Quest for the Best Podcast: Recent Episodes

Amy Hummel

Join us as we quest for the best foods.

questforthebestpodcast.substack.com

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Welcome to the Iowa State Fair! At the Iowa State Fair, food is king. On a stick, deep fried, slathered in butter, and coated in sugar. When you come to the Iowa State Fair, be prepared to try the weirdest foods. Be prepared to try some delicious food. And be prepared to eat more than you expected to.

This year, Matt and I are trying out the three winners of Best New Fair Foods. Which, since this is being released right before the 2026 State Fair, you should be able to go and enjoy (assuming the stand still is making the same food, which I’m sure they will be)

Today we are trying…

  • The Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggroll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen

  • Three Little Pigs from Whatcha Smoking? BBQ

  • The Scotcheroo Shake from Over the Top

Don’t forget to donate to our show! Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.

Thanks for joining us!

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The Bakery Collection. You may think we are trying delicious homemade pies and cakes… but nope, we are trying out the Bakery Collection by M&M’s.

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Which M&M’s are we trying today?

  • Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll

  • Lemon Meringue Pie

  • Cherry Chocolate Cupcake

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris - his shells are cracked.

  • Matt - the Green M&M’s child.

  • Amy - what the heck?

A History of M&M’s

M&M’s got their start with Mars. Forrest Mars Sr, who managed the Mars candy company, got the idea for M&Ms while working in Europe in the 1930s. He was overseeing production of Mars candy bars as a part of army rations. Forrest discovered soldiers liked to eat sugar coated chocolate so it wouldn’t melt as fast. So upon returning to the states, Forrest Mars worked with Bruce Murrie and created M&Ms (Mars and Murrie)

Some fun facts about M&Ms…

  • Initially M&Ms were exclusive to the US Army.

  • The M on the candies was added to distinguish themselves from the copycat competitors.

  • M&Ms were the first candy in space.

  • The movie ET was supposed to feature M&Ms but Mars declined and Reese’s Pieces were put in the movie instead, resulting in a 65% sales increase for Hershey.

  • There are over 400 million produced each day.

List of past and present flavors

  • Almond

  • Banana

  • Birthday Cake

  • Café Mocha

  • Candy Apple

  • Carrot Cake

  • Cherry Cordial

  • Cherry

  • Chili Nut

  • Cinnamon

  • Coconut

  • Crispy

  • Crispy S’mores

  • Easter Sundae

  • Gingerbread

  • Honey Nut

  • Hot Chocolate

  • Peanut

  • Dark Chocolate

  • Mint

  • Orange

  • Peanut Butter

  • Pecan Pie

  • Pineapple

  • Pretzel

  • Pumpkin Spice Latte

  • Raspberry

  • Red Velvet

  • Strawberry

  • Vanilla Shake

  • Toffee Apple

  • White Chocolate

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Lemon Meringue Pie

  • Amy - “It has a sickly sweet to it.” - 4

  • Kris - “I don’t like these.” - 3

  • Matt - “That first one was horrible.” - 4

Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll

  • Amy - “That’s an interesting transition.” - 6

  • Kris - “I can’t tell if I really like these or I don’t like them at all.” - 6

  • Matt - “I wish it was more balanced.” - 7

Cherry Chocolate Cupcake

  • Amy - “It’s giving cordial cherries.” - 6

  • Kris - “Once you get past the black licorice hit, they are pretty good.” - 5

  • Matt - “It gets chocolate cakey at the end.” - 6

There you have it. We give the Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll M&M’sthe Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.mms.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARE! We want more people listening! SHARE!

Show Notes:

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-story-of-the-mms-characters-2016-3#after-the-super-bowl-mms-said-its-spokescandies-were-back-9

https://www.mms.com/en-us/mms-candy-flavors/caramel-cold-brew-mms-905oz/ct1237-p.html

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Oreo is cranking out the Limited Edition Oreos again. Let’s see if these new ones are worth it.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Which Oreos are we trying today?

  • BTS Oreos

  • Cinnamon Bun Oreos

  • Firecracker Pop Oreos

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, Amerrrrica!!!

  • Matt, your brown sugar pancake.

  • Amy, if you’re still with us.

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The pretzel business is booming these days. It seems like ever since Dots came on the scene, everyone is trying their hand in making a new pretzel. Well, today we have Pop Daddy’s Pretzels to give a try!

Also, I want to apologize for our lack of episodes! This summer has been ABSOLUTELY NUTS and we have had a hard time getting the gang together to quest!

Thanks for joining us today. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. Also, be a pal of the show and donate!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, looking skeletal

  • Matt, hi! I’m Nate!

  • Amy, welcome back!

Which Pop Daddy Pretzels are we trying?

  • Yellow Mustard

  • Beer Cheese

  • Garlic Parmesan

A History of Pop Daddy (pulled directly from their website)

We get that question a lot. With a name like Pop Daddy, people wonder about the person behind the product. Pop Daddy Snacks was founded by Mark and Erin Sarafa, who were passionate—some might say obsessed—with microwave popcorn. Seeking a healthier alternative to chemically laden options, Mark began experimenting with kernels and flavors in his basement after purchasing a large popcorn machine.

Mark and Erin were thrilled by the popularity of their homemade popcorn, which they gave away for free for two years before Erin and their children, J.T. and Grace, encouraged Mark to turn it into a business. In 2013, Pop Daddy Snacks was born, built on the foundation of “Bold Snacks made with Big Heart”, and became Mark’s full-time job. They started in a small bakery in Metro Detroit, staying afloat by splitting rent with tenants found on Craigslist.

While the brand continued to grow and gain traction, something new was coming. In 2018, inspired by a family gift of homemade seasoned pretzels, they launched their new product line that quickly became a hit. With the help of Mark’s son, J.T., the pretzels went viral on TikTok and have become pantry staples and top sellers in the snack market.

Pop Daddy Snacks continues to add new snacks to the lineup and reinforce their commitment to bold, unique flavors. Today, Pop Daddy offers over 25 flavors of snacks, available in over 30,000 U.S retail locations and 4 countries. Through their growth, Pop Daddy continues to operate out of Michigan and further their commitment to BOLD snacks with BIG heart.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Beer Cheese

  • Kris: “The beer cheese doesn’t come out very well.” 4/10

  • Amy: “It has a little bit of tang but no flavor.” 4/10

  • Matt: “It’s really salty at first and then nothing.” 5/10

TOTAL: 13/30

Yellow Mustard

  • Kris: “The very first bite is mustard tang.” 7/10

  • Amy: “This tastes just like mustard.” 7/10

  • Matt: “They probably do a good pickle one since they pulled this off.” 7/10

TOTAL: 21/40

Garlic Parmesan

  • Kris: “I would * up a whole bag of those.” *8/10

  • Amy: “That’s a good pretzel.” 8/10

  • Matt: “This smells like crazy bread.” 8/10

TOTAL: 24/40

There you have it. The Garlic Parmesan Pop Daddy’s receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://popdaddysnacks.com

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these pretzels? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://popdaddysnacks.com/pages/about

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Shrinkflation is real. Remember when full sized candy bars actually used to be full sized? And not $2.50 each? Remember when your bags of chips weren’t 75% air? And remember when PopTarts actually had filling in them?

Today we go back to the good ol’ days… because PopTart has a “new” product… (which I would argue is just their product from years ago) Super Stuffed PopTarts!

Thanks for joining us today. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. Also, be a pal of the show and donate!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, off the rails

  • Nate, off the rails

  • Matt, extremely off the rails

  • Amy, trying her best

Which Poptarts are we trying?

  • Crunchy Poppers Frosted Brownie Crunch

  • Crunchy Poppers Frosted Strawberry Crunch

  • PopTarts Super Stuffed - Strawberry Blast

  • PopTarts Super Stuffed - Molten Lava Cake

A Mini History Pop Tarts

In 1963 Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, called Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kellogg’s swooped in, stealing the market with a new product called Fruit Scones. The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. (Any guesses on the flavors?) Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

Today, around 2 billion Pop Tarts are sold each year in the United States. The best selling Pop Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’mores.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Crunchy Poppers Frosted Strawberry Crunch

  • Kris: “Good for a 5 year old because they don’t know any better.” 3/10

  • Amy: “Weird and crunchy.” 3/10

  • Nate: “Nope.” 3/10

  • Matt: “I’m not eating this.” 4/10

TOTAL: 13/40

Crunchy Poppers Frosted Brownie Crunch

  • Kris: “It’s better because it’s chocolate...” 4/10

  • Amy: “That’s a bad product.” 4/10

  • Nate: “Huh...” 3/10

  • Matt: “Nobody does chocolate like PopTarts.” 3/10

TOTAL: 14/40

PopTarts Super Stuffed - Molten Lava Cake

  • Kris: “I don’t really care for the fudge flavor on that.” 5/10

  • Amy: “Yeah, It doesn’t need to be heated.” 6/10

  • Nate: “It’s super sweet.” 4/10

  • Matt: “I could eat this over some ice cream.” 5/10

TOTAL: 20/40

PopTarts Super Stuffed - Strawberry Blast

  • Kris: “This is better than the fudge.” 6/10

  • Amy: “It tastes more like a strawberry should.” 7/10

  • Nate: “It’s pretty decent.” 6/10

  • Matt: “This tastes different from the original strawberry flavor.” 5/10

TOTAL: 24/40

There you have it. The Super Stuffed Pop Tarts receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.poptarts.com

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Pop Tarts? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520

https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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It’s time to clean out the cupboard of all the foods we have collected but haven’t had a specific show to put them with! So we will call this Rando Snacks and Other Garbage. (BTW… sorry about the retching noises in this one, folks)

Which randos are we trying today?

  • KFC Jelly Beans

  • Butterfinger French Toast

  • Harry Potter Butterbeer Kisses

  • Harry Potter Butterbeer Goldfish

  • Reeces PB&J Filled Pretzels

  • Dots Snack Mix - Bold and Savory

Who is on this garbage quest?

  • Nate, a little excitable.

  • Kris, OMG Hufflepuff.

  • Matt, smells like salmonella.

  • Amy, subscribe!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

KFC Jelly Beans

  • Amy - retching - 1

  • Kris - “This is worse than jelly bean roulette.” - 1

  • Matt - “I don’t know what I’m eating anymore.” - 3

  • Nate - “For the first time ever, we might need a spit bucket.” - 1

Butterfinger French Toast

  • Amy - “The original Butterfinger was perfection. This is not great.” - 4

  • Kris - “Hint of cinnamon, hint of butterscotch.” - 3

  • Matt - “This is imbalanced.” - 4

  • Nate - “Anything is not terrible after those KFC Jellybeans.” - 3

Harry Potter Butterbeer Kisses

  • Amy - “This is pure sugar.” - 4

  • Kris - “I’m not a butterscotch fan.” - 4

  • Matt - “It’s the best one we’ve had yet.” - 4

  • Nate - “It’s very creamy.” - 4

Harry Potter Butterbeer Goldfish

  • Amy - “These just taste like graham cracker.” - 5

  • Kris - “So dusty on my fingers.” - 5

  • Matt - “These would be alright with a cup of coffee.” - 5

  • Nate - “I would follow this trail into a chamber of secrets.” - 5

Reeces PB&J Filled Pretzels

  • Amy - “These actually smell nice.” - 5

  • Kris - “I had high hopes.” - 5

  • Matt - “The jam ruins it.” - 5

  • Nate - “It’s hard to do a dry jam.” - 4

Dots Snack Mix - Bold and Savory

  • Amy - “It tastes very Dotty, but has a kick to it.” - 5

  • Kris - “I’m underwhelmed by the size of the Rye chip.” - 8

  • Matt - “If I was really in the mood for this…. 8” - 7

  • Nate - “It’s good.” - 7

There you have it. Dots Snack Mix - Bold and Savory gets the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? Which one was your favorite? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, donate! We could use your support!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Have you ever eaten something where the flavor and the texture do not match up? Well, I am afraid that is what we are running into today with the Limited Edition Flavor Swap chips.

Which chips are we trying today?

  • Sweet Southern Heat BBQ Cheetos

  • Cool Ranch Ruffles

  • Cheddar & Sour Cream Doritos

Who is on this twisted quest?

  • Nate, needs a theme song.

  • Kris, hoggin’ the stank.

  • Matt, aka Foley Matt.

  • Amy, subscribe!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Sweet Southern Heat BBQ Cheetos

  • Amy - “The BBQ flavor goes away fast.” - 4

  • Kris - “That heat takes over.” - 4

  • Matt - “It tastes like spicy Corn Pops.” - 4

  • Nate - “The aftertaste tastes like a bottom burp.” - 3

Cool Ranch Ruffles

  • Amy - “Meh.” - 4

  • Kris - “I don’t know about the ranch on that.” - 3

  • Matt - “It’s too salty for this flavor.” - 5

  • Nate - “I’d call that chip for a second date.” - 7

Cheddar & Sour Cream Doritos

  • Amy - “The flavor doesn’t last long enough.” - 4

  • Randi - “The tortilla hits hard.” - 5

  • Matt - “It’s the best one.” - 6

  • Nate - “It’s alright.” - 5

There you have it. Cheddar and Sour Cream Doritos gets the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these flavor swaps? Which one was your favorite? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, donate! We could use your support!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Today it’s getting dirty in the podcast studio. It’s time to try some Dirty Mountain Dew.

Who is on this dirty quest?

  • Kristopher, with a t.

  • Nate, with a t.

  • Matt, with a t.

  • Amy, without.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Burritos would not be the food that comes to mind when visiting Iowa. But today we have an Iowa Burrito showdown to see who does it better.Today we are trying national chain (Pancheros) vs local link (Greenhouse Kitchen).

Who is joining us in this battle?

  • Kris, has the bottom burps.

  • Nate, has lots in the chamber.

  • Matt, aka Fresher Presser.

  • Amy, subscribe!

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

About Greenhouse Kitchen

Greenhouse Kitchen’s story begins with a group of friends and former co-workers. This crew all had experience in the local restaurant industry and decided they could do it themselves. And Greenhouse Kitchen was born.

100% locally owned, Greenhouse Kitchen focuses on fresh culinary options using only whole, clean ingredients. There is a preset menu, but diners also have the option to create customized meals. Greenhouse Kitchen presses their own flour and gluten free tortillas, as well as offering homemade sauces and salsas.

About Pancheros

Pancheros originally started in Iowa City back in 1992, founded by Rodney Anderson. Even though this started locally, Pancheros quickly grew into one of the biggest Mexican fast-casual brands in the country. Using scratch-made dough and fresh-pressed flour burritos (brought to you by The Fresher Presser 7000) and mixing all ingredients perfectly with Bob the Tool, Pancheros has the recipe for mouthwatering flavor.

Pancheros has grown over the last 30 years to 70+ restaurants in 13 states.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Greenhouse Kitchen

  • Kris: “A little more of the southwest ranch would help this out.” 6/10

  • Nate: “Nice and tender chicken but I’m not getting anything that’s sticking out.” 5/10

  • Amy: “I really enjoy the flavors, but there is a little crunch to that rice.” 6/10

  • Matt: “It tastes like chicken and rice.” 7/10

Total: 24/30

Pancheros

  • Kris: “It’s over seasoned. It always is.” 6/10

  • Nate: “I don’t think it makes that great of a tortilla.” 5/10

  • Amy: “I really just taste the grill flavor.” 5/10

  • Matt: “I think this chicken is a little overdone.” 6/10

Total: 22/40

There you have it. Greenhouse Kitchen gets the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a location near you.

https://greenhousekitchen.com

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these menu items? Which one was your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

If you were entertained today, consider donating to our podcast! Keep these episodes coming with your own treasure. We would really appreciate the support!

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes

https://pancheros.com/about/

https://greenhousekitchen.com/about/

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Sometimes you need something quick. You stop at one place and can pick up pizza, chips, soda, beer, cookies, and fill up your gas tank.And other times you have more time, maybe want to heat up the oven and you know, make your own food.Today we are trying Inconvenience (Papa Murphy’s) vs Convenience (Casey’s)

Which pizzas are we trying?

  • Supreme

  • Pepperoni

  • Bonus! Casey’s Wings

Who is brave enough to battle it out?

  • Kris, so humble.

  • Nate, runs hot.

  • Matt, one upper.

  • Amy, overloaded.

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Nate and Randi flew on a plane!

They flew across the pond.

They visited a place… Australia? Austria? No, Ireland!

Saw a lot of sheep.

Ate a lot of food.

Brought back some snacks!

Let’s see if these are any good!

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Matt - Doing his best.

  • Amy - Crikey, mate!

  • Nate - Light on the chunk

  • Randi - Lost a hubcap.

Which Overseas snacks are we trying?

  • Cadbury Crunchie

  • Star Bar

  • Wispa

  • Dunnes Milk Chocolate Chunky Biscuit

  • Signature Caramel Chocolate Rounds

  • Mr. Brownie

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Cadbury Crunchie

  • Amy - “It makes my throat hot.” - 5

  • Matt - “This is nothing special.” - 6

  • Nate - “This is the best milk chocolate ive had in a long time.” - 6

  • Randi - “Reminds me of a whopper.” - 5

TOTAL: 22/30

Star Bar

  • Amy - “I like that the outer layer of chocolate is thin.” - 4

  • Matt - “The peanuts are not that crunchy.” - 5

  • Nate - “That is ooey gooey.” - 7

  • Randi - “I like it.” - 7

TOTAL: 23/40

Wispa

  • Amy - “Very light and airy - I like the textures.” - 5

  • Matt - “That aftertaste is very milky.” - 5

  • Nate - “It smells like that Nesquik powder mix.” - 5

  • Randi - “That is interesting.” - 5

TOTAL: 20/40

Dunnes Milk Chocolate Chunky Biscuit

  • Amy - “This is my least favorite.” - 3

  • Matt - “European Pocky Stick.” - 5

  • Nate - “It’s fine.” - 5

  • Randi - “They aren’t that chunky.” - 4

TOTAL: 17/40

Signature Caramel Chocolate Rounds

  • Amy - “Fancy.” - 5

  • Matt - “It’s like those elf cookies.” - 6

  • Nate - “Not bad. It’s appealing.” - 7

  • Randi - “I liked them.” - 8

TOTAL: 26/40

Mr. Brownie

  • Amy - “This has a bit of a rind taste to it.” - 6

  • Matt - “It tastes like those Terry’s Oranges.” - 5

  • Nate - “I like that the cake was still moist.” - 6

  • Randi - “I didn’t get much of an orange taste.” - 7

TOTAL: 24/40

There you have it. We give Signature Caramel Chocolate Rounds the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried this? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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A road trip is never complete without some good road food. Whether you are packing up a cooler before you leave or stopping at a gas stations on the way, your snack choice is critical to the enjoyment of the trip.

Cue Buc-ee’s!

If you are lucky enough to live near a Buc-ee’s, you know their snack and food selection is top notch. So today we are trying out their own branded potato chips.

Let’s see if these are any good!

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, bless you my daughter.

  • Nate, appreciates a clean urinal.

  • Matt, smells like mothballs.

  • Amy, this podcast is off the rails.

Which Buc-ee’s Chips are we trying?

  • Kettle Cooked Sweet Southern Barbecue

  • Kettle Cooked Salt and Vinegar

  • Kettle Cooked Jalapeno

  • Kettle Cooked Sorta Spicy Dill Pickle

  • Original

  • Salt and Pepper

  • Bold and Blended

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We have had a brief hiatus from the show! And not because of something fun or cool. Our cat, Oy, who has made some appearances on this podcast, had emergency surgery. He was questing for the best piece of plastic and got it stuck in his tummy. So for two weeks we have been in recovery and comfort mode. But thankfully, Oy is doing much better and he is now roaming the house, annoying our other cat, Bumbler.

Today we have a couple sodas to try… Cherry Float Coca Cola and… Mr. Pibb is back! Let’s see if these are any good!

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, never go full retard.

  • Nate, never go full Beatles.

  • Matt, wait what?

  • Amy, Dr. Pepper Girl

Which sodas are we trying?

  • Cherry Float Coca Cola

  • Mr. Pibb

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Welcome to Quest for the Best!

Today we have another random selection from the grocery store! I am always on the lookout for some new products. If you see any you want us to try, let us know!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which snacks are we trying today?

  • Twix Bits

  • Chips Ahoy Chewy Cookies & Creme

  • Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets - Cinnamon Sugar

Who is on this quest?

  • Kris - Haaaeeey.

  • Nate - Will cry if he wants to.

  • Matt - Accurate.

  • Amy - Subscribe!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

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Smoky flavoring can be quite good when done well. Can Pringles do smoky? Let’s find out!

Which Pringles are we trying today?

  • Smoky Cheddar

  • Smoky Mesquite BBQ

  • Smoky Bacon

Who is on this Newfangled Pringle Quest?

  • Nate, picking down.

  • Randi, good Lord.

  • Matt, putting up.

  • Amy, subscribe!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

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Welcome to Quest for the Best!

Every time I head to the grocery store, I always have my eyes peeled for something new. And usually I find something. Those new items go to the cupboard and the next time we get together, I usually have quite the collection. Well, today’s episode is a random sampling of cookies and snacks that nicely fit into a junk food category. Let’s see if any of them are good!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which snacks are we trying today?

  • Pepperidge Farm Holiday Nog Cookies

  • Honey Roasted Peanut M&M’s

  • Cookie Dough Flavor Oreos

  • Chips Ahoy Chewy Cinnamon Bun

  • Cinnabon Bakery Inspired Cinnamon Roll Frosted Pretzels

Who is on this quest?

  • Randi - Get outta here!

  • Nate - Chugga Chugga!

  • Matt - Talking about some noggin’.

  • Amy - North Dakotan with a hint of anime.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

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If you have a maturity level higher than a 5th grader, I apologize ahead of time.

Which sodas are we trying today?

  • Twigs

  • Bawls

Who is on this quest?

  • Randi, too mature for this episode.

  • Matt, ribbed for her pleasure.

  • Nate, getting kicked out.

  • Amy, not mature enough for this episode.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

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Join us at Bit Brewery in Central City, Iowa for a Chili Cook Off!

And then go to Bit Brewery and try some of their amazing beer and pizza, and stay around for the events they have all year long. Check out their website here!

https://www.bitbrew3.com/

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

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Frozen pizza is a staple in most freezers across the US. But today we are trying out some strange strange pizza that popped up in the grocery store.

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Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Frozen Pizzas are we trying today?

  • Tombstone Chili Cheese French Fry Crust Pizza

  • Tombstone Loaded Bacon Cheddar French Fry Crust Pizza

  • DiGiorno Thanksgiving Pizza

Who is on this seasonal quest?

  • Randi, did not consent to cannibalism.

  • Nate, did someone say beans?

  • Matt, hold me!

  • Amy, in a fugue state.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Frozen Pizza

The simple act of turning on the oven, grabbing a frozen pizza out of the freezer, and baking it until the cheese melts, the toppings are hot, and the crust has a nice crunch, is actually something that has not been around very long. Sure, pizza made it’s way to the United States in the early 1900s thanks to Italian immigrants, but there wasn’t even the ability to preserve a pizza until freezers were made and home freezers became a regular thing, which wasn’t until the 40s and 50s.

But with the popularity of pizza taking off after World War II, pizza restaurant owners in the U.S. started offering take-and-bake pizzas, and soon after, frozen pizzas were common in the grocery store. In the 50s, frozen pizza started taking off, with many regional companies raking in the dough. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that a brand rose to national fame. Rose and Jim Totino began mass-producing frozen pizzas in St. Louis Park, Minnesota in 1962 and by the 1970s, Totino’s became the country’s top-selling frozen pizza, with sales reaching $50 million by 1974.

Totino’s was not a the only company reaching great pizza heights, however. In the 1960’s, Mama Celeste came onto the scene. Also, in 1966, the Simek brothers went from selling pizza in their bar, called The Tombstone Tap, to selling their frozen pizzas to other taverns. And by 1984, Tombstone Pizza was one of the top frozen pizza distributors.

Who rolls on the scene next? Schwan’s of course, with the purchase of Kansas-based pizza manufacturer Tony’s. And in 1976, Schwan’s expanded their pizza business further by launching Red Baron, which is now one of the country’s leading pizza brands.

By the 1980s, the market was worth $1 billion

Today the top frozen pizza brands in the U.S. are…

  • Di Giorno - $319.28 million in annual sales

  • Red Baron - $255.73 million in annual sales

  • Totino’s Party Pizza - 104.22 million in annual sales

  • Jack’s - 91.48 million in annual sales

  • Tombstone - 57.43 million in annual sales

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Tombstone Loaded Bacon Cheddar French Fry Crust Pizza

  • Randi - It tastes like a loaded baked potato. - 7

  • Nate - I was expecting to be underwhelmed. I’m slightly whelmed. - 7

  • Matt - It’s not bad - it’s just really salty. - 5

  • Amy - It’s giving me a Casey’s pizza breakfast pizza sauce vibe. - 5

Tombstone Chili Cheese French Fry Crust Pizza

  • Randi - Reminds me of chili cheese Fritos. - 5

  • Nate - I’m not getting too much of the potato element. - 6

  • Matt - It was okay. - 5

  • Amy - This reminds me of a frozen burrito. - 6

DiGiorno Thanksgiving Pizza

  • Randi - I hate it so much. - 3

  • Nate - There is too much gravy. - 4

  • Matt - The turkey is somehow moist. - 5

  • Amy - This is a very good crust. - 5

There you have it. Tombstone Pizza receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite frozen pizza? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/02/the-history-of-frozen-pizza-from-totinos-to-digiorno.html

https://www.statista.com/statistics/915572/leading-frozen-pizza-brands-us-dollar-sales/

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On a vacation this past fall, Matt and I visited Silver Dollar City. Today we are trying Taffy made at the park!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Taffy are we trying today?

  • Ghirardelli Jack-o-lanterns

  • Mike-n-Ike Sour Spooky Treats

  • Albanese Apple Harvest Gummies

  • Sour Patch Kids Apple Harvest

  • Nerds Gummy Clusters Spooky

Who is on this quest?

  • Kris, aka Marshmallow Butterfinger

  • Matt, aka Snickerdoodle Kit Kat

  • Amy, fire in the hole!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Mystic River Splash (Fruit Punch)

  • Amy - “Not getting the fruit punch.” - 4

  • Matt - “It has a detergent aftertaste.” - 4

  • Kris - “If you are doing fruit punch, you have to go for it.” - 4

Caramel Apple

  • Amy - “This tastes like it’s supposed to.” - 5

  • Matt - “Pretty darn good apple flavor.” - 6

  • Kris - “I want the apple to be really sour.” - 7

Cookie Dough

  • Amy - “I’d rather have my taffy taste fruity.” - 4

  • Matt - “I’d rather eat cookie crisp.” - 4

  • Kris - “This smell is weird.” - 5

Fire in the Hole (Lemonade and Cinnamon)

  • Amy - “I’d rather just have lemonade.” - 4

  • Matt - “It’s interesting.” - 4

  • Kris - “The lemonade really stands out.” - 4

Grape

  • Amy - “It’s like if you chewed grape bubble gum for 3 days too long.” - 3

  • Matt - “I was thinking it was some nasty ass sweet potato.” -

  • Kris - “It does not taste like grape.” - 3

Root Beer

  • Amy - “It hits okay for a minute.” - 3

  • Matt - “No.” - 4

  • Kris - “Black licorice… oh hellllll no.” - 2

Cherry Cola

  • Amy - “It smells like the Bubbalicious cherry cola.” - 4

  • Matt - “It takes a nasty turn.” - 2

  • Kris - “Is that cleaning products?!” - 3

There you have it. Caramel Apple receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

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200 Episodes!?!?! CRAZY!In honor of this amazing milestone, we have decided to do a battle between two local BBQ joints, Starbeck’s vs. Cindy Lou’s. Because who doesn’t love some good good BBQ?

Which menu items will we be trying?

  • Brisket

  • Pulled Pork

  • Smoked Turkey

  • Corn Bread

  • Cole Slaw

  • Mashed Potatoes

  • Baked Beans

Who is joining this battle?

  • Nate, surprise meat.

  • Kris, is a saucy guy.

  • Matt, tater guy.

  • Amy, too earthy.

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

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Sorry Folks, Totally missed this edit. So let’s turn back time to… Halloween!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which candies are we trying today?

  • Ghirardelli Jack-o-lanterns

  • Mike-n-Ike Sour Spooky Treats

  • Albanese Apple Harvest Gummies

  • Sour Patch Kids Apple Harvest

  • Nerds Gummy Clusters Spooky

Who is on this quest?

  • Randi, the sane one.

  • Nate, can’t follow that up.

  • Matt, making his own gravy.

  • Amy, tickle tickle.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Albanese Apple Harvest Gummies

  • Amy - “They are very juicy.” - 5

  • Matt - “They were soft and squishy.” - 6

  • Nate - “What an unpleasant thing to chew on.” - 3

  • Randi - “The Granny Smith is the best.” - 7

Sour Patch Kids Apple Harvest

  • Amy - “The flavors were not great.” - 4

  • Matt - “They would have gotten a 6 if they were shaped like children.” - 5

  • Nate - “Obnoxiously sweet.” - 2

  • Randi - “I generally like Sour Patch Kids but I didn’t love the flavors.” - 5

Mike and Ike Sour Spooky Treats

  • Amy - “That is super sour.” - 7

  • Matt - “I didn’t expect grape to be sour like that.” - 5

  • Nate - “These just hurt my teeth.” - 2

  • Randi - “Not a big fan of the sour or texture.” - 5

Ghirardelli Jack-o-lanterns

  • Amy - “It’s too sweet for me.” - 5

  • Matt - “I’m not a big fruit and chocolate guy.” - 4

  • Nate - “It has a gooey center.” - 4

  • Randi - “That wasn’t well executed.” - 4

Nerds Gummy Clusters Spooky

  • Amy - “These are good but not my favorite gummy cluster.” - 6

  • Matt - “They are alright.” - 5

  • Nate - “This makes sense as I chew it.” - 3

  • Randi - “I really like Nerd Gummy Clusters.” - 7

There you have it. Nerds Gummy Clusters and Albanese Gummies receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

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We travel, we explore, we buy food, we go back home, we podcast about it.Let’s do it.

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which popped corns are we trying today?

  • Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peppermint Joe Joe’s

  • Silver Dollar City Peanut Brittle Premium Goo Goo

Who is on this quest?

  • Kris - kris kris kris kris kris kris

  • Nate - nate nate nate nate nate nate

  • Matt - matt matt matt matt matt matt

  • Amy - amy amy amy amy amy amy

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Silver Dollar City Peanut Brittle Premium Goo Goo

  • Amy - “It needs less vanilla.” - 4

  • Matt - “I’d rather have a Reeces Peanut Butter Cup.” - 3

  • Kris - “Nothing is sticking out.” - 3

  • Nate - “More like premium poo poo.” - 2

Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peppermint Joe Joe’s

  • Amy - “Sometimes the flavor isn’t quite right, it’s almost earthy.” - 6

  • Matt - “It’s over pepperminted.” - 6

  • Kris - “It is slightly like dirt at times. But it’s a decent cookie.” - 7

  • Nate - “Im disappointed but not really disappointed.” - 7

There you have it. Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peppermint Joe Joe’s receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

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Thanksgiving was just yesterday, and today you are probably out shopping. And in your shopping adventure, you may see some Thanksgiving seasoned popcorn. Should you buy it? Listed and find out.
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Donate yer monies
Which popped corns are we trying today?
* Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn * Casey’s Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn

Who is on this quest?
* Kris - Three best friends that anyone can have. * Nate - Three best friends that anyone can have. * Matt - Three best friends that anyone can have. * Amy - Subscribe!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

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Every time I go to the grocery store, it is just new chip after new chip. Weird chips, crazy chips, hopefully tasty chips… Let’s find out!
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Donate yer monies
Which chips are we trying today?
* Beanito’s Black Bean Tortilla Chip * Funyun Hot and Spicy Chicken Ramen * Lay’s Hot Sauce * Lay’s Wavy Loaded Nachos * Lay’s Kettle Cooked Cheesy Buffalo Dip

Who is on this quest?
* Kris - Never go full retard. * Matt - Earl of Chip. * Amy - Subscribe!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

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We randomly found some crazy new candy bar flavors in the store recently. Let’s see if these are any good!
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Who are our Questers today?
* Kris, stop it. * Matt, aka Carl. * Amy, changing it up.

Which candy bars are we trying today?
* Oreo Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups * Snickerdoodle Twix * Marshmallow Butterfinger

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Today we are trying out the new Pizza Hut Flatzz. Let’s see if these are worthy of ordering again!
Which Flats are we trying?
* Nashville Hot Chicken * Ultimate * Chicken Bacon Ranch

Who is brave enough to battle it out?
* Kris, can’t out pizza the hut. * Matt, wants to argue. * Amy, subscribe!

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

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Time for mOreo Cookies!
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Who are our Questers today?
* Kris, getting double stuffed. * Matt, crazy scientist. * Amy, on the fence.

Which cookies are we trying today?
* Blueberry Pie Oreos * Apple Pie A La Mode Oreos * Reese’s Oreos

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Coke, Mt. Dew, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper… These are all sodas that have a huge collection of soda flavors. Some good, and some are complete abominations. So, let’s see if A&W can show these other soda brands a run for their money.
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You can pretty much never go wrong with popcorn!
Let’s see if AMC can keep the popcorn party train going with their microwave popcorn!
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Donate yer monies
Which flavors are we trying today?
* AMC Classic Butter * AMC Extra Butter * AMC Cinnamon Butter

Who is on this seasonal quest?
* Randi, the only normal one. * Nate, savory boy. * Matt, pegged. * Amy, damn straight.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

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Some random candy bars! YAY!
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Who are our Questers today?
* Randi, prematurely optimistic. * Nate, producing a smell quite fowl. * Matt, will do anything for love. * Amy, covering my shit.

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There are a ton of different Reeces bars out there. But it seemed like it had been a while since a new flavor has come out and suddenly, they can’t stop. So today we are trying the PB&J cups!
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What should I have for breakfast this morning? If I was smart, I’d go with a banana or some other piece of fruit. But no. I think a PopTart sounds good. And to really sell it on the balanced breakfast idea - I’ll make them Girl Scout cookie PopTarts.
Thanks for joining us today. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. Also, be a pal of the show and donate!

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There have been a lot of kitchen gadgets over the years used to cook your food. Toaster Oven, Pizzazz, Pressure Cooker. Well, Air Fryer is all the rage and we wanted to give some freezer foods a try in the air fryer! Let’s go!
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Every time I go to the grocery store, it is just new chip after new chip. Weird chips, crazy chips, hopefully tasty chips… Let’s find out!
Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Donate yer monies
Which chips are we trying today?
* Pringles Beer Can Chicken * Lay’s Farmhouse Cheese and Ranch * Cheeto’s Puffs Cheese Pizza * Sunchips Honey Barbecue * Taki’s Churro Charge

Who is on this quest?
* Kris - smells like ramen noodles. * Hannah - not 50% air. * Matt - will eat a potato. * Amy - Subscribe!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

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It’s been a minute since Oreo has given us a new flavor to try… So, I was happy to see these new Chocolate Covered Pretzel Oreo! Let’s give it a try!
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Who are our Questers today?
* Casaundra, resting smiling face. * Kris, ASMR nerd. * Matt, scripted. * Amy, interpretive dance encouraged.

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Which Doritos are we trying today?
* Jumpin’ Jack Cheese * Twisted Queso * Guacamolé * Late Night Sizzlin’ Cheeseburger

Who is on this quest?
* Kris - Loves to sniff. * Hannah - Howdy! * Matt - Get your muckbang on! * Amy - Surprise!

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There are a ton of different brands of candies in the store. And it isn’t too often that you find a brand new, well, brand. But at Target I happened to stumble upon Joyride Candies! Let’s see if this is any good!
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Which Joyride Candies are we trying today?
* Sour Watermelon Wedges * Sour Blue Raspberry Strips * Gummy Busters * Sour Smacks

Who is on this quest?
* Kris - Not the bandaid! * Hannah - Swear jar! * Matt - Feels good about eating crap! * Amy - Punctuation, please.

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Cookies and snack cakes. You either love the store bought ones or you hate them. Today we have four NEW snack cakes and cookies to try and discover if any of them are worth your cold hard cash.
Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Donate yer monies
Which snacks are we trying today?
* Trader Joe’s Chocolate & Peanut Butter Joe Joe’s * Soft Baked Nutty Buddy Creme Pies * Selena Gomez Oreos * Chips Ahoy Chewy Ice Cream Inspired Cookies

Who is on this quest?
* Kris, toppling the tower. * Hannah, armed, and legged. * Matt, I need coffee. * Amy, what is happening?

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

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Cheez It is a fantastic cracker. Cheesy goodness in a nice crunchy package. Plus they have a lot of different flavors - even burnt ones for you weirdos out there. But is Cheez It Pizza something that should be made and sold? Let’s find out!
Which Cheez It products are we trying today?
* Cheez It Cheddar Jack Supreme Pizza * Cheez It Italian Four Cheese Pizza * Cheez It Snapped Margherita Pizza

Who is on this cheesy quest?
* Alan, pizza’s done! * Matt, back to the boo box! * Amy, heartburn city.

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Join us as we try some pickle chips!

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Here we go… Trader Joe’s time again! Let’s see what’s good.
But first… You may have noticed that we are not being too consistent with our posting as of late. My computer died. And it had all my files. Hurrah. But we should be getting back on track!

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Would you believe it if I told you there are more new chip flavors out there? This is turning into a chip podcast. Not that I’m complaining. Nothing like a good chip.
Which chips are we trying today?
* Lay’s Wavy Fried Green Tomato * Lay’s Valentina and Lime * Lay’s Bacon Grilled Cheese * Lay’s Wavy Korean Style Fried Chicken

Who is on this quest?
* Casaundra, yep. * Kris, yep. * Matt, yep. * Amy, mhmm.

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There are a lot of options out there for breakfast foods. You can go with a nice plate of bacon and eggs, maybe a couple slices of peanut butter toast. Some people go for the sugary favorite donuts, and others might try a muffin. Well, today we are trying an on-the-go breakfast grab, PopTarts, and their new flavor Lemon Blueberry Crumble. Will these be any good? Let’s find out!
Thanks for joining us today. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. Also, be a pal of the show and donate!

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Goldfish Crisps?!?!
Say no more…

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Today we are trying one of my ultimate car ride snacks. Ritz Bits! I love the Ritz Bits with cheese… Matt loves the peanut butter. Will anyone like the NEW Spicy Queso?
But first…
Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.
Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.
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Who doesn’t like a good pickle?
They are good on sandwiches.
They are good fried up.
They are good on pizza.
They are good on their own.

So let’s see if Popeye’s can keep up the pickley goodness with their pickle menu.
Before we chow down….
We really can only keep this going with support from our listeners. For some of you, that may come in the form of a monetary donation, which we really appreciate. For others, you may decide to share a link to the show on your social media accounts or just share via word of mouth. WE CAN’T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH to all of you. We have a lot of fun making this show, but get a lot of pleasure out of hearing that you all enjoy it too.
So if you haven’t, you can always donate now, or you can share, share, share!

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There are so many chip flavors out there… but when this one came out, well… we weren’t sure what to expect. Gas Station Roller Dog is pretty self explanatory. But can they actually give the right taste? Let’s find out!
But first…
Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.
Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.
Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

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Chicken and Waffles, Pigs-n-Taters, and Soda Pop. What do these three Hammond’s chocolate bars have in common?
We tried them all and they were terrible.
So, what do some normal flavors taste like? Let’s find out.
But first…
Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.
Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.
Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

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Girl Scout Cookies. Did you know that there are two separate bakeries that make these little snacks? And depending on where you live, you will either have Little Brownie Bakery or ABC Bakery. (Map below) So let’s see which one is better, shall we?

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So many flavors of chips out there, it seems like every time you go to the grocery store, there are tons of new flavors to try. So today we are trying 5 different chip flavors!
Which chips are we trying today?
* Trader Joe’s Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips Chili and Lime * Lay’s All Dressed * Doritos Late Night Loaded Taco * Taki’s Buckin’ Ranch * Sun Chips Black Bean Southwestern Queso

Who is on this quest?
* Nate, his beef is multiplying * Randi, sweet, tangy, savory * Matt, woah woah woah * Amy, goodbye cheese dip

We are a value-4-value podcast. Please donate!

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Are you ready to try some new soda flavors? Today we have three new flavors of pop to try. Carbonated beverages are usually not very good on this show, for some reason. So hopefully these three will pull us out of our soda slump
Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Donate to our podcast!
What are we trying today?
* Dr. Pepper Blackberry * Coca Cola Orange Cream * 7up Tropical

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It doesn’t matter if it is the hottest longest day of the year, or it is the coldest, snowiest, most horrible day of the year. Anytime is a good time for ice cream. Especially if you have Tillamook in your freezer.
Today we are trying the Limited Edition Apple Crisp Tillamook Ice Cream.
As you know, we are on the value-for-value model of podcasting here. No paid subscriptions (unless you want to). You can donate any amount. Whatever value you get out of this podcast, give it back. Help us keep this amazing content coming.
Donate here!

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It is time to try another fast food chain!
We have been to many pizza places, taco places, burger joints, and sub chains. Today we are headed to a chicken place…
Chick-Fil-A!
If you haven’t, you can always donate now, or you can share, share, share!

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Anyone who knows me knows that I have a weak spot when it comes to popcorn. When Matt and I go to the theater, I easily finish the giant tub of corn before the movie starts, and then get a refill on my way out of the theater as well. So buttery, so delicious.
Now, flavored popcorn other than butter? Meh. So Let’s see if Cousin Willie’s can impress with this hot popcorn.

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Here comes Easter!
Last year we tried Easter Jelly Beans. And let’s just say, overall we were not impressed. Maybe Easter gummies will treat us better? Let’s find out.
Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

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gasp Oh my gosh! Another new Oreo?!?! gasp
Today we are trying out the limited edition Post Malone Oreos
Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

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Who is ready to eat some more chips!? We have five different kinds/flavors to try.
Let’s go!!
Which chips are we trying today?
* Fiesta Twists - Salsa Verde * Fiesta Twists - Cinnamon Churro * Red Quinoa Chia Tortilla Chips * Doritos Golden Siracha * Doritos Collisions Tangy Pickle and Cool Ranch

Who is on this quest?
* Kris, potty mouth. * Casaundra, cannot be trusted with a bag of chips. * Matt, has a chip on his shoulder. * Amy, did I already say that?

Don't forget to donate to our show here!

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Picture it. You are a kid and the 3:00 bell rings at school. You grab your bag and run out, ready for your short trek home. 10 minutes later and you are at home, opening the fridge or the cupboard, searching for your after school snack.
Will it be Little Debbie Zebra Cakes?
Will it be a bowl of Captain Crunch?
Wait… I know… a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
But now there is an alternative! The new Skippy Wafer Bars! Let’s see if they are any good!
Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.
Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.
Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

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Ready for a jaw workout?
Today we are trying Hi-Chew!
Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Donate yer monies

Which Hi-Chew are we trying today?
* Fantasy + Rainbow Sherbet + Blue Hawaii + Blue Raspberry * Plus Fruit + Orange/Tangerine + Red apple/Strawberry

Who is on this summery quest?
* Nate, welcome to my drinking game. * Randi, Give it to me baby! * Matt, goats in space! * Amy, bless you.

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When you go to the grocery store and hit up the frozen section, you sure can find a lot of snack type foods. But what always draws me in… after the ice cream… is the pizza. But sometimes you just need a little bit of pizza, not the whole thing. Well, today we are trying little bits of pizza, in the form of various pizza pockets, or sticks, or rolls, whatever.
Are you new to Quest for the Best?
Thanks for joining us! We always love to have new listeners. This is a value-4-value podcast, which means we do not get ad money, we do not get revenue from any source. We rely on our lovely questers to support us in bringing you the tastiest and most incredible content in the podcast universe. So if you have a few bucks, please donate to Quest for the Best!
Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

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t’s breakfast time at Quest for the Best, so let’s try a childhood breakfast staple… Eggo Waffles!
Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!
Donate!

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Chicken and Waffles, Pigs-n-Taters, and Soda Pop. What do these three things have in common?
Chocolate, of course!
But first…
Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.
Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.
Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

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Pringles. They are trying something new and they are called Pringles Mingles. Will they live up to the quality of the original Pringles products? Let’s find out.
But first…
Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.
Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

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We have tried a lot of variations of Coca-Cola. We have tried Root beers and Orange Cream Soda. But today we have the limited edition Shirley Temple 7up.

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Snack Pack. The yummy little dish of pudding that nobody can resist. Well, at least when you are a kid. So let’s see if any adults like these as much as the kid in the room… our special guest, Audra!
Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these! Donate!

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Today we continue on our Quest to find a winning fast food pizza chain with a battle between Marco’s Pizza and Godfather’s pizza. Who will win this prestigious battle?
Which menu items will we be trying?
* Ham and Pepperoni Pizza * Breadsticks * Garlic Parmesan Wings

Who is joining this battle?
* Alan, bonjour. * Cody, howdy. * Matt, hey there. * Amy, hello.

Please consider donating any amount to our show. It helps us purchase food and keep the podcast going. Become a producer of the show by donating!

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Today we have some new products to try out. Some people love them, some people compare them to edible plastic. What am I talking about? Twizzlers of course! But not just any Twizzlers. We have the new Twizzlers Gummies, and the Twizzlers Sweet and Sour Filled Twists. And how many more times can I say Twizzlers in this paragraph?
TWIZZLERS!

But first…
Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.
Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.
Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

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Just in time for Thanksgiving (or a day late I suppose…) Pumpkin Pie M&Ms and Peanut Butter and Jelly M&Ms! I wonder if these will live up to the hype?
But first…
Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.
Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.
Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

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Who doesn’t love a good chip? Potato chips, corn chips, whatever Funyuns are made out of… I grew up in a chip loving family and am always excited to try out new flavors. So which ones are we trying today?
Which chips are we trying today?
* Doritos Baja Fiery Mango * Lay’s Midwest Inspired Fried Pickles with Ranch * Doritos Blazing Buffalo Ranch * Funyun Steakhouse Onion

Who is on this quest?
* Kris, hey ya, Matt! * Matt, hey ya, Amy! * Amy, hey ya, Kris!

And of course, our producers! We couldn't do this without you! Anyone can become a producer by donating to our show.
Donate to Quest for the Best

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Today we are putting America’s #1 cookie to the test. Well… at least a handful of limited edition flavors that came out this summer. So, grab a glass of milk, and get ready.
Which Oreos are we trying today?
* Dirt Cake * Sour Patch Kids * Coca Cola * Churro * Mint Chip

Who is on this quest?
* Kris, are these expired? * Matt, where’s my silly straw? * Amy, get ready!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can be a subscribed Quester. Do it!

Donate to our show!

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Whelp, Kit Kat is trying to get in on the Halloween game with their limited edition Ghost Toast. Will it be any good? Let’s find out.
Would you like to donate to the show? You can become a producer by donating any amount. We appreciate the support! Not able to donate? Share our podcast! Help us get the word out!
DONATE!

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We are back in the studio!
After a crap ton of rain this spring, the studio found itself under a bunch of water. So Matt and I have spent the whole summer refinishing things in our basement, including new floors, so we could get the podcast running again. So here we are! (And let’s just keep our fingers crossed when it comes to the 5+ inches of rain we could get this week)

And to kick off this incredible milestone, we have a limited edition food to try out… The Krabby Patty Meal from Wendy’s!
Before we chow down….

We have a new producer to Quest for the Best. Let’s hear it for Bev Roth! Woohoo! We really really appreciate the support! Hurray! We really can only keep this going with support from our listeners. For some of you, that may come in the form of a monetary donation, which we really appreciate. For others, you may decide to share a link to the show on your social media accounts or just share via word of mouth. WE CAN’T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH to all of you. We have a lot of fun making this show, but get a lot of pleasure out of hearing that you all enjoy it too.
So if you haven’t, you can always donate now, or you can share, share, share!

Donate

Which menu items will we be trying?
* The Krabby Patty Meal, which comes with the Krabby Patty burger, fries, and a pineapple frosty. * Bonus… Saucy Nugs!

Who is joining this fast food battle?
* Kris, putting the K in Krabby, and Kris. * Matt, back in the studio! * Amy, holding it together.

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

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We are back at the Iowa State Fair. We are about to end this experience on a little slice of heaven…

This is part 7 of our Iowa State Fair experience.

And while you won’t be able to try these food with us this year, NEXT YEAR you will know exactly what to eat, and what not to eat, if you head over to Des Moines.

I also wanted to let everyone know, studio episodes are right around the corner! We are getting close to finished on our studio, and we are excited to sit down and get back to our roots.
There has never been a better time to donate to our show. Help us get back on our feet, if you can. Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

DONATE!

What are we trying today?!
Iowa State Fair’s Bauder’s Peppermint Bar

So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.
Thanks for joining us!

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We are back at the Iowa State Fair. I hope you are hungry!
This is part 6 of our Iowa State Fair experience.

And while you won’t be able to try these food with us this year, NEXT YEAR you will know exactly what to eat, and what not to eat, if you head over to Des Moines.

There has never been a better time to donate to our show. Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

DONATE

What are we trying today?!
Iowa State Fair’s Chicken and Waffle on a Stick!
No history on the podcast today, but if you are interested in reading up on the Iowa State Fair, then check out their website! https://www.iowastatefair.org/about/history-museum
So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.
Thanks for joining us!

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We are back at the Iowa State Fair, where if you can’t find something to eat, you aren’t very hungry.

This is part 5 of our Iowa State Fair experience.

And while you won’t be able to try these food with us this year, NEXT YEAR you will know exactly what to eat, and what not to eat, if you head over to Des Moines.

I also wanted to let everyone know, studio episodes are right around the corner! We are getting close to finished on our studio, and we are excited to sit down and get back to our roots.
There has never been a better time to donate to our show. Help us get back on our feet, if you can. Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

DONATE!

What are we trying today?!
Iowa State Fair’s Garlic Ranch Pickle Pizza!
No history on the podcast today, but if you are interested in reading up on the Iowa State Fair, then check out their website! https://www.iowastatefair.org/about/history-museum
So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.
Thanks for joining us!

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Welcome to the Iowa State Fair, where every food experience is a gamble!

This is part 4 of our Iowa State Fair experience.
And while you won’t be able to try these food with us this year, NEXT YEAR you will know exactly what to eat, and what not to eat, if you head over to Des Moines.

I also wanted to let everyone know, studio episodes are right around the corner! We are getting close to finished on our studio, and we are excited to sit down and get back to our roots.
There has never been a better time to donate to our show. Help us get back on our feet, if you can. Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

DONATE!

What are we trying today?!
Iowa State Fair’s Cool Ranch Deep Fried Pickles.
No history on the podcast today, but if you are interested in reading up on the Iowa State Fair, then check out their website! https://www.iowastatefair.org/about/history-museum
So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.
Thanks for joining us!

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Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Iowa State Fair, where everything is fried and everyone is happy!

This is part 3 of our Iowa State Fair experience.

And while you won’t be able to try these food with us this year, NEXT YEAR you will know exactly what to eat, and what not to eat, if you head over to Des Moines.

I also wanted to let everyone know, studio episodes are right around the corner! We are getting close to finished on our studio, and we are excited to sit down and get back to our roots.

There has never been a better time to donate to our show. Help us get back on our feet, if you can. Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

What are we trying today?!

Iowa State Fair’s Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll!

No history on the podcast today, but if you are interested in reading up on the Iowa State Fair, then check out their website! https://www.iowastatefair.org/about/history-museum

So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.

Thanks for joining us!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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We are back at the Iowa State Fair, where the sun is out, the air is thick with the smells of fried foods, and the most popular vehicle is the motorized scooter!

This is part 2 of our Iowa State Fair experience.

And while you won’t be able to try these food with us this year, NEXT YEAR you will know exactly what to eat, and what not to eat, if you head over to Des Moines.

I also wanted to let everyone know, studio episodes are right around the corner! We are getting close to finished on our studio, and we are excited to sit down and get back to our roots.

There has never been a better time to donate to our show. Help us get back on our feet, if you can. Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

What are we trying today?!

Iowa State Fair’s Spam Burger!

No history on the podcast today, but if you are interested in reading up on the Iowa State Fair, then check out their website! https://www.iowastatefair.org/about/history-museum

So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.

Thanks for joining us!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Picture it.

Mid-August. The sun is out, not a cloud in the sky. The temperature is reaching the low 90s. You have your tank top on, you are rocking some shorts. You slather on the sunblock. You have a day ahead of you filled with weird fried foods, lots of walking, and a lot of great people watching.

Where is this place?

The Iowa State Fair, of course!

And that is where we have headed for the next handful of episodes. We want to get the true Iowa experience.

And while you won’t be able to try these food with us this year, NEXT YEAR you will know exactly what to eat, and what not to eat, if you head over to Des Moines.

There has never been a better time to donate to our show. Help us get back on our feet, if you can. Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

What are we trying today?!

Iowa State Fair’s Miller’s Mini Donuts

No history on the podcast today, but if you are interested in reading up on the Iowa State Fair, then check out their website! https://www.iowastatefair.org/about/history-museum

So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.

Thanks for joining us!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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We’re baaaaack!

Sort of.

Thanks to all our listeners for their patience and encouragement as we work through the struggles of our flooded podcast studio! Who knew a lot of rain could cause such a pain in my ass?

Unfortunately, we are NOT back in the studio. Finding a contractor to do an epoxy floor has been quite difficult, annoying, or downright expensive. So for now, we are taking our podcast on the road! And for today’s episode, you get to hear us test out our new mic system.

It is not as great of audio as you are accustomed to when it comes to Quest for the Best. But hey, it works for now.

There has never been a better time to donate to our show. Help us get back on our feet, if you can. Any amount. Whatever value you get from us, send it back.

What are we trying today?!

Werther’s Blissful Bites!

So pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, and get ready for some snacking.

Thanks for joining us!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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With all the options of grocery stores, it is time to try some place that is unlike any other.
Is it Hy-Vee?
Nope.
Fareway?
Nope.
Aldi?
Getting closer….

Today we are trying out snacks from Trader Joe’s!

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In a world full of dipping sauces, it can be hard to decide which one you want to go with. Ketchup, ranch, honey mustard… the list goes on. But there is one sauce… yes, one sauce… that reigns supreme. One sauce that goes with anything. One sauce that has a kick that keeps you coming back for more… Yes, folks. That sauce is BBQ sauce.

Are you new to Quest for the Best?
Thanks for joining us! We always love to have new listeners. This is a value-4-value podcast, which means we do not get ad money, we do not get revenue from any source. We rely on our lovely questers to support us in bringing you the tastiest and most incredible content in the podcast universe. So if you have a few bucks, please donate to Quest for the Best!
https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

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Let’s try something new today!
New to Quest for the Best, but it is highly unlikely that they are new to you.
Today we are trying Pillsbury refrigerated doughs.

We are asking you to donate money to our show. Any amount. Whatever value you get out of this, send it back to us! Please and thanks!
https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

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Today is not normal.
This month has not been normal.
We have some upsetting news from Quest for the Best… Our studio was flooded out. After a shit ton of rain, our podcast studio found itself with a lot of water. Fortunately, equipment was removed as we realized what was happening, so our mics, most of our furniture, and that sort of thing was salvaged. What didn’t make it was the carpet and tile, some of the foam paneling for the walls, and a bit of my sanity.
It has been a tough week.
So what does this mean for the future of Quest for the Best?
Luckily, we have a few episodes that need to be edited yet, so we will not have a hiatus quite yet. I believe we have two or three on the back burner. One was supposed to come out today, but I got kinda bummed out during the editing process, thinking about the mess we have, and decided to pull it out next week.
So this week, enjoy a compilation of our wonderful commercials.
But I also need to add…
There has NEVER been a better time to donate to Quest for the Best.
There has NEVER been a better time to share your favorite episode.
We need YOUR help. This is a value for value podcast. We do not make money off ads. We do not have sponsors. We only have our listeners, and our future listeners. So please share, share, share!
If you already have donated, we want to THANK YOU! Your support is amazing and it will help us out in times like these. You rock, you are amazing, we love you.
So, as always, thanks for joining us today. It is always great. And until next week… STAY SANE OUT THERE!

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Let’s try something new today!

New to Quest for the Best, but it is highly unlikely that they are new to you.

Today we are trying Pillsbury refrigerated doughs.

Which Pillsbury Doughs are we trying today?

  • Buttermilk Southern Homestyle Grands

  • Original Crescents

  • Honey Butter Flakey Layer Grands

  • Butter Flake Crescents

  • Buttermilk Flakey Layer Biscuits

Who is on this crunchy quest?

  • Hannah, food critic.

  • Kris, get hip to the lingo.

  • Matt, aka Poppin’ Fresh.

  • Amy, find us on all podcast apps!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support.

And please! Donate!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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“Napoleon! Gimme some of your tots.”

“No! Go and find your own.”

“Come on! Gimme some of your tots!”

“No! I’m freaking starved! I didn’t get to eat anything today!”

kicks tots

“Gross! Freaking idiot!”

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Tater Tots are we trying today?

  • Ore-Ida

  • Trader Joe’s

  • Sonic

  • Lamb Weston

Who is on this quest?

  • Nate, Third.

  • Randi, Fourth.

  • Matt, Second.

  • Amy, First.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. Donate to our show!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Think back to when you were a kid. What were some foods that you ate for lunch? Maybe you enjoyed a PB&J. Maybe you think of the square pizza from the lunch line at school. If you are a millennial or younger, you might just think of a Lunchable. And today we are going to be brave and try this… um… can you even call this food? Let’s find out!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Today is not normal.

This month has not been normal.

We have some upsetting news from Quest for the Best… Our studio was flooded out. After a s**t ton of rain, our podcast studio found itself with a lot of water. Fortunately, equipment was removed as we realized what was happening, so our mics, most of our furniture, and that sort of thing was salvaged. What didn’t make it was the carpet and tile, some of the foam paneling for the walls, and a bit of my sanity.

It has been a tough week.

So what does this mean for the future of Quest for the Best?

Luckily, we have a few episodes that need to be edited yet, so we will not have a hiatus quite yet. I believe we have two or three on the back burner. One was supposed to come out today, but I got kinda bummed out during the editing process, thinking about the mess we have, and decided to pull it out next week.

So this week, enjoy a compilation of our wonderful commercials.

But I also need to add…

There has NEVER been a better time to donate to Quest for the Best.There has NEVER been a better time to share your favorite episode.We need YOUR help. This is a value for value podcast. We do not make money off ads. We do not have sponsors. We only have our listeners, and our future listeners. So please share, share, share!

If you already have donated, we want to THANK YOU! Your support is amazing and it will help us out in times like these. You rock, you are amazing, we love you.

So, as always, thanks for joining us today. It is always great. And until next week… STAY SANE OUT THERE!

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There are so so so so many varieties of ice creams out there. When you go to the grocery store, it can sometimes be overwhelming on what to get. But today, we decided to single out a single brand, Ben & Jerry’s to see if their top 5 selling flavors are really up to snuff.

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Ice Creams are we trying today?

  • Half Baked

  • Cherry Garcia

  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

  • Strawberry Cheesecake

  • Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Who is on this summery quest?

  • Kris, aka Howard Dean.

  • Hannah, needs another bowl.

  • Matt, letting his mom down.

  • Amy,

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Ben & Jerry’s

  • 1978: After taking a $5.00 correspondence course in ice cream-making from Penn State and using a $12,000 investment, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened their first ice cream scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont.

  • 1979: One year later, Ben and Jerry would be celebrating their shop’s anniversary and success by holding the first-ever Free Cone Day. Free scoops all day long.

  • Their business continued to grow and in 1980 Ben and Jerry rented a space in an old mill to begin packing their ice cream into pints so they could distribute to grocery stores and Mom & Pop stores.

  • In 1981 the first franchised scoop shop opened in Shelburne, Vermont.

  • In 1987 Ben and Jerry’s introduced Cherry Garcia ice cream, named for Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, becoming the first ice cream to be named for a rock legend.

  • 1988 Ben and Jerry are named “U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year” by President Reagan.

  • In 1991 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is released.

  • In 1994 pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream begin to appear in the United Kingdom.

  • In 1997, Vermont-based musical group Phish have the honor of inspiring the flavor Phish Food.

  • In 2002 Dave Matthews Band and Ice Cream fans rejoice as One Sweet Whirled is released along with an environmental campaign to fight global warming.

  • 2008 saw the introduction of Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road in recognition of Elton John’s first concert in Vermont.

  • In 2016 Ben & Jerry’s went Vegan with an almond milk, 100% Certified Vegan line of flavors.

Those are some of the highlights without getting into the political side of things. Ben & Jerry’s does have quite a liberal leaning stance on things, like it or leave it. They have come out with some controversial flavors and have said some controversial things that I just don’t want to really get into. But I will have some links in the show notes!

The top ten selling flavors of Ben & Jerry’s

  • Half Baked

  • Cherry Garcia

  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

  • Strawberry Cheesecake

  • Chocolate Fudge Brownie

  • The Tonight Dough

  • Phish Food

  • Americone Dream

  • Chunky Monkey

  • Milk & Cookies

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

  • Amy - 6

  • Hannah - 4

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 4

4th Place: Cherry Garcia

  • Amy - 6

  • Hannah - 5

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 4

3rd Place: Strawberry Cheesecake

  • Amy - 7

  • Hannah - 4

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt - 5

2nd Place: Chocolate Fudge Brownie

  • Amy - 6

  • Hannah - 7

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt - 8

1st Place: Half Baked

  • Amy - 7

  • Hannah - 8

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt - 7

There you have it. Half Baked receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite Ben & Jerry’s? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.benjerry.com/about-us?through-the-decades=tab-1970s

https://time.com/5252406/ben-jerry-ice-cream-40/

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Summer is right around the corner and as the weather heats up, everyone is going to be looking for something to quench their thirst. We have tried a lot of different sodas on this podcast, and unfortunately not many really do well. Will grape soda fair any better than orange cream soda, or lemon lime sodas, root beer, or cola? Let’s find out!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which orange cream sodas are we trying today?

  • O-So Grape

  • Ghoulish Grape

  • Buddy’s Grape Soda

  • Grape Nehi

  • Harmony Springs Grape

  • JicJac Grape

Who is on this purple quest?

  • Kris, aka Hugs and Chugs.

  • Nate, Twilight super fan.

  • Matt, hiss hiss.

  • Amy, the only sane one.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

And don't forget to donate!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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What do a bowl of soup, a meat and cheese tray, and staying home sick watching The Price is Right all have in common?

Crackers of course!

Today we dive into the diverse and rich world of crackers. While most might not consider crackers to be diverse, or rich, today we will show you that even with just six different crackers, we have a huge range of flavor, texture, and opinions.

Which crackers are we trying today?

  • Ritz

  • Townhouse

  • Club

  • Chicken in a Biskit

  • Triscuit

  • Wheat Thins

Please donate to our show! Every penny helps us continue on this taste testing quest!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

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There are so many snacks out there for a person to try out. You got your chocolates. You got your crackers. You got your cookies. You got your nuts. You got your fruit snacks…. But the best snack out there is none of these. The best snack out there is popcorn.

Now, popcorn comes in many different flavors, varieties, and even ways to cook. Today we are going for the quick to grab, easy to pop, microwave popcorn.

And out of the brands we have, we will find out which one reigns supreme on today’s episode of Quest for the Best.

If you have it in your heart, consider becoming a producer of our wonderful Quest for the Best podcast! By becoming a producer, you are helping us with the production costs of our show (this doesn’t happen with nothing!). We really appreciate your support!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

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Picture it. The year is 3000. What do you see?

What do you smell?

What do you taste?

Well we are about to find out the last question with Y3000 Coke.

Also... Help us keep this show alive by DONATING!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

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You have your pickle fans out there. You have your jelly bean fans out there. But are there any pickle flavored jelly bean fans out there? Though I highly doubt it, but if you do indeed know someone who is a fan, share this episode with them!

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

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While the majority of people probably think of coffee when they imagine a morning beverage, the rest of us probably think of orange juice. Orange juice is a great way to start your day. Refreshing, delicious, nice and cold. Yummy.

But which brand of OJ is the best?

That is exactly what we are going to find out on today’s episode of Quest for the Best.

If you have it in your heart, consider becoming a producer of our wonderful Quest for the Best podcast! By becoming a producer, you are helping us with the production costs of our show (this doesn’t happen with nothing!). We really appreciate your support!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

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Who doesn’t love a good food truck? The variety. The freshness. The wonderful smells as you walk by. I love going to farmers markets, or festivals, wherever, and you see all these food options, and you want to try a little of everything. So good.

Well, Pringles has 4 new flavors that are reminiscent of the types of food you could find in a food truck. And we are here for it.

Which Pringles are we trying today?

  • Everything Bagel

  • Philly Cheese Steak

  • Chili Cheese Fries

  • Mexican Street Corn

Who is on this Newfangled Pringle Quest?

  • Nate, pondering deeply.

  • Kris, do you smell bananas?

  • Matt, honka honka.

  • Amy, why am I the way I am?

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

Also, support our value for value podcast by donating!

https://buy.stripe.com/4gwbIX7t30df7dKcMM

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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I think we can all say that the best Doritos are Cool Ranch, followed by Nacho Cheese. After that, who cares. But maybe, just maybe, Doritos has a new flavor that can knock everything else out of the park. Let’s find out if these Ultimate Cheddar Doritos can do just that.

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Well, just when you think you have eaten every Pop Tart known to man, and then they have to go throw a couple new flavors at you. I’m telling you, out of all the foods we have tried, Pop Tart seems to be the brand that is most into giving you new flavors. Now will these newbies be winners or losers? Let’s find out.

Before we warm up the toaster, however, we want to say thank you to our subscribers, producers, and listeners. And throw out our normal plea for you to help us get the word out there. Share our podcast! Please! We would love to get a bigger following. Also, if you have a couple bucks laying around, donate! We are a value-for-value show, so instead of making money off of ads, we make money off of begging for donations! We don’t want to junk up a fantastic show with paid sponsorships for home security, mental health counselors, or investing in gold. So help us out!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, likes them cold.

  • Nate, likes them cold.

  • Matt, likes them hot.

  • Amy, likes them hot.

A Mini History Pop Tarts

In 1963 Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, called Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kellogg’s swooped in, stealing the market with a new product called Fruit Scones. The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. (Any guesses on the flavors?) Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

Today, around 2 billion Pop Tarts are sold each year in the United States. The best selling Pop Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’mores.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Chocolatey Chip Pancake

  • Nate: “It’s underwhelming and upsetting.” 2/10

  • Amy: “It isn’t re-purchase-able.” 3/10

  • Kris: “Eh, there’s not much to it.” 3/10

  • Matt: “All I get is bland pastry.” 4/10

TOTAL: 12/40

Strawberry Milkshake

  • Nate: “It reminded me of strawberry milk.” 3/10

  • Amy: “I bet this one would be better cold.” 4/10

  • Kris: “At least there is some strawberry.” 5/10

  • Matt: “Mmm. Pepto Bismol.” 6/10

TOTAL: 18/40

There you have it. We do NOT give either of these Pop Tarts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.poptarts.com

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Pop Tarts? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520

https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/

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Ramen.

When that word is spoken, thousands upon thousands of millennials think about being back in college, stocking up on the cheapest food out there. A packet of Ramen, a bit of water, and you are set. Why waste money on food, after all?

Today we are trying eight different flavors of Ramen.

If you have it in your heart, consider becoming a producer of our wonderful Quest for the Best podcast! By becoming a producer, you are helping us with the production costs of our show (this doesn’t happen with nothing!). We really appreciate your support!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Ramen flavors are we trying today?

  • Chicken

  • Shrimp

  • Pork

  • Creamy Chicken

  • Lime Chili Shrimp

  • Roast Chicken

  • Soy Sauce

  • Beef

Who is on this brothy quest?

  • Kris, basic ramen girl.

  • Nate, forced to be here.

  • Matt, a shrimp boy.

  • Amy, good vibes.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Ramen

What if I told you Ramen is not just the cheap block of noodles with seasoning packets that you have been eating on the cheap for years. Would you be surprised?

Ramen actually has a robust and flavorful history.

And that history starts sometime in the 17th century when the wheat noodles associated with Ramen were brought to Japan by Chinese immigrants. The immigrants would enjoy these noodles with pork and vegetables.

After years of perfecting and enjoying the dish, in 1910, the first ramen restaurant would open in Japan, serving the dish to Tokyo diners. The popularity of ramen grew quite quickly.. Then in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed Japan’s inland and coastal areas, including Tokyo, where most ramen chefs were concentrated. The earthquake dislocated these chefs, and they moved to different regions, which helped diversify the food into what different cultures enjoyed.

During World War II, food shortages led the Japanese government to ban “luxury foods”, ramen being among the banned. The U.S. feared these shortages might alienate the population and lead them into communism, so the import of American wheat into Japan began. As soon as wheat was available again, the demand for ramen soared, and food stands started popping up, selling the inexpensive food to the hungry people of Japan.

During and after this time, seeing hungry people struggling, hungry, and waiting for food, Japanese-Taiwanese businessman Momofuku Ando started working on a way to get the food out quickly to the masses. He wanted something that could be stored on the shelves for months, and prepared in the matter of minutes. Alas, the ramen noodle known by college students all over was created. In 1958, the first instant ramen was introduced and by 1971, Ando created Cup Noodles.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

8th/7th Place (tie!): Beef

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 4

8th/7th Place (tie!): Soy Sauce

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 5

6th Place: Chicken

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 6

  • Nate - 6

5th Place: Lime Chili Shrimp

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 7

4th Place: Shrimp

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 7

3rd Place: Roast Chicken

  • Amy - 6

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt - 6

  • Nate - 8

1st/2nd Place (tie!): Pork

  • Amy - 8

  • Kris - 9

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 8

1st/2nd Place (tie): Creamy Chicken

  • Amy - 7

  • Kris - 8

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate -10

There you have it. Pork and Creamy Chicken receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite ramen? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.tokyoramentours.com/post/instant-ramen-history

https://ramenmuseum.nyc/history-of-ramen/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/642293/ramen-history

https://www.rd.com/article/history-of-ramen/

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Hershey’s Miniatures! These little chocolate bars have graced the office candy dish, the Halloween candy bucket, and the parade circuit for years. Hershey’s really is a classic that many kids and adults enjoy. But as you get older, your taste buds usually become a little more refined. Will these treats hold up?

Let’s find out!

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

THANK YOU, LAURIE FOR ANOTHER DONATION TO THE SHOW! We really enjoy your comments every week too! Thank you!!

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, needs no introduction.

  • Kris, macaroni art expert.

  • Matt, getting bitter.

  • Amy, we’ve gone of the rails.

Hershey’s Miniatures

The Hershey Company is one of the largest chocolate manufacturers.. Founded in 1894 by Milton Hershey, this Pennsylvania company is known all over the world, especially in the United States.

The Hershey’s Miniatures collection of chocolate bars was introduced in 1939, and these miniature little candy bars were intended for use by sales as sample bars. They included…

  • The Milk Chocolate Bars which were introduced in 1900

  • The Mr. Goodbar, which debuted in 1925

  • The Krackel jumped on scene in 1938

  • And the Special Dark was introduced in the 1970s. I believe there was a dark chocolate bar in the Miniatures, but it was branded as something different.

According to The Hershey Company’s latest financial reports, the company’s current revenue (TTM) is $11.16 Billion.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

4th Place: Krackel

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 2

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 4

3rd Place: Milk Chocolate

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt -4

  • Nate -3

1st/2nd Place (TIE!): Special Dark

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 5

1st/2nd Place (TIE!): Mr. Goodbar

  • Amy - 5

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 6

  • Nate - 5

There you have it. We give Special Dark and Mr. Goodbar the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give ‘em a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://shop.hersheys.com/our-brands/hersheys/034000214907.html

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARING IS CARING! We want more people listening! SHARE!

Show Notes:

https://www.oldtimecandy.com/collections/walk-the-candy-aisle-hershey-s-miniatures#:~:text=Hershey's%20Miniatures%20History,-Hershey's%20Miniatures%20Candy&text=The%20Hershey's%20Miniatures%20Candy%20line,chocolate%20products%20in%20one%20package.

https://www.thehersheycompany.com/en_us/home/about-us/the-company/history.html

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Oh boy, we have a set of unique chips today. Rap Snacks! Have you heard of these? We certainly had not until we found them when we were at a candy store in Minnesota and decided to buy the three flavors available.

Are they a gimmick?

Are these chips actually good?

Let’s find out together!

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, not the target audience.

  • Kris, damn cotton mouth!

  • Matt, green breath.

  • Amy, and more!

Rap Snacks

James Lindsay is a highly successful Miami-based entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Rap Snacks. By partnering with some of the rap game’s most recognizable names such as Cardi B, Migos, Lil Boosie, Rick Ross, Master P and Romeo, the brand has become one of the most visible hip-hop geared snack products over the last few decades. Rap Snacks celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022.James honed his marketing skills while serving as a manager in the consumer products industry for Johnson Products, an ethnic hair care company, and Warner-Lambert. James leveraged his background in the hair products business, tweaked and improved upon it and applied it to the packaged food industry. These experiences, and his desire to own a business, empowered him to start Rap Snacks, Inc. in 1994, a snack foods company that featured hip-hop artists on the brand—the first of its kind in the US. The success of Rap Snacks allowed Lindsay to solidify a co-marketing agreement with Universal Records to advertise Universal’s Artists on all Rap Snacks bags. Eventually the company grew into a 5 million dollar business selling mostly twenty-five cent bags of chips.In 2001, Mr. Lindsay expanded his product line by purchasing a snack foods brand called “Mr. G” snack foods. Mr. G was a locally owned Philly brand that was best known for its hot and barbeque cheddar flavored chips. In 2007, Mr. Lindsay launched Soulful Foods, Inc. The first product launched under Soulful Foods, Inc. was a venture between Mr. Lindsay and Sylvia Woods, the “Queen of Soul Food”. In 2010, Mr. Lindsay continued to be a big influence in the music marketing industry; guiding platinum selling recording artist, Meek Mill, by connecting his brand with corporate America and securing brand deals with companies such as, PUMA, and Monster Energy Drink, along with partnering with Monster Headphones to help create the Monster’s 24k Headphones. Mr. Lindsay also assisted Meek Mill in growing PUMA’s business an additional $200 million over a five-year period.In 2017, Lindsay began collaborating with Percy “Master P” Miller to expand the product line into foods such as noodles, breakfast cereals, and rice with the creation of P&J Foods, a partnership between the two. Miller is a limited partner in Rap Snacks.Most recently Lindsay has branched into beverages, having launched a 5-flavored lemonade line with Lil’ Baby, Oowee Lemonade. Rap Snacks are sold in major retail stores across America, including Walmart, Kroger, Sam’s Clubs, Best Buy and Target stores, among other outlets.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Lil’ Baby All In Flavor

  • Nate: “That will clear your cotton mouth right up.” 7/10

  • Amy: “It is oddly powdery.” 4/10

  • Kris: “They get your mouth salivating.” 6/10

  • Matt: “That is flavor overload.” 6/10

TOTAL: 23/40

OG BBQ Cheddar Snoop Dog Flavored Potato Chips

  • Nate: “The chip is a vessel for flavor.” 5/10

  • Amy: “Tooooo powdery!!!” 4/10

  • Kris: “It has Kraft mac-n-cheese flavor.” 4/10

  • Matt: “It’s oddly sweet.” 5/10

TOTAL: 18/40

Rick Ross Sweet Chili Lemon Pepper

  • Nate: “I could fck up a whole bag of these.” 7/10*

  • Amy: “It has a Floot Loop Flavor… that’s the lemon!” 5/10

  • Kris: “The smell is not great but the taste is good.” 6/10

  • Matt: “You have to let your tongue hit the flavors.” 5/10

TOTAL: 23/40

There you have it. We give Rick Ross and Lil’ Babythe Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give ‘em a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.rapsnacks.net/

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARING IS CARING! We want more people listening! SHARE!

Show Notes:

www.rapsnacks.net

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Hello Questers! Today we are excited to have a brand/product we have never tried before on this show! We have the limited edition Little Bites Cinnamon Buns Mini Muffins! They sound delicious! But are they?! Let’s find out!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, old man laugh.

  • Nate, Ramen boy.

  • Matt, has two nipples.

  • Amy, hey all!

A History of Little Bites

The history of Little Bites goes back to 1898, when William Entenmann opened a bakery in Brooklyn, New York. Complete with a horse-drawn wagon, William delivered fresh baked goods door-to-door. Since then, Entenmann’s has grown to be a family favorite. Little Bites rocked onto the scene in 1999 with Blueberry muffins, Fudge Brownies Muffins, and Little Bites Chocolate Chip Muffins. In 2008 Banana Muffins were introduced and in 2012, Pumpkin. But it doesn’t stop there, in 2013, inspired by Entenmann’s Classic Crumb Cake, Little Bites Crumb Cake muffins were introduced. And to turn it up a notch, in 2014 Party Cake came in rockin. But wait, there’s one more! In 214 Strawberry Yogurt Muffins were introduced as a seasonal flavor, but were so popular they became a permanent Little Bites product in 2017.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “It would be good with a cup of coffee.” 8/10

  • Amy: “Great moisture content. I love these.” 9/10

  • Kris: “These are pretty good.” 7/10

  • Matt: “I am pleasantly surprised.” 6/10

TOTAL: 30/40

There you have it. We give the Cinnamon Buns Little Bites the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.littlebites.com/variety/little-bites-cinnamon-buns-muffins

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.littlebites.com/variety/little-bites-cinnamon-buns-muffins

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The siblings are back in today’s episode of Quest for the Best! Janet, Alan, and Michael are joining me to try out one of the best candies ever created…. Nerds!

Which Nerds are we trying today?

  • Grape Nerds

  • Strawberry Nerds

  • Big Chewy Nerds

  • Sour Big Chewy Nerds

  • Nerds Candy Corn

  • Nerds Gummy Clusters

Who is on this quest?

  • Janet, the oldest.

  • Alan, the second middle.

  • Michael, the youngest.

  • Amy, the first middle.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Nerds

What exactly are Nerds? Nerds are a neon-colored itty bitty tiny candy. They are made out of sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavors, and a lot of dyes. Sounds delicious.

Nerds got their start in 1983 in the Willy Wonka Candy Factory. Invented by Angelo Fraggos, these little treats originally came in the double compartment box, Strawberry on one side, Grape on the other or you could get Cherry on one side, and orange on the other.

In 1985, the National Candy Wholesalers Association named NERDS “Candy of the Year”.

Today there are many flavors and many different NERDS products.

Including…

  • NERDS Grape & Strawberry

  • NERDS Watermelon & Cherry

  • NERDS Rainbow

  • NERDS Gummy Clusters

  • NERDS Rope

  • Big Chewy NERDS

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Big Chewy Nerds Sour

  • Alan - 2/10 “I’m getting black licorice here.”

  • Amy - 2/10 “That’s a pass.”

  • Janet - 1/10 “Audra would like these, but Sour Patch Kids is better.”

  • Michael - 1/10 “I don’t want to eat these, these suck.”

5th Place: Big Chewy Nerds

  • Alan - 3/10 “It is not as sweet.”

  • Amy - 8/10 “I like the texture of these.”

  • Janet - 2/10 “I don’t like these other kinds of candy.”

  • Michael - 1/10 “It’s like Pepto Bismol.”

4th Place: Nerds Candy Corn

  • Alan - 4/10 “The orange ones suck.”

  • Amy - 3/10 “These are very very sweet.”

  • Janet - 3/10 “I’m going to have a stomach ache after this.”

  • Michael - 5/10 “They have a nice flavor and texture.”

3rd Place: Nerds Gummy Cluster

  • Alan - 7/10 “These are more fruity and juicy.”

  • Amy - 7/10 “Not a huge fan of the gummy part.”

  • Janet - 8/10 “These are really nice surprise.”

  • Michael - 10/10 “These are amazing.”

2nd Place: Strawberry Nerds

  • Alan - 9/10 “It’s a good Nerd.”

  • Amy - 7/10 “They are a good candy but not my favorite.”

  • Janet - 10/10 “Strawberry is the best.”

  • Michael - 10/10 “These belong with Grape.”

1st Place: Grape Nerds

  • Alan - 8/10 “This is good purple.”

  • Amy - 10/10 “Grape is the best.”

  • Janet - 9/10 “Grape has a nice subtle taste.”

  • Michael - 10/10 “These belong with Strawberry.”

There you have it. Grape Nerds receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Nerds? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

SHOW NOTES:

Eater.com

Nerdscandy.com

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Happy 2024 Questers! Many of you might be wondering where we have been. Three week hiatus… Well, the holidays were very very busy, and so were our usual line up of guests. So, we decided to take a small break. But do not worry. We have great episodes to bring you and more and more foods to try. We are going to continue on our restaurant battles soon, and hit up some more areas of the grocery store. (and some different ethnic grocery stores).

But today, we are trying out the Dinamita Sticks Doritos.

Which Doritos are we trying today?

  • Smoky Chili Queso

  • Hot Honey Mustard

  • Tangy Fiery Lime

Who is on this quest?

  • Janet, the oldest.

  • Alan, the second middle.

  • Michael, the youngest.

  • Amy, the first middle.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Doritos

To go back to the beginning of the Doritos saga, you are going to have to travel back to 1955, and to an unlikely location. That location? Disneyland in Anaheim, California. In 1955, Frito-Lay struck a deal with Disney to open a Mexican restaurant in the Frontierland section of the park. This restaurant was known as “Casa de Fritos”.

You see, Doritos actually came as a solution to old tortillas. Instead of throwing out old, stale tortillas, the restaurant would cut them up, add seasoning, and fry them. That way they wouldn’t lose money on inventory, and actually make money on would-be trash. The employees liked the chips so much, they started packaging them as well.

In the early 1960s, Archie West, the vice president of Frito-Lay, visited the restaurant and saw how busy it was. And along with being busy, they were selling huge amounts of the bags of chips. Archie was taken with the chip. He decided that since they were golden in color, to name them for the Spanish word for gold, “oro”. Combined with the “ito” in Frito, and slapping the letter “D” to the beginning, the name Dorito was born. Soon after, mass production of the chip began.

A soft launch happened in the southwest region of the United States and it was so successful that the factory was overwhelmed by the demand. The popularity was unquestioned. Doritos made their national debut in 1966, when Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola merged.

The first flavor that debuted was taco flavored. In 1972, history was made with the release of the Nacho Cheese Doritos, becoming the most popular variety. In 1986, Cool Ranch Doritos were released.

Since the release, there have been over 100 different flavors. Flavors you can get today include…

  • Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch

  • 3D Crunch Spicy Ranch

  • 3D Crunch Chili Cheese Nacho

  • Flamin’ Hot Nacho

  • Flamin’ Hot Limon

  • Nacho Cheese

  • Cool Ranch

  • Spicy Sweet Chili

  • Dinamita Chile Limon

  • Spicy Nacho

  • Flamas

  • Salsa Verde

  • White Cheddar

  • Tapatio

There have also been flavors like

  • Cheeseburger

  • Ranch-Dipped Chicken Wings

  • Mountain Dew

And overseas…

  • Olive

  • Yogurt and Mint

  • Clam Chowder

In 2020 99.67 million Americans consumed Doritos.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

3rd Place: Smoky Chili Queso

  • Alan - 7/10 “I really enjoy the smokiness.”

  • Amy - 2/10 “It smells like a hamster cage & the aftertaste is like vomit.”

  • Janet - 2/10 “The flavor is not good. Why you would get this?”

  • Michael - 2/10 “They missed the mark on the cheese.”

2nd Place: Tangy Fiery Lime

  • Alan - 8/10 “I kind of like it.”

  • Amy - 5/10 “I like the flavor, but the heartburn is bubbling.”

  • Janet - 5/10 “Holy crap. They have a flavor.”

  • Michael - 5/10 “Oh, man. Give me a Corona.”

1st Place: Hot Honey Mustard

  • Alan - 8/10 “It’s a vibrant flavor.”

  • Amy - 6/10 “I like the initial tang.”

  • Janet - 8/10 “You definitely taste the honey mustard.”

  • Michael - 5/10 “I could get behind that in a small dosage.”

There you have it. Hot Honey Mustard and Tangy Fiery Lime Dorito Dinamita Sticks receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Dorito flavors? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.doritos.com/products

https://www.snackhistory.com/doritos/

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/things-didnt-know-doritos/

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Hostess is at it again! Two more flavors to try out today, one a limited edition, one a new product flavor! But do they have what it takes to get the Quest for the Best seal of approval?! Let’s find out together!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Alan, NERDS!

  • Nate, fancy boy.

  • Cody, pace yourself.

  • Amy, icy.

A History of Hostess…. again.

For a longer history, check out the original Hostess episode here.

https://open.substack.com/pub/questforthebestpodcast/p/ho-ho-hostess?r=rjail&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two twinkies for a nickel.

In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.

Despite a couple bankruptcies since then, the company now seems to be back on its feet. The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Chocolate Drizzle Baby Bundt

  • Nate: “That artificial flavor at the tail end of it is a little off.” 6/10

  • Amy: “It reminds me of the mini muffins.” 5/10

  • Alan: “I’m getting Tootsie Roll vibes.” 5/10

  • Cody: “There’s a lot in a small package.” 5/10

TOTAL: 21/40

Hot Cocoa & Marshmallow Mini Donettes

  • Nate: “This tastes like something made with an Easy-Bake-Oven.” 2/10

  • Amy: “Add some salt and this would taste like Playdoh.” 3/10

  • Alan: “This is a pretty bad texture.” 3/10

  • Cody: “What the hell is this!?” 1/10

TOTAL: 9/40

There you have it. We give the Chocolate Drizzle Baby Bundts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Cereal is a staple in many households. And not just for breakfast. It is a great snack throughout the day, or sometimes even a nice simple meal. Today we have the Swiss Cake Roll and Nutty Buddy cereals. Let’s see if either get the seal of approval.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, hide your wife, hide your kids.

  • Hannah, aka Hot Take Hannah.

  • Matt, he’s here!

  • Amy, here we go again.

A History of Cereal

Breakfast has had an interesting evolution. In the colonial times, people generally ate porridge or leftovers from the night before. Something that would get them going in the morning and give them energy for the day. But as the nation grew wealthier, breakfasts also grew. Big breakfasts of steak, eggs, bacon, sausages became very common. And having a big meal made sense if you worked on the farm and needed a meal to last you until dinner after a long day of hard labor. But as time passed and the Industrial Revolution happened, less and less people needed a huge meal in the morning, nor did they have time for it. Additionally, a heavy morning meal wasn’t considered ideal for health reasons.

Queue Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. Dr. Kellogg took over the Battle Creek Sanitarium, a world-famous medical spa. He believed in “biologic living”, promoting exercise, massage therapy, and digestive health. And with that goal in mind, Corn Flakes were born. They were so popular among patients at the sanitorium, Kellogg decided to market the flakes as a light, healthy breakfast meal.

The cereal business was cutthroat as soon as it started. One-time patient at the sanitarium, C.W. Post quickly adapted the cereal into his own creation, Grape-Nuts, which was incredibly successful.

Today Americans buy around 2.7 billion boxes of cereal each year. This amounts to about 14 pounds of cereal that the average person consumes annually.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Swiss Cake Roll

  • Hannah: “The texture is bad.” 6/10

  • Amy: “They are funky and bad.” 3/10

  • Kris: “The first crunch is really bad.” 5/10

  • Matt: “This is just like a cocoa pebble, along those lines.” 5/10

TOTAL: 19/40

Nutty Buddy

  • Hannah: “This looks like it isn’t made for human consumption.” 2/10

  • Amy: “Throw this in the trash where it belongs.” 1/10

  • Kris: “Where is the peanut butter?” 2/10

  • Matt: “It smells like a tootsie roll.” 3/10

TOTAL: 8/40

There you have it. NOTHING getsthe Quest for the Best seal of approval. Save your money. Save your time. Save your taste buds. Horrible horrible horrible.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these cereals? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Did someone say Moreos? Because we have more Oreos to try! Hardy har har. Oreo has been coming out with some more limited edition cookies, so why not give them a try!

Today we have the Red Velvet Oreos and the Hot Cocoa Oreos. Let’s see if either get the seal of approval.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, fists of fury.

  • Alan, coffee dipper.

  • Cody, limited edition.

  • Amy, savage.

A History of Oreos

So the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today.

So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.

The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.

Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Red Velvet Oreo

  • Nate: “Meh. It’s fine for an Oreo.” 4/10

  • Amy: “The frosting is so bad. It’s weirdly sweet.” 4/10

  • Cody: “The cream cheese… ugh.” 4/10

  • Alan: “I like the sweetness.” 7/10

TOTAL: 19/40

Hot Cocoa Oreo

  • Nate: “The cocoa cream pairs well with the cookie.” 8/10

  • Amy: “I like these. They are lovely.” 8/10

  • Cody: “They just taste like Oreos.” 6/10

  • Alan: “It’s a good cookie.” 8/10

TOTAL: 30/40

There you have it. We give the limited edition Hot Cocoa Oreos the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.oreo.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/

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Who hasn’t had a frozen pizza?

I dare say everyone has gone to the freezer and pulled out a pizza, a quick meal that doesn’t cost much and fills you up. And there are so many different brands out there, everyone has a chance of finding something they like, or at least tolerate. Well that is what we are going to hopefully find today, a Quest worthy frozen za!

If you have it in your heart, consider becoming a producer of our wonderful Quest for the Best podcast! By becoming a producer, you are helping us with the production costs of our show (this doesn’t happen with nothing!). We really appreciate your support!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Jell-O flavors are we trying today?

  • Di Giorno

  • Tombstone

  • Totinos

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Who is on this seasonal quest?

  • Alan, Bachelors of Bean.

  • Nate, wait for it.

  • Matt, man overboard!

  • Amy, over sauced.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Frozen Pizza

The simple act of turning on the oven, grabbing a frozen pizza out of the freezer, and baking it until the cheese melts, the toppings are hot, and the crust has a nice crunch, is actually something that has not been around very long. Sure, pizza made it’s way to the United States in the early 1900s thanks to Italian immigrants, but there wasn’t even the ability to preserve a pizza until freezers were made and home freezers became a regular thing, which wasn’t until the 40s and 50s.

But with the popularity of pizza taking off after World War II, pizza restaurant owners in the U.S. started offering take-and-bake pizzas, and soon after, frozen pizzas were common in the grocery store. In the 50s, frozen pizza started taking off, with many regional companies raking in the dough. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that a brand rose to national fame. Rose and Jim Totino began mass-producing frozen pizzas in St. Louis Park, Minnesota in 1962 and by the 1970s, Totino’s became the country’s top-selling frozen pizza, with sales reaching $50 million by 1974.

Totino’s was not a the only company reaching great pizza heights, however. In the 1960’s, Mama Celeste came onto the scene. Also, in 1966, the Simek brothers went from selling pizza in their bar, called The Tombstone Tap, to selling their frozen pizzas to other taverns. And by 1984, Tombstone Pizza was one of the top frozen pizza distributors.

Who rolls on the scene next? Schwan’s of course, with the purchase of Kansas-based pizza manufacturer Tony’s. And in 1976, Schwan’s expanded their pizza business further by launching Red Baron, which is now one of the country’s leading pizza brands.

By the 1980s, the market was worth $1 billion

Today the top frozen pizza brands in the U.S. are…

  • Di Giorno - $319.28 million in annual sales

  • Red Baron - $255.73 million in annual sales

  • Totino’s Party Pizza - 104.22 million in annual sales

  • Jack’s - 91.48 million in annual sales

  • Tombstone - 57.43 million in annual sales

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

4th Place: Di Giorno’s

  • Alan -3

  • Amy -3

  • Nate -4

3rd Place: Tombstone

  • Alan -4

  • Amy -5

  • Nate -6

2nd Place: TMNT

  • Alan -6

  • Amy -6

  • Nate -7

1st Place: Totino’s

  • Alan - 8

  • Amy -6

  • Nate -7

There you have it. Totino’s Pizza receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite frozen pizza? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/02/the-history-of-frozen-pizza-from-totinos-to-digiorno.html

https://www.statista.com/statistics/915572/leading-frozen-pizza-brands-us-dollar-sales/

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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I love love love popcorn. Nice warm buttery popcorn. And through the years I have tried other flavors. The loved by many (but not by me) cheesy corn. A nice fresh caramel corn. A bite or two of the candied popcorn is okay. But really, the best is the classic buttery popcorn. But maybe, just maybe, we will have a new favorite today when we try the Smartfood Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce flavored Popcorn.

Thank you to our supporters by the way! We appreciate your help in getting these shows produced. We have a new producer as well! Someone to sit proudly with Loraine, Lisa, and Laurie! A special thanks to Reid! We appreciate the support!

You too can be an active member in the quest family… All you have to do is comment, share, and donate! Thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Cody, a Questing newbie!

  • Alan, slow down.

  • Nate, full of fun facts.

  • Amy, nervous for this one.

A History short of Smartfood

Smartfood was created in 1985 by Andrew Martin and Annie Withey out of Hampton, Connecticut. Their goal was to make popcorn that people actually liked, and to get pre-popped popcorn’s reputation out of the gutter. They also knew through their research that Americans made their own popcorn multiple times a week, and just figured consumers would want an easier way to consume.

When the product went to market, it was almost an overnight success. In 1989, the product was sold to Frito-Lay and the original duo split ways. Annie Withey went on to open Annie’s Homegrown.

Varieties of Smartfood Popcorn include…

  • Original White Cheddar

  • Flamin’ Hot White Cheddar

  • Caramel Cheddar Mix

  • Movie Theater Butter

  • Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Alan: “It has a weird funk to it.” 2/10

  • Amy: “This is the Funyun breath of food.” 1/10

  • Cody: “This tastes like garlic sauce that has sat out in the sun for 3 days.” 2/10

  • Nate: “This made me wish I was doing something else with my life.” 3/10

TOTAL: 8/40

There you have it. We do not give Smartfood Buffalo Wild Wings Popcorn the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to test your stamina and fate and give it a try? Check out their website to find a retailer near you!

https://www.smartfood.com/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.snackhistory.com/smartfood-popcorn/

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Jell-O. I think that when many people hear that word, some specific memories might pop up in their minds. For me, I think about the Jell-O dessert my dad makes for Thanksgiving. I think about how my grandma’s Jell-O always had that rubbery film on the top that was pretty gross. And of course, the occasional Jell-O shot at the bars with my friends.

Today we are going to try out seven different flavors of Jell-O and see which one really hits the spot.

If you have it in your heart, consider becoming a producer of our wonderful Quest for the Best podcast! By becoming a producer, you are helping us with the production costs of our show (this doesn’t happen with nothing!). We really appreciate your support!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Jell-O flavors are we trying today?

  • Strawberry

  • Lemon

  • Berry Blue

  • Orange

  • Grape

  • Cherry

  • Raspberry

Who is on this seasonal quest?

  • Alan, teacher’s pet.

  • Nate, oversharing today.

  • Matt, middle of the road.

  • Amy, watch out for Jell-O skin.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Jell-O

If you want to know about Jell-O, known as “America’s Most Famous Dessert”, you first should know a bit about gelatin. A Frenchman named Denis Papin is an original when it comes to discovering the substance. In 1682, he was experimenting with removing the glutinous material from animal bones by boiling it. He discovered it had no taste, odor, or color, but was pure protein. But despite this discovery, it wouldn’t be manufactured until the mid 1700s.

But when would it become the flavored, jiggly dessert kids and adults near and far enjoy? Well, in 1845, Peter Cooper secured the patent for a gelatin dessert powder called Portable Gelatin, requiring only the addition of hot water. But he sat on the patent for 50 years, not doing much with it at all. In 1895, Pearle Wait, a cough syrup maker bought the patent from Peter Cooper

Pearle and his wife May experimented with the powdered gelatin, adding different fruit syrups, and came up with a fruit flavored dessert which May named JELL-O. Realizing he had something good, Pearle tried to market his product but lacked the capital and marketing know-how. In 1899 he sold the trademark for $450 to Frank Woodward. Sales were slow for the new product. Woodward decided to launch an advertising campaign using the slogan, “America’s most favorite Dessert.” He plastered the brand all over pictures, posters, billboards, magazines. The campaign put recipes in magazines and were distributed across the United States. Over 15 million Jell-O recipe booklets were printed and distributed. Norman Rockwell provided colored illustrations. The advertising campaign proved so successful that sales in 1902 were $250,000. (this amounts to almost $9,000,000 today)

Today Jell-O is the largest selling prepared dessert and is known worldwide.

Some fun facts about Jell-O

  • The first flavors of Jell-O were Orange, Lemon, Raspberry, and Strawberry.

  • Utah consumes more Jell-O than any other state. It is also their official state food.

  • Jell-O is apparently very popular among the Mormons. Sales figures released by Kraft Foods revealed that Salt Lake City Utah to have the highest per-capita JELL-O consumption. In fact, the Mormon Corridor region in Utah has been nicknamed the “Jell-O Belt”.

  • For the 2002 Olympics, held in Salt Lake City, a commemorative pin was made featuring a big bowl of green Jell-O.

  • In the movie The Wizard of Oz, the horse of a different color was 6 different horses, each of them tinted a different color using Jell-O.

  • In the 1960s, Jell-O released savory and vegetable flavors such as celery, mixed vegetable, Italian Salad, and tomato. Many of the Jell-O recipes of the day included ingredients like cabbage, celery, green peppers, or cooked pasta. For example, one recipe recommends adding a can of tuna, tomato, hard boiled eggs, olives, green peppers, onions, Italian dressing, and lettuce to the Mixed Vegetable or Celery Jell-O.

  • Some other retired flavors include cola, chocolate, coffee, sparkling white grape and apple.

  • Jell-O is nearly 90% sugar.

  • The most popular flavor is Strawberry.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

7th/6th Place (tie): Strawberry

  • Alan -5

  • Amy -4

  • Matt -5

  • Nate -3

7th/6th Place (tie): Grape

  • Alan -5

  • Amy -6

  • Matt -5

  • Nate -2

5th/4th Place (tie!): Berry Blue

  • Alan -7

  • Amy -6

  • Matt -4

  • Nate -2

5th/4th Place (tie!): Raspberry

  • Alan -6

  • Amy -5

  • Matt -5

  • Nate -3

3rd Place: Lemon

  • Alan -7

  • Amy -4

  • Matt -5

  • Nate -5

2nd Place: Orange

  • Alan -8

  • Amy -5

  • Matt -5

  • Nate -4

1st Place: Cherry

  • Alan -6

  • Amy -7

  • Matt -6

  • Nate -5

There you have it. Cherry Jell-O receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite Jell-O flavor? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

Show Notes:

https://whatscookingamerica.net/history/jell-0-history.htm

https://www.jellogallery.org/history.html

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/11-fun-things-you-didnt-know-about-jello/#:~:text=Utah%20eats%20more%20Jell%2DO%20than%20any%20other%20state&text=The%20state%20has%20an%20entire,even%20Utah's%20official%20state%20food.

https://www.mashed.com/1011933/discontinued-jell-o-flavors-youll-never-get-to-try/

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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M&M’s are a classic any time of year. Whether you just want a quick chocolate snack, or maybe you are baking some cookies or mixing up some trail mix, M&M’s are a go-to for many people.

Today we are trying out the Limited Edition Campfire Smores M&M’s. Will these earn a seal of approval? Let’s find out!

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Hannah, aka Sticky Fingers Hannah.

  • Kris, with a K.

  • Matt, living on the edge.

  • Amy, here we go again!

A History of M&M’s

M&M’s got their start with Mars. Forrest Mars Sr, who managed the Mars candy company, got the idea for M&Ms while working in Europe in the 1930s. He was overseeing production of Mars candy bars as a part of army rations. Forrest discovered soldiers liked to eat sugar coated chocolate so it wouldn’t melt as fast. So upon returning to the states, Forrest Mars worked with Bruce Murrie and created M&Ms (Mars and Murrie)

Some fun facts about M&Ms…

  • Initially M&Ms were exclusive to the US Army.

  • The M on the candies was added to distinguish themselves from the copycat competitors.

  • M&Ms were the first candy in space.

  • The movie ET was supposed to feature M&Ms but Mars declined and Reese’s Pieces were put in the movie instead, resulting in a 65% sales increase for Hershey.

  • There are over 400 million produced each day.

List of past and present flavors

  • Almond

  • Banana

  • Birthday Cake

  • Café Mocha

  • Candy Apple

  • Carrot Cake

  • Cherry Cordial

  • Cherry

  • Chili Nut

  • Cinnamon

  • Coconut

  • Crispy

  • Crispy S’mores

  • Easter Sundae

  • Gingerbread

  • Honey Nut

  • Hot Chocolate

  • Peanut

  • Dark Chocolate

  • Mint

  • Orange

  • Peanut Butter

  • Pecan Pie

  • Pineapple

  • Pretzel

  • Pumpkin Spice Latte

  • Raspberry

  • Red Velvet

  • Strawberry

  • Vanilla Shake

  • Toffee Apple

  • White Chocolate

The product description for these Campfire Smore M&M’s is….

Each bite is a blazing delight with a milk chocolate center surrounded by a toasted marshmallow and vanilla-flavored white chocolate layer, covered in white, black, and orange colored candy shells. With a delightful twist on the classic campfire treat, each bite will transport you to a cozy campsite under a starry autumn sky. From visiting the pumpkin patch to tailgating at a football game to a Halloween movie marathon, M&M'S Halloween candy is perfect for all fall occasions. Orange, white, and black candy-colored shells of M&M'S Campfire Smores make for a perfect Halloween treat in a candy dish and to top your ghoulish decorated desserts.

  • Whether you're visiting a pumpkin patch or going tailgating before the big game, M&M'S Campfire Smores Halloween candy is great to take on the go for any fall occasion

  • Elevate your Halloween movie night with friends by mixing your popcorn with the delightful crunch and campfire-inspired flavor of M&M'S Campfire chocolates for the ultimate cozy experience

  • Whether you're filling up your Halloween candy dish or jazzing up your ghoulish desserts, these chocolates are the ultimate must-have for capturing the spooky spirit of the Halloween season

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Hannah: “It’s like an artificial maple aftertaste.” 1/10

  • Amy: “The marshmallow and chocolate makes it taste hazelnutty.” 2/10

  • Kris: “This literally tastes like a Yankee Candle.” 2/10

  • Matt: “You tricked me into eating another.” 2/10

TOTAL: 7/40

There you have it. We do not give the Campfire Smore M&M’sthe Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.mms.com/en-us/mms-candy-flavors/campfire-smores-mms/ct2153-p.html

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARE! We want more people listening! SHARE!

Show Notes:

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-story-of-the-mms-characters-2016-3#after-the-super-bowl-mms-said-its-spokescandies-were-back-9

https://www.mms.com/en-us/mms-candy-flavors/caramel-cold-brew-mms-905oz/ct1237-p.html

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The Snickerdoodle is one of those classic cookies that just about everyone loves. A nice fluffy cookie with cinnamon sugar. Warm right out of the oven on a cold winter day, maybe with a mug of hot chocolate. Yum. Or if you are one of those coffee lovers, I am guessing coffee and a cookie might sound good to you as well.

Unfortunately, we are not trying Snickerdoodles today. But we are trying out the Snickerdoodle Pop Tarts! Maybe they will be just as good? Let’s find out!

Thanks for joining us today. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. Also, be a pal of the show and donate!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, podcasting with Hannah.

  • Hannah, podcasting with Kris.

  • Matt, podcasting with Amy.

  • Amy, podcasting with Matt.

A Mini History Pop Tarts

In 1963 Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, called Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kellogg’s swooped in, stealing the market with a new product called Fruit Scones. The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. (Any guesses on the flavors?) Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

Today, around 2 billion Pop Tarts are sold each year in the United States. The best selling Pop Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’mores.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Kris: “It is the lesser version of the Brown Sugar Cinnamon.” 3/10

  • Amy: “It has no punch to it.” 3/10

  • Hannah: “They are okay, but cook in a toaster oven.” 4/10

  • Matt: “It’s bland for a Snickerdoodle. Needs more cinnamon.” 4/10

TOTAL: 14/40

There you have it. We do NOT give Snickerdoodle Pop Tarts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.poptarts.com

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Pop Tarts? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520

https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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As our loyal listeners know by now, I spend a lot of time in the grocery store looking for new products. Lots of brands will take an old product and put a new flavor to it. Sometime you just happen to find something brand new. Well today, we have five different varieties of chips that all have a new flavor put to them. And instead of doing 5 episodes, we decided to combine these and see which one is the best new product.

As you know, we are on the value-for-value model of podcasting here. No paid subscriptions (unless you want to). You can donate any amount. Whatever value you get out of this podcast, give it back. Help us keep this amazing content coming.

Which chips are we trying today?

  • Funyuns Spicy Queso

  • Herr’s Game Day Flavors Cheesy Pizza

  • Bugles Hidden Valley Ranch

  • Doritos Spicy Pineapple Jalapeno

  • Cheetos Mexican Street Corn

Who is on this stomach churning quest?

  • Kris, pardon my French.

  • Hannah, growing out the stash.

  • Matt, always and forever.

  • Amy, for the science.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Chips (scroll down to skip to the history of Bugles as well!)

The origin of the potato chip is not exactly set in stone. But the most popular chip legend is as follows.

Let’s go to Moon’s Lake House, a popular restaurant in the resort town of Saratoga Springs, New York. Here we will find Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad baron, dining at Moon’s Lake House, where he was sorely disappointed in the fried potatoes he had been served. He sent them back to the kitchen, asking for a thinner slice of potato. The chef, George Crum, was a little offended by the request and decided to show him who was chef. He sliced some potatoes as thin as he could, fried them to a crisp, and served them to Vanderbilt. But to Crum’s surprise, they were loved by the patron and the potato chip was born.

But there are holes in this story. For one, if this was true, Cornelius Vanderbilt was likely not the patron of the restaurant.

Another issue, Crum’s invention was unrecognized during his lifetime. He was a celebrated chef, being named “the best cook in the country” by a writer for the New York Herald in 1889. Being as accomplished as he was, surely it would have been set in stone if he was the inventor.

Additionally, an obituary for Catherine Adkins Wicks maintained she was the originator of the potato chip. Catherine was Crum’s sister and worked alongside him in the kitchen. One story tells the story with her and the disgruntled customer, not Crum. Another says she was peeling potatoes and dropped a thin slice into a boiling pot of fat and stumbled upon the discovery.

There are multiple other people who have claimed to be the inventor posthumously. But one things is probably certain, Saratoga Springs did a lot to popularize the potato chip, and were even known as Saratoga Chips for many years.

The History of Bugles

Bugles debuted in May of 1964 with regional launches in Seattle, Portland, Omaha, Des Moines, Buffalo, and Syracuse. Its national launch happened in 1966.

Unlike every other corn chip on the market, Bugles were and are shaped as small cones and are actually described as a corn snack, rather than a corn chip.

And who was the brain child of this unique, delicious snack? That would be Verne E Weiss. Verne was a food engineer who kept it pretty simple when it came to Bugles, sans the shape. The original flavor primarily consists of corn meal, coconut oil, sugar, salt, baking soda, and BHT

(Side note, I didn’t know what BHT was so I looked it up. According to WebMD, Butylated hydroxytoluene is a lab-made chemical that is added to foods as a preservative. People also use it as medicine. BHT is used to treat genital herpes and AIDS. Studies have also found that high amounts can cause cancer. yummy)

Today Bugles are sold in the United States, Canada, China, Saudi Arabia, and several more countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

Bugle flavors include

  • Original

  • Nacho Cheese

  • Hidden Valley Ranch

  • Caramel

  • Cinnamon Toast Crunch

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place - Cheetos Mexican Street Corn

  • Amy - 2

  • Hannah - 1

  • Kris - 2

  • Matt - 3

4th Place - Doritos Spicy Pineapple Jalapeno

  • Amy - 2

  • Hannah - 4

  • Kris - 1

  • Matt - 2

3rd Place: Herr’s Game Day Flavors Cheesy Pizza

  • Amy - 3

  • Hannah - 1

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 5

2nd Place - Bugles Hidden Valley Ranch

  • Amy - 4

  • Hannah - 3

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 5

1st Place - Funyuns Spicy Queso

  • Amy - 3

  • Hannah - 4

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 4

There you have it. Spicy Queso Funyuns got the highest score, but nothing we ate today receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried any of these? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.verywellfit.com/bha-and-bht-keep-foods-fresh-but-are-they-safe-2506579

https://www.snackhistory.com/bugles-chips/

https://www.generalmills.com/news/stories/50-years-for-the-bugles-brand#:~:text=Bugles%20debuted%20in%20May%201964,into%20the%20snack%20food%20market.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Churros. Man do I love a good churro. When they are still warm, and you get that wonderful dusting of cinnamon sugar, the crunchy bite but fluffy pastry. You really cannot go wrong. And until now, I do not think I have ever seen a product try to make a churro flavor. But Kit Kat is giving it a shot. Let’s see if they hit the mark.

Thank you to our supporters by the way! We appreciate your help in getting these shows produced. We have a new producer as well! Someone to sit proudly with Loraine, Lisa, and Laurie! A special thanks to Reid! We recorded this episode (and a few others) before your donation, but expect to get a shout out soon! We appreciate the support!

You too can be an active member in the quest family… All you have to do is comment, share, and donate! Thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Hannah, weird flavor expert.

  • Kris, well hydrated.

  • Matt, aka Off Mic Matt!

  • Amy, bring back the cherry Kit Kats!

A History of Kit Kat

The Kit Kat bar got its start across the pond in 1935. These wafer treats were originally known by Londoners as “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.” Two years later, the candy would be renamed to “Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp.” The name Kit Kat came from the Kit Kat Club which was named after Christopher Catling who used to hold a literary and political club in his pie shop in London in the 17th century.

So what exactly are Kit Kat bars? Kit Kats are three layers of wafer covered with an inner and outer layer of chocolate. If you buy the regular size candy bar, each of the pieces you break off are called a finger. Depending on the size of bar you get, they can have 1, 2, or 4 fingers in them.

When people think of Kit Kat bars, a little jingle probably goes through their heads. The classic line, “Have a break, have a Kit Kat” was introduced by Donald Gillies. The slogan became such an icon that it is now a registered trademark.

And the Churro Kit Kat is described as…

Warm summer days just got sweeter! KIT KAT® Churro Flavored Candy Bar takes inspiration from a beloved dessert enjoyed in many corners of the world. This limited-edition flavor features buttery churro-flavored creme with sugar around crisp wafers.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Hannah: “This would be a lot better with a cup of coffee.” 4/10

  • Amy: “I’m surprised, I like this quite a lot.” 7/10

  • Kris: “This tasted pretty good.” 7/10

  • Matt: “It tastes like a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.” 6/10

TOTAL: 24/40

There you have it. We give the Churro Kit Kat the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website to find a retailer near you!

https://www.hersheyland.com/products/kit-kat-churro-candy-bar-1-5-oz.html

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.hersheyland.com/products/kit-kat-churro-candy-bar-1-5-oz.html

http://breakwithkitkat.weebly.com/history-of-kit-kat.html

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Our world at Quest for the Best seems to be a rotation between Hostess and Coke as of late. Two brands that really push out new products constantly. But Little Debbie is screaming from the back hoping to be noticed, and I definitely noticed when the Cookies and Creme Brownie popped up on the grocery store shelves. It is hard to do cookies and creme wrong, so let’s see if this new brownie can stand up to the competition.

But first, let’s hear it for our producers! Woohoo! Thank you for your contributions to our show. Now I ask that everyone else become a producer of this podcast. Why? Well, as much fun as it is to make this show, it does cost us a lot of money. And we also do not want to be just like the other podcasts who just ask you for money AND STILL have sponsored ads throughout their episodes. No. We will not subject you to ads about securing your home and seeing a doctor! But that is the way most podcasters make any money off their effort. Not us. We just ask you to donate or share our podcast to help get the word out for us. So, please help us out!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Hannah, wants more squid.

  • Kris, yum, brownies.

  • Matt, Fudge Round kind of guy.

  • Amy, here we go!

A History of Little Debbie

The Little Debbie story started during the Great Depression when entrepreneur O.D. McKee began selling 5¢ snack cakes from the back of his 1928 Whippet. In 1934, he and his wife, Ruth, bought a small, failing bakery, using the family car as collateral.

In 1960, O.D. decided to name the brand after his 4- year old granddaughter Debbie and used her photo for the logo. In August of that year, the first family pack was produced and consisted of the original snack cake, the Oatmeal Creme Pie. They were individually wrapped products and the first carton was only 49 cents. After this initial introduction, more than 14 million cakes were sold within 10 months, and by 1964 there were 14 different varieties being sold.

Today, more than 75 different varieties are available. Little Debbie snacks are available in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

The top-selling Little Debbie varieties are Oatmeal Cream Pies, Swiss Cake Rolls, and Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars. McKee Foods sells more than 200 million cartons of these three products every year.

Today we are trying out the brand new Snicker-Doodle Creme Pies. These new pies were introduced at the beginning of July of 2022. And we just got them here in Iowa. According to the Little Debbie website, they are described as…

Take a bite out of nostalgia with Little Debbie Snickerdoodle Creme Pies. Two soft vanilla-flavored cookies baked with cinnamon morsels are sandwiched around our famous fluffy creme, making them the perfect choice for mornings, mid-day or anytime a little cinnamon sweetness is just the treat you need. As vanilla-flavored creme melts in your mouth, surprises of cinnamony sugar crystals combine with the soft-baked cookies, creating a delicious snickerdoodle cookie experience that is irresistible. Grab a box to try the newest snack from Little Debbie, and Unwrap a Smile® today!

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Hannah: “It does not have distinct flavor profiles.” 3/10

  • Amy: “It tastes just like a Cosmic Brownie.” 3/10

  • Kris: “Nothing about this tastes like Cookies and Creme.” 2/10

  • Matt: “It gives the illusion of Cookies and Creme.” 4/10

TOTAL: 12/40

There you have it. We do not give the Little Debbie Cookies and Creme Brownie the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website to find a retailer near you!

https://littledebbie.com

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

littledebbie.com

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Old El Paso is a pretty well known brand name in the grocery store. You have the taco shells, taco seasoning, sauce, chips, cheese, rice, beans… I mean, can you have taco night without Old El Paso?

And now, you have a whole new product to snack on when you are not in the mood for tacos… The Old El Paso Twists. So let’s get our snack on.

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, Arm Pit smeller.

  • Kris, getting down with that.

  • Matt, ranch man.

  • Amy, joke’s on me.

Old El Paso Fiesta Twists…

No history today, just a quick run down on what each of these twists are, directly from the Old El Paso website. And the descriptions do not vary much…

Queso Flavor:

Crispy and Crunchy with a twist. Bring the whole family together during snack time with Old El Paso Queso Cheese Fiesta Twists. These light and airy corn twists have a satisfying crunch that will be unlike your typical savory snacks. These fun shaped corn twists are packed with some of your favorite southwestern flavors. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists feature the perfect blend of delicious queso cheese and salty corn chips. This fun and friendly snack food adds satisfying flavor to snack bags or the office snack drawer. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists make great, delicious fun for both kids and adults.

Zesty Ranch Flavor:

Crispy and Crunchy with a twist. Bring the whole family together during snack time with Old El Paso Zesty Ranch Fiesta Twists. These light and airy corn twists have a satisfying crunch that will be unlike your typical savory snacks. These fun shaped corn twists are packed with some of your favorite southwestern flavors. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists feature the perfect blend of zesty ranch and salty corn chips. This fun and friendly snack food adds satisfying flavor to snack bags or the office snack drawer. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists make great, delicious fun for both kids and adults.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Zesty Ranch

  • Nate: “This smells like an armpit.” 2/10

  • Amy: “The flavor isn’t bad.” 4/10

  • Kris: “What is with that texture?” 4/10

  • Matt: “The aftertaste is whack.” 3/10

TOTAL: 13/40

Queso

  • Nate: “The flavor is a lot better in this one, for sure.” 3/10

  • Amy: “I wish the flavor was stronger.” 4/10

  • Kris: “There is a heat at the end.” 5/10

  • Matt: “This is more pleasant than the others.” 4/10

TOTAL: 16/40

There you have it. We do not give the either of the Old El Paso Fiesta Twiststhe Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give ‘em a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.oldelpaso.com/products/fiest-twists-zesty-ranch

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARING IS CARING! We want more people listening! SHARE!

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Coca Cola is trying it again. Another new soda flavor. And like I always say, why mess with perfection? Coca Cola does not need to make anything other than Classic Coca Cola and Cherry Coke. But obviously they must make some money on these limited runs, since people like me have to try them out.

We try these sodas and foods out so you don’t have to. And if you like this set up, and like the episodes we put out, please consider becoming a producer of our show by donating!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, leveling up.

  • Nate, living in the 2000s.

  • Matt, bitter, like life.

  • Amy, smells someone’s burp.

A History of Coca-Cola

As stated before, we have done a lot of cola episodes, so if you want a history, be sure to listen to our many other episodes.

But here is a brief synopsis of Coca Cola Ultimate.

Experience Coca-Cola® Ultimate, the latest Coca-Cola® Creations sparkling beverage to matchmake with the shelves. Join as Coca-Cola® Creations and League of Legends come together to unlock Coca-Cola® Ultimate’s +XP flavor. The limited-edition flavor, made in co-creation with Riot Games, takes the recognizable Coca-Cola® taste and adds the electrifying taste of +XP. Whether gaming or watching, reach out for an ice-cold Coca-Cola® Ultimate to celebrate your fandom. Try the +XP, before the game is over.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Coca Cola Ultimate

  • Nate: “It’s a soda.” 4/10

  • Amy: “I don’t mind this. It reminds me of a Gobstopper.” 6/10

  • Kris: “I’m not disappointed. It has a decent blend.” 7/10

  • Matt: “It’s okay. I’d give it a 6 if it wasn’t for the marketing.” 5/10

TOTAL: 22/40

There you have it. We do give the Ultimate Limited Edition Coca-Cola the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.coca-cola.com

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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As we round out the end of summer (that’s right. If you are reading this on the day it is released, TOMORROW is the last day of our beautiful summer.) it only seems fitting to try out something that will quench your thirst on a warm summer day. Something that will indulge your sweet tooth. Something that will leave you smiling. Something with a little pop and fizz. Well, at least that is what we hope as we try out some Orange Cream Sodas.

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which orange cream sodas are we trying today?

  • Polar Orange Cream

  • Boots Beverages Dromsicle Orange Cream

  • Old Centennial Orange Cream

  • Blumer’s Orange Cream

  • Fitz’s Orange Cream

  • Appalachian Orange Cream Soda

Who is on this seasonal quest?

  • Kris, expert extortionist.

  • Nate, cream soda boy.

  • Matt, not a cream soda boy.

  • Amy, this is horrible.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of …

No history lesson today! We have done a ton of soda histories by now. But if you listen to the show, you will get a nice run down of our trip to buy these sodas.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Boots Beverages Dromsicle Orange Cream

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 1

  • Matt - 3

  • Nate - 1

5th Place: Polar Orange Cream

  • Amy - 1

  • Kris - 1

  • Matt - 3

  • Nate - 3

4th Place: Fitz’s Orange Cream

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 2

  • Matt - 2

  • Nate - 6

3rd/2nd Place (Tie): Blumer’s Orange Cream

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 3

  • Nate - 4

3rd/2nd Place (Tie): Appalachian Orange Cream Soda

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 1

  • Matt - 2

  • Nate - 8

1st Place: Old Centennial Orange Cream

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 2

  • Nate - 5

There you have it. None of these monstrosities receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite Orange Creme Soda? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Just when you think Hostess can’t possibly come up with another limited edition concoction to try out, here it is, slapping you in the face, prying open your wallet and forcing you to lay down your hard earned cash for the simple pleasure of sugary goodness.

But will they deliver?

Today we are trying out the limited edition Maple Glazed Donettes.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Alan, shut up.

  • Nate, I’ll do it my way!

  • Matt, a crumbleman.

  • Amy, so scared.

A History of Hostess…. again.

For a longer history, check out the original Hostess episode here.

https://open.substack.com/pub/questforthebestpodcast/p/ho-ho-hostess?r=rjail&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two twinkies for a nickel.

In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.

Despite a couple bankruptcies since then, the company now seems to be back on its feet. The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “It felt like I was chewing a really thick loogie.” 1/10

  • Amy: “Why does it feel like it has already been chewed?” 1/10

  • Alan: “It tastes mapley, but more in the aftertaste.” 3/10

  • Matt: “Can we talk about how waxy it makes your mouth feel?” 3/10

TOTAL: 8/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Maple Glazed Donettes the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com/products/donettes/maple-glazed/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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I believe this might be our first ever cereal episode! Sort of anyway. When we first started the podcast, the very first episode we ever recorded was with Hannah and Kris and it was Halloween cereals. However, we never released it. (I had a cold so I sound funny, plus I was a little out of it post-knee surgery, so hey. You win some, you lose some.) But today we get to dive into a fresh bowl of cereal and try out the new Strawberry Milkshake Frosted Flakes!

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, Alan’s mortal enemy.

  • Alan, Nate’s mortal enemy.

  • Matt, is going to be punched in the face.

  • Amy, is going to punch matt in the face.

A History of Cereal

Breakfast has had an interesting evolution. In the colonial times, people generally ate porridge or leftovers from the night before. Something that would get them going in the morning and give them energy for the day. But as the nation grew wealthier, breakfasts also grew. Big breakfasts of steak, eggs, bacon, sausages became very common. And having a big meal made sense if you worked on the farm and needed a meal to last you until dinner after a long day of hard labor. But as time passed and the Industrial Revolution happened, less and less people needed a huge meal in the morning, nor did they have time for it. Additionally, a heavy morning meal wasn’t considered ideal for health reasons.

Queue Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. Dr. Kellogg took over the Battle Creek Sanitarium, a world-famous medical spa. He believed in “biologic living”, promoting exercise, massage therapy, and digestive health. And with that goal in mind, Corn Flakes were born. They were so popular among patients at the sanitorium, Kellogg decided to market the flakes as a light, healthy breakfast meal.

The cereal business was cutthroat as soon as it started. One-time patient at the sanitarium, C.W. Post quickly adapted the cereal into his own creation, Grape-Nuts, which was incredibly successful.

Today Americans buy around 2.7 billion boxes of cereal each year. This amounts to about 14 pounds of cereal that the average person consumes annually.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “I like having the strawberry milk treat at the end.” 8/10

  • Amy: “I didn’t expect to eat all of it but I did.” 6/10

  • Alan: “These do not have enough strawberry flavor.” 5/10

  • Matt: “It was a decent cereal.” 7/10

TOTAL: 26/40

There you have it. We give Strawberry Milkshake Frosted Flakes the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.frostedflakes.com/en_US/products/frosted-flakes-strawberry-milkshake.html

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried this cereal? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.history.com/news/cereal-breakfast-origins-kellogg

https://www.creditdonkey.com/breakfast-cereal-statistics.html#:~:text=Americans%20buy%20around%202.7%20billion,the%20average%20person%20consumes%20annually.

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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When you think of the Midwest, I am sure there are a few foods that stick out as pretty midwestern. Puppy Chow. Pulled Pork. Pork Tenderloins. Iowa Pork Chops. Casey’s Pizza. Iowa Sweet Corn. And of course, Maid Rites. If you live in California, do you even know what a Maid Rite is? I mean, have you truly lived if you haven’t tried a Maid Rite?

And if you think that a Maid Rite is the same thing as a sloppy joe, then you are about to be schooled, my friend.

Remember! We can’t continue this podcast without your support! Help us pay the grocery and studio bills! Donate to the show!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Maid Rite menu items are we trying out today?

  • Classic Maid Rite

  • Chili Cheese Rite

  • The Panther

  • French Fries

  • Onion Rings

  • Cheese Curds

Who is on this yummy yummy quest?

  • Nate, come at me, bruh!

  • Alan, ready to fight.

  • Matt, rawr.

  • Amy, damn cheese curds.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Maid Rite

The original Maid-Rite sandwich was invented in Muscatine, Iowa in 1926.

A butcher named Fred Angell was working on a new concept for a sandwich, trying to get the just right combination of a special cut and grind of meat, the perfect blend of spices, and the just right consistency to make something different. He steamed the hamburger instead of frying it, added the spices and offered one of his sandwiches to a delivery man who declared, “This sandwich is made right!”

The first Maid-Rite restaurant opened that year. Sandwiches were sold from a walk-up window.

Within two years, Angell began selling franchises, with the first two opening in Newton, Iowa and Marshalltown, Iowa in 1928, making it one of America’s first quick service casual dining franchise restaurants (only being beat out by White castle in 1921 and A&W in 1920). As a franchise, Maid-Rite spread largely through word of mouth. These franchises ran and continue to run with an owner-operator strategy, meaning most of the restaurants you go to are going to be fairly independent. Angells original special seasoning was required to be used, but beyond that, there was not much stipulation in the franchise agreement. And this is what helped many of the stores survive through the boom of fast food chains like McDonalds and Burger King. Many of the existing locations today are a staple in the community and feels like you get something unique and special.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: French Fries

  • Alan - 4

  • Amy - 4

  • Matt- 6

  • Nate - 4

5th/4th Place (Tie!): Onion Rings

  • Alan - 9

  • Amy - 7

  • Matt- 7

  • Nate - 6

5th/4th Place (Tie!): The Panther

  • Alan - 8

  • Amy - 5

  • Matt - 8

  • Nate - 8

3rd Place: Cheese Curds

  • Alan - 9

  • Amy - 5

  • Matt - 8

  • Nate - 9

2nd Place: Chili Cheese Maid Rite

  • Alan - 9

  • Amy - 7

  • Matt - 8

  • Nate - 8

1st Place: Classic Maid Rite

  • Alan - 9

  • Amy - 10

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 7

There you have it. The Classic Maid Rite receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to find a location near you!

https://maid-rite.com/locations.php

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite Maid Rite or side? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://qctimes.com/the-history-of-maid-rite/article_a5c5f160-e760-11df-b1b9-001cc4c03286.html

https://www.maidrite.com/about-us/our-history

http://maid-rite.com/history.php

https://khak.com/maid-rite-iowa/

https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/93/Maid-Rite-Corporation.html

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Another new flavor from Lay’s. You know, it is really really really hard to beat the classic Lay’s. Or some of the tried and true flavors such as sour cream and onion, cheddar and sour cream, and barbeque. But here we are getting our hopes up that the new Cuban Sandwich Lay’s will have our stomachs praying for more. But we will see about that.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, Loraine!

  • Kris, Lisa!

  • Matt, Laurie!

  • Amy, THANK YOU!

A History of Lay’s

Our history lesson takes us back to 1932 where we meet up with Lay’s founder, Herman W. Lay. Mr. Herman opened a company that made various snack foods in Nashville, Tennessee, and soon after, purchased another business that made potato chips, called Barrett Food Company. Mr. Lay, while working as a traveling salesman, would sell potato chips out of the trunk of his car in the hopes to get more people to try out the chips. Soon he would turn to national advertising, becoming one of the first-ever snack food brands to advertise on TV, and the chip took off.

Today there are over 200 varieties that have been created and the flavors vary from country to country. Common flavors such as salt and vinegar, barbecue, and cheddar are found in the chip aisle, but you can also find flavors such as cappuccino, vegetable soup, and beer ‘n brats.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “The aftertaste needs to be rinsed out.” 4/10

  • Amy: “I like the pickle part.” 3/10

  • Kris: “It smells like a dude’s toot.” 5/10

  • Matt: “It’s like pickle and rye.” 4/10

TOTAL: 16/40

There you have it. We do not give the Lay’s Wavy Cuban Sandwich chips the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.lays.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.lays.com/about-us

https://www.insider.com/lays-fun-facts-potato-chips-2018-11#the-cowardly-lion-from-the-wizard-of-oz-was-the-first-celebrity-spokesperson-for-lays-10

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Oreo is back and better than ever? Or maybe Oreo is back and should have stayed home. Well, today we find out when we try the LIMITED EDITION S’mOREO Cookie!

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, hungry for more.

  • Kris, messed things up.

  • Matt, very full.

  • Amy, the jig is up.

A History of Oreos

So the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today.

So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.

The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.

Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “I am happy to say there was no marshmallow flavor.” 3/10

  • Amy: “There are moments where it is really good but moments when I wonder if it actually is good.” 5/10

  • Kris: “I’d rather have the original.” 2/10

  • Matt: “It is not even recognizable of what it is trying to be.” 3/10

TOTAL: 13/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the limited edition S’mOREO Sandwich Cookies the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.oreo.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/

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Feeling a little peckish? Maybe you just need a small afternoon pick-me-up in the form of a snack? Maybe you want that snack to be salty? Maybe cheesy? Well, folks…. Today’s episode is salty, cheesy, and the perfect afternoon snack… Cheez-It!

Before we get started, just a quick note about our podcast. We are a value-for-value podcast. What does that mean? Well, we have zero sponsors, zero ads, zero people breaking into your enjoyment and begging you to buy a thing you don’t want or need. So, in order to sustain this podcast, we ask for donations. Whatever value you get out of this podcast, send it back to us. If you feel like you get $5.00 worth of value, donate $5.00. If you think this is more of a $20.00 podcast, send us $20.00. It is that simple. Help us keep you entertained and informed on the best foods out there.

If you can’t donate at this time, we ask you to share the podcast. Help us get the word out there!

And to those producers of Quest for the Best, we thank you so much! The support means everything to us!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Hannah, where are the duos?

  • Kris, a southern gentleman.

  • Matt, I do declare.

  • Amy, still not a cheese fan.

Which Cheez It crackers are we trying today?

  • Original

  • White Cheddar

  • Hot & Spicy

  • Italian Four Cheese

  • Grooves Zesty Cheddar Ranch

A History of Cheez It

Transport yourself back to 1921. You are browsing the local grocer’s shelves and you stumble upon a brand new product. Cheez It. You read the package. “Baked Rarebit.” which you recognize as a melted cheddar beer cheese normally spread over toast. Yum, you think to yourself. The product ends up in your basket, and for a lot of people, this little cracker becomes a snack time staple.

The Cheez-It company was formed in 1907 in Dayton, Ohio by Weston Green. The company specialized in many different kinds of crackers such as Edgemont, Dayton, and Flag crackers but none of these would come close to the popularity of the Cheez-It.

In 1930, after Weston Green passed away, Green & Green Company was purchased by Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company, which would soon become Sunshine Biscuit Company. The Sunshine Biscuit Company was eventually acquired by Keebler in 1996, and Kellogg’s would acquire Keebler in 2001. Even so, It wasn’t until 2015 until the name Sunshine would be taken off the front of the box.

Since the introduction of the original Cheez-It cracker, there have been over 40 different varieties and flavors. Current varieties include…

  • Original

  • Extra Toasty

  • Extra Cheesy

  • Extra Big

  • White Cheddar

  • Pepper Jack

  • Cheddar Jack

  • Whole Grain

  • Italian Four Cheese

  • Cheese Pizza

  • Hot & Spicy

  • Reduced Fat

  • Buffalo Wing

Additionally, over the years, Cheez-It has had new products such as

  • Grooves

  • Duoz

  • Snap’d

  • And in 2022 the new Puff’d, which we are trying today.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Grooves Zesty Cheddar Ranch

  • Amy - 3

  • Hannah - 5

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt- 4

4th Place: Italian Four Cheese

  • Amy - 2

  • Hannah - 5

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt- 5

3rd Place: Hot & Spicy

  • Amy - 4

  • Hannah - 5

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt- 4

2nd Place: White Cheddar

  • Amy - 2

  • Hannah - 7

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt- 7

1st Place: Original

  • Amy - 7

  • Hannah - 6

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt- 6

There you have it. We give the original Cheez It the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.cheezit.com/en_US/home.html

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/brief-history-cheez-it-180977777/

https://www.snackhistory.com/cheez-it/

https://www.mashed.com/153401/snack-crackers-ranked-from-worst-to-first/

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On our recent trip to Ohio, we stopped at a Kroger grocery store to see if there were any products that we don’t normally see in Iowa. Well, we were not disappointed and walked away with a couple bags of new products to try out (coming soon!) Today’s episode is a result of that day. We have the Apple Jacks Pop Tarts and the Banana Bread Pop Tarts!

Now, since that trip, I have seen the Banana ones in stores locally, and have even seen a few reviews/articles about these. So the timing is right. You all can run to the store and buy a box and try it along with us. Or just trust our judgement, it is up to you.

Before we get going however, I have to do my usual THANK YOU to our producers. You keep our hearts and bellies full with food for this podcast, and we cannot thank you enough. Our new subscribers, THANK YOU! This doesn’t grow without you either, and just spreading the word means a lot.

And if you have it in your heart, and wallet, to help out a new but someday going to be mega popular and famous podcast, please donate to the show!

And please… SHARE! SHARE! SHARE! SHARE!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, Not Nate.

  • Nate, Not Matt.

  • Matt, Not Amy.

  • Amy, Not Kris.

A Mini History Pop Tarts

In 1963 Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, called Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kellogg’s swooped in, stealing the market with a new product called Fruit Scones. The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. (Any guesses on the flavors?) Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

Today, around 2 billion Pop Tarts are sold each year in the United States. The best selling Pop Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’mores.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Apple Jacks Pop Tarts

  • Nate: “Whether these taste like Apple Jacks or not, these are great.” 7/10

  • Amy: “It tastes very Christmassy.” 5/10

  • Kris: “I’m going to eat all of it, but I don’t know if it is because I like it.” 6/10

  • Matt: “It’s a nice warm treat but I probably wouldn’t buy it.” 5/10

TOTAL: 23/40

Banana Bread Pop Tarts

  • Nate: “It’s a really big bummer.” 5/10

  • Amy: “It tastes like artificial banana.” 4/10

  • Kris: “I like what the pastry was made out of.” 5/10

  • Matt: “It’s not as satisfying.” 4/10

TOTAL: 18/40

There you have it. We do NOT give Banana Bread Pop Tarts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. BUT WE DO give Apple Jacks Pop Tarts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.poptarts.com

Doo you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520

https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/

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It has been a minute since we tried out some fast food! And we wanted to continue down the burger chain, but in our area, we are a little more limited on our options than if we lived in a bigger city. I WISH WISH WISH we could just pop over to In-N-Out and just eat all the burgers there. Hopefully they will head east soon. But until then, we gotta stick with what we have, and today that is Wendy’s vs. Arbys!

Before we dive in, I have a few important announcements!

First of all, a HUGE THANK YOU to our two newest producers, Laurie and Lisa! Hurray! These two ladies each have been listening since the beginning and have found value in our podcast and decided to make a donation. We really can only keep this going with support from our listeners. For some of you, that may come in the form of a monetary donation, which we really appreciate. For others, you may decide to share a link to the show on your social media accounts or just share via word of mouth. WE CAN’T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH to all of you. We have a lot of fun making this show, but get a lot of pleasure out of hearing that you all enjoy it too.

So if you haven’t, you can always donate now, or you can share, share, share!

And lastly, our producer Laurie has requested we do a Maid-Rite episode. And I was very pumped to do that episode. So I did my research, picked out which menu items we were trying, and invited the gang over. And then I remembered it was Sunday and Maid-Rite is closed on Sundays. So, Laurie, your episode will be coming, just not yet.

So on to Wendy’s vs. Arbys!

Which menu items will we be trying?

  • Arby’s: Classic Roast Beef, Classic Chicken Sandwich, Curly Fries

  • Wendy’s: Dave’s Classic, Classic Chicken Sandwich, Fries

Who is joining this fast food battle?

  • Nate, crinkle cut kind of guy.

  • Kris, saved by curly fries.

  • Matt, hungry boy.

  • Amy, two for five beef and cheddar!

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

The History of Wendy’s

Today we head back to November 15, 1969 where Dave Thomas opened his very first Wendy’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. Why open a fast food burger restaurant? Well, the man was obsessed with burgers. In fact, it is said he would visit any and every hamburger stand he could find. So when a friend mentioned that it was hard to get a good lunch in downtown Columbus, Dave saw it as his chance. He opened the restaurant, using his daughter’s nickname Wendy. He felt that the logo of a smiling, wholesome girl with the name “Wendy’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers” would be the first place you went for a hamburger the way you used to get them, with fresh beef.

The original menu included hot ‘n juicy hamburgers, rich ‘n meaty chili, French fries, soft drinks and a Frosty Dairy Dessert. And to top it off, this place did not cut corners on quality, or on their hamburger patties, which is how and why it became known for serving square burgers.

In 1970 Wendy’s was another restaurant to claim that they introduced the Drive-Through window, a term Dave Thomas coined the “Pick-Up Window” so he could attract cruisers and joyriders to the restaurants. And by March 1978, the franchise was booming, with 1,000 restaurants and counting.

Some other notable dates include…

  • The first Canadian restaurant opened in Ontario in September of 1975.

  • In November 1979, Wendy’s introduced the Salad Bar, which was very popular in the 70’s and 80’s, but wouldn’t last forever, phasing out in 2006.

  • In 1980, store number 2,000 opened up.

  • In 1983 Baked Potatoes were added to the menu

  • 1984, “Where’s the Beef?” (copyright) commercial aired, leading to a 31% boost in annual revenue.

  • In February 1985, the 3,000th restaurant opened.

  • In December 1992, the 4,000th restaurant opened.

  • In December of 1995, Wendy’s Acquired Canadian chain Tim Hortons.

  • In March of 1997, The 5,000th restaurant opened in Columbus, Ohio as a Wendy’s/Tim Hortons combo.

  • In October of 2001, the 6,000th restaurant opened in Tijuana, Mexico. It was a two-story restaurant that could hold 224 customers.

  • In August of 2006, Wendy’s added the Vanilla Frosty.

  • The following year they would add the Baconator.

  • In September of 2008, Wendy’s and Arby’s merged but a short three years later, they decided to go their separate ways in 2011.

Today there are over 7,000 Wendy’s world wide.

The States with the most Wendy’s are…

  • Florida - 536

  • Texas - 454

  • Ohio - 405

  • And in the state of Iowa we have 40.

The History of Arby’s

What is in a name? Well, for the fast food chain, Arby’s, a lot of myth and little truth. Arby’s was founded in 1964, the Raffel brothers opened the first restaurant in Boardman, Ohio, naming it Arby’s. They were originally going to name it “Big Tex” but that name was already in market use, so instead went with Arby’s based on the initials of “R” and “B” of Raffel Brothers. Now the rumors near and far would tell you that the R and B stood for Roast Beef. But it’s not. So that is what is really in the name.

But let’s back up to the history beyond the name. In the 1950s, the brothers bought their uncle’s restaurant equipment business and created Raffel Brothers, Inc, which would become one of the country’s leading fast food service consulting firms, specializing in restaurant equipment for operators. But while doing this venture, the brothers were also paying close attention to the massive growth of other fast food chains. Seeing all these burger chains succeed, they thought they could do a similar quick service model that was based on roast beef sandwiches.

The brothers, Leroy and Forrest, chose roast beef as the restaurant’s flagship product because it was different from hamburgers and they thought that customers would be more apt to paying premium for it. When they opened, a sandwich cost $0.69 vs. McDonald’s $0.15, but people still paid for them. It was such a hit that by the late 1960s, they had over 300 locations in nearly 40 states. But this growth was not without its challenges. Utilizing bank loans and equity capital to finance the growth, the brothers knew that they couldn’t keep up, so they sought to go public in 1970, but that quickly fell through and the brothers ended up filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy. They used this time to restore their profitability and by the end of 1975, they grew to over 500 locations nationwide. They then entered an agreement with RC Cola in 1976, selling Arby’s for $18 million. The company would continue to switch hands throughout the years, but today is operated through The Arby’s Restaurant Group.

Now back to that pesky name. Arby’s aired a commercial in the 1980’s that had a jingle that spelled out the name Arby’s using the phrase, “America’s Roast Beef, Yes Sir!”. So, if you are going to dig your own grave, don’t be mad when the public puts you in it, I guess.

Today there are nearly 3,400 locations.

The states with the most Arby’s

  • Ohio - 277

  • Michigan - 177

  • Indiana - 177

  • Florida - 167

  • Iowa has 59 locations.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

The Classics

Wendy’s Dave’s Classic

  • Nate: “I love all the additional topping and condiments.”

  • Amy: “I like that the burger isn’t super thin.”

  • Kris: “When you bite into a burger with all the toppings, its satisfying.”

  • Matt: “It was lacking in flavor.”

Arby’s Classic Roast Beef

  • Nate: “I like the sauce but by itself the meat is tasty.”

  • Amy: “They give you a lot of roast beef.”

  • Kris: “I wish this was the one with lettuce and onion.”

  • Matt: “Arby’s for me. It has a lot of flavor.”

WINNER: Wendy’s

Chicken Sandwiches

Wendy’s Classic Chicken Sandwich

  • Nate: “I give points to Wendy’s for being well put together.”

  • Amy: “Gotta have that pickle. It is perfect with the pickle.”

  • Kris: “This is nice and juicy.”

  • Matt: “Easier to eat and a good chicken sandwich.”

Arby’s Classic Crispy Sandwich

  • Nate: “The white sauce is pretty flavorful.”

  • Amy: “The bread is so good.”

  • Kris: “Whatever the seasoning is on this chicken is good.”

  • Matt: “There is something about the crust on the chicken.”

WINNER: Tie!

Fries

Wendy’s Fries

  • Nate: “I like the potato skin, but I wish it had more seasoning.”

  • Amy: “It is a good fry that needs salt.”

  • Kris: “I’m a huge fan of skin on fries.”

  • Matt: “It’s a solid fry.”

Arby’s Curly Fries

  • Nate: “I wish they were a little bit thicker.”

  • Amy: I really enjoy the seasoning on the Arby’s fry”

  • Kris: “Agreed. Good seasoning.”

  • Matt: “The Arby fry is just much more interesting.”

WINNER: Arby’s Curly Fries

There you have it. After trying 3 different menu items from Wendy’s and Arby’s we give Arby’s the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a location near you.

https://www.arbys.com/

Thank you for joining us on this versus episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these menu items? Which one was your favorite? Which restaurant is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

If you were entertained today, consider donating to our podcast! Keep these episodes coming with your own treasure. We would really appreciate the support!

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.wendys.com/wendys-story

https://www.wendys.com/who-we-are-daves-legacy-founding-wendys

https://www.statista.com/statistics/221967/number-of-wendy-s-restaurants/#:~:text=Number%20of%20Wendy's%20restaurants%20worldwide%202011%2D2022%2C%20by%20mode%20of%20operation&text=Quick%20service%20restaurant%20(QSR)%20chain,7%2C095%20restaurants%20worldwide%20in%202022.

https://www.zippia.com/advice/wendys-statistics/#:~:text=In%20North%20America%2C%20it%20is,Wendy's%20in%20the%20United%20States.

https://thetakeout.com/how-did-arbys-get-its-name-arbys-name-origin-roast-beef-1849779865

https://www.zippia.com/arby-s-careers-15212/history/

https://www.nav.com/blog/inspirational-story-brothers-behind-arbys-26195/

https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/Arbys-USA/#:~:text=The%20state%20with%20the%20most,Arbys%20restaurants%20in%20the%20US.

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Doritos. Why, Doritos? WHY?! Who said let’s take arguably one of the worst condiments in a chip? This did not need to happen. But it did, and we are punishing ourselves with these chips. Tangy Ketchup and Hot Mustard Doritos. Please pray for us.

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

And also… We have a couple new producers of our show! Thank you, thank you, thank you to Lisa and Laurie! We appreciate you listening and for donating to our show! YOU GUYS ROCK!

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, living in a wild age of food.

  • Kris, tasting texture.

  • Matt, what’s happening?

  • Amy, shout out to Mikey!

A History of Doritos

To go back to the beginning of the Doritos saga, you are going to have to travel back to 1955, to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. In 1955, Frito-Lay struck a deal with Disney to open a Mexican restaurant in the Frontierland section of the park. This restaurant was known as “Casa de Fritos”.

You see, Doritos actually came as a solution to old tortillas. Instead of throwing out old stale tortillas, the restaurant would cut them up, add seasoning, and fry them. That way they wouldn’t lose money on inventory, and actually make money on would-be trash. The employees liked the chips so much, they started packaging them as well.

In the early 1960s, Archie West, the vice president of Frito-Lay, visited the restaurant and saw how busy it was. Not only that, they were selling huge amounts of the bags of chips. Archie was taken with the chip. He decided that since they were golden in color, to name for the Spanish word for gold, “oro”. Combined with the “ito” in Frito, and slapping the letter “D” to the beginning, the name Dorito was born. Soon after, mass production of the chip began.

A soft launch happened in the southwest region of the United States and it was so successful that the factory was overwhelmed by the demand. The popularity was unquestioned. Doritos made their national debut in 1966, when Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola merged.

The first flavor that debuted was taco flavored. In 1972, history was made with the release of the Nacho Cheese Doritos, becoming the most popular variety. In 1986, Cool Ranch Doritos were released.

In 2020 99.67 million Americans consumed Doritos.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Tangy Ketchup

  • Nate: “This is a chip that tastes like ketchup.” 2/10

  • Amy: “I didn’t have to spit it out...” 2/10

  • Kris: “I don’t like ketchup that much, but this is pissing me off.” 1/10

  • Matt: “I’m eating one more for science.” 2/10

TOTAL: 7/40

Hot Mustard

  • Nate: “These aren’t good stand alone flavors.” 2/10

  • Amy: “That tastes like hot mustard!” 3/10

  • Kris: “It’s almost horseradish.” 4/10

  • Matt: “It’s more like a spicy brown.” 3/10

TOTAL: 12/40

There you have it. We do not give the Tangy Ketchup or Hot Mustard Doritosthe Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give ‘em a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.doritos.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARING IS CARING! We want more people listening! SHARE!

Show Notes:

https://www.doritos.com/products

https://www.snackhistory.com/doritos/

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/things-didnt-know-doritos/

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First off, I have to apologize. This episode was supposed to be released last week! However, the wonderful 4th of July holiday festivities got me all mixed up on my days of the week and I completely dropped the ball! So to our subscribers and producers, I humbly ask for your forgiveness.

Now that we have been doing this podcast for over a year, I find that going to the grocery store is a whole new experience. Instead of getting what I need, I am going down ever aisle looking for podcast episodes. It is quite fun because I now get to try so many things I never would have purchased. And today is no exception! We are trying Tate’s Bake Shop Cookies! And not that I had anything against these cookies, or any opinion of them at all, I just have a hard time buying cookies when I can do a nice job baking up a batch myself. But today we try these!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Tate’s Bake Shop Cookies are we trying today?

  • Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

  • Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Lemon Cookies

Who is on this sugar quest?

  • Nate, here!

  • Matt, there!

  • Kris, everywhere!

  • Amy, ai yai yai.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Cookies

The name that pops up when researching the origins of the chocolate chip cookie…Ruth Graves Wakefield. Ruth was the owner of the Toll House Inn, located in Whitman, Massachusetts. This was a very popular restaurant that served home cooked meals. The most popular dessert served at the Inn was a thin butterscotch nut cookie with ice cream. But Ruth wanted to expand the offering and decided to adjust the recipe by adding chopped bits of a chocolate bar to the cookie dough. She named them Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies. They were incredibly popular. Not only did the United States devour them, but American soldiers serving in the Pacific would receive care packages containing these cookies. They loved them so much that they would write back home asking for more Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies. From there the popularity of the cookie exploded, leading to everyone developing their own version, with the simplified name, the chocolate chip cookie.

Now a little bit about Tate’s Bake Shop, which I pulled directly from their website, https://www.tatesbakeshop.com/the-bake-shop-way/

What makes Tate's Bake Shop treats so deeply delicious? It is something we call The Bake Shop Way. The Bake Shop Way is our commitment to uncompromising quality and bake-craft. It is nourishing the soul and delighting the world with exceptional taste experiences. It is what guides everything we do.

It all started when Kathleen King, founder of Tate's Bake Shop, began baking when she was just eleven years old, selling small batches of her crisp, buttery chocolate chip cookies off of a fold-out card table on North Sea Farm, her parents' Long Island farmstead.

In 1980, when she was only 21, Kathleen rented a space her mother spotted and opened her first bake shop. She developed a full line of traditional American baked goods, perfecting every recipe herself and baking each dessert from scratch. Named after her father, Tate's Bake Shop is the result of Kathleen's love of baking and keen eye for quality.

Tate’s Bake Shop in Southampton, NY has been Voted the Best Bakery in the Hamptons year over year, and is a destination for locals and tourists alike. A visit to the bake shop reveals Kathleen's personality is in every inch of the store, from the fresh flowers to the carved wooden tables. With a community of loyal customers and lines that stretch out the door, Tate's Bake Shop is, as the New York Times noted, "worth putting miles on the odometer."

Tate’s Bake Shop continues to raise the bar for itself and the baking community with our award-winning cookies and desserts. Today, Tate’s Bake Shop is a nationally recognized brand, loved for its signature, irresistibly crisp and buttery chocolate chip cookies as well as an ever-expanding line of bake shop delectable desserts including gluten free and vegan offerings. So, enjoy one of our deeply delicious treats and experience “The Bake Shop Way”.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Oatmeal Raisin

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt- 5

  • Nate - 1

5th Place: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt- 5

  • Nate - 1

4th Place: Walnut Chocolate Chip

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 5

3rd Place: Double Chocolate Chip

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt- 7

  • Nate - 4

2nd Place: Chocolate Chip

  • Amy - 6

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt- 7

  • Nate - 5

1st Place: Lemon

  • Amy - 8

  • Kris - 8

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 7

There you have it. Tate’s Bake Shop Lemon Cookies receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://www.tatesbakeshop.com

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite cookie? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.tatesbakeshop.com/the-bake-shop-way/

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Freeze dried food. Doesn’t sound too appealing at first. But when you are hiking 2000+ miles, and want something light in your pack, these are probably a pretty good option. Well, on this episode of Quest for the Best, we have avid backpacker, Mike here to tell us all about life on the trail and give us a taste of some of the foods you might be eating if you are on a through hike. So let’s dig right in!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Mountain House meals are we trying today?

  • Beef Stew

  • Breakfast Skillet

  • Chicken Teriyaki

Who is on this freeze dried quest?

  • Nate, getting a beer.

  • Michael, Subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/@HeadNorthMikeMcKay

  • Matt, am I recording?

  • Amy, are you recording?!?

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Mountain House

At Mountain House, we trace our roots to meals we made for the United States Special Forces. During the Vietnam Conflict, the military put out a request for food that tasted better, lasted longer, and weight less than old K and C rations. Our parent Company, Oregon Freeze Dry, responded to that request and won the contract. We immediately started making freeze dried food as Long Range Patrol rations for the military. We’ve continued making food for the United States Special Forces and other branches of the military ever since. As the war began to wind down, we took our surplus rations to military surplus and sporting goods stores, where they rapidly sold out. It was then in 1969 that we realized the great consumer demand for good tasting, easy to prepare freeze dried food and Mountain House was born.

For over 50 years, consumers have continued to choose Mountain House as their favorite brand of freeze dried food for on-the-go adventures, emergency preparedness and survival. With just-add-water convenience, easy no-mess cleanup and home-cooked flavors, Mountain House is the best freeze dried camping, backpacking, hiking and emergency preparedness food money can buy.

Mountain House is nestled in the heart of the lush Willamette Valley of Oregon, just south of Portland.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

3rd Place: Chicken Teriyaki

  • Amy - 4

  • Matt - 5

  • Michael - 7

  • Nate - 5

2nd Place: Breakfast Scramble

  • Amy - 5

  • Matt - 6

  • Michael - 7

  • Nate - 7

1st Place: Beef Stew

  • Amy - 6

  • Matt - 7

  • Michael - 8

  • Nate - 6

There you have it. Mountain House Beef Stew receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://mountainhouse.com

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite freeze dried food? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://mountainhouse.com/pages/our-story

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One thing I really enjoy about Lay’s potato chips is that they are never shy about trying out new flavors. And while I don’t really end up liking many of them, I still want to give each one a fair shot. And that goes the same for the BLT Sandwich chip that has been put out this summer. Now, I’m not a big fan of bacon, but hey, let’s give these a whirl.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, bringing it back.

  • Kris, feels pretty good.

  • Matt, smoky, zesty, crispy.

  • Amy, needs to move on.

A History of Lay’s

Our history lesson takes us back to 1932 where we meet up with Lay’s founder, Herman W. Lay. Mr. Herman opened a company that made various snack foods in Nashville, Tennessee, and soon after, purchased another business that made potato chips, called Barrett Food Company. Mr. Lay, while working as a traveling salesman, would sell potato chips out of the trunk of his car in the hopes to get more people to try out the chips. Soon he would turn to national advertising, becoming one of the first-ever snack food brands to advertise on TV, and the chip took off.

Today there are over 200 varieties that have been created and the flavors vary from country to country. Common flavors such as salt and vinegar, barbecue, and cheddar are found in the chip aisle, but you can also find flavors such as cappuccino, vegetable soup, and beer ‘n brats.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “This ain’t no GD BLT. This BS can TTYL.” 3/10

  • Amy: “They aren’t good and they aren’t horrible.” 3/10

  • Kris: “It’s not a terrible chip. It’s the middle of the road.” 5/10

  • Matt: “Tomato and mayo is what it tastes like to me.” 5/10

TOTAL: 16/40

There you have it. We do not give the Lay’s BLT Sandwich chips the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.lays.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.lays.com/about-us

https://www.insider.com/lays-fun-facts-potato-chips-2018-11#the-cowardly-lion-from-the-wizard-of-oz-was-the-first-celebrity-spokesperson-for-lays-10

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What is your favorite kind of cookie? Well, you can’t go wrong with the classic chocolate chip. Or a peanut butter cookie. Actually, I pretty much like most cookies. Oatmeal Raisin is amazing. I even really enjoy a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.

Now, which cookie brand is the best to purchase at the store? You know, you are tired, want a cookie, but don’t feel like baking. What do you purchase from Wal-Mart or Hy-Vee? Well, today we are going to try out Matt’s Bakery Cookies and see if this will be a new go-to store bought cookie.

But first, please consider becoming a supporter and producer of our show! Join the ranks of our other two wonderful producers, Loraine, and our newest producer, Laurie! You will be among good company, I assure you!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Matt’s Bakery Cookies are we trying today?

  • Chocolate Chip

  • Peanut Butter

  • Oatmeal Raisin

Who is on this sugar quest?

  • Nate, has the vibes.

  • Kris, only has eyes for cookies.

  • Matt, cookie spoiled.

  • Amy, on the struggle bus today.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Cookies

The name that pops up when researching the origins of the chocolate chip cookie…Ruth Graves Wakefield. Ruth was the owner of the Toll House Inn, located in Whitman, Massachusetts. This was a very popular restaurant that served home cooked meals. The most popular dessert served at the Inn was a thin butterscotch nut cookie with ice cream. But Ruth wanted to expand the offering and decided to adjust the recipe by adding chopped bits of a chocolate bar to the cookie dough. She named them Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies. They were incredibly popular. Not only did the United States devour them, but American soldiers serving in the Pacific would receive care packages containing these cookies. They loved them so much that they would write back home asking for more Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies. From there the popularity of the cookie exploded, leading to everyone developing their own version, with the simplified name, the chocolate chip cookie.

Now a little bit about Matt’s Bakery, which I pulled directly from their website, mattscookies.com

Since 1979, our mission has always been to make the best tasting cookie around. That’s why we do things a little bit different than the big guys.

First, we believe that real stuff tastes better, which is why we start with all natural ingredients just like you’d find at home. It may be trendy to have a “clean label”, but we’ve been using real ingredients since the very beginning.

Next, we bake the cookies with care in ovens that, for over 40 years, have delivered a perfectly soft texture.

Finally, we package the cookies while warm to lock in the fresh-baked taste. Because of each cookie’s unique size and shape, they must be hand-packed.

It might be a simple recipe - use only real stuff and bake it with care- but the result is anything but simple. It’s ridiculously delicious.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

3rd Place: Chocolate Chip

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt- 5

  • Nate - 3

2nd Place: Peanut Butter

  • Amy - 5

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt- 6

  • Nate - 5

1st Place: Oatmeal Raisin

  • Amy - 7

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 7

There you have it. Matt’s Bakery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

www.mattscookies.com

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite cookie? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.mattscookies.com/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Well, this is the first time we are trying a Twix bar! And no, we are not going with the original, that will have to wait for a bigger Twix episode. Nope, we are going to try the Cookie Dough flavor. I think maybe this is new? I hadn’t seen them in our area anyway! Let’s see what we got.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, five digits in the red.

  • Kris, ready for fisticuffs.

  • Matt, Peanut Butter is his jam.

  • Amy, more candy!?

A History of Twix

Twix wasn’t always divided into Left and Right. Once upon a time, brothers Earl and Seamus (Shaymus) were united by an extraordinary idea: to combine cookie, caramel, and chocolate into one beautiful bar. But even as they developed their big idea, their differences were evident. Both perfectionists, Seamus and Earl clashed on everything from chocolate-pouring technique to caramel consistency. The final straw came at the grand unveiling of their new Twix bar. Tensions reached a breaking point and the bar snapped. So too did the brothers’ tempers and the occasion quickly descended into fisticuffs. Unable to reach an agreement and with neither willing to give way, the brothers had no choice: they had to divide the company. Earl rode away as far as possible to establish his enterprise, but found himself only yards from Seamus’s chosen plot. Each designed a unique building to house his factory, and each sneered at the mediocrity of the factory opposite. The two took distinctively different approaches to the manufacture of chocolate, finally able to do it their own way. Left Twix became a crunch cookie base upon which caramel was flowed before being bathed in chocolate. Meanwhile, Right Twix was a cascade of caramel on a crisp cookie base, cloaked in chocolate. Seamus and Earl were destined never to reconcile. And although a handful of wrappers from their time as partners still remain to this day, never again would a Left and a Right Twix sit beside one another.

Now the Cookie Dough Twix is described on their website…

We’e combined the tastes and textures of a classic Twix with a creamy, cookie dough-flavored layer. We’ve even sprinkled it with bits of delicious chocolate cookies and coated it all with rich milk chocolate. Give it a try for a luxurious cookie-dough experience.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “Talk about weird aftertaste.” 3/10

  • Amy: “It is like a regular Twix with weird texture.” 4/10

  • Kris: “The cookie dough is there for a half a second and then is gone.” 3/10

  • Matt: “Not worth the calories.” 4/10

TOTAL: 14/40

There you have it. We do not give the Twix Cookie Dough the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.twix.com/cookiedough

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.twix.com

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Oreo is pretty consistent on coming out with new Oreo flavors. However, I cannot say we have had a lot of winners. Lot’s of people stick with the originals. If you are like me, you lean more towards the mint selection. Well, let’s see if Nabisco has a winner on it’s hands with the Blackout Cake Oreo.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, gimme an O!

  • Kris, gimme an R!

  • Matt, gimme an E!

  • Amy, gimme an O!

A History of Oreos

So the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today.

So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.

The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.

Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “It would be good with a glass of milk.” 4/10

  • Amy: “They’re not bad.” 5/10

  • Kris: “It’s underwhelming.” 5/10

  • Matt: “It is kind of flat without the regular frosting.” 5/10

TOTAL: 19/40

There you have it. We do not give the limited edition Blackout Cake Oreos the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.oreo.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Sugar Wafers. These are one of those snacks that everyone seems to forget about. But often when brought up, a chorus of “Oh yeah! I like those things!” can be heard from all directions. And it is true. There really is nothing like a sugar wafer. There are better snacks out there, sure, but they are one of a kind.

Today we are trying six different flavors of Voortman Sugar Wafers. So join us as we find which flavor is the best of the best!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Sugar Wafers are we trying today?

  • Vanilla

  • Key Lime

  • Strawberry

  • Chocolate

  • Lemon

  • Tropical Fruit

Who is on this sugar quest?

  • Nate, too short for cookies.

  • Kris, cultured.

  • Matt, wants to know the future.

  • Amy, road trip snack supplier.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Sugar Wafers

The wafer has been around for centuries, the first cookie recorded to be available on the streets of Paris as early as the 14th century. Though with the first waffle iron discovered in Western Europe in the 9th Century, the Wafer was surely around much longer. In 1890s, Josef Manner manufactured the first hazelnut cream-filled wafer sandwich, layering five of the the crisp, thin, sweet, dry, and flat biscuit with four layers of filling.

Wafers are enjoyed all over the world. They come in different shapes, sizes, and even prepared for different purposes. Christmas Wafers are biscuits that are created with patterns that depict different religious scenes, popular during Christmas for many European families. In Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Italy, the Christmas Wafers are served during the Christmas Eve Vigil. In Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Colombia, the Oblea (Ah-Blee-uh) wafer is a cookie enjoyed as a dessert served with milk caramel in the middle. And popular in Egypt is the Freska, popular in the summertime, and filled with honey syrup.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Tropical Fruit

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 1

  • Matt- 3

  • Nate - 1

5th Place: Lemon

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt- 5

  • Nate - 2

4th Place: Key Lime

  • Amy - 5

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 4

2nd/3rd Place (Tie!): Chocolate

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 5

2nd/3rd Place (Tie!): Vanilla

  • Amy - 6

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 3

1st Place: Strawberry

  • Amy - 8

  • Kris - 8

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 7

There you have it. Strawberry Wafersreceive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://voortman.com/wafers/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite wafer cookie? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.gamberorossointernational.com/news/food-news/the-real-history-of-the-wafers/

https://bakerpedia.com/ingredients/wafers/

https://www.biscuitpeople.com/magazine/post/wafer

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Wow, wow, wow. Maybe we should change the name of this podcast from Quest for the Best to Quest for the Hostess. Because folks, we have another Hostess episode for you. They have another new snack cake! The Hostess Kazbars!

Before you continue reading, please consider a donation to our podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, just donate it back to us. Did you get $5.00 worth of value? Give us $5.00. It is that simple!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, pass the ice cream.

  • Nate, Monday, Monday, Monday!

  • Matt, not having it.

  • Amy, completely normal.

A History of Hostess

Nothing new here from our other Hostess episodes. But a good read if you need to brush up on your history.

Listen to the Hostess Quest here.

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. However, this cupcake was not as we know it today. Originally it was just a chocolate cake with a chocolate frosting on top. No swirled frosting, no vanilla cream filling. The cupcake didn’t get its frosting upgrade until 1950.

More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two twinkies for a nickel. Again, this is another Hostess treat that started out quite differently. Sure, they always were the oblong spongy cakes, but they were originally banana flavored. For over a decade Twinkies were filled with banana cream filling. However, they switched to a vanilla center during World War 2, as bananas were rationed during the war.

It wasn’t until after World War 2 that Hostess introduced its next famous treat. The Sno Ball snack cakes found their way to the store shelves in 1947. These snack cakes are chocolate cakes with a vanilla filling, covered in marshmallow and coconut flakes.

Now apparently, if you peel back the marshmallow, these are simply a Hostess Cupcake that is upside down.

In 1967 Ding Dongs and HoHos were introduced.

In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.

Despite a couple bankruptcies since then, the company now seems to be back on its feet. The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.

Which snack cake do you think is the best selling?

Well if you guessed the Cupcake, you would be right. 600 million cupcakes are consumed annually by Americans. That is enough to circle the earth once. Though if you guessed the Twinkie, I won’t fault you. The Twinkie has had its fair share of publicity over the years.

In 1979, Dan White was on trial for the murder of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the United States. White argued that he couldn’t have planned to murder his boss, because of his sugar high from eating too many Twinkies. And this defense strategy worked. White was convicted of manslaughter instead of murder.

Speaking of eating too many Twinkies, in 2013, competitive eater Joey Chestnut won the World Twinkie-Eating Championship, devouring 121 Twinkies in 6 minutes.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton chose the Twinkie as an “object of enduring American symbolism” for the National Millennium Time Capsule.

And of course, the 2009 blockbuster Zombieland followed a man’s quest to find the last twinkies after the earth was plagued with the living dead.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Chocolate Caramel Kazbars

  • Nate: “This is pretty super solid.” 6/10

  • Amy: “This is alright, nothing makes it stand out.” 5/10

  • Kris: “That crunch is nice when you get a bite of it.” 6/10

  • Matt: “Not enough crunch.” 5/10

TOTAL: 22/40

Triple Chocolate Kazbars

  • Nate: “It was a lot better than I thought it was.” 8/10

  • Amy: “Tastes like a crunchy Ding Dong.” 7/10

  • Kris: “I wanted more fudge in the middle, but good crunch.” 7/10

  • Matt: “Too much outer chocolate.” 5/10

TOTAL: 27/40

There you have it. We give both flavors of Kazbars the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give them a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Well, Coke keeps throwing out these weird sodas to drink. And we keep buying them to let you know if they are worth dropping your hard earned cash for. Today we are trying the Move zero sugar and the regular Move Coca Cola. Now, we haven’t been impressed by the Coke lineup when it comes to these limited edition flavors. I mean, why mess with a classic? Let’s see if this one is any better.

And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, pantsless.

  • Hannah, aka: Pack-a-day Hannah.

  • Matt, afraid of getting yelled at.

  • Amy, ol’ yeller.

A History of Coca-Cola

On May 8th, 1886, pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton was visiting a pharmacy in Atlanta to promote his medicinal wonder, French Wine of Coca. This cure-all medicine was a mix of Bordeaux red wine, caffeine, and coca leaf extract. Since it was a medicine and more of a niche market, Pemberton decided to try to sell it as a soda. So he took his bitter tasting medicine and threw in a bunch of sugar. And to make it marketable to children and adults, he removed the alcohol. But not the cocaine, since after all, it was legal.

Asa Candler acquired the company in 1891 after Pemberton’s death. By the end of the 1890s, they were selling a quarter of a million gallons of syrup a year. Coca Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, employing over 700,000 worldwide.

Today we are trying out the new Coca-Cola Move. According to the website…

The newest Coca-Cola Creation, co-created with one of the most daring artists in music today, is a celebration of transformation. A homage to all the versions of ourselves that coexist within us, and that forms our very own personality. Coca-Cola Move is a tribute to the different faces of transformation, mixing a great, but familiar Coca-Cola taste with both bold and delicate flavors.

So the artist is Rosalia, who I didn’t know, so I looked her up, and the google machine said…

Born in Barcelona on September 25, 1992, Rosalia Vila Tobella is a Spanish singer and songwriter who rose to fame for redefining the sounds of flamenco, a traditional Spanish art style based in folk music, often fusing it with hip-hop influences.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Coca Cola Move zero sugar

  • Hannah: “The aftertaste is bubble gum.” 1/10

  • Amy: “This is terrible.” 2/10

  • Kris: “Did they try to make a Pina Colada in a Coke?.” 1/10

  • Matt: “I don’t hate it but I’m not interested in it.” 3/10

TOTAL: 7/40

Coca Cola Move

  • Hannah: “This was a little bit better.” 2/10

  • Amy: “It’s got that musty coconut taste.” 3/10

  • Kris: “If you’re a fan of Pina Coladas, you might like this.” 4/10

  • Matt: “If someone offered this to me, I’d say no.” 4/10

TOTAL: 13/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Move Limited Edition Coca-Cola the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.coca-cola.com

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-sodas-america-1628796

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Baby Bundt Cakes. The wonderful Coffee Cakes. The Ding Dongs. The Tropical Blast Twinkies… Hostess has shown that they know how to make a snack cake. Let’s see if they can live up to their hype with the Strawberry Twinkies.

And before you continue reading, please consider a donation to our podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, just donate it back to us. Did you get $5.00 worth of value? Give us $5.00. It is that simple!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, Strawberry Shortcake fan.

  • Hannah, feeling greasy.

  • Matt, strangely fishy in the middle.

  • Amy, smelling for Nate.

A History of Hostess

Nothing new here from our other Hostess episodes. But a good read if you need to brush up on your history.

Listen to the Hostess Quest here.

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. However, this cupcake was not as we know it today. Originally it was just a chocolate cake with a chocolate frosting on top. No swirled frosting, no vanilla cream filling. The cupcake didn’t get its frosting upgrade until 1950.

More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two twinkies for a nickel. Again, this is another Hostess treat that started out quite differently. Sure, they always were the oblong spongy cakes, but they were originally banana flavored. For over a decade Twinkies were filled with banana cream filling. However, they switched to a vanilla center during World War 2, as bananas were rationed during the war.

It wasn’t until after World War 2 that Hostess introduced its next famous treat. The Sno Ball snack cakes found their way to the store shelves in 1947. These snack cakes are chocolate cakes with a vanilla filling, covered in marshmallow and coconut flakes.

Now apparently, if you peel back the marshmallow, these are simply a Hostess Cupcake that is upside down.

In 1967 Ding Dongs and HoHos were introduced.

In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.

Despite a couple bankruptcies since then, the company now seems to be back on its feet. The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.

Which snack cake do you think is the best selling?

Well if you guessed the Cupcake, you would be right. 600 million cupcakes are consumed annually by Americans. That is enough to circle the earth once. Though if you guessed the Twinkie, I won’t fault you. The Twinkie has had its fair share of publicity over the years.

In 1979, Dan White was on trial for the murder of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the United States. White argued that he couldn’t have planned to murder his boss, because of his sugar high from eating too many Twinkies. And this defense strategy worked. White was convicted of manslaughter instead of murder.

Speaking of eating too many Twinkies, in 2013, competitive eater Joey Chestnut won the World Twinkie-Eating Championship, devouring 121 Twinkies in 6 minutes.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton chose the Twinkie as an “object of enduring American symbolism” for the National Millennium Time Capsule.

And of course, the 2009 blockbuster Zombieland followed a man’s quest to find the last twinkies after the earth was plagued with the living dead.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Hannah: “It tastes chemically.” 4/10

  • Amy: “This tastes like a normal Twinkie.” 4/10

  • Kris: “Where’s the strawberry?” 3/10

  • Matt: “It takes a weird turn.” 3/10

TOTAL: 14/40

There you have it. We do not give the Strawberry Twinkies the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give them a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Doritos has a pretty strong and big fan base out there. With such classic and good flavors, who can blame them? So when I saw the new Sweet & Tangy BBQ Doritos, I knew we had to give them a whirl.

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Hannah, Junk food? What’s that?

  • Kris, can I get a redo?

  • Matt, pleasantly surprised.

  • Amy, BBQ fan.

A History of Doritos

To go back to the beginning of the Doritos saga, you are going to have to travel back to 1955, to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. In 1955, Frito-Lay struck a deal with Disney to open a Mexican restaurant in the Frontierland section of the park. This restaurant was known as “Casa de Fritos”.

You see, Doritos actually came as a solution to old tortillas. Instead of throwing out old stale tortillas, the restaurant would cut them up, add seasoning, and fry them. That way they wouldn’t lose money on inventory, and actually make money on would-be trash. The employees liked the chips so much, they started packaging them as well.

In the early 1960s, Archie West, the vice president of Frito-Lay, visited the restaurant and saw how busy it was. Not only that, they were selling huge amounts of the bags of chips. Archie was taken with the chip. He decided that since they were golden in color, to name for the Spanish word for gold, “oro”. Combined with the “ito” in Frito, and slapping the letter “D” to the beginning, the name Dorito was born. Soon after, mass production of the chip began.

A soft launch happened in the southwest region of the United States and it was so successful that the factory was overwhelmed by the demand. The popularity was unquestioned. Doritos made their national debut in 1966, when Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola merged.

The first flavor that debuted was taco flavored. In 1972, history was made with the release of the Nacho Cheese Doritos, becoming the most popular variety. In 1986, Cool Ranch Doritos were released.

Since the release, there have been over 100 different flavors. Flavors you can get today include…

  • Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch

  • 3D Crunch Spicy Ranch

  • 3D Crunch Chili Cheese Nacho

  • Flamin’ Hot Nacho

  • Flamin’ Hot Limon

  • Nacho Cheese

  • Cool Ranch

  • Spicy Sweet Chili

  • Dinamita Chile Limon

  • Spicy Nacho

  • Flamas

  • Salsa Verde

  • White Cheddar

  • Tapatio

There have also been flavors like

  • Cheeseburger

  • Ranch-Dipped Chicken Wings

  • Mountain Dew

And overseas…

  • Olive

  • Yogurt and Mint

  • Clam Chowder

In 2020 99.67 million Americans consumed Doritos.

The product description for these Sweet & Tangy BBQ Doritos are…

Introducing NEW DORITOS Tangy Sweet BBQ, a bold flavor experience that amplifies traditional BBQ sauce with sweetness, complex spices and tanginess for a bold twist on a classic. You’ve tried BBQ chips but none like this.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Hannah: “It’s like bursts of flavor pain.” 3/10

  • Amy: “I’m digging these.” 7/10

  • Kris: “It is really tangy.” 6/10

  • Matt: “Once you get the BBQ flavor rolling, it’s really good.” 6/10

TOTAL: 22/40

There you have it. We give the Sweet & Tangy BBQ Doritosthe Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.doritos.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARE! We want more people listening! SHARE!

Show Notes:

https://www.doritos.com/products

https://www.snackhistory.com/doritos/

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/things-didnt-know-doritos/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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M&M’s. I am actually surprise we haven’t quested for M&M’s yet. Maybe they should go on the short list since there are so many varieties. But today we are not trying out the classics… plain, peanut, peanut butter. No. Today we are taking a huge gamble with the Caramel Cold Brew. Let’s see what happens.

But first…

Without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. Thank you so much for subscribing and following our show. Whether it is on this site, or on your favorite podcast app. Thank you! Also… please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Just share it on your social media accounts or by word of mouth. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Hannah, coffee fiend

  • Kris, aka Chocolate Jelly

  • Matt, due for his insulin shot

  • Amy, oh lordy, another coffee episode…

A History of M&M’s

M&M’s got their start with Mars. Forrest Mars Sr, who managed the Mars candy company, got the idea for M&Ms while working in Europe in the 1930s. He was overseeing production of Mars candy bars as a part of army rations. Forrest discovered soldiers liked to eat sugar coated chocolate so it wouldn’t melt as fast. So upon returning to the states, Forrest Mars worked with Bruce Murrie and created M&Ms (Mars and Murrie)

Some fun facts about M&Ms…

  • Initially M&Ms were exclusive to the US Army.

  • The M on the candies was added to distinguish themselves from the copycat competitors.

  • M&Ms were the first candy in space.

  • The movie ET was supposed to feature M&Ms but Mars declined and Reese’s Pieces were put in the movie instead, resulting in a 65% sales increase for Hershey.

  • There are over 400 million produced each day.

List of past and present flavors

  • Almond

  • Banana

  • Birthday Cake

  • Café Mocha

  • Candy Apple

  • Carrot Cake

  • Cherry Cordial

  • Cherry

  • Chili Nut

  • Cinnamon

  • Coconut

  • Crispy

  • Crispy S’mores

  • Easter Sundae

  • Gingerbread

  • Honey Nut

  • Hot Chocolate

  • Peanut

  • Dark Chocolate

  • Mint

  • Orange

  • Peanut Butter

  • Pecan Pie

  • Pineapple

  • Pretzel

  • Pumpkin Spice Latte

  • Raspberry

  • Red Velvet

  • Strawberry

  • Vanilla Shake

  • Toffee Apple

  • White Chocolate

The product description for these Caramel Cold Brew M&Ms are…

Your favorite coffee shop just got some competition. Be your own barista and enjoy M&M”S Caramel Cold Brew Milk Chocolate Candy. Move over coffee beans! Experience bite size candy made from coffee flavored caramel surrounded by rich milk chocolate in colorful crunchy candy shells.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Hannah: “I can’t believe they think this could replace my morning coffee!” 3/10

  • Amy: “That’s absolutely horrible.” 1/10

  • Kris: “The proportion of caramel to the rest of it… there’s a lot of caramel here.” 4/10

  • Matt: “It’s a bit too sweet for me.” 4/10

TOTAL: 12/40

There you have it. We do not give the Caramel Cold Brew M&M’sthe Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.mms.com/en-us/mms-candy-flavors/caramel-cold-brew-mms-905oz/ct1237-p.html

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support! And right now, maybe more importantly… SHARE! We want more people listening! SHARE!

Show Notes:

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-story-of-the-mms-characters-2016-3#after-the-super-bowl-mms-said-its-spokescandies-were-back-9

https://www.mms.com/en-us/mms-candy-flavors/caramel-cold-brew-mms-905oz/ct1237-p.html

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Well, I almost made it through another Easter without eating any Peeps. But for this episode, I broke my life long streak of never eating any Peeps at all. Oh, the things I do for this podcast…

Now, Peeps seem to be a very divisive candy. So let us know in the comments if you love them or hate them. And while you are at it, we would really appreciate a show donation. Better yet, it would be amazing just to have some people share the podcast so we can gain some followers and traction.

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Peeps are we trying today?

  • Original

  • Sour Watermellon

  • Party Cake

  • Dr. Pepper

  • Fruit Punch

Who is on this sugar quest?

  • Hannah, a spitter

  • Kris, a chubby bunny

  • Matt, a fluffy boy

  • Amy, Peeps newbie

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Peeps

Some people are born to invent amazing things. And for Russian Jewish immigrant Sam Born, he certainly created some classics. For example, Sam invented the technology to produce chocolate sprinkles. He invented the hard chocolate coating used for Eskimo Pies. He even invented the machine that inserted sticks into lollipops.

Sam Born started his own business, Just Born chocolates, in 1917 and was very successful, opening his own manufacturing company in 1923. The company grew significantly through the acquisition of other candy companies, such as the Maillard Corporation in 1935, which was known for their hand-decorated chocolates, crystallized fruits, Venetian mints, jellies, and “the best bridge mix in the country.”

But not all their amazing products were the result of acquisition. Mike and Ikes were introduced in 1940 and Hot Tamales in 1950.

In 1953 however, Just Born acquired the Rodda Candy Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This company was known for their Jelly Beans, but Born was intrigued by the marshmallow chicks. These chicks were made by hand-squeezing marshmallow through pastry tubes. Sam Born’s son, Bob, helped to mechanize the marshmallow forming process a year after buying the company, reducing the time to produce and package from 27 hours to only 6 minutes.

Today about 2 billion Peeps are produced each year, which is about 509 every 8 seconds or 5.5 million every day.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Fruit Punch

  • Amy - 3

  • Hannah - 2

  • Kris - 2

  • Matt- 2

4th Place: Party Cake

  • Amy - 2

  • Hannah - 5

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 3

3rd Place: Dr. Pepper

  • Amy - 5

  • Hannah - 2

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 3

1st/2nd Place (tie!): Original

  • Amy - 4

  • Hannah - 4

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 3

1st/2nd Place (tie!): Sour Watermelon

  • Amy - 6

  • Hannah - 2

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 4

Peeps Pepsi

  • Hannah: “Is this a real flavor, and why?!.” 2/10

  • Amy: “It has that Pepsi flavor which is bad enough, then it turns.” 2/10

  • Kris: “There’s probably a market for it… for people who are dumb.” 2/10

  • Matt: “That after taste at the end is like, whoa.” 2/10

TOTAL: 8/40

There you have it. None of these receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Feeling brave? Check out the Peeps and the Pepsi website for more products.

https://www.peepsbrand.com/

https://www.pepsi.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you bravely stepped into the world of Peeps? Have you tried this unfortunate Pepsi concoction? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.justborn.com/who-we-are/our-history/

https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/2017/04/13-things-you-never-knew-about-peeps

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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There are a lot of people who collect things throughout their lives. Maybe you have a coin or stamp collection. I met a very interesting fella that had a teddy bear collection so immense that he created his own museum dedicated to the lovable stuffed animal. Or maybe you have a collection like the one our special guest today has… rocks. Well, Audra has a nice rock collection started, so Matt and I thought we would try to trick her into thinking we were eating rocks.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Audra, rock collector.

  • Matt, guitar collector.

  • Amy, yarn collector.

No history lesson this time. But here are some links to episodes featuring the very cool Audra, just in case you missed them before!

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Audra: “Mmmmmmmmmm!” 9/10

  • Amy: “They were alright.” 5/10

  • Matt: “It kinda tastes like a Sixlet” 5/10

TOTAL: 19/30

There you have it. We give the Chocorocks the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out the giant candy store in Minnesota, or go to Amazon.

https://minnesotaslargestcandystore.business.site/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these rocks? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Here comes Easter! And some of you may be running out to Target, Walmart, HyVee, wherever to get candy to fill Easter baskets and Easter eggs. Maybe you go for the typical chocolate bunnies, or maybe you are more of a Peeps person. Whopper’s Bird Eggs are always a classic choice as well. But if you really want to do an Easter basket right, you probably are going for some Jelly Beans. Well, let’s find out which one is the flavor and brand you should go with.

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Jelly Beans are we trying today?

  • Brach’s Classic Jelly Bird Eggs

  • Starburst Original Jelly Beans

  • Skittles Jellybeans

  • Sour Patch Kids Easter Jelly Beans

  • Jolly Rancher Easter Jelly Beans

Who is on this sugar quest?

  • Nate, super noddy.

  • Kris, might s**t himself.

  • Matt, enjoyer of grass.

  • Amy, we are off the rails today!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Jelly Beans

The earliest known appearance of the jelly bean was way back in 1861, in an advertisement for William Schrafft of Boston, that promoted sending jelly beans to soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War. It is believed that William Schrafft had the idea to mould jelly into small round shapes, or beans. By the early 1900s, jelly beans were a common penny candy.

In the 1930s jelly beans became somewhat synonymous with Easter. And there really isn’t a known reason why, other than maybe their egg-like appearance. They remain one of the most common Easter candies today.

But it was actually the mid-60s when jelly beans really started to gain popularity. California Governor, Ronald Reagan, expressed his love for the candy. Reagan actually used the candy to wean himself of his nicotine habit and it is said that he had a dishes of jelly beans throughout the White House during his presidency. Jelly Belly even created a special blueberry flavor in honor of President Reagan.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th/4th/3rd Place (3 way tie): Brach’s Classic Jelly Bird Eggs

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 2

  • Matt- 4

  • Nate - 4

5th/4th/3rd Place (3 way tie): Starburst Original Jelly Beans

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 3

5th/4th/3rd Place (3 way tie): Jolly Rancher Easter Jelly Beans

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 4

2nd Place: Skittles Jellybeans

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 5

1st Place: Sour Patch Kids Easter Jelly Beans

  • Amy - 8

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 6

There you have it. Sour Patch Kids Easter Jelly Beansreceives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://sourpatchkids.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite Jelly Bean? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/the-history-of-jelly-beans-1328767

https://news.jellybelly.com/origin-of-the-jelly-bean-or-why-are-they-called-beans/

https://thejellybeanfactory.com/the-history-of-jelly-beans-and-other-sweets/#:~:text=The%20jelly%20bean%20is%20believed,home%20fighting%20in%20a%20war.

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Who doesn’t love a good chocolate truffle? And arguably, the Lindt truffles are among the best you can get. (In our local chain stores anyway… if we only had a See’s.) So when Matt and I stumbled upon these two limited edition flavors, Neapolitan and Blueberries & Cream, in our local Target, we knew we had a new quest on our hands.

Before we get started, I really hope you will share this episode, or any of our episodes on your social accounts, with your friends, your family… We are really hoping to gain some traction here. We love making this content, and would love even more if people listened to it. Ha!

Second, if you have a few extra bucks sitting around, send it our way. We are a value for value podcast. What does that mean? We do not bombard you with ads before our show, we do not make you listen to ads half way through. We do not get any revenue that way. The only way we make any money from this podcast is by getting donations from our producers… you guys. So if you got $2.00 worth of content out of this episode, give us $2.00. If you thought that a whole year of content gave you $100.00 of entertainment, give us $100.00. The money goes right back into the podcast so we can keep bringing you more episodes.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, a real bully.

  • Kris, has a nipple.

  • Matt, aka Mega Matt!

  • Amy, has the chills.

History of Lindt

You can’t have Lindt without David Sprungli. David had a small confectionery in Zurich. His business and chocolates became very popular and he quickly became renown among chocolate manufacturers. In 1845, David and his son Rudolf produced the first solid bar of chocolate, and it instantly became a success. This lead to their first chocolate factory in 1847, where it is said throughout town you could smell chocolate in the air.

Meanwhile, Rodolphe Lindt started a small confectionery in 1879. Like all the other chocolatiers at the time, his chocolate was hard and bitter, but he was determined to make it better. After months of experimenting, he left the factory one Friday evening, forgetting to turn off the conching machine, which is used to perfect the texture and flavors of chocolate. Upon returning to the factory the following Monday, he found a delicately smooth and wonderfully tasting chocolate. In 1879, Johann Sprungli and Rodolphe Lindt met, and Sprungli offered to buy the company for 1.5 million gold fancs. And Lindt agreed under the condition the he still had a say in the business. They agreed and the partnership was formed.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Neapolitan Truffle

  • Nate: “It is a very smooth product.” 6/10

  • Amy: “I like the strawberry shell.” 4/10

  • Kris: “It all blends very well together.” 7/10

  • Matt: “Not a fan of the combo of flavors in general.” 4/10

TOTAL: 21/40

Blueberries & Cream

  • Nate: “I’m underwhelmed.” 4/10

  • Amy: “I just don’t like blueberry.” 3/10

  • Kris: “I didn’t get any blueberry.” 2/10

  • Matt: “These probably shouldn’t have gone to market.” 3/10

TOTAL: 12/40

There you have it. We give Neapolitan Lindt Truffles the Quest for the Best seal of approval, but we do not give Blueberries & Cream Lindt Truffles the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.lindtusa.com/shop-chocolate/lindor-truffles

Thank you for joining us on this limited edition episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these chocolates? What did you think?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.chocolate.lindt.com/world-of-lindt/lindt-history

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Holy cow. Another Oreo episode. This time, The Most Oreo Cookies-n-Creme. These guys just don’t quit do they? Well, in all honesty, Matt and I were just commenting the other day on how Oreo hasn’t really come out with a new flavor in quite some time. Maybe they are buying their time until Girl Scout Cookie season is over? I guess we will never know.

But what we do know is that without your support, this podcast would not be a thing. THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING! Seriously. Every time I get an email that we have a new subscriber, it makes me smile and I get excited to keep posting. Please share our podcast with your family, friends, enemies, whoever. Help us get a bit of a following. We love doing this and are hoping it will catch on.

Also, feel free to donate to our show to help us out on our growing grocery bill.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, likes to twist

  • Kris, bringing up the caboose

  • Matt, dunky boy

  • Amy, cracked

A History of Quest for the Best Oreo episodes

Need an in-depth Oreo history? Or maybe just want to catch up on some past Oreo episodes? Here are four past episodes.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “I’m underwhelmed.” 4/10

  • Amy: “Isn’t Oreo already cookies and cream?” 3/10

  • Kris: “It’s like they skimped out on cocoa.” 4/10

  • Matt: “Are these vegan? Cause they have no flavor.” 4/10

TOTAL: 15/40

There you have it. We do not give the limited edition The Most Oreo Cookies-n-Creme the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.oreo.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Hostess has had a pretty decent run on our podcast. Why’s that? Well, they make a pretty decent snack cake. And they are good for all occasions. Road trips, after school snack, after work snack, after dinner snack, breakfast, lunch… you name it. So, let us see if these limited edition Strawberry and Key Lime Cupcakes live up to the high Hostess standards.

Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that tomorrow, March 11th marks the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF QUEST FOR THE BEST! I cannot believe it has already been a year! We have tried so many different foods and had a lot of laughs, a lot of good conversations, and probably added a few pounds to the ol’ scale. I want to say a whole hearted thank you to those of you who have been listening since the beginning. And a huge thanks to those who have supported us monetarily. It really means a lot to us! Please consider making a donation if you haven’t to help us celebrate this milestone. And better yet, tell your friends to start listening! Share our content on your social media. We really would like to see some traction on this podcast! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, watching out for the surprise Ding Dong.

  • Kris, obsessed with the Crunch Wrap Supreme.

  • Matt, going splitsies.

  • Amy, going splitsies.

No history lesson today! But feel free to listen to our many other Hostess episodes for a complete and delicious history!

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Strawberry Cupcake

  • Nate: “I definitely get the strawberry.” 3/10

  • Amy: “These are drier than normal.” 4/10

  • Kris: “Not a gigantic fan of it.” 4/10

  • Matt: “I don’t know about this aftertaste.” 4/10

TOTAL: 15/40

Key Lime Cupcake

  • Nate: “I get just a little tinge of that lime.” 4/10

  • Amy: “It does not hit the key lime target.” 5/10

  • Kris: “Give me something to make me salivate.” 5/10

  • Matt: “Hostess does a decent job with the cake.” 4/10

TOTAL: 18/40

There you have it. We do not give Hostess Strawberry Cupcakes or Key Lime Cupcakes the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com/

Thank you for joining us on this limited edition episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried this snack cake? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks? Maybe you like a mix? For example, there is nothing quite like the pairing of some salty fries with some vanilla soft serve. Specifically, I always enjoy going to Dairy Queen and getting a strawberry sundae with some French Fries. Yum.

Today we have a limited edition snack for you that you might say, “Hey! That is supposed to be a salty and savory snack!” Surprise! It’s not. What am I talking about? The Limited Edition Dot’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels.

As always, we couldn’t do this show without your support. Please consider making a donation to our show. Anyone who donates will get a special shout out at the end of the next episode and we would love to have you as an official producer of Quest for the Best.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, Dot’s fanboy

  • Kris, love’s history

  • Matt, letting it all hang out

  • Amy, smell hogger

History of Dot’s Pretzels

Dot’s were created by Dorothy Henke right in her kitchen. And like many things, they were created out of a desire to do better than what was out there. She was at a wedding and there was a mix of butter spindles, rye chips, Corn Chex, Rice Chex, nuts and a sauce she didn’t care for. So she started to play around. Her creation was Dot’s Pretzels. And her friends and family were so impressed that she was constantly bombarded with requests for more. She took this as a sign and arranged the use of a commercial kitchen in her North Dakota town of Velva and made 30 pound batches. She packaged them and delivered them to gas stations and hardware stores. It wasn't long and the brand took off.

Today Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels employs 70 people across the country. Mainly in Velva North Dakota but there are also plants in Kansas and Arizona.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “It’s a really smooth cinnamon with a buttery base. So delightful.” 9/10

  • Amy: “This should not be limited edition. It should be on the full line up.” 8/10

  • Kris: “If you guys left, I’d eat every one of these in like 10 seconds.” 9/10

  • Matt: “This is a pretty good pretzel.” 8/10

TOTAL: 34/40

There you have it. We give Dot’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.dotspretzels.com/home.html

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these pretzels? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/dots-com/

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/the-story-of-dots-pretzels-from-dot-herself/89-564834157

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Get ready to battle it out for the best chicken joint! Today we are trying KFC and Popeyes to see which one is actually finger lickin’ good.

Which menu items will we be trying?

  • KFC 8 Piece Meal with mashed potatoes, cole slaw, biscuits

  • Popeyes 8 Piece Signature Chicken Meal with mashed potatoes, cole slaw, biscuits

Who is joining this chicken battle?

  • Nate, a lot to unpack.

  • Kris, crunch crunch crunch.

  • Matt, doubling down.

  • Amy, winner winner chicken dinner.

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

The History of KFC

The story of Kentucky Fried Chicken starts in 1890 in Henryville, Indiana, where Harland Sanders is born. When Harland was only 6 years old, his Father died, leaving his mother to take up extra work to care for the family. Since his mom was away a lot, it meant that Harland was responsible for caring for his younger siblings, including doing the cooking. By the time he was 7 years old, he was becoming quite the young chef. When he was 12 years old, he was forced out of the house when his mother married a man who didn’t want children around. He began working on a farm and dropped out of school. Over the years Harland would have many jobs including a farmhand, streetcar conductor, fireman, and insurance salesman.

When Harland turned 40, he decided to buy a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky, where he started serving southern style chicken. He perfected his unique blend of 11 herbs and spices. It wasn’t until 1952, when Harland Sanders was 62 years old, that the white suit, black tie, goatee wearing gentleman opened the first franchise near Salt Lake City Utah. By the time Sanders sold the company in 1964, there were more than 600 franchises.

Many people think of the slogan when they think of KFC. Finger Lickin Good. This tagline developed quite organically in a franchise in Phoenix. Owner Dave Harman would appear in local ads for the restaurant. These ads consisted of Dave Harman eating a plate of chicken while a narration played over the top. After one of the commercials, a viewer complained to the station where the ads were filmed, objecting to Harman licking his fingers while he ate. The reply to the complaint? “Well, it’s finger lickin’ good!” The slogan stuck and was used over the years, taking a short hiatus in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Finally, you may have noticed that Kentucky Fried Chicken is not the official name of the business anymore. In 1990, the Commonwealth of Kentucky trademarked their name, which meant that if the brand were to keep the name Kentucky Fried Chicken, they would have to pay a licensing fee. Unwilling to comply, they legally changed the name to KFC, which was an acronym many people were already using.

Today there are more than 25,000 KFC locations in over 145 countries and territories around the world.

The History of Popeyes

Popeyes started with one man, Alvin C. Copeland Sr. When Alvin was 18 years old, he was interested in opening a restaurant. So, selling his car, he used the money to open a doughnut shop. He was doing pretty well but after KFC became a national fast food sensation, Copeland shifted gears, taking his doughnut revenue and opening a chicken shop in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His restaurant, called “Chicken on the Run,” served traditional Southern-fried chicken. But his sales were quite lackluster. Instead of giving up, Alvin decided to try a re-brand. He re-opened the restaurant as “Popeyes” (after Popeye Doyle of The French Connection), and instead of selling Southern-fried chicken, he spiced things up with New Orleans-style chicken and in 1976 the first franchised restaurant opened in Louisiana.

By 1985 Popeyes became the number 3 fast food chicken chain based on number of units. And in 1999 they surpassed one billion-dollar annual sales for the first time.

Today Popeyes has 2890 locations in the United States.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Chicken

KFC Chicken

  • Nate: “There is a difference between a moist chicken and greasy chicken, and this is a greasy mess.”

  • Amy: “The chicken breast wasn’t too bad.”

  • Kris: “Too wet. But I like the flavor of the crust.”

  • Matt: “It’s visually appealing. This chicken has done some squats.”

Popeyes Chicken

  • Nate: “This is moist.”

  • Amy: “It is so much juicier than the KFC.”

  • Kris: “This was better. It wasn’t even close.”

  • Matt: “This is a superior chicken.”

WINNER: Popeyes

Mashed Potatoes

KFC Mashed Potatoes

  • Nate: “That is a fake tator.”

  • Amy: “It’s gross instant.”

  • Kris: “I thought I would like this a lot more.”

  • Matt: “No competition here.”

Popeyes Mashed Potatoes

  • Nate: “From visual to texture, everything was great.”

  • Amy: “Cajun gravy is so good.”

  • Kris: “Never had this before and it’s great.”

  • Matt: “Shout out to Cajun gravy.”

WINNER: Popeyes

Biscuits

KFC Biscuit

  • Nate: “It looks homemade and I appreciate that.”

  • Amy: “It needs the sides to dip this in.”

  • Kris: “It is just too dry.”

  • Matt: “This takes the visual but has no flavor.”

Popeyes Biscuit

  • Nate: “This is tasty.”

  • Amy: “It has a nice kick to it.”

  • Kris: “It’s a hockey puck with a perfect peel.”

  • Matt: “The layering is really good.”

WINNER: Popeyes

Cole Slaw

KFC Cole Slaw

  • Nate: “It is nothing to write home about.”

  • Amy: “It is just cabbage and carrot.”

  • Kris: “This isn’t great but I like it better than Popeyes”

  • Matt: “I just want it to stop.”

  • Popeyes Cole Slaw

  • Nate: “This has a little more flavor.”

  • Amy: “It has a pickle kick.”

  • Kris: “Too much pickle.”

  • Matt: “I only swallowed this one.”

WINNER: Popeyes

There you have it. After trying 4 different menu items from KFC and Popeyes, we give Popeyes the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a location near you.

https://www.popeyes.com/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these menu items? Which one was your favorite? Which restaurant is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

If you were entertained today, consider donating to our podcast! Keep these episodes coming with your own treasure. We would really appreciate the support!

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes

https://www.mashed.com/99890/untold-truth-kfc/

https://global.kfc.com/our-heritage/

https://www.mashed.com/122519/untold-truth-popeyes/

https://www.popeyes.com/our-story

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Buckle in fellow questers. We have a doozy for you today. We went back to Minnesota’s Largest Candy Shop and we picked up as many foreign flavored Lay’s chips as we could get our hands on. Every chip is from Thailand. And it is going to get real fishy up in here.

As you know, we are on the value-for-value model of podcasting here. No paid subscriptions (unless you want to). You can donate any amount. Whatever value you get out of this podcast, give it back. Help us keep this amazing content coming.

Which foreign flavored Lay’s Chips are we trying today?

  • Salmon Chili Lime

  • Scallop Butter Garlic

  • Popcorn Mix

  • Extra Barbecue

  • Salted Egg

  • Hot Chili Squid

  • Truffle

Who is on this stomach churning quest?

  • Kris, for the name of science!

  • Nate, Mr. Production Value.

  • Matt, needs to ease into this.

  • Amy, met with silence.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Chips

The origin of the potato chip is not exactly set in stone. But the most popular chip legend is as follows.

Let’s go to Moon’s Lake House, a popular restaurant in the resort town of Saratoga Springs, New York. Here we will find Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad baron, dining at Moon’s Lake House, where he was sorely disappointed in the fried potatoes he had been served. He sent them back to the kitchen, asking for a thinner slice of potato. The chef, George Crum, was a little offended by the request and decided to show him who was chef. He sliced some potatoes as thin as he could, fried them to a crisp, and served them to Vanderbilt. But to Crum’s surprise, they were loved by the patron and the potato chip was born.

But there are holes in this story. For one, if this was true, Cornelius Vanderbilt was likely not the patron of the restaurant.

Another issue, Crum’s invention was unrecognized during his lifetime. He was a celebrated chef, being named “the best cook in the country” by a writer for the New York Herald in 1889. Being as accomplished as he was, surely it would have been set in stone if he was the inventor.

Additionally, an obituary for Catherine Adkins Wicks maintained she was the originator of the potato chip. Catherine was Crum’s sister and worked alongside him in the kitchen. One story tells the story with her and the disgruntled customer, not Crum. Another says she was peeling potatoes and dropped a thin slice into a boiling pot of fat and stumbled upon the discovery.

There are multiple other people who have claimed to be the inventor posthumously. But one things is probably certain, Saratoga Springs did a lot to popularize the potato chip, and were even known as Saratoga Chips for many years.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

7th Place: Scallop Butter Garlic

  • Amy - 1

  • Kris - 1

  • Matt - 2

  • Nate - 4

6th/5th/4th Place (tie): Truffle

  • Amy - 1

  • Kris - 2

  • Matt - 3

  • Nate - 3

6th/5th/4th Place (tie): Salted Egg

  • Amy - 1

  • Kris - 2

  • Matt - 2

  • Nate - 4

6th/5th/4th Place (tie): Hot Chili Squid

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 1

  • Matt - 3

  • Nate - 3

3rd Place: Salmon Chili Lime

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 3

  • Nate - 4

2nd/1st Place (tie): Popcorn

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 3

2nd/1st Place (tie): Extra BBQ

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 3

  • Nate - 2

There you have it. Extra BBQ and the Popcorn flavors got the highest score, but nothing we ate today receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried any of these? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.history.com/news/who-invented-potato-chip-saratoga#:~:text=The%20Saratoga%20Story&text=George%20Crum%2C%20a%20famed%20chef,the%20potato%20chip%20was%20born.

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We have finally made it to February. Those of us who live in the mid-west are starting to dream about spring. Melting of the snow, the sunshine coming back, the smell of soil and the springtime thunderstorms. But again, it is still February and if we are lucky, the temps are above 20 degrees. Sounds horrible, right? Well, there is one good thing about the cold… it is perfect chili weather! And today we are trying different canned chili. Yum?

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Chili are we trying today?

  • Campbell’s Chunky Chili with Beans

  • Hormel Chili with Beans

  • Vietti Ancho Chicken Chili with Beans & Porter Ale

  • Amy’s Organic Chili - Medium

  • Chilli Man Chili with Beans

Who is on this spicy quest?

  • Nate, throwing a bean party.

  • Kris, loved by raccoons.

  • Matt, chili inclusive.

  • Amy, let me enlighten you.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Chili

The history of Chili is not totally agreed upon. While many food historians agree that chili con carne is an American dish with Mexican roots, Mexicans are said to deny any association with the dish.

One story says that the dish came from Mexico, based on Bernal Diaz del Castillo’s The True History of the Conquest of New Spain, in which the author describes how the remains of luckless conquistadors, sacrificed and butchered by the Aztecs, were boiled up with hot peppers, wild tomatoes, and oregano.

Another story attributes chili to Spain. In the 17th century a nun was transported by angels from her Spanish convent to western Texas while in a trance, where she brought the word of God to the Jumano Indians and, in exchange, picked up a recipe for chili.

But what most historians agree upon is that the earliest written description came from J.C. Clopper. His description never mentions the word chili, but upon returning from a visit to San Antonio in 1828 he wrote, “When they (the poor families of San Antonio) have to lay for their meat in the market, a very little is made to suffice for the family; it is generally cut into a kind of hash with nearly as many peppers as there are pieces of meat - this is all stewed together.”

In the 1880s, chili stands started popping up in San Antonio markets. A bowl o’red, as it was called, cost ten cents and included bread and a glass of water. The dish soon became incredibly popular and eventually was featured at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893 at the San Antonio Chili Stand.

By the 1920s, cookbook recipes for chili called for beans. By the 1940s, tomatoes were a common ingredient along with beans, to the dismay of chili purists.

Chili became wildly popular in Texas through the years. President Lyndon B Johnson was a huge enthusiast. He is quoted as saying “Chili concocted outside of Texas is usually a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing. One of the first things I do when I get home to Texas is to have a bowl of red. There is simply nothing better.” This statement by the President led to such a national flurry of recipe requests that Lady Bird Johnson had cards printed with the recipe for making the president’s favorite, Pedernales River Chili.

In fact, in 1977, Texas proclaimed chili as the official state food. Though, this chili is beanless.

Though, beyond the bean, chili is traditionally made with beef, though it has been made with everything from venison to buffalo, goat, skunk, jackrabbit, rattlesnake, pork, and chicken. And in Australia, they even make it with Kangaroo. Some Alaskans make it with moose, and Norwegians with reindeer.

Now beyond how you make your chili, a huge question is what do you eat with your chili. I know many people who swear by the peanut butter sandwich with their chili, a school lunch staple. Many others say cinnamon rolls, another school lunch staple. Other popular choices are

  • Cheese

  • Crackers

  • Fritos

  • Cornbread

  • Tortilla chips

  • Hotdogs

  • Spaghetti noodles

  • Rice

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Hormel Chili with Beans

  • Amy - 1

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt- 3

  • Nate - 1

4th Place: Campbell’s Chunky Chili with Beans

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 2

3rd Place: Chilli Man Chili with Beans

  • Amy - 1

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 4

2nd Place: Vietti Artisan Craft Ancho Chicken Chili with Beans & Porter Ale

  • Amy - 1

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 2

1st Place: Amy’s Organic Chili Medium

  • Amy - 5

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 6

There you have it. Amy’s Organic Chili receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://www.amys.com/our-foods/organic-medium-chili

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite canned chili? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.nationalchiliday.com/chili-history.html#.Y71433bMJPY

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/the-great-chili-debate

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Brownie fans and cookie fans may have reason to rejoice. Oreo has combined the flavor of a cookie and the flavor of a brownie to bring you the Brookie-O. Let’s see if it lives up to the hype.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, just happy to be here.

  • Kris, can’t remember your name.

  • Matt, there, there.

  • Amy, podcast herder.

A History of Oreos

So the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today.

So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.

The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.

Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “I was curious about this. Where is the cookie dough and brownie flavor?” 4/10

  • Amy: “That’s an unpleasant amount of frosting.” 4/10

  • Kris: “What I just ate was smooth plastic, pretty sure.” 4/10

  • Matt: “I wanted to like it.” 3/10

TOTAL: 15/40

There you have it. We do not give the limited edition Brookie-O Oreos the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.oreo.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/

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7up, Sprite, Sierra Mist, Sundrop… Maybe you have tried one of these lemon lime sodas. I mean, who hasn’t had a can of 7up when their stomach was feeling a little outta sorts? And who hasn’t cracked open a can of Sprite on a hot summer day, or maybe as a little mix in with your Amaretto. Or, have you tried a small can of pineapple juice mixed in with 7up? Delicious. Well, today we are trying a new lemon lime soda that is trying to make waves in the industry… Pepsico’s new Starry.

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, buckled up.

  • Kris, shout out to his gramps.

  • Matt, new to the show.

  • Amy, but wait, there’s more!

A little bit about Starry

Now, Pepsi already has Sierra Mist, but it appears they are ditching that product in attempt to compete with Coca Cola’s Sprite, which has captured 7% share of the $82 billion U.S. soda market, heads and tails above Sierra Mist, which held about 0.1%

According to PepsiCo’s press release, Starry is “a great-tasting soda bursting with lemon lime flavor that delivers the crisp, refreshing bite consumers have been longing for in the lemon lime flavored soda category.” Additionally, the press release states…

“Created by a best-in-class product innovation team, STARRY is easy-to-drink, optimally sweet, and delivers both an exceptional taste and flavor experience. Starry is caffeine-free and is available in a variety of sizes to provide a refreshing burst of lemon lime flavor for every occasion.”

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “If this was in my cooler on a hot sunny day, I’d probably still reach for a Busch Light.” 5/10

  • Amy: “This is completely middle of the road.” 5/10

  • Kris: “Maybe stop trying to corner this part of the market.” 4/10

  • Matt: “The flavor disappears.” 4/10

TOTAL: 18/40

There you have it. We do not give Starry the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.pepsico.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried this soda? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

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Today we are getting out the recipe books again to see if we can find something good to try out. Community recipe books, filled with recipes long forgotten. And today’s recipe is something else. Pork & Bean Bread. Have you heard of this? Initial thoughts? Let us know.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Michael, does not want the pork.

  • Nate, increasing his protein.

  • Matt, allergic to pork and bean bread.

  • Amy, went with all the options.

A History of Lake Delhi

Today’s episode is a little history on the area this recipe comes from.

Lake Delhi was created in 1929 when the Interstate Power Company constructed a hydro-electric dam on the Maquoketa River southwest of Delhi, Iowa.

In 1973 the power company terminated operations at the facility, and the dam was purchased by the newly formed Lake Delhi Recreation Association, a public benefit, non-profit organization. Private funding of these public waters has continued through the years, and local volunteer groups such as The Maquoketa River Water Quality Team, The Fish and Game Club, Watershed Committee, The Hartwick Huskies Ski Team, and The Snow Pioneers Snowmobile Club, have worked hard to develop and improve water quality, natural habitat, public recreational areas, and quality of life on the lake. More importantly, Lake Delhi is now home to over 900 families. It’s casual, family-oriented atmosphere has become a way of life.

On July 24, 2010, heavy rains along the Maquoketa River caused a devastating flood which damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes on Lake Delhi. The unprecedented amount of water caused the earthen embankment to the south of the dam structure to collapse. Lake Delhi was quickly emptied, leaving only a narrow stream to run through the 450 acres of lake bottom.

In the months following the breach, residents along the lake an members of the community at large have worked to gather the necessary funds to rebuild and restore this Eastern Iowa treasure. While efforts to garner support at the local, state, and federal levels are on-going, lake supporters are taking the initiative to raise funds privately for the rebuilding effort.

You support through the purchase of this cookbook takes us one step closer toward reaching our goal. We hope you will enjoy sharing these recipes with your family and friends.

So this wasn’t too complicated at all. It did take a little extra work when it came to the beans, but over all, pretty standard. The recipe comes from Robin Klima of Lake’s End

Recipe for Pork & Bean Bread by Robin Klima

1 cup raisins (optional)1 cup boiling water1 - 15 oz can of pork & beans2 cups sugar3 eggs, beaten1 cup vegetable oil1 tsp. vanilla3 cups flour1 tsp. cinnamon1/2 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. baking soda1 cup chopped nutsIf using raisins, add to boiling water and set aside. Mash beans with a fork in a large bowl until they are very smooth. add sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix well. Sift together the dry ingredients and fold into the bean mixture. Drain raisins and fold into batter along with chopped nuts. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “This is a solid bread.” 7/10

  • Amy: “I like this! I’ve eaten all my piece.” 7/10

  • Michael: “This ain’t bad, but I’m afraid.” 3/10

  • Matt: “This is a nice spiced bread.” 7/10

TOTAL: 24/40

There you have it. We give Pork & Bean bread the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Bake it up and let us know what you think.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

My Dam Cookbook “cooking with profanity”G&R Publishing CompanyPublication #13,631

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It is that time again… Time to taste test yet another Oreo flavor that hit the shelves. This time… Snickerdoodle. Now these are limited edition, and seeing as we are a little past the holidays, you might have trouble still finding them. But rest assured, they will likely re-appear in 2023. So let’s get eating!

Help us sustain our podcast with a donation. Please and thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, so rude!

  • Kris, history buff

  • Matt, aka Skeletor

  • Amy, monster baker

A History of Oreos

So the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today.

So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.

The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.

Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “I like this better than original Oreos.” 7/10

  • Amy: “Agreed, 100% better than the original Oreo.” 7/10

  • Kris: “I like my snickerdoodles to be soft.” 5/10

  • Matt: “This is alright, mediocre at best.” 5/10

TOTAL: 24/40

There you have it. We give the limited edition Snickerdoodle Oreos the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.oreo.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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I know a lot of people who like it when their food makes them sweat. Spicy mustard, hot salsas, or my favorite, Cholula hot sauce. (Well, my favorite until we do a hot sauce episode. Then maybe still my favorite, it is pretty good.) Today we are trying out different hot chips and fries to see which one is the best!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which hot chips are we trying today?

  • Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

  • Takis Fuego

  • Dorito Dinamita Chile Limon

  • Chester’s Fries Flamin’ Hot

  • Takis Blue Heat

  • Andy Capp’s Hot Fries

Who is on this spicy quest?

  • Nate, completely nuts

  • Michael, Quest newbie

  • Matt, hurts on the inside

  • Amy, Michael’s big sister

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Let’s talk Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. This is a scandalous story, filled with falsehoods and thievery.

Ask Richard Montanez who invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and he will be the first to tell you it was him. For the last decade he has told the story of working as a janitor at Frit-Lay’s when he dreamed up the chile-covered Cheeto. He had such confidence in this chip, that he, a janitor, decided to call up the chief executive to pitch his idea. Even though people tried to sabotage him, even though he was told he was stepping out of bounds, he persisted and the Cheeto would become a huge success. Montanez has traveled, telling and selling his story at events for Target, Walmart, Harvard, and USC. His fee $10,000 to $50,000 per appearance. He has written two memoirs. A biopic, directed by Eva Longoria is supposed to be happening. This is truly a rags-to-riches story.

There is one big problem in the whole thing….

Montanez didn’t invent the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto. And this is according to interviews with more than a dozen former employees, archival records and Frito-Lay itself.

Flamin Hots were created by a team of professionals, starting in1989. A junior employee named Lynne Greenfeld got the assignment to develop the brand, and she came up with the Flamin’ Hot name and was essential in getting the line going.

By the time Montanez started taking credit for the intention in the late 2000’s, most of the original Flamin’ Hot team had retired. Those who remained just let the story spread, not really caring. It wasn’t until 2018, when Lynne Greenfeld herself contacted Montanez after seeing him take credit, which led the company to investigate. Their official statement…. “ We value Richard’s many contributions to our company, especially his insights into Hispanic consumers, but we do not credit the creation of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos or any Flamin’ Hot products to him.”

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

  • Amy - 2

  • Matt - 4

  • Michael - 6

  • Nate - 3

5th Place: Doritos Dinamita Chile Limon

  • Amy - 4

  • Matt - 4

  • Michael - 6

  • Nate - 4

4th Place: Chester’s Fries Flamin’ Hot

  • Amy - 3

  • Matt - 5

  • Michael - 6

  • Nate - 5

3rd Place: Takis Fuego

  • Amy - 4

  • Matt - 5

  • Michael - 6

  • Nate - 6

2nd Place: Andy Capp’s Hot Fries

  • Amy - 4

  • Matt - 5

  • Michael - 10

  • Nate - 4

1st Place: Takis Blue Heat

  • Amy - 5

  • Matt - 6

  • Michael - 8

  • Nate - 7

There you have it. Takis Blue Heat receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://barcel-usa.com/takis

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite spicy chip or fry? We would love to know your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-05-16/flamin-hot-cheetos-richard-montanez

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Nothing like being a kid in a candy store, right? I am sure we all remember going to the store and picking out some candy with the coins and dollars burning a hole in our pockets. Well, on today’s episode, we took Audra to the store and let her pick out 6 different candies. Let’s see which one comes out on top!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which candies are we trying today?

  • Swedish Fish

  • Sour Patch Kids

  • Twizzlers

  • Haribo GoldBears

  • Lifesavers Gummies

Who is on this candy quest?

  • Audra, a watermelon head!

  • Matt, the best uncle ever!

  • Amy, the best aunt ever!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History…

Actually, we have no history lesson today! Today we just eat sugar!

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th/4th Place: Haribo Goldbears

  • Amy - 2

  • Audra - 3

  • Matt - 4

5th/4th Place: Twizzlers

  • Amy - 3

  • Audra - 3

  • Matt - 3

3rd Place: Swedish Fish

  • Amy - 4

  • Audra - 5

  • Matt - 4

2nd Place: Lifesaver Gummies

  • Amy - 4

  • Audra - 10

  • Matt - 5

1st Place: Sour Patch Kids

  • Amy - 7

  • Audra - 10

  • Matt - 5

There you have it. Sour Patch Kids receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://sourpatchkids.com/custom-mix

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite candy? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Recipes. Some people have a little box filled with family favorites. Some people just hit up the internet and see what they can find on Pinterest. Well, I went to about every estate sale this summer and purchased every recipe book, every recipe box… basically anything that had old family and community recipes that may be long forgotten.

So today we are trying out one of those recipes. Will it be good? Will it be terrible? Find out!

And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, Smelt it.

  • Nate, Dealt it.

  • Matt, baked goods.

  • Amy, oofta.

A History of Pineapple!

The earliest written references to pineapple are by Christopher Columbus, Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, and Sir Walter Raleigh, who found pineapple growing in the West Indies, where it was used for food and wine making.

The Portuguese were responsible for early dissemination of the pineapple. They introduced it to Saint Helena in 1502, shortly after carried it to Africa, and by 1550, to India. Before the end of the 16th century pineapple spread over most of the tropical areas of the world. Major modern growers include Costa Rica, Brazil, China, India, and Thailand.

Pineapples are low in calories but high in nutrients.

1 cup has…

  • 83 Calories

  • 1.7 grams of fat

  • 2.3 grams of fiber

  • 88% of the daily value of vitamin C

  • 109% of the daily value of maganese

  • 11% of the daily value of Vitamin B6

  • 4% of the daily value of potassium

Just to name a few.

They are also said to help suppress inflammation. And while most people tell you to drink milk if you are going to eat something really hot and spicy, I have found that pineapple is far superior.

So this was a pretty simple recipe brought to us by Mrs. Edward Reiter. It has an oatmeal bar base, a pineapple filling, and then a dusting of the same oatmeal base on the top.

Recipe for Pineapple Bars by Mrs. Edward Reiter

1/2 c soft butter1 1/4 c brown sugar1 1/4 c flour1 1/4 c oatmealMix ingredients together. Divide in half and line bottom of pan. Pour in filling and put remaining batter on top. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.Filling1 c crushed pineapple and juice2 1/2 tbsp cornstarch1 c sugar1 tbsp butter1 c waterCombine in saucepan and cook until thick.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “This is very bland.” 2/10

  • Amy: “What a crap recipe.” 1/10

  • Kris: “I would never make this.” 1/10

  • Matt: “This tastes like sugar and oats.” 2/10

TOTAL: 6/40

There you have it. We do not give Pineapple Bars the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Bake it up and let us know what you think.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.britannica.com/plant/pineapple

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-pineapple#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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If you are in the mood for a super sour candy, there are only a few options that come to mind. There are various gummies and such, but if you really want a sour that packs a punch, you are going to go for a Warhead. And why not try out a new Warhead candy… the Warheads Galactic Mix Cubes.

I am trying to remember where I purchased these. Probably Target. But they are new, and not limited edition, so you will probably have luck finding them in most stores. So grab a bag and try them!

And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, likes the chewy bits.

  • Nate, a stowaway.

  • Matt, a basement dweller.

  • Amy, already salivating

A History of Warheads!

Warheads Extreme Candy were invented in Taiwan in 1975 and were first imported to the United States in the early 1980s. They are known for their intense sour flavor and are marketed as “extreme” candy. The name comes from the idea that the sour taste is like a real warhead exploding in your mouth.

Warheads get their strong sour flavor mostly from malic acid, which covers the outside of the candy, giving you about 30 seconds of extreme sourness.

The popularity of this candy was strong right off the bat, basically because it was a challenge. Kids loved to see who could keep these candies in their mouths the longest. Today the candy is produced in Roswell New Mexico, where 240 million Warheads are made each year. The original candies come in blue raspberry, lemon, green apple, black cherry, and watermelon.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “I was expecting more sour.” 4/10

  • Amy: “The flavor is delicious actually.” 7/10

  • Kris: “The fact that there is nothing sour about it... it drops a bit.” 6/10

  • Matt: “These are okay. I wish you could tell them apart.” 5/10

TOTAL: 22/40

There you have it. We give the Warhead Galactic Cubes the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://impactconfections.com/warheads/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.oldtimecandy.com/collections/walk-the-candy-aisle-warheads#collection-desc

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Andes Mints. Whether you associate these with eating popcorn, topping off cookies, or maybe that after dinner sweetness that you hope will cover your garlic breath from Olive Garden, they are definitely a sweet treat that you keep going back for more of. Well join us as we try five different flavors of Andes Mints!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which Andes Mints are we trying today?

  • Mint Cookie Crunch Thins

  • Cherry Jubilee Thins

  • Toffee Crunch Thins

  • Creme De Menthe Thins

  • Peppermint Crunch Thins

Who is on this minty fresh quest?

  • Kris, raging against the machine.

  • Nate, a big fella.

  • Matt, just excited to be alive.

  • Amy, hey there!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Andes Candies

The delicious tale of Andes Mints starts in 1921 with Andrew Kanelos, who opened his very first candy store, Andy’s Candies in Chicago. Andy made many different types of chocolates, boxed them up and sold them to the public. However, he quickly realized that even if you do sell the most delicious chocolates in Chicago, men didn’t want to give their women a box of candy with another man’s name on it. How to fix this crazy dilemma? He simply changed the spelling of Andy’s to Andes and included a picture of mountains on the wrapper. The branding change was so successful, future advertising campaigns would declare these chocolates to be “The Peak of All Candies.”

The famous Creme de Menthe Thins that make mouths water and stomachs rumble would not be introduced until 1950. These candies were among the first individually wrapped mints and were offered at cash registers, retailing anywhere between $.01 - $.05. The goal was for them to be priced equivalent to the customer’s change after a transaction, making them an easy sell.

With over 100 retail Andes Candies locations and the untouchable, delectable Andes Creme De Menthe taking off, Andes Candies went from a chain of candy stores to a manufacturing giant across the nation.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Andes Peppermint Crunch Thins

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 2

4th Place: Andes Toffee Crunch Thins

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 3

3rd Place: Andes Cherry Jubilee Thins

  • Amy - 5

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt -4

  • Nate - 6

2nd Place: Andes Creme De Menthe Thins

  • Amy - 10

  • Kris - 9

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 8

1st Place: Andes Mint Cookie Crunch

  • Amy - 9

  • Kris - 9

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 10

There you have it. Andes Mint Cookie Crunch receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://www.tootsie.com/candy/andes/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite Andes Mint? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.candyfavorites.com/history-andes-creme-de-menthe-thins#:~:text=It%20wasn't%20until%201950,01%20%2D%20%2405.

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Little Debbie is back at it again, this time with a new creme pie… Snickerdoodle! Now, who doesn’t like good snickerdoodle right out of the oven? Today we are going to see if a mass produced item holds up to the real thing.

Thank you to our supporters by the way! We appreciate your help in getting these shows produced. You too can be an active member in the quest family… All you have to do is comment and donate! Thanks!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Andy, has a blunted palate.

  • Audra, sugar monster.

  • Matt, Fudge Round Fan.

  • Amy, Little Debbie snob.

A History of Little Debbie

The Little Debbie story started during the Great Depression when entrepreneur O.D. McKee began selling 5¢ snack cakes from the back of his 1928 Whippet. In 1934, he and his wife, Ruth, bought a small, failing bakery, using the family car as collateral.

In 1960, O.D. decided to name the brand after his 4- year old granddaughter Debbie and used her photo for the logo. In August of that year, the first family pack was produced and consisted of the original snack cake, the Oatmeal Creme Pie. They were individually wrapped products and the first carton was only 49 cents. After this initial introduction, more than 14 million cakes were sold within 10 months, and by 1964 there were 14 different varieties being sold.

Today, more than 75 different varieties are available. Little Debbie snacks are available in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

The top-selling Little Debbie varieties are Oatmeal Cream Pies, Swiss Cake Rolls, and Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars. McKee Foods sells more than 200 million cartons of these three products every year.

Today we are trying out the brand new Snicker-Doodle Creme Pies. These new pies were introduced at the beginning of July of 2022. And we just got them here in Iowa. According to the Little Debbie website, they are described as…

Take a bite out of nostalgia with Little Debbie Snickerdoodle Creme Pies. Two soft vanilla-flavored cookies baked with cinnamon morsels are sandwiched around our famous fluffy creme, making them the perfect choice for mornings, mid-day or anytime a little cinnamon sweetness is just the treat you need. As vanilla-flavored creme melts in your mouth, surprises of cinnamony sugar crystals combine with the soft-baked cookies, creating a delicious snickerdoodle cookie experience that is irresistible. Grab a box to try the newest snack from Little Debbie, and Unwrap a Smile® today!

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Andy: “It would be better with a cinnamon roll frosting.” 6/10

  • Amy: “I like the little crunchy bits.” 7/10

  • Audra: “I didn’t like it that much.” 4/10

  • Matt: “This is the best thing I have eaten today.” 6/10

TOTAL: 23/40

There you have it. We give the Little Debbie Snickerdoodle Creme Pies the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website to find a retailer near you!

https://littledebbie.com/www/snackproducts/view/101/snickerdoodle-creme-pies

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

littledebbie.com

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Root Beer. Yum. On a hot summer day, pour some of this over a couple scoops of ice cream and you are in heaven. Or just crack open a bottle and sip on it in the heat. Very satisfying. Today we are trying out various brands of this delicious drink!

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which root beers are we trying today?

  • Route 66 Root Beer

  • Capone Family Secret Root Beer

  • Dorothy’s Isle of Pines Root Beer

  • Hank’s Genuine Gourmet Root Beer

  • 1919 Classic American Root Beer

  • Bundaberg Root Beer

Who is on this seasonal quest?

  • Kris, root beer float snob.

  • Nate, wears his sunglasses at night.

  • Matt, ask me about my favorite drag queen!

  • Amy, does not like Arnold Palmer.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Root Beer

Well the first thing you should know is that the drink we know today is quite different from the original root beers. Root teas and medicines were very common in America’s past. Indigenous people of North America brewed medicinal teas out of roots, barks, berries, and flowers. Sassafras, wintergreen and sarsaparilla were plants that were thought to boost immune function, reduce inflammation, combat allergies, and more. Therefore, they were not used for everyday consumption, but for medicinal purposes.

When European colonists brought “small beer” to the Americas, they saw what the indigenous people were doing with roots and decided to add it to these beverages. You see, “small beers” were low-alcoholic beverages that colonists made by shortening the fermentation time of the brew or by re-using grain from stronger beers.

In the 1870s everything changed however, thanks to pharmacist Charles E. Hires. Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires discovered a recipe for an herbal tea while in New Jersey. Not long after, he began selling a dry version of the tea blend but it had to be mixed with water, sugar, and yeast and left to ferment for the carbonation process to take place. Hires began working on a liquid formulation for a carbonated root beer beverage shortly after, with the goal to be more appealing to the masses. His concoction contained more than 25 herbs, berries, and roots that Hires used to flavor carbonated soda water. Hires introduced his root beer to the public at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial exhibition where it was a huge hit. In 1893, the Hires family sold and distributed their first bottled root beer.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Bundaberg Root Beer

  • Amy - 1

  • Kris - 2

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 3

5th Place: Hank’s Genuine Gourmet Root Beer

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 4

4th Place: Route 66 Root Beer

  • Amy - 3

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 6

  • Nate - 5

3rd Place: Dorothy’s Isle of Pines Root Beer

  • Amy - 5

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt -5

  • Nate - 4

2nd Place: Capone’s Family Secret

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 7

1st Place: 1919 Classic American Root Beer

  • Amy - 6

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 8

There you have it. 1919 Classic American Root Beer receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Check out their website to get some to try yourself!

https://www.1919rootbeer.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite root beer brand? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-root-beer-1992386

https://sprecherbrewery.com/blogs/blog/the-history-of-root-beer

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If you head down the snack aisle at the grocery store, you are bombarded with cookies, crackers, fruit snacks, bars, and many many many more products. Lately, I have noticed some cereal products inching their way over, in the form of little snack packs, so to speak. Today we are trying out the new Post Pebbles Shake Ups!

If you have purchased these and tried them out, let us know. Also, feel free to support our podcast! Any amount helps us purchase food and produce these episodes! Thanks for the support!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Andy, Bam Bam.

  • Janet, crunchy.

  • Matt, oh no.

  • Amy, guest wrangler.

A History of Fruity Pebbles

This is a quick one folks!

When you think of Fruity Pebbles, I am sure most of us will think about the colorful cereal that quickly turned to mush when combined with milk, yet made your milk taste oh, so delicious. This cereal however was not always as popular as it is now. It was originally an underperforming cereal called Sugar Rice Krinkles cereal. But in 1971, Post secured innovative licensing rights from Hanna-Barbera to use the Flintstones characters to rebrand the cereal. Soon Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles were all the rage. And actually, This was the first brand ever to be created around a media character.

Today it is the No. 1 selling kids cereal brand with more than 1.4 billion bowls eaten annually.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Andy: “It’s below average but it’s not unpalatable.” 4/10

  • Amy: “The waffle is too overpowering.” 2/10

  • Janet: “It’s not disgusting.” 2/10

  • Matt: “The best you get is an okay pretzel.” 3/10

TOTAL: 11/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Pebbles Shake Ups! the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website to find a seller near you.

https://www.postpebblescereal.com/products/sweet-and-salty-pebbles-shake-ups/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.postpebblescereal.com/our-story/

https://www.postconsumerbrands.com/news/pebbles-cereal-history/

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Who doesn’t like a fresh blueberry muffin? Well, to be honest with you, blueberry is not my jam, but I recently found out that I am in the minority when it comes to blueberry. But hey, I am a bit picky. And guess what? Kit Kat has combined their traditional candy bar with the joys of a blueberry muffin. Sounds like a dream come true. Except for me. Cause I am not a big Kit Kat fan either. Oh well, you can’t win them all.

I found this bar at Hy-Vee. But they are limited edition so grab one quickly.

And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, food rater.

  • Nate, space taker.

  • Matt, food tryer.

  • Amy, food buyer.

A History of Kit Kat

The Kit Kat bar got its start across the pond in 1935. These wafer treats were originally known by Londoners as “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.” Two years later, the candy would be renamed to “Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp.” The name Kit Kat came from the Kit Kat Club which was named after Christopher Catling who used to hold a literary and political club in his pie shop in London in the 17th century.

So what exactly are Kit Kat bars? Kit Kats are three layers of wafer covered with an inner and outer layer of chocolate. If you buy the regular size candy bar, each of the pieces you break off are called a finger. Depending on the size of bar you get, they can have 1, 2, or 4 fingers in them.

When people think of Kit Kat bars, a little jingle probably goes through their heads. The classic line, “Have a break, have a Kit Kat” was introduced by Donald Gillies. The slogan became such an icon that it is now a registered trademark.

The Blueberry Muffin Kit Kat bar is describe on their website as…

It's all the flavor and feels of waking up to a freshly baked crumb-coated blueberry muffin except in convenient, crunchy candy form. Morning, noon or night, unwrap a KIT KAT® Blueberry Muffin Flavored Candy Bar and treat your tastebuds to blueberry muffin flavored creme wrapped around our iconic crisp wafers. Blueberry muffins are best right from the oven, and just like the warm berry scent that fills your kitchen, this limited edition flavor won't last long! Snag this uniquely flavored snack today.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “Its all fake.” 3/10

  • Amy: “Just bring back the cherry one.” 5/10

  • Kris: “I would never buy this again.” 2/10

  • Matt: “It kind of has that muffin vibe, I guess.” 3/10

TOTAL: 13/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Blueberry Muffin Kit Kat the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hersheyland.com/kit-kat

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.hersheyland.com/about/history.html

http://breakwithkitkat.weebly.com/history-of-kit-kat.html

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Popcorn is the best snack of all time. That is a hill I will proudly die on. Not only is it a superb and superior snack, it is also great for lunch and dinner. And guess what, even breakfast. Yes. I have had popcorn for breakfast. I had recently gotten on an air pop kick and decided that it was time to test the popcorn waters to find the best kernel of corn.

We found our popcorn at Sunrise Orchards in Gays Mills, Wisconsin.

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which wonderful, delicious, amazing popcorn kernels are we trying today?

  • These are all Fireworks Heirloom Popcorn and the strains of popcorn are…

  • Autumn Blaze

  • Sunset Fire

  • Orange Blossom

  • Red River Valley

  • Savannah Gold

  • Wisconsin White Birch

Who is on this seasonal quest?

  • Kris, care for dinner and a movie?

  • Nate, a Salisbury steak guy.

  • Matt, aka: Manilla T.

  • Amy, friends with popcorn royalty.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Popcorn

While you may automatically think of movie theaters, air poppers, or stove tops, popcorn dates back thousands of years. Corn was probably cultivated as a domesticated crop around 9,000 years ago, but it wasn’t until 2012 that archaeologists unearthed the first evidence of popcorn in Peru; 6,700-year-old cobs studded with puffed kernels.

While maize was grown throughout Mesoamerica, South America, and North America, it was also a very important cultural staple for some tribes. Popcorn was integral to early 16th century Aztec tradition. Aztec Indians used popcorn as decoration for ceremonial headdresses, necklaces, and ornaments on statues of their gods, including Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility.

Early popcorn likely resembled parched corn, which is made by cooking dried kernels in a frying pan. It would be thousands of years of careful cultivation of a few different strains of corn before we would be chowing down on the fluffy kernels we love today.

One invention that would ensure the survival of popcorn was the steel plow in the mid-1800s. Soon after this invention, corn became such an important cash crop in Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana, that it was dubbed “prairie gold.” With all this “prairie gold” came innovation on how to pop the corn. Inventions such as corn-popping devices that had a stay-cool handle burst onto the popcorn scene. And in 1885, Charles Crestors invented a lightweight electric machine that popped corn in oil, allowing vendors to travel and to make bank.

Popcorn has been a cheap snack for a long time, but to these vendors, it was an excellent source of income. And nothing boosted that income more than movie theaters. When the first wave of theaters opened in the 1920s and 30s, popcorn wasn’t allowed however. Actually, no foods or drinks were allowed in an effort to keep the theaters clean and pristine. As the industry grew, and technology advanced, going from silent movies to audible movies, movie theaters shifted their stances to help bring in more patrons and money. Movie theaters started renting portions of their lobbies to popcorn and snack vendors. There are depression-era stories of farmers and vendors who made thousands of dollars during the great depression, which is quite a feat.

Some other fun facts about this delicious snack…

  • Iowa actually is an important place when it comes to popcorn. The first commercial popcorn brand started here. Iowa’s Albert Dickinson Co. sold popcorn under the names of Big Buster and Little Buster in the 1880s.

  • Popcorn was once a popular breakfast food. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, popcorn was eaten just as we eat cereal today. You may remember the history of John Harvey Kellogg and his Battle Creek Sanitorium health spa… Well Kellog praised popcorn as being “easily digestible and to the highest degree wholesome, presenting the grain in its entirety and hence superior to many denatured breakfast foods which are found in the market.”

  • During World War II, sugar was sent overseas for U.S. Troops which meant American’s ate three times as much popcorn as usual.

  • The first microwave popcorn was released in 1981. It contained perishable butter and required refrigeration. In 1984 shelf-stable versions hit stores and in 1986 Americans bought $250 million worth of popcorn.

  • And the final tidbit of information I will give you comes from the Tiny but Mighty Popcorn Company, in Shellsburg, Iowa. This is directly from their website…

  • It’s only fair we warn you this heirloom popcorn can be addictive. We feel lucky to be able to share it with you, since this one-of-a kind seed was nearly lost forever. It was discovered by Samuel Kelty in Shellsburg, Iowa in the 1850s, and kept in the Kelty family for over 100 years.

  • Fast forward three generations to Richard Kelty, Samuel’s great, great, great, grandson, discovering his mother about to pop the last remaining kernels. He grabbed the small jar of seeds, rescued a few handfuls for planting, and allowed his mom to pop the rest.

  • Richard kept planting, with the dream of sharing this amazing popcorn with the rest of the world. Having trouble with the yield of this rare seed, at the time called K&K popcorn (for Kelty & Kramer), he hired a farmer and soil consultant to help. That farmer was Gene Mealhow, current caretaker of the Tiny But Mighty Popcorn. Never genetically modified or hybridized to become something that it isn’t, this little heirloom, full of mighty flavor, has captured hearts and taste buds across America and beyond.

  • And the reason I bring up this specific brand because… Shout out to Loraine, our most cherished producer of this podcast, and of course Brett, her husband, and son of Richard Kelty, the founder of the K&K Popcorn business which is now Tiny but Mighty popcorn! We are friends with popcorn royalty!

As of 2020, the most popular brands of popcorn in the U.S. are…

  • Orville Redenbacher - consumed by 63.59 million Americans

  • Pop Secret - Consumed by 49.16 million Americans

  • Act II - Consumed by 47.2 million Americans

  • Store Brand - Consumed by 45.36 million Americans

  • Cracker Jack - Consumed by 17.27 million Americans

  • Jiffy Pop - Consumed by 16.86 million Americans

  • Smartfood - Consumed by 15.01 million Americans

  • Jolly Time - Consumed by 14.9 million Americans

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Wisconsin White Birch

  • Amy - 6

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 7

5th Place: Sunset Fire

  • Amy - 9

  • Kris - 5

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 6

4th Place: Red River Valley

  • Amy - 9

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 6

3rd Place: Autumn Blaze

  • Amy - 9

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt -6

  • Nate - 5

2nd Place: Orchard Blossom

  • Amy - 8

  • Kris - 6

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 7

1st Place: Savannah Gold

  • Amy - 10

  • Kris - 8

  • Matt - 7

  • Nate - 9

There you have it. Savannah Gold receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Here is the link to the Sunrise Orchard where we purchased this popcorn. They have other foods and gifts as well.

https://www.sunriseapples.com/

You can also find this popcorn on Amazon and various websites!

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Does anybody else out there love popcorn as much as I do? We would love to hear your rating!

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.seriouseats.com/popcorn-history-movie-theaters

https://www.popcorn.org/All-About-Popcorn/History-of-Popcorn

https://www.statista.com/statistics/277155/us-households-most-eaten-brands-of-popcorn-products/

https://tinybutmightyfoods.com/about/our-story/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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I can’t believe I missed this edit, but here we go again with another coke product that we tried a while back. The Marshmello Limited Edition Coke. This was a confusing one for many who have no idea that Marshmello is a DJ, and not a reference to the puffy bits of sugar people put in their hot chocolate.

I still see this cola at HyVee and Target. So if you are curious about trying it yourself, stop by your local grocery store and grab a can.

And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, has gone too far.

  • Nate, you lost me.

  • Matt, speculating wildly.

  • Amy, Subscribe!

A History of Coca-Cola

On May 8th, 1886, pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton was visiting a pharmacy in Atlanta to promote his medicinal wonder, French Wine of Coca. This cure-all medicine was a mix of Bordeaux red wine, caffeine, and coca leaf extract. Since it was a medicine and more of a niche market, Pemberton decided to try to sell it as a soda. So he took his bitter tasting medicine and threw in a bunch of sugar. And to make it marketable to children and adults, he removed the alcohol. But not the cocaine, since after all, it was legal.

Asa Candler acquired the company in 1891 after Pemberton’s death. By the end of the 1890s, they were selling a quarter of a million gallons of syrup a year. Coca Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, employing over 700,000 worldwide.

So what is Marshmello’s limited edition Coca-Cola? According to the Coca-Cola website, Marshmello’s Limited Edition Coca Cola is inspired by the world-renowned artist, Marshmello. It has the familiar Coca-Cola taste, with added watermelon and strawberry flavor.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “What a disaster of a product.” 1/10

  • Amy: “At least it has a nice fizz to it.” 2/10

  • Kris: “I don’t mind the strawberry.” 3/10

  • Matt: “Make it stop! Make it stop!” 1 /10

TOTAL: 7/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Marshmello’s Limited Edition Coca-Cola the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.coca-cola.com

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-sodas-america-1628796

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Overall, I would say that Hostess has a pretty good reputation on this podcast. Those delicious Baby Bundt Cakes. The wonderful Coffee Cakes. The Ding Dongs. The Tropical Blast Twinkies… I could go on forever. So the time is right to check out their newest products, the Bouncers.

Now even though this is a mini episode, we are trying three different flavors. They are not competing against each other, we are passing or failing each one individually. So I guess we can call it a mini-ish episode.

And before you continue reading, please consider a donation to our podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, just donate it back to us. Did you get $5.00 worth of value? Give us $5.00. It is that simple!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, enough to kill a small aardvark

  • Nate, snackable, popable, sharable.

  • Matt, likes cakes and pies.

  • Amy, what podcast is this?!

A History of Hostess

Nothing new here from our other Hostess episodes. But a good read if you need to brush up on your history.

Listen to the Hostess Quest here.

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. However, this cupcake was not as we know it today. Originally it was just a chocolate cake with a chocolate frosting on top. No swirled frosting, no vanilla cream filling. The cupcake didn’t get its frosting upgrade until 1950.

More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two twinkies for a nickel. Again, this is another Hostess treat that started out quite differently. Sure, they always were the oblong spongy cakes, but they were originally banana flavored. For over a decade Twinkies were filled with banana cream filling. However, they switched to a vanilla center during World War 2, as bananas were rationed during the war.

It wasn’t until after World War 2 that Hostess introduced its next famous treat. The Sno Ball snack cakes found their way to the store shelves in 1947. These snack cakes are chocolate cakes with a vanilla filling, covered in marshmallow and coconut flakes.

Now apparently, if you peel back the marshmallow, these are simply a Hostess Cupcake that is upside down.

In 1967 Ding Dongs and HoHos were introduced.

In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.

Despite a couple bankruptcies since then, the company now seems to be back on its feet. The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.

Which snack cake do you think is the best selling?

Well if you guessed the Cupcake, you would be right. 600 million cupcakes are consumed annually by Americans. That is enough to circle the earth once. Though if you guessed the Twinkie, I won’t fault you. The Twinkie has had its fair share of publicity over the years.

In 1979, Dan White was on trial for the murder of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the United States. White argued that he couldn’t have planned to murder his boss, because of his sugar high from eating too many Twinkies. And this defense strategy worked. White was convicted of manslaughter instead of murder.

Speaking of eating too many Twinkies, in 2013, competitive eater Joey Chestnut won the World Twinkie-Eating Championship, devouring 121 Twinkies in 6 minutes.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton chose the Twinkie as an “object of enduring American symbolism” for the National Millennium Time Capsule.

And of course, the 2009 blockbuster Zombieland followed a man’s quest to find the last twinkies after the earth was plagued with the living dead.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Glazed Twinkies Bouncer

  • Nate: “I like the glaze, I like the sponginess.” 7/10

  • Amy: “The sponginess of the cake is awesome.” 7/10

  • Kris: “Wow, it’s good.” 6/10

  • Matt: “I wish I had a cup of coffee.” 6/10

TOTAL: 26/40

Cinnamon Donettes Bouncer

  • Nate: “They are really moist.” 7/10

  • Amy: “It is really enjoyable but the cinnamon is a little too strong.” 6/10

  • Kris: “This is a really good morning car ride treat.” 8/10

  • Matt: “It tastes kind of like the coffee cake.” 7/10

TOTAL: 28/40

Glazed Chocolate Ding Dong Bouncer

  • Nate: “I would only have this if I had something to drink with it.” 5/10

  • Amy: “This is no Ding Dong.” 4/10

  • Kris: “This needs a milk.” 5/10

  • Matt: “I’m somewhat disappointed in this one.” 5/10

TOTAL: 19/40

There you have it. We give the Glazed Twinkie and the Cinnamon Donette the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give them a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com/products/bouncers/chocolate-ding-dongs/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Not entirely new anymore, but new to me, we have the Reese's Puffs Cluster Crunch cereal. Now, cereal is the kind of food I personally tend to eat dry. However, Reese’s Puffs are probably my favorite cereal to pair up with some 2% milk. So let’s see if the cluster crunch can stand up to its predecessor.

And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Andy, a puff cluster.

  • Janet, a moody foodie.

  • Matt, Reese’s super fan.

  • Amy, cereal lover.

A History of Cereal

Breakfast has had an interesting evolution. In the colonial times, people generally ate porridge or leftovers from the night before. Something that would get them going in the morning and give them energy for the day. But as the nation grew wealthier, breakfasts also grew. Big breakfasts of steak, eggs, bacon, sausages became very common. And having a big meal made sense if you worked on the farm and needed a meal to last you until dinner after a long day of hard labor. But as time passed and the Industrial Revolution happened, less and less people needed a huge meal in the morning, nor did they have time for it. Additionally, a heavy morning meal wasn’t considered ideal for health reasons.

Queue Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. Dr. Kellog took over the Battle Creek Sanitarium, a world-famous medical spa. He believed in “biologic living”, promoting exercise, massage therapy, and digestive health. And with that goal in mind, Corn Flakes were born. They were so popular among patients at the sanitorium, Kellogg decided to market the flakes as a light, healthy breakfast meal.

The cereal business was cutthroat as soon as it started. One-time patient at the sanitarium, C.W. Post quickly adapted the cereal into his own creation, Grape-Nuts, which was incredibly successful.

Today Americans buy around 2.7 billion boxes of cereal each year. This amounts to about 14 pounds of cereal that the average person consumes annually.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Andy: “This is pretty mediocre.” 4/10

  • Amy: “The peanut butter has more punch than the chocolate.” 7/10

  • Janet: “The chocolate ones taste like puppy chow.” 2/10

  • Matt: “I would eat this if offered.” 5/10

TOTAL: 18/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Reese’s Puffs Cluster Crunch Cereal the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? You can purchase them at Target, Walmart, and probably your local grocery store.

https://www.target.com/p/reese-39-s-puffs-cluster-crunch-family-size-cereal-19-7-oz/-/A-83939232

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.history.com/news/cereal-breakfast-origins-kellogg

https://www.creditdonkey.com/breakfast-cereal-statistics.html#:~:text=Americans%20buy%20around%202.7%20billion,the%20average%20person%20consumes%20annually.

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Today’s episode is a little bit different than our usual line up. That is because we have five different candy bars from different places around the globe. We have Australia, the UK, Poland, and Holland

As you know, we are on the value-for-value model of podcasting here. No paid subscriptions (unless you want to). You can donate any amount. Whatever value you get out of this podcast, give it back. Help us keep this amazing content coming.

Which foreign snacks are we trying today?

  • Chocolade Reep Puur - Holland

  • Violet Crumble Dark - Australia

  • Nestle Yorkie Raisin and Biscuit - UK

  • Cadbury Curly Wurly - UK

  • Olsa Prince Polo Classic XXL - Poland

  • Nestle Orange Smarties Bar - UK

Who is on this adventurous quest?

  • Kris, a classic man.

  • Nate, ready to fight.

  • Matt, the voice of sanity.

  • Amy, okay….

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Chocolate

Chocolate is made from the fruit of cacao trees, which are native to Central and South America. The fruits are called pods and each pod contains around 40 cacao beans. The beans are dried and roasted to create cocoa beans.

It is unclear when cacao was discovered. Ancient Olmec pots and vessels from around 1500 B.C. were discovered with traces of theobromine, the stimulant compound in chocolate and tea. But the Mayans are the ones who wrote mentions of chocolate drinks being used in celebrations and ceremonies. Also important in Aztec culture, they believed cacao was given to them by their gods. They used cacao in their drinks, but also used the beans as currency to buy food and other goods. In fact, cacao beans were considered more valuable than gold.

Chocolate first arrived in Europe in 1502, when Christopher Columbus discovered cacao beans intercepting a trade ship, bringing the beans back to Spain. Another story is of Cortes being introduced to chocolate by the Aztecs and bringing the beans to Spain as well. By the late 1500s it was a much-loved indulgence by the Spanish court.

The first American chocolate house opened in Boston in 1682. By 1773, cocoa beans were a major American colony import.

The first chocolate bar was created in 1847 by British chocolatier J.S. Fry and Sons. The bar was molded from paste made of sugar, chocolate liquor, and cocoa butter. Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter is generally credited for adding dried milk powder to chocolate to create milk chocolate in 1876 and eventually worked with his friend Henri Nestle to create the Nestle company which brought milk chocolate to the mass market.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Nestle Yorkie Raisin and Biscuit

  • Amy - 2

  • Kris - 3

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 2

5th Place: Violet Crumble Dark

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 4

  • Matt - 3

  • Nate - 4

4th/3rd Place (Tie!): Cadbury Curly Wurly

  • Amy - 7

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 3

4th/3rd Place (Tie!): Nestle Orange Smarties Bar

  • Amy - 5

  • Kris - 8

  • Matt - 5

  • Nate - 4

2nd Place: Olsa Prince Polo Classic XXL

  • Amy - 4

  • Kris - 7

  • Matt - 4

  • Nate - 8

1st Place: Chocolade Reep Puur

  • Amy - 8

  • Kris - 9

  • Matt - 8

  • Nate - 10

There you have it. Chocolade Reep Puur receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried any of these? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/history-of-chocolate

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-chocolate-21860917/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Jimmy John’s has a new sandwich, the All-American Beefy Crunch. This sandwich consists of Hand-sliced roast beef, sliced American cheese, deliciously tangy Thousand Island sauce, crispy onion strings, pickles, lettuce, and onion. So we had to try it for Quest for the Best and see if it was any good. Grab one and try it yourself and let us know what you think!

Also, in case you missed it… here is our Jimmy John’s vs. Firehouse Subs battle!

https://open.substack.com/pub/questforthebestpodcast/p/firehouse-subs-vs-jimmy-johns-showdown?r=rjail&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, shut up, Rachel.

  • Nate, a sloppy boy.

  • Matt, waiting in the weeds.

  • Amy, no cheese, please.

A History of Jimmy John’s

Jimmy Johns was founded in 1983. The founder, Jimmy, had two options after graduating from High School. Go to the military or open a business. He chose the latter. Jimmy’s father gave him $25,000 to start a business in exchange for a 48% ownership. Originally, he was going to open a hot dog stand but he realized he didn’t have the cash for hotdogs and settled on a low-overhead cold sandwich shop. So in January of 1983, in the town of Charleston, Illinois, the first Jimmy John’s was opened. The menu consisted of four sandwiches, smoked ham and provolone, hand sliced turkey, homemade tuna salad, and capicola and salami.

The original location was in a college town, but didn’t have a spectacular location. So to make it easier to make some money, Jimmy John’s began delivering to the campus. They delivered in a VW bus that said “Your mom wants you to eat at Jimmy John’s”

It was a success and he made a profit during the first year, and a year later he bought his father out of the business.

In 1986, a second store opened in Macomb, Illinois and in 1994, the first franchise location opened in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1997, the first drive thru location opened in St. George, Utah. Their 100th store opened in 2001 in Pleasant, Michigan. And in 2010 the 1000th store opened in Beaverton, Oregon. In 2019, Jimmy John’s was acquired by Inspire Brands.

Today, the franchises add up to nearly 3,000 locations.

In 2016, the company was valued at $3 billion.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “The sauce is literally oozing out of my sandwich.” 1/10

  • Amy: “I’d like to try it with the spicy ranch instead of the thousand island, but its good.” 7/10

  • Kris: “I am not a roast beef guy but this is still good.” 6/10

  • Matt: “The crispy onion is a nice touch, Jimmy.” 7/10

TOTAL: 21/40

There you have it. We give the All-American Beefy Crunch the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.jimmyjohns.com/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.jimmyjohns.com/about-us/history/

https://www.mashed.com/129171/the-untold-truth-of-jimmy-johns/

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Potato Chips. Yum. I am definitely one of those who loves salty snacks over sweet. And potato chips are near the top of my list. Personally, the original Lay’s are within my top three. I like a classic. But I am not afraid to try something new. So when I saw these limited edition Lay’s, I had to grab them.

Today’s episode is not quite mini, it is not quite full sized. So I will call it a mini-ish episode. We have three chips to try. We will rate each one individually with a pass or fail grade. And the chips we are rating are…

  • Lay’s Cheetos Cheese Flavored Cheetos

  • Lay’s Doritos Cool Ranch Flavored Doritos

  • Lay’s Wavy Funyuns Onion Flavored Funyuns Onion Flavored Rings

Remember to support our podcast! Any amount helps us continue on this food adventure. Thanks for the support!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, going conspiracy theory.

  • Nate, Mr. S**t Eating Grin.

  • Matt, coming to a trunk near you.

  • Amy, you shut up.

A History of Lay’s Potato Chips

I got a rich, rich history lesson from Lay's website. In their About Us section, it states,

“Wherever celebrations and good times happen, the Lay’s brand will be there just as it has been for more than 75 years. With flavors almost as rich as our history, we have a chip or crisp flavor guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.”

And that my friends is the history of Lay’s, according to their website.

So obviously, I had to go dig for their 75 year rich history. And what I found was a handful of sites that jumbled together a bunch of facts and it was difficult to put something really solid together. So this is going to remain short.

Our history lesson takes us back to 1932 where we meet up with Lay’s founder, Herman W. Lay. Mr. Herman opened a company that made various snack foods in Nashville, Tennessee, and soon after purchased another business that made potato chips, called Barrett Food Company. Mr. Lay, while working as a traveling salesman, would sell potato chips out of the trunk of his car in the hopes to get more people to try out the chips. Soon he would turn to national advertising, becoming one of the first-ever snack food brands to advertise on TV, and the chip took off.

Today there are over 200 varieties that have been created and the flavors vary from country to country. Common flavors such as salt and vinegar, barbecue, and cheddar are found in the chip aisle, but you can also find flavors such as cappuccino, vegetable soup, and beer ‘n brats.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Lay’s Cheetos Cheese Flavored Cheetos

  • Nate: “This monstrosity is not okay.” 3/10

  • Amy: “It’s like a salty Cheeto.” 4/10

  • Kris: “It smells like a fart.” 4/10

  • Matt: “This would be better if they did it as a baked chip.” 5/10

TOTAL: 16/40

Lay’s Doritos Cool Ranch Flavored Doritos

  • Nate: “It’s a tad bit on the salty side for me.” 5/10

  • Amy: “These aren’t bad at all .” 7/10

  • Kris: “It’s crazy how much tang you get off of this chip.” 7/10

  • Matt: “ These smell like the real deal.” 7/10

TOTAL: 26/40

Lay’s Wavy Funyuns Onion Flavored Funyuns Onion Flavored Rings

  • Nate: “It’s not the worst chip in the world.” 3/10

  • Amy: “Not a fan.” 2/10

  • Kris: “These are trash.” 2/10

  • Matt: “I’m getting an Asian vibe for sure.” 3/10

TOTAL: 10/40

There you have it. We give the Lay’s Doritos Cool Ranch Flavored Doritos the Quest for the Best seal of approval. But the rest of these can go in the trash. Maybe you want to give them a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.lays.com/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.lays.com/about-us

https://www.insider.com/lays-fun-facts-potato-chips-2018-11#the-cowardly-lion-from-the-wizard-of-oz-was-the-first-celebrity-spokesperson-for-lays-10

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Hostess is always on a roll when it comes to releasing new products. The Cupcakes, the Twinkies, and now the Mini Donettes. And since Hostess is usually on the winning side of our wonderful quests, it was a no brainer when I saw these in the store. We had to try them.

I found these at Fareway, so feel free to go grab a pack and taste test along with us! Though you might have to act quickly, as these are limited edition and are only available until November 30th!

And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, goes for the powdered ones.

  • Nate, coconut fan.

  • Matt, a mixed bag.

  • Amy, not doing coke today.

A History of Hostess…. again.

For a longer history, check out the original Hostess episode here.

https://open.substack.com/pub/questforthebestpodcast/p/ho-ho-hostess?r=rjail&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two twinkies for a nickel.

In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.

Despite a couple bankruptcies since then, the company now seems to be back on its feet. The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “It lacks the caramel flavor.” 5/10

  • Amy: “I expected a crunch, not a coconut nasty flavor and texture.” 3/10

  • Kris: “The donut is good, but I don’t like the coconut flavoring.” 3/10

  • Matt: “I’m struggling with this one.” 4/10

TOTAL: 15/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Caramel Crunch Donettes the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com/products/donettes/caramel-crunch/

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Today we continue along our burger joint journey. On our last burger episode we battled Culver’s and Freddy’s, with Culver’s coming out on top. Today we battle A&W vs. Dairy Queen

Which menu items will we be trying?

  • Bacon Cheese Burgers

  • Fries

  • Cheese Curds

  • Chicken strips

  • Chili Dogs

Who is joining this burger battle?

  • Nate, likes it squeaky.

  • Kris, can’t let it slide.

  • Matt, likes his dogs as cows.

  • Amy, does her own stunts.

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

The History of A&W

It all started on June 20th, 1919, on the side of the road, in Lodi, California. This is where Roy W. Allen opened his first Root Beer stand during a city-wide party celebrating the homecoming of local World War I heroes. Allen had purchased the secret recipe for his root beer from a pharmacist and turned a profit by selling the frosty beverage for a nickel.

In 1922, Allen partnered with former Lodi employee Frank Wright, leasing their first two Root Beer stands to other operators so they could expand into Sacramento. And with this partnership and expansion, they named their business A&W. A for Allen, W for Wright. And in 1925 Allen began to sell franchises, thus establishing the first ever franchise restaurant chain in America.

In the 1950s, the business really got going, with nearly 450 operating A&Ws. At this time, Allen sold the entire operation to the A&W Root Beer company and in 1956, A&W went international, opening it’s first restaurant in 1956.

Being the oldest restaurant chain in America is quite the feat. But maybe even more impressive, A&W introduced the world to Bacon Cheeseburgers. Dale Mulder, chairman of A&W restaurants, opened an A&W in Lansing, Michigan in 1961. One day, he decided to add bacon to a cheeseburger, forever changing the fast food industry. Of course, now you can get bacon on pretty much anything, but it all started with Dale Mulder and A&W.

Another feat? They were the first ever Drive-In in California, which opened in Sacramento in 1923.

And let’s not forget about the star of the show… the Root Beer. Most A&Ws make their own root beer on-site, using a paddle-stirred brewing kettle to whip up this frosty, creamy beverage in-house. And speaking of this delicious Root Beer, in 1999, Lodi, California franchise Pete Knight took it upon himself to make the largest root beer float in the world. He scored the Guinness World Record with his 2,562.5 gallons of root beer and 400 gallons of ice cream.

And that is not the only world record they have. They also have the record for the world’s longest hashtag. (super tasty large and in charge texas toast two handwich made with delicious one hundred percent white meat and breaded chicken tenders and your choice of classic or spicy papa sauce either way you can’t go wrong wow that sounds good you need to try one its only available for a limited time i'm going to have to go get one myself are you still reading this see you at A&W.

Some other notable dates…

  • 1971 A&W root beer became available in bottles and cans

  • Their on and off again mascot was born, Rooty the Great Root Bear

  • By 2017 there were approximately 1000 restaurants in the United States.

The History of Dairy Queen

In 1938 inventors J.F. McCullough and his son Alex invented the game changer, soft serve ice cream. The duo convinced Sherb Noble, an ice cream man in Kankakee, Illinois, to sell it at his shop, where it became an immediate hit. Two years later, on June 22, 1940, Nobel and the McCulloughs opened the first Dairy Queen in Joliet, Illinois. The menu at the first DQ included 5 cent soft-serve cones, 8 cent sundaes, and ice cream by the pint and quart. And if you bought a second cone, it was only 1 cent.

Soon after the opening of the first store, investors began operating on a franchise model and DQ expanded across the country. They went from 10 stores in 1940 to 1,446 stores by the end of 1950. In the late 50s the chain began expanding its menu to include hot dogs, burgers, and other hot foods.

The Dilly Bar debuted in 1954 in Moorhead, Minnesota - one of the oldest locations still in operation. The story goes, an employee trainer put a dollop of ice cream on a piece of cardboard, stuck a stick in it and said, “Ain’t that a Dilly!” And a year later, the new treat expanded nationwide.

Some other notable dates include:

  • 1949: Mats and shakes debut

  • 1951: Banana Splits

  • 1955: The Dilly Bar debuts

  • 1957: Dairy Queen Brazier is introduced

  • 1968: The Buster Bar is introduced

  • 1971: Peanut Buster Parfait

  • 1985: Blizzards are introduced. The Blizzard was a huge hit and sold over 175 million in the first year.

  • 1995: Treatzza Pizza and Chicken Strip Basket debut

Today International Dairy Queen Inc. (IDQ) is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. IDQ has over 7,000 locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

French Fries

A&W French Fries.

  • Nate: “It is a chewy fry, kind of steak fry like.”

  • Amy: “I’m getting Long John Silver vibes.”

  • Kris: “Give me all the fry meat.”

  • Matt: “It’s alright.”

Dairy Queen French Fries

  • Nate: “It’s a nice embrace of my lips.”

  • Amy: “Nice amount of salt and the potato taste comes through nicely.”

  • Kris: “Solid French fry.”

  • Matt: “These have a better texture and flavor.”

WINNER: Dairy Queen

Coney Dog vs. Chili Dog

A&W Coney Dog:

  • Nate: “It’s wet and sloppy.”

  • Amy: “I thought they would be good at these, but they aren’t.”

  • Kris: “It’s so far away from what a chili dog should be.”

  • Matt: “It looks more like a sauce.”

Dairy Queen Chili Dog.

  • Nate: “It looked good and tasted better.”

  • Amy: “This chili has more substance to it.”

  • Kris: “It tastes like a chili you would actually make.”

  • Matt: “Dairy Queen.”

WINNER: Dairy Queen

Cheese Curds

A&W Cheese Curd:

  • Nate: “I enjoy the squeakiness.”

  • Amy: “The cheese is like a rubber ball.”

  • Kris: “I like the little bit of grease taste.”

  • Matt: “It was fine.”

Dairy Queen Cheese Curd:

  • Nate: “The cheese wasn’t as high of quality that I want.”

  • Amy: “It has a nice smell to it.”

  • Kris: “I’m not sure how to feel about the cheese in this one.”

  • Matt: “I liked the flavor profile.”

WINNER: TIE!

Chicken Strips

A&W Chicken Strips

  • Nate: “It is moist and juicy.”

  • Amy: “It is juicy and thick.”

  • Kris: “That is juicy.”

  • Matt: “I like having more chicken and flavor.”

Dairy Queen Chicken Strips.

  • Nate: “The chicken strip to batter ratio is not great.”

  • Amy: “DQ has a peppery batter.”

  • Kris: “The gravy makes the chicken strip so much better.”

  • Matt: “This just isn’t as good.”

WINNER: A&W

Bacon Cheese Burger

A&W Bacon Cheese Burger

  • Nate: “It’s very wet.”

  • Amy: “It’s a very gristly meat.”

  • Kris: “The toppings were either too strong or not enough.”

  • Matt: “The best part was the pickle.”

Dairy Queen Bacon Cheese Burger.

  • Nate: “That is a thick patty.”

  • Amy: “This has higher quality ingredients all around.”

  • Kris: “The bacon is very over-powering but it’s what I am looking for.”

  • Matt: “Clear winner.”

WINNER: Dairy Queen

There you have it. After trying 5 different menu items from A&W and Dairy Queen, we give Dairy Queen the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a location near you.

https://www.dairyqueen.com/en-us/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these menu items? Which one was your favorite? Which restaurant is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

If you were entertained today, consider donating to our podcast! Keep these episodes coming with your own treasure. We would really appreciate the support!

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/the-history-of-aw-restaurants-aw-root-beer

https://awrestaurants.com/blog/it-all-started-roadside-stand-roots-aw-restaurants https://www.dairyqueen.com/en-us/about-us/

https://www.delish.com/restaurants/g30626323/dairy-queen-vintage-photos/?slide=1

https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/first-dairy-queen/

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When you go to a gas station or convenience store to pick up something to drink, I am sure you have noticed the vibrant cans of Arizona tea and other Arizona beverages. (Cherry Lime Ricky was always my favorite.) Well, that Arizona packaging really caught my eye the other day when I was at our Hy-Vee and saw the familiar designs in with the fruit snacks. So on today’s mini(ish) Quest for the Best episode, we are trying the three flavors of the new Arizona Fruit Snacks.

Who are our Questers today?

  • Kris, microphone smacker.

  • Nate, what’s with the colors?!

  • Matt, a quiet boy.

  • Amy, send me to night school.

A History of AriZona Beverages

AriZona Beverages is a relatively young company. Born in the heart of Brooklyn in 1992, AriZona came onto the scene with a fresh take on iced tea, using high-quality ingredients, and presented in packaging that stood out from the competition. Top that off with the fact that even with all the inflation, AriZona is still 99 cents a can.

AriZona Beverages was co founded by Don Vultaggio, who was inspired by Snapple. Already having success with a malt liquor business, Don and his partners decided to sell iced tea in the same-sized 23-ounce can as the malt liquor to stand out from the Snapple 16-ounce can. He wanted the tea and the style to feel healthy and clean, and really fit the climate that made you want to drink refreshing iced tea. They named the beverage AriZona and history was made.

Since the start of the company, AriZona's product line has boomed beyond tea. Fruity drinks, snacks, candy, coffee, and alcohol, all in eye-catching packaging and for a fair price. All these things have really put them on the map and in the stomachs of millions of people.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Arizona Arnold Palmer Fruit Snacks

  • Nate: “This is a gummy and it has a flavor to it.” 3/10

  • Amy: “I don’t like them, I don’t dislike them.” 5/10

  • Kris: “That’s not what a fruit snack should be, but the strawberry and mango are good.” 6/10

  • Matt: “I pity the people who buy these.” 4/10

TOTAL: 18/40

Arizona Green Tea Fruit Snacks

  • Nate: “It looks like deer turds.” 3/10

  • Amy: “That’s a hard pass for me.” 2/10

  • Kris: “That’s like if I rung out a baby’s wet diaper into my mouth.” 1/10

  • Matt: “These are the weirdest fruit snacks I have ever eaten.” 4/10

TOTAL: 10/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Arizona Fruit Snacks the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give them a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://drinkarizona.com/collections/snacks

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/27/business-food/arizona-tea-name-origin

https://drinkarizona.com/pages/about-us

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Today we are trying out the perfect pairing for potato chips. The creamy compliment to carrots. The punchy partnership for pretzels… Dip!

If you want to try these out along with us, I purchased them at Hy-Vee. Otherwise, sit back, relax, and enjoy the podcast!

Oh, and don’t forget to donate to Quest for the Best! No amount is too small, no amount is too large. This is a value-for-value podcast, so donate what you think is fair!

Which Dips are we trying today?

  • Anderson Erickson Party Dip

  • Anderson Erickson Buffalo Ranch

  • Hy-Vee Brand Bacon and Cheddar

  • Dean’s Dairy Dip Deep Fried Pickle

  • Kemp’s French Onion Party Dip

  • Top the Tater Taco Fiesta

Who is on this adventurous quest?

  • Randi, disappointed in Wisconsin.

  • Nate, has a question.

  • Matt, a big dip.

  • Amy, dip newbie.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Dip

If you love chips and dip, then mark your calendars. March 23rd is National Chip and Dip Day. This day celebrates the combination of delicious, salty chips with creamy flavored dips. And the great thing about dips is that there is a combination of flavors and textures out there for everybody. If you like sour cream based dips, there is an abundance to choose from. If you like quac or hummus, you have plenty of options too. And that is because people have been dipping their food for centuries. In fact, hummus-like recipes date back to the 13 century. One of the earliest dips was a Greek dip, which was a combination of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt, and olive oil. It was eaten with meats and bread, since chips were not around until the mid-19th century.

Sour cream, the base for many dips, was invented in the U.S. between 18-15 and 1825. And when potato chips were invented in 1853 by a cook named George Crum, it was like a match made in heaven.

Today when a lot of people in America think of dips, they probably think of potlucks, finger foods, and of course, the Super Bowl. A survey was conducted with people all across the united states to determine which dips were the most popular to consume for the super bowl, and which states voted for which dip. There were 6 dips that were found to be the most popular. Here are the results.

  • 6th: Ranch Dressing. Ranch dressing is kind of a midwesterner joke. We like our ranch. And the results confirmed that. 1 state in the U.S. voted this as their preferred dip, and that state was Iowa.

  • 5th: Blue Cheese Dressing came in 5th. Of course, during an event where a ton of wings are consumed, this logically made it’s way onto the list. 6 states voted this as the best.

  • New York

  • New Jersey

  • Pennsylvania

  • Virginia

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • 4th: Spinach-Artichoke Dip is preferred by 8 states.

  • Nevada

  • Idaho

  • Utah

  • South Dakota

  • Michigan

  • Missouri

  • Florida

  • Alaska

  • 3rd: Coming in hot in 3rd place is Cheese Dip, or queso. Nine states are dipping their tortilla chips in this.

  • New Mexico

  • Colorado

  • Kansas

  • Ohio

  • Kentucky

  • Arkansas

  • Alabama

  • Georgia

  • Hawaii

  • 2nd: This may come as no surprise to be in the top two. Salsa. And with so many salsa options, it is easy to see why. 9 States prefer salsa to any other dip.

  • Maine

  • New Hampshire

  • Massachusetts

  • Rhode Island

  • Connecticut

  • West Virginia

  • Mississippi

  • Oklahoma

  • Montana

  • 1st: And in first place with 17 states preferring this substance to the rest. We have Guacamole.

  • Washington

  • Oregon

  • California

  • Arizona

  • Wyoming

  • North Dakota

  • Nebraska

  • Minnesota

  • Wisconsin

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Vermont

  • Delaware

  • Maryland

  • North Carolina

  • Louisiana

  • Texas

Other popular dips include French onion, hummus, 7-layer dip, and bean dip.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th/5th Place (Tie): Anderson Erickson Buffalo Ranch

  • Amy - 3

  • Matt- 3

  • Nate - 2

  • Randi - 4

6th/5th Place (Tie): Kemp’s French Onion Party Dip

  • Amy - 1

  • Matt- 4

  • Nate - 4

  • Randi - 3

4th Place: Anderson Erickson Party Dip

  • Amy - 4

  • Matt- 4

  • Nate - 3

  • Randi - 4

3rd Place: Hy-Vee Brand Bacon and Cheddar

  • Amy - 3

  • Matt- 5

  • Nate - 4

  • Randi - 6

2nd Place: Top the Tater Taco Fiesta

  • Amy - 5

  • Matt- 5

  • Nate - 5

  • Randi - 5

1st Place: Dean’s Dairy Dip Deep Fried Pickle

  • Amy - 7

  • Matt- 8

  • Nate - 7

  • Randi - 8

There you have it. Dean’s Dairy Dip Deep Fried Pickle receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried any of these? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://southfloridareporter.com/dips-for-chips-first-become-popular-in-the-1950s-serving-as-finger-food/

https://www.eatthis.com/news-most-popular-super-bowl-dip/

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Tropical Blast Twinkies. Now this one was a complete surprise. One day I was over at the Family Dollar picking up a soda, and I just happened to see a box of these sitting there. Never being a huge Twinkie fan, and despite the fact that I thought these would be terrible, I purchased them. “For the podcast.” I told myself. Well, let’s see if it was a worthy purchase.

If you have tried these, make sure you let us know in the comments. Also, support us by donating to the podcast!

Who are our Questers today?

  • Nate, a hot boy.

  • Kris, non gmo.

  • Matt, YEEEHAW!!!

  • Amy, #1 foodie

A Mini History of Twinkies

If you have been around for awhile, you have read this history lesson! So feel free to jump down to the results!

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake.

But it wasn’t until 10 years later that Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two Twinkies for a nickel. And Twinkies are not as we know them today, but they were originally banana flavored. For over a decade Twinkies were filled with banana cream filling. However, they switched to a vanilla center during World War 2, as bananas were rationed during the war.

The Twinkie has had its fair share of publicity over the years.

In 1979, Dan White was on trial for the murder of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the United States. White argued that he couldn’t have planned to murder his boss, because of his sugar high from eating too many Twinkies. And this defense strategy worked. White was convicted of manslaughter instead of murder.

Speaking of eating too many Twinkies, in 2013, competitive eater Joey Chestnut won the World Twinkie-Eating Championship, devouring 121 Twinkies in 6 minutes.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton chose the Twinkie as an “object of enduring American symbolism” for the National Millennium Time Capsule.

And of course, the 2009 blockbuster Zombieland followed a man’s quest to find the last Twinkies after the earth was plagued with the living dead.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

  • Nate: “That was surprisingly good.” 8/10

  • Amy: “This should not be limited edition, it should be full time.” 8/10

  • Kris: “That citrus really hits.” 9/10

  • Matt: “One of these with a little bit of ice cream… mmmm.” 8/10

TOTAL: 33/40

There you have it. We give Hostess Tropical Blast Twinkies the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried this snack cake? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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If you are craving a crunchy, salty snack, today’s episode might be right up your alley. Today we are trying out different brands of pretzels! These are generally snacks that I tend to forget about, but when a delicious pretzel is found, they are pretty hard to say no to.

If you want to try these out along with us, I purchased them at HyVee and Target. Otherwise, sit back, relax, and enjoy the podcast!

Oh, and don’t forget to donate to Quest for the Best! No amount is too small, no amount is too large. This is a value-for-value podcast, so donate what you think is fair!

Which pretzels are we trying today?

Rold Gold Tiny Twists

Cravin’ Pretzel Braid

Snyder Mini Pretzel

Old Dutch Butter Spindles

Snyder Twisted Butter Sticks

Dots Homestyle Original Pretzel Twists

Who is on this adventurous quest?

Randi, feeling twisted.

Nate, slightly lubed.

Matt, naturally garlicy.

Amy, feeling salty.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Pretzels

The beginning of pretzels happened longer ago than you might think. In 610 A.D. an Italian monk invented the soft pretzel and called them pretiola or little rewards. He gave them to the children he was teaching as a reward for learning their prayers. The knot in the pretzel was supposed to resemble little arms crossed of children in prayer. This story was passed down over the centuries. Though the first recorded evidence of pretzels appeared in Southern Germany. As early as the 12th century, bakers used the pretzel shape in the emblem for their guild. Pretzels were a sign of good luck and spiritual wholeness.

But wait! The pretzel also has history in Christianity and the Catholic Church. Soft pretzels using a simple recipe of only flour, water, and salt were used during Lent when Christians were not permitted to eat eggs, lard, or any dairy products. Additionally, it became a tradition on Easter morning to hide pretzels for the children in a pretzel hunt.

But if you go back to Germany, this is where the pretzel really took shape, so to speak. The Germans were quick to make alterations to their dough, creating different flavors, adding poppy seeds and different spices. In the latter part of the 18th century, Swiss German immigrants introduced German baking traditions to the United States. The popularity spread. In 1850, Julius Sturgis, a Pennsylvanian baker got a recipe from a traveling homeless man for hard pretzels. They were a major hit at his bakery and by 1861 he opened the first commercial pretzel bakery. The popularity of these snacks can be attributed to the ability to store them for longer periods of time in an air tight environment. By the 20th century, hard pretzels were being baked and sold across the united states.

Today, Pennsylvania remains the biggest producer of these twisted snacks, with 80% of the 1.2 billion dollar industry in the United States. It is estimated that the average American eats two pounds of pretzels per year.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th/5th Place (Tie): Rold Gold Tiny Twists

Amy - 5

Matt- 6

Nate - 4

Randi - 3

6th/5th Place (Tie): Cravin’ Pretzel Braids

Amy - 4

Matt- 5

Nate - 5

Randi - 4

4th Place: Old Dutch Butter Spindles

Amy - 3

Matt- 6

Nate - 6

Randi - 6

3rd Place: Snyder Mini Pretzels

Amy - 6

Matt- 7

Nate - 5

Randi - 4

2nd Place: Snyder Twisted Butter Sticks

Amy - 6

Matt- 7

Nate - 7

Randi - 6

1st Place: Dots Homestyle Original Pretzel Twists

Amy - 7

Matt- 7

Nate - 9

Randi - 7

There you have it. Dots Homestyle Original Pretzel Twists receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried any of these? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.pretzels.com/blogs/news/the-complete-history-of-the-pretzel-a-twisted-tale

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/06/the-history-of-pretzels/

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Here we go again with another Coke product. Today we are trying out the new Coca-Cola Dreamworld. Now, if this is going to be anything like the other new/limited edition flavors…. well, let’s just say this could be rough. But let’s give this an open mind and a fair chance, shall we?

I found a case of the mini cans at Target so feel free to go grab a pack and taste test along with us! They also had the individual 20 oz bottles as well, but I believe the consensus is that soda in plastic bottles is the worst way to drink a soda. Hey! Now that is an idea for a QFTB episode!

And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

Kris, Mr. Hollywood.

Nate, likes the fishy smells.

Matt, will give you his two cents.

Amy, Matt’s totalitarian.

A History of Coca-Cola

On May 8th, 1886, pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton was visiting a pharmacy in Atlanta to promote his medicinal wonder, French Wine of Coca. This cure-all medicine was a mix of Bordeaux red wine, caffeine, and coca leaf extract. Since it was a medicine and more of a niche market, Pemberton decided to try to sell it as a soda. So he took his bitter tasting medicine and threw in a bunch of sugar. And to make it marketable to children and adults, he removed the alcohol. But not the cocaine, since after all, it was legal.

Asa Candler acquired the company in 1891 after Pemberton’s death. By the end of the 1890s, they were selling a quarter of a million gallons of syrup a year. Coca Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, employing over 700,000 worldwide.

So what is Coca-Cola Dreamworld? According to the Coca-Cola website, Dreamworld makes the most fascinating parts of our imagination real. This limited edition sparkling beverage from Coca-Cola Creations explores the realms of the surreal, the imaginary, and the otherworldly. Experience the familiar Coca-Cola taste now with a surprising and unexpected flavor from a dream world.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Nate: “The aspects I enjoy would be enhanced with rum.” 4/10

Amy: “It’s mango with the aftertaste of Coca-Cola.” 3/10

Kris: “Mango should never be put with a dark soda.” 3/10

Matt: “It’s almost okay.” 4/10

TOTAL: 14/40

There you have it. We do NOT give the Coca-Cola Dreamworld the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.coca-cola.com

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next, along with your thoughts on this episode.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-sodas-america-1628796

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Today’s episode is a little bit different than our usual line up. That is because we have five different salty snacks that came from either Thailand or China. None of us actually visited these places, but we did visit an apple farm/candy shop that carried gobs of foods from the US and around the world. So, sit back and get ready for some different flavors and experiences!

As you know, we are on the value-for-value model of podcasting here. No paid subscriptions (unless you want to). You can donate any amount. Whatever value you get out of this podcast, give it back. Help us keep this amazing content coming.

Which foreign snacks are we trying today?

Turkey Leg flavored Cheetos from China

Lays Tomato flavored chips from China

Sweet Corn flavored Pretz snack sticks from Thailand

Lays Cucumber flavored chips from China

Some Lays chips that we decided to call ‘Lazy Susan Sushi’ because we have no idea what the flavor is.

Who is on this adventurous quest?

Kris, loves his gam gam.

Nate, has an amazing tolerance to arsenic.

Matt, what am I doing here?

Amy, crazy as hell.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store

So I don’t really have a traditional history for you this time around. I wasn’t sure where to go with the history to be honest, so I thought I would share with you about the place we found these foods.

About 3.5 hours north of here there is a magical place filled with candy, soda, and puzzles. This place is Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store. Also known as Jim’s Apple Farm, this crazy place is located in Jordan, Minnesota. It is a family owned business that carries all sorts of goodies. Hard-to-find nostalgic sweets, like candy cigarettes. Fresh baked pies and strudels, jams, jellies, pickles, meats, cheeses, so much soda - the world’s largest collection in fact. There are penny pinchers, larger than life superhero statues, the world’s largest puzzle, along with a huge selection of puzzles for purchase. The world’s largest porta-potties... I mean, this place has it all. And that is where we headed on a day trip, and it did not disappoint.

A few things to note if you are going to visit Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store.

They only accept cash or check. There is an ATM on site, but I would suggest making sure you have cash upon arrival.

The parking lot is gravel. It is a big parking lot with cement sidewalks, but keep this in mind if you have trouble walking or you have a fancy car.

There is a lot to take in! Give yourself lots of time to explore the different foods and candies they have to offer. And give yourself extra extra time if you also want to look at all the puzzles, which are on the rafters, in every nook and cranny.

Bring a few pennies and some quarters if you want to get a pinched penny!

Grab a cart, you are going to need it.

The business is seasonal. They appear to be open from early May through Thanksgiving. Hours are 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.

Speaking of hours, I would suggest getting there early or being there a little bit later in the day. We went around 3:00 pm and it was packed! By the time we left, about an hour and a half later, it had cleared out quite a bit.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Lazy Susan Sushi

Amy - 3

Kris - 2

Matt - 3

Nate - 2

4th Place: Turkey Leg flavored Cheetos

Amy - 3

Kris - 5

Matt - 3

Nate - 4

3rd Place: Lay’s Tomato Flavored Chips

Amy - 5

Kris - 7

Matt - 4

Nate - 6

2nd Place: Lay’s Cucumber Flavored Chips

Amy - 6

Kris - 5

Matt - 5

Nate - 7

1st Place: Sweet Corn flavored Pretz Snack Sticks

Amy - 8

Kris - 9

Matt - 6

Nate - 8

There you have it. Sweet Corn Pretz Snack Sticks receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried any of these? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://minnesotaslargestcandystore.business.site/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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New product alert! Well, maybe not really really new, but new to us! If you like cheese, if you like crackers, if you like quick snacks that leave a little bit of powdery cheese residue on your fingies, today’s episode is for you.

On today’s mini episode, we are trying out the new Cheez It Puff’d snack crackers. I found these at Target so feel free to go grab a package and taste test along with us! And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

Audra, a real cheddar head.

Janet, more cheese please.

Matt, super cheesy.

Amy, cheese? Gross.

A History of Cheez It

Transport yourself back to 1921. You are browsing the local grocer’s shelves and you stumble upon a brand new product. Cheez It. You read the package. “Baked Rarebit.” which you recognize as a melted cheddar beer cheese normally spread over toast. Yum, you think to yourself. The product ends up in your basket, and for a lot of people, this little cracker becomes a snack time staple.

The Cheez-It company was formed in 1907 in Dayton, Ohio by Weston Green. The company specialized in many different kinds of crackers such as Edgemont, Dayton, and Flag crackers but none of these would come close to the popularity of the Cheez-It.

In 1930, after Weston Green passed away, Green & Green Company was purchased by Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company, which would soon become Sunshine Biscuit Company. The Sunshine Biscuit Company was eventually acquired by Keebler in 1996, and Kellogg’s would acquire Keebler in 2001. Even so, It wasn’t until 2015 until the name Sunshine would be taken off the front of the box.

Since the introduction of the original Cheez-It cracker, there have been over 40 different varieties and flavors. Current varieties include…

Original

Extra Toasty

Extra Cheesy

Extra Big

White Cheddar

Pepper Jack

Cheddar Jack

Whole Grain

Italian Four Cheese

Cheese Pizza

Hot & Spicy

Reduced Fat

Buffalo Wing

Additionally, over the years, Cheez-It has had new products such as

Grooves

Duoz

Snap’d

And in 2022 the new Puff’d, which we are trying today.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Amy: “It has a packing peanut texture.” 4/10

Audra: “I love them!” 10/10

Janet: “I’d buy this again.” 8/10

Matt: “I’d rather have the regular Cheez It.” 5/10

TOTAL: 27/40

There you have it. We give the Cheez It Puff’d the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.cheezit.com/en_US/home.html

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/brief-history-cheez-it-180977777/

https://www.snackhistory.com/cheez-it/

https://www.mashed.com/153401/snack-crackers-ranked-from-worst-to-first/

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The leaves are changing and the air is getting crisper in the mornings. The smell of burning leaves will soon be common and as the summer comes to a close and autumn bursts though the door, so will pumpkin spice.

Pumpkin spice. You really cannot avoid it, can you? Well, today we are trying out a bunch of products with that very flavor.

Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!

Which pumpkin spice products are we trying today?

Hostess Iced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Hostess Pumpkin Spiced Twinkies

Pumpkin Spice Oreos

Werther’s Pumpkin Spice Soft Caramels

Goldfish Limited Edition Dunkin Pumpkin Spice Grahams

Pepperidge Farms Pumpkin Spice Milano’s

Who is on this seasonal quest?

Kris, pumpkin launcher.

Nate, a basic b***h.

Matt, has been through death before.

Amy, stroking out.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Pumpkin Spice

What is pumpkin spice? Pumpkin spice is a mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. These spices have been around for centuries and are not new to the human diet. These spices are native to Southeast Asian islands some that are part of Indonesia. These islands have been known as the Spice Islands and were taken control by the Dutch and the Dutch East India Company. These mixed spices made their way to the New World in 1796, as evidenced by the first known cookbook to be written by an American, American Cookery by Amelia Simmons. The book included a pumpkin pie recipe.

McCormick, the world’s largest spice seller, introduced the “pumpkin pie spice” to America in 1934. This spice came as a direct response to the invention of pureed canned pumpkin.

Today pumpkin spice is used for everything. From adding it to your buttered toast, to your coffee, to applesauce, and even many savory dishes. Don’t forget about cinnamon rolls, apple pies, cookies, and other baked goods.

The Food Network released a list of all the products you can get in 2022 that are pumpkin spice, which I have added to the show notes. But a few of them include…

Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

Pumpkin Spice Popcorn

Pumpkin Spice creamers, coffees, and milks

Pumpkin Spice cinnamon rolls, cookies, breads, and cake mixes

Pumpkin spiced almonds

Pumpkin Spiced Ramen Noodles

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Pepperidge Farms Pumpkin Spice Milano’s

Amy - 1

Kris - 2

Matt - 4

Nate - 2

5th/4th Place (TIE!) : Hostess Iced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Amy - 2

Kris - 3

Matt - 4

Nate - 5

5th/4th Place (TIE!): Pumpkin Spice Oreos

Amy - 4

Kris - 4

Matt - 4

Nate - 2

3rd Place: Goldfish Limited Edition Dunkin Pumpkin Spice Grahams

Amy - 3

Kris - 5

Matt - 4

Nate - 3

2nd Place: Hostess Pumpkin Spiced Twinkies

Amy - 4

Kris - 3

Matt - 4

Nate - 5

1st Place: Werther’s Pumpkin Spice Soft Caramels

Amy - 5

Kris - 8

Matt - 5

Nate - 6

There you have it. Werther’s Pumpkin Spice Soft Caramels receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Does anybody out there actually like pumpkin spice or is this some weird mental programming? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.bhg.com/recipes/seasonal/pumpkin-spice-history/

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/food-goals/food-goals-photos/pumpkin-spice-product-guide

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Who doesn’t like a nice refreshing scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day? Who doesn’t like a nice refreshing scoop of ice cream when it is -8 degrees and when you step outside your snot freezes in your nose? Yep, ice cream is just one of those treats that can be enjoyed any time of the year. And today we are trying different brands of vanilla ice cream.

As you know, we are on the value-for-value model of podcasting here. No paid subscriptions (unless you want to). You can donate any amount. Whatever value you get out of this podcast, give it back. Help us keep this amazing content coming.

Which ice cream brands are we trying today?

Edy’s Vanilla

Breyers Extra Creamy Vanilla

Blue Bunny Vanilla Bean

Whitey’s Vanilla

Haagen-Dazs Vanilla

Who is on this creamy quest?

Hannah, hates everything.

Nate, lactose intolerant.

Matt, ice cream addict.

Amy, pass the root beer.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Ice Cream

Would you believe me if I told you that Americans consume an average of 23 lbs of ice cream each year? Well it isn’t too hard to believe when you consider all the occasions we grab an ice cream scoop for. Birthdays have ice cream with cake. Holidays have ice cream with pie. Damn, it’s hot outside. You know what sounds good? Ice Cream. Need a quick cheer up? Let’s go get a couple scoops of chocolate ice cream, that will do the trick.

For a food that melts, Ice Cream has been around for a surprisingly long time. It is actually one of the oldest known desserts. The first references to ice houses and eating snow came from the 11th century BCE China. Around 200 BCE, there’s a reference to people in China eating a combination of milk and rice that was frozen in the snow. Around 400 BCE the Persians invented the predecessor to artificial refrigeration, which was a large pyramidal structure that used evaporation and insulation to keep things cool. And at time, thanks to their ability to trade for sugar from the Indian Empire, the Persians were making their own kind of ice cream called Sharbat.

Fast forward to the Age of Exploration. Modern Ice Cream made its debut when the Spanish Empire got involved with sugar production, bringing chocolate and vanilla from Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula in the 16th century.

By the 18th century, ice cream was incredibly popular in Europe.

Until 1800, ice cream was considered a rare and exotic dessert mostly enjoyed by the elite. But insulated ice houses were soon invented and manufacturing ice cream became an industry in America. It was pioneered by a Baltimore milk dealer named Jacob Fussell in 1851. In 1874, the soda fountain and “soda jerk” became a thing with the invention of the ice cream soda. Think root beer floats. And in response to religious criticism for eating these sinfully rich ice cream sodas on Sundays, the merchants left out the carbonated water and invented the Sundae in the late 1890s.

Some fun facts about ice cream…

Today, 9% of American cows milk production is dedicated to ice cream.

More than 90% of people in the US consume ice cream.

Ice cream consumption among females is 15% higher than males in the US.

In a poll of approximately 20,000 US adults, it was found that the most popular ice cream flavors are…

Chocolate

Vanilla

Strawberry

Butter Pecan

Mint Chocolate Chip

Cookies and Creme

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Rocky Road

Coffee

Pistachio

Chocolate chip

Neapolitan

Cake Batter

The world’s largest manufacturer of ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt by annual revenue is Ben & Jerry’s. Their 2020 annual revenue was $863.1 million.

Followed by…

Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham, Texas

Haagen Daz out of Minneapolis, Minnesota

Breyers Ice Cream out of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Turkey Hill Dairy out of Conestoga Pennsylvania

Dreyer’s out of Oakland, California

Wells Enterprises, Inc. out of LeMars, Iowa, which is Blue Bunny Ice cream

Wells Enterprises owns the single largest ice cream manufacturing facility globally, which is why it is branded as the “Ice Cream Capital of the World.”

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Blue Bunny Vanilla Bean

Amy - 4

Hannah - 7

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

4th Place: Haagen-Dazs Vanilla

Amy - 5

Hannah - 5

Matt - 6

Nate - 7

3rd Place: Whitey’s Vanilla

Amy - 9

Hannah - 5

Matt - 6

Nate - 6

2nd Place: Edy’s Vanilla

Amy - 7

Hannah - 6

Matt - 7

Nate - 9

1st Place: Breyers Extra Creamy Vanilla

Amy - 10

Hannah - 7

Matt - 6

Nate - 8

There you have it. Breyers Extra Creamy Vanilla receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these ice cream brands? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.rd.com/article/who-invented-ice-cream/

https://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/explore-the-delicious-history-of-ice-cream/

https://www.idfa.org/the-history-of-ice-cream

https://www.soocial.com/ice-cream-consumption-statistics/

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Over the years Oreo has made a point to come out with new flavors of their much desired cookie. While nothing beat the Limited Edition Rocky Road Trip Oreos, they still try hard to come up with new and sometimes unusual flavors.

On today’s mini episode, we are trying out the limited edition Neapolitan Oreo Cookies. I found these at Target so feel free to go grab a package and taste test along with us! And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

Andy, ready for cookies.

Janet, Oreo noob.

Matt, double stuffer.

Amy, strawberry fan.

A History of Oreos

So the first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. Oreos are actually sort of a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. These kosher cookies were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today.

So the original Oreo was introduced in 1912. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that the Double Stuf was introduced. In 1992 the Oreo Minis came to stores. In 2013 minds were blown by the Oreo Mega Stuf. And if Mega Stuf was not enough, the Most Stuf was introduced in 2019 which has 4x the amount of frosting as the original.

The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors, which is why we have the pleasure of trying out these Neapolitan cookies today.

Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the US annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Andy: “The strawberry really overpowers it.” 4/10

Amy: “It has a lot of potential. But it would be better if the frosting was one flavor.” 6/10

Janet: “I really like the waffle biscuit.” 6/10

Matt: “At the end it tastes just like one of those strawberry wafers.” 4/10

TOTAL: 20/40

There you have it. We give the limited edition Neapolitan Oreos the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.oreo.com/

Thank you for joining us on this mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Oreos? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Help us sustain our podcast by donating! We appreciate the support!

Show Notes:

https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/

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Today we continue along our pizza journey. On our last pizza episode we battled Domino’s and Papa John’s, with Domino’s coming out on top. Today we battle Pizza Hut and Little Caesars.

Which menu items will we be trying?

Original/Hand Tossed Pepperoni and Beef Pizza

Breadsticks and Crazy Bread

Garlic Parmesan Bone In Wings

Who is brave enough to battle it out?

Nate, pizza alum.

Randi, a spooky pizza ghost.

Matt, hot and ready.

Amy, did somebody say pizza?!

And of course, thanks to our subscribers who are helping us build this small but excellent podcast! We appreciate the support!

The History of Pizza Hut

The history of Pizza Hut dates back to 1958 when two brothers, Frank and Dan Carney of Wichita Kansas, started a small pizza joint with $600 they borrowed from their mom. They named the restaurant Pizza Hut for one simple reason. Their sign only had room for eight letters. The restaurant, which was located by the Wichita State University’s campus, was pretty much an instant hit. Within a year and a half two more locations would open up. One thing that was key to their success was letting customers sample the pizza, since it was new. As soon as the people would try the pizza, they became instant customers. With the success of these first three locations, franchisees flocked to the brothers, wanting to open their own locations. And the brothers kept the fees low so people could easily start them up and rapidly grow the business. By 1966 there were 145 locations.

At this time, the brothers were beginning to worry about growing competition as they looked to keep expanding. They partnered with Richard Burke , an artist and architect, and came up with the red roof design to help set them apart from all the other pizza joints. In 1969, the familiar red roof was adopted for all the Pizza Hut restaurants. By 1971, Pizza Hut was the number one pizza restaurant chain in the world in both sales and number of restaurants. And by 1972 the 1,000th location opened.

Some other notable dates include…

1980: The Pan Pizza was introduced

1984: Book It reading incentive program was launched with 200,000 elementary students enrolled. And who can forget their book it pin and those wonderful personal pan pizza rewards?

1986: Pizza Hut celebrated the opening of its 5,000th restaurant, located in Dallas, Texas.

1988: Hand-Tossed Traditional Pizza is introduced throughout all Pizza Hut restaurants.

1989: First Lady Barbara Bush throws a pizza party for 200 Washington D.C. children during a “Reading is Fundamental” reception, ordering all the pizza from the Hut.

1994: Pizza Hut becomes the first national chain to offer pizza delivery ordering on the internet.

1995: Pizza Hut launches Original Stuffed Crust, which immediately set company sales records.

2016: Pizza Hut sets a world record by making a pizza delivery to Mt. Kilimanjaro to celebrate opening in its 100th country.

Today Pizza Hut has over 18,000 locations worldwide.

The History of Little Caesars

The story of Little Caesars doesn’t begin with pizza. It begins with true love. Mike Ilitch and Marian Bayoff were set up for a blind date by Mike’s father in 1954. Within a matter of months, the couple was married. Not having much money in the first few years, the couple decided to take a chance on opening their very own pizza restaurant in 1959. Using their entire life savings, the first Little Caesars Pizza Treat opened in Garden City, Michigan. Along with pizza, they sold other items such as fish, chicken, and shrimp. And it didn’t take long for the business to take off. In 1962 the first franchise opened in Warren, Michigan and in 1967 they opened their first location in Detroit. The 50th location opened in 1969 along with the opening of their first Canadian location.

One of the things that helped the company in the beginning is their commitment to fresh ingredients and low prices. And to make sure that happened consistently, the Ilitches purchased a mushroom farm in 1971. This would lead to the expansion of the company and Little Caesars Mushroom Farms, Inc., a full-service distribution company known today as Blue Line Foodservice Distribution.

It should also be noted that Little Caesars has never done delivery, and never will. They knew they could have the advantage of a different market by not trying to compete with what every other pizza place does. Additionally, since the locations can tend to be in economically disadvantaged areas, that would mean lower tips for the drivers, which means raising delivery fees, and they would have priced themselves out of being super affordable. So it was a better strategy to set up shop in high traffic areas, making it simple for people to pop in and get a HOT-N-READY pizza.

One thing that has been pretty consistent throughout the timeline was the Little Caesars man. He was the icon from the beginning. But he wouldn’t utter his famous catch phrase until 1979, when Little Caesars launched a new offer for two pizzas for the price of one, officially coining the famous Pizza! Pizza! phrase, which is a registered trademark.

Some other notable dates and accomplishments include…

1988: The company introduced the square deep dish pizza, called Pan! Pan! (also a registered trademark) This was also the year they started national television advertising.

1991: Little Caesars received its first President’s Volunteer Action Award from President George H.W. Bush. They received this due to their mobile Love Kitchen that was launched in 1985. They dispatch their kitchens to areas across the country to feed people in need, such as disaster areas.

1997: Shakerboards were introduced to advertise the HOT-N-READY promotion (also a registered trademark)

Another great thing Little Caesars does is invest back into their city, Detroit. The Ilitch family has invested $926 million into projects like the Little Caesars Arena and the buildings in a 50 block radius of the stadium, which is home to the Red Wings and the Pistons. The state-of-the-art stadium quickly earned the nickname Pizzarena.

Today there are approximately 4,181 Little Caesars locations in the United States. They have locations in all 50 states and 18 international markets.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Pizza Hut Breadsticks vs. Little Caesar’s Crazy Bread

Pizza Hut Breadsticks. Remember when these used to be amazing? They would be nice and fresh, warm, lots of parmesan sprinkled on top. Warm sauce. Now Pizza Hut can’t even be bothered to cut them into sticks. It’s just one big piece of bread. Oof.

Nate: “It just tastes like I am eating pizza crust.”

Amy: “It’s not bad. It’s not great either.”

Randi: “I’m not going to finish this.”

Matt: “Why don’t they cut them!? I ordered bread sticks, not bread brick.”

Little Caesars Crazy Bread. What a surprise. A good surprise. An order more Crazy Bread for the group kind of surprise. Warm and garlicy. And despite the sauce being cold, they actually give you a ton of sauce. Way to go, Little Caesars!

Nate: “It is light and airy. I enjoyed this quite a bit.”

Amy: “I like the chewiness of the Crazy Bread.”

Randi: “I’m going back for more.”

Matt: “This is an easy decision. Little Caesars.”

WINNER: Little Caesar’s Crazy Bread.

Pizza vs. Pizza (Beef and Pepperoni)

Pizza Hut: Everyone knows what Pizza Hut is like. And they pretty much hit their pizza mark on this beef and pepperoni pizza. It is cooked all the way through. The crust has air pockets, and they didn’t overly pile on the toppings. All-in-all, Pizza Hut made a good middle-of-the-road pizza.

Nate: “Pizza Hut’s had the most rounded flavor.”

Amy: “The crust sealed the deal for me.”

Randi: “I didn’t get a lot of flavor out of the Pizza Hut pizza.”

Matt: “The pepperoni is just okay.”

Little Caesars. How can something as simple as pizza go so wrong? Little Caesars, what happened? When we order a pizza, we expect it to be cooked all the way through. We expect the toppings to be on all the pizza, not just the very center. We don’t want 6 inches of crust. This was not good.

Nate: “This is a monstrosity. Where is their quality control?!”

Amy: “The cheese is way too thick on this.”

Randi: “It’s not even cooked all the way through.”

Matt: “This is hot mess, not hot and ready.”

WINNER: Pizza Hut

Wings vs. Wings (Garlic Parm)

Pizza Hut. I remember when Pizza Hut used to have Mild or Hot wings. Those were the days. And those were damn good wings. I would order those with the breadsticks and skip the pizza. Today, not so much. While these wings aren’t horrible, they aren’t great either.

Nate: “My wing is pretty bland.”

Amy: “I miss when Pizza Hut had good wings.”

Randi: “The chicken is kinda slimy.”

Matt: “One side is completely sauced, the other is naked.”

Little Caesars. Now, everyone will be surprised if Little Caesars has the best wings out of all the pizza places we have battled so far. And it looks like that shocking discovery is coming true. Again, not great. But the best of the evils.

Nate: “I’d rather have bone out than bone in.”

Amy: “It is coming down to the texture, and Little Caesars has a more appealing texture.”

Randi: “There is more flavor with the Little Caesars.”

Matt: “It has more dimension to the flavor.”

WINNER: Little Caesars

There you have it. After trying 3 different menu items from Pizza Hut and Little Caesars, we give Little Caesars the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a location near you.

https://littlecaesars.com/en-us/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these menu items? Which one was your favorite? Which restaurant is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

If you were entertained today, consider donating to our podcast! Keep these episodes coming with your own treasure. We would really appreciate the support!

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes

https://pizzahalloffame.com/pizza-hut/

https://www.wichita.edu/museums/pizzahutmuseum/history.php

https://blog.pizzahut.com/our-story/

https://littlecaesars.com/en-us/our-history/

https://www.mashed.com/94230/untold-truth-little-caesars/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Did you know that Mountain Dew was first advertised as a drink for backwoods hillbillies who don’t wear shoes and sit around drinking whiskey all day? And it kept that image for many years? Well, kick off your shoes, slap on yer overalls. Today we are trying out a bunch of flavors of Mtn Dew! YEEHAW!

Which Mtn Dew flavors are we trying today?

Original Mtn Dew

Flamin’ Hot

Baja Mango Gem

Overdrive

Baja Gold

Who is on this hillbilly quest?

Hannah, her teeth are actively falling out.

Nate, wants to see a giant woman.

Matt, over surged.

Amy, heeeeey Lonnie!

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Mtn Dew

The Mountain Dew story starts in the 1930s with Brothers Barney and Ally (Olly) Hartman. These Georgia boys had their own Orange Crush bottling plant that failed in 1932, making them decide to uproot their lives to Knoxville, Tennessee, where they would run a bottling plant for beer and Pepsi Cola. At the time, the brothers were looking for a lemon-lime soda that they could use as a mix in with their whisky. Not finding anything, they decided to make one themselves. The concoction they mixed up was the world’s first Mountain Dew. They jokingly called it Mountain Dew, a nickname for moonshine, and printed up labels with a hillbilly on the front. And at first, they only bottled the drink for their own consumption, not going public with the drink until 1946.

When the boys did go public with the soda, it was not a hit. They even branded their soda as an Appalachian thirst quencher, gave it slogans like “ya-hooo!” and “it’ll tickle your innards.” They sold the drink in green bottles, anything that would help grab the public’s attention. Nothing seemed to really work.

In 1958, the Tri-City Beverage Company bought the soda. They liked the hillbilly-theming and thought they could run with it. Bill Bridgeforth took over the business and concocted a lemonade soda called Tri-City Lemonade. Combining the lemonade and the Mountain Dew brand and theming proved to be the answer to the lackluster sales. The “new” soda was a hit.

After years of success the brand was bought by the Pepsi-Cola Company in 1964.

In 1973 Pepsi ditched the hillbilly theming and changed the logo to appeal to a younger, outdoorsy generation. They also added orange flavoring and changed it to the neon-green coloring we all think about when we hear Mountain Dew.

Fast forward to the 90s. The marketing was stitched to target extreme sports. They also made a major branding change, eliminating all the vowels from Mountain, to become Mtn Dew. And in the 2000s the company started exploring with different flavors of Mtn Dew. In 2004, Mtn Dew and Taco Bell developed Baja Blast, exclusive to Taco Bell. It was a major hit and eventual would be available on store shelves.

Today Mountain Dew has a ton of different flavors

Baja Blast

Baja Mango Gem

Baja Gold

Typhoon

Flamin’ Hot

Spark

Major Melon

Code Red

LiveWire

Voltage

You can even get Mtn Dew alcoholic beverages now, but we will save those for another quest.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Flamin’ Hot

Amy - 2

Hannah - 1

Matt - 2

Nate - 2

4th Place: Baja Gold

Amy - 3

Hannah - 2

Matt - 3

Nate - 1

3rd Place: Overdrive

Amy - 4

Hannah - 6

Matt - 3

Nate - 3

1st/2nd Place (TIE!): Baja Mango Gem

Amy - 3

Hannah - 4

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

1st/2nd Place (TIE!): Original Mtn Dew

Amy - 5

Hannah - 5

Matt - 3

Nate - 4

There you have it. Original Mtn Dew and Baja Mango Gem receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Dorito flavors? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.southernthing.com/mountain-dew-history-2646712730.html

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/history-of-mountain-dew-origin-facts

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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On today’s quest we are trying out different varieties of nuts! Now, we know that when talking about nuts, people can get the giggles. People can take everything you say the wrong way. But I assure you, we kept this as professional as possible. Just to be clear, we are discussing the nuts that grow in nature, that you can buy at the grocery store, and come in varieties such as almond, pecan, and so on. So, get your mind out of the gutter.

Which nuts are we trying today?

Pecan

Almond

Cashew

Peanut

Brazil Nut

Who is on this double entendre quest?

Hannah, here under protest

Nate, likes an ugly nut

Matt, likes his nuts candied

Amy, can smell your nuts from here.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Nuts

Nuts have been around a long time. From prehistoric man to your average joe of today, nuts have been a food source throughout history. Nuts were one of the first convenience foods, meaning they could be carried easily, stored for months at a time, and were rich in fat and protein, making them filling.

There is a lot of history when it comes to nuts. So to shorten this down, I have a little mini history for each nut we are trying today.

Pecans originated in central and eastern North America and the river valleys of Mexico. In fact, pecans are the only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America. The U.S. produces between 80-90% of the world’s pecans, with an annual crop of about 300 million pounds.

Almonds were a dietary staple of the ancient people of the Middle East. The Romans were the first to make candied almonds, which they often gave as wedding presents as a symbol of fertility. During the Middle Ages, they were ground into flour and used for almond milk. And almond oil was used for medicine in European and Middle Eastern cultures. Today the state of California is the biggest producer of almonds, growing approximately 80% of the world’s supply.

The Cashew tree is native to tropical regions of Brazil. The tree produces a long fleshy stalk, called a cashew apple. And at the end of this stalk grows the kidney-shaped cashew nut. The nuts are encased in a double shell that contains the same toxic compound found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. This is why cashews are not sold in their shells. They are typically dry roasted, which rids the nut of toxic oils. But despite the poison, cashews have the highest magnesium content per serving of any tree nut.

Peanuts are native to the Western Hemisphere and originating in South America. They spread throughout the New World as Spanish explorers discovered the versatility of the nut. There were some commercial peanut farms in the U.S. during the 1700s and 1800s, but they were regarded as a poor food due to how labor intensive it was to harvest. After the Civil War, the demand increased rapidly and in the twentieth century, labor-saving equipment saw the rise in demand for the peanut and peanut products.

Brazil Nuts are found throughout the Amazon rain forest. The trees grow in lowland rain forests where flooding isn’t prevalent and can live for 500 years or longer. The Brazil Nut is actually considered a seed since they come in large pods. They are actually related closer to blueberries than walnuts or pecans. Each pod can weigh up to 5 ½ pounds and can drop from the height of an 18 story high-rise building, hurtling towards the ground at 50 mph. Today, nearly half the Brazil Nuts imported to the United States come from Bolivia.

The most consumed nut in the world is the Peanut at 42.6 million metric tons.

The peanut is followed by…

Almonds

Walnuts

Cashews

Pistachio

Hazelnut

Pecan

Macadamia

Brazil Nut

Pine Nut

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Brazil Nut

Amy - 2

Hannah - 1

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

4th Place: Pecans

Amy - 5

Hannah - 2

Matt - 4

Nate - 6

3rd Place: Peanuts

Amy - 6

Hannah - 3

Matt - 6

Nate - 3

1st/2nd Place (Tie!): Almonds

Amy - 4

Hannah - 4

Matt - 7

Nate - 4

1st/2nd (Tie!): Cashews

Amy - 8

Hannah - 1

Matt - 3

Nate - 7

There you have it. Almonds and Cashews receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/history-of-nuts.htm

https://www.caneriverpecan.com/pecan-history#:~:text=Originating%20in%20central%20and%20eastern,course%2C%20for%20their%20great%20taste.

https://www.almonds.com/why-almonds/global-history

https://www.livescience.com/46602-where-do-cashews-come-from.html

https://www.peanutsusa.com/2-about-peanuts/7-peanuts-a-brief-history.html#:~:text=The%20peanut%2C%20while%20grown%20in,Europe%2C%20peanuts%20went%20with%20them.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1030815/tree-nut-global-consumption-by-type/

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After a very delicious and successful Hostess episode back in May, I was very excited to find that a new Hostess item hit the shelves. Smores Cupcakes. Hostess usually hits it out of the park, but when it comes to Smores, it is easily a hit or miss product. Let’s find out if these will be a regular buy.

(And as always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. If you see something new in the stores, let us know too. I don’t always catch them all!)

Who are our Questers today?

Audra, our super special guest

Andy, father of our super special guest

Matt, uncle of our super special guest

Amy, the best aunt in the world (of our super special guest)

A Mini History of Hostess

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. However, this cupcake was not as we know it today. Originally it was just a chocolate cake with a chocolate frosting on top. No swirled frosting, no vanilla cream filling. The cupcake didn’t get its frosting upgrade until 1950.

More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two twinkies for a nickel. Again, this is another Hostess treat that started out quite differently. Sure, they always were the oblong spongy cakes, but they were originally banana flavored. For over a decade Twinkies were filled with banana cream filling. However, they switched to a vanilla center during World War 2, as bananas were rationed during the war.

It wasn’t until after World War 2 that Hostess introduced its next famous treat. The Sno Ball snack cakes found their way to the store shelves in 1947. These snack cakes are chocolate cakes with a vanilla filling, covered in marshmallow and coconut flakes.

In 1967 Ding Dongs and HoHos were introduced.

In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.

The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.

Today, the best selling Hostess snack is the Cupcake, with 600 million consumed annually in America.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Audra: “So good!” 10/10

Amy: “They were just really dry.” 3/10

Andy: “I don’t care for the frosting.” 6/10

Matt: “I would eat them but I wouldn’t buy them.” 5/10

TOTAL: 24/40

There you have it. We give Hostess Smores Cupcakes the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.hostesscakes.com/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried this snack cake? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Wash your hands and get ready for cheesy fingies, because today we have 6 bags of Doritos to quest on. Doritos are an incredibly popular chip in the United States, many people sticking with the classic Nacho Cheese flavor or the Cool Ranch, which tastes nothing like ranch. No matter your preference, you are getting a nice crunchy chip with some intense flavor.

Which Doritos are we trying today?

Nacho Cheese

Cool Ranch

Spicy Sweet Chili

Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch

3D Crunch Chili Cheese Nacho

3D Crunch Spicy Ranch

Who is on this fried tortilla quest?

Hannah, silent but deadly.

Nate, has ranch flavored sweat.

Matt, feeling gluttonous.

Amy, watching out for the gateway cheese.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Doritos

To go back to the beginning of the Doritos saga, you are going to have to travel back to 1955, and to an unlikely location. That location? Disneyland in Anaheim, California. In 1955, Frito-Lay struck a deal with Disney to open a Mexican restaurant in the Frontierland section of the park. This restaurant was known as “Casa de Fritos”.

You see, Doritos actually came as a solution to old tortillas. Instead of throwing out old, stale tortillas, the restaurant would cut them up, add seasoning, and fry them. That way they wouldn’t lose money on inventory, and actually make money on would-be trash. The employees liked the chips so much, they started packaging them as well.

In the early 1960s, Archie West, the vice president of Frito-Lay, visited the restaurant and saw how busy it was. And along with being busy, they were selling huge amounts of the bags of chips. Archie was taken with the chip. He decided that since they were golden in color, to name them for the Spanish word for gold, “oro”. Combined with the “ito” in Frito, and slapping the letter “D” to the beginning, the name Dorito was born. Soon after, mass production of the chip began.

A soft launch happened in the southwest region of the United States and it was so successful that the factory was overwhelmed by the demand. The popularity was unquestioned. Doritos made their national debut in 1966, when Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola merged.

The first flavor that debuted was taco flavored. In 1972, history was made with the release of the Nacho Cheese Doritos, becoming the most popular variety. In 1986, Cool Ranch Doritos were released.

Since the release, there have been over 100 different flavors. Flavors you can get today include…

Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch

3D Crunch Spicy Ranch

3D Crunch Chili Cheese Nacho

Flamin’ Hot Nacho

Flamin’ Hot Limon

Nacho Cheese

Cool Ranch

Spicy Sweet Chili

Dinamita Chile Limon

Spicy Nacho

Flamas

Salsa Verde

White Cheddar

Tapatio

There have also been flavors like

Cheeseburger

Ranch-Dipped Chicken Wings

Mountain Dew

And overseas…

Olive

Yogurt and Mint

Clam Chowder

In 2020 99.67 million Americans consumed Doritos.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch

Amy - 2

Hannah - 1

Matt - 2

Nate - 1

5th Place: 3D Crunch Spicy Ranch

Amy - 4

Hannah - 1

Matt - 3

Nate - 3

4th Place: 3D Crunch Chili Cheese Nacho

Amy - 3

Hannah - 3

Matt - 4

Nate - 2

3rd/2nd Place (TIE!): Spicy Sweet Chili

Amy - 4

Hannah - 4

Matt - 4

Nate - 6

3rd/2nd Place (TIE!): Nacho Cheese

Amy - 6

Hannah - 2

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

1st Place: Cool Ranch

Amy - 6

Hannah - 3

Matt - 5

Nate - 6

There you have it. Cool Ranch Doritos receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Dorito flavors? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.doritos.com/products

https://www.snackhistory.com/doritos/

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/things-didnt-know-doritos/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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If you live in the United States of America, you have more than likely had a Reese’s of some variety. Whether it is the traditional peanut butter cup - a Halloween staple, or maybe you have had one of those cookies that had a miniature cup baked into it. Maybe you stick with the Reese’s Pieces. Almost everyone has a go-to. Well, today we are going to find out which is the best!

Which Reese’s are we trying today?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Reese’s Nutrageous

Reese’s Fast Break

Reese’s Sticks

Reese’s Crispy Crunchy Bar

Reese’s Dark Thins

Who is on this candy bar quest?

Kris, needs to check himself.

Nate, a nutty stick.

Matt, peanut butter boy.

Amy, chocolate snob.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Reese’s

The Hershey Company’s origins trace back to the 1880s, when Milton S. Hershey founded the Lancaster Caramel Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1894 he started a chocolate company that had various confections. In 1900 he sold the Caramel Company so he could focus on milk chocolate bars. He was quickly successful and started a new factory in Derry Township, Pennsylvania that eventually became the world’s largest chocolate-manufacturing plant. Meanwhile, an unincorporated community called Hershey developed around the factory. By 1908 The Hershey Chocolate Company was incorporated and by 1927 became a publicly traded company. The company quickly expanded its line from the original Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar. Kisses were introduced in 1907, Milk Chocolate with Almonds in 1908. Mr. Goodbar and Hershey’s chocolate syrup in 1925. Krackel in 1938. So where did Reese’s land in this timeline?

In the early 1920s, H.B. Reese, an employee of The Hershey Company, started making candy in the basement of his Hershey home. When Reese created Peanut Butter Cups as a part of an assortment of candies in 1928, it quickly became a fan favorite and his bestselling item. He used Hershey chocolate supplied by the Hershey Company and maintained a close relationship with the company. In 1963, the business was sold to The Hershey Company.

After Hershey acquired Reese’s, that’s when you really start to see a more diverse pallet of candy and candy bars.

1969: Kit Kat and Rolo

1977: Twizzlers

1978: Whatchamacallit

1981: Skor

1986: 5th Avenue

1988: Cadbury Creme Egg, Almond Joy, Mounds, York Peppermint Pattie.

1989: Hershey’s Symphony

1996: Payday, Good & Plenty, Zero, Jolly Rancher, Whoppers, Heath, Milk Duds, Zagnut

Today, you can get so many different varieties of Reese’s. There is the Reese’s Big Cup with Potato Chips, Reese’s Crunchy Cookie Big Cup, Reese’s Crunchy Peanut, Reese’s Fast Break, Reese’s Snack Cakes, Reese’s Peanut Butter Bar, and the list goes on.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Reese’s Fast Break

Amy - 3

Kris - 4

Matt - 5

Nate - 3

5th Place: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Amy - 3

Kris - 3

Matt - 6

Nate - 5

4th Place: Reese’s Crispy Crunchy Bar

Amy - 6

Kris - 7

Matt - 7

Nate - 1

2nd/3rd Place (Tie!): Reese’s Sticks

Amy - 4

Kris - 6

Matt - 6

Nate - 8

2nd/3rd Place (Tie!): Reese’s Nutrageous

Amy - 8

Kris - 6

Matt - 7

Nate - 3

1st: Reese’s Dark Thins

Amy - 7

Kris - 8

Matt - 8

Nate - 10

There you have it. Reese’s Dark Thins receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval. For more goodies, check out their website.

https://www.hersheyland.com/reeses

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hershey-Chocolate-Corporation

https://www.hersheyland.com/reeses/about#:~:text=In%20the%20early%201920s%2C%20H.B.,the%20candy%20his%20bestselling%20item.

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Did you know that before they became the snack to tie over your three year old, Goldfish crackers were known for being a soup cracker? The little fish swimming in your bowl of chicken noodle. How cute. Now most people eat them as a quick road trip snack. Nothing wrong with that! Especially when there are so many flavors to choose.

On today’s exclusive mini episode, we are trying out the limited edition Old Bay Goldfish Crackers. I found these at Target so feel free to go grab a bag and taste test along with us! And of course, let us know what you think.

Who are our Questers today?

Cassie, fishies, no!!

Hannah, MSG police.

Matt, adult child.

Amy, back again!

A History of Pepperidge Farm

Pepperidge Farm was started by Margaret Rudkin. The mother of three boys, her youngest suffered from severe allergies and asthma. His condition made him unable to eat most commercially processed foods. After switching his diet to mostly fruits and veggies, she decided to try to bake some all-natural stone ground whole wheat bread with vitamins and nutrients intact. After some trial and error, Margaret’s bread turned out amazing. Her son loved it and it helped his health so much that his doctor started prescribing it to his other patients. Margaret decided to reach out to the local grocer next to see if they would sell her bread. After trying a piece, the grocer bought all the bread on the spot to sell at 25cents a loaf, 15 cents higher than the other breads in the store. That was the start of Pepperidge Farm.

Years later, in 1961, Campbell Soup Company acquired Pepperidge Farm. In 1962, Margaret traveled to Switzerland where she discovered the Goldfish cracker, returning to the United States with the recipe. The first five flavors of Goldfish that were launched were Lightly Salted (Original), Cheese, Barbecue, Pizza, and Smoky. The Cheddar Cheese flavor wasn’t introduced until 1966. Today, the flavors include…

Cheddar

Parmesan

Pizza

Pretzel

Slammin’ Sour Cream and Onion

Burstin’ BBQ

Blasted Nacho

Wild White Cheddar

Xplosive Pizza

Xtra Cheddar

Cookies & Cream

Vanilla Cupcake

Fudge Brownie

S’mores

And finally, Willard, Ohio is the Goldfish capital of the world. The bakery in Willard, a small town of 6,000, can produce more than 50 million Goldfish crackers a day.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Cassie: “I’m really impressed.” 6/10

Amy: “This seasoning does not go well with a food that is so dry.” 5/10

Hannah: “It would go well in a mix with the regular Goldfish.” 5/10

Matt: “Okay at best.” 5/10

TOTAL: 21/40

There you have it. We give the limited edition Old Bay Goldfish the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/product-categories/goldfish-crackers/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried the Old Bay Goldfish yet? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/newsroom/campbell-history/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-snack-that-smiles-back/

https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/our-story/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Today we are getting a little classier than our last exclusive episode. Today we have Culver’s vs. Freddy’s. And I guarantee the custard machine will not be broken.

Which menu items will we be trying?

Culver’s

Culver’s Deluxe

Chicken Tenders

Fries

Onion Rings

Cheese Curds

Chocolate Custard

Freddy’s

Freddy’s Original

Chicken Tenders

Fries

Onion Rings

Cheese Curds

Chocolate Custard

Who are our fearless Questers today?

Nate, a fun house boy.

Kris, carnival quality.

Matt, aka Zagmatt.

Amy, respected in her wrongness.

And our paid subscribers! Thank you for your support. We appreciate you!

The History of Culver’s

As you may have guessed by the many references to the state on their menu… but Culver’s began in Sauk City, Wisconsin. It is a family restaurant through and through, being opened by Craig and Lea Culver and Craig’s parents George and Ruth in 1984. Though Culver’s was not their first go at the restaurant game. George and Ruth owned an A&W drive-in, located in Sauk Prairie, in 1961, and after getting their feet wet, so to speak, sold the A&W and purchased a business called Farm Kitchen Resort located in Baraboo, which they operated for another 6 years. Then, you may think they started Culver’s next. You’d be wrong! They bought back the original A&W, stayed for 6 years, and sold it again. What next? Back to Baraboo to a little supper club called the Ritz. Shortly after… careful now, you are going to get whiplash… it was back to Baraboo and back to that original A&W. But as they say, third time’s the charm. They disenfranchised and that A&W was to become Culver’s Frozen Custard and Butter Burgers.

The first year was a struggle. People did not know what butter burgers were. They didn’t know what custard was. Not to mention that the restaurant was located right across from a Hardee’s, the fastest-growing burger chain at the time. But by 1987, the restaurant caught on and a second restaurant would open in Reedsburg and a third in Wisconsin Dells. In 1990 a Culver’s franchise opened in Baraboo and the business boomed.

And a direct quote from Craig Culver… “Something my dad told me a long time ago: It’s not important how many restaurants we have. What’s important is how many good restaurants we have, and the only way you get good restaurants or good business or good organization, it’s leadership surrounding themselves with people who care.” And that is what they do. The company has purposely taken a slower approach to their expansion. For many years, Craig Culver personally trained all the new franchisees, scouted locations that had at least 10,000 cars to pass by daily, and to this day personally inspects each location. This approach has made the franchise one of the most successful to own. In 2009, the national franchise failure rate was approximately 17 percent across the restaurant board. Culver’s franchise failure rate was only 1.7 percent.

Another thing that keeps them successful? Their delicious menu items, with ingredients sourced locally. The cheese for the curds and burgers comes from La Grander Hillside Dairy in Stanley, Wisconsin. Their root beer? They make it themselves. They always use fresh beef. The dairy for the custard is sourced from over 100 family farms in Wisconsin. They don’t cut corners and it shows.

Today there are 867 locations in 26 states.

The History of Freddy’s

Freddy. The luckiest man in the world. Or so they say. Freddy is just a regular guy. He grew up in Colwich, Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, served in the Pacific Rim during World War II, and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Once returning to Kansas, he started a family, raised 6 kids with his wife Norma Jean, and worked in the hospitality industry for 56 years.

The first Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opened in August of 2002 in Wichita, Kansas. But not by Freddy, It was opened by his two sons, Bill Simon and Randy Simon, along with Scott Redler. Freddy dreamed of opening a burger restaurant that specialized in flat, smashed steak burgers like his parents made during the Great Depression. So the sons, who already had made their careers in hospitality, along with their business partner Scott, decided to open the burger joint their father dreamed of, and to name it after him. The demand for the food was immediate and they moved ahead quickly with franchising the company.

So why the huge demand? Well, with 100% Lean ground beef, and cooked to order, you know what you are getting is fresh. Each burger is seasoned nicely with their very own fry seasoning. And who can forget that heavenly heavenly fry sauce? When it comes down to it, the fry sauce is a mix of ketchup, mayo, pickle juice and Freddy’s special seasoning. But when you dip those ultra thin crunchy fries into the sauce, you are in fry heaven. The sauce is so popular, it is even sold in grocery stores now.

What else made it so popular? The atmosphere and aesthetic of the restaurants. The stores are filled with black-and-white photos of Freddy’s youth and his service during the war. It brings a sort of nostalgia and even gratefulness for the man’s service when you dine in.

Freddy passed away in 2020 at the age of 95, but not without seeing the success of the business, his sons, and living a fulfilling life.

Today there are 448 locations in 38 States.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Fries vs Fries

Culver’s Fries: Crinkle cut fries. Some people love them. Some people hate them. But when they are cooked well, they can be quite tasty no matter who you are. And that is what Culver’s did. They took a thicker fry, cooked it to perfection, put the right amount of salt on that fry, and served it up.

Nate: “It’s a fun house fry for a fun house boy.”

Amy: “The crunchiness of the outside is great.”

Kris: “I don’t like a crinkle cut, but this was better than Freddy’s”

Matt: “Culver’s. Culver's had the better execution today.”

Freddy’s Fries: Culver’s fries and Freddy’s fries cannot be further from each other on the fry scale. Shoe string fries, you either love them or hate them. What Freddy’s does well is the seasoning and fry sauce. But that is not always going to save a product with such a short shelf life.

Nate: “I want them crispier if they are thin.”

Amy: “These are not on today.”

Kris: “The seasoning is great.”

Matt: “When they are crispy, they are good.”

WINNER: Culver’s

Onion Ring vs. Onion Ring

Culver’s Onion Ring: Onion rings are almost always delicious. And you really cannot go wrong with a nice crunchy onion ring. But these are close calls. Will Culver’s crunchy ring stand up to the thicker cut Freddy’s?

Nate: “I really liked these.”

Amy: “I enjoy the crunch.”

Kris: “It was too fluff for me.”

Matt: “These were both very close to call.”

Freddy’s Onion Rings: That is a nice thick cut of onion, don’t you think? Again, these were such a close call. Freddy’s oil and seasoning might give it the slight edge for most of these questers.

Nate: “The thicker slice of the onion did it for me.”

Amy: “It’s a good thick onion.”

Kris: “Whatever you’re doing with these, keep doing it.”

Matt: “Something about the batter was different enough and I liked it.”

WINNER: Freddy’s

Cheese Curd vs. Cheese Curd

Culver’s Cheese Curd: Most people love a good cheese curd. You know, a deep fat fried hunk of cheese. And fresh cheese from Wisconsin… Who wouldn’t love that? AMY. AMY DOES NOT LIKE. But let’s find out what the rest thought.

Nate: “Culver’s was it for me.”

Amy: “I don’t like it but it is the better curd.”

Kris: “These had a really nice chew to them.”

Matt: “Culver’s but I am not sure this was a fair fight.”

Freddy’s Cheese Curd: Culver’s seems to be more known for the cheese curd than Freddy’s. Can they stand up to the stiff competition?

Nate: “I agree with everyone else.”

Amy: “It’s like biting into a rubber bouncy ball.”

Kris: “It was like chewing through leather.”

Matt: “I wasn’t getting melty cheese.”

WINNER: Culver’s

Chicken Fingers

Culver’s Chicken Tenders: It is hard to go wrong with a chicken finger. Sure, it can be mostly breading and little chicken. It can be seasoned poorly. It can be a dried out door stop. But Culver’s was none of these things.

Nate: “That’s a thick cut of chicken.”

Amy: “Culver’s shined with the chicken.”

Kris: “My Culver’s chicken was a little thin.”

Matt: “Culver’s has a great product.”

Freddy’s Chicken Tenders: Again, you cannot go wrong with a chicken finger when prepared right and Freddy’s stepped up to the plate in a big way with their product.

Nate: “I really like the extra flavor on it that the seasoning brings.”

Amy: “The batter does not let the chicken shine.”

Kris: “The juiciness and the seasoning.”

Matt: “Where Freddy’s has the edge is the seasoning.”

WINNER: Freddy’s

Burger vs. Burger

Culver’s Burger: Culver’s is supposed to be known for their butter burgers. A nice yummy grilled burger, with a toasted bun, lettuce, pickle, mayo, onion. Sounds pretty delicious. Let’s find out if it lived up to the hype.

Nate: “Culver’s was better.”

Amy: “Everything on here compliments each other.”

Kris: “I like having a lot of veggies on my burger.”

Matt: “You can taste each individual component.”

Freddy’s Burger: Freddy’s had some stiff competition here on the burger front. Known for smashing their burgers and having crispy edges, it sounded like it would be a home run. But it lacked veggies and overdid it with the seasoning.

Nate: “It’s a fine burger if I am drunk and desperate.”

Amy: “The meat is overly seasoned.”

Kris: “It’s like they only care about smashing the burger.”

Matt: “Everything tastes like the seasoning.”

WINNER: Culver’s

Custard vs. Custard

Culver’s Custard: Culver’s chocolate custard. Just the idea of custard makes most people happy. Rich and creamy. But can Culver’s edge out over Freddy’s?

Nate: “It is nice and creamy.”

Amy: “I’ve only had the vanilla before. This is good though.”

Kris: “It is very malt like.”

Matt: “It’s good, just not as good as Freddy’s.”

Freddy’s Custard: Freddy’s may have missed the mark on the burger, but they hit a home run on the custard. So smooth and velvety. Rich and creamy. A deep chocolate flavor. I will take seconds, please.

Nate: “It was amazing custard.”

Amy: “So smooth and chocolatey.”

Kris: “It’s very good.”

Matt: “It’s rich.”

WINNER: Freddy’s

Oh no! A tie! 3 vs. 3. We can’t let that stand! Since Culver’s got a few more votes, we are giving them the win!

There you have it. After trying all of these burgers and fries, we give Culver’s the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a location near you.

https://www.culvers.com/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these menu items? Which one is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.culvers.com/

https://www.mashed.com/121017/untold-truth-culvers/

https://www.wpr.org/whats-scoop-origin-culvers-franchise

https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/Culver's-USA/

https://www.mashed.com/228247/the-untold-truth-of-freddys-frozen-custard-steakburgers/

https://www.kansas.com/entertainment/restaurants/dining-with-denise-neil/article246724031.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2018/01/11/how-freddys-grew-fast-from-3-to-nearly-300-locations-through-a-customer-service-focus/?sh=4df55274756d

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Maybe you like them crunchy. Sweet. Tart. Juicy. Maybe you like them in a pie. In a cobbler. In a crisp. Maybe a cookie. Maybe you prefer yours sauced. Or jammed. Jelly anyone? No matter how you like your apple, there are thousands of varieties to please just about anybody.

Which apple varieties are we trying today?

Granny Smith

Envy

Red Delicious

Fuji

Pink Lady

Honey Crisp

Cosmic Crisp

Gala

Who is on this fresh and juicy quest?

Kris, likes the struggle.

Nate, breathing heavy.

Matt, what have you done with his wife?!

Amy, keeping the doctor away.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Apples

The origins of the apple. Where to start? Some of you may say, that’s easy! The Old Testament’s Book of Genesis. Adam. Eve. The Snake and the apple. Well, actually, the forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil mentions an unspecified fruit.

The apple may have gotten this bad rap from the Latin language. Malus means both “apple” and “evil”, which is why it may have become the forbidden fruit to some Christians.

Apples are part of the same Rose family as pears, plums, peaches, cherries, strawberries, and raspberries. They originated from the mountains of Kazakhstan, where the modern domesticated apple still grows. In fact, the capital of Kazakhstan, Alma Ata, means “full of apples.” The fruit in Kazakhstan was discovered about 750,000 years ago as sour crab apples growing wild in the forest. 8,000 years ago Neolithic farmers in Asia cultivated wild apples. In the 1500s, Spaniards brought apples to Mexico and South America. And they made their way to North America in the 1600s.

Apples are a fascinating fruit. They are known for their extreme heterozygosity, meaning that through evolution, we can enjoy thousands of diverse varieties of this fruit. And that is because they cannot pollinate themselves, so there is little reason to expect a generation of apples to be the same as their parent generation and so on. And they can be grown in many many environments. In fact, the popular Red Delicious apple emerged by chance right here in Iowa. It was discovered by the Stark Nursery Company in 1870 and has been enjoyed ever since. The Golden Delicious came about 20 years later in West Virginia. In fact, there are some 20,000 distinct named apple varieties, unlike the two varieties of the banana, and just the one kiwi.

One of the things that makes the fruit so appealing is the versatility of it. Not only are they high in vitamins and antioxidants, you can plant them in almost any soil. You can store apples year round. You can cook them, dry them, ferment them, turn them into jams, jellies, and sauces. You can make pies, cakes, and cookies with them. You can eat them hot, you can eat them cold. And you can pick them right off the tree and crunch right into them.

The most popular apple varieties in the United States are…

Gala

Red Delicious

Granny Smith

Fuji

Honeycrisp

The largest state growers in the United States are…

Washington

New York

Michigan

Pennsylvania

California

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

8th Place: Honey Crisp

Amy - 1

Kris - 3

Matt - 5

Nate - 3

7th/6th/5th Place (Three Way Tie!): Envy

Amy - 3

Kris - 4

Matt - 6

Nate - 6

7th/6th/5th Place (Three Way Tie!): Red Delicious

Amy - 3

Kris - 6

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

7th/6th/5th Place (Three Way Tie!): Fuji

Amy - 4

Kris - 6

Matt - 5

Nate - 4

4th Place: Pink Lady

Amy - 9

Kris - 7

Matt - 4

Nate - 8

3rd Place: Cosmic Crisp

Amy - 6

Kris - 9

Matt - 7

Nate - 7

1st/2nd Place (Tie!): Granny Smith

Amy - 8

Kris - 8

Matt - 6

Nate - 10

1st/2nd Place (Tie!): Gala

Amy - 7

Kris - 9

Matt - 6

Nate - 10

There you have it. Granny Smith and Gala receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these apples? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/history-of-apples

https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/horne-creek-farm/southern-heritage-apple-orchard/apple-history/origins-apples#:~:text=Apples%20are%20not%20native%20to,Etruscans%2C%20and%20Romans%20cultivated%20apples.

https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-mysterious-origin-of-the-sweet-apple

https://money.com/red-delicious-was-just-dethroned-as-americas-favorite-apple-heres-the-new-favorite/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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We are at it again with the ol’ PopTarts. At this point, some may think, why mess with classic flavors? Strawberry, Cherry, Cinnamon Brown Sugar. Did they already hit the peak of PopTart nirvana? Well, an exclusive flavor is on the shelves, and it is Peach Cobbler. Let’s see if it can play with the big boys.

(And as always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. If you see something new in the stores, let us know too. I don’t always catch them all!)

Who are our Questers today?

Kris, a trooper.

Nate, closed off.

Matt, a man with low expectations.

Amy, here we go again.

A Mini History Pop Tarts

In 1963 Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, called Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kellogg’s swooped in, stealing the market with a new product called Fruit Scones. The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. (Any guesses on the flavors?) Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

Today, around 2 billion Pop Tarts are sold each year in the United States. The best selling Pop Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’mores.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Nate: “Welp… that’s a bummer.” 2/10

Amy: “I prefer the Eggo ones, and I didn’t like those.” 2/10

Kris: “I don’t even think peach fans would like this.” 3/10

Matt: “It’s not terrible, but it’s not good.” 3/10

TOTAL: 10/40

There you have it. We do NOT give Peach Cobbler Pop Tarts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.poptarts.com/en_US/products/new/pop-tarts-regular-eggo-flavor.html

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these Pop Tarts? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520

https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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From the sound of the glass clinking, to the popping of the bottle top, to the nice fizz as you pour, to the refreshing first sip. You cannot go wrong with an ice cold bottle of soda. Or can you? Today we go very, very, very, very wrong. Today we are trying novelty sodas.

Which novelty sodas are we trying today?

Black Olive Soda

Mustard Soda

Grass Soda

Canadian Maple Syrup Soda

Chocolate Labrador Soda

Coffee Soda

Who is on this regretful quest?

Hannah, calibrated low

Matt, a weird kid

Nate, needs water

Amy, very, very scared.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Bottled Soda

This is a repeated history! So if you have listened or read any of our other soda episodes, either freshen up your knowledge by reading again, or scroll onto the results!

On May 8th, 1886, pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton was visiting a pharmacy in Atlanta to promote his French Wine of Coca. This medicinal wonder was said to cure virtually every problem you might have. Do you have a headache? Try some French Wine of Coca. Diarrhea? French Wine of Coca. Delusions of grandeur? French Wine of Coca.

Why was this the cure-all? Well because of the cocaine. Actually, it was a mix of Bordeaux red wine, caffeine, and coca leaf extract. This patented medicine was sold at $1.00 a bottle. But since it was a medicine and more of a niche market, he decided to try to sell it as a soda. So he took his medicine, which was kind of bitter tasting, and masked it with sugar. And to make it marketable to children and adults, he removed the alcohol. But not the cocaine, since after all, it was legal.

So, Pemberton’s accountant, Frank Robinson, came up with the name Coca Kola. Coca for the coca leaf, and Kola is for the caffeine, which came from Kola nuts. He also came up with the logo, the Coca Cola script. In the first year, it only sold $50 worth of stock. And Dr. Pemberton actually died before the beverage took off. Asa Candler is the one who took the soft drink and made it nationally successful. He acquired the company in 1891. Candler’s goal was to get the Coca Cola name out there and put it on everything. In 1902 he spent over $100,000 in advertising. Think of all the novelty things you can purchase with coca cola on it. Posters? Sure. Towels? Sure, Wallets, lunch boxes, pins, buttons, salt and pepper shakers. Farmers were even paid to have the logo painted on the side of their barns.

The drink started off being sold in pharmacies at the soda fountain. And usually at a soda fountain, there could be over 100 different syrup options to choose from. So since nobody really knew what coke was, Candler started a sampling campaign where he would contact the pharmacies to find out who their 50 top soda fountain customers were, and he would send them free drink coupons. And it paid off. What was making $50.00 a year in 1886 was now making over 11,000 times that by the turn of the century. By the end of the 1890s, they were selling a quarter of a million gallons of syrup a year.

But in 1903, the New York Times wrote an article that linked cocaine to crime. The FDA came along and said to remove the cocaine. So the company found a way to keep the coca leaf but with the active cocaine removed.

In 1899, two lawyers, Joseph Whitehead, and Benjamin Thomas got the exclusive rights from Asa Candler to Bottle coca cola. Candler had no interest in doing himself, because bottling was back alley and un sanitary since the bottles could not be sanitized. So he sold the rights for $1.00. The lawyers made a national network of coca cola bottlers. The first bottles were sealed with a stopper and wire. Which was just not a sanitary and safe way to keep the beverage.

Shortly after the operation began, the invention of the bottle cap happened, which could be properly sealed and sanitized. With that, bottlers across the country became millionaires. By 1910, bottling plants popped up across the country.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Mustard Soda

Amy: 1

Hannah: 1

Matt: 2

Nate: 1

5th Place: Black Olive Soda

Amy: 2

Hannah: 2

Matt: 4

Nate: 1

4th Place: Coffee Soda

Amy: 2

Hannah: 3

Matt: 5

Nate: 3

3rd Place: Chocolate Labrador Soda

Amy: 3

Hannah: 3

Matt: 4

Nate: 4

2nd Place: Grass Soda

Amy: 4

Hannah: 4

Matt: 3

Nate: 5

1st Place: Canadian Maple Syrup Soda

Amy: 3

Hannah: 4

Matt: 5

Nate: 5

There you have it. Canadian Maple Syrup Soda receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval (sort of…).

If you want to try this soda, or other weird s**t, here is a store you can do so.

https://redstonefoods.com/categories/beverages

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these sodas? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-sodas-america-1628796

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Until recently, I did not know how many different variations of cornbread there actually are. Growing up I only ever had the dusty brick of cornbread served up to us for school lunches. A flavorless, unappetizing yellow slab that convinced me that cornbread was something to be avoided at all cost. Fast forward to adulthood and I discovered that cornbread could actually be delicious! Well today we are trying Famous Dave’s Jalapeno Cornbread. Will it be good? Only we can be the judge of that. (And you too! Just run out to the store right now, pick up a box of the cornbread mix, some eggs, and oil. Head back home. Preheat your oven, mix up the batter, pour it into a pan, slam it in the oven, and then join us once it is baked. It is that easy!)

(And as always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. If you see something new in the stores, let us know too. I don’t always catch them all!)

Who are our Questers today?

Hannah, sweet and spicy.

Cassie, a sneaky cupcake.

Matt, indeed not vegan.

Amy, a little tipsy.

A Mini History of Famous Dave’s

Famous Dave’s opened in 1994, in Hayward, Wisconsin. Known as Famous Dave’s BBQ Shack, Dave Anderson knew he had something good. He had spent more than 20 years trying BBQ from all across the United States, studying what made each place special. With that information, he perfected his BBQ skills and opened his own restaurant. The restaurant was quickly successful and in 1995 a second location opened in Minneapolis. With all the success, an executive team was formed and plans to go national were put in place. The company announced that they would open 10 locations in 1997 and 24 in 1998, making them the first national chain of barbeque restaurants. In May of 1999, the 24th location opened.

Famous Dave Anderson has won some of the most coveted BBQ awards in the nation. In fact, Dave has earned over 700 awards and has become an authority in the BBQ world. Today there are 180 locations in 33 states, and four international locations, Winnipeg, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Cassie: “It has a good crumb.” 6/10

Amy: “This doesn’t sit well with me.” 4/10

Hannah: “It doesn’t come together as one flavor.” 6/10

Matt: “This is a slow burn.” 5/10

TOTAL: 21/40

There you have it. We give Famous Dave’s Jalapeno Cornbread the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://famousbbq.com/product/jalepeno-corn-bread-mix/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried this cornbread? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.mashed.com/709216/the-untold-truth-of-famous-daves/

https://www.zippia.com/famous-dave-s-of-america-careers-4208/history/

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/famous-dave-s-of-america-inc-history/

https://www.famousdaves.com/LandingPage/AboutUs

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NOTICE In this episode we consume alcoholic beverages. While we encourage our listeners to try along with us, we do not condone underage drinking. Do not consume alcohol if you are under the age of 21.

We are at it again! Do you hear the glasses clanking and the words starting to slur? Well that is because our cheeks are rosy, our spirits are soaring, and our bellies are full of delicious, delicious mead. And it is especially delicious because it has come from Four Fires Meadery in Maumee, Ohio.

If you haven’t, listen to our other mead episode here. We tried six meads from various locations, including Four Fires.

Which Four Fires Meads are we trying today?

Watermelon Dichro

My Morning Latte, Mint Mocha

Primrose

Nutty Bluefessor

Macadamia Nut Dichro

Black Currant Dichro

Gin and Jammies

Who is on this tasty tasty quest?

Hannah, Is people.

Cassie, the honorary Ohioan Iowan.

Matt, man of green gables.

Amy, wants to break her own rules.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Mead (again!)

Mead is considered the world’s oldest alcoholic drink. And what does it consist of? Simply fermented honey and water. Chinese pottery vessels dating from 7000 B.C.E suggests evidence of mead fermentation that predates wine and beer. Ancient Greeks referred to it as nectar of the gods. It was believed to be sent from the heavens as dew and collected by bees. There are European cultures that considered bees to be the gods’ messengers, and mead was therefore associated with immorality and magical powers.

Celtic mythology tells of a river of mead running through paradise, and Anglo-Saxon cultures believed mead to be the bestower of immorality, poetry, and knowledge.

In the ancient times, mead was presumably made by diluting honey with water in clay or wooden vessels, then leaving airborne yeasts and yeast found naturally in the honey to do the rest. Today commercial mead is produced using a mix of honey, fresh yeast, lemons, and water. After fermenting it needs to be kept at least a year before drinking, but at around 16% it will keep indefinitely.

Mead can be produced in a variety of sweetness and it can be still or sparkling.

A mead’s flavor varies greatly depending on the honey type. Traditional mead often uses a mild honey such as orange blossom, clover, or acacia. But wildflower, blackberry and buckwheat honeys produce great results with sturdier spiced meads.

Mead is the fastest growing segment of the American alcohol beverage industry.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

7th Place: Primrose

Amy - 1

Cassie - 5

Hannah - 7

Matt - 5

6th Place: Macadamia Nut Dichro

Amy - 3

Cassie - 6

Hannah - 7

Matt - 4

5th Place: My Morning Latte, Mint and Mocha

Amy - 1

Cassie - 9

Hannah - 8

Matt - 6

4th Place: Gin and Jammies

Amy - 5

Cassie - 7

Hannah - 8

Matt - 7

3rd Place: Watermelon Dichro

Amy - 8

Cassie - 10

Hannah - 7

Matt - 8

2nd Place: Black Currant Dichro

Amy - 6

Cassie - 10

Hannah - 10

Matt - 8

1st Place: Nutty Bluefessor

Amy - 9

Cassie - 9

Hannah - 10

Matt - 9

There you have it. Four Fires Nutty Bluefessor receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to discover all of their delicious meads.

https://www.4fmeadery.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you been to Four Fires? What did you think? We would love to hear your ratings as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. Additionally, on Tuesdays, paid subscribers get access to mini episodes where we try out new or limited time foods you can find at the grocery store or gas station. We try them so you don’t have to spend your money on something that might be garbage. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/homeandgardens/arid-20377522.html

https://www.liquor.com/articles/10-facts-about-mead/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Have you ever had a Cinnabon cinnamon roll? I have a couple of times. Generally speaking, you just cannot go wrong with a fresh hot cinnamon roll. I mean, even a cold day old cinnamon roll is pretty good. Well how about a tiny, hard cereal snack inspired by cinnamon rolls? Let’s find out in today’s exclusive mini episode!

(And as always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out. If you see something new in the stores, let us know too. I don’t always catch them all!)

Who are our Questers today?

Nate, ready for an adventure!

Kris, is in danger.

Matt, taste buds activated.

Amy, trollin’.

A Mini History Kellogg’s

Kellogg’s has a very odd beginning. Kellogg’s is known for cereal, and that’s exactly where they got their start. Before the industrial revolution, the American breakfast was a hardy meal, complete with eggs, ham, bacon, bread, hash browns…. Foods that would keep a farmer or laborer going throughout the day. But as the work force began to shift, so did the need for large morning meals. Queue Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. In 1976, the Doctor built a world-famous medical spa and resort known as Battle Creek Sanitarium. In this resort, Kellogg’s philosophy was “biologic living.” He focused on regular exercise, massage therapy, and drinking plenty of water. He also made sure the digestive health of his patients were on point, and even endorsed regular enemas to clear things out. Around 1877, he concocted a twice-baked mixture of flour, oats, and cornmeal smashed into small pieces. Over the next several years, the recipe would be experimented with and eventually corn flakes were born.

Today Kellogg’s is one of the largest food companies in North America and rated as one of the most valuable food brands worldwide. In 2021, net sales reached 14.2 billion dollars. Their brands include….

All-Bran

Apple Jacks

Austin (the crackers)

Bear Naked (Granola)

Carr’s

Cheez-It

Club (crackers)

Corn Pops

Cracklin’ Oat

Eggo

Froot Loops

Frosted Mini Wheats

Gardenburger

Grahams

Honey Smacks

Incogmeato

Jumbo Snax

Kashi

Frosted Flakes

Corn Flakes

Raisin Bran

Krave

MorningStar Farms

Nutri-Grain

Pop-Tarts

Pringles

Pure Organic

Rice Krispies

Smart Start

Special K

Zesta

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Nate: “It’s going to be a good road snack for me.” 7/10

Amy: “You can taste the cinnamon and the cream cheese frosting.” 6/10

Kris: “They are very crunchy.” 6/10

Matt: “There is a nice little tingle when it first hits your tongue. Like a cinnamon burn.” 6/10

TOTAL: 25/40

There you have it. We give Cinnabon Bakery Inspired Jumbo Snax the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/products/cereal-snacking-cinnamon.html

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these cinnamon snacks? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.history.com/news/cereal-breakfast-origins-kellogg

https://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/ourfoods.html

https://www.statista.com/topics/1808/kellogg-company/#topicHeader__wrapper

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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There are few things that hit the spot like a nice cold chocolate milk. And there are few beverages that can satisfy a craving or even a need like chocolate milk can. Have a sore throat? Chocolate milk. Did you just have a long run or a long bike ride? Chocolate milk. Need something quick for breakfast? Chocolate milk. The options are endless. So join us on this Quest for the BEST chocolate milk.

Which chocolate milks are we trying today?

Nesquik Whole Chocolate Milk

HyVee Whole Chocolate Milk

Prairie Farms 1% Chocolate Milk

Fairlife 2% Ultra Filtered Chocolate Milk

Anderson Erickson Whole Chocolate Milk

Who is on this chocolatey quest?

Hannah, witness of the chunky chocolate milk catastrophe

Nate, ghostly husband

Matt, lost his damn mind

Amy, more chocolate, less milk

Randi, podcast ghost

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Chocolate Milk

The origins of chocolate milk start with Sir Hans Sloane, an Irish botanist born in 1660. At the age of 27, he became a doctor for the new Duke of Albemarle in Jamaica. During his time as a doctor here, the locals introduced him to a new drink, cocoa and water. Not being a huge fan of the taste, he switched out the water with some milk and sugar, making what he thought was quite a delicious drink. And while he was not the first person to invent chocolate milk (this happened centuries earlier), he was the person who brought it to Europe.

Upon returning to Europe, Sloane sold it for many years as a medicine. Since he was a physician, Sloane was interested in the medicinal properties of cacao. He thought that it had soothing qualities. Early ads suggested chocolate milk for “lightness on the stomach” and “all consumptive cases.”

By the 19th century, it had switched from a medicinal product to a beloved beverage. The Cadbury Brothers sold tins of Sir Hans Sloane’s Milk Chocolate. The one ounce squares were dissolved into a pint of boiling milk, and topped off with sugar.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Nesquik Whole Chocolate Milk

Amy: 2

Hannah: 4

Matt: 5

Nate: 2

4th Place: HyVee Whole Chocolate Milk

Amy: 4

Hannah: 6

Matt: 6

Nate: 4

3rd/2nd Place (Tie): Prairie Farms 1% Chocolate Milk

Amy: 7

Hannah: 5

Matt: 5

Nate: 4

3rd/2nd Place (Tie): Fairlife 2% Ultra Filtered Chocolate Milk

Amy: 3

Hannah: 6

Matt: 5

Nate: 7

1st Place: Anderson Erickson Whole Chocolate Milk

Amy: 8

Hannah: 8

Matt: 7

Nate: 5

There you have it. Anderson Erickson Whole Chocolate Milk receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to try them out for yourself.

https://www.aedairy.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these chocolate milks? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chocolate-milk-was-invented-jamaica-180949734/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Natural%20History,palatable%2C%22%20the%20museum%20says.

https://thedairyalliance.com/blog/when-was-chocolate-milk-invented/

https://blog.thenibble.com/2011/09/27/food-holiday-the-history-of-chocolate-milk-for-national-chocolate-milk-day/

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Goldfish Crackers. Open any cupboard in America and I bet you find them. Scratch that. Open any mini van sliding door and I bet you find them embedded into the carpets, shoved into the cup holders, and seeping from the upholstery. I bet shop vacs across America are filled with the dust of bygone cheddar fish. Seriously. Any takers?

On today’s exclusive mini episode, we are trying out the new Goldfish Mega Bites Cheddar Jalapeno Crackers. If you like jalapeno, maybe this is a great time to run out to the store and snag a bag to try along with is. And then, let us know what you think of our analysis in the comments.

Who are our Questers today?

Nate, doesn’t understand the assignment

Kris, ain’t no cracker.

Matt, poblano lover.

Amy, afraid. Very afraid.

A History of Pepperidge Farm

Pepperidge Farm was started by Margaret Rudkin. The mother of three boys, her youngest suffered from severe allergies and asthma. His condition made him unable to eat most commercially processed foods. After switching his diet to mostly fruits and veggies, she decided to try to bake some all-natural stone ground whole wheat bread with vitamins and nutrients intact. After some trial and error, Margaret’s bread turned out amazing. Her son loved it and it helped his health so much that his doctor started prescribing it to his other patients. Margaret decided to reach out to the local grocer next to see if they would sell her bread. After trying a piece, the grocer bought all the bread on the spot to sell at 25cents a loaf, 15 cents higher than the other breads in the store. That was the start of Pepperidge Farm.

Years later, in 1961, Campbell Soup Company acquired Pepperidge Farm. In 1962, Margaret traveled to Switzerland where she discovered the Goldfish cracker, returning to the United States with the recipe. The first five flavors of Goldfish that were launched were Lightly Salted (Original), Cheese, Barbecue, Pizza, and Smoky. The Cheddar Cheese flavor wasn’t introduced until 1966. Today, the flavors include…

Cheddar

Parmesan

Pizza

Pretzel

Slammin’ Sour Cream and Onion

Burstin’ BBQ

Blasted Nacho

Wild White Cheddar

Xplosive Pizza

Xtra Cheddar

Cookies & Cream

Vanilla Cupcake

Fudge Brownie

S’mores

And finally, Willard, Ohio is the Goldfish capital of the world. The bakery in Willard, a small town of 6,000, can produce more than 50 million Goldfish crackers a day.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Nate: “This would be great in a bar setting.” 6/10

Amy: “It’s missing the flavor of the jalapeno.” 6/10

Kris: “I experienced nothing mega but the heat.” 5/10

Matt: “It’s okay. I don’t know if I’d be buying it.” 5/10

TOTAL: 22/40

There you have it. We give the new Goldfish Mega Bites Cheddar Jalapeno Crackers the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/product-categories/goldfish-crackers/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried the Cheddar Jalapeno Goldfish yet? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/newsroom/campbell-history/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-snack-that-smiles-back/

https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/our-story/

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It doesn’t matter what time of year it is. It doesn’t really matter what time of day it is. Cookies are something I will consume. Chocolate chip. Oatmeal raisin. Peanut butter. Sugar. White chocolate macadamia nut. Lemon. Really, it is hard to go wrong with a well baked cookie. Well today we will be lowering our standards (or will we?!) from home baked to Chips Ahoy!

Which Chips Ahoy! cookies are we trying today?

Original

Chewy

Smores

Brownie

Reeses

Who is on this cookie quest?

Nate, likes his cookies to Crumbl.

Hannah, likes her meat vegetarian.

Amy, maker of Butterfingies.

Matt, cookie taste tester.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Chips Ahoy!

Well it is impossible to know Chips Ahoy! cookies without first getting to know the chocolate chip cookie.

The name that pops up when researching the origins of the chocolate chip cookie…Ruth Graves Wakefield. Ruth was the owner of the Toll House Inn, located in Whitman, Massachusetts. This was a very popular restaurant that served home cooked meals. The most popular dessert served at the Inn was a thin butterscotch nut cookie with ice cream. But Ruth wanted to expand the offering and decided to adjust the recipe by adding chopped bits of a chocolate bar to the cookie dough. She named them Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies. They were incredibly popular. Not only did the United States devour them, but American soldiers serving in the Pacific would receive care packages containing these cookies. They loved them so much that they would write back home asking for more Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies. From there the popularity of the cookie exploded, leading to everyone developing their own version, with the simplified name, the chocolate chip cookie.

So, what would you say to a factory made cookie that tastes as good as homemade?

Gasp! It can’t be done, can it?!

Well in 1963, Nabisco released their version of the chocolate chip cookie, Chips Ahoy! cookie, and advertised it as such. Tastes just as good as homemade cookies. Another tagline introduced back in the 60s? “The 16 chip cookie.” This slogan promised at least 16 chocolate chips in every cookie. They eventually upped their ante to 32 chips, and eventually dropped back down to 24. What a ride! Eventually, they amended the promise to 1,000 chocolate chips per 18 ounce package of cookies.

The origin of the name Chips Ahoy! is debated. Nabisco has only ever said that the name was inspired by the nautical term “ships ahoy.” But an 1859 story in a Charles Dickens’s novel includes the passage, “Chips ahoy! Old boy! We’ve pretty well eat them too, and we’ll drown the crew, and will eat them too!” You also may recognize the name from the Donald Duck short Chips Ahoy.

In 2020 the data was calculated on how many packages of Nabisco Chips Ahoy! Chewy cookies were eaten by the U.S. population in 30 days. A shocking 2.9 million Americans consumed 8 or more packages in a 30 day time period. 3.58 million answered with 4-7 packages. 22.06 million said they ate 1-3 packages and 10.39 million said they ate none at all. And Chips Ahoy! Is only second to Oreo in American cookie sales, averaging over 600 million.

Today, Chips Ahoy! sells the following cookie variations…

Chips Ahoy! Original

Reese’s

Chunky

Chunky White Fudge

Chewy

Candy Blasts

Brownie Filled

Soft Chunky Original

Red Velvet

S’mores

Hershey’s

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Smores

Amy: 3

Hannah: 4

Matt: 5

Nate: 1

4th Place: Original

Amy: 4

Hannah: 4

Matt: 5

Nate: 3

3rd Place: Chewy

Amy: 4

Hannah: 5

Matt: 6

Nate: 5

2nd Place: Brownie

Amy: 5

Hannah: 5

Matt: 5

Nate: 6

1st Place: Reese’s

Amy: 5

Hannah: 6

Matt: 7

Nate: 8

There you have it. Reese’s Chips Ahoy! receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to try them out for yourself.

https://www.snackworks.com/brands/chips-ahoy?Brand=CHIPS%20AHOY!

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these cookies? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.mashed.com/492753/the-murky-origins-of-the-chips-ahoy-name/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/76408/12-facts-about-chips-ahoy-chew

https://www.statista.com/statistics/288680/packages-of-nabisco-chips-ahoy-chewy-cookies-eaten-in-the-us/

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Get the tums ready. Today’s indigestion is brought to you by McDonalds and Burger King.

Which menu items will we be trying?

McDonalds

Big Mac

Hamburger

Chicken Nuggets

French Fries

Burger King

Whopper

Hamburger

Chicken Fries

French Fries

Who are our fearless Questers today?

Nate, down with the clown.

Kris, likes his onion rings weird.

Matt, king of indigestion.

Amy, queen of heart burn

And our paid subscribers! Thank you for your support. We appreciate you!

The History of McDonald’s

When it comes to McDonalds, there are three names you need to know. Maurice McDonald, Richard McDonald, and Ray Kroc. These three men came together to build one of the biggest fast food chains on earth.

But like all restaurants, it started off small. The first McDonald’s restaurant was opened in 1940 by brothers Maurice and Richard McDonald in San Bernardino, California. This restaurant was a drive-in that offered various items. The brothers successfully operated the drive-in for 8 years before revamping the business. This new business model was all about selling huge quantities of food at low prices. To made it happen, the menu stayed slim. Hamburgers, potato chips, drinks, and pie. In the name of speedy service, they also implemented a self service counter instead of having waiters and waitresses, and the burgers were cooked ahead of time and warmed under heat lamps to make sure customers were quickly fed. Because of these efficiencies, the brothers were able to charge customers about half the price of competing restaurants. And it was very successful. They were quickly able to begin a franchise program.

Queue Ray Kroc.

Appliance salesman Ray Kroc was intrigued by the brother’s need for eight malt and shake mixers. In 1954 he visited the restaurant and was intrigued. Realizing what the brothers had, he quickly became a franchise agent for McDonalds, launching McDonald’s Systems Inc in 1955.

He developed standards for how each McDonald’s should be run, from food preparation to cleaning. In 1961 Ray Kroc bought out the brothers and also created Hamburger University. Here franchisees were trained on the proper methods for running a successful restaurant. Hamburger U utilized a research and development laboratory to develop new cooking, freezing, storing, and serving methods.

In 1963, McDonald’s introduced something that would change the brand forever.

Ronald McDonald, made his way on the scene. This Clown was met with criticism however. People were weary of the brand marketing directly to children, with a creepy clown no less. But despite the misgivings, the clown eventually stole the show.

In less than 10 years after Kroc became the sole owner, the number of chain’s topped 1,000, and the company’s stock began trading publicly in 1965.

The growth became so huge that in the 1990s it was said that a new McDonald’s opened somewhere in the world every five hours.

Some other notable dates include…

In 1965 the Filet-O-Fish was added.

In 1968, McDonald’s added the Big Mac.

Quarter Pounders appeared in 1973.

Happy Meals debuted in 1979

Chicken McNuggets made their first appearance in 1983.

In 1975 a McDonald’s in Arizona opened the chain’s first drive-through window.

Today McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 38,000 locations in over 100 countries.

The States with the most McDonald’s are…

California - 1,190

Texas - 1,119

Florida - 853

In the United States, the cities with the most McDonald’s locations are…

Houston, Texas - 129

Chicago, Illinois - 113

Las Vegas Nevada - 73

San Antonio, Texas - 73

Los Angeles, California - 72

Miami, Florida - 66

Dallas, Texas - 64

Orlando, Florida - 54

Phoenix, Arizona - 52

Brooklyn, New York - 50

The History of Burger King

So the first thing I need to say is that this history is not nearly as clean cut as McDonalds. A lot of the stories I found were all over the place, even giving credit to different people as the founders of the restaurant. But I got as close as I could.

Burger King’s roots can be found in Miami, Florida. In 1954 James McLamore and David Edgerton started the business. Within five years they were ready to expand their Florida Burger Kings into a nationwide chain. Their initial concept was simple. Attract baby boom families with reasonably-priced, broiled burgers served quickly. Since this concept was far from new, the two men tried to give their restaurants an edge. They were the first chain to offer dining rooms. And to draw in the crowds, they came up with their famous Whopper, sold at 37 cents a burger.

Burger King expanded rapidly. By 1967 the chain included 274 stores and was worth $18 million, which is what McLamore and Edgerton sold the company for, to Pillsbury.

During their time as owners, McLamore and Edgerton failed to set standards and parameters with their franchisees, leaving a big mess when they sold to Pillsbury. Pillsbury struggled to reel in the franchisees who seemed to go rogue. But to gain control, Pillsbury hired a McDonald’s executive to help them. Donald Smith introduced a more demanding franchise contract, stipulating that franchisees may not own other restaurants and must live within an hour’s drive of their franchise. He also started introducing more menu items, which boosted traffic in restaurants by 15 percent.

By 1980, Smith left the company. And in 1989, Grand Met became the top share holder.

Today Burger King operates more than 19,000 locations in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories.

The states with the most Burger Kings…

Texas - 580

Florida - 570

California - 555

U.S Cities with the most Burger Kings

Houston, Texas - 81

Miami, Florida - 58

Chicago, Illinois - 52

Las Vegas, Nevada - 36

Phoenix, Arizona - 35

Brooklyn, New York - 33

Fort Lauderdale, Florida - 30

Orlando, Florida - 29

San Antonio, Texas - 29

Los Angeles, California - 29

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Fries vs Fries

McDonald’s Fries: Most people really enjoy McDonald’s fries. And when they are cooked correctly, when they are golden brown, when they are fresh and lightly salted, they really are quite delicious. However, this time we got undercooked, cold, floppy ass fries. Inedible really. Disappointing.

Nate: “These just weren’t there.”

Amy: “Undercooked and under salted.”

Kris: “When cooked right, they are great. Not today.”

Matt: “These are really undercooked.”

Burger King Fries: If you like a thicker fry, but not a steak fry, maybe try out Burger King’s. And even though these were cooked all the way through, we did not get the freshest batch of fries. Makes me wonder if any place can do it right?

Nate: “I do like that Burger King has more potato meat.”

Amy: “The seasoning is weird to me.”

Kris: “I enjoyed these even kinda cold.”

Matt: “The clear winner.”

WINNER: Burger King

Chicken McNuggets vs. Chicken Fries

McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets: A classic Happy Meal entree. These crispy nuggs are a staple for many. And even when they are not the freshest, you can guarantee that there will be some delicious BBQ sauce to get your dip on.

Nate: “There is more chicken paste to enjoy.”

Amy: “I have always liked the taste of McDonald’s nuggs.”

Kris: “The light breading is slightly off putting.”

Matt: “The sauce put it over. Execution is important people.”

Burger King Chicken Fries: Queue the childhood memories of Big Kids Club meals and salty chicken fries. These went away for awhile and then came back. Should they have come back? We will let you be the judge of that.

Nate: “They have that Burger King stank.”

Amy: “They don’t look good but they are okay.”

Kris: “The breading flavor was really good.”

Matt: “The sauce is a big deal. They would have won if they included the sauce.”

WINNER: McDonald’s

Signature Sandwiches

McDonald’s Big Mac: Are you really hungry? You want an extra patty, maybe some extra carbs? Well step right up and try a Big Mac. Everyone knows that a Big Mac belongs to McDonald’s. Did they do an okay on this one? Well we are a bit torn.

Nate: “The flavor was chaotic.”

Amy: “The thousand island is doing nothing for me.”

Kris: “It definitely needs the sauce.”

Matt: “It was a rodeo ride I was willing to undergo.”

Burger King Whopper: It’s been years for all of us, but we dove right into this Whopper. Expectations were low. The amount of sauce was high. But I think it managed to step over the bar.

Nate: “This smells like a dirty grill.”

Amy: “You can actually taste the meat.”

Kris: “The Whopper is more like the classic taste of a burger.”

Matt: “I’m not tasting anything in this Whopper.”

WINNER: Burger King

Hamburger vs. Hamburger

McDonald’s hamburger: You have to try the most basic thing on the menu, right? And there really is not a whole lot of ways to mess up a burger. As long as you have meat, bread, and a few condiments, it can’t go too poorly, right?

Nate: “This tastes like ketchup and bread.”

Amy: “I like the flavor of the bread.”

Kris: “I am not a ketchup and onion guy.”

Matt: “It tasted…. McDonald’s.”

Burger King hamburger: Again, you gotta try something that is hard to mess up. Burger King does win points on the sesame seed bun. And it does have that classic BK grill taste. But the consistency between the two burgers hurt them a bit.

Nate: “My god! Mustard and pickles!”

Amy: “They definitely overdid it on the condiments.”

Kris: “Sesame seed buns are really appealing.”

Matt: “Everything about it looked more appetizing and it had way more flavor.”

WINNER: TIE!

There you have it. After trying all of these burgers and fries, we give Burger King the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a kingdom near you.

www.bk.com

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these menu items? Which one is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/McDonalds-USA/

https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/about-us/our-history.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/McDonalds/Expansion-and-products

https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/18/Burger-King-Corporation.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Burger-King-Corporation

https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/Burger%20King-USA/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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On Tuesday we hit the first day of summer. And the temperatures in Iowa are currently in the high 90s. You know what is a great way to beat the heat? Pop open an ice cold bottle of soda. Pick your flavor. Lemon Lime? Grape? Strawberry? Orange? Maybe you just dig a nice cola. Well today we are giving you the scoop on the best bottled soda to quench your summer thirst.

Which bottled sodas are we trying today?

Cheerwine

Ale-8-One

Boylan Shirley Temple

Romano’s Orange Cream Italian Soda

Millstream Brewing Co. Black Cherry Soda

Dublin Texan Grape

Kickapoo Joy Juice

Who is on this carbonation quest?

Kris, your very own cocktail waitress

Matt, smeller of nothing

Nate, the human tramp stamp

Amy, carbonation snob

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Bottled Soda

On May 8th, 1886, pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton was visiting a pharmacy in Atlanta to promote his French Wine of Coca. This medicinal wonder was said to cure virtually every problem you might have. Do you have a headache? Try some French Wine of Coca. Diarrhea? French Wine of Coca. Delusions of grandeur? French Wine of Coca.

Why was this the cure-all? Well because of the cocaine. Actually, it was a mix of Bordeaux red wine, caffeine, and coca leaf extract. This patented medicine was sold at $1.00 a bottle. But since it was a medicine and more of a niche market, he decided to try to sell it as a soda. So he took his medicine, which was kind of bitter tasting, and masked it with sugar. And to make it marketable to children and adults, he removed the alcohol. But not the cocaine, since after all, it was legal.

So, Pemberton’s accountant, Frank Robinson, came up with the name Coca Kola. Coca for the coca leaf, and Kola is for the caffeine, which came from Kola nuts. He also came up with the logo, the Coca Cola script. In the first year, it only sold $50 worth of stock. And Dr. Pemberton actually died before the beverage took off. Asa Candler is the one who took the soft drink and made it nationally successful. He acquired the company in 1891. Candler’s goal was to get the Coca Cola name out there and put it on everything. In 1902 he spent over $100,000 in advertising. Think of all the novelty things you can purchase with coca cola on it. Posters? Sure. Towels? Sure, Wallets, lunch boxes, pins, buttons, salt and pepper shakers. Farmers were even paid to have the logo painted on the side of their barns.

The drink started off being sold in pharmacies at the soda fountain. And usually at a soda fountain, there could be over 100 different syrup options to choose from. So since nobody really knew what coke was, Candler started a sampling campaign where he would contact the pharmacies to find out who their 50 top soda fountain customers were, and he would send them free drink coupons. And it paid off. What was making $50.00 a year in 1886 was now making over 11,000 times that by the turn of the century. By the end of the 1890s, they were selling a quarter of a million gallons of syrup a year.

But in 1903, the New York Times wrote an article that linked cocaine to crime. The FDA came along and said to remove the cocaine. So the company found a way to keep the coca leaf but with the active cocaine removed.

In 1899, two lawyers, Joseph Whitehead, and Benjamin Thomas got the exclusive rights from Asa Candler to Bottle coca cola. Candler had no interest in doing himself, because bottling was back alley and un sanitary since the bottles could not be sanitized. So he sold the rights for $1.00. The lawyers made a national network of coca cola bottlers. The first bottles were sealed with a stopper and wire. Which was just not a sanitary and safe way to keep the beverage.

Shortly after the operation began, the invention of the bottle cap happened, which could be properly sealed and sanitized. With that, bottlers across the country became millionaires. By 1910, bottling plants popped up across the country.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

7th Place: Ale-8-One

Amy: 3

Kris: 2

Matt: 5

Nate: 2

6th Place: Boylan Shirley Temple

Amy: 4

Kris: 3

Matt: 5

Nate: 5

5th/4th Place (Tie!): Millstream Brewing Co. Black Cherry Soda

Amy: 8

Kris: 5

Matt: 7

Nate: 6

5th/4th Place (Tie!): Kickapoo Joy Juice

Amy: 8

Kris: 7

Matt: 6

Nate: 5

3rd Place: Romano’s Orange Cream Italian Soda

Amy: 6

Kris: 7

Matt: 7

Nate: 7

2nd Place: Cheerwine

Amy: 9

Kris: 7

Matt: 7

Nate: 6

1st Place: Dublin Texan Grape

Amy: 7

Kris: 9

Matt: 6

Nate: 8

There you have it. Dublin Texan Grape receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to try them out for yourself.

https://www.dublin1891.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these sodas? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-sodas-america-1628796

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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The sun has come up. The birds are chirping. You are wiping the sleepies out of your eyes. You stretch. You yawn. Your tummy rumbles. Well, you know what that means! Time for a well-balanced, nutritious, and delicious breakfast! Or if you are like most people, you can just grab some Pop-Tarts and be on your way.

Which Pop-Tarts are we trying today?

Frosted Blueberry

Brown Sugar Cinnamon

Frosted Cherry

Confetti Cupcake

Lemon Cream Pie

Red Velvet Cupcake

S’mores

Frosted Strawberry

Who is on this pastry quest?

Hannah, the good guesser

Kris, an equal opportunity destroyer

Matt, knower of all the answers

Amy, the narrator of this story

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Pop-Tarts

In 1963, Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, calling them Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kelloggs came up with a new product called Fruit Scones. The test market was Cleveland Ohio, and the 45,000 cases they made for this test, flew off the shelves.

The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

And a little fun fact: Pop-Tarts actually ended up with the name Pop-Tarts because of the popularity of Andy Warhol and the Pop Art movement in the 60s.

Here are the flavors that are currently being sold.

Peach Cobbler

Tropical Mango

Banana Creme Pie

Red White and Blueberry

Lemon Creme Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Dia de Muertos (which is a chocolatey churro flavor)

Blueberry

Brown Sugar Cinnamon

Cherry

Chocolate Chip

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Chocolate Fudge

Frosted Cinnamon Roll

Cookies and Creme

Hot Fudge Sundae

Raspberry

S’Mores

Strawberry

Strawberry Milkshake

Wild Berry

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel

Froot Loops

Crisp Apple

Salted Caramel Pretzel

Red Velvet Cupcake

Frosted Confetti Cupcake

Mister E Flavor (Website reads: Shhh… It’s a secret! A masked culprit popped into the Pop-Tarts factory and created a mysterious, delicious new flavor. Could be sweet, could be savory… the fun is guessing what the flavor is! Case Solved: The Pop-Tarts Mister E Flavor is Everything Bagel. And from the reviews, it sounds like it tasted like garlic onion.)

The best selling Pop-Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’Mores.

And according to the Chicago Tribune, about 2 billion Pop-Tarts are sold each year in the United States.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

8th Place: Red Velvet Cupcake

Amy: 1

Hannah: 1

Kris: 2

Matt: 3

7th Place: Confetti Cupcake

Amy: 4

Hannah: 2

Kris: 2

Matt: 3

6th Place: S’mores

Amy: 2

Hannah: 5

Kris: 4

Matt: 3

5th Place: Blueberry

Amy: 3

Hannah: 4

Kris: 4

Matt: 4

4th Place: Strawberry

Amy: 5

Hannah: 4

Kris: 4

Matt: 5

3rd Place: Lemon Cream Pie

Amy: 6

Hannah: 5

Kris: 4

Matt: 6

2nd Place: Frosted Cherry

Amy: 7

Hannah: 5

Kris: 6

Matt: 6

1st Place: Brown Sugar Cinnamon

Amy: 8

Hannah: 6

Kris: 6

Matt: 6

There you have it. Brown Sugar Cinnamon receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to try them out for yourself.

https://www.poptarts.com/en_US/home.html

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Pop-Tarts? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520

https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Cheese. The episode I have been dreading since we came up with the concept for Quest for the Best. I know I am among the minority in the United States, but I really do not care for cheese. I am certainly the minority of this episode, surrounded by cheese lovers.

Which cheeses are we trying today?

Provolone

Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar

Swiss

Munster

Gouda

Who is on this cheesy quest?

Janet, it’s her pleasure.

Hannah, cheese guru.

Matt, ignorant in the way of cheese.

Amy, cheese butcher.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Cheese

As early as 8000 BC, the earliest Neolithic farmers living in the fertile crescent began a legacy of cheesemaking. The rise of agriculture led to domesticated sheep and goats, which they obviously used for milking. When this harvested milk was left in warm conditions for several hours, the milk began to sour. Its lactic acids caused proteins to coagulate, binding into soft clumps. When this was discovered, the farmers drained the liquid and would eat the curds. Since the milk was rich with proteins, fats and minerals, it was very beneficial. Additionally, it could be preserved and stockpiled, making it an asset during winters or times of famine.

By the end of the bronze age, cheese was a standard commodity in maritime trade throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Cheese making spread around the globe, giving way to a wide variety of cheeses. When the Western Roman Empire collapsed, Cheese making continued to evolve. In hundreds of Benedictine monasteries scattered across Europe, medieval monks experimented with different types of milk, cheese making practices, and aging processes that led to many of today’s cheeses, such as parmesan, Roquefort, and Munster.

Cheese making remained popular throughout history. Many cheeses we eat today, such as cheddar, swiss, parmesan, and gouda, are relatively new to the cheese story, appearing within the last 500 years. And while cheese making flourished in Europe and the middle east, North and South America were completely void of cheese until it was introduced by European immigrants.

One of the areas of the United States that people associate with cheese, is Wisconsin.

In 1831, Wisconsin’s first farmstead cheese factory was opened. In 1841, Mrs. Ann Pickett established Wisconsin’s first cottage industry cheese factory. The 1850 census records reveal 400,283 pounds of cheese made on Wisconsin farms in 1849. Wisconsin is the #1 cheese producing state, making about 26% of the county’s cheese. These cheesemakers use about 90% of Wisconsin’s milk supply to make more than 2 billion pounds of cheese every year.

As of 2018, the world produces roughly 22 billion kilograms of cheese a year.

In an average day, a dairy cow will eat about 90 pounds of feed, drink a bathtub full of water, and produce 5-6 gallons of milk. It takes about 10 pounds of whole milk to make one pound of cheese.

The average American eats more than 27 pounds of cheese each year, and will consume around a ton of cheese in a lifetime.

The most popular cheese in the country is cheddar, followed by American cheese, mozzarella, swiss, and pepper jack. Ricotta was the least popular. 4-6% of Americans don’t like cheese.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Provolone

Amy: 1

Hannah: 6

Janet: 3

Matt: 3

4th Place: Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar

Amy: 2

Hannah: 7

Janet: 6

Matt: 5

3rd/2nd Place (Tie): Swiss

Amy: 1

Hannah: 6

Janet: 9

Matt: 6

3rd/2nd Place (Tie): Gouda

Amy: 2

Hannah: 7

Janet: 8

Matt: 5

“The gouda was not that exciting.” - Janet

1st Place: Munster

Amy: 3

Hannah: 8

Janet: 7

Matt: 6

There you have it. Munster receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these cheeses? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://nationalhistoriccheesemakingcenter.org/history-of-cheese/

https://ehlenbachscheese.com/cheese-facts.php#:~:text=Wisconsin%20is%20the%20%23%201%20cheese,pounds%20of%20cheese%20every%20year.

https://www.eatthis.com/news-most-popular-cheese-america-cheddar-2021/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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A few years ago, Matt introduced me to good chocolate. Like the expensive stuff. And now I cannot with Hershey’s. I even started using good, expensive dark chocolate in my cookies, and it makes all the difference. At least to me. So today, we are trying out Ghirardelli Chocolate.

Which Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares are we trying today?

Eggnog

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Dark Chocolate 60%

Dark Chocolate Mint

White Chocolate Sugar Cookie

Milk Chocolate Caramel

Who is on this rich, smooth, chocolatey quest?

Grace, lover of mint

Madi, hater of mint

Matt, doesn’t believe in white chocolate

Amy, not a fan of caramel

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Ghirardelli

Domenico Ghirardelli was born in 1817 in Rapallo, Italy to an exotic foods importer and his wife. As a young boy he apprenticed with a local candy maker, where he was introduced to chocolate and the confectionary trade. When he was 20, he moved to Uruguay to continue in the coffee and chocolate business, before moving to Peru to open his own store. However, with the news of the California gold rush, in 1849 at the age of 32, he sailed to America and opened a general store in Stockton, California, offering supplies and confections to miners. He soon opened a second store in 1852, in San Francisco. This eventually became the modern day Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. By 1884, Ghirardelli Chocolate is being shipped throughout the U.S, and to China, Japan, and Mexico. When he died in 1892, Domenico’s sons continued the chocolate traditions and the company continued to grow.

Some other notable dates include:

1999: Ghirardelli launches its filled Squares chocolates.

2003: Ghirardelli introduces Squares stand up bags.

2004: Ghirardelli launches Peppermint bark.

2005: Ghirardelli debuts Dark Squares.

2006: Ghirardelli launches Intense Dark bars.

2007: Ghirardelli introduces the Prestige bar, their first filled-bar line.

2011: Ghirardelli became the No. 2 baking brand in the U.S.

Today, Ghirardelli offers many different flavors, including but not limited to

Caramel

Peppermint Bark

Caramel Trio

Dark Chocolate

Sea Salt Caramel

Milk Chocolate

Mint Dark Chocolate

Intense Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate Raspberry

Dark Chocolate Bourbon

Ghirardelli employs 1011 people and their worldwide revenue is $575,000,000.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Eggnog

Amy: 3

Grace: 1

Madi: 2

Matt: 4

“I wouldn’t say it’s bad… it’s terrible” - Madi

5th Place: Dark Chocolate Mint

Amy: 4

Grace: 1

Madi: 2

Matt: 7

4th Place: Dark Chocolate 60%

Amy: 6

Grace: 5

Madi: 4

Matt: 6

3rd Place: Milk Chocolate Caramel

Amy: 4

Grace: 6

Madi: 6

Matt: 6

“It tastes very funky.” - Grace

2nd Place: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Amy: 6

Grace: 8

Madi: 3

Matt: 7

1st Place: White Chocolate Sugar Cookie

Amy: 6

Grace: 7

Madi: 6

Matt: 7

There you have it. White Chocolate Sugar Cookie receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to try them out for yourself.

https://www.ghirardelli.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these chocolates? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.ghirardelli.com/corporate-info

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/does-chocolate-make-you-happy/

https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/scientists-just-discovered-that-eating-chocolate-has-an-amazing-affect-on-happiness-but-there-is-a-literally-small-catch.html

https://fortune.com/best-workplaces-manufacturing-production/2021/ghirardelli-chocolate-company/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/57507/20-things-you-never-knew-about-chocolate

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Today it begins. Pizza. Definitely in my top 3 of favorite foods. Usually even if it is bad pizza, it is still okay. And that is why we decided to start with some lower tiered options. Papa John’s vs. Domino’s Pizza.

Which menu items will we be trying?

Papa John’s:

Medium Original Crust Pizza with pepperoni, beef, original sauce, cheese

Garlic Knots

6-piece Garlic Parmesan Wings

Domino’s Pizza

Medium Hand Tossed Pizza with pepperoni, beef, robust inspired tomato sauce, cheese

Garlic Bread Twists

6-piece Garlic Parmesan Wings

Who are our fearless Questers today?

Nate, keeper of clean fingies.

Kris, was lost but now is found.

Matt, Doesn’t even know what he knows.

Amy, host and pizza lover.

And our paid subscribers! Thank you for your support. We appreciate you!

The History of Papa John’s

Let’s travel to Jeffersonville, Indiana. We step into a little tavern called Mick’s Lounge. The son of the bar owner decides to follow his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps. So with $1,600 worth of used restaurant equipment, he converts the broom closet into a small pizza kitchen. He made pizza after pizza, selling them for $5.00 a pie. The original goal was to make $50,000 annually. After a year of slinging pizzas out of a broom closet, the young man was able to open a real location right next to the bar. He was quickly successful, doing about $9,000 a week in sales. Who was he? His friends and family call him John Schnatter, but you know him as Papa John.

Within seven years of opening his first location, 100 more franchises opened. By 2021, the pizza chain had approximately 5,650 restaurants worldwide.

Some fun facts about Papa John’s…

Papa John’s is recognized as the first pizza chain to offer nationwide online pizza ordering at all of its stores. They rolled out online ordering across the board starting in 2002. Pizza Hut followed suit in 2003 and Domino’s in 2007.

In 1994, Pizza Hut co-founder Frank Carney became a Papa John’s franchisee, and eventually became one of their largest franchisees. In 1997 he appeared in national commercials claiming he had found “better pizza”. This led to an advertising war between the two companies, and eventually led them to sue each other for false advertising.

Papa John’s founder has been completely removed from the company. Why? In 2018, the NFL ended their sponsorship deal with the chain after John made comments suggesting that Papa John’s pizza sales were suffering as a result of players kneeling in protest during the national anthem. Then John was heard using the N-word on a conference call. This basically forced him to resign as chairman of the board. He did not leave quietly however. He sued the company over his removal and a settlement was eventually made. John Schnatter has even sold off a large chunk of his 29 percent share of the company.

In 2019 Shaquille O’Neal joined the board of directors, as a shareholder, and a brand ambassador as part of an 8.5 million dollar deal.

The History of Domino’s Pizza

In 1960, brothers Tom and James Monaghan purchased an old pizza restaurant in Ypsilanti, Michigan called DomiNick’s. Being a small building, there really wasn’t any room for sit-down dining. So Tom hired local laid-off factory workers to deliver pizza around town. In 1965, the restaurant became Domino’s Pizza.

By the late seventies Domino’s racked up over 200 franchises throughout the United States. And by 1983 the chain went international, opening their first store in Winnipeg. And that same year, they opened their 1000th store.

During these years Domino’s kept the menu very simple. They only had one kind of crust (the regular), two sizes, 11 different toppings, and the only non-pizza item on the menu was Coke. It wasn’t until 1989 that the company introduced the Handmade Pan Pizza. That same year, the 5000th store opened. This change was just the beginning. In 1992 they introduced their first non-pizza food item…Breadsticks! In 1994…. Buffalo Wings.

In 1998 Domino’s founder, Tom Monaghan, announced his retirement and gave his ownership to Bain Capital Inc.

In 2009 Domino’s scrapped its 49 year old pizza recipe. Since then, they have earned Chain of the Year a few times.

And here are some other fun facts!

The belt driven pizza oven was started by Domino’s.

Additionally, they were the first to use corrugated cardboard delivery boxes.

They introduced the portable electric bag system to keep pizza hot during delivery.

In 2008 Domino’s launched the industry first: Domino’s Tracker, where customers could follow the progress of their order online.

In 2015 they built a pizza delivery vehicle which holds up to 80 pizzas and features a warming oven.

And in 2018, Domino’s vowed to save pizza, one pothole at a time, with its introduction of Paving for Pizza grants. The company gave away one grant in each state in the U.S. to help smooth the delivery drive.

And in 2018 Domino’s opened its 15,000 store.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Pizza vs. Pizza

Domino’s beef and pepperoni pizza: Color me impressed. for a $7.00 pizza this is doing more than hitting the mark. Hell, you can barely buy a frozen pizza at the grocery store for less than $7.00 and most of those taste like garbage on a slab of cardboard. But Domino’s really did us right. The beautifully seasoned crust. The delicious sauce. The nice crunch to the edges of those pepperonis. Kudo’s Domino’s.

Nate: “I really love the flavor of this crust. It is so savory.”

Amy: “This is a really good flavored pizza.”

Kris: “I enjoyed it with the garlicy herb and crunchy pepperoni.”

Matt: “Domino’s had all the right flavor in all the right places.”

Papa John’s beef and pepperoni pizza: The top cheese is very noticeable on this pie. As is the five head of pizza crusts. Seriously. The toppings of this pizza only come half way up the pizza. The rest is a bland, bland, bland crust. Additionally, the individual flavors of the meats did not really shine. Overall, I think when it comes to Papa John’s pizza… you might be better off with that frozen one.

Nate: “I am missing that pepperoni crunch. It is just lacking.”

Amy: “It’s concession stand pizza.”

Kris: “I don’t like 97% of my pizza to be crust.”

Matt: “There’s just too much crust.”

WINNER: Domino’s Pizza

Sauce vs. Sauce

Domino’s garlic dipping sauce: Do you like a nice fresh garlic butter to dip your bread or crust in? Do you like said sauce to actually taste like garlic? Then step no further. Domino’s has you covered.

Nate: “Thank you garlic Jesus.”

Amy: “I’ve never been a fan of garlic sauces, but now I am.”

Kris: “I was very impressed.”

Matt: “This is definitely good.”

Papa John’s garlic butter dipping sauce: Do you like a garlic butter that is way heavier on the butter than the garlic? Then maybe you should go with Papa John’s. Though with that bland crust and this bland sauce… you are getting what you asked for.

Nate: “I always thought I liked this one more. But now? It’s way too buttery.”

Amy: “It’s just bland.”

Kris: “It’s very tame. It is needed to tolerate the pizza.”

Matt: “Meh.”

WINNER: Domino’s Pizza Garlic Dipping Sauce

Bread vs. Bread

Domino’s Garlic Bread Twists: If you want a bread with a light and airy middle, but a nice garlicy buttery crunch on the outside, this bread is for you. The one thing you certainly will get with this bread is flavor.

Nate: “They have a nice garlic butter topping.”

Amy: “I love these. It has a great garlic taste to it.”

Kris: “I did really enjoy them.”

Matt: “The twist was decent. It was cooked nice.”

Papa John’s Garlic Knots: A bit of a mixed bag of opinions here. While good and enjoyable on some aspects, lacking on others. Unless you like a very very dense bread with just a hint of garlic. Then these might be your jam.

Nate: “I like the chewiness.”

Amy: “It’s a good bread, but it doesn’t give me a garlicy vibe.”

Kris: “It has a nice texture to it.”

Matt: “That is dense! I am disappointed in this.”

WINNER: Tie!

Wings vs. Wings

Domino’s Garlic Parmesan Wings: From the moment you open the box until you wash your hands, these wings scream nothing but disappointment. How can something be so gross? If you are craving some wings, do yourself a favor and DO NOT get them from Domino’s Pizza.

Nate: “That is a wet wing.”

Amy: “It is the Carl Budding of wings.”

Kris: “What the f**k?!.”

Matt: “It looks like wings from an adult film production set.”

Papa John’s Garlic Parmesan Wings: Not much better but according to a couple of us, at least it was edible. Does it hit the Garlic Parmesan mark? No. Is it good enough to order again? Also no. But hey. At least they looked better than Domino’s

Nate: “I love a dry rub.”

Amy: “This is better but I wouldn’t buy either.”

Kris: “It tastes like Salisbury steak.”

Matt: “Blugh. It was just salty.”

WINNER: Papa John’s Garlic Parmesan Wings

There you have it. After trying all of these pizzas and sides, we give Domino’s Pizza the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a Domino’s location near you.

https://www.dominos.com/en/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these menu items? Which one is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.mashed.com/407168/the-untold-truth-of-papa-johns/

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-papa-johns-pizza-got-its-name-2016-1

https://www.statista.com/statistics/816509/papa-john-s-restaurants-by-state-and-type-us/

https://www.zippia.com/papa-john-s-international-careers-8772/history/

https://www.franchise500.com/article/235040

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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NOTICE In this episode we consume alcoholic beverages. While we encourage our listeners to try along with us, we do not condone underage drinking. Do not consume alcohol if you are under the age of 21.

Beer. Wine. Vodka. Rum. The various drinks with little umbrellas poking out of the top. Most people over the age of 21 have probably tried many of these beverages. But how many of you have enjoyed a glass of mead? Well, put your car keys away and get comfortable, because today is your day.

Which meads are we trying today?

Camelot Mead - Oliver Winery and Vineyards, Bloomington, Indiana

Your Promised We’d Go Canoeing - Four Fires Meadery, Maumee, Ohio

Paint it Blackberry - Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, Davenport, Iowa

Raspberry Dream - Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, Davenport, Iowa

Chaucer’s Mead - Bargetto Winery, California

Toasty - Four Fires Meadery, Maumee, Ohio

Who is on this drunken quest?

Alan, just along for the ride.

Nate, lover of puns.

Matt, mead lover.

Amy, mead too.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Mead

Mead is considered the world’s oldest alcoholic drink. And what does it consist of? Simply fermented honey and water. Chinese pottery vessels dating from 7000 B.C.E suggests evidence of mead fermentation that predates wine and beer. Ancient Greeks referred to it as nectar of the gods. It was believed to be sent from the heavens as dew and collected by bees. There are European cultures that considered bees to be the gods’ messengers, and mead was therefore associated with immorality and magical powers.

Celtic mythology tells of a river of mead running through paradise, and Anglo-Saxon cultures believed mead to be the bestower of immorality, poetry, and knowledge.

In the ancient times, mead was presumably made by diluting honey with water in clay or wooden vessels, then leaving airborne yeasts and yeast found naturally in the honey to do the rest. Today commercial mead is produced using a mix of honey, fresh yeast, lemons, and water. After fermenting it needs to be kept at least a year before drinking, but at around 16% it will keep indefinitely.

Mead can be produced in a variety of sweetness’s and it can be still or sparkling.

A mead’s flavor varies greatly depending on the honey type. Traditional mead often uses a mild honey such as orange blossom, clover, or acacia. But wildflower, blackberry and buckwheat honeys produce great results with sturdier spiced meads.

Mead is the fastest growing segment of the American alcohol beverage industry.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th/5th Place (TIE): Raspberry Dream

Alan: 2

Amy: 1

Matt: 2

Nate: 4

6th/5th Place (TIE): Paint it Blackberry

Alan: 1

Amy: 3

Matt: 3

Nate: 2

4th Place: Camelot Mead

Alan: 6

Amy: 6

Matt: 5

Nate: 5

3rd Place: Chaucer’s Mead

Alan: 5

Amy: 6

Matt: 6

Nate: 8

2nd Place: Toasty

Alan: 5

Amy: 6

Matt: 7

Nate: 8

1st Place: You Promised We’d Go Canoeing

Alan: 9

Amy: 10

Matt: 6

Nate: 7

There you have it. You Promised We’d Go Canoeing receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to try them out for yourself.

https://www.4fmeadery.com/our-story

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these meads? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/homeandgardens/arid-20377522.html

https://www.liquor.com/articles/10-facts-about-mead/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Are you a Hostess fan or a Little Debbie Fan? A few weeks ago we tried Little Debbie Snack Cakes to mixed reviews. (Though who doesn’t love the Nutty Buddy Bar?) This week we bring their direct competitor to the table with Hostess Snack Cakes. Who will come out victorious? And more specifically, which snack cake is the tastiest?

(Listen to the Little Debbie episode here)

Which Hostess Snack Cakes are we trying today?

Cupcake

Snoball

Raspberry Zinger

Baby Bundt with Lemon Drizzle

Ho-Hos

Ding Dongs

Twinkies

Coffee Cakes

Who is on this diabetic nightmare?

Hannah, plays with her food.

Nate, sugar monster.

Matt, a real ho-ho.

Amy, privileged with the Ding Dongs.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Hostess

The Hostess brand was founded by the Continental Baking Company, who bought Taggart Bakery, which was the bakery behind the famous Wonder Bread. Along with Wonder Bread, Continental Baking Company wanted to create a line of treats. So in 1919, they launched the Hostess Cupcake. However, this cupcake was not as we know it today. Originally it was just a chocolate cake with a chocolate frosting on top. No swirled frosting, no vanilla cream filling. The cupcake didn’t get its frosting upgrade until 1950.

More than 10 years later, Hostess became snack cake legends with the creation of Twinkies. Created by Jimmy Dewer in 1930, the company’s bakery manager, these spongy treats were a great way for the company to make an inexpensive product during the depression. You could get two Twinkies for a nickel. Again, this is another Hostess treat that started out quite differently. Sure, they always were the oblong spongy cakes, but they were originally banana flavored. For over a decade Twinkies were filled with banana cream filling. However, they switched to a vanilla center during World War 2, as bananas were rationed during the war.

It wasn’t until after World War 2 that Hostess introduced its next famous treat. The SnoBall snack cakes found their way to the store shelves in 1947. These snack cakes are chocolate cakes with a vanilla filling, covered in marshmallow and coconut flakes.

In 1967 Ding Dongs and Ho Hos were introduced.

In 1995, Interstate Bakeries Corporation acquired Continental Baking company for $330 million.

Despite a couple bankruptcies since then, the company now seems to be back on its feet. The Hostess Brand’s product portfolio includes CupCakes, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, SnoBalls, Fruit Pies, various breads, and more.

Which snack cake do you think is the best selling?

Well if you guessed the Cupcake, you would be right. 600 million cupcakes are consumed annually by Americans. That is enough to circle the earth once. Though if you guessed the Twinkie, I won’t fault you. The Twinkie has had its fair share of publicity over the years.

In 1979, Dan White was on trial for the murder of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the United States. White argued that he couldn’t have planned to murder his boss, because of his sugar high from eating too many Twinkies. And this defense strategy worked. White was convicted of manslaughter instead of murder.

Speaking of eating too many Twinkies, in 2013, competitive eater Joey Chestnut won the World Twinkie-Eating Championship, devouring 121 Twinkies in 6 minutes.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton chose the Twinkie as an “object of enduring American symbolism” for the National Millennium Time Capsule.

And of course, the 2009 blockbuster Zombieland followed a man’s quest to find the last Twinkies after the earth was plagued with the living dead.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

8th Place: Ho Hos

Amy - 3

Hannah - 2

Matt - 3

Nate - 3

7th Place: SnoBalls

Amy - 3

Hannah - 3

Matt - 5

Nate - 1

6th Place: Raspberry Zinger

Amy - 4

Hannah - 3

Matt - 6

Nate - 3

5th Place: Twinkie

Amy - 5

Hannah - 5

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

4th Place: Cupcake

Amy - 6

Hannah - 7

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

3rd Place: Ding Dong

Amy - 8

Hannah - 6

Matt - 5

Nate - 6

2nd Place: Baby Bundt with Lemon Drizzle

Amy - 9

Hannah - 8

Matt - 6

Nate - 7

1st Place: Coffee Cake

Amy - 8

Hannah - 8

Matt - 7

Nate - 9

There you have it. Hostess Coffee Cake receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to discover all of their yummy treats!

https://www.hostesscakes.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these snack cakes? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2019/02/22/Happy-birthday-The-100-year-history-of-the-Hostess-CupCake

https://www.foxnews.com/us/timeline-the-history-of-hostess-brands

https://www.mashed.com/83028/untold-truth-hostess-cakes/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joey-chestnut-twinkie-eating-contest_n_4169657

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Who doesn’t like a good waffle? Nice and warm, with maple syrup on the top. Yum. You know, I once had a waffle on the top of a mountain. That is right folks, if you go to the Grand Tetons and hike or ride the aerial tram up the mountain, you will find Corbet’s Cabin. And inside you can enjoy a delicious waffle.

https://www.jacksonhole.com/waffles

As good as waffles are, the big question is, should they have been turned into a Pop Tart? Well today we will find out in this exclusive mini episode (which I think I will shorten to EME).

So thanks for joining us today. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out.

Who are our Questers today?

Nate, just along for the ride.

Hannah, pastry snob.

Matt, is moving on.

Amy, thoroughly confused.

A Mini History Pop Tarts

In 1963 Post Cereals adapted a process for enclosing food in foil to keep it fresh without spoiling. And with this process, they made a new toaster-prepared breakfast food. These fruit-filled pastries could be shipped and stored without having to be refrigerated. In 1964, Post unveiled this product, called Country Squares. But unfortunately, Post was slow to release the product to stores and six months later, in September of 1964, Kellogg’s swooped in, stealing the market with a new product called Fruit Scones. The first toaster pastries that were produced were all unfrosted. They came in four flavors. Apple Currant Jelly, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon. In 1967 the first frosted Pop-Tarts hit the shelves with four flavors as well. (Any guesses on the flavors?) Dutch Apple, Concord Grape, Raspberry, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

Today, around 2 billion Pop Tarts are sold each year in the United States. The best selling Pop Tart? Strawberry, followed by Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S’mores.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Nate: “If I didn’t have a sense of smell, i’d be enjoying this a lot more.” 4/10

Amy: “It’s not bad. I keep eating it.” 4/10

Hannah: “It’s not offensive but there’s nothing good about it.” 3/10

Matt: “It did not taste as horrible as I thought.” 4/10

TOTAL: 15/40

There you have it. We do NOT give Eggo Pop Tarts the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://www.poptarts.com/en_US/products/new/pop-tarts-regular-eggo-flavor.html

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried Eggo Pop Tarts? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://medium.com/@tonylow/the-pop-tart-story-6a5269062bb9

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-selling-poptarts-flavors_n_5836520

https://www.mashed.com/117295/untold-truth-pop-tarts/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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There are a lot of foods that people would lump into the kid category. Hot Dogs, PB&J, Chicken Nuggets, Mac-n-Cheese, and of course, the childhood staple… canned pasta. You know, ravioli and spaghetti from a can. Can you close your eyes and taste it? Bet you can.

Which canned pastas are we trying today?

Full Circle Organic Mini Ravioli

Annie’s Bernie O's

Annie’s Organic All Stars

SpaghettiOs

Annie’s Cheesy Ravioli

Chef Boyardee Macaroni and Cheese

Who is on this juicy Pickle quest?

Hannah, fun killer.

Nate, Hype Man.

Matt, ready to be whelmed.

Amy, cult leader.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of SpaghettiOs

I didn’t find a lot of information about canned pasta, so I limited my search to SpaghettiOs. Enjoy!

SpaghettiOs. A childhood favorite. Close your eyes. I bet you can taste them now. SpaghettiOs hit shelves on May 16th, 1965. This ring-shaped pasta was invented by Wisconsin native, Donald Goerke. His goal, which was set upon him by Franco-American, a division of Campbell’s Soup Company, was to invent a pasta meal that was easy for children to eat with a spoon.

SpaghettiOs were the perfect shape. They stayed on the spoon, they were less messy, and stood up well to canning and reheating.

Though, during the creation, the company tried out a series of different shapes in order to make them appeal to young people. They went through hundred of shapes, including cowboys, native Americans, astronauts, stars, and more. Goerke finally said enough. Spaghetti in an O shape is exciting enough.

SpaghettiOs tested so well with moms and kids that it skipped regional test marketing and went directly to national distribution, launching on October 18, 1965. This 15 ounce can was marketed as “The world’s first spoonable spaghetti.”

The first ever SpaghettiOs commercial featured the slogan we all know, “Uh-Oh SpaghettiOs” alongside the original slogan, “The Best Invention Since the Napkin!”

It wasn’t until 2004 that SpaghettiOs was rebranded from Franco-American SpaghettiOs to Campbell’s SpaghettiOs.

In addition to the originals, there have also been SoaghettiOs Meatballs, SpaghettiOs Sliced Franks, SpaghettiOs RavioliOs, and other shapes as well.

Spaghettios are in the top 20 best selling canned foods. Specifically, the SpaghettiOs with meatballs. In 2018, 43.3 million units were sold, totaling $45 million in sales.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Full Circle Organic Mini Ravioli

Amy - 2

Hannah - 1

Matt - 3

Nate - 2

5th Place: Annie’s Cheesy Ravioli

Amy - 3

Hannah - 2

Matt - 4

Nate - 4

4th Place: Annie’s Bernie O’s

Amy - 3

Hannah - 4

Matt - 5

Nate - 2

3rd Place: Annie’s Organic All Stars

Amy - 3

Hannah - 5

Matt - 5

Nate - 3

2nd Place: SpaghettiOs

Amy - 5

Hannah - 4

Matt - 4

Nate - 4

1st Place: Chef Boyardee Macaroni and Cheese

Amy - 5

Hannah - 5

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

There you have it. Chef Boyardee Macaroni and Cheese receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to try them out for yourself.

https://www.chefboyardee.com/products/other-fun-flavors/mac-cheese-can

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these pastas? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.wbay.com/content/news/SpaghettiOs-invented-by-a-Wisconsin-native-turns-55-this-week-570436841.html

https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/newsroom/campbell-history/uh-oh-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-spaghettios/

https://groovyhistory.com/spaghettios-invented-1965-campbells-franco-american

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Seriously… Have you read the description of Coca Cola Starlight? This is straight from their website…

You hold the celestial power of the universe in your hand. Discover what it is like to drink Starlight, on Earth for a brief encounter. Infinite possibilities are yours when the ever-cool, indulgent flavor of space hits the #RealMagic of our great Coca‑Cola taste.

Starlight’s red hue sparkles with a cooling sensation that has been transformed by the magic of space. Transport yourself to a new galaxy with each sip. Discover the sensation before it’s gone.

Okay, Coca Cola. Calm down.

Thanks for joining us for our FIRST EXCLUSIVE MINI EPISODE! We wanted to give our paid subscribers a little more for their money. So you will be privy to our quest to try brand new products. As always, let us know in the comments if there is a new food you really want us to try out.

Who are our Questers today?

Nate, anybody have some rum?

Hannah, likes it flat.

Matt, needs a good divorce lawyer.

Amy, gets the cats in the divorce.

A Mini History of Coca Cola

On May 8th, 1886, pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton was visiting a pharmacy in Atlanta to promote his medicinal wonder, French Wine of Coca. This cure-all medicine was just what the doctor ordered… that is if you wanted to drown your ailments in cocaine. Actually, it was a mix of Bordeaux red wine, caffeine, and coca leaf extract. Since it was a medicine and more of a niche market, Pemberton decided to try to sell it as a soda. So he took his bitter tasting medicine and threw in a bunch of sugar. And to make it marketable to children and adults, he removed the alcohol. But not the cocaine, since after all, it was legal.

