Junk Food Nation, let’s face it.  We’re all getting older.  Not a LOT older, but we’re getting to the age where holy shit it’s 2012.  That’s the kind of old I’m talking about.  I’m getting to the kind of old where I’m coming up on my 15 year high school reunion.  Ohhh yeah.  Ancient. The type of old where you make a Seinfeld reference, and some people DON’T get it.  “No soup for you!” ….nothing?  NOTHING????

This past Fall, my friend Neil went to show me a picture of a party he threw the year previous.  He didn’t whip out a photo album.  He didn’t pull out the little plastic insert in his wallet.  He unlocked his iPhone and scrolled right to digital photos in his photo library.  This sort of action wasn’t even FATHOMED when I was a kid.  And I have proof: the existence of wallet photos.

You know what wallet photos are – these tiny 2×3 inch photos that you used to get a bunch of when you ordered yearbook photos.  You’d get a big stack of them and then trade them with your friends when you were in grade school.  If you were really awesome, like I was, you’d cover the whole inside of your locker with them.  I don’t know why – I just did.  It was Facebook, but on the inside of my locker.  LockerBook.  I FOUNDED LOCKERBOOK!

Anyways, my Dad used to have pictures of me and my siblings in his wallet too.  You watch movies from the 80’s and 90’s – people were flipping open wallets left and right, showing photos.  But with iPhoto and the like, this clearly doesn’t happen anymore.  I’m waiting to be in a theater watching some movie where the character on screen does that, and for some random kid to lean over to his mom and ask, “Mom, what is he doing? He has photos…printed out…in his wallet? Like, hard copy photos? What’s next – does he actually carry books instead of a Kindle too?” And when that happens, I am going to officially apply for AARP, grab an Uzi, and start taking people out.

Seriously though, since wallet photos are now obsolete, WHY do companies still offer photos in that size? Snapfish, Kodak, they all still let you order 2×3’s…for what? Your kid’s locker probably has a flatscreen in it. If someone gave you a wallet size photo now, you would probably have it in your hand, and then legitimately ask the giver: “Now what?”

It’s upsetting, and we’re all in the same boat.  If you remember wallet photos, then you’re old. Sigh.

Onto today’s junk food: Popcorn, Indiana Sea Salt Chip’ins!

The Money Shot

Popcorn, Indiana Sea Salt Chip’ins were first pointed out to me by my sister Teresa and were purchased at Walgreens.  “They’re chips that taste like popcorn!” my sister exclaimed.  Such a paradox needed to be tested.

I discussed the background of Popcorn, Indiana here. I still think Popcorn, Indiana is a great name for a town.  Here’s a thought – why not extend it past food into naming towns after cool things generally?  Who wouldn’t want to live in Touchdown, New York or Home Run, Texas!  I’m getting excited just thinking about.  Someone get me a mayor – any mayor – I have some towns to name.

I like simple instructions

Open, Eat, Repeat.  Yes, ma’am.

Triangle stacks

Popcorn, Indiana Sea Salt Chip’ins basically look like tortilla chips  – which isn’t REALLY a stretch, since these are made of corn, tortilla chips are made of corn.  These also seem to have the look of mini rice cakes too.  Very ripply. And they’re called Chip’ins because ……well, the website doesn’t explain why.  Thanks a lot, P-I.

Wait, am I PAYING for the air?

Anytime a junk food company drops TRIUMVIRATE, I am DOWN.  I like my junk food like I like my women: with taste, crunch, and purity.  Wait, that doesn’t work…

I'm the goods

You’re obsessed with the word “obsessed”?   I’m obsessed with Words with Friends.  Let’s play (junkfoodguy)

20 chips = 120 cals = 6 cals per chip?! Awesome

If these chips are half as tasty as my sister described, then 6 calories a chip is pretty effing incredible.  All natural, healthy, and flavorful? These people should be working for NASA….if it was still around.

Sort of like Doritos...sort of

First of all, the bag was hard as hell to get open.  But once I did, I could see the bag was FULL of chips like the ones shown above.  Thin, triangular, with no scent really.

Rice cakes? Nope...popcorn chips

Perfect for dipping

As you can see, these Popcorn, Indiana Sea Salt Chip’ins actually LOOK like rice cakes up close.  I had to taste.

One crunch, and I was in HEAVEN.  Sis, you were right – these WERE good.  The taste was fresh and flavorful – to put it simply, it tasted just like popcorn, but in chip form!  To be more descriptive, these DID crunch like mini rice cakes – about halfway between crunch and crisp, given the thinness of the chip.

The taste was of popcorn, and not of the simple corn tortilla taste.  These had that airy taste that popcorn has.  The sea salt was perfectly sprinkled on, giving JUST enough savoriness to provide an overall amazing taste experience.

Finally, I couldn’t help but imagine these chips, while tasty on their own, would also be perfect for dipping.  Possibilities abound.

But for now, NICE WORK, Popcorn, Indiana!  You’re two for two on snacks I’ve tried of yours.  Can’t WAIT to try whatever else you have brewing in that popcorn kitchen!

Do YOU have any thoughts on getting older or this junk food? Tell me in the comments below or hit me on Twitter @junkfoodguy or on my Facebook Page.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go trademark “LockerBook.”

Sincerely, Junk Food Guy