Rachel Dunn

These Trader Joe’s Chili & Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips are a favorite among students of Ayala and compared to the original Takis brand, they might be better in terms of health, cost, and flavor.

Though original versions of a product often fare better than the duplicate versions, it’s the exact opposite for spicy chips. This specifically applies to Takis and Trader Joe’s Chili & Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips.

Trader Joe’s products have had many positive reviews from students on campus and it’s no different for these chips. Many prefer buying and eating these spicy chips compared to the original for a variety of different reasons.

Cheaper

Compared to the name brand Takis that are usually sold in stores for around $4 to $4.30, Trader Joe’s version sells for $2.99. This lower price makes them more appealing to students in light of the fact that they could get the same amount of chips for a lower cost.

Tastes better

Many in favor of Trader Joe’s version of the chip argue that it generally tastes better.

“Even though Trader Joe’s takis are not as spicy, they do have a better flavor than the normal ones,” Nicholas Mullins (12) said.

The original marketing flavor for both each brand of chip is “chili and lime”, yet because of the amount of chili powder that the name brand Takis has, it can be hard to discern where the lime is. The Trader Joe’s version does a better job of blending the two flavors to create a cohesive flavor that tastes both flavorful and strong.

“Something about their sour to spice ratio hits it off better than the name-brand Takis,” Caesar Torres (11) said. “I prefer a nice equal amount of chip to seasoning ratio and I think Trader Joe’s hits it to a tee.”

Healthier

Since Trader Joe’s is reputable for selling organic products, those buying their version of the takis automatically feel as if they are eating something more healthier and more organic, as opposed to the original brand name Takis.

Compared to the original, they have less sugar, sodium, and saturated fats, which make them more healthy without subtracting the spicy flavor of the chip. Many students have found that whenever they eat regular Takis, it leaves them feeling guilty because of the amount of powder that it has. More often than not, the original Takis bag is filled with more powder than the corn tortilla chips, hence making it more unhealthy. 

“They at least seem healthier than regular Takis, I don’t know if they are,” Lawrence Galang (11) said. “I don’t feel like [bad] when eating them compared to regular Takis.”

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Trader Joe’s Chili & Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips is one of their bestsellers, and for good reason. 

“Whenever I do munch on a Trader Joe’s takis, I feel that not only does it taste better than the original, but I get more out of it as well, amount and health wise,” Torres (11) said.

These chips are favored among many at Ayala for various reasons such as its flavor, health, and cost. Many might even say that they’re better than the original.