Dr. Pemberton actually died before the beverage took off. Asa Candler acquired the company in 1891. The drink started off being sold in pharmacies at the soda fountain. By the end of the 1890s, they were selling a quarter of a million gallons of syrup a year. Coca Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, employing over 700,000 world wide.

Coca Cola Starlight was introduced in February of 2022.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Nate: “Why does pop have to be such a bummer?” 3/10

Amy: “I would drink this again.” 6/10

Hannah: “This reminds me of Cheerwine.” 6/10

Matt: “If this is what space tastes like, I’m keeping my helmet on.” 4/10

TOTAL: 19/40

There you have it. We do NOT give Coca Cola Starlight the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Maybe you still want to give it a try? Check out their website for more information on where to find some.

https://us.coca-cola.com/products/coke-creations/starlight

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive mini episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried Coca Cola Starlight? What were your thoughts?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes:

https://www.newsweek.com/most-popular-sodas-america-1628796

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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When spring comes along, many people think of rainy days, blooming flowers, the sudden burst of green on the ground, and finally getting to feel the sun on your skin. For us Midwesterners, that first 50 degree day is heavenly. Well, the first 35 degree day can be heavenly too. Just sayin.

But sunshine and fresh air is not the only thing we look forward to after a harsh winter. Springtime means your favorite cookies are back in rotation. Yes, I am talking about Girl Scout Cookies.

Which Girl Scout Cookies are we trying today?

Adventurefuls

Do-Si-Dos

Lemonups

Samoas

Girl Scout Smores

Tag-a-longs

Thin Mints

Trefoils

Toffee-tastic

Who is on this cookie quest?

Kris, who needs to see a doctor.

Nate, a hungry hungry hippo.

Matt, needlessly crunchy.

Amy, blessed with amazing baking skills.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scouts is an organization for girls 5-18. The organization combines “Life skills, STEM, the outdoors, and entrepreneurship with civic engagement to deliver crucial, life-changing, girl-led programming.” The program has 1.7 million members.

Girl Scout Cookies all began in the 1910s. Girl Scout Cookies were originally home baked by members with moms volunteering as technical advisers. In 1917, the sale of cookies to finance troop activities began. The Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma baked cookies and sold them in its high school cafeteria as a service project.

Throughout the 1920s, Girl Scouts in different parts of the country baked their own simple sugar cookies. These cookies were packaged in wax paper bags, sealed with a sticker, and sold door-to-door for 25 to 35 cents per dozen.

In 1933, Girl Scouts of Greater Philadelphia Council baked cookies and sold them in the city’s gas and electric company windows at 23 cents per box of 44 cookies, or six boxes for $1.24. This helped the girls develop their marketing and business skills and raise funds. In 1934, Greater Philadelphia became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.

In 1935, the Greater New York federation raised money through the sale of commercially baked cookies and the group bought its own die in the shape of a trefoil and used the words “Girl Scout Cookies” on the box. In 1936, the national Girl Scout organization began the process of licensing the first commercial bakers to produce cookies that would be sold nationwide by the scouts. By 1948, 29 bakers were licensed to bake Girl Scout Cookies.

In 1951, Girl Scout Cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints. By 1956, there were four basic types of cookies: a vanilla based filled cookie, a chocolate based filled cookie, a shortbread cookie, and the chocolate mints. By 1966, Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies were added to the mix.

In 1978, the number of bakers was reduced to four to ensure lower prices and uniform quality, packaging, and distribution. And in the early 90s, only two bakers were licensed to supply cookies.

Today, Girl Scout Cookies are produced by two bakeries: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. So depending on where your cookies come from, you might get different names on the boxes (Like the Samoas might be called Caramel deLights. There might also be a slight variation to the recipe. For example, the ABC Bakers Thin Mint is crunchier with more mint than chocolate, and the Little Brownie Bakers Thin Mint has a richer smoother chocolate coating with a distinct peppermint taste. Our area sells the Little Brownie Bakers cookies. But if you are lucky enough to be in the location of ABC Bakers, you have access to a cookie flavor that was released in 2021, the Toast Yay!

The cookie season is usually January through April. And during prime cookie season, the girl scouts do about $800 million in total cookie sales. All of the net revenue from cookie sales stays within a Girl Scout council’s local area. The top selling cookie is the Thin Mints. The second best selling is the Samoas.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

9th Place: Girl Scout Smores

Amy - 1

Kris - 2

Matt - 3

Nate - 1

8th Place: Toffee-tastic

Amy - 2

Kris - 2

Matt - 5

Nate - 2

7th Place: Do-Si-Dos

Amy - 5

Kris - 4

Matt - 5

Nate - 2

6th Place: Adventurefuls

Amy - 4

Kris - 5

Matt - 5

Nate - 3

5th Place: Samoas

Amy - 3

Kris - 7

Matt - 6

Nate - 8

4th Place: Trefoils

Amy - 7

Kris - 6

Matt - 6

Nate - 8

3rd Place: Lemon Ups

Amy - 9

Kris - 7

Matt - 7

Nate - 9

2nd Place: Thin Mints

Amy - 8

Kris - 8

Matt - 8

Nate - 10

1st Place: Tag-a-longs

Amy - 8

Kris - 9

Matt - 8

Nate - 10

There you have it. Tag-A-Longs receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out the Girl Scout website for more information on the cookie season.

https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/how-to-buy-cookies.html

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these cookies? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/about-girl-scout-cookies/cookie-history.html

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/1/24/18195824/girl-scout-cookies-explained-thin-mints-buy

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/644123/girl-scout-cookies-facts

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Today on Quest for the Best, we are venturing into the world of submarine sandwiches. Now, we decided to go with a couple sandwich shops that we considered to be middle of the road options. Jimmy John’s, the college student’s go-to sub shop, and Firehouse Subs, the community sub shop.

Which menu items will we be trying?

Jimmy John’s Italian Night Club: This sub is filled with salami, capocollo, ham, and provolone. Topped with onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, oil & vinegar, and oregano-basil.

Firehouse Subs Italian: This Italian sub is loaded with Genoa salami, pepperoni, Virginia honey ham, melted provolone, Italian dressing, and seasonings. It is topped with mayo, deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, and onion.

Who are our fearless Questers today?

Nate, enjoyer of sweaty meats.

Kris, this guy is over the moon.

Matt, the reader of minds.

Amy, just here for the soda.

And our paid subscribers! Scratch that. Our paid subscriber. Singular. Her name is Loraine. She is one of the most wonderful, supportive, and fun people I have had the pleasure to call my friend. Love ya, Loraine!

The History of Jimmy John’s

Jimmy Johns was founded in 1983. The founder, Jimmy, had two options after graduating from High School. Go to the military or open a business. He chose the latter. Jimmy’s father gave him $25,000 to start a business in exchange for a 48% ownership. Originally, he was going to open a hot dog stand but he realized he didn’t have the cash for hotdogs and settled on a low-overhead cold sandwich shop. So in January of 1983, in the town of Charleston, Illinois, the first Jimmy John’s was opened. The menu consisted of four sandwiches, smoked ham and provolone, hand sliced turkey, homemade tuna salad, and capicola and salami.

The original location was in a college town, but didn’t have a spectacular location. So to make it easier to make some money, Jimmy John’s began delivering to the campus. They delivered in a VW bus that said “Your mom wants you to eat at Jimmy John’s”

It was a success and he made a profit during the first year, and a year later he bought his father out of the business.

In 1986, a second store opened in Macomb, Illinois and in 1994, the first franchise location opened in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1997, the first drive thru location opened in St. George, Utah. Their 100th store opened in 2001 in Pleasant, Michigan. And in 2010 the 1000th store opened in Beaverton, Oregon. In 2019, Jimmy John’s was acquired by Inspire Brands.

Today, the franchises add up to nearly 3,000 locations.

In 2016, the company was valued at $3 billion.

The History of Firehouse Subs

The first Firehouse Subs was opened in 1994 by brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen. The brothers loved to cook and had a bunch of ideas when they were younger. These ideas were dreams since they didn’t have any money. So instead, they both became second-generation firefighters. But ultimately, and despite being broke, they opened their first Firehouse Subs in Jacksonville, Florida. During the first few years, Chris stayed on with the fire department to maintain income. Additionally, they kept the business lean. They only had one employee in the beginning, and got lots of help from family. Robin only took home around $15,000 a year.

In 2001, the company became debt free and started growing. The brothers refused profits until 2004.

Part of Firehouse Subs popularity stems from the fact that they focus on piling their sandwiches with meats, cheese, and sauces, unlike other common sub chains which always seem to be mostly veggies with a sliver of meat and cheese.

Speaking of being unlike other chains, Firehouse subs is deep into community involvement. They were actually inspired after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Sorensen brothers donated equipment to help first responders. This event turned out the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which as of 2018 has raised $33 million to help benefit first responders in 43 states and Puerto Rico. Additionally, each Firehouse Subs location has murals painted on the walls that represent the local community’s fire department. The artist is Joe Puskas.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Jimmy John’s Italian Night Club: One thing that Jimmy John’s does not lie about… they are freaky fast. But as the saying goes…. Pick two: Do you want it fast, cheap, or good? If you want it fast and cheap, it's not going to be good. If you want it cheap and good, it’s not going to be fast. And if you want it fast and good, it’s not going to be cheap. I would say Jimmy John’s leans towards the fast and good. And even so, $8.00 for a sandwich is really not breaking the bank. So Jimmy John’s… you win points. Especially for those of us who are too lazy to go pick up some food ourselves. You have it to our door practically before the transaction is approved.

Nate: “I am spending more time rearranging my meat than eating it.”

Amy: “I like Jimmy John’s. I will still eat at Jimmy John’s.”

Kris: “You can taste the layers. The meats, the cheese, onion, tomato. That was pretty good.”

Matt: “The bites are uneven.”

Firehouse Subs Italian: This sandwich was just a joy. The meats were all perfectly combined with the sauces and all the garden toppings. Seasoned to perfection. The only problem was that there was not more of it to eat. While Firehouse is not a quick place to get a sub, it is worth the wait. Now if there were only more close to home…

Nate: “Sweet and zesty. That’s what Italians are all about!”

Amy: “The pepperoni really adds to the flavor.”

Kris: “I really like this Firehouse Sub.”

Matt: “I have joined the Firehouse cult.”

WINNER: Firehouse Subs Italian

There you have it. After trying the Italian style subs at Jimmy John’s and Firehouse Subs, we give Firehouse Subs the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a Firehouse Subs location near you.

https://www.firehousesubs.com/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these subs? Which one is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes

https://www.jimmyjohns.com/about-us/history/

https://www.mashed.com/129171/the-untold-truth-of-jimmy-johns/

https://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/18/firehouse-subs-founder-being-broke-was-the-best-thing-to-happen-to-our-company.html

https://www.mashed.com/124699/things-didnt-know-firehouse-subs/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Is there anything more satisfying than a cold crunchy dill pickle on a hot summer day? Maybe you are a fellow bicycle enthusiast and understand how refreshing they can be after a 75 mile ride. Or maybe you eat them and drink the juice to help with muscle cramps. Whatever your motive, the one thing you need to know… which one is the best?

Which Pickles are we trying today?

Milwaukee’s Petite Kosher Dill Pickles

Mt. Olive Simply Pickles Kosher Dill Spears

Yee Haw Pickle Giddy Up Garlic Dills

Famous Dave’s Sweet & Spicy Pickle Spears

Vlasic Purely Pickles Kosher Dill Spears

Claussen Kosher Dill Spears

Who is on this juicy Pickle quest?

Alan, he’s a millennial.

Nate, into Tennessee hookers.

Matt, little, ribbed, and different.

Amy, likes ‘em snappy.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Pickles

Pickles got their start over 4,000 years ago when ancient Mesopotamians began soaking cucumbers in acidic brine as a way to preserve them. Throughout history, pickling was a necessity since it was the best way to preserve food over a long period of time.

Pickles were brought to America by Christopher Columbus. He liked traveling with them because they could obviously survive the long journeys, and they helped prevent scurvy since they are rich in Vitamin C

The verb “to pickle” means to preserve something in a solution. This solution is often vinegar. Most bacteria can’t flourish in highly acidic environments, so by submerging foods in vinegar helps prevent spoilage. Pickles however, are generally submerged in brine, which is a salty water. The brining method relies on acid’s preserving properties. The acid is introduced by bacteria during fermentation.

Throughout history, people have added spices to their pickle brines, such as garlic, mustard seeds, cinnamon, dill and cloves. These add flavor to the pickles while also providing antimicrobial properties to the equation.

Kosher pickles are not necessarily kosher. Early kosher pickles may have been made kosher per Jewish law, but today the word is used to describe any pickles made in the traditional New York style.

Bread and Butter pickles are a popular option which omit the garlic and add something sweet to the brine, such as brown sugar or syrup.

By the 19th century, H.J. Heinz Company had cornered the market using some unique marketing efforts. At the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the “Pickle King” H.J. Heinz dispatched some local kids to tempt fairgoers with a free gift if they visited his booth and taste the food. By the end of the fair, Heinz had given out some 1 million pickle pins. They repeated the pickle pin promotion at the World’s Fairs of 1896, 1898, and 1939.

During World War 2, the US government rationed pickles with 40% of the nations production going to the armed forces.

Heinz was the top of the pickle game until the 1970s, when Vlasic and their cartoon stork who delivers pickles instead of babies took over. This marketing tactic worked, especially since it played on the belief that pregnant women crave pickles.

Today, cucumber pickle factories usually ferment cucumbers in large outdoor vats of salt brine. These vats have no cover, completely open to the elements, including bird droppings, insects and other airborne objects. They are left open to let the sun’s ultraviolet and infrared rays assist in preventing yeast and mold growth on the brine surface.

Pickles are rich in vitamin C. Additionally, Vitamin A, iron, zinc and magnesium are found in these delicious snacks. The Iron can help you feel less tired. The zinc can help heal your skin. Magnesium helps you absorb calcium. Vitamin A helps keep muscles and tendons strong and helps support your skeleton. Pickled cucumbers are also full of folate which can help your nervous system and vitamin K which aids in blood clotting.

The Department of Agriculture estimates that the average American eats 8.5 lbs of pickles a year. And in 2020, around 246 million Americans consumed pickles.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Vlasic Purely Pickles Kosher Dill Spears

Alan - 1

Amy - 3

Matt - 2

Nate - 2

5th Place: Mt. Olive Simply Pickles Kosher Dill Spears

Alan - 3

Amy - 4

Matt - 3

Nate - 4

4th Place: Yee Haw Pickle Giddy Up Garlic Dills

Alan - 4

Amy - 2

Matt - 4

Nate - 5

3rd Place: Milwaukee’s Petite Kosher Dill Pickles

Alan - 5

Amy - 6

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

2nd Place: Famous Dave’s Sweet & Spicy Pickle Spears

Alan - 7

Amy - 8

Matt - 6

Nate - 8

1st Place: Claussen Kosher Dill Spears

Alan - 9

Amy - 9

Matt - 6

Nate - 8

There you have it. Claussen’s Kosher Dill Spears receive the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to try them out for yourself.

https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/brands/claussen

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Dills? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://food52.com/blog/13564-strange-but-good-9-ways-to-eat-pickles

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/648355/pickles-food-history

https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/pickles/history.html

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/627564/best-zoom-products-video-meetings?utm_content=infinitescroll1

https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/diet-nutrition/everything-need-know-pickles/

https://tornadoughalli.com/kool-aid-pickles/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Get out the buns, ketchup, mustard, relish, maybe a little kraut… today we are trying out hot dogs! Hot dogs are pretty much a summertime staple. Whether you eat them at the ballpark, off the grill, or maybe from the campfire, everyone usually has at least one or two of these each summer.

Which Hot dogs are we trying today?

Ballpark Franks

Oscar Meyer Classic Beef

Bar S Classic Franks

Nathan’s Famous Beef Franks

Wimmer’s Natural Casing Wieners

Hillshire Farm Beef Smoked Sausage

Who is on this Hot dog adventure?

Alan, has beef with the beef.

Nate, a greasy little wiener boy.

Matt, enjoys the occasional hotdog.

Amy, surrounded by wieners.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Hot dogs

It is believed that the beginnings of this food can be traced back to the Roman Emperor Nero in ancient Rome. Before sent to slaughter, pigs were starved for a week. Legend says that Nero’s cook was in the kitchen, realized that a pig that was fully roasted was not cleaned before hand. He stuck his knife into the belly to see if the roast was edible and the intestines popped out. Since the pig had been starved for a week, the intestines were empty and puffed from the heat. He stuffed the intestines with ground game meat mixed with spices and wheat, creating the first sausage.

Two German towns vie to be the original birthplace of the modern hot dog. Frankfurt claims the frankfurter was invented there over 500 years ago. But Vienna claims to be the true originators of the wienerwurst. Though this fact cannot be agreed on, it is known that German immigrants to New York were the first to sell wieners in the 1860s. The person most responsible for popularizing the hot dog in the United States was Nathan Handwerker, who was a Jewish immigrant from Poland. He worked at a hot dog stand at Coney Island. He spent a year saving his money until he was able to start a competing stand. He undercut his competitors, selling his hotdogs for only 5 cents, and sent them out of business. This is how Nathan’s Famous was born, a popular hot dog brand.

So, how did the term “hot dog” come about?

This is something that has not been pinned down. But there are a couple theories.

One theory is that in 1901, on a cold day at the New York Polo Grounds, vendors were dishing out hot dogs, shouting “Get your dachshund sausages while they're red hot!” A New York Journal cartoonist observed this and drew a cartoon of a dachshund nestled warmly in the rolls. He wasn’t sure how to spell dachshund, so he wrote Hot Dogs, and coined the term. Though historians have been unable to verify this.

Another theory points to Yale college magazines in 1894 referencing the sausage carts as dog wagons which were sold at the dorms.

References to dachshund sausages can be traced to German immigrants who brought not only sausages to America, but dachshund dogs.

Hot Dog Revenue.

In 2018, U.S. consumers spent more than $3 billion on hot dogs.

So, how many hot dogs do Americans consume? During peak hot dog season (which is from Memorial Day to Labor Day), Americans consume around 7 billion hot dogs. On Independence Day alone, Americans consume around 150 million hot dogs, which is enough to stretch from D.C. to L.A. more than five times. And speaking of Los Angeles, residents there consume more hot dogs than any other city in the U.S.

Most popular hot dog brands in the United States

10.) Farmer John - These are more commonly called Dodger Dogs since they have been sold at Dodger games in L.A. since the 1950s. Today, 10.56 million Americans eat Farmer John hot dogs every year.

9.) Eckrich - 12 million Americans eat this brand, which are very budget-friendly.

8.) Hillshire Farms - About 17 million Americans consumed these in 2017.

7.) Armour - 18.46 million Americans chose this brand in 2017. They are well known for their commercial jingle from the 1960s.

6.) Store-brand - These are generic hot dogs, which 24.75 million Americans purchased in 2017

5.) Nathan’s Famous - These might be from our origin story, but they only came in at 5th place with 28.85 million Americans enjoying these.

4.) Bar S - This is another budget friendly hot dog. 31.12 million Americans picked this one off the grocery store shelves.

3.) Hebrew National - these are 100% kosher dogs and 38.15 million Americans chose these babies.

2.) Oscar Mayer rolls into second place with 80 million Americans chowing down on these babies. Here is a commercial from 1965.

And number one - Ball Park. 94 Million Americans enjoy these hot dogs. Here is a commercial from 1986.

Fun Facts:

July is National Hot Dog Month.

Franks and wieners were the original names for the Americanized hot dogs.

Hot dogs were consumed on the moon during the moon landing.

Hot dogs were first sold at baseball games in 1893.

The world’s longest hot dog was 668 feet long.

Mickey Mouse’s first on screen words were “Hot Dog!”

Every year, there is a hot dog eating contest on Coney Island. Nathan’s famous international hot dog eating contest attracts over 40,000 fans each year and is broadcast on ESPN to nearly two million viewers. The contestants have ten minutes to consume, and keep down, as many hotdogs and buns as they can. The reigning champ is Joey Chestnut, who ate 73 hotdogs. That is about 16 pounds. With the bread, each hotdog is about 309 calories, which means he consumed 22,557 calories in 10 minutes.

Mustard is the most popular hot dog topping. In a survey from 2014, 71 percent of Americans said they liked mustard on their hotdogs. 52% said they preferred ketchup.

63% of Americans prefer their hotdogs grilled.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th Place: Bar S Classic Franks

Alan - 2

Amy - 2

Matt - 4

Nate - 2

5th Place: Ballpark Franks

Alan - 4

Amy - 1

Matt - 4

Nate - 4

4th Place: Oscar Meyer Classic Beef

Alan - 2

Amy - 4

Matt - 6

Nate - 4

3rd Place: Nathan’s Famous Beef Franks

Alan - 3

Amy - 5

Matt - 6

Nate - 3

1st/2nd Place (TIE): Wimmer’s Natural Casing Wieners

Alan - 9

Amy - 6

Matt - 5

Nate - 5

1st/2nd Place (TIE): Hillshire Farm Beef Smoked Sausage

Alan - 6

Amy - 7

Matt - 7

Nate - 5

There you have it. Hillshire Farm Beef Smoked Sausage AND Wimmer’s Natural Casing Wieners BOTH get the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their websites to try them out for yourself.

https://www.hillshirefarm.com/

https://www.wimmersmeats.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Hot Dogs? Are you with Alan and not a big fan of beef? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-hot-dogs-really-made-of-2014-7

https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/why-10-hot-dogs-8-buns/

https://www.hot-dog.org/

https://www.rd.com/list/competitive-eating-facts/

https://nathansfranks.smithfieldfoods.com/en-us/articles/hot-dog-eating-contest/hdec-fun-facts/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/80926/7-fascinating-facts-about-hot-dogs

https://www.today.com/food/hot-dog-recipes-fun-facts-national-hot-dog-day-2017-t113952

https://www.history.com/news/break-out-the-buns-the-history-of-the-hot-dog

https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/these-are-the-best-selling-hot-dog-brands-in-america.html/

https://firstwefeast.com/eat/2013/05/united-states-of-franks-a-guide-to-regional-american-hot-dog-styles/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Good day, folks. Strap in, because on today’s episode, we have a LOT of Pringles we are trying. You see, before we started releasing our weekly episodes, we recorded a ton so we could bank them up, making sure each week we would have something to release, even in the case where we couldn’t get together and record. Since we recorded this episode early on, we had not established the rule to limit the number of foods we try to six. We learned our lesson on this day, when we started to feel woozy after trying 14 different flavors of Pringles. Once you pop, you just can’t stop, amiright?!!?

Which Pringles are we trying today?

BBQ

Cheddar and Sour Cream

Scorchin’ Chili and Lime

Honey Mustard

Jalapeno

MOA Burger

Original

Pizza

Ranch

Salt and Vinegar

Sour Cream and Onion

Sweet Corn

Wendy’s Spicy Chicken

Sharp White Cheddar

Who is on this Newfangled Pringle Quest?

Hot-take Hannah!

Kris, sweet but bland.

Matt, very tough to please.

Amy, newly discovered Pringles fan.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!

The History of Pringles

In 1956, Procter & Gamble sought to make a chip that did not break and could be uniform in flavor and shape. An organic chemist named Fred Baur was enlisted by the company to create a chip that would solve the customer complaints of broken, dusty chips. It took Fred 2 years to engineer these saddle shaped chips and the tubular can design, though he just couldn't figure out the taste. In the mid 1960s, a researcher named Alexander Liepa restarted the work of Fred Baur and succeeded in improving the chip taste enough to take the product to market. On December 21, 1976, the chip was patented as “A potato chip product and process wherein a dough is prepared from dehydrated cooked potatoes and water and subsequently fried.”

When these were new to the market, they were referred to as Pringles Newfangled Potato Chips. But in 1975 the U.S. FDA ruled that Pringles could only use the word “chip” in their product name within the following phrase: “potato chips made from dried potatoes”. Rather than do this, Pringles decided to refer to their chip as a crisp.

Pringles potato chips were released to the public in 1967, and by the mid 1970s were sold nationwide. Throughout the 60s and 70s, sales were not great due to the flavor not being fantastic. In the 1980s, the crisp made a comeback when the flavor was altered, and by the late 1990s, they brought in more than 1 billion dollars in revenue. By 2011, Pringles were sold in more than 140 countries and was one of the most popular snack brands in the world, accounting for 2.2% of the market share.

In 2012, Kellogg’s bought Pringles brand from P&G for $2.695 billion. The acquisition made Kellogg company the second-largest snack company in the world at the time.

Pringles flavors include

Original

BBQ

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar & Sour Cream

Jalapeno

Pizza

Sour Cream & Onion

Ranch

Salt & Vinegar

Dill Pickle

Parmesan & Roasted Garlic

Rotisserie Chicken

Honey Mustard

Buffalo Ranch

Scorchin Chili & Lime

Scorchin BBQ

Scorchin Cheddar

Wavy Applewood Smoked Cheddar

Wavy Classic Salted

Wavy Fire Roasted Jalapeno

Wavy Sweet & Spicy BBQ

Wavy MOA Burger

Wavy Deep Fried Pickle

Wavy Pineapple Habanero

Apparently over 150 flavors have been created.

The Pringles mascot has a name. Julius Pringles. When he premiered, he had a plump black mustache, red eyes, eyebrows, rosy cheeks, black hair parted down the middle, and his bowtie was actually part of the Pringles name. Check out his transformations throughout the years.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

14th Place: Wendy’s Spicy Chicken

Amy: 2

Hannah: 1

Kris: 1

Matt: 3

13th/12th Place: (TIE) Sharp White Cheddar

Amy: 1

Hannah: 5

Kris: 2

Matt: 5

13th/12th Place: (TIE) MOA Burger

Amy: 3

Hannah: 4

Kris: 2

Matt: 4

11th Place: Salt and Vinegar

Amy: 3

Hannah: 6

Kris: 2

Matt: 3

10th/9th Place: (TIE) BBQ

Amy: 4

Hannah: 3

Kris: 4

Matt: 4

10th/9th Place: (TIE) Scorchin’ Chili and Lime

Amy: 3

Hannah: 4

Kris: 5

Matt: 3

8th Place: Sweet Corn

Amy: 3

Hannah: 6

Kris: 4

Matt: 3

7th Place: Pizza

Amy: 5

Hannah: 4

Kris: 4

Matt: 5

6th Place: Ranch

Amy: 4

Hannah: 4

Kris: 6

Matt: 5

5th Place: Honey Mustard

Amy: 6

Hannah: 7

Kris: 6

Matt: 4

4th Place: Sour Cream and Onion

Amy: 6

Hannah: 5

Kris: 7

Matt: 6

3rd Place: Cheddar and Sour Cream

Amy: 7

Hannah: 4

Kris: 7

Matt: 7

2nd Place: Original

Amy: 6

Hannah: 8

Kris: 7

Matt: 6

1st Place: Jalapeño

Amy: 8

Hannah: 7

Kris: 8

Matt: 5

There you have it. Jalapeño Pringles get the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out the Pringle website here for all your crispy needs.

https://www.pringles.com

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Pringles? Which one was your favorite? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

SHOW NOTES

https://www.snackhistory.com/pringles/

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/history-of-pringles-origin-facts

https://www.mashed.com/205515/the-untold-truth-of-pringles/

https://www.historyofthings.com/history-of-pringles

https://pringles.com

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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WARNING: READ ME!

This episode is not suited for children. I am sure you are thinking, “Little Debbie Snack Cakes not suited for children?! These podcasters are mistaken.” But unless you have had “the talk” with your kids, don’t let them listen. Even if you have had the talk, you might get some awkward questions from them.

Consider yourself warned.

So now that we have the parental warning out of the way… Let’s get started! Today we are Questing for the Best Little Debbie Snack Cakes.

Which Little Debbie Snack Cakes are we trying today?

Oatmeal Cream Pie

Nutty Buddy

Zebra Cake

Star Crunch

Strawberry Shortcake

Cosmic Brownie

Who is on this cakey quest with us today?

Nate, the guy who talks about cream filling too much.

Kris, a.k.a. Chocolate Trunk.

Matt, big fan of O.D. McKee.

Amy, lover of grandma cookies.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. Let us know what you think and what you would like to hear about next. And as always, we really appreciate the support!

The History of Little Debbie Snack Cakes

The Little Debbie story started during the Great Depression when entrepreneur O.D. McKee began selling 5¢ snack cakes from the back of his 1928 Whippet. In 1934, he and his wife, Ruth, bought a small, failing bakery, using the family car as collateral.

In 1960, O.D. decided to name the brand after his 4- year old granddaughter Debbie and used her photo for the logo. In August of that year, the first family pack was produced and consisted of the original snack cake, the Oatmeal Creme Pie. They were individually wrapped products and the first carton was only 49 cents. After this initial introduction, more than 14 million cakes were sold within 10 months, and by 1964 there were 14 different varieties being sold.

Today, more than 75 different varieties are available. Little Debbie snacks are available in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

The top-selling Little Debbie varieties are Oatmeal Cream Pies, Swiss Cake Rolls, and Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars. McKee Foods sells more than 200 million cartons of these three products every year.

Timeline:

1935: O.D. McKee created the soft, delicious oatmeal cream pie, selling them for a nickel a piece.

1954: McKee family purchases King’s Bakery, renaming it to McKee Baking Company in 1962.

1959: The Nutty Bars were first sold.

1960: The “Family Pack” which consisted of 12 individual wrapped cakes was introduced.

1962: Swiss Cake Rolls were introduced to the Little Debbie lineup.

1964: Banana Twins, Zebra Cakes, and Raisin Creme Pies were introduced.

1966: Strawberry shortcake rolls were introduced, originally sprinkled with sugar and called Jelly Rolls. They became Strawberry Shortcake Rolls in 1994.

1968: Seasonal cakes were introduced with Chocolate Party Cakes.

1969: Fudge Brownies were introduced, featuring a classic fudgy brownie with English walnuts.

1970: Introduced as Moon Crunch Snacks in celebration of the 1969 moon landing, in 1972 the popular cookie was rebranded as Star Crunch Cosmic Cookies.

1972: Devil Squares were introduced.

1975: Fudge Rounds were created by McKee Foods employee Cliff Dildy.

1977: Peanut Butter Crunch bars were introduced.

1983: Donut Sticks were introduced as Dunk’em Sticks.

1985: The Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes were introduced. The originals were a triangular shape with a chocolate trunk.

1986: Figaroos jumped onto the scene, now known as Fig Bars. Chocolate Chip Cakes and Fancy Cakes were also introduced in 1986.

1988: Devil Cremes and Salted Caramel Cookie Bars.

1989: Frosted Fudge cakes. Also in 1989? The giant Oatmeal Creme Pie from Honey I shrunk the kids was envied by every child in America.

1992: Pecan Spinwheels.

1999: Honeybuns, Christmas Tree Brownies, and the amazing Cosmic Brownies were introduced.

2003: Chocolate Chip Creme Pies.

2009: Chocolate Cupcakes are introduced along with Frosted and Powdered Mini Donuts, followed shortly by Glazed, Cinnamon Sugar, Strawberry, and double chocolate.

2012: Little Debbie Mini Muffins hit the scene with Blueberry, Chocolate Chip, and Mini Brownies.

2014: Peanut Butter Creme Pies.

2018: Turtle Brownies.

2020: Unicorn Cakes.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

6th/5th Place (TIE): Star Crunch

Amy: 2

Kris: 3

Matt: 4

Nate: 4

6th/5th Place (TIE): Zebra Cake

Amy: 3

Kris: 3

Matt: 5

Nate: 2

4th Place : Strawberry Shortcake Roll

Amy: 4

Kris: 4

Matt: 5

Nate: 5

3rd Place: Oatmeal Cream Pie

Amy: 4

Kris: 6

Matt: 6

Nate: 3

2nd Place: Cosmic Brownie

Amy: 4

Kris: 5

Matt: 6

Nate: 5

1st Place: Nutty Buddy

Amy: 9

Kris: 9

Matt: 8

Nate: 7

Little Debbie Fan Girl: Matt! 35/60

There you have it. Nutty Buddy gets the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out the Little Debbie website here for all your snacking needs.

https://littledebbie.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these snack cakes? Which one was your favorite? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

Show Notes

https://littledebbie.com/291.798/little-debbie-history

https://www.mashed.com/70970/untold-truth-little-debbie/

https://www.mckeefoods.com/105/our-history

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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A couple weeks ago we sampled baked beans. Today we try a different kind of bean. The coffee bean. And in it’s iced form.

Which Iced Coffees are we trying today?

Wide Awake Coffee Co. Cold Brew Expresso Blend

Wide Awake Coffee Co. Cold Brew Light Roast

Chobani Coffee Cold Brew Pure Black

Stok Cold Brew

Starbucks Iced Coffee Blonde Roast

Who is on this beautiful bean quest?

Janet, Coffee addict

Hannah, Coffee addict in denial

Matt, enjoyer of cold brew

Amy, despises coffee above all drinks.

And of course, all of our subscribers and those who just stumbled upon the show. Thanks for joining us today.

The History of Iced Coffee

There are a lot of legends surrounding the discovery of coffee. One that popped up a lot, probably because it was so cute, surrounded an Ethiopian man in the 9th century. He saw his goats eating berries off a tree and noticed they were more giddy and energetic. The man reported his findings to the local monastery, who made a drink with the berries. The drink kept those who drank it more alert and word spread. Coffee was born.

Now, we aren’t going to get into the rich history of coffee beyond that, we are sticking to iced coffee, which actually has a pretty short history.

The first iced coffee known about with reasonable certainty started in Algeria in the 1830s. It was a cold, sweetened coffee drink that was invented by the French military during the battle of Mazagran, and named Mazagran. Apparently, when they ran out of milk for their coffee, they started adding water and to drink it cold to combat the heat. When the veterans got home, they started requesting these drinks at local coffee shops and the baristas obliged and the iced coffee was born. Since then, the drink has evolved into many different forms.

Some common concoctions include…

Cold brews - A cold brew is steeped in cold water for 20 hours in the refrigerator, no hot water is used to make cold brew.

Nitro Cold Brew - Cold brew coffee is infused with nitrogen gas to create a smooth velvety texture. It is usually served without ice.

An Iced Latte is an Iced espresso drink with milk

Iced Espresso is just shots of espresso and ice.

An iced Mocha is espresso and chocolate combined over ice.

Iced Caramel Macchiato is coffee, vanilla, milk, and caramel

Greek Frappe, which was initially a shaken coffee drink made with instant coffee, water, sugar, ice, and milk. This drink inspired the Starbucks Frappuccino, which was introduced in 1995.

And in general, Iced coffee usually is a stronger brew so the ice doesn’t dilute it.

Starbucks net revenue reached 24.61 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. The number of Starbucks stores worldwide exceeded 33 thousand in 2021. Starbucks has over 15,000 US locations.

Other popular chains include…

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf out of Southern California was started in 1963 and has over 1200 locations. One of its signature drinks is the Ice Blended.

Tim Hortons was founded in Canada and has nearly 5,000 stores, 600 of them in the US. The Iced Capp is one of their more iconic beverages.

Biggby Coffee was founded in Michigan in 1995 and has over 240 shops across the Midwest.

Dutch Bros is out of Oregon and has over 420 stores in nine states and is known for their experimental flavors such as an Irish cream cold brew and a banana bread latte.

Dunkin was started in Massachusetts in the 50s and now has over 11,000 locations in 30 countries.

Caribou Coffee was founded in Minnesota and has over 450 stores across the US, with over half in Minnesota.

Scooters Coffee was founded in Nebraska and has over 350 locations throughout the United States.

Drinking two to three cups each day is the most common coffee consumption pattern among Americans. 44 percent of U.S. adults said that they drank this many 7 oz cups per day on average. 26% said that they either drank one cup or no coffee at all each day. 22% of Americans reported that they drank iced coffee.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th/4th Place (Tie): Starbucks Iced Coffee Blonde Roast

Amy: 1/10

Hannah: 3/10

Janet: 1/10

Matt: 4/10

5th/4th Place (Tie): Wide Awake Coffee Co. Cold Brew Light Roast

Amy: 1/10

Hannah: 3/10

Janet: 1/10

Matt: 4/10

3rd Place: Chobani Coffee Cold Brew Pure Black

Amy: 1/10

Hannah: 5/10

Janet: 1/10

Matt: 4/10

2nd Place: Wide Awake Coffee Co. Cold Brew Expresso Blend

Amy: 1/10

Hannah: 4/10

Janet: 3/10

Matt: 5/10

1st Place: Stok Cold Brew

Amy: 2/10

Hannah: 4/10

Janet: 8/10

Matt: 4/10

There you have it. We give Stok Cold Brew the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find other coffee flavors.

https://www.stokbrew.com/cold-brew/cold-brew-coffee/

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these cold brews before? Which one was your favorite? What were your scores?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And again, thank you for the support. Consider becoming a paid subscriber for exclusive content. Every month we will put two restaurants head to head to find out which is the best. For the month of March, we are battling Taco Bell against Taco John’s. You definitely do not want to miss out.

Additionally, starting in April, we will be doing mini episodes as exclusive content where we will be trying Limited Edition foods so you don’t have to! All you have to do is subscribe!

Thanks again for the support, and until next week, stay sane!

Show Notes:

https://www.coffeemagazine.co.za/blog/1/5617/the-history-of-the-iced-coffee

https://crazycups.com/blog/the-interesting-history-of-iced-coffee-origins-vs-where-we-are-today/

https://www.statista.com/chart/19524/cups-of-coffee-drunk-by-americans-per-day/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/266466/net-revenue-of-the-starbucks-corporation-worldwide/#:~:text=Starbucks'%20net%20revenue%20reached%2024.61,previous%20year's%20total%20of%2019.61.

https://www.bustle.com/articles/18522-when-did-iced-coffee-start-and-why-is-it-more-expensive-a-complete-guide-to-your

Photo by Amelia Hallsworth: https://www.pexels.com/photo/orange-juice-in-clear-drinking-glass-on-brown-wooden-table-5461602/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Today on Quest for the Best, we will put an end to the argument that has been plaguing mid-westerners for decades… which is better? Taco Bell or Taco John’s?

Which menu items will we be trying?

Crunch Taco vs Crunchy Taco

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes vs Potato Oles

Crunch Wrap Supreme vs Taco Bravo

Cinnamon Twists vs Mexican Donut Bites

And as a special surprise, we are trying Taco Bell’s Baja Blast vs our own homemade Baja Blast copycat recipes.

Who is brave enough to battle it out?

Nate, the guy who has not had these sober.

Kris, just happy we are not eating Jack-in-the-Box.

Matt, the guy who prefers it crunchy.

Amy, hater of sour cream.

And of course, our paid subscriber and future guest, Loraine! We want to say thank you, thank you, thank you! We love you!

The History of Taco Bell

Taco Bell was originated in California. It was founded by Glen Bell, who opened the first Taco Bell restaurant in 1962 in Downey California. Before opening this restaurant, he owned and operated a hamburger stand called Bell’s Hamburgers. In 1954, Bell opened his first Taco stand, Taco Tia.

When Glen Bell opened his first Taco Bell, he served his Tacos on his own invention - the Crunchy Taco Shell. He was trying to figure out the best way to sell large amounts of tacos quickly, and came up with the pre-formed crunchy shell. They could be made ahead of time and kept at room temperature, speeding up service.

It didn’t take long for the franchise to take off, and by 1967, Taco Bell had 100 locations. In 1978, with 868 Taco Bell locations, Glen Bell sold to PepsiCo. For $125 million.

If not inventing pre-formed taco shells was enough, Taco Bell also pioneered the concept of linking fast-food marketing promotions with major movie blockbusters. In 1989, Taco Bell campaigned with Batman, which was a huge success. Taco Bell ran a promotion all summer involving Batman Collector Cups. Customers who ordered a large drink would get one of the collectible plastic Batman cups. Sales skyrocketed thanks to the promotion.

In 1997, the new parent of Taco Bell, Tricon, Declared its independence from the PepsiCo conglomerate. Today Taco Bell has 7515 locations and is in all 50 states. California leads the way with the number of Taco Bells, 964. Followed by Texas and Florida with 590 and 387 stores. In our great state of Iowa, there are 53 locations. And don’t forget about the most infamous Taco Bell location in Iowa, the Blairs Ferry Road location in Cedar Rapids, where in 2015 an active methamphetamine lab was found inside. According to the criminal complaint, police found an active lab with fuel, lye, drain cleaner, and other items used to make meth, along with 1 or 2 grams of meth at the scene.

Taco Bell has trade marked the Soft Taco Supreme, Crunchy Taco Supreme, Nachos Bell Grande, Burrito Supreme, and the crunch wrap supreme.

The History of Taco John’s

There’s a whole lot of Mexican going on. At Taco John’s. At Taco John’s.

Let’s go back to 1968, to Cheyenne Wyoming. John Turner wanted to share his one-of-a-kind tacos with the world, well at least with the crowds of tourists who turned out for the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. So with the help of a couple real estate brokers, Turner turned a camper into a Taco Truck of sorts. And it worked. The tacos and burritos Turner served to the tourists were considered “exotic” and the customers couldn’t get enough of the food. The two brokers who helped Turner with the venture realized this could be very successful and bought the franchise rights, buying out John Turner for $3,525,000. They named the business Taco John’s and decided to focus on smaller towns. Some of the earliest locations were in Rapid City South Dakota, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Torrington Wyoming. The brand continued to expand throughout the Northern Rockies and Upper Midwest.

Today there are nearly 400 Taco John’s restaurants in 23 states. The state with the most Taco John’s? Minnesota has 59 locations, just beating out the great state of Iowa, which has 58. The founding state of Wyoming has 26 locations.

In 1989, Taco John’s made a smart and bold move, and they trademarked the term Taco Tuesday. Other trademarked items are the Potato Oles, Six-Pack and a Pound, and Taco Bravo.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Taco Bell Crunchy Taco vs. Taco John’s Crunchy Taco

Taco Bell Crunchy Taco. Cool, bruh. You invented a crunchy taco shell. Too bad you couldn’t figure out that the cheese should go on top of the meat. This taco is not a terrible choice, but nothing to write home about.

Nate: “I have a broken, soggy bottom.”

Amy: “It has that Taco Bell meat taste.”

Kris: “You could have done better, Taco Bell.”

Matt: “It’s kind of cakey? Must be the sawdust.”

Taco John’s Crunchy Taco. They definitely do not skimp on the meat in these bad boys. Though the taco meat seasoning may be a little bland, the taco sauce ties it all together nicely.

Nate: “This thing is packed to the brim.”

Amy: “The meat tastes more meat-like.”

Kris: “I have a blow-out.”

Matt: “The hard shell is the flagship of a place.”

WINNER: Taco John’s Crunchy Taco

Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes vs. Taco John’s Potato Oles

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. What can we say? Whoever came up with the idea, sure. Most people can get on board with some diced, fried potatoes topped with sour cream and nacho cheese. Whoever came up with the execution of these potatoes should be fired immediately.

Nate: “I f*g hated it.”

Amy: “It’s definitely rubbery and chewy.”

Kris: “I’m going to be real honest. These potatoes taste like s**t.”

Matt: “Taco Bell has managed to mummify a potato somehow.”

Potato Oles. End the show right here. This is the best menu item. Crunchy, seasoned to perfection. You cannot go wrong with a big old bowl of Potato Oles. We will take seconds.

Nate: “I’ve been eye f*g these potatoes since we got them out of the bag.”

Amy: “Potato Oles, the real winner of this episode.”

Kris: “I eat my Potato Oles before I get out of the drive-thru.”

Matt: “Are these sides or appetizers? Because Potato Oles are the only ones that are appetizing.”

WINNER: Taco John’s Potato Oles

Taco Bell Crunch Wrap Supreme vs. Taco John’s Taco Bravo

Crunch Wrap Supreme. We are all over the board on this one. Are you in the search for taco nirvana? Well, you might get one or two bites out of the Crunch Wrap Supreme. You might also get a mouth full of nacho cheese… or worse yet, a mouth full of sour cream. Each bite will leave you asking, “where’s the meat?” But hey, those two perfect bites you had were indeed tasty.

Nate: “This is an on-the-go taco.”

Amy: “I f*g hate sour cream.”

Kris: “When you get all the flavors of the Crunch Wrap Supreme… that’s it right there.”

Matt: “My first bite was good, but I ran out of meat after that.”

Taco Bravo. Will this taco leave you saying “bravo”? We are not so sure on that. It has its ups, it has its downs. Overall, we were hoping for a little more kick. A little more flavor. But it was still packed with meat and toppings.

Nate: “I do like the mix of flavors, just wish the meat was more flavorful.”

Amy: “They put a ton of meat on this.”

Kris: “The Taco Bravo is good in its own right.”

Matt: “This is good too. It has a problem with distribution.”

WINNER: Tie! Crunch Wrap Supreme and Taco Bravo

Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists vs Taco John’s Mexican Donut Bites

Cinnamon Twists. “Just a simple, innocent, delicious cinnamon sugar snack.” Well, we wouldn’t know because they didn’t put the food in the bag! BOOOO TACO BELL! Shame!

Mexican Donut Bites. We wanted the mini churros. However they have been discontinued. But the drive-thru guy politely offered us Mexican Donut Bites instead. Thank you Taco John’s drive-thru employee in Cedar Falls, Iowa. You gave us a little cup of fluffy fried heaven.

Nate: “Yeah… They were good!”

Amy: “I really like these.”

Kris: “Did you notice the air fluffing into your mouth when you took a bite?”

Matt: “They were soft and still fresh.”

WINNER: Taco John’s Mexican Donut Bites

There you have it. After trying 4 different menu items from Taco Bell and Taco John’s, we give Taco John’s the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website to find a Taco John’s location near you.

https://tacojohns.com/

Thank you for joining us on this exclusive episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these menu items? Which one was your favorite? Which restaurant is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes

https://www.mashed.com/138403/the-untold-truth-of-taco-johns/

Fastfoodnutrition.org

https://www.mashed.com/161509/the-untold-truth-of-taco-bell/

https://tacobell.com.my/about/

https://www.tacobell.com/history

https://www.thegazette.com/news/after-active-meth-lab-found-cedar-rapids-taco-bell-stays-closed/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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Are you ready to put America’s #1 cookie to the test? If you are, grab a napkin. Maybe a glass of milk if you like to dunk your cookies. Today we are questing for the best Oreo.

Which Oreos are we trying today?

Double Stuf

Caramel Coconut

Peanut Butter Pie

Salted Caramel Brownie

Gingerbread

Chocolate Marshmallow

Mint

Golden Double Stuf

Lemon

Who is on this chocolatey, and sometimes golden Oreo quest?

Hannah, enjoyer of cookies.

Kris, dunker of cookies.

Matt, cookie monster.

Amy, anti-cookie dunker.

And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can be a subscribed Quester. Do it!

The History of the Oreo

The first Oreo cookie was produced in 1912 at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan. As everyone knows, an Oreo is basically a sandwich cookie made from two chocolate cookies sandwiching a disc of vanilla frosting. The origin for the name is not really known. It was first registered as Oreo Biscuits in 1913. In 1921 the name changed to Oreo Sandwich. A few years later it became Oreo Creme Sandwich. In 1974 it became the Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie.

Oreos are actually a knock off. Hydrox cookies were already on the market. They were introduced in 1908 as two chocolate shortbread cookies with a vanilla fondant center. These cookies had a scalloped edge and a design on the top of the cookie. Oreos and Hydrox are supposed to be very similar and Hydrox cookies are still sold today. They are also a kosher cookie.

A quick timeline lets us know that…

1974 - Double Stuf was introduced.

1991 Spooky Oreos with the orange creme were introduced.

1992 - Oreo Minis were introduced.

2013 - Oreo Mega Stuf was introduced

2019 - Most Stuf was introduced

The 2010s is when Oreo started releasing limited edition runs on their flavors.

Oreos Limited edition flavors that are currently on the market include:

Chocolate Hazelnut

Java Chip

Mint

Birthday cake

Chocolate

Dark chocolate

Peanut butter pie

Peanut butter

Carrot cake

Chocolate marshmallow

Caramel Coconut

Oreo Golden Lemon

Oreo is the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Approximately 34 billion Oreo Cookies are sold each year, 92 million cookies per day - with 10 billion of those cookies sold in the U.S. annually. An estimated 500 billion Oreo Cookies have been sold since the Oreo biscuit was introduced.

Based on consumer demand, the classic Oreo is the best selling. Among the many Oreo varieties, the favorite Oreo flavor is Oreo Chocolate Creme, closely followed by the Most Stuf. Double Stuf was in 4th place, Thins in 5th, Mint in 6th, and Golden in 7th.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

9th Place: Golden Double Stuf

Amy: 2

Hannah: 2

Kris: 3

Matt: 4

8th Place: Salted Caramel Brownie

Amy: 4

Hannah: 3

Kris: 4

Matt: 4

7th/6th Place (Tie): Caramel Coconut

Amy: 3

Hannah: 3

Kris: 4

Matt: 6

7th/6th Place (Tie): Lemon

Amy: 2

Hannah: 4

Kris: 4

Matt: 6

5th/4th Place (Tie): Gingerbread

Amy: 6

Hannah: 6

Kris: 4

Matt: 5

5th/4th Place (Tie): Peanut Butter Pie

Amy: 5

Hannah: 4

Kris: 6

Matt: 6

3rd Place: Double Stuf

Amy: 5

Hannah: 7

Kris: 5

Matt: 8

2nd Place: Chocolate Marshmallow

Amy: 9

Hannah: 5

Kris: 7

Matt: 7

1st Place: Mint

Amy: 9

Hannah: 9

Kris: 9

Matt: 9

There you have it. Mint Oreo gets the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out the Oreo website here for all your cookie needs.

https://www.oreo.com

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all these Oreos? Which one was your favorite? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

Show Notes

https://www.rd.com/article/dunking-cookies-in-milk/

https://www.oreo.com/

https://www.mashed.com/68865/untold-truth-oreo-cookies/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

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What are the worst sounds in the world?

Well according to the Smithsonian Magazine article I stumbled upon, the worst sounds in the world are as follows…

Knife on a bottle

A fork on a glass

Chalk on a blackboard

A ruler on a bottle

Nails on a blackboard

A female scream

An Anglegrinder

Squealing brakes on a bicycle

A baby crying

An electric drill

Now… I don’t know about you, but I feel like some of the worst sounds in the world did not make it to this list. I mean come on… A knife on a bottle?!? I don’t even know if I have ever heard that sound. And as someone who bikes A LOT, I wouldn’t even say that squeaky breaks even bother me other than the fact that it means I should get my bike tuned up.

No. For me, the worst sound on earth is the sound of a fork scraping someone’s teeth while they eat. That sound makes me want to vomit, it makes my teeth ache, and immediately makes me lose my appetite.

But as far as this episode of Quest for the Best goes… I would also put the sound of Mac-n-Cheese being stirred in my top 10.

That’s right folks. Today we have stirred up multiple boxes and microwave dinners of Mac-n-Cheese.

Which brands of Mac-n-Cheese are we trying today?

Kraft Mac-N-Cheese

Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese

Velveeta Shells and Cheese

Amy’s Frozen Macaroni and Cheese

Stouffer’s Frozen Macaroni and Cheese

Who is on this glorious Mac-n-Cheese Quest?

Hannah, mac-n-cheese connoisseur

Kris, enjoyer of mac-n-cheese

Matt, the guy who is alright with mac-n-cheese

Amy, hater of cheese

Brie - Quest for the Best ghost

And of course, all of our subscribers (we now have 6! Thank you!) and those who just stumbled upon the show. Thanks for joining us today.

The History of Mac-n-Cheese

First of all, to understand Macaroni and cheese, you need to understand cheese. Cheese making was originally about survival for a farm family or community. They would take a very perishable protein and transform it into something less perishable. The first cheese factory in the U.S. was built in 1851. Before that, cheese was made on farms - and if the farm was prosperous, they usually had a cheese maid.

Processed cheese, which was invented 107 years ago in Switzerland, is cheese that is emulsified and cooked. This process will no longer alter with age. Think Velveeta, canned cheese, or the powders.

Fun fact - Velveeta was invented in 1918 and now this 22 ingredient food is no longer regulated as cheese.

So where did Macaroni and cheese get its beginnings? Well, the exact origin of it is unknown, though the earliest known recorded recipe was from 1769. Mac and cheese made its way into the United States courtesy of Thomas Jefferson.

Kraft foods introduced its boxed mac-n-cheese in 1937 during the Great Depression. It could serve four people for 19 cents, and Kraft sold 8 million boxes in a year.

Worldwide mac and cheese consumption is 7 million boxes a week.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

5th Place: Velveeta Shells and Cheese

Amy: 2

Hannah: 3

Kris : 2

Matt: 4

4th Place: Kraft Mac-n-Cheese

Amy: 4

Hannah: 4

Kris: 3

Matt: 3

3rd Place: Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese

Amy: 4

Hannah: 6

Kris: 5

Matt: 5

2nd Place: Stouffer’s Frozen Macaroni and Cheese

Amy: 5

Hannah: 7

Kris: 7

Matt: 5

1st: Amy’s Frozen Macaroni and Cheese

Amy: 7

Hannah: 8

Kris: 6

Matt: 7

There you have it. Amy’s Frozen Macaroni and Cheese gets the Quest for the Best seal of approval. For all your mac-n-cheese needs, check out their website.

https://www.amys.com/our-foods/macaroni-cheese

Thank you for checking out this week’s quest. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried all of these? Which was your favorite? We would love to hear your rating.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

Quest for the Best Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/marvelous-macaroni-and-cheese-30954740/#:~:text=The%20exact%20origin%20of%20macaroni,being%20scribbled%20down%20in%201769.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-is-the-most-annoying-sound-in-the-world-75317235/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/brief-history-americas-appetite-for-macaroni-cheese-180969185/

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Grab a can opener, sauce pan, and a spoon. On our very first published episode of Quest for the Best, we are trying out Baked Beans.

Which beans are we trying today?

Bush’s Original

VanCamp’s Pork and Beans

Ranch Style Brand Beans

HyVee Pork & Beans

Serious Bean Company Southern Mustard Q BBQ Beans

Serious Bean Company Sweet and a Bit Sassy Dr. Pepper Baked Beans

B&M Original Baked Beans

Who is on this beautiful bean quest?

Nate, enjoyer of beans.

Alan, the bean master of the universe.

Matt, the guy who is alright with beans.

Amy, all-around bean lover.

And of course, all of our subscribers and those who just stumbled upon the show. Thanks for joining us today.

The History of the Baked Bean

The true origin of the baked bean is not really known, however the most widely-held theory is that baked beans are a Native American cuisine. Beans were baked in earthenware pots with maple syrup and sometimes with different meats, such as venison. This meal was important because it had high protein, calories, and fat content.

Baked beans as we know them today, fresh from the can, are made with navy beans, which was the same type of beans in indigenous American recipes.

Different areas of the world and of the United states vary on how they prepare their beans. However, the area that people in the states tend to associate with beans is Boston Massachusetts, or Beantown. Boston baked beans are made with molasses for a rich, caramel-sweet dish, often with pork and sometimes onion added. Boston was actually an epicenter of rum production, and the byproduct of molasses was plentiful in the area.

The combination of Boston, beans, and molasses has not always been a happy one. On January 15th, 1919, a giant tank of molasses burst open in Boston’s North End and more than two million gallons poured out like a tsunami wave, reaching speeds up to 35 miles per hour. It flooded the streets, crushed buildings, and ultimately killed 21 people and injured 150 more.

The mass production of tinned baked beans happened in 1895, by the HJ Heinz Company. These were produced in Pittsburgh. Today, Heinz Beans are made in the world's largest baked bean factory, located in Wigan England. The beans are imported from the United States and are made using Haricot beans. They are then rehydrated in the factory. Spices and tomato sauce is added and the beans are canned and sealed. At this point the beans and sauce are steamed, which is a process that takes about 2 hours to complete. More than 3 million cans are produced each day and around 1 billion cans every year. Heinz sells over 2.5 million cans in the UK every day.

The Results

SPOILER ALERT!

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

7th Place: HyVee Pork & Beans

Alan: 2/10

Amy: 1/10

Matt: 2/10

Nate: 3/10

6th Place: Serious Bean Company Sweet and a Bit Sassy Dr. Pepper Baked Beans

Alan: 1/10

Amy: 3/10

Matt: 4/10

Nate: 2/10

5th Place: B&M Original Baked Beans

Alan: 4/10

Amy: 1/10

Matt: 4/10

Nate: 4/10

4th Place: VanCamp’s Pork and Beans

Alan: 5/10

Amy: 3/10

Matt: 3/10

Nate: 3/10

3rd Place: Serious Bean Company Southern Mustard Q BBQ Beans

Alan: 9/10

Amy: 6/10

Matt: 5/10

Nate: 5/10

2nd Place: Bush’s Original

Alan: 8/10

Amy: 7/10

Matt: 5/10

Nate: 7/10

1st Place: Ranch Style Brand Beans

Alan: 7/10

Amy: 5/10

Matt: 6/10

Nate: 10/10

There you have it. Ranch Style Brand Beans get the Quest for the Best seal of approval. Check out their website here for all your bean needs.

https://www.ranchstylebeans.com/

Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Did you try all these beans? Which one was your favorite? We would love to hear your rating as well.

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to monthly content where we put two restaurants head to head in a Quest for the Best battle. You definitely do not want to miss out.

Show Notes

https://www.lovefood.com/gallerylist/97568/the-secret-history-of-baked-beans

Get full access to Quest for the Best Podcast at questforthebestpodcast.substack.com/subscribe