Imagine you’re at a party and your stomach starts rumbling after a whole lot of socializing, so you head over to the food table. You’re famished and craving chips but when you look at the spread, the only chips available are a party-sized Lay’s Classic. You know that feeling, the one where you’re so disappointed you retreat into the bathroom and start bawling because, why, why, would anyone ever buy plain salted chips? Out of all the flavors available, they choose Lay’s Classic. Let’s settle this once and for all. What are the best potato chip flavors? 

S-Tier:

Sour cream and onion — there’s a reason why it’s ubiquitous across all brands, but the best are from Ruffles. No question.

Honey Dijon — exotic, but a godsend. I’m talking about the Kettle brand ones that have a hard crunch and no lack of flavor. Sweet, mustardy, just, crazy. Absolutely crazy.

Korean barbeque — from Kettle again. Think barbeque, but with a smokier and sweeter flavor. Can you imagine it? I bet you’re drooling. 

Cheddar and sour cream — the only chip I will get my fingers orange for. Cheetos? Bleh, hard pass. Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream? Bring it on. 

Calbee Hot & Spicy — the it girl of all potato chips. Whenever someone brought a bag of these into the classroom in elementary school, everyone would turn their heads and beg for a piece. If your parents gave you a bag of these to bring to school, you were automatically worshiped and for a couple of potato chips, hey, easy game, easy life. 

A-Tier:

Barbeque — maybe it should be S-Tier, maybe it should be B-Tier, maybe it could be anywhere. A bag of light crispy Lay’s Barbeque chips (snack-size) always goes hard. But when compared to KBBQ, KBBQ gets the edge. So here we are with barbeque in A-Tier. Unless it’s the Trader Joe’s Carolina Gold Style BBQ Ridge Cut Potato Chips. Then those are most definitely S-Tier. 

Sea salt and vinegar — I think you have to be in the mood for a bag of these tongue-tingling delights. But when that moment comes, oh gosh, I’ll wish I was you.

B-Tier:

Jalapeño Kettle Chips — better than salted, but eh. Too spicy for the low amount of flavor.

Jalapeño ranch — I’m not gonna lie, these are pretty good. But after eating a bag, I don’t want another one for a long time. I’d much rather grab a bag of sour cream and onion.

C-Tier:

Salted — if this is your go-to, who are you, seriously? No other flavor can be C-Tier except plain chips.

Yes, this article is meant to be controversial. And yeah, you probably have different opinions. And honestly, I couldn’t care less — unless you like plain salted chips.