Lay’s, it can be a slightly healthier choice (although when you are eating potato chips, is anything really healthy?).
Dill Pickle is the third best flavor on our list. It’s a perfect choice for pickle lovers who want to enjoy the taste of pickles in a crunchy snack form. This is a new flavor to the US, but our Canadian neighbors have been enjoying this for decades. It has a little bit of salt and vinegar taste, and it is definitely worth a try.
The second best flavor on the list is the Cheddar and Sour Cream. The cheesy flavor mixed with the sour cream creates a unique and delicious taste. Almost everyone loved this one.
In 1st place is the Honey Barbecue flavor, which is the undisputed king of Lays chips flavors. It has the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it a favorite among the class. We finished this bag so quickly, and many classmates were left wanting more. It was so much better than the plain barbecue flavor that it wasn’t even funny. Why do they even have that flavor?
If you’re ever looking for some pop and chips for a party, try consulting this list and you might find something you enjoy.